Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[glasses]

Im inclined to agree with VCTM on this one. The impression I got was a very nervous chap, Although I dont think its a bad thing. He probably hasnt had to be centre of attention in a press conference for some time, so its no surprise he looked to be shaking like a shitting dog.
I like him, he seems a nice guy, I think he will do well. Unsure why Im feeling so 'meh' about it all?

[frank]

I thought he came over as being very relaxed and confident, not at all nervous. He spoke fluently, positively and with a smile. The reference to Liverpool was that we haven't beaten them at home since 1998 and his priority is to turn that around. But he also said how important it is to win silverware. For me the only slightly worrying aspect is that he won't take over immediately as he has convened a meeting of French managers next week, but he expects to be at the Bolton game, though not necessarily in the dugout. I was feeling pretty optimistic about his appointment already, and am more so after that interview.

[sfx412]

So 3 finishes in the last 3 years makes us a top 6 club ?

As Houllier said we have to be realistic here.

[eastie]

 I think he would really have loved thommo there with him but I'm sure he will soon get a backroom staff around him- I would prefer him to see us as a top 6 team rather than 7-12th as since the premier league began we are one of the top 6 teams.

Anyway welcome GED and let's hope you can deliver some long overdue silverware during the next 3 yrs!

[supertom]

So 3 finishes in the last 3 years makes us a top 6 club ?

As Houllier said we have to be realistic here.

Yeah those first two 6th places, maybe even the last, I think we punched above our weight. Which is largely to O Neill's credit. Certainly last season we wouldn't have expected to finish above Liverpool to be honest.

I wouldn't say down to 12th is realistic. We're far better than to warrant there, with the current squad. With this team, 7th-9th is probably realistic. 5th-6th optimistic. Top 4 getting into the heady realms of fantasy, but as Everton have proved, it's possible. Spurs were more worthy given the money they've spent and style in which they got 4th last season.

[Shrek]

Of course we are an established top six team, we were still competing for fourth until the last 2 weeks of the season.

If we had been efficient in the window we would doing the same this season.

We finished above Liverpool because we were a better team.

GH's target first of all is too Maintain us as a top six team, not 7th to 12th.

We must get a strike in January though, we cannot rely on gabby and Carew again.

[PeterWithe]

I must admit its got my back up that he wont start for another week, would the next ManUtd manager be given a week off to tidy up his old desk and hand his car back, would he fuck.

He should be chomping at the bitt to start and fuck the French FA.

[Shrek]

We dis not punch above our weight last season at all, if anything we underachieved in the league with so many draws and poor results against lesser teams, mainly due to Martins poor team selections and tactics.

[Legion]

I must admit its got my back up that he wont start for another week, would the next ManUtd manager be given a week off to tidy up his old desk and hand his car back, would he fuck.

He should be chomping at the bitt to start and fuck the French FA.

Perhaps he's a man of honour? Showing integrity to his prior commitments?

[Ads]

One thing seems sure enough, Ged won’t have any problems answering to Paul Faulkner.

[PeterWithe]

I must admit its got my back up that he wont start for another week, would the next ManUtd manager be given a week off to tidy up his old desk and hand his car back, would he fuck.

He should be chomping at the bitt to start and fuck the French FA.

Perhaps he's a man of honour? Showing integrity to his prior commitments?

He's technical director of a nation whos fans hate them, they cant wait for a clean sweep from top to bottow. Whatever the circumstances we come out of this looking less than efficient.

[SteveD]

I'm happy enough with Houllier and his technical abilities but think we've bungled our way towards appointing him and rather than being "considered" think we've been "fumbling" since O'Neill quit, not really knowing who we want. Fair enough the timing of O'Neill going was unfortunate but the writing was on the wall with someone like him. He was always going to go in a huff or a puff of smoke. Clubs should always be prepared and there was little sign of a plan B being activated. Getting to the transfer window without spending any of the Milner money seemed more important - and the criteria also seemed to avoid bringing in a manager who would involve anything in terms of compo to another club. I'm all for realism, but if Houllier effectively sees us as a mid table team it doesn't set the bar particularly high - for those already here, and certainly not for anyone who may come in.   

[barrysleftfoot]

   I thought he came across as very enthusiastic and excited about the job.Sure he mentioned Lplop , but also said he wanted to beat them.For me he made me feel he is confident of making AVFC a better club than he sees it as now;thats all i ask of incumbent managers....make us better than we are.

[pauliewalnuts]

If that was the question, then in the time he was here we didn't really challenge for much

He came to Liverpool in 1998 didn't he?  Didn't we top the table for much of 98/99?  And didn't we top the table again after winning at Anfield in 2000/2001?  Not forgetting the FA Cup final.

It really pissed me off when I read it. It brought back memories of a previous manager talking us down, and I still would much prefer that he hadn't said it. Risso's comparison with having a new girlfriend is a very suitable one.

Having said that, though, we should really just move on and look at the positives.

He definitely looked up for it, he sounds like he's proud to have the job, and like he's itching to get back into it. I think they've made the best appointment they could realistically have made at the time they needed to appoint someone, and one which would have looked a pretty forward thinking appointment had we not been operating under the constraints we were.

I'm really looking forward to him getting to grips with the job and us moving on from the shitty period we've just emerged from.

[Toronto Villa]

If anybody gets a chance to watch Houllier's media briefing where he answers questions, and thoughts of him being nervous, or staged or whatever will be washed away. I've been watching it on AVTV and it is quite excellent. What a very refreshing change. He also dismissed the player revolt bollocks regarding old players. He said Warnock was too young when he was there, and Friedel left to go to Turkey because his work permit was expiring. He comes across very well indeed. Very laid back and in touch with things.