Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[JJ-AV]

Welcome aboard, Gerard!

Really exciting for the coming months now.

[damon loves JT]

Firstly, I am glad we actually have a manager.

Secondly, I am glad that we have a manager *who actually wants to be the manager*.

I am going to put my paranoia and cynicism on the shelf for a bit and let him get on with it. Good luck Gerard

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Fantastic part news conference. Sounded articulate, enthusiastic and fully aware of things what are going on around him. There were early doubts about his health etc but they have been wiped out after that interview. Come on Villa ..........................

[Toronto Villa]

Aside from the history lesson he gave us that sounded a bit stilted, I picked out that:

(a) Champions League isn't an immediate goal
(b) He thinks January is a bad time of year to do business, but he'll still have a look.

which is realistic I think. I've maintained from the start that our current squad is good enough for the top 8. 1 or 2 new faces in January and we are again looking at top 6. If we can stay alive in the cups, we can go for that too. Next year, with a full summer, we can attack every competition.

[mozza]

He's not going to be at Stoke ...............'hoping to be at Bolton match'
mentioned 3 months notice to FFF !! but trying to negotiate earlier release ?

Looks like KMac will be caretaker till Xmas then

[villa `cross the mersey]

Just caught the tail end on BBC i -player - I must confess I was not overly impressed. Is it me or did he look like a rabbit in the headlights of a car?
Mentioned liverpool how many times?
We still don`t know when he will be available to manage.
Also said something about his contacts in the game -  he stated it was not mentioned in his interview etc.
Finally he said something in French at the end regarding Benitez - anyone know what that was about?
(Champions League?)

[Lambert and Payne]

Uh oh.  "happy memories of Villa Park.. Robbie Fowler scoring a hattrick!"

D'oh!

cue another 30 pages of why he would have brought that up **winky**

I'm glad people have got a good impression of him. He always speaks very well and intelligently. Kind of what I like about Wenger too. Very much looking forward to him changing things around. The one thing that his former players have all said is that he isn't afraid to wield the knife and bring in his own staff and players. We need to broom some of the crap, and introduce some additional quality into the squad.

Here's to a very unpredictable January transfer window.

He said January isnt the ideal time for transfers and he's very happy with the squad at the moment..

[pmk1981]

Aside from the history lesson he gave us that sounded a bit stilted, I picked out that:

(a) Champions League isn't an immediate goal
(b) He thinks January is a bad time of year to do business, but he'll still have a look.

If you think about it deep down are we ready for champions league yet ?  We dont have the squad depth yet
look what happened in the europa when we changed a few players about to rest them for the premier league game?  and look what happened to spurs when they didnt change many players against wigan,  they were fucked and lost

and janurary isnt the best time to buy players because prices go up,  players are carrying little knocks...

[KevinGage]

True TV, I wouldn't say it is realistic this year.

But you'd want to see a guy burning with ambition and when asked the question respond "Yes. That's the goal."  We might have to do it in a different way to other clubs and achieve it over a period of time, but it should still be a legitimate target. Always set the target a bit higher than your comfort zone, and if you fall short chances are you still might have progressed. Rather than settling.

If we're happy bobbing along between 7th-12th with the odd cup run and (maybe) nicking a LC once in a blue moon I don't think that's the kind of vision that will inspire many, or improve our standing in the game.

[villasjf]

He's not going to be at Stoke ...............'hoping to be at Bolton match'
mentioned 3 months notice to FFF !! but trying to negotiate earlier release ?

Looks like KMac will be caretaker till Xmas then

Yes that was a bit worrying re the 3 months comment, he spoke about brad and Warnock too.

[JJ-AV]

I think his first target is a respectable finish this season, ship the shite out and replace the high earners who don't deserve it with players off the continent who'll cost less and earn a quater of what we're paying 'em now.

Then take it from there.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Just caught the tail end on BBC i -player - I must confess I was not overly impressed. Is it me or did he look like a rabbit in the headlights of a car?
Mentioned liverpool how many times?
We still don`t know when he will be available to manage.

Finally he said something in French at the end regarding Benitez - anyone know what that was about?
(Champions League?)

Yes. He said "i bet some Dick head is saying i look a rabbit caught in someone`s headlights" ............

[Toronto Villa]

True TV, I wouldn't say it is realistic this year.

But you'd want to see a guy burning with ambition and when asked the question respond "Yes. That's the goal."  We might have to do it in a different way to other clubs and achieve it over a period of time, but it should still be a legitimate target.

If we're happy bobbing along between 7th-12th with the odd cup run and (maybe) nicking a LC once in a blue moon I don't think that's the kind of vision that will inspire many, or improve our standing in the game.

I don't take much notice of that though. MON said that was the goal every year he was here. What will make a difference is his actions. I think we all want to see a more complete squad assembled that can stay alive in every competition and will be deep enough and strong enough to challenge for a top 4 spot. We're not a million miles off that now in my opinon. At 63 he hasn't come here to wallow in mid table or just be content with the Europa. If we do this right we can intelligently get a CL spot much like Wenger has at Arsenal without spending crazy money.

[Mark H]

I thought he came over well and only really mentioned Liverpool in context of his last job in this country, and the fact they are not in the top 4 anymore both of which I thought were understanable to mention (well on SSN coverage).

The 3 months notice - the same as many jobs they can hold you to it but the fact that they have let him take the job means they wont but want him to honor the meeting with all the managers captains and ref for the top league in France that has obviously taken some setting up - fair enough for me and he has looked at getting a private jet but even then would not be back in time.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Thank you Walters Warriors - I was making a valid observation about his body language  - no need for the attempted insult