Gerard's gaffes

[Bosco81]

Yes, because that's all there is to it.

What else is there ?

2 players on posts, a player near post, player next to the keeper, player on the edge of the box, keep a player on the half way line, everyone else man marks, piece of piss.

[Concrete John]

Earlier in the season we had the players at the back, but were missing NRC and/or Petrov to give them some protection.  Now it's that we haven't got the defenders themselves fit.

While both are valid arguments in isolation, at what point do them become excuses instead of reasons?? 

[Rip Van We Go Again]

All I know for sure is that every home game when we concede a corner, i'm cacking my pants at the prospect of conceding.

In fact, it seems like all of our support feel the same, you can hear a collective groan when we give a corner kick away.

The main comment you hear is

'Here we go again.'

[Risso]

They may not have been there for four years, but they were brought in because they were MON-type players and players MON wanted and knew could fit into his way of playing. Collins, Dunne, L.Young and Cuellar are examples of this.

Those four are all experienced players, who have played under a variety of managers with a variety of styles.  The idea that a year playing under O'Neill has rendered them incapable of adapting to Houllier's super new system, is quite frankly, bollocks.

[Mazrim]

It's not like he's told them to go out and play like shit is it?

Not at all, but the buck stops with him.
How is it that all 3 of those normally dependable players, have had the jitters for virtually every game this season?

A good question. As I suggested though, there has been a lot of turmoil this season. Add to that players playing out of their comfort zone, lack of form and fitness, change in playing style. Maybe it's just that simple.

It's very hard to find answers to some of the basic mistakes that have been made this season but although the buck may stop at him, I'm sure making them isn't anything to do the manager's designs.
Also, as much as the defence from last season were solid overall, especially in context with the previous seasons, they didn't half start tailing off in the latter half of the season. So should it be a massive suprise they haven't started or continued to play well this season?

Maybe they just arent anywhere near as good as we'd hoped. Again.

[sfx412]

DOL was a spitefull egotist who seemed to have developed and extreme dislike of the club that paid his wages.

Ged appears to be a good intentioned but ultimatley ill-equipped manager who would gain more credibility if he kept his mouth shut and concentrated on winning games, or at least trying to.

Yet Houllier has won things and big trophies far more than the others surely, for an ill equipped man.
He has had 1 transfer window and a squad in obvious turmoil thanks to the previous manager and the aggro he left behind.
He's been working with disgruntled staff, injuries beyond anything we have suffered for some seasons and no way of buying our of it until January.
In January he has shifted players Mon found it impossible to do, and bought in a right back and striker when given the opportunity something we have all called for and Mon never achieved to do successfully, yet he's  ill equipped.
I have never been convinced he's the right man for us, but he's nothing like as bad as many try to make out, especially in comparison to the other 3 mentioned, in the other thread.

[Risso]

they didn't half start tailing off in the latter half of the season. So should it be a massive suprise they haven't started or continued to play well this season?

Maybe so.  It's a bigger surprise though that Houllier thinks that the senior players are incapable of learning a new style of play, and that the kids who have played more under Houllier than O'Neill can't play his way either.

[UsualSuspect]

Yes, because that's all there is to it.

What else is there ?

2 players on posts, a player near post, player next to the keeper, player on the edge of the box, keep a player on the half way line, everyone else man marks, piece of piss.

Exactly

Don't forget that all these players have to do for a job is play football so what on earth do they do in training?

Our Sunday league team could work out in about 30 seconds who was going to mark who.

[sfx412]

they didn't half start tailing off in the latter half of the season. So should it be a massive suprise they haven't started or continued to play well this season?

Maybe so.  It's a bigger surprise though that Houllier thinks that the senior players are incapable of learning a new style of play, and that the kids who have played more under Houllier than O'Neill can't play his way either.

Is that what he has said?
Perhaps if he wasn't fighting a long injury list, disgruntled players, and fan abuse, or he had had a pre season to allow players to adjust it might not be as bad.
I can see changes in the way we play, I can see the likes of Ireland, Carew, and others no longer holding us back, I see kids many have wanted as first team picks getting the chances called for yet, he's criticised for doing exactly what many wanted to be done.
Its not working, well enough though, and while 3 wins should not be beyond us, who knows. Its certain that he was not left with a happy squad full of cover in every department capable of covering for the huge injury problems.
If he gets long enough I can see him doing fine, but its a big If

[Mazrim]

they didn't half start tailing off in the latter half of the season. So should it be a massive suprise they haven't started or continued to play well this season?

Maybe so.  It's a bigger surprise though that Houllier thinks that the senior players are incapable of learning a new style of play, and that the kids who have played more under Houllier than O'Neill can't play his way either.

It's true, I dont think he has presented his case well in this instance. I think he just doesn't rate our centre halves and I kind of agree with him. With the exception of the very promising Clark (who is still learning and perfecting his trade) I dont care if they're all replaced in the summer.
In fact, I very much hope for it.

[Monty]

Yes, because that's all there is to it.

What else is there ?

2 players on posts, a player near post, player next to the keeper, player on the edge of the box, keep a player on the half way line, everyone else man marks, piece of piss.

Exactly

Don't forget that all these players have to do for a job is play football so what on earth do they do in training?

Our Sunday league team could work out in about 30 seconds who was going to mark who.

Well for a start you've got four man markers against probably five or six opposition players with nobody zonally covering the, you know, penalty area bit. But that's by the by, they're not playing Sunday league football, it's almost a different sport. Can't be bothered to fish it out again, but everyone who thinks football is that easy should read an article by the secret footballer in the Guardian where he talks about training. Not piece of piss, actually highly complex organisation which people get paid millions to work out.

[Chris Smith]

If I could make one suggestion to GH, it would be this: decide *today* who will be playing in the back four in the next game.

Then, have them practice defending corners and free kicks all day, every day.

Bollocks to running. Bollocks to 5-a-side. Do it until they are absolutely crying with boredom, and then keep doing it.

Not that easy when the fuckers keep getting themselves injured.

[Concrete John]

It's one thing to say 'you mark player x' but another for that player to be able to compete with and beat them for the ball. 

It's probably 50/50 a lack of organisation and the young lads not being able to phyically compete with the likes of Davies.

[Risso]

Yet Houllier has won things and big trophies far more than the others surely, for an ill equipped man.

There are lots of managers with impressive CVs out there, who wouldn't cut it in the Premier League now.  Would you want George Graham?  He's won more in England than Houllier, and is a similar age.

[UsualSuspect]

Yes, because that's all there is to it.

What else is there ?

2 players on posts, a player near post, player next to the keeper, player on the edge of the box, keep a player on the half way line, everyone else man marks, piece of piss.

Exactly

Don't forget that all these players have to do for a job is play football so what on earth do they do in training?

Our Sunday league team could work out in about 30 seconds who was going to mark who.

Well for a start you've got four man markers against probably five or six opposition players with nobody zonally covering the, you know, penalty area bit. But that's by the by, they're not playing Sunday league football, it's almost a different sport. Can't be bothered to fish it out again, but everyone who thinks football is that easy should read an article by the secret footballer in the Guardian where he talks about training. Not piece of piss, actually highly complex organisation which people get paid millions to work out.

I mean 10/15 years ago who heard of zonal marking?

It was a case of being told "you're marking him get inside his shorts"

To show how clueless we are at times there have been many occasions this seasons where every Villa player has been back in the penalty area giving us no outball.

Or when we have a corner how many times have we seen a the ball drop on the edge of the box with no Villa player to been seen.

I'm sorry but these blokes are allegedly professional footballers and seeing as we only have one game in the next month why can't it be sorted then??