Things I've heard on here this season

[SoccerHQ]

Houllier's biggest problem was he followed MON. We were used to 6th so being in a relegation battle straight away was a huge shock and meant the majority failed to get behind him.

If the appointments had been reversed and we'd appointed TSM straight after MON (remember he'd just guided SHA to 9th) I'm sure Houllier would've got a lot more time and patience just like Lambert is getting.

[Sexual Ealing]

It isn't every day you read the phrase "lovely big pair of bollocks" on H & V.

It isn't, but all traditions start somewhere.

While we're here can I just say that I imagine Vlaar has a beautiful shiny bellend?

[Rigadon]

It isn't every day you read the phrase "lovely big pair of bollocks" on H & V.

It isn't, but all traditions start somewhere.

While we're here can I just say that I imagine Vlaar has a beautiful shiny bellend?

No. 

[Irish villain]

My logic is that Lambert changed the defence (from a flat back four to three centre-halves) seamlessly and efficiently, within days. Unlike Houllier, he didn't need to change the players (much) or need a pre-season to drill them on the new formation.

My conclusion is that Houllier was full of shit, or a shit coach, or employed shit coaches. For him to give up on making our leaky defence more efficient at defending set-peices, as he admitted he did, was negligent. For people to agree with him that it couldn't be done was laughable.

That was always the problem with Houllier, he was full of bullshit. On the day he signed for us I was warned by a few Liverpool (and United!) fans that Houllier was full of bullshit which was generally given credibility because he had a certain intellectual sophistication about him that any 'track-suited manager' who came out with similar guffe simply wouldn't have.

I really disliked Houllier. He nearly always hung our (young) players in the media and never accepted any responsibility himself. For me this is almost as bad as O'Dreary's and, to a lesser extent, TSM's belittling of the club and players. Houllier had damn all respect for Aston Villa and in his first week said that between 7th-12th was our natural place in the English league. Given that a few months earlier we had been pissed off at failing to advance on sixth, he was showing a clear disregard to both our players and supporters.

I am always surprised at the way people here are prepared to defend GH. One thing that always gets mentioned is the apparent 'top six form' we showed towards the end of the season. Lets remember we spent the guts of £30m in January and were still fighting relegation in April with some dodgy performances.

[Percy McCarthy]

Absolutely.

[JUAN PABLO]

well Lamberts plan didnt work well today

results will be good and results will be bad but posters have the right to have a moan on here when its a bad day , like today and congratulate the players when they play well like last week.  Thats why we have excellent forums like this.   

anyway Merry Christmas

[Irish villain]

well Lamberts plan didnt work well today

results will be good and results will be bad but posters have the right to have a moan on here when its a bad day , like today and congratulate the players when they play well like last week.  Thats why we have excellent forums like this.   

anyway Merry Christmas

Hear Hear and the 'better fan than you' argument shouldn't have to always rear it's head. Here's to bouncing back and stuffing Spurs!!

Happy Christmas!

[PaulWinch again]

Today was diabolical, but provided we learn from it in the right way it will be a useful if painful lesson.

[PaulWinch again]

One major concern is that when things don't go our way, we just seem to crumble and that is down to a lack of experience.

[eastie]

One major concern is that when things don't go our way, we just seem to crumble and that is down to a lack of experience.

We need someone to organise and captain the team when things are going badly- leadership was lacking today and I hope we bring in 2 or 3 experienced battlers with some quality .

[Ads]

You're only as good as your spine. Ours needs bigger players, with a physical presence and exprience.

We need more attacking flair for sure, but getting Vlaar back, a unit to play with him and some bruiser in midfield is vital.

[SoccerHQ]

One major concern is that when things don't go our way, we just seem to crumble and that is down to a lack of experience.

That's a good point.

Defensively we haven't been that bad recently keeping a decent number of clean sheets yet we have the worst goal difference in the league.

Aside from today, we've had four bad defensive halfs of football, first half against Everton when we were battered, ditto second half against Southampton and the second half against two Manchester clubs.

[Risso]

You were saying John?

[john e]

You were saying John?

my thoughts on Villa are exactly the same as they were last week, they dont change from a good game to a bad game,
 lamberts way is the best way, but it will take time, never said any different

Anyway hows New York ?

[Phil from the upper holte]

I tell you what winds me up is when were playing ok and everyone seems to be pulling in the same direction THEN we go tits up and one of the first things you see is Lerner out.