The replacement for MON...?

[OzVilla]

Houllier and Thompson.  Never in a million years did I think/want RAL would go for them.  Obviously RAL is an astute judge of character and has a good business brain.  He also had the benefit of the face to face interview process with all the candidates.

That said, I can't help but feel totally underwhelmed right now.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

would rather have oleary and dr venglos in charge

You sound like my 3 year old son when he can't get what he wants.

I can't believe after that comment you'd give him such high praise Mark.

I'm in a good mood TV, I'm good at handling tantrums to boot.

[Concrete John]

The game's all about opinions PMK - I have actually heard him praise us on a number of occasions - and I also remembering him nearlycoming when we got back into the game at Chelsea - 4-4.

Not a great thing for those who sit right behind the dugout!

Surely the 4th official, the subs and the winger and left/right back would be in more danger - depending on his projection strength of course.

I was more coming (*giggle*) from the perspective of having to watch it, but you're right!

[PhilGibson]

Pleased, annoyed or sitting on the fence.

Can we just wait and see what they can do for us before writing them off as a complete waste of space?

The mantra from me is let's just hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Welcome Gerard and Phil.

[hartman_1982]

http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,16426_6359083,00.html

Something to make you feel better....

They say it is a very good appointment (as long as it is as manager) and that he did some brilliant work pre illness at Liverpool. They also mention that he looks very well at the minute.

[mozza]

Provided security is lapse at BH this afternoon I'm hoping to sneak into
the reserve team fixture with Blackpool - if KMac is in charge then
things will be a bit clearer (than mud) -

On the Pinocchio rumour - I hope Randy knows what he's doing because
this Houllier DOF business could backfire dramatically -

[Quiet Lion]

I don't mind uncle Ged, but phil thompson can fuck right off!

[pmk1981]

I don't mind uncle Ged, but phil thompson can fuck right off!

THANKYOU !!  well thats two of us :-)

[dave.woodhall]

It says everything about modern life that someone's ability and experience in a job can be outweighed by not fukkin liking them in a TV programme.

[CJ]

Have to admit I'm a little underwhelmed by the thought of Houllier + Thompson, but sincerely hope they will prove me wrong if/when appointed. 

By the same token I was ecstatic with the appointment of MON and after his first 2 seasons I felt increasingly deflated and frustrated.

[PaulTheVillan]

a win away at Stoke in his first game and we'll all soon be excited.

[martyn ellis]

Some of you don't seem to know the difference between opinion and personal abuse. I'm sure if I were Houllier or Thompson just having a little look at what the fans think on what is an open site, I'd be less than impressed by some of the crude 'opinions' on here, based on very little research. Thankfully these are more than countered by posters with a bit more integrity and realisation that replacing a management team is not an easy job.

[cb]

I gotta say that the more I think about this, the happier I am with it. I don't think it's a particularly sexy appointment and I certainly don't think that it is the type of appointment which is likely to start off a dynasty of footballing achievement (I think he'll be gone somehow or another in four years). However, I do think he has enough about him to win something at Villa - and it's been too long since we've won something, even a League Cup.

As a team we're not far off being good enough to seriously go for fourth position in the league as well, and I think we already have the players to play Houllier's favoured 4-5-1 system, and I believe it will actually suit us very well. I'm also hopeful that Houllier can just give us a bit more strength in depth and build on what is already here. We're not a bad footballing side and we have players who can hurt teams, and I think with a bit of luck we might even be able to do something this season despite the upheaval at the moment. We probably won't go playing flowing Arsenal-eque football, but I think Houllier will very quickly make sure that we won't roll over for anybody and give everyone a hard game - really I think that's all we can hope for from this season.

[Reuben]

From paper talk of Toshack possibly resigning, why not go the whole hog and have a full Liverpool contingent?
GH as DOF, Toshack as Manager, Thompson as assistant
Whatever happened to Steve McMahon as a manager?  Oh, and there's always John Barnes!

[Dan England]

Not overly excited but not disappointed either. As a team they have a good record and have room to keep Mcdonald in the fold as well.