Collective Responsibility

Collective responsibility is a political term pertaining to the responsibility of each individual of a collective, to a whole. It is often a technique used to make sure politicians in a political party tow the party line (along with the Whips, of course).

There is evidence of a collective responsibility environment emerging in the dressing room, through comments made by various players, legends and Hodgson. Contrary to popular opinion, the dressing room seems to have not been ‘lost’. Hodgson claims: “I have been lucky the support I have had has been from the players and within the club…” and there is certainly evidence of this, with recent comments from Fabio Aurelio, stating “we are all behind the manager and we have to try to get out of this situation together…” and even offering up words of sympathy; “we all know the coach is the first person to have the pressure on. He tries to make the team play, but it’s the players who have to go out on the pitch and do it.”

It would seem, by studying these comments from Aurelio, that Hodgson has at least some of the players’ backing. However, it is clear that the backing of the players has come from players who have either been (re-)signed, or are doing their best to become first choice once more – see comments from Johnson, Cole and Aurelio in recent weeks. This creates an illusory collective responsibility environment, and could point to in-cohesion in the dressing room.

The rumblings of discontent were first evident through Daniel Agger’s comments that “our play has changed”, claiming “I’m here to play, not unload.” Somewhat of an attack on Hodgson’s footballing philosophy that has “translated from Halmstad to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss National team.” Or so he claims.

Comments such as those, from somewhat of a favourite amongst Liverpool fans, highlighted early on just how ‘at odds’ Hodgson was to the famous “pass and move” footballing philosophy which has been ingrained in a fanbase so richly rewarded with footballing finery over the years.

Ian Rush has recently become an advocate of the ‘give him time’ corner, citing the (what some claim as) somewhat fortunate win over Bolton as a reason to “get behind him [Hodgson]”. Rush claims that Liverpool “played some really good football”, which can be disputed as distracting hyperbole – the football was decent, as much as you’d come to expect under Rafa Benitez every game, and the least you’d expect from a Liverpool performance at Anfield, with a 58% possession rating over a good Bolton side.

Although Liverpool have now ‘done the double’ over Bolton this season, winning 2-1 Home and Away, it should be noted that in both games, Liverpool were saved a potentially deflating draw by late goals. Not the comfortable wins against Bolton the fans have come to expect over the years. Albeit, against a man in Owen Coyle who has revitalized the Bolton side, and has it playing attractive football. It’s possible that it should be Coyle that should feel disappointed at Home loss against a Hodgson side, rather than Hodgson feeling proud of a win.

It was, however, an improvement. Although, clearly not enough to ‘save’ Hodgson’s job (it’s almost an inevitability that he will be removed in the summer anyway), it did serve as a life support mechanism, to drag out the last few breaths of his ailing tenure as Liverpool boss. John Henry and Tom Werner are thought to be working on a number of potential managerial targets; even having approached Jurgen Klopp in recent weeks, according to various reports. A New Years Eve (strategic) media leak saw many high-profile newspapers reveal that bonafide Liverpool legend, Kenny Dalglish, was close to taking on Liverpool’s managerial post.

The collective responsibility, that seems to be more of an atmosphere between Hodgson and (some of) the players, rather than a binding agreement, is to be tested by the abysmal away form that Liverpool ‘enjoyed’ in 2010, and indeed, that Hodgson has ‘enjoyed’ throughout his entire career, who has never won more than 5 away wins in a Premier League season. Collective responsibility? Or the responsibility of a man not fit to manage one of Europe’s, and indeed the World’s, top clubs?

The appointment of Hodgson at the Liverpool helm, proves the old clichè is very much still applicable today: ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ Hodgson certainly has friends in high places.