Robert Pires

[Dribbler]

Not sure what people are expecting from Pires, he's been at the club just over a week, doesn't know the players he is playing with, isn't match fit, and was thrown on for his first start in possibly the worst game to do so. If any manager is going to know how to nullify Pires it Arsene, and we played him in a system that just played straight into Arsenal's hands.

He didn't really get into the game yesterday, but then again none of the team did until the second half when we changed our tactics. On the plus side stats show he only made 1 misplaced pass out of 12, though unfortunately all of his passes were all out on the wings rather than from in the centre where I think he should be.

Pires still has the legs, i've seen him make a few good runs, but not the turn of pace for those quick sprints. If we are going to play him effectively, it should be as a replacement for Petrov or another midfielder  in the last 20-30 minutes of games and he should be played in the middle so that he can orchestrate things by spraying passes around the pitch to the likes of Downing, Young, Albrighton and Gabby. He shouldn't be expected to have to run around the park, we have other players that can do that.

If we play him correctly, i.e., in the right system, in the right position, at the right times, then I'm sure he'll prove to be a good asset to us. If your expectations are tempered by a realistic assessment of what he can offer us that is. Unfortunately the injury situation means we may have to play him more than we would otherwise and in weakened teams. His presence though might also give Ireland a kick up the ass.

[ajmant]

Personally, I think Ireland needs more than a kick up the ass!!

[peter w]

What I wasn't expecting was for him to start. That was a poor call. He's been training all years and not played any games anywhere. So why did Houllier think he was up to it? As a 30 min impact player than maybe, at the moment, then yes. But not to start.

[brian green]

The starting of Pires was probably part of the deal Houllier offered him.   No sitting on the bench pour toi mon brave.   We know what Houllier is like with contracts from the way a gallic shrug dismissed the speculation when he could not/would not/did not sign his own contract.   Either that or he was determined to get a bit of mileage out of him before he died of old age.

[Bad English]

I still maintain that it will all end in tears with Houllier. The French are still pissing themselves laughing at how they got rid of him so painlessly after the South Africa/Domenech fiasco.

[supertom]

I still maintain that it will all end in tears with Houllier. The French are still pissing themselves laughing at how they got rid of him so painlessly after the South Africa/Domenech fiasco.

Sadly I'm leaning towards this. Even sadder is, I long for the O Neill days already. Say what you will about the guy, but he got results. We've gone quickly from a top 6 side not too far shy of being top 4, to being completely average, battling relegation. Granted injuries and O Neill's departure itself have played a huge part, but it's been a scary decline.

The most frightening thing is how certain O Neill stalwarts have not stepped up to the plate since his departure.

Lack of a genuine gameplan is a huge concern. For all O Neills limitations and only have plan A, at least there was actually plan A. We haven't actually improved much between K Mac and Houllier so far.

Benefit of doubt and all that, but it looks worrying.

[Shrek]

I still maintain that it will all end in tears with Houllier. The French are still pissing themselves laughing at how they got rid of him so painlessly after the South Africa/Domenech fiasco.

Houllier was also part of the set up that won the world cup in 1998, so let's give him a chance.

[Bad English]

No, he was also part of the management, sorry, he was the manager of the team that didn't get to USA 94. Being selector of the U-20 team and 'National Technical Director' in 1998 is not exactly being Aimé Jacquet or Zinedine Zidane. That's like saying Doug was part of the team that won the Super Cup against Barcelona.

[dave.woodhall]

Sadly I'm leaning towards this. Even sadder is, I long for the O Neill days already. Say what you will about the guy, but he got results. We've gone quickly from a top 6 side not too far shy of being top 4, to being completely average, battling relegation. Granted injuries and O Neill's departure itself have played a huge part, but it's been a scary decline.

When did we start battling relegation? I must have missed a few months.

[avfcpg]

Horrific injury list, MON fecking off with just a few days to the start of the season...actually don't know what GH can do right now...give him a while. The performance vs Man Yoo gives me hope if nothing else, as does the emergence of the kids.

[pauliewalnuts]

I still maintain that it will all end in tears with Houllier. The French are still pissing themselves laughing at how they got rid of him so painlessly after the South Africa/Domenech fiasco.

Sadly I'm leaning towards this. Even sadder is, I long for the O Neill days already. Say what you will about the guy, but he got results. We've gone quickly from a top 6 side not too far shy of being top 4, to being completely average, battling relegation. Granted injuries and O Neill's departure itself have played a huge part, but it's been a scary decline.

The most frightening thing is how certain O Neill stalwarts have not stepped up to the plate since his departure.

Lack of a genuine gameplan is a huge concern. For all O Neills limitations and only have plan A, at least there was actually plan A. We haven't actually improved much between K Mac and Houllier so far.

Benefit of doubt and all that, but it looks worrying.

Christ almighty.

The most overreacting post of the lot, Tom. Look at the injury list.

Reo-Coker, Petrov, Sidwell, Delph - all out.

Cuellar, Beye - out

Heskey, Agbonlahor, Albrighton - out.

Then throw in Carew who was also out, and it is the worst injury list the club has had in god knows how long. Throw on top of that the fact we changed manager at all, which brings uncertainty and means a wait for things to click, then the timing of MON going, and it is hardly surprising we are where we are.

[Bad English]

In spite of the injury list, I am not a fan of Houllier.  I will 'give him a chance' no problem. But I do so enjoy sniping with [virtually] complete impunity on internet forums

[Merv]

On Pires, personally I don't want to see him starting any games - and that's not a knee-jerk reaction to his performance on Saturday. I was really surprised he started; a 20-min run-out at Blackburn and six days later he's starting against one of the best midfields in the country?

I believe he's got a role to play for us, but not from the start. He's an injection of composure and class from the bench in the final third/quarter of matches, for me.

[pauliewalnuts]

I believe he's got a role to play for us, but not from the start. He's an injection of composure and class from the bench in the final third/quarter of matches, for me.

Me too.

Like Berger was.

[Merv]

Absolutely. Exactly like Berger. But not injured as much.