Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Clark Five on October 17, 2010, 11:55:00 AM
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Just a snippet that I was told yesterday by a senior club official.
Gerard Houllier has spent more time around Villa Park in the last month than O'Neill did all the time that he was here.
Houllier had also remarked to another mate of mine that he had not realised just how big the club actually was.
It all equates to someone being happy in their job. Let us hope that the long awaited transfer window sees some progress.
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I think we seem to have a feel good factor around the club, Houllier seems to be doing all the right things.
I for one am very impressed with him so far.
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Me too. He has made all the right noises since he arrived. Bringing him in was a great piece of business.
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Apparently according to phil Thompson houllier is a workaholic and often puts in 16 hrs a day working on club business and is a total pro , what a difference to o neill who rarely even bothered to turn up at training sessions and was an aloof character.
I am so pleased to have a man of gerards knowledge at our club, by all accounts he is like a football encyclopedia and knows so much about teams , players and leagues all over Europe, a truly great appointment.
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As one who was underwhelmed by his appointment, I have to say so far,so good. I like his general approach and he seems to be tactically aware. I really hope this one works out-we need it to.
Pretty much every manager at Villa gets off to a good start but we now need some long-term stability or short term success.
I thought MON and Villa were a match made in heaven and it turned out to be more a marriage of convenience. I would like this one to last and (re-)establish a lasting dynasty with good owners, great youth academy, 1st class facilities, loyal fans and an exciting team that players are keen to play in.
Not much to ask is it?
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As one who was underwhelmed by his appointment, I have to say so far,so good. I like his general approach and he seems to be tactically aware. I really hope this one works out-we need it to.
I was also a little underwhelmed when we appointed Houllier but I have to say that I've really warmed to him. He seems to genuinely enjoy his job and most importantly he has a plan B.
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liking what i am seeing so far... obviously the big test will be when he gets to bring in his own players, but so far, so good...
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Thing that makes you realise he's a good manager is the little things like yesterday when Dunne went off, you expected Cuellar but no he brought on a left sided player and it was the right decision.
You know under mon it would have been cuellar, he does things you do not expect and I like it
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I think that MON was following the system of Clough, as in make yourself scarce and when you do appear, you put the fear of God into everybody.
That just doesn't work in the modern game, added to the fact that he hasn't got 1% of Clough's ability or personality.
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Perfect analysis 8 ace fletcher!
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Apparently according to phil Thompson houllier is a workaholic and often puts in 16 hrs a day working on club business and is a total pro , what a difference to o neill who rarely even bothered to turn up at training sessions and was an aloof character.
I am so pleased to have a man of gerards knowledge at our club, by all accounts he is like a football encyclopedia and knows so much about teams , players and leagues all over Europe, a truly great appointment.
Houllier is also a master at sports psychology. He is truly an intellectual with class. Lerner made the right move. He is definitely an improvement over MON.
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It's just a small thing, but when the team coach arrives Gerard looks round at the crowd and smiles. O'Neill, and almost every away manager, either looks blankly ahead or ignores everyone. Maybe Gez, at his age and with his history, knows there are more important things then me me me.
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I think there's a huge amount of novelty for him, he can't quite believe he's managing in the Premier League again. Let's hope he doesn't get stressed/antsy when the honeymoon finishes and he's under a bit of pressure.
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He's impressed me off the field and yesterday on it. Such a difference in
ball retention and passing and movement already, and this against a good chelsea side..bodes well I think...
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We've looked very good so far but its far too soon to say he's better or worse than MON. The crowd reaction to him seems a bit odd at the moment, a kind of respectful acknowledgment of him rather than thinking 'he's one of us' like was the case from the off with MON and then for most of his tenure.
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Having seen houlliers record as a manager compared to o neill I would say without doubt he is a better manager , whether he will do better here than o neill it is too early to say but the vibes are good and I look forward to the next 3 yrs very much!
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Don't know how else to put it, but it all feels just a bit more grown-up. We're not just going into things with a bit of hope, more with plans, ideas, long-term aims and so on. With MON it all seemed a little wing-and-a-prayer, but with GH it has more of a mature, planned feeling.
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
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Discussing Houillier now on Radio 5. Mark Bright's echoing some comments on here - unimpressed at first, but doing better than expected so far.
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
It's always a shame when one half of a relationship can't accept that the other half has walked out and doesn't love them anymore.
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Nice to see GH wearing a Villa scarf, no number 31's here !
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football cr aic.
Just a side and im not claiming to be more cultured that thou but i know that last season we beat chelsea with set piece goals and didnt create much more. yesterday we had 4 clear cut chances and generally looked very good. he's not had long to work with them much and oneill was in his 3rd season with not much of a marked improvement in play over that time
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football cr aic.
Just a side and im not claiming to be more cultured that thou but i know that last season we beat chelsea with set piece goals and didnt create much more. yesterday we had 4 clear cut chances and generally looked very good. he's not had long to work with them much and oneill was in his 3rd season with not much of a marked improvement in play over that time
Indeed.
What Martin did was his thing, and we did ok with it.
I think the question is why - given the stats VD posted the other day, re number of points won, final finish etc etc etc - are so many fans now either unbothered at best, or positively happy at worst, to see him gone?
It's also somewat unfair to compare the results in fixtures this season - when the current manager has been parachuted into the job after the start of the season, and only been here a few weeks - against last season, when the manager had been here knocking on four years and put his stamp all over the club.,
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I think the reasons many are happy to see mon go have been stated many times paulie, also seems quite a few players are happy he's gone as they are now getting a fair chance- houllier is like a breath of fresh air , and yes mon did do an ok job for us , no more and no less - he certainly wasn't great for us .
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I was Houllier Neutral, but have been impressed.
On balance MON's regime may have run its course, but matching his league record will be bery difficult, so standing still will be a huge achievement. I will be very interested to see what he does in the window. Ironically being forced to make do has been a blessing. he is a coach - "well go ahead, coach! Show us what you can do." And he has done pretty well
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I think at time goes on, all the Oneil lovers will realise his frailties and wonder 'what if' Randy had of acted himself a season earlier.
We have missed some really good opportunities over the last few years, but I honestly think the future is brighter under Houllier!
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The signs are good so far but it is far too early to draw any firm conclusions.
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Houllier's style will enable us to compete on a more consistent and more prelonged period during the season. As we will have more possesion we won't be as tired in the second half of the season. I think we have already seen we will be greatly improved in time.
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We've looked very good so far but its far too soon to say he's better or worse than MON. The crowd reaction to him seems a bit odd at the moment, a kind of respectful acknowledgment of him rather than thinking 'he's one of us' like was the case from the off with MON and then for most of his tenure.
Don't know about better or worse but certainly different. I like MON and thought he did a great job of establishing us in the top 6 plus a final and semi final chucked in. But he had taken us as far as he could imo. To have a crack at the top 4, we need to be astute in the transfer market, better tactically and keep possession of the ball lot a lot more. Am hoping GH will give us this.
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The difference for me is we finally have coaches that know what they're doing. It's well documented on here I was no fan of Robertson and Walford, they appeared to be from another time but fortunately we have two ex-players in Gary Mac and Sid that really understand the basics of modern football. Houllier seems to be enjoying the job, which is no surprise as let's face it, any manager with half a brain could see what was wrong with us and what needed fixing.
MON never saw it and even if he had, he'd not the staff around him to change it.
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I'm gotta admit I've not really taken to Houllier yet (despite wanting to) interviews like this sadly hasn't helped convince me...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9097609.stm
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The difference for me is we finally have coaches that know what they're doing. It's well documented on here I was no fan of Robertson and Walford, they appeared to be from another time but fortunately we have two ex-players in Gary Mac and Sid that really understand the basics of modern football. Houllier seems to be enjoying the job, which is no surprise as let's face it, any manager with half a brain could see what was wrong with us and what needed fixing.
MON never saw it and even if he had, he'd not the staff around him to change it.
Exactly Mark. We've arrived into the 21st Century of football.
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I'm gotta admit I've not really taken to Houllier yet (despite wanting to) interviews like this sadly hasn't helped convince me...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9097609.stm
He's asked a question and gives an answer.
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
Whereas we only managed a draw at Wolves last season. Not like you to leave out the stats that don't suit your argument - oh hang on...
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My wife and I watched the MotD coverage of the game and we were both particularly impressed by Gérard Houllier's cheerful and thoughtful responses to the questions posed to him. He has a ready smile and, as a contrast to our previous manager, holds his head up when he speaks, and uses a foreign language better than many people use their own.
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You know under mon it would have been cuellar, he does things you do not expect and I like it
Under MON Cuellar would have started the gamge - at right back.
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
It's always a shame when one half of a relationship can't accept that the other half has walked out and doesn't love them anymore.
I was talking about football and results, not your soap opera version of the club.
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
It's always a shame when one half of a relationship can't accept that the other half has walked out and doesn't love them anymore.
I was talking about football and results, not your soap opera version of the club.
He's gone. He doesn't love you anymore. Perhaps he never did. Get over him - you'll feel a lot better for it.
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I liked Houlliers post match chat on MOTD, he looked like a bloke who was absolutley chuffed to be in a job he loves.
Full of enthusiasm.
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
It's always a shame when one half of a relationship can't accept that the other half has walked out and doesn't love them anymore.
I was talking about football and results, not your soap opera version of the club.
He's gone. He doesn't love you anymore. Perhaps he never did. Get over him - you'll feel a lot better for it.
There are 1 or 2 on here that still haven't achieved 'closure' over his departure.
It's a grieving process, I guess.
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I'm gotta admit I've not really taken to Houllier yet (despite wanting to) interviews like this sadly hasn't helped convince me...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9097609.stm
He's asked a question and gives an answer.
Yeah I know (and everyone has a history etc) but I just don't like to see the manager of Aston Villa getting misty eyed about Liverpool (as childish and illogical as that may be) it just doesn't sit very comfortably with me.
On the same topic I've just watched this interview and I think he calls Richard Dunne - Stephen Dunne. Are my ears deceiving me??? lol
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/9099295.stm
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I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
It's always a shame when one half of a relationship can't accept that the other half has walked out and doesn't love them anymore.
I was talking about football and results, not your soap opera version of the club.
He's gone. He doesn't love you anymore. Perhaps he never did. Get over him - you'll feel a lot better for it.
I don't have to get over anything Dave. My "relationship" with the manager and indeed anyone else who works at Villa is determined purely and simply by the nature of the job they're doing and the results they achieve. Thankfully, I don't have the same economic incentive that you have to make a soap opera out of everything connected to the club.
I'm aware that we've lost a good manager, I'm hoping Gerard will be an even better manager. What I don't understand is why people are rejoicing in our so-called "better football" on the back of two results that are worse than the corresponding fixtures last season. That's the type of stuff we take the piss out of the Baggies for.
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I'm aware that we've lost a good manager, I'm hoping Gerard will be an even better manager. What I don't understand is why people are rejoicing in our so-called "better football" on the back of two results that are worse than the corresponding fixtures last season. That's the type of stuff we take the piss out of the Baggies for.
"Rejoicing" - somewhat over the top there.
You've said yourself that for you it is just the result that matters, not the style of football, so you're not really going to understand, are you?
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I don't have to get over anything Dave. My "relationship" with the manager and indeed anyone else who works at Villa is determined purely and simply by the nature of the job they're doing and the results they achieve. Thankfully, I don't have the same economic incentive that you have to make a soap opera out of everything connected to the club.
I'm aware that we've lost a good manager, I'm hoping Gerard will be an even better manager. What I don't understand is why people are rejoicing in our so-called "better football" on the back of two results that are worse than the corresponding fixtures last season. That's the type of stuff we take the piss out of the Baggies for.
Is this the point at which I reply then you stamp your foot and say how DARE I?
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I'm aware that we've lost a good manager, I'm hoping Gerard will be an even better manager.
What you said!
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If we can't make it into the top 4 atleast we'll be taking a refreshing approach, we might see some foreign blood and won't play on the counter against the likes of Spurs, Everton and Man City prefering to keep it tight than get in their faces.
Two of our most embarrassing performances under O'Neill have been against Spurs last season - we were bloody shocking. Early goal and home and sat deep, then were passed off the park, and 9 men behind the ball at WHL and smashing it forward to nick at a 0-0. Shocking stuff.
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I'm aware that we've lost a good manager, I'm hoping Gerard will be an even better manager. What I don't understand is why people are rejoicing in our so-called "better football" on the back of two results that are worse than the corresponding fixtures last season. That's the type of stuff we take the piss out of the Baggies for.
"Rejoicing" - somewhat over the top there.
You've said yourself that for you it is just the result that matters, not the style of football, so you're not really going to understand, are you?
Which is why I said...
I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
That's seems pretty consistent to me.
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I guess it's because playing in the manner we did last year leaves an impression that we were 'getting away with it' at times - even if we were nicking the odd good result here and there.
This was borne out to a certain extent by how effectively Chelsea neutralized us as Stamford Bridge and in the FA Cup semi and how Spurs ultimately got what their more expansive game deserved by finishing 4th.
You can have a certain amount of luck in individual games and in the three you listed there we could quite easily have lost them all.
The Chelsea game at VP last year was odd in that I don't think I've ever seen a side like that miss so many one on ones. Tottenham played us off the park home and away.
This year they beat us, thanks largely to the individual brilliance of VDV.
But if we play that way more often than not we'll do well this year, I guess that's where the encouragement comes from. Rather than an awful sense of foreboding that we'll eventually get found out.
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I think the big thing for me is that we don't have a manager who so many people think we should be grateful to.
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The big thing for me is that we have a Manager who seems to understand the meaning of the phrase 'attractive football'.
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In terms of new managers coming in, he's been left in one of the best situations that any new Villa manager has had. Usually a new manager is coming in after a load of shit, but Houllier has some very good players to work with.
So far, I've been impressed with him and I hope it continues. In his four games so far, we have played some very good football.
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Martin o neill walked out and took his staff with him 5 days before a new season- says a lot about him in my opinion and the style of football under houllier beats mons drab one way style of playing by a mile- you seem to still carry a torch for mon villadawg even though he showed total lack of respect for Aston villa by leaving the way he did- wake up and smell the roses man , life goes on!
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I think we will all like houllier more and Oneil less as time goes on.
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Houllier: So far, so good. MON: overall did a good job. I'm less inclined to get emotionally attached to managers these days.
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I think we will all like houllier more and Oneil less as time goes on.
I hope you are right but experience suggests that the knives will be out for him if he doesn't achieve anything next season.
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I think the big thing for me is that we don't have a manager who so many people think we should be grateful to.
dave I think its you that should really let go. It seems some are obsessed with having a go at anyone who points out that O'Neill did a pretty good job and do not think that he is the evil reincarnation of David O'leary.
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I think the big thing for me is that we don't have a manager who so many people think we should be grateful to.
dave I think its you that should really let go. It seems some are obsessed with having a go at anyone who points out that O'Neill did a pretty good job and do not think that he is the evil reincarnation of David O'leary.
He's got a point though, some Villa fans got brain washed.
I remember my mate saying to me
'If O'Neill leaves, it will be disasterous and the club will be on a slippery slope.'
His journo mates always seemed to build him up as a God.
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I think the big thing for me is that we don't have a manager who so many people think we should be grateful to.
dave I think its you that should really let go. It seems some are obsessed with having a go at anyone who points out that O'Neill did a pretty good job and do not think that he is the evil reincarnation of David O'leary.
I think he did a good job, and he was certainly much better than O'Leary. But look at the weeks after he left, when there were virtually entire TV programmes devoted to how terrible we were not to appreciate him. The general media perception was that we were ungrateful to let him go, Randy and in particular the general behaved disgracefully and we'd be sorry. It seemed to be then that we'd got our club back and that's the big difference now we have a new manager.
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To be honest, I think ( and thought at the end of last season) that MON had taken us as far as he could.
His tactics had been sussed, he had no Plan B and was dreadul in the transfer windows when he was sulking because he didn't agree with them.
A new Manager is a bit of a Godsend really.
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A Liverpool fan just rang 5 live and said "we need martin o neill as Liverpool manager" to which alan green just scoffed at him "have you seen the way o neills teams play?"
says it all really- yes we had some good times and great memories under mon but it was time for a change and I'm glad he's gone , I'd be very surprised if he gets a better job than this one was, but I thank him for establishing us a top 6 club again.
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The football is already a lot more attractive.
He seems to favour playing people in their correct positions.
Despite the transfer window being closed, he has already in effect given us two new signings in NRO and Luke Young.
Bet the scousers are jealous.
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It's just a small thing, but when the team coach arrives Gerard looks round at the crowd and smiles. O'Neill, and almost every away manager, either looks blankly ahead or ignores everyone. Maybe Gez, at his age and with his history, knows there are more important things then me me me.
Good point Dave. I well remember being totally ignored by O'Neill when the team coach arrived at the Toronto ground in July 2007; I thought at the time 'that's gratitude for having travelled so far', whereas Gareth Barry was happy to shake hands and we also had a good chat with Mark Delaney and Shaun Maloney prior to the match.
I am one of those who were taken in by O'Neill for a long time but I have to say I think Houllier is a breath of fresh air, particularly as he is now utilising his resources. I think he's already proved that we do not need lots of new players; let's be honest, we're not going to be able to make many signings in the next window, or even next Summer, in the present climate of lower gates and, potentially, lower average price for ticket, with all the discounts which are presently being offered. However, with NRC, Heskey, Young L. and even Beye yesterday having faith placed in them once more it is starting to feel as though we are only lacking the proverbial 'couple of players', namely class striker and midfielder.
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I'm aware that we've lost a good manager, I'm hoping Gerard will be an even better manager. What I don't understand is why people are rejoicing in our so-called "better football" on the back of two results that are worse than the corresponding fixtures last season. That's the type of stuff we take the piss out of the Baggies for.
"Rejoicing" - somewhat over the top there.
You've said yourself that for you it is just the result that matters, not the style of football, so you're not really going to understand, are you?
Which is why I said...
I don't get it. We got a draw at Spurs and beat chelsea at home last season. I guess I'm just not cultured enough to understand this better football craic.
That's seems pretty consistent to me.
I'm not saying you're not being consistent.
I'm saying that as you've said yourself, for you it's all about results and style of football doesn't come into it, so you're not going to get why people are impressed with the change in style if the results aren't as good.
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Think MON will go to Liverpool. And think he will be a complete disaster. He dont like "big" players who have ego`s as big as he`s and Liverpool will need them type of players. Houlier has been a breath of fresh air. And our football is becoming more attractive to watch ...........
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Liverpool turned him down in the summer and everyone in football knows it. He'll have to swallow a lot of pride to take the job now.
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Interesting to hear that dave because I'd also heard that he had gone for the Liverpool job only to be turned down in favour of hodgson, I thought it was just a rumour as he was still villa boss at the time , but your words suggest it was true after all- which makes him a bigger rat in that case as he would have had complete disregard for us if true.
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Interesting to hear that dave because I'd also heard that he had gone for the Liverpool job only to be turned down in favour of hodgson, I thought it was just a rumour as he was still villa boss at the time , but your words suggest it was true after all- which makes him a bigger rat in that case as he would have had complete disregard for us if true.
I don't mind so much if a manager walks out for another job - it usually means they've done well here and these things happen in football.
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Word was Kenny wanted him, thought he could work the board there and persuade them but in the end they said no. Probably preferring the charms of don't rock the boat Uncle Woy rather than another agitator so soon after Benitez.
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I've heard that rumour too and it's something I really hope isn't true as it would ruin my perception of somebody I thought was one of the good guys. Despite the decidedly stale feel of the end of last season I always thought of O Neill as a bloke with integrity - something missing in most.
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It was fairly obvious that something was in the offing when he wouldn't commit his future in March/ April when asked directly. Only giving vague 'we'll see/ a lot needs to be looked at' type responses.
Even when he came back in July he looked like he just didn't want to be here and a number of players commented on it.
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KG, yep, it makes a lot of sense in hindsight. Him walking when he did was shit. But if it was a matter of principal I could stomach it even if it was misguided. If he already had one foot out of the door then it changes everything for me.
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Is it the same board at Liverpool now? I still think he'd go if he was asked, especially with new owners there. It's perfect for him: struggling high-profile team that should be doing much better - and probably would under him. He'd be walking in there as the new messiah, he'd drag them out of the mire and reinstate them to a position of respectability. Then he'd be off before the Kop could cry (and I mean cry) "Gerraaaard at left back? Come 'ed, la!"
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Ged's done as well as we could have hoped for performance wise. A bit nor luck and we would be flying. The season could still go either way though. I think lack of goals and lack of holding midfield options could be our downfall. Delph and gabby could make s big difference. And I'm hoping our players will be less burned out. Having those two in full flight going into the back end of the season could be influential
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I actually think he could do quite well there - initially.
Motivation and team spirit (for players in the team at least) seem to be the biggest things he brings to the table and there is a decent core of talented players there to work with, Reina, Stevie G Bag, Torres, Cole and to a certain extent Kuyt.
Agger, Carragher and Skirtel also formed the backbone of a pretty solid defence before, regularly having one of the best records in the country.
It's when he has to source a better standard of player to fill the gaps that he might struggle, but that would be further on down the track.
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I like what we are hearing so far about the extra training, no days off, GH spending more time in B6... The board took their time but from the first few games it looks like they got it right, forza Villa!
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don't think Liverpool fans would tolerate o neills style of football, he would be a huge flop if he went there and I'd be amazed if they wanted him- I'd heard it was hum , hodgson and dalglish who were the 3 interviewed which would mean dalglish wouldn't have wanted mon as he was after it himself- I think they will give woy at least a year in any case - if o neill goes anywhere I'd say it's more likely Newcastle.
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I think it was Andy Gray who said that neither O'Neill nor Randy had come out and said he was staying. It's hindsight but there was an obvious problem.
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But how long has woy got before he's sacked and mon become's there number one choice.
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well in the brief time Houllier has been here I have seen enough to believe we will be much better off than we were under M'ON.
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I think woy will have till the end of the season at least and I fully expect them and everton to be in the top 8 along with us and last years top 5.
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I think it was Andy Gray who said that neither O'Neill nor Randy had come out and said he was staying. It's hindsight but there was an obvious problem.
Does that mean Randy had an idea he'd be off? Should he have lined up our Gezza sooner, saving crucial time, and possibly avoiding the Newcastle and Vienna debacles?
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I still think this season is a bit of a write off in terms of being as close to the top 4 as in the previous two seasons if that remains some sort of target. Man. City are starting to click and Spurs are improving after a slow start and have a fantastic squad.
Good chance in the Carling cup but I feel we'll really start to see the Houllier effect in the league in a year's time.
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don't think Liverpool fans would tolerate o neills style of football, he would be a huge flop if he went there and I'd be amazed if they wanted him- I'd heard it was hum , hodgson and dalglish who were the 3 interviewed which would mean dalglish wouldn't have wanted mon as he was after it himself- I think they will give woy at least a year in any case - if o neill goes anywhere I'd say it's more likely Newcastle.
KD only put himself forward for the role when his choice (MON) was declined.
I could be wrong but there might have even been an interview with Dalglish in print when he said as much last month.
I also don't think Liverpool fans can afford to be too fussy, truth be told. I'm aware that they probably think the rest of the league should give them a pass - that they should be automatic championship contenders every year based on what happened 20+ years ago and all the rest of it - but they hardly played scintillating football under Benitez. And look like they're declining at a rate of knotts under Woy. There are limitations to MON's approach -as we know only too well, but there can be exciting aspects to it as well. Hitting teams on the counter at high speed and probably a fair bit more chance creation than they're managing at present.
I'd imagine the only dissent might be from some of the foreigners who might object to the bibs and cones Dog and Duck training methods and Robbo chugging around the pitch with a fag in his mouth. Could be a bit of an eye opener alright.
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Agree with that soccerhq- the cups will be our main target I think and I think top 4 is not realistic having had no transfer window open to him- next season maybe though.
I think villa Liverpool and everton will be 6 th to 8th and hopefully in that order.
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Nice to see GH wearing a Villa scarf, no number 31's here !
I thought that. When I looked at the bench yesterday and saw Gary McAllister with Houllier I couldn't believe how well we'd done to dig us out of the whole that we'd been left in.
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I think it might be where MON could finally be found out. Although I do think he'd find a suitable excuse to leave before the game was up.
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I'd be more than happy to see o neill pitch up at anfield because it would mean more chance of us finishing above them in my opinion- I still think woy will turn it around and a couple of wins and they'd be right up the table- too early to panic yet, that have played almost all the top teams already as well.
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my guess having just spent 300 mil on a football club you might ask for a reference of mon previous employer, lets hope Randy tells them he is a genius ;)
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A Liverpool fan just rang 5 live and said "we need martin o neill as Liverpool manager" to which alan green just scoffed at him "have you seen the way o neills teams play?"
says it all really- yes we had some good times and great memories under mon but it was time for a change and I'm glad he's gone , I'd be very surprised if he gets a better job than this one was, but I thank him for establishing us a top 6 club again.
I wonder what odds could you get for when we visit the bin dippers on Dec 4th - Gerard is up against MON?
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Got to say I'm really impressed with the Houllier and McAllister so far. Houllier seems like he really knows what he's doing regarding tactics, and in just a few weeks we've gone from hoofball merchants to a team playing some rather good 'pass and move' football, no doubt McAllister and Cowans have played a big role in this change. As many have said, I doubt we'll really see the Houllier effect until he has time to mould his own squad, which will probably be next season. I'm writing this season off as one of transition and will be relatively pleased with a top 8 finish given the disruption at the start of the season and the strength of the teams around us. Having said that though, if we're really going to push on under Houllier we'll need to be able to offer European football again next season, could be a big ask!
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I can understand, and agree with, people being pissed off at MON for the manner of his leaving but anyone would think we were battling relegation under him going on some of these posts.
I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't want to work again, he'll never get the type of freedom he enjoyed under Randy and he just seemed not to need the hassle anymore.
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I think his ego might accept the Liverpool job before he even knows he's been offered it.
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I think it was Andy Gray who said that neither O'Neill nor Randy had come out and said he was staying. It's hindsight but there was an obvious problem.
Does that mean Randy had an idea he'd be off? Should he have lined up our Gezza sooner, saving crucial time, and possibly avoiding the Newcastle and Vienna debacles?
The rumour is that Mark Hughes was lined up. MON had heard that we were lining up someone to replace him if he departed to Liverpool and, miffed, delayed his departure until after Hughes got another job to screw us up further.
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In that case MON did us a big favour. I'd much rather have Houllier than Hughes. Cheers Marty.
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Liverpool turned him down in the summer and everyone in football knows it. He'll have to swallow a lot of pride to take the job now.
I didn't know it and I also don't believe it.
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I'm no great fan of the man mac but surely mon couldn't be that vindictive, or could he?
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Liverpool turned him down in the summer and everyone in football knows it. He'll have to swallow a lot of pride to take the job now.
I didn't know it and I also don't believe it.
You don't have to, but it's the truth.
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In a short space of time GH's presence is already showing. I'm pleasantly surprised so far but it is too early to make a judgement that everything is that much better than before. The signs are good though.
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Liverpool turned him down in the summer and everyone in football knows it. He'll have to swallow a lot of pride to take the job now.
I didn't know it and I also don't believe it.
You don't have to, but it's the truth.
Where did you hear this?
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Didn't one of the players mention something about as a possible reason when they were saying he had been distracted and didn't seem to have the same thing about him in pre-season.
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I think one of the players (Bannan) even mentioned the Liverpool job as part of the reason for that distraction.
Regardless, there were too many reports coming from different factions within the game and media for there not to be anything to it. It wasn't just the odd isolated report.
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Where did you hear this?
Take your pick. Press, club staff, informed supporters.
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Club staff.
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Regardless, there were too many reports coming from different factions within the game and media for there not to be anything to it. It wasn't just the odd isolated report.
No smoke without fire?
What about smoke machines?
Dry ice.
I didn't hear it. However I don't read the papers.
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Houlliers no Messiah that's for sure. He's not the man O'Neill is, and as yet has done little to show he's going to be any better in the long run.
However, he's switched on to football, modern day football, has already changed dramatically the football regime at Villa. He's also articulate when interviewed as he doesn't need to be ultra cautious with every word he sprouts.
He's brought in a group of talented and mostly young coaches, full of new ideas, has used more players in the few matches he's had than O'Neill did in a full season, and is gaining the respect if not adulation of fans.
I'm sure those who idolised O'Neill, will expect far more than he can offer with the squad left behind and as views expressed above show, the blindness caused by the O'Neill aura has not worn off for some, poor sods.
Houllier is not the sort of manager to sprout how good he is, he has no ego to build, he doesn't need that sort of weak adulation, or continual justification, he just does it to the best of his ability, without too much of a shout.
As a result, the club will gain a much lower profile, unless he produces a higher level of success. I for one welcome his tenure even though I doubt the combined ability of the Board and him to produce enough of the goods now that O'Neill has frittered so much of the finance away and then in his own inimitable spiteful way ran off to suit his own warped agenda, leaving the club and especially those fans who blindly and foolishly followed him in the shit, with nothing but their hollow pride and obvious failings to dwell on
Does O'Neill care about Villa, does he care about those fans he left suffering the continual humiliation, does he fck, he cares for one thing alone, himself, and that's another bonus of Houllier as manager.
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Houlliers no Messiah that's for sure. He's not the man O'Neill is, and as yet has done little to show he's going to be any better in the long run.
However, he's switched on to football, modern day football, has already changed dramatically the football regime at Villa. He's also articulate when interviewed as he doesn't need to be ultra cautious with every word he sprouts.
He's brought in a group of talented and mostly young coaches, full of new ideas, has used more players in the few matches he's had than O'Neill did in a full season, and is gaining the respect if not adulation of fans.
I'm sure those who idolised O'Neill, will expect far more than he can offer with the squad left behind and as views expressed above show, the blindness caused by the O'Neill aura has not worn off for some, poor sods.
Houllier is not the sort of manager to sprout how good he is, he has no ego to build, he doesn't need that sort of weak adulation, or continual justification, he just does it to the best of his ability, without too much of a shout.
As a result, the club will gain a much lower profile, unless he produces a higher level of success. I for one welcome his tenure even though I doubt the combined ability of the Board and him to produce enough of the goods now that O'Neill has frittered so much of the finance away and then in his own inimitable spiteful way ran off to suit his own warped agenda, leaving the club and especially those fans who blindly and foolishly followed him in the shit, with nothing but their hollow pride and obvious failings to dwell on
Does O'Neill care about Villa, does he care about those fans he left suffering the continual humiliation, does he fck, he cares for one thing alone, himself, and that's another bonus of Houllier as manager.
Followed him in the shit, hollow pride and obvious failings, suffering continual humiliation - what the fuck are you on about man?
It's been clear for sometime that you're not playing with a full deck but you've surpassed yourself with that little lot, you crazy mutha.
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Houlliers no Messiah that's for sure. He's not the man O'Neill is, and as yet has done little to show he's going to be any better in the long run.
However, he's switched on to football, modern day football, has already changed dramatically the football regime at Villa. He's also articulate when interviewed as he doesn't need to be ultra cautious with every word he sprouts.
He's brought in a group of talented and mostly young coaches, full of new ideas, has used more players in the few matches he's had than O'Neill did in a full season, and is gaining the respect if not adulation of fans.
I'm sure those who idolised O'Neill, will expect far more than he can offer with the squad left behind and as views expressed above show, the blindness caused by the O'Neill aura has not worn off for some, poor sods.
Houllier is not the sort of manager to sprout how good he is, he has no ego to build, he doesn't need that sort of weak adulation, or continual justification, he just does it to the best of his ability, without too much of a shout.
As a result, the club will gain a much lower profile, unless he produces a higher level of success. I for one welcome his tenure even though I doubt the combined ability of the Board and him to produce enough of the goods now that O'Neill has frittered so much of the finance away and then in his own inimitable spiteful way ran off to suit his own warped agenda, leaving the club and especially those fans who blindly and foolishly followed him in the shit, with nothing but their hollow pride and obvious failings to dwell on
Does O'Neill care about Villa, does he care about those fans he left suffering the continual humiliation, does he fck, he cares for one thing alone, himself, and that's another bonus of Houllier as manager.
Followed him in the shit, hollow pride and obvious failings, suffering continual humiliation - what the fuck are you on about man?
It's been clear for sometime that you're not playing with a full deck but you've surpassed yourself with that little lot, you crazy mutha.
Chris whilst i am not as extreme in my views as those aired bySFX, would you now agree that MON squandered the opportunity of Randys investment when you look at the squad, its cost and the wage bill that MON left us with?
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Regardless, there were too many reports coming from different factions within the game and media for there not to be anything to it. It wasn't just the odd isolated report.
No smoke without fire?
What about smoke machines?
Dry ice.
I didn't hear it. However I don't read the papers.
I think that when it gets to the stage that our own players are discussing it, that staff at opposition clubs are mentioning it during pre season and that supporters with a range of contacts both at the club and in the media have all heard similar there might (just might) be something in it.
There was an interview with Kenny Dalglish a while back too when he made it pretty clear Woy wouldn't have been his choice and that he'd have preferred MON or himself to get the gig. Dalglish still has a lot of clout up there and was by all accounts asked by the board for his recommendation. They chose not to act on it, such is life.
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I'm no great fan of the man mac but surely mon couldn't be that vindictive, or could he?
I tend to agree.
I can well believe he wanted the Redscouse job.
I can well believe that he got pissed off in the current job, or at the very least the appeal started to wane. Maybe it was just a case that in 2006 he thought he could manoeuvre us into the very top set of clubs but by March/ April 2010 realized that because of the change in the game re City and the like this wasn't possible. Maybe he even realized his own shortcomings in that regard and the role he had played in not taking advantage of the window of opportunity that presented itself in 08/09.
Perhaps, but he was still ambitious enough put himself forward for the Liverpool job where -it could be reasoned- that inheriting a better calibre of player would give him a better chance to enhance his reputation. With one or two adjustments that squad really should be good enough for top 4 and it probably wouldn't need revolution to do it. Just a manager good at raising team morale and getting a side to fight and battle for every point in every game.
I can believe all that. And I can believe not getting the job he wanted probably killed his enthusiasm for football in the short term. I'm sure he felt obligated to continue with us at first. But having to go back to training in July with a bunch of players he'd done all he could to ostracise, not being able to offload them and the unusual scenario of not having a free hand in the transfer market to bring in exactly who he wanted on stupid wages again did for him in the end. He probably just felt he didn't need it anymore.
But I find it hard to believe that he deliberately waited until our no.1 choice of replacement was in another job before bailing on us. That just sounds too malevolent.
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But I find it hard to believe that he deliberately waited until our no.1 choice of replacement was in another job before bailing on us. That just sounds too malevolent.
He wasn't known as The Poison Dwarf for nothing.
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Even by Overall's usual "standard" that last post was the ravings of somebody who is a casual dinner guest of sanity.
He's like the guy in the control tower in Airplane when the plane has landed and everybody has gone home.
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The early signs are promising from Houllier, players played in correct positions, evidence of rotation, ostracised players given a fresh chance, emphasis on a passing game, Heskey rejuvenated, training based around both physical fitness and improving technique, ability to make tactical changes and tactical substitutions at different times, the football is better to watch and the players seem happier in general.
But O'Neill's first season looked very promising as well, so early days yet.
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Its always nice when new managers address the immediate failings of the team.
When MON took over we addressed the lack of bottle and urgency and now Houllier has taken over we have addressed/are addressing the need for more sophistication, possession and using more of the squad (plus hopefully casting our net further afield in player search and scouting).
We'll see his real philosophy come to fruition next year and when Houllier has a few of his own players in.
But the signs are very promising.
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What I find really promising is that he's taken a relatively short period of time to make an impact. Our passing and possession against Chelsea demonstrated how far apart in style his reign could be as opposed to MON's out dated brand of up and at 'em. Having said that I always though the footballers at the club were better than the football MON had them playing, and to be released (as they were in our opening match against West Ham) and improved (particularly through their working with Houllier, McAllister and Cowans) as they have been has been great to see.
I can only think with optimism as to where we'll be this time next season, after Houllier has had a year and 2 transfer windows to bring in specialist players to play the system he wants us to, rather than forcing another manager's buys into his system.
A great appointment, irrespective of the timing and circumstance.
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Just a snippet that I was told yesterday by a senior club official.
Gerard Houllier has spent more time around Villa Park in the last month than O'Neill did all the time that he was here.
Houllier had also remarked to another mate of mine that he had not realised just how big the club actually was.
It all equates to someone being happy in their job. Let us hope that the long awaited transfer window sees some progress.
I know this thread has moved on since the original post, but just wanted to comment on this.
I always thought of Houllier as a bit of a miserable bastard when at Liverpool. Maybe it was the weight of expectation or whatever, but I hardly ever saw him crack a smile and he was usually moaning like hell after matches.
He seems different with us. It might be a new perspective after his health issues or just enjoying being back in day-to-day management, but he seems a different man to the one who managed the Scousers. And I like this version more.
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Liverpool turned him down in the summer and everyone in football knows it. He'll have to swallow a lot of pride to take the job now.
I didn't know it and I also don't believe it.
In the know (http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/english-football/scotland-youngster-barry-bannan-is-shedding-few-tears-over-martin-o-neill-s-aston-villa-exit-1.1047987)
“If you add that all up, he was acting a bit differently. He wasn’t the Martin O’Neill that we knew, but we still didn’t think he would walk out like that. He was close to going at the end of last season to Liverpool and either it fell through or he sorted out his differences [with the Villa board] so we thought he was going to stay.”
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Chris whilst i am not as extreme in my views as those aired bySFX, would you now agree that MON squandered the opportunity of Randys investment when you look at the squad, its cost and the wage bill that MON left us with?
I'm not even going to attempt to decipher the first post, so if you don't mind, and of course not trying to answer for Chris, I'll pick up yours instead?
Quick answer is no. The investment was large under MON, but it needed to be to get us up to where we are/were from relegation candidates. And I think a good squad has been left behind, even if there are one or two holes that need filling.
Wages are a different issue, but I would query whther the issue, as far as Randy and the board are concerned, is the total bill or the unused portion? If Gezza is now utilizing the squad more, which we all wanted, then maybe the issue is removed?
My view is that we don't need to change what MON put in place, just add to it. That is in terms of the tactics and training, but also the majority of the squad.
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I think we will all like houllier more and Oneil less as time goes on.
I hope you are right but experience suggests that the knives will be out for him if he doesn't achieve anything next season.
Let's just see what the reaction is if, heaven forbid, there is a bad result on 31st October.
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I found the comments about the fitness of the players by Houllier very disconcerting, in that it appears that we are two months into the season and only just up to lasting 90 minutes. What were the previous management team doing and more importantly why did we bother with a conditioning coach? It does perhaps explain our failure to hang on to leads in the past.
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Was enjoying this thread until it turned into another O'Neil one again.
The only thing i will say of MOn is that he will never have the total control he was afforded at Villa by Randy - in fact i see that as randy's only failing in all his time here - it was like he was in awe of MON.
Anyway - Mac and Sid look like the ideal dream team behind GED and the fitness coach is renound for being one of the best in the game - it is already starting to show
I think we have a lot of the right ingredients at the club (Thanks to Mr Shearer for actually stating this on MOTD) i think a couple of quality players (CF and CM) and we are as good as anyone outside manshitty and Chelski
Would not say that the football so far has been riviting but it certainly is better than the final days of MON
Lets look forward to a bright future - i really fancy a cup this year
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I always thought of Houllier as a bit of a miserable bastard when at Liverpool. Maybe it was the weight of expectation or whatever, but I hardly ever saw him crack a smile and he was usually moaning like hell after matches.
He seems different with us. It might be a new perspective after his health issues or just enjoying being back in day-to-day management, but he seems a different man to the one who managed the Scousers. And I like this version more.
I think it's fair to say that Villa at least treat our managers better than Liverpool. Houllier was sacked by Liverpool for "underachieving", yet the best side (by far) in France thought he was good enough to manage them. Same with Benitez: He won two league titles in Spain with Valencia, despite Barcelona and Real Madrid having much bigger resources. At Liverpool, he is sacked while the media portray him as a lunatic. However, I doubt that Inter Milan would have been interested in his services if he is the imbecile some believes he is. And now Woy, in the summer hyped as the best English manager in the game, is looking clueless. If MON thought managing Villa was too much hassle, I wonder how he will cope (if appointed) at Liverpool.
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I reckon MON would do an excellent job of steering Liverpool clear of relegation. It would cost John Henry a lot of money, mind you.
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To digress, Liverpool will not be relegated even if they were being managed by Bungle (from Rainbow of course, its not a nickname).
Anyway, to Villa... After a summer of real underwhelming action I am feeling really positive about the rest of this season. As noted on another page, it feels like we've finally arrived at 21st century football with Houllier, and long may it continue to improve.
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To digress, Liverpool will not be relegated even if they were being managed by Bungle (from Rainbow of course, its not a nickname).
Is what i was getting at, I think. But Bungle doesn't have a ready-made *claque* on the MOTD sofa. Nor does he have a ready-made backroom staff of Zippy, Geoffrey, Rod, Jane and Freddy to slot into the bootroom
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George, of course, has made clear his intention of remaining at `Rainbow' in a caretaker capacity
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The early signs with Houllier are promising.
The football already seems to be devleoping and it's nice that there seem no distinct favourites at the moment.
Next season is the time to judge.
And, by the way, MON was desperate for the Liverpool job this summer. He made it abundantly clear that he wanted it which didn't help his relationship with Randy.
I don't believe the Mark Hughes stuff mind.
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And, by the way, MON was desperate for the Liverpool job this summer. He made it abundantly clear that he wanted it which didn't help his relationship with Randy.
I don't believe the Mark Hughes stuff mind.
Neither do I.
I think he was vindictive in his leaving when he did, but to suggest he waited till Hughes was unavailable seems like a step too far.
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i was one of the posters saying we must trust the board, however long it takes to get the right man,
must admit there were a few sqeekie bum times mind, when i thought i would be made to eat my words, but Houllier seems ok so far.
he was that something different,
he wasnt even on the original poll, its early days but i wouldnt want to go back,
i was bored with MON long before he walked out, and was not upset he did, even at the last minuet.
we had differing reports for GH, defensive, bad signings, also a more passing attractive football, so we will have to wait and see how it pans out
the big thing for me is, can he bring in any young french players, who will be the next big thing at Villa, i really hope so.
he definitely seems more relaxed and laid back than he came over when he was at L'pool,
but then things are going alright for him at the moment,
things might change when they take a dip.
i also love his backroom boys, especially sid, i think he garnered a bucket load of brownie points with that one
of coarse it goes without saying that if we dont win on sunday the 31st,
he'l have to go !
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And, by the way, MON was desperate for the Liverpool job this summer. He made it abundantly clear that he wanted it which didn't help his relationship with Randy.
I don't believe the Mark Hughes stuff mind.
Neither do I.
I think he was vindictive in his leaving when he did, but to suggest he waited till Hughes was unavailable seems like a step too far.
He'd have done us a favour if he had I would have hated us to have got the draw specialist
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To digress, Liverpool will not be relegated even if they were being managed by Bungle (from Rainbow of course, its not a nickname).
Is what i was getting at, I think. But Bungle doesn't have a ready-made *claque* on the MOTD sofa. Nor does he have a ready-made backroom staff of Zippy, Geoffrey, Rod, Jane and Freddy to slot into the bootroom
Zippy and George would be of little use with only one arm each (unless they're both secretly tossing each other off)
http://lacer.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/zippy-and-george.jpg
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Equally, I think he's better than we realised.
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The football already seems to be devleoping and it's nice that there seem no distinct favourites at the moment.
You generally get that with managers first up though.
They have no loyalty to the players they inherited and will play them on merit.
It's only when they sign their own players that it can go tits up, as they feel obliged to play a player they've spent big money/ wages on. Even regardless of form at times.
Which is why the continental approach has a lot of merit, with a head coach in charge of matters on the pitch and someone else taking care of transfers: "This is what you have to work with, get on with it."
With a few notable exceptions it doesn't seem to work in England though.
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As much as I think we're moving in the right direction under GH/Gary Mac and Sid, I'm still to be convinced Houllier can bring in the right players. Looking at his transfer record, it doesn't appear to be one of his strengths.
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the big thing for me is, can he bring in any young french players, who will be the next big thing at Villa, i really hope so.
Why just French? I don't want him predominantly buying from France - how would that be any different than MON looking at the UK only? What we need is a comprehensive scouting and recruitment policy so we can get the best available talent, no matter where it is from!
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As much as I think we're moving in the right direction under GH/Gary Mac and Sid, I'm still to be convinced Houllier can bring in the right players. Looking at his transfer record, it doesn't appear to be one of his strengths.
Hasn't he admitted that his later signings at Liverpool were a bit pants? Shows he can realise and admit mistakes if so, which goes a long way to helping him not repeat them!
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the big thing for me is, can he bring in any young french players, who will be the next big thing at Villa, i really hope so.
Why just French? I don't want him predominantly buying from France - how would that be any different than MON looking at the UK only?
They'll speak French?
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True John, but it would stand to reason he'd know the best young up and coming players in his home country rather than Germany or Denmark for example.
French players seem to come with more parts too, even defensive midfield players have a decent degree of technical ability, can control a ball under pressure and play a straightforward pass. Whereas their English counterparts might be very good at one specific thing ie. destroying/breaking up play but can be quite weak at everything else.
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the big thing for me is, can he bring in any young french players, who will be the next big thing at Villa, i really hope so.
Why just French? I don't want him predominantly buying from France - how would that be any different than MON looking at the UK only? What we need is a comprehensive scouting and recruitment policy so we can get the best available talent, no matter where it is from!
like you i dont mind where he finds them,
but as kevin gage has already said, Houllier worked at the French academy for the last 3 years, it stands to reason he might have spotted some up and coming talent just because thats what he's been doing for the last few years.
its a good bet he will buy some French players in my view, but i realy wont mind where they come from just as long as they are quality
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I am liking all the things Houlier seems to be saying to the media etc , and really like the man in interviews.. A big plus from me so far...
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I just want us to look for players in the biggest pool we possibly can - regardless of nationality, I want us to get the best players we can.
I get the impression that under Houllier we will do. I never got that impression from MON.
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GH seems, to me, to be utterly relaxed in his new job. Given that we have one of the best chairman, one of the best training facilities, a good selection of youth and a very decent squad to work with, he's certainly got the right tools to work with. And, from his comments about not realising how big we were, I'd say that's come as a very pleasant surprise to him.
Given the pressure he was under at both Liverpool and in France, Villa would likely seem a place where he can 'do his thing' without the massive stress. Yes, the fans and the board will have expectations, but I think those expectations, in the medium term at least, are achievable. At Liverpool, the expectation is Alex Ferguson-esque and totally out of proportion to what is actually do-able.
I think, and dearly hope, that Houllier plus a quality backroom staff minus the enormous pressure equals happy times for Aston Villa.
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if he gives us the same sort of progression he made at liverpool, then that would be amazing...
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True John, but it would stand to reason he'd know the best young up and coming players in his home country rather than Germany or Denmark for example.
French players seem to come with more parts too, even defensive midfield players have a decent degree of technical ability, can control a ball under pressure and play a straightforward pass. Whereas their English counterparts might be very good at one specific thing ie. destroying/breaking up play but can be quite weak at everything else.
Well, I'm not sure I agree with your generalisation of French players, but agree he has knowledge there and should capitalise on that by sweeping up the best of their young talent first. Is that anything all that different to what MON did with Milner, Ash, etc.?
But after that I want us to cast a wide net and not be overly focused on any one single market.
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GH seems, to me, to be utterly relaxed in his new job. Given that we have one of the best chairman, one of the best training facilities, a good selection of youth and a very decent squad to work with, he's certainly got the right tools to work with. And, from his comments about not realising how big we were, I'd say that's come as a very pleasant surprise to him.
Given the pressure he was under at both Liverpool and in France, Villa would likely seem a place where he can 'do his thing' without the massive stress. Yes, the fans and the board will have expectations, but I think those expectations, in the medium term at least, are achievable. At Liverpool, the expectation is Alex Ferguson-esque and totally out of proportion to what is actually do-able.
I think, and dearly hope, that Houllier plus a quality backroom staff minus the enormous pressure equals happy times for Aston Villa.
Good post, I'd like to see all that come to fruition. I think we've replaced one good manager with another*. As long as we continue to do that in the future and they build on the good things their predecessor did we'll be fine.
*Note to any illiterate nutters who might be reading, just to make things simple for them: Me holding the opinion that MON and GH are good managers does not mean I worship or idolize them, or will follow them blindly into any local burning buildings.