Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[Rigadon]

Happy with Houlier considering the options.  I think he'll do a good, honest job.  I like the man and want him to do well.

However, as Kevin Gage says, we are a top 6 premiership club.  6th is par.  Let's not talk ourselves into expecting anything less.  Talk of 7th - 12th isn't correct, clever or inspiring.  I want our manager to say that we've got the players and the ambition to play for the title, in modern day football that may appear futile / silly but it's what I want to hear now and again.  Aiming for 6th is such a load of bollocks.  Aiming for mid table is..... pointless.

I detest Harry Redknapp.  Utterly despise the man.  But him saying spurs could challenge made me jealous of spurs which is not a feeling I like.  People might laugh but how refreshing would it be to hear that now and again? 

[fredm]

I also thought he came across very well, relaxed and confident.  Liked the bit when he asked Pete Colley if it was just him who was going to ask the questions.

Also thought it was good that he could quote dates such as the club being formed, founder member of league etc. Obviously had taken the trouble to remember those.

As already stated, one of the references to Liverpool was about him never losing at VP when in charge, but he would be trying his hardest to make sure he won the match this year.

He made great play, I thought, about the way the club was run, its history, and the aspirations for a steady strenghthening of the playing staff - I could hear Randy Lerner's voice almost coming through.  To me he seems to have linked in with the way RL wants things to happen and the way the club is perceived by outsiders.

Presumably the reference to persons being in jobs was referring to the one who has been linked who I think is still a manager in France.

[Eigentor]

All things considered, I think this is a good appointment. His comments about Villa's offer coming "very late" suggest that there has been some dithering from the club (even though they would like to portray it as thoroughness), and they do lend credibility to the theory that the board wanted to appoint MacDonald in the first place but bailed out when results went wrong. For me, it would have been better if the board realised straight away that they couldn't appoint someone as inexperienced as MacDonald. As I have pointed out elsewhere, it makes sense to gamble when signing players sometimes; to gamble when appointing a manager is much more risky*.

*Some may argue that Houllier is a gamble. But he is a much safer option than MacDonald.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm happy with Houllier I'm confident that with the right backing(which I'm sure he'll get) he can win us trophies and push us forward.

[KevinGage]

I detest Harry Redknapp.  Utterly despise the man.  But him saying spurs could challenge made me jealous of spurs which is not a feeling I like.  People might laugh but how refreshing would it be to hear that now and again? 

Exactly right Rigadon.

Spurs probably won't challenge for the title this year, probably more chance of Robbie Keane appearing on Mastermind.

But 'arry has set it as a target and if they fall short of that chances are they've still had a good season.

[Toronto Villa]

All things considered, I think this is a good appointment. His comments about Villa's offer coming "very late" suggest that there has been some dithering from the club (even though they would like to portray it as thoroughness), and they do lend credibility to the theory that the board wanted to appoint MacDonald in the first place but bailed out when results went wrong. For me, it would have been better if the board realised straight away that they couldn't appoint someone as inexperienced as MacDonald. As I have pointed out elsewhere, it makes sense to gamble when signing players sometimes; to gamble when appointing a manager is much more risky*.

*Some may argue that Houllier is a gamble. But he is a much safer option than MacDonald.

I'm not sure about the "late" bit. I think he seemed a struggle a bit with the language there. The MON thing is 4 weeks old, so there's no timeframe about being late if you're approaching somebody already in a job. I think by late he was just referring to turning down a lot of possible offers and this is the last one he got which he liked. Just my take.

[Mac]

Friends in high places

Aston Villa fans may be underwhelmed by the arrival of Gérard Houllier in the Second City but his appointment can have done the club no harm in the eyes of Uefa. The former Liverpool manager has served as a technical assessor for the European football body and has a close relationship with its president, Michel Platini. Indeed, he was having dinner with Platini when the latter was taken ill at the World Cup in South Africa. Indeed it is believed he even accompanied Platini to hospital. With Platini widely expected to succeed Sepp Blatter as Fifa's president in a few years, it surely cannot hurt Villa to have friends in such high places.

[richard moore]

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.

Seconded. He also seems a very civilised and cultured man and that is important to me when we are talking Aston Villa....he evidently takes after me in that respect

[Mazrim]

Right, I'm back.

Firstly, welcome to Aston Villa, Mr Houllier. I can't say he would have been my choice but he's a good football man with a lot of plus points and I wish him all the best of luck.

Secondly, what the fuck has happened over the last week? Can somebody sum up for a weary traveller please?
Ive heard all sorts of things about fan uproar, resigning Andy Marshall, the General being pissed off...etc.

[Irreverent ad]

Right, I'm back.

Firstly, welcome to Aston Villa, Mr Houllier. I can't say he would have been my choice but he's a good football man with a lot of plus points and I wish him all the best of luck.

Secondly, what the fuck has happened over the last week? Can somebody sum up for a weary traveller please?
Ive heard all sorts of things about fan uproar, resigning Andy Marshall, the General being pissed off...etc.

Fan Uproar= Media stirred up crap from a comment from the General. As a result the Gen stopped posting til manager was sorted.

Sorry to break it to you...its true about Marshall

[Eigentor]

Right, I'm back.

Oh, good.

[Mazrim]

Right, I'm back.

Oh, good.

Who are you again?

[hawkeye]

I thought he came across as polished, eloquent and said all the right things about our club, he talked about the club and its values, a refreshing contrast to the monitsallaboutme.com

[Mazrim]

Right, I'm back.

Firstly, welcome to Aston Villa, Mr Houllier. I can't say he would have been my choice but he's a good football man with a lot of plus points and I wish him all the best of luck.

Secondly, what the fuck has happened over the last week? Can somebody sum up for a weary traveller please?
Ive heard all sorts of things about fan uproar, resigning Andy Marshall, the General being pissed off...etc.

Fan Uproar= Media stirred up crap from a comment from the General. As a result the Gen stopped posting til manager was sorted.

Sorry to break it to you...its true about Marshall

Cheers ad. I hope those hacks are docked money reading Pit Viper websites when they should be working.

[Rigadon]

Mazrim, to fill you in so to speak, we have a new manager, one which hasn't set our collective pulses racing but a safe pair of hands to steady the ship.  Big Brother is finishing thank fuck, Marshall has re-signed and the general took a break from posting on this site in case the Daily Sell To Buy mis quoted him about a new manager.  Eigentor showed pleasure at your return.