Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[pmk1981]

We're not liverpool   but why say   it so starkly on day one?

And as for our natural station being 7th   to12th.

I was very pleased with this appointment, but why on earth would he want to sound so O'Leary on day one?

I feel a bit annoyed.

ahh i see

so whats all this about ??

[BannedUserIAT]

Paul Faulkner:

“In fact, he stands out as a football man who understands the ethos of our club and shares our core values."

Sounds so corporate, 'core values' indeed, we're not ICI, we're in it to win it - aren't we ?

Not sure about the executive set up at AVFC.

I'll take 'core values' to mean being a beacon of support to local charities, looking after and listening to, the fans, implementing improvements to the stadium and the facilities.

What do you take 'core values' to mean?

[CheeriOneill]

I had a few quid on but at 8/1.

Anyone been paid out yet? Ladbrokes are being rather slow online.

Paddy Power paid out before 10pm last night, fair play.

[djbone]

I had a few quid on but at 8/1.

Anyone been paid out yet? Ladbrokes are being rather slow online.

Took 9/2 from Betfair last Thursday - gutted i was too tight to go beyond their free £25 bet tho!  A little paypal donation will be winging its way to H&V for the sure thing

[willywombat]

You can already hear the knives being sharpened and the poor f*&^%r hasnt even got the keys to his office yet

[pmk1981]

i didnt want the joker as manager anyway and if he has said this according to paulie
Aston Villa is not a club of the same level as Liverpool" he said. "Let's be objective and honest, it is a club which, for me, finds itself between seventh and twelfth place. It is above all a historic club, which has won the European Cup. It is a club which a very good set up, a good team, and which demands just one thing: to progress year on year". Why choose a mid table English club after having tasted a higher level in the past? "I had other offers, but this seemed to me the most interesting in terms of environment, of work conditions"

i am very very angry

we deserve an explanation !!

[PaulTheVillan]

I think you need to calm yourself down dear.

This season we will more than likely finish between 7-12th place.

Liverpool have missed out on CL football twice in the last 12 odd years?

He is correct.

[pmk1981]

it just seems like he wants another big club before he retires and this is a stepping stone !!

sounds like he is doing us a favour :-(

[The Gruffalo]

Out of interest pmk, which part of it do you disagree with? Surely you don't expect him to come in and state unrealistic expectations?  I think, sadly, people are just waiting for an opportunity to have a go at Gerard.

[PaulTheVillan]

Well to me it sounds like he feels this is challenge and one that already has the foundations to be a success.

[JJ-AV]

Quite pleased, makes alot of sense and I'm looking forward to a different approach. Glad the uncertanties over.

It's a risk, but a calculated one. His CV is immense and he knows how to finish top 4.

Welcome aboard, Gerard!

[sfx412]

Well according to Mac I have to like Ged.
As he fits my original profile for a prospective manager, I'd be churlish before he's put on his first Villa tie to criticise some stray article in which he speaks the truth, especially as it wasn't even a UK publication. Last time I looked we were not Liverpool, we are Villa with a not too full achievement record in recent times.
My only concern is his lack of PL experience in the last few years. That apart he's experienced, has won trophies has managed at a high level, and has the backing of the board. Media wise he's no slouch, doesn't have that big an ego like some recent manager we've had and offers the club plenty.
Whether he can maintain our top mid table finish and push on only time will tell, his main problem will be to  overcome the bias from his predecessors fanbase on the terraces and in the media, which won't be easy.
That apart, with the right backing from Randy, as long as he maintains a sensible approach on the field of play, he's an interesting prospect, only his lack of recent high pressure managerial experience and the previous managers ghost can limit his and our progress.
Good luck to him, I'm excited at the prospect, be nice to prove Mac right for once

[not3bad]

"Let's be objective and honest, it is a club which, for me, finds itself between seventh and twelfth place. It is above all a historic club, which has won the European Cup. It is a club which a very good set up, a good team, and which demands just one thing: to progress year on year". Why choose a mid table English club after having tasted a higher level in the past? "I had other offers, but this seemed to me the most interesting in terms of environment, of work conditions"

Well, we finished 6th last year so we'll hardly want to finish between 7th and 12th this year will we?  That isn't year on year progress.  Don't see what the fuss is about.

[pmk1981]

 but to say 7th to 12th when we have finished 6th for the past 3 seasons running shows a complete lack of respect to what MON did and how we have progressed under Lerner.

 If he thinks Villa fans will ‘settle’ for 8th than he is wrong, we will all want at least a 6th place finish again

[JUAN PABLO]

Houlier says Villa to big to turn down...

Thats good enough for me....