Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Give the bloke a fucking chance you whingeing bunch of wankers.

[/quote

Could of not said it better myself ......Whats the next whinge "your bum looks fat in that suit" ??

[mazrimsbruv]

I agree with Houllier in a pedantic way. Our average finish since 2000 is 9.3 which sits between 7th and 12th.

He could have said it differently, though.

Across all 18 Premier League seasons our average finish is 8.1, which includes one runners-up finish, two top-four finishes and nine, yes nine top-six finishes. No other team outside the Sky Four has a better PL record but this is never mentioned in the media because of their total lack of respect for our football club.

Having said that I expect it from them, I don't expect it from our manager. You can argue statistics all day but Randy needs to get him in a room and explain that this type of 'objectivity and honesty' will not endear him to Villa fans and is meat & drink to our rivals across the city, who love to portray us as mid-table and mediocre.

[Small Rodent]

I agree with Houllier in a pedantic way. Our average finish since 2000 is 9.3 which sits between 7th and 12th.

He could have said it differently, though.

Our average finish over the last 3 years is sixth, so why are we choosing to look at 2000 onwards

I know, but something about people whinging without giving the bloke a chance brings the troll out in me.

[LeeB]

I agree with Houllier in a pedantic way. Our average finish since 2000 is 9.3 which sits between 7th and 12th.

He could have said it differently, though.

Across all 18 Premier League seasons our average finish is 8.1, which includes one runners-up finish, two top-four finishes and nine, yes nine top-six finishes. No other team outside the Sky Four has a better PL record but this is never mentioned in the media because of their total lack of respect for our football club.

Having said that I expect it from them, I don't expect it from our manager. You can argue statistics all day but Randy needs to get him in a room and explain that this type of 'objectivity and honesty' will not endear him to Villa fans and is meat & drink to our rivals across the city, who love to portray us as mid-table and mediocre.

We don't hear it in the media, you're right, but we also have won fuck all in the same period, so it's no surprise.

And as for that shower in Small Heath, fuck 'em, we don't answer to them. Being mid-table and mediocre is something they can only dream of.

[dave.woodhall]

There's a press conference at two. Let's see what he says when he's at Villa Park, answering questions that won't be translated.

[cdward]

The fact that a Franch chap has better English grammar than you bunch is quite saddening,  "that has belonged" let's conjugate the verb...

hmmm, people in glass houses, what exactly does FrAnch mean?
Hate that!

[mazrimsbruv]

There's a press conference at two. Let's see what he says when he's at Villa Park, answering questions that won't be translated.

Dave, I understand you wanting to put a positive spin on things when the manager's only just been appointed but I've just been to Le Figaro's website and read the quotes in French.

I have lived and worked in France for a few years and I'm fairly fluent in the language and I can promise you there is no mis-translation here. It's exactly what he said.

[Chris Harte]

When I saw the quote the first thing I thought of was David O'Leary's constant belittling of the club.

Let's just hope this isn't a pre-cursor to something similar.

[NorthYvillan]

FFS the guy hasn't even started yet and people are having a go.......

[Oscar Arce]

Well if it is 'lost in translation' then he needs to rectify that at the press conference later, so we'll see.
It's not a good start to tell us we need to prepare for mediocrity.

[dave.woodhall]

There's a press conference at two. Let's see what he says when he's at Villa Park, answering questions that won't be translated.

Dave, I understand you wanting to put a positive spin on things when the manager's only just been appointed but I've just been to Le Figaro's website and read the quotes in French.

I have lived and worked in France for a few years and I'm fairly fluent in the language and I can promise you there is no mis-translation here. It's exactly what he said.

But you don't know the questions and the context in which they were asked. There are few times when I'm stuck for an answer but I honestly do not know why some people have, even before he was announced as manager, been looking for ways to stick the boot into Gezza.

[sfx412]

There's a press conference at two. Let's see what he says when he's at Villa Park, answering questions that won't be translated.

It doesn't look like he'll be in the dugout and officially with the club until after the Stoke match though.

As to his comment

"Aston Villa is not a club on the same level as Liverpool, let's be objective and honest.

"It's a club that according to me has belonged between seventh and 12th place in the Premier League.

"But, above all, it's a historic club which has won the European Cup. It's a club which has got good infrastructure and a fine team which is after one thing - to improve year on year."

Its certainly objective and realistic which I don't feel most of the reactions to it are and seems to suggest he feels he can do something about.

I also think the Phil McNulty article on the BBC website gives a, if Liverpool biased, view of his achievements too.

[Risso]

Across all 18 Premier League seasons our average finish is 8.1, which includes one runners-up finish, two top-four finishes and nine, yes nine top-six finishes. No other team outside the Sky Four has a better PL record but this is never mentioned in the media because of their total lack of respect for our football club.

Your stats are a little misleading though.  To me they read like we have one runners up finish AND two top four finishes AND nine top six finishes, when in fact the nine top 6 obviously includes the runners up year etc.  Other than that I agree with you.

[hilts_coolerking]

I don't see what's so upsetting about it, frankly. If that's his opinion then fine. If he's only interested in keeping everyone onside then maybe he could have put it differently; but if he's more interested in plain speaking and being honest in his assessment of the club then he was right to say what he said. I'd much rather have the latter.

I can't stand the bleating that goes on when anyone dares to offer comment which is less than 100% glowing about the club.

[montague]

Another quote to even the balance:

Houllier admitted it had been a "very difficult decision" to leave his post in France but he was "very happy and proud to join this great and historic club".

Spend too long listening to Brummies and they will suck all of the joy and optimism out of you (says a Brummie).