by bigmick » Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:37 pm
Oh dear oh dear. This predictable rant from the die-hard Houllier fan club is as predictable as it is sad. I always found Gerrards refusal to admit the obvious, that he was totally out of his depth to be one of the less endearing features of this undeniably amiable and pleasant man. His reliance on pointless and frequently banal statistics in the face of overwhelming evidence made me, for the first time in my life embarassed to be a Red. Unfortunately in some cases, his fan club think a similar stance is appropriate which once again is I think unfortunate.
Just to try and put things in perspective on Djimi and Igor. Regardless of how good Igor turns out to be, (and realistically I don't think a world player of the year award is round the corner, call me a pessimist etc) but to pretend he was anything other than a ridiculous purchase is flying in the face of reality. He's been here four years. I quite like the guy, interviews very well seems like a decent bloke etc and he had a top game last night no question but come on, lets be serious for a second. In the case of Traore, are we seriously to be led to believe that Houllier saw his embryonic talent all those years ago and thought, "I know what, I'll buy him now. He'll be absolutely useless for three or four years but in year five, he-haw he-haw sacre bleu watch him go!" Do me a favour. Indeed when Houllier talked of his 'legacy' to Rafa, (he left a legacy alright!) he didn't even mention Traore among the 'promising' young players he had left. So clearly even the great man must be surprised by Djimi's form.
No, in my book when you get a manager take over a shambolic collection of misfits which constitute a one-man team if ever there was one and reform them into a fighting unit you don't praise the guy before, you get on your soapbox and say well done Rafa. What an achievement. Seriously, if somebody had said last season that we were going to play Deportivo away in the CL, no Gerrard, Owen or Heskey. The only additions to the players from last year would be a solid enough if unspectacular right-back and a 'trick or treat' midfielder, neither of which would perform a starring role on the night. Would you give us much chance? Not a sh-it show in hell I wouldn't have thought. It's ALL down to Rafa, not GH.
One last thing, if Diao ever has a good game ( I know its a big IF ) are we gonna have a debate about whether he was a good signing as well?
"se e in una bottigla ed e bianco, e latte".