Diabolical

Yesterday, well what can I say except that the team simply did not turn up? Stoke were all over us from the beginning although their football in all honesty was boring. I have never seen so many long throws in such a small amount of time and I would really love to know why they feel that the ball has to wiped with a towel every time it leaves the pitch. The way Roy had set up the team was awful and to be honest why Kyriakos was back, I don't know, having watched Martin Kelly play his heart out in the last two games. We also had Maxi Rodrigeux back on the pitch, which yet again proved to be a total waste of time. I don't think he kicked the ball more than a few yards each time that he had it. Stevie G I think appeared to be the only player on the pitch yet again as he tried to rescue what was becoming a dire situation, but with the lack of service to Torres, it was never going to happen. The Liverpool defence was also in a mess and it was a miracle that Stoke had not scored by the time the half time whistle was blown. Tony Pullis will have gone into the tunnel knowing that his team should not only been ahead because they were the better team of the half but because in the early stages of the game, it appeared that referee Mark Halsey could have awarded a couple of penalties.

The second half was no better and with Torres getting a yellow card within minutes of the kick off, it became clear that things were going to get a little nasty. The Players tempers were beginning to fray as quickly as their football and after handing out several yellow cards, minutes from the end Lucas was sent off, having received his second one of the day.

Before that though, Stoke took advantage of a scramble in the goalmouth by our lacklustre defence and the expected goal went in. This woke the lads up to a certain degree but having left it too late there was no way that they were going to recover and although Ryan Babel and David Ngog were brought onto the pitch, it did not make any difference.

What has caused this remarkable downturn in the way that Liverpool now plays is anyone's guess, but the main blame is going on Roy Hodgson. This is the 'safe' appointment that was made in the summer to steady the ship. Quite simply it has not worked that way and it is becoming evident week in and week out. As much as I would like to get behind the manager, my patience has now been worn down to such a degree that I have to join the growing crowd of people that want him removed from the position.

This was made evident again yesterday at the end of the game, as the players left the field with the supporters calling out Dalglish. Kenny of course is the man that most of the supporters had hoped would be handed the role in the summer. This as everyone knows did not happen because he was deemed unsuitable. Why this was, is a mystery to myself and many of the supporters out there. Here we have a man who has served Liverpool well over the years, who knows the Liverpool way of doing things and who would bring the pride back into the team and yet he too, at moment is often seen looking shocked at what is in front of him.

The press conference after the game again was full of the same old excuses, but I think it has now got to the point where John Henry and the new board which is now in place, has got to listen to what us the supporters have to say. They are not football men and still have a lot to learn about the way the English game is played. If they don't they may find that they receive a short sharp shock, when the revenue drops next season because we have been relegated. This of course I hope never happens but on our current form anything is possible.

The reaction from everyone yesterday came as no surprise for several hours after the game. As soon as the match finished the football phone -in's on the local radio stations, Radio's Merseyside, City and Citytalk became inundated with people complaining about not only the team's performance but also the tactics of the manager. On This is Anfield we had Matt apologising because the phone lines were down but they were accepting emails. These of course all said the same thing - Roy needs to be removed from his post because his stubbornness is stopping him from realising that being the manager of Liverpool is far too big for him. There were also tweets being sent to John Henry, his wife Linda and Kenny asking for his removal.

Will they influence the decision when someone is brave enough to make it, I honestly don't know but if you feel the same as I do, then the sooner the better, because although I will always support my team, I really don't know how much longer I can keep my temper under control. It has now got to the point where I am not sure I can sit around and watch Roy destroy what was once a great institution. We got rid of unfit owners, as fans it is getting to the point where we will have join forces to get rid of an unfit manager, if the powers that be won't.