Gerard Houllier

[Rip Van We Go Again]

He's a hell of a lot quicker than Jonson.

Maybe, but like him, the defensive side of his game is suspect.
Poor marking for Blackburn's goal and he was caught out of position at least 3 times.

[Shrek]

Difference is Walker hasn't cost 18 million pound.

[cdward]

So now the transfer window has closed, i am glad to say that Houllier has been backed by the Chairman and bought some decent players, along with a couple of good loans, as well as shipping out some of the deadwood. We are now all moving in the right direction.
All we need now is for the performances to continue to improve, as the results have, and i believe we will all be able to fully get behind the manager, and forget that December ever happened, oh and hopefully look forward to seeing what it feels like to win a game in the month of March.

Still a little concerned over his insistence of playing Gabby on the wings, but overall i am feeling much more optimistic about Houllier, you have to admit it was worrying at the time though.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I have to say I am very pleased and excited about his work in this transfer window. I know there is an element of risk where Bradley and Makoun are concerned, as Premier League 'virgins', but they certainly come with an impressive pedigree and reputation. Walker is all about potential, while Bent is about as proven a Premier League striker as it is possible to find.

It's all rather refreshing! Of course, the real business is in the playing, I know, but Houllier and Lerner have certainly conspired to make things interesting! I'm confident that we'll make our way steadily up the league table, and play some good stuff along the way.

If, while doing all this, Houllier has also managed to reduce the wage bill (has anyone worked out the 'numbers' for that?!), then that's impressive stuff.

So, a shaky start, a fine January (in transfers and games), and a bright future - I'm quite impressed!

Technically Makoun and Bradley are premiership virgins. But Makoun has 46 international caps and Bradley 50. He knows all about Makoun from Lyon and has watched Bradley on four occasions live in the world cup. Do not think it will be hard for them to adjust with that type of experience .......

[sfx412]

Most enjoyable transfer window, so refreshing from the fraught windows under O'Neill.

Not only did we get a striker, a quality young striker at, if Carrolls price is any indication, a bargain price, we brought in 2 defensive holding midfield players and a right back. Its as if he knew what Mon had spent seasons not achieving and just did it.
Same with the exits, something else Mon found hard to achieve, what a relief to see Carew, Sidwell, Davies and the ever smiling git Ireland, all removed from the squad. What relief will that be to the squads moral, here's hoping the two loans become as permanent as the two real deal, even if they do thanks to some atrocious transfer deals, represent a huge loss of revenue.

Whilst I see what you mean Pauli, about Walker, the trade off of a full back who scores goals like he did and who offers so many attacking alternatives as he does,  has to be some loss of defensive cover. Perhaps makoun, or one of the others will learn to cover better as time goes on. Interesting that Harry is now down to his reserve reserve cb's and Walker stays with us.

[Brend'Watkins]

A good point by sfx there regarding Walker.  He's shaping up to be the new Gidman.

[Mazrim]

I can cope with one full back that's a bit more cavalier than the other. And currently our left back is one of our highest scorers so he gets forward too.

Makoun and Bradley aren't simply holding midfielders, by the way Malcolmtent. Glad you've sobered up from last night though.

[Mister E]

Walker may be a little cavalier, but Cuellar - if he is at CB, as he should be - is very good at covering the full back. And, as Maz says, we now have better central MF players (as well Albrighton) to cover back.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He's a hell of a lot quicker than Jonson.

Maybe, but like him, the defensive side of his game is suspect.
Poor marking for Blackburn's goal and he was caught out of position at least 3 times.

After his debut goal and performance maybe expectations are running alittle high. It's worth remembering he's still only 20 years old and learning his trade. The most important thing at the moment is he has the potential.

[Nev]

During an interview on WM this evening, after being asked about his good record at Scum Trafford, Hou made reference to his "previous team in England".

Along with all the other positives, sometimes the little things count as well.

[brontebilly]

Got it badly wrong tactically tonight I felt and the subs were too slow in coming on. Makoun justified his inclusion with a strong performance but nothing else worked really.

[Salsa Party Animal]

it is difficult to turn round the game after half time though.

[Toronto Villa]

Got it badly wrong tactically tonight I felt and the subs were too slow in coming on. Makoun justified his inclusion with a strong performance but nothing else worked really.

I'm quite sure Houllier's tactical approach to tonights game was torn to shreds by conceding a goal inside the first minute. What followed on was reactionary against the best team in England, so I wouldn't put the blame entirely on him.

[SoccerHQ]

During an interview on WM this evening, after being asked about his good record at Scum Trafford, Hou made reference to his "previous team in England".

Along with all the other positives, sometimes the little things count as well.

Yep, heard that aswell and had a wry smile, he's learning.

Tonight was a write off to me, predicted 3-1 to them in the pre match thread and just glad we didn't get smashed like at City so confidence shouldn't be dented too much.

Win on saturday anyway and if as I suspect Sunderland lose at Stoke, then we'll be 6 points off 6th so that will be something to aim for.

[The Situation]

Wow, those poll results are interesting.

What does this tell us? This forum has rational, intelligent, calm, patient posters unlike Villa Talk who are the biggest overreacting people on the planet. Mindless.

Anyways, I'm impressed from what I've been told about our performance tonight. I can take losing to United @ The Theatre of Toads, but putting in a good performance and giving them a game has reassured me. Bent scoring again and Makoun playing well is another positive to take.

HOWEVER; enough is enough. Cuellar's got to start playing in central defence. We always play better defensively with him - less panicky etc... We concede far too many goals - I was surpsied Houllier didn't play Cuellar, usually he's favoured for these type of games. I like what Houllier's doing, getting us passing the ball around playing nicely, made some great signings; he just needs to start playing Cuellar though. It does seem rather silly not playing our best defender. He hasn't been given a chance to fuck up so how can you keep not playing him?