This season; can GH turn a slightly parched landscape into a greener haven...

[Gaztonniller]

where all the inhabitants and birds are able to drink leisurely from the pure, cool water of revitalised player talent flowing out of VP?   

Or in other words, what now for those formerly sidelined & fringe players under O'Neill, and those players whose full commitment to the cause & ability the fans have queried. Can the Houllier route be their way back to VP & fan redemption.
Consider this. During 2000–01 season (signed under Houllier) excelled to silence concerns over his goalscoring ability by scoring 23 goals for Liverpool.
Now If the currently much maligned can flourish to such an extent under GH, then (hoping lightning strike twice) who else might you hope to see also excell under GH on the pitch? 

[JUAN PABLO]

Houlier was a genius to get Heskey to score 22 goals in one season..   Unbelievable...

[not3bad]

If he can can Sidwell performing that would be nice.

[Small Rodent]

Shouldn't be too hard at all. I was a MON supporter, but really thought, the substitution/resting players issue could have helped garner a few more points if done properly.

Can we keep up with teams that had the chance to replenish the squad? Remains to be seen.

[Concrete John]

Given Houllier's previous 'defence first' approach, I wonder if he'll value the protection NRC gives the back four and use him as MON did circa 07/08?

[Jimbo]

Can anyone imagine Gerard Houllier having a fight with NRC? Just asking, like.

[Monty]

Is it slightly ironic that GH's first game in charge is on Mon.?

[darren woolley]

I can see him bringing something to table looking upwards now.

[Chris Smith]

It's a fresh start for all the players, they should all be given a chance to impress.

I'm sure Houllier thinks that way, do the fans?

[PaulTheVillan]

A fresh start is what players like NRC, Sidwell and Davies need.

If GH can get these performing to their best and challenging for a place in the side then we'll be better off for it.

[Concrete John]

It's a fresh start for all the players, they should all be given a chance to impress.

I'm sure Houllier thinks that way, do the fans?

Of course we do.

Absolutely every single player from the youngest kid to Ashley Young starts with a clean sheet and has a chance to stake their claim to a place in the side.

Except Emile Heskey!

[not3bad]

Except Emile Heskey!

What not even if Houllier manages to get him scoring 20 goals a season again?  I know the odds are against it to say the least but stranger things have been known.  Possibly.

[Ads]

It would be underpants twistingly irritating and equally delightful at the same time if he somehow managed to get the Sidwell to perform how he did for Reading.

[Chris Smith]

It's a fresh start for all the players, they should all be given a chance to impress.

I'm sure Houllier thinks that way, do the fans?

Of course we do.

Absolutely every single player from the youngest kid to Ashley Young starts with a clean sheet and has a chance to stake their claim to a place in the side.

Except Emile Heskey!

It was Emile that I had in my mind.

To my way of thinking it's Year Zero, we start again from now and the slate should be wiped clean for all of them, including Mr Heskey. After all he's our equal top scorer this season. <wink>

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think we'll see over the season a big difference mainly due to having proper coaching. It may be a bit of a shock to the players at first but I'm guessing the better players are going to thrive on it. It's not going to happen overnight but we'll be a lot more organised and comfortable with the ball. Obviously good coaching can only improve a player to a certain extent but our squad are not as bad as they've pretended to be, so hopefully we can make something of this season.

I for one am looking forward to a 21st century Villa team.