Friday, December 31, 2010

Hodgson: I didn't attack fans




After that loss, Hodgson complained that the "famous Anfield support has not really been there" following his appointment as Liverpool boss in the summer.
That accusation did nothing to relieve the pressure on Hodgson, whose side are languishing in 12th place, but he insists that his words were taken out of context.
"Things have been misinterpreted,'' Hodgson said. "I'm afraid people have taken one small comment where I was describing my situation.
"I was responding to a question about how it felt to be jeered by fans, making it clear it hurts me and I was disappointed by it because no-one wants to feel they are unpopular. I understand it is up to me to take it on the chin but it's not been an easy ride for me.
"It's been an uphill struggle and I was not the first choice appointment with a lot of fans. But if I have offended them in any way I deeply regret that. All I can do is apologise and make it perfectly clear there was nothing offensive in my comments.''
Although Hodgson was in conciliatory mood, he concede that Liverpool's Champions League dream was rapidly fading. Following the Wolves defeat - their eighth in the league this season - the Reds are 11 points away from fourth-placed Chelsea.
"Nothing's ever gone, but I don't think it's right at this moment in time to be talking about Champions League qualification," he said. "The first aim has got to be to get ourselves into the top of the table and into some sort of touching distance."

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