Houllier's presence

[Eigentor]

I always thought of Houllier as a bit of a miserable bastard when at Liverpool.  Maybe it was the weight of expectation or whatever, but I hardly ever saw him crack a smile and he was usually moaning like hell after matches.

He seems different with us.  It might be a new perspective after his health issues or just enjoying being back in day-to-day management, but he seems a different man to the one who managed the Scousers.  And I like this version more.

I think it's fair to say that Villa at least treat our managers better than Liverpool. Houllier was sacked by Liverpool for "underachieving", yet the best side (by far) in France thought he was good enough to manage them. Same with Benitez: He won two league titles in Spain with Valencia, despite Barcelona and Real Madrid having much bigger resources. At Liverpool, he is sacked while the media portray him as a lunatic. However, I doubt that Inter Milan would have been interested in his services if he is the imbecile some believes he is. And now Woy, in the summer hyped as the best English manager in the game, is looking clueless. If MON thought managing Villa was too much hassle, I wonder how he will cope (if appointed) at Liverpool.

[damon loves JT]

I reckon MON would do an excellent job of steering Liverpool clear of relegation. It would cost John Henry a lot of money, mind you.

[Mr Diggles]

To digress, Liverpool will not be relegated even if they were being managed by Bungle (from Rainbow of course, its not a nickname).

Anyway, to Villa... After a summer of real underwhelming action I am feeling really positive about the rest of this season. As noted on another page, it feels like we've finally arrived at 21st century football with Houllier, and long may it continue to improve.

[damon loves JT]

To digress, Liverpool will not be relegated even if they were being managed by Bungle (from Rainbow of course, its not a nickname).

Is what i was getting at, I think. But Bungle doesn't have a ready-made *claque* on the MOTD sofa. Nor does he have a ready-made backroom staff of Zippy, Geoffrey, Rod, Jane and Freddy to slot into the bootroom

[damon loves JT]

George, of course, has made clear his intention of remaining at `Rainbow' in a caretaker capacity

[cheltenhamlion]

The early signs with Houllier are promising.

The football already seems to be devleoping and it's nice that there seem no distinct favourites at the moment.

Next season is the time to judge.

And, by the way, MON was desperate for the Liverpool job this summer. He made it abundantly clear that he wanted it which didn't help his relationship with Randy.

I don't believe the Mark Hughes stuff mind.

[pauliewalnuts]

And, by the way, MON was desperate for the Liverpool job this summer. He made it abundantly clear that he wanted it which didn't help his relationship with Randy.

I don't believe the Mark Hughes stuff mind.

Neither do I.

I think he was vindictive in his leaving when he did, but to suggest he waited till Hughes was unavailable seems like a step too far.

[john e]

i was one of the posters saying we must trust the board, however long it takes to get the right man,

must admit there were a few sqeekie bum times mind, when i thought i would be made to eat my words, but Houllier seems ok so far.

he was that something different,
 he wasnt even on the original poll, its early days but i wouldnt want to go back,
i was bored with MON long before he walked out, and was not upset he did, even at the last minuet.

we had differing reports for GH, defensive, bad signings, also a more passing attractive football, so we will have to wait and see how it pans out

the big thing for me is, can he bring in any young french players, who will be the next big thing at Villa, i really hope so.

he definitely seems more relaxed and laid back than he came over when he was at L'pool,
 but then things are going alright for him at the moment,
things might change when they take a dip.

 i also love his backroom boys, especially sid, i think he garnered a bucket load of brownie points with that one

of coarse it goes without saying that if we dont win on sunday the 31st,
he'l have to go !

[VillaAlways]

And, by the way, MON was desperate for the Liverpool job this summer. He made it abundantly clear that he wanted it which didn't help his relationship with Randy.

I don't believe the Mark Hughes stuff mind.

Neither do I.

I think he was vindictive in his leaving when he did, but to suggest he waited till Hughes was unavailable seems like a step too far.

He'd have done us a favour if he had I would have hated us to have got the draw specialist

[Rip Van We Go Again]

To digress, Liverpool will not be relegated even if they were being managed by Bungle (from Rainbow of course, its not a nickname).

Is what i was getting at, I think. But Bungle doesn't have a ready-made *claque* on the MOTD sofa. Nor does he have a ready-made backroom staff of Zippy, Geoffrey, Rod, Jane and Freddy to slot into the bootroom

Zippy and George would be of little use with only one arm each (unless they're both secretly tossing each other off)
http://lacer.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/zippy-and-george.jpg

[OCD]

Equally, I think he's better than we realised.

[KevinGage]

The football already seems to be devleoping and it's nice that there seem no distinct favourites at the moment.

You generally get that with managers first up though.

They have no loyalty to the players they inherited and will play them on merit.

It's only when they sign their own players that it can go tits up, as they feel obliged to play a player they've spent big money/ wages on. Even regardless of form at times.

Which is why the continental approach has a lot of merit, with a head coach in charge of matters on the pitch and someone else taking care of transfers: "This is what you have to work with, get on with it." 

With a few notable exceptions it doesn't seem to work in England though.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As much as I think we're moving in the right direction under GH/Gary Mac and Sid, I'm still to be convinced Houllier can bring in the right players. Looking at his transfer record, it doesn't appear to be one of his strengths.

[Concrete John]

the big thing for me is, can he bring in any young french players, who will be the next big thing at Villa, i really hope so.

Why just French?  I don't want him predominantly buying from France - how would that be any different than MON looking at the UK only?  What we need is a comprehensive scouting and recruitment policy so we can get the best available talent, no matter where it is from!

[Concrete John]

As much as I think we're moving in the right direction under GH/Gary Mac and Sid, I'm still to be convinced Houllier can bring in the right players. Looking at his transfer record, it doesn't appear to be one of his strengths.

Hasn't he admitted that his later signings at Liverpool were a bit pants?  Shows he can realise and admit mistakes if so, which goes a long way to helping him not repeat them!