I used to like Houllier. I still do really, he gave us some sense of structure and has bought some decent talent to the club. Not all the siginings have worked, but there is a core of maybe 8 players that you can build a top class squad around.
But I have now decided that one of Houllier's main assets is the one weakness that he cannot overcome and is stoopping us going to the next step.
He is not mean enough !
Ferguson is not buddy buddy with all his players, I am sure Wenger gets the boot in now and again. I am sure Paisley, Shankly and Dalglish did as well.Houllier gets on with most of the players really well. He always looks after them in the face of criticism from the press etc. He is always backslapping and laughing with other managers. phoning them with support etc. That is great, but a coach is not supposed to be the buddy of everyone. He has to have the respect, NOT the mateship of the players.
I think Houllier is too nice a guy to change. Good for him as a man for sticking to his principles. But in my mind the players have taken and continue to take advantage of the good nature of him. And that continues to mean we give 10% less in most games compared to the talent we have.
I hope I am wrong and most supporters would like to see us back as kings of Europe with Houllier there I think. But I cannot see it.
Steven O'Neil
Perth, WA