McAllister, Cowans & the new Back Room staff

[Rip Van We Go Again]

   My point is, and it seems to be beyond the comprehension of some people on here, is that if you are seriously ambitious you attract as good as you can get.

 

On that basis, as Randy is loaded, we should sign Torres and Gerrard.

[Mazrim]

Well, if Macca and Sid cant get this lot passing a ball, nobody can.

I like the sound of what Houllier was saying in his latest interview too. New ideas, more sophisticated play and continental philosophy. It will make a refreshing change.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If we want to be a top team, then you appoint a manager to make you a top team.The length of time it took, the actual appointment, and the revelation by MK that we approached others, indicated to me that unfortunately we are not as big a draw as we like to think we are.

The timing was all wrong. There was no way Quieroz was going to leave Portugal before the two Euro international games.  What self respecting, half decent manager with more than an ounce of integrity would?

[JJ-AV]

Moyes will be gettable in the Summer, is my prediction. His extremely shite start might make it even easier. Another season where they've no chance of finishing any higher than 5th already will surely make him want to look elsewhere with better resources?

That's a back up policy if Houllier is a disaster.

[KevinGage]

Someone mentioned a 'what if' scenario earlier.

What if MON had struggled at the start of the season and been sacked around about now. Might have even been on this very thread.

Personally I don't think RL would have ever sacked him, barring a horrendous run or something so grave outside of pure footballing matters that he had no alternative. But I do think MON might have walked around now even if had toughed it out in August. Increasing criticism from the stands and a slide in popularity would have probably seen to that.

You never know, with McGeady and Keane on board we mighty have hit the ground running instead. Unlikely but not impossible. They would have needed to start brightly though to allay any fears that he'd had a 'mare in the transfer market again. And if they didn't, I'd say there's every chance he'd have bailed.

That being the case and were we to start the search for a manager now would Moyes be more likely to join us? Possibly. They'd probably be more receptive to letting him go anyroad - with a large cash payoff as some kind of incentive.

Queiroz is also available at present and -if we were to give it a month or so from now as we did with GH- I dare say there could be other European based managers looking for a new gig.

[Villa'Zawg]

I spotted this in Everton's last annual report from the chairman Bill Kenwright...

Maintaining our progress, continuing to punch above our weight if you like,
will be very difficult but I stand by my assertion that we have a manager
who will go down as one of our all time greats and a squad of players that
is amongst our very best over the last two decades. As has always been
the case, David was fully supported by myself and by my fellow Board
members. He remains the single, most important figure at the Club and
we all strive – on a daily basis – to provide him with the tools he believes
are necessary if we are to continue to evolve and develop into a genuine,
meaningful force within both English and European football.
Once again, every available penny was channelled towards the manager to
facilitate the upgrading of the senior-squad.

[dave.woodhall]

And your point is?

[pauliewalnuts]

When they turn, they don't half turn, don't they?

[hilts_coolerking]

The strange this is that while O'Neill was the one who was given millions of pounds to spend, and who wasted much of it in achieving very little, and then who quit just before the start of the new season, taking most of the club's coaching staff with him, for some it's the board who are the bad guys.

I don't understand that reasoning at all.

[KevinGage]

I spotted this in Everton's last annual report from the chairman Bill Kenwright...

Maintaining our progress, continuing to punch above our weight if you like,
will be very difficult but I stand by my assertion that we have a manager
who will go down as one of our all time greats and a squad of players that
is amongst our very best over the last two decades. As has always been
the case, David was fully supported by myself and by my fellow Board
members. He remains the single, most important figure at the Club and
we all strive – on a daily basis – to provide him with the tools he believes
are necessary if we are to continue to evolve and develop into a genuine,
meaningful force within both English and European football.
Once again, every available penny was channelled towards the manager to
facilitate the upgrading of the senior-squad.

All well and good VD.

They're hardly likely to officially say "Done well, bit miffed about the consistent slow starts though. If we get a big compensation offer lets cash in."

I'm not saying for certain that's the approach they would take. But they're consistently strapped and if Moyes forced their hand I'm not sure there is a huge lot they could realistically do about it, short of getting the best possible price.

[Mazrim]

Well, if Moyes keeps this up he'll be kicking himself for turning Villa down.
And maybe we've dodged a bullet.

[BannedUserIAT]

Well, if Macca and Sid cant get this lot passing a ball, nobody can.

I like the sound of what Houllier was saying in his latest interview too. New ideas, more sophisticated play and continental philosophy. It will make a refreshing change.

Day 1 confusion:

McAllister: "Now, Carlos, you pass the ball along the ground to Petrov"
Cuellar: "Not shank to man in back of da Trinity?"
McAllister: "No, on the ground".
Cuellar: "No hoof"
McAllister: "No. No hoof!"

[Eigentor]

Som GH comments from the Official Site:

Houllier also revealed his delight at the new backroom team he has assembled - assistant manager Gary McAllister, coach Gordon Cowans, fitness coach Robert Duverne and goalkeeping coach Rafa Gonzalez.

He added: "I wanted Gary - or Macca as we call him. He had a few stints at management, which means he is motivated. He was first team coach at Middlesbrough but the good thing about Macca is I know him, I trust him and he knows the way I want to play. That's very important. That will speed things up.

"Then I have two coaches - one is local and a hero here, Gordon. I was pleased when he said he would like to work with me.

"The second one is Robert, who is French. He is a fitness coach initially but he can help with other things too. His main function is to be the fitness coach.

"I have known him for a long time because I worked with him at Lyon. He is a different type of fitness coach.

"The goalkeeping coach is Rafa. He was doing a good job and Kevin asked if I would keep him and I said yes.

"We have just five, just like the fingers of the hand. We have to be extremely united, trusting of each other - manager, assistant manager, two coaches and a goalkeeping coach. That's all.

"I know some clubs have far more but it's OK. We have two former top players, one is a specialist for goalkeepers and the other is a specialist in fitness. It's very complementary.

"The way I work is I meet with them every day in the morning before training - and I give them a programme and say 'this is what I want' and off we go."

Houllier is relishing his return to the Premier League and highlighted the changes in the top-flight since he left in 2004.

He added: "It's tougher, far tougher. The contact is very hard but we will cope with that, no problem. You can't be soft here.

"There's also the pace of the game, of course and quality of the players. They are good players."

[PaulTheVillan]

5? So that means Kev is going back to only reserve work.

I think he'll be off.

[Brend'Watkins]

"The second one is Robert, who is French. He is a fitness coach initially but he can help with other things too. His main function is to be the fitness coach.

"I have known him for a long time because I worked with him at Lyon. He is a different type of fitness coach.

I think we might see a slimmer version of Richard Dunne next time he makes a start.