As Paul says we had a load of injuries under Houlier. In the 2-2 at home to ManU we had Albrighton, Hogg and Bannan start, and the bench was Lichaj, Lowry, Herd, Osbourne, Johnson and Fonz as another example. 
And we finished 9th because we only lost 4 of the last 17, not because we 'jammed' two wins.