an apology to sir alex over our defensive tactics

[sydtheeagle]

Originally posted by Matt Clark


Entirely true in and of itself, but if I can add a little perspective on the issue from a Q & A with Houllier that I attended at the OSC meeting at Anfield the other night, he did actually say that his return for the Roma game last season was against his doctor's advise and something he did because he knew it would give team and - crucially - crowd a massive lift in what, to him, was the most important game the club had played under him. He added that the decision, healthwise, had been a mistake and that, in the final weeks of the season he was utterly exhausted, but could not show it for fear of an adverse effect upon his side's continuing say in the title race.

Good contribution, Matt. Houllier is a great guy and, in fact, the best reason I can think of for wanting Liverpool to win the title is that it'd be nice to see a class guy finish first. And Houllier is class. No doubt about that. However, until he's won the title (or the Champions League), he is (not quite) in that most elite pantheon...

BTW, Clinton's Morrison's magical miss (to which you alluded earlier) really was a classic. And we (at Palace) can appreciate such moments (especially when they involve our own players) better than most. However, as ridiculous (I can't think of a better word) as Morrison's comments were throughout the period of those two games, I think everything from that time does explain why I think he'll make it in the Premiership this year. Whether it's self confidence, arrogance, or that he's just plain good enough (and it's probably a combination of all three), the boy really does have that mix that you need to get by at the top level.

[Matt Clark]

Oh yeah - he's a good player all right. Bit raw, but then that's what a step up is for, eh? Polish that gem, so to speak. I can see him getting between 10 and 15 goals this season, which would be an admirable return first time out in the top flight.

[tuseef]

Originally posted by sydtheeagle


About Houllier first, I agree that the phrasing I used ("couldn't carry Fergie's jock strap") was probably over the top. However, as a successful manager I think the point, in its broadest sense, does stand. Whether I like Fergie or not -- and frankly, I don't -- he is streets ahead of any other manager (Wenger excepted, but not Houllier) in the game today by any measure you can think of (with the possible exception of human decency, in which Houllier is streets ahead of him).

I also think your comment about Houllier "almost giving his life" for Liverpool is equally over the top. Lots of us have stressful jobs. Some of us have medical conditions that impair heart function. When the two correspond, bad things happen. They happen to people who love their jobs (like Houllier) and they happen to people who hate them. It may well be that the stress of Houllier's job brought on the heart attack, but it does not follow from that that Houllier almost gave his life for Liverpool. You might surmise the reverse, that Liverpool almost killed Houllier in spite of all he's done for them, and if you did you'd be equally wrong there, too. Houllier is a hard working man with a weak heart who had a medical problem, period. Those facts tell us nothing about his love for his job (or not, as the case may be).

Just to be clear (about me), I had my first season ticket at Palace in season 1969 -- 1970 and held one every year until the late 1980's, when I lived in the States for a few years. I returned in 1994 and have had a season ticket since. During my time in the States, I came back twice a season and saw around three matches on each trip (not including reserve games). You should commend me for that (LOL)...can you imagine going all those years for the Zenith Cup as your highlight!

I'm obviously not going to belittle the Shankly, Paisley, Fagan and (you didn't mention) Dalglish years. I saw their teams and I know how good they were. Among the very greatest, (if not THE greatest) sides the British game has known. But Liverpool (or any other team) could win the championship ad infinitum and ad nauseam and they would probably never be bigger than Manchester United. Liverpool operate as a giant in the British game and a big name on the world stage. Manchester United, for reasons which have only partially to do with performance on the pitch (which is why other sides cannot compete for the title "biggest"), are simply in another league.

By all means regard Liverpool as bigger than ManUre if you want to. You'd be wrong to do so (and I suspect you know it as well), but if it makes you happy, so be it. And certainly, take the piss out of them. I do it myself and hell, I support Palace. It's probably far more annoying for someone who follows a great team like Liverpool to have to deal with United's "bigness" than it is for someone who follows Palace (because we don't even try to compete with them in real sense). But the simple fact, United are the biggest. The consolation, of course, is that we don't have to believe that the biggest has to be the best.

that cool...we understand each other

by the way..when i say liverpool are bigger than man utd...i am referring to history. Of course, on form over last decade man u piss all over us...but the tides turning

also houllier doesnt have as many honours as fergie, but only the 2 (premiership and champions league) elude him....he has certainly done more for liverpool in his 3.5 years as solo manager than ferguson did in his first few years at man utd

also he has done it gracefully....you dont see him complaining about refs, the weather....or not giving opponents any credit for beating us fair and square

allez les rouges!