Liverpool FC Forum

by **azriahmad** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:29 am

Houllier had acted in a very strange manner which shows contradictions to his earlier judgements on players, but what amazes me is how soon he shows doubts in most of his signings.

He bought loads of players from outside the British Isles, some of them very expensive. Yet he gave them very little chance to establish themselves and even when he does, he plays them out of their natural position. It was as if he came to realise that they are not what he thought them to be when he purchased them and they are condemmed to the squad or worse, the reserves. His solution? Buy another foreign based player.

Also, he squandered some very good talents like Litmanen, but that is beside the point here as Traore said that he does not trust or demand more of his countrymen.

I think Houllier in his last 2 seasons became desperate for results that he never gave his foreign signings much of a chance to bed in, if they don't work almost immediately, he won't give them much playing time unless he is forced to by injuries to his more regular players.

by **banana** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 8:04 am

azriahmad wrote:Houllier had acted in a very strange manner which shows contradictions to his earlier judgements on players, but what amazes me is how soon he shows doubts in most of his signings.

He bought loads of players from outside the British Isles, some of them very expensive. Yet he gave them very little chance to establish themselves and even when he does, he plays them out of their natural position. It was as if he came to realise that they are not what he thought them to be when he purchased them and they are condemmed to the squad or worse, the reserves. His solution? Buy another foreign based player.

Also, he squandered some very good talents like Litmanen, but that is beside the point here as Traore said that he does not trust or demand more of his countrymen.

I think Houllier in his last 2 seasons became desperate for results that he never gave his foreign signings much of a chance to bed in, if they don't work almost immediately, he won't give them much playing time unless he is forced to by injuries to his more regular players.

Houllier was desperate, yes. He basically did everything the papers wanted him to. Just to get positive press coverage and stay in position. He had one of the most lucurative jobs in world football, and he wanted to get as much money as possible out of our club.

by **116-1104673748** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 8:54 am

And the biggest difference about Wenger and Houllier are...Wenger's selection of his own countrymen are so good that some hate them.Houllier's selection of his own countrymen are vice versa(besides Cisse)

by **azriahmad** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:40 am

thomas88, to simply say that Wenger selects only his countrymen (albeit good ones) is really understating his ability to find relative bargains who develop into top class players. Wenger is very good at this - Anelka cost merely 500k, Viera more but still cheap 4 million, Fabergas is a bargain at 2 million and Sanderos is similarly looking like a bargain.

Sure, he has had some failures but his signings have worked more than those who have not worked (like Stephanos or Pennant or that East European/Russian left back). Also, the players he recruit generally have good pace and basic ball skills, he conditions them to play the fast paced game Arsenal are so good at.

Houllier's foreign recruits are a mixed lot but he has not had them play to their strengths and does not give them enough of a chance to acclimatise to the EPL and also oddly play them out of position. Diouf, for all of the villification he gets from us, did try very hard on the flanks when he played for us when he is not a wide player. Strange and bewildering, Houllier's tactics - interesting to see how Lyon will fare with him at the helm.

by **AussieKopite** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:03 pm

Wenger unfortunately is amazing whereas Houllier I feel is a bit stale. Although, notice both Ferguson & Wenger were no where near a successful as usual? Problems maybe?

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