Roy Hodgson: Liverpool FC star Fernando Torres is no cheat

[StevieH]

Liverpool Echo - Everton FC - News - Roy Hodgson: Liverpool FC star Fernando Torres is no cheat

 

ROY HODGSON has hit back at Alex Ferguson over the Fernando Torres affair – as Dirk Kuyt prepares to make a shock first team return.

 

Liverpool return to Premier League action today and Hodgson is debating whether to pitch the Holland international back into the fray just 19 days after damaging his shoulder ligaments.

 

Torres will be in the starting line-up that takes on Sunderland at Anfield and Hodgson has rubbished Ferguson’s ludicrous claim that the striker made the most of a challenge from John O’Shea last week to get the Manchester United defender sent off.

 

Though some fans will have worried that Ferguson’s comments will pray on the mind of referees, Hodgson does not believe that will be the case and he says it would be ridiculous for anyone to label Torres as a cheat.

 

What’s more, he has turned the spotlight on Manchester United winger Nani, who spent much of the 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford indulging in amateur dramatics.

 

“Alex is a good friend of mine and knows how to use the mass media and he’s used it very well there,” said Hodgson. “He might have used it to deflect from Nani who – certainly on one or two occasions – was playing for fouls in our opinion so I’m not concerned about that at all.

 

“Fernando Torres is not a cheat. He has proved that time and time again. He is a very respected player, he is strong and takes players on. He is not easy to stop and he is going to get fouls like he did for the equalising goals.

 

“I don’t think anybody thinks that was not a foul on the edge of the box. I can understand the penalty as well because it is a bit unlucky on the player because he slides but unfortunately that is a stonewall pen when you slide and take somebody out of the game.

 

“There is no danger of us cheating.”

 

The Liverpool boss admitted he made a mistake in not speaking earlier but did not feel the need to as he thought Ferguson’s claims were so far-fetched.

 

“I didn’t think it was necessary to say it because it was insulting people’s intelligence. For me, it was one of Alex’s inflammatory little digs to make his victory even sweeter and our defeat even harder and that’s part of the game.”

[Anubis]

Good man. I particularly enjoyed "one of Alex's inflammatory little digs." Use of the word inflammatory, and non-use of the 'Sir' are very nicely folded into the one sentence.

[He-Him]

Well done Woy,

[Guest davelfc]

Good man. I particularly enjoyed "one of Alex's inflammatory little digs." Use of the word inflammatory, and non-use of the 'Sir' are very nicely folded into the one sentence.

 

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hits back at Sir Alex Ferguson's 'inflammatory little digs' - Telegraph

 

"Sir Alex is a good friend of mine and he knows how to use the mass media," Hodgson said. "He has used it very well there and he might have used it to deflect from Nani who, certainly on one or two occasions, was playing for fouls, so I am not concerned about it at all."

 

 

 

I have no idea why the echo decided to remove his 'sir' when they published this, or did the telegraph add it?

[dennis tooth]

Bit late now Roy after Ferguson came out yesterday and withdrew his comments effectively.

[Benitaur]

Lol, quick isn't he?

[mattyq]

THat's better, Roy. Hopefully the King has had a word and you're learning what being the manager of Liverpool football club is about

[fagus]

i thought he was spot on to not mention on sunday ,it made ferguson look a bigger twat than he already is,all the papers have this week have had pieces about nani's playacting ,so i think roy handled it well,if he had made a big fuss the papers would be saying he has fallen for the mind games

[Jennings]

That's a calm and intelligently articulated response.

[Skidfingers McGonical]

That's a calm and intelligently articulated response.

 

To be fair to him he has had 5 days to put his response together. Nice none the less.

[Guest davelfc]

He's been waiting for it to be checked by his mate Alex.

 

(only joking)

[zico]

A bit late Roy, just like most og your substitutions....

[hamstrung]

Someone's evidently had a word.

 

Expect clarification of the SOS comments next.

[King Emlyn]

Someone's evidently had a word.

 

Expect clarification of the SOS comments next.

 

Most definitely, probably Dalglish.

[MLB]

Should have said it at the fucking time.

[stringvest]

i thought he was spot on to not mention on sunday ,it made ferguson look a bigger twat than he already is,all the papers have this week have had pieces about nani's playacting ,so i think roy handled it well,if he had made a big fuss the papers would be saying he has fallen for the mind games

 

my sentiments exactly. A bit of quiet dignity, when all the press where waiting for the obvious comeback - had the effect of the press turning the spotlight on that rabble's antics. A measured response that will be lost on the haters.

[Red Nick]

Better late than never

[ngogswilly]

Someone's evidently had a word.

 

 

Definently.

 

I think hes trying to play it off like hes taking the moral highground, fuck that he should have said it straight off, Fergie is full of shit. It needs to be said, obviously everyone knows it, but no one challenges him.

[Pidge]

Better late than never

 

I... agree... with Nick...

[Irishlad]

That's a calm and intelligently articulated response.

 

Don't be sensible. Everyone knows he should have called Nani a diving cunt on Sunday and told Alex to shove his wine up his arse.

[stardorman]

about time roy said something derogatory about ginsoak. he may watch his mouth though, ginsoak runs this league and the fa, he'll probably have a word in davy gill's ear and have him up in front of the fa for those comments!

[Vivaldo]

i thought he was spot on to not mention on sunday ,it made ferguson look a bigger twat than he already is,all the papers have this week have had pieces about nani's playacting ,so i think roy handled it well,if he had made a big fuss the papers would be saying he has fallen for the mind games

 

Excellent point - After week to reflect I also thought this when I read the report. But again this could also be a response due to the reaction of not saying anything at the time. If the fans never made a fuss, would he have said this now?

 

I wouldn't criticise him for this though as he will be learning all the time about what is needed to manage this club and he responded in way to cover up all aspects and so has used the media against the mad drunk.

[The Chief]

I think he's played this rather well meself. If he'd replied on Sunday all the media would've been made up and started the old "cuntface winning the mind games" shit, Nani's diving would've been forgotten, the dig at Torres would've been forgotten too, this way referees will be thinking about Roy's statement about Torres being respected and not a cheat, and they'll be watching the mancs new ladyboy a bit more closely one would hope!

 

A lot of you wouldn't be happy no matter what Roy does, simple as that.

[ngogswilly]

.

[ngogswilly]

I think he's played this rather well meself. If he'd replied on Sunday all the media would've been made up and started the old "cuntface winning the mind games" shit, Nani's diving would've been forgotten, the dig at Torres would've been forgotten too, this way referees will be thinking about Roy's statement about Torres being respected and not a cheat, and they'll be watching the mancs new ladyboy a bit more closely one would hope!

 

A lot of you wouldn't be happy no matter what Roy does, simple as that.

 

I dont think its about mindgames though, it would be mindgames if we expected to be going toe to toe with them this year.

 

That being said, I can see the point your getting at. My own opinion is he should have responded the next day, I think hes only come out now because there has been a fuss.

 

But maybe taking his time was the smarter way to play it.