It was too good to last. Christmas joy, lots of family and celebration, and England win the Ashes in a game I never watch. Then this: Liverpool 0-1 Wolves.
I wouldn’t so much mind Liverpool losing, if they at least played like a team that was interested in being on the pitch in the first place. It’s the lack of passion. I have no idea if it is Roy Hodgson’s fault or if the rot goes deeper. But, we Liverpool fans are not used to being in 12th position at the turn of the year – only three points above the relegation zone. Desperate. And embarrassing when half your mates are Chelsea, Spurs or Man Utd fans.
I’m beginning to wonder if it’s my support that is sporting death to any team that claims my affections. Croydon’s own Crystal Palace drew last night and remain stuck in the Championship relegation zone – Bradford City lost 4:0 to Cheltenham Town. With an effect like this, I might just start supporting Man Utd…
It’s just as well I am rooted in a theology of hope. Hope does not depend on particular circumstances, but in being constant whatever the particular circumstances of life might be. Put bluntly, Christian hope is not in God keeping me alive and happy or healthy and fulfilled; rather, it is in the God who has the final word (‘resurrection’) in a world that thinks violence and death have ultimate power. In other words, the circumstances might change – and get better or worse – but I won’t blow in the wind.
I’m even hopeful about Liverpool. I’ll stick with them, come what may. But, I feel like the Hebrew people in exile, hanging on to words that promise a better future. One day.
(I can still be miserable, though!)
December 30, 2010 at 12:28 am
Well firstly, I think (in a very unqualified-to-comment way) that our top footballers have actually lost touch with the point of the whole thing, and reckon that Liverpool (indeed, England) would be better off with some less well-known, hungrier players who did actually have some passion to win, rather than just being preoccupied with what they’re going to spend all that cash on come the final whistle… (let’s face it, the cash don’t seem to be particularly performance related!)
Secondly, yes, why not try supporting the infallbile ManU for a while and see what happens!
Rant over.
Signed: a nominal Liverpool supporter, spending Christmas in Liverpool…
December 30, 2010 at 9:08 am
Blessed are the poor in spirit?
December 30, 2010 at 9:53 am
You just have to hang on in there – from a Spurs fan who has seen faith rewarded – and some notable “failures” come good – Gomes, Kaboul and the mightily resurrected Gareth Bale who most of us wanted out this time last year ( 20 odd league starts before starting in a winning team – a real Jonah for you).
The philosopher/ footballer pre- Eric Cantona was Danny Blanchflower who still encapsulates my approach to the sport and keeps me true to the style of the best Spurs teams and all the great teams including Liverpool. “It’s not about winning – its about glory”.
December 30, 2010 at 10:01 am
PS
I remember at the time of the Italian World cup – the one with Pavarotti singing the theme – that there is a similarity of language between the nobililty of grand Opera and Football.
“Masterful” “Character” “Bravery” “Heroic” “Loyalty” “Courage” “Tragic” – all the attributes of an Operatic hero ( and maybe even bullfighters – though I am no expert there) are those we apply to our football heroes.
Maybe you should stop singing ” You’ll never walk alone” and until the winning runs return, try “Nessum Dorma” – “None shall sleep”!
December 30, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Liverpool have been going down hill ever since selling Xavi Alonso. He made your midfield tick and made Gerrard a far better player. He also had a mean streak, as witnessed by he and Frank Lampard always kicking six bells out of each other.
I have been known to take the odd theological lesson from football, just ask my congregation! Perhaps the state of Liverpool is a warning that tradition is great but cannot be all we rely on; that a golden age in the church sometime ago is all very well but does not have much cash value now. Anyway as a Chelsea fan we have our own problems..
December 30, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I never cease being amazed how clerics can shoe horn everyday events into similes, analogies and metaphors for their homilies (or sermons to be less Catholic) You know what I mean? “ I was waiting for a bus and there was no sign of one for ages and then 3 turned up all together. That’s just like God’s blessings we pray for them and just as we think etc.”
I’m afraid I’m still immature enough to take a pleasure when big teams like Liverpool, Man U and Chelsea lose to the minnows of the football world. But, then I am a Leicester City supporter albeit only half hearted on my best day. In fact, since England’s lamentable performance in the World Cup I’ve decided not to watch anymore football on the television and so far I have not. I’ll make an exception when Leicester City go to the FA Cup final. I am not holding my breath.
December 30, 2010 at 2:04 pm
“I never cease being amazed how clerics can shoe horn everyday events into similes, analogies and metaphors for their homilies…” Steve, does the word ‘irony’ mean anything in this context…?
For the record, I followed Leicester City for nine years while living there. Doesn’t help my case, does it?
December 30, 2010 at 2:30 pm
It may well do Nick, it’s just that sometimes the ‘shoe horning’ is a little less than elegant. But of course I can well see how everyday events make excellent springboards for parables etc. I sometimes wish there was a font for irony.
December 30, 2010 at 5:43 pm
I really dont like to blame one man – there’s always an alternative BUT in Mr Hodgsons case I’ll make an exception!
Our children (ok and my wife) support Liverpool and issued a collective groan when Mr H was appointed for I am a born and bred Blackburn supporter who witnessed one Mr H destroy a good team not too long ago – an issue I had a lot to say about at the time and still have a lot to droan on about but I wont here being a guest and all that.
It maybe that Mr H is good at picking up struggling teams and getting the best out of not quite top flight players? He sure as heck aint no good at getting the best out of top-flight players!
Finally, a plea: Nick, please leave Man U alone. Yes, their manager can infuriate but haven’t they just been good value season in and season out.
December 31, 2010 at 3:45 am
Thanks for reminding us that there is always hope. Alternatively you could support Everton!!!
December 31, 2010 at 11:22 am
Maybe you should stop singing ” You’ll never walk alone” and until the winning runs return, try “Nessum Dorma” – “None shall sleep”!
How about “Remember me! but ah! forget my fate”?
December 31, 2010 at 2:26 pm
SteveH, I agree, but it’s not new.
Just listen to ‘Thought for the day’ on Radio 4. The formula is very simple. Recently there was a wonderful comedy sketch by (I think) David Mitchell spoofing the formula, I will try to find it.
KK
December 31, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Interesting to see Hodgson seems to be blaming the fans for Liverpool’s current poor form. To paraphrase that old song “fans ain’t what they used to be”. In a recent poll 95% of LFC’s fans wanted him to go so that’s a lot of messengers to shoot. I’ve tried to conflate this comment with some insightful theological point but I’ve failed. Best so far is Hodgson seems to be saying to fans “Oh yea of little faith”
December 31, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Please give Wolves some credit. We have alternated between hope and despair for years.
January 1, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Nick,
Hope rises eternal – Gillingham, were languishing at the foot of the second division and had not won away for over 18 months. Now, with 4 away wins in a row, they are mid-table and on the rise.
It takes time for new managers to bed in and to get the team onside. The manager let most of the old team go at the end of the last season and got in his own brand or kind of player – now, two thirds of the way through the season – his trust in the players and theirs in him (as well as the Chairman’s trust in the manager) they have come good.
So, Liverpool deserve a chance to improve, but consistently changing direction does not seem to work. New manager, new players might be the remedy – although they will struggle to survive as they are.
January 7, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Nick
I enjoy your blog. Even as a journalist I don’t know how you to manage to find the time to write something virtually everyday. I sympathise with Liverpool’s plight. I am afraid Roy Hodgson inherited a squad of ordinary players – by Liverpool’s standards – and it is going to take time to re-capture a top four place let alone a Premier League title. Unfortunately, managers do not get time in the frenetic world of professional football. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. When Hodgson moved from Fulham last summer it seemed to be a progressive move for him and a sound if not a particularly exciting move for Liverpool. I am sorry you never watch cricket. I am sure you know that Bradford is one of the most cricket minded cities in the country and the Bradford League has produced numerous international and county players over the years, the latest being Adil Rashid, a British Asian born in Bradford. What a wonderful performance by England in Australia.
January 8, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Time to become a cricket supporter, Nick. Better game, better weather, better songs, one is tempted to say better company – certainly better chance of winning. I can arrange the conversion.