The "Freeola Customer Forum" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
Good riddance to Gérard Houllier - that's what I'd say, if I were a Liverpool fan. However, there are still many Scousers out there who are far from 'glad' to see the back of him, despite all they have had to suffer in the past 10 months of the 2003-04 season. I don't understand it...
Is it for the manner in which he's been treated like a dog (something Claudio Ranieri will soon know also, I'm sure). Did he really have a great understanding with of each-and-every player at the club? Was there really such a close relationship, as people like captain Steven Gerard have publicly declared? Or, was it simply for the "ambition" the man had - which, of course, he has simply been unable to fulfil with so-many over-priced signings who have simply failed to achieve anything...?
See how confusing it is for me, as a non-Liverpool fan? I can only see the good points towards Houllier's Anfield departure. I mean, for a top-of-the-table [yes, really!!] side, what does he have in comparison with Sir Alex Ferguson or Arséne Wenger, for example?
With this new replacement, they've simply got to get the right-man, or else the club will simply continue to slide. No matter how much money they can get from the Thai Prime Minister and his 30% stake, they've got to ensure it will be money very well-spent (in short; no more Diao's, Chayrou's or Traoré's!).
Already there are two big-name candidates. There's the man who last night took FC Porto to a superb 3-0 Champions' League Final victory over Chelsea-beaters Monaco, José Mourinho (who now looks set for Stamford Bridge and nowhere else), and the guy from La Liga-winners Valencia (...whose name I forget, of course!). But, aside from Celtic's Martin "waiting for United" O'Neil, where are all the other British candidates?
If you know me on these forums, you'll know that (aside from the fact I don't half go-on-and-on with topics like this...) I'm one who believes in home-grown talent over anything produced abroad wherever possible. And, with Liverpool's managerial vacancy, again, I believe the same applies here. Why go for something foreign, again - just look at your current squad and that's all that's wrong with it, isn't it!
By all means, they have some top-quality foreigners in there. I mean, after all they've for the club in the last few years, all the strength they've added to the team, people like Dietmar Hamman in midfield and the "unbreakable" centre-back partnership of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz; these of the players who deserve to start alongside Steven Gerard, Michael Owen, Harry Kewell, Jamie Caragher and Djibril Cissé [yes, I know the deal's still not quite 'done' yet]. It's the kind of truly-deserving, hard-working players like the names above who assist the current side in resembling something similar to the "almighty" Liverpool from decades ago.
I believe they could stick with Jerzy Dudek in-goal, but that's only really because I can't see many other international 'keepers wanting to join the current Liverpool team over one of the current top 3. So long as they stick with this one this time - and don't chuck him out after a bad-spell, like Houllier did with the very-promising Sander Westerveld - it could work out well for them. That is, of course, so long as they can plug the other holes growing amongst their teams.
Despite what people say, I don't think El-Hadji Diuof's such a bad player. We all saw what he could do in the 2002 World Cup - but, why hasn't that happened enough at Anfield?
Selling Patrick Berger was still a huge mistake, to me; even though the bought-in Harry Kewell.
But, really, what is there in Vladmir Smicer that you couldn't get in an Englishman, with more (just look Jermaine Pennant going-to-waste in the Arsenal reserves )?
You see, to me, it's somewhat of a fact that English players are among the hardest-working and most-determined in the whole of World Football (that is, unless, of course, the money gets too much and they become as big as David Beckham). Especially in their home country, for their home club (or country). You don't get passion or desire like that anywhere else - it's all about the flair, elsewhere.
Going back to the manager's job; who do you think would be the right Englishman to take-over at Anfield now?
Look at what Steve McClaren has done with Middlesbrough. For a club their size, has he really taken them as far as he - or anyone - could do right now? Imagine where he could take you, as Sven-Goran Eriksson's No.2...
David O'Leary at Aston Villa. Unless he's denied the funds he needs to take the club the next-step-up, I can't see him leaving. He's still proven he can 'do it' away from Elland Road though...
Sam Alladyce is a Scouser....
Or are you one for a Roy Evans return?!?
Okay, so I see something else now - there appears to be a growing shortage of top-draw British managers nowadays, who aren't already tied-up with something else.
It's gonna be a very tough descision to make, whoever they can seriously draw the names down to. Perhaps, even, the Thai PM will have his own suggestions, for the sake of marketing purposes in the Middle East? With a 30% stake, you never know what they really want...!
The point I'm trying to make is that no club - especialy not one in Liverpool's position - should simply jump at the first, and biggest, name to come from the word of mouth. Bigger isn't always better. Buying something 'flashy' (or, "bling", even...) might make you look cool, but actions do speak in far greater volumes than words or images ever could.
Is it for the manner in which he's been treated like a dog (something Claudio Ranieri will soon know also, I'm sure). Did he really have a great understanding with of each-and-every player at the club? Was there really such a close relationship, as people like captain Steven Gerard have publicly declared? Or, was it simply for the "ambition" the man had - which, of course, he has simply been unable to fulfil with so-many over-priced signings who have simply failed to achieve anything...?
See how confusing it is for me, as a non-Liverpool fan? I can only see the good points towards Houllier's Anfield departure. I mean, for a top-of-the-table [yes, really!!] side, what does he have in comparison with Sir Alex Ferguson or Arséne Wenger, for example?
With this new replacement, they've simply got to get the right-man, or else the club will simply continue to slide. No matter how much money they can get from the Thai Prime Minister and his 30% stake, they've got to ensure it will be money very well-spent (in short; no more Diao's, Chayrou's or Traoré's!).
Already there are two big-name candidates. There's the man who last night took FC Porto to a superb 3-0 Champions' League Final victory over Chelsea-beaters Monaco, José Mourinho (who now looks set for Stamford Bridge and nowhere else), and the guy from La Liga-winners Valencia (...whose name I forget, of course!). But, aside from Celtic's Martin "waiting for United" O'Neil, where are all the other British candidates?
If you know me on these forums, you'll know that (aside from the fact I don't half go-on-and-on with topics like this...) I'm one who believes in home-grown talent over anything produced abroad wherever possible. And, with Liverpool's managerial vacancy, again, I believe the same applies here. Why go for something foreign, again - just look at your current squad and that's all that's wrong with it, isn't it!
By all means, they have some top-quality foreigners in there. I mean, after all they've for the club in the last few years, all the strength they've added to the team, people like Dietmar Hamman in midfield and the "unbreakable" centre-back partnership of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz; these of the players who deserve to start alongside Steven Gerard, Michael Owen, Harry Kewell, Jamie Caragher and Djibril Cissé [yes, I know the deal's still not quite 'done' yet]. It's the kind of truly-deserving, hard-working players like the names above who assist the current side in resembling something similar to the "almighty" Liverpool from decades ago.
I believe they could stick with Jerzy Dudek in-goal, but that's only really because I can't see many other international 'keepers wanting to join the current Liverpool team over one of the current top 3. So long as they stick with this one this time - and don't chuck him out after a bad-spell, like Houllier did with the very-promising Sander Westerveld - it could work out well for them. That is, of course, so long as they can plug the other holes growing amongst their teams.
Despite what people say, I don't think El-Hadji Diuof's such a bad player. We all saw what he could do in the 2002 World Cup - but, why hasn't that happened enough at Anfield?
Selling Patrick Berger was still a huge mistake, to me; even though the bought-in Harry Kewell.
But, really, what is there in Vladmir Smicer that you couldn't get in an Englishman, with more (just look Jermaine Pennant going-to-waste in the Arsenal reserves )?
You see, to me, it's somewhat of a fact that English players are among the hardest-working and most-determined in the whole of World Football (that is, unless, of course, the money gets too much and they become as big as David Beckham). Especially in their home country, for their home club (or country). You don't get passion or desire like that anywhere else - it's all about the flair, elsewhere.
Going back to the manager's job; who do you think would be the right Englishman to take-over at Anfield now?
Look at what Steve McClaren has done with Middlesbrough. For a club their size, has he really taken them as far as he - or anyone - could do right now? Imagine where he could take you, as Sven-Goran Eriksson's No.2...
David O'Leary at Aston Villa. Unless he's denied the funds he needs to take the club the next-step-up, I can't see him leaving. He's still proven he can 'do it' away from Elland Road though...
Sam Alladyce is a Scouser....
Or are you one for a Roy Evans return?!?
Okay, so I see something else now - there appears to be a growing shortage of top-draw British managers nowadays, who aren't already tied-up with something else.
It's gonna be a very tough descision to make, whoever they can seriously draw the names down to. Perhaps, even, the Thai PM will have his own suggestions, for the sake of marketing purposes in the Middle East? With a 30% stake, you never know what they really want...!
The point I'm trying to make is that no club - especialy not one in Liverpool's position - should simply jump at the first, and biggest, name to come from the word of mouth. Bigger isn't always better. Buying something 'flashy' (or, "bling", even...) might make you look cool, but actions do speak in far greater volumes than words or images ever could.
Solskjær wrote:
> aside from Celtic's Martin "waiting for United"
> O'Neill
Hurrah.
At least someone listens to what I say....
> aside from Celtic's Martin "waiting for United"
> O'Neill
Hurrah.
At least someone listens to what I say....
Good riddance to Gérard Houllier - that's what I'd say, if I were a Liverpool fan. However, there are still many Scousers out there who are far from 'glad' to see the back of him, despite all they have had to suffer in the past 10 months of the 2003-04 season. I don't understand it...
Is it for the manner in which he's been treated like a dog (something Claudio Ranieri will soon know also, I'm sure). Did he really have a great understanding with of each-and-every player at the club? Was there really such a close relationship, as people like captain Steven Gerard have publicly declared? Or, was it simply for the "ambition" the man had - which, of course, he has simply been unable to fulfil with so-many over-priced signings who have simply failed to achieve anything...?
See how confusing it is for me, as a non-Liverpool fan? I can only see the good points towards Houllier's Anfield departure. I mean, for a top-of-the-table [yes, really!!] side, what does he have in comparison with Sir Alex Ferguson or Arséne Wenger, for example?
With this new replacement, they've simply got to get the right-man, or else the club will simply continue to slide. No matter how much money they can get from the Thai Prime Minister and his 30% stake, they've got to ensure it will be money very well-spent (in short; no more Diao's, Chayrou's or Traoré's!).
Already there are two big-name candidates. There's the man who last night took FC Porto to a superb 3-0 Champions' League Final victory over Chelsea-beaters Monaco, José Mourinho (who now looks set for Stamford Bridge and nowhere else), and the guy from La Liga-winners Valencia (...whose name I forget, of course!). But, aside from Celtic's Martin "waiting for United" O'Neil, where are all the other British candidates?
If you know me on these forums, you'll know that (aside from the fact I don't half go-on-and-on with topics like this...) I'm one who believes in home-grown talent over anything produced abroad wherever possible. And, with Liverpool's managerial vacancy, again, I believe the same applies here. Why go for something foreign, again - just look at your current squad and that's all that's wrong with it, isn't it!
By all means, they have some top-quality foreigners in there. I mean, after all they've for the club in the last few years, all the strength they've added to the team, people like Dietmar Hamman in midfield and the "unbreakable" centre-back partnership of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz; these of the players who deserve to start alongside Steven Gerard, Michael Owen, Harry Kewell, Jamie Caragher and Djibril Cissé [yes, I know the deal's still not quite 'done' yet]. It's the kind of truly-deserving, hard-working players like the names above who assist the current side in resembling something similar to the "almighty" Liverpool from decades ago.
I believe they could stick with Jerzy Dudek in-goal, but that's only really because I can't see many other international 'keepers wanting to join the current Liverpool team over one of the current top 3. So long as they stick with this one this time - and don't chuck him out after a bad-spell, like Houllier did with the very-promising Sander Westerveld - it could work out well for them. That is, of course, so long as they can plug the other holes growing amongst their teams.
Despite what people say, I don't think El-Hadji Diuof's such a bad player. We all saw what he could do in the 2002 World Cup - but, why hasn't that happened enough at Anfield?
Selling Patrick Berger was still a huge mistake, to me; even though the bought-in Harry Kewell.
But, really, what is there in Vladmir Smicer that you couldn't get in an Englishman, with more (just look Jermaine Pennant going-to-waste in the Arsenal reserves )?
You see, to me, it's somewhat of a fact that English players are among the hardest-working and most-determined in the whole of World Football (that is, unless, of course, the money gets too much and they become as big as David Beckham). Especially in their home country, for their home club (or country). You don't get passion or desire like that anywhere else - it's all about the flair, elsewhere.
Going back to the manager's job; who do you think would be the right Englishman to take-over at Anfield now?
Look at what Steve McClaren has done with Middlesbrough. For a club their size, has he really taken them as far as he - or anyone - could do right now? Imagine where he could take you, as Sven-Goran Eriksson's No.2...
David O'Leary at Aston Villa. Unless he's denied the funds he needs to take the club the next-step-up, I can't see him leaving. He's still proven he can 'do it' away from Elland Road though...
Sam Alladyce is a Scouser....
Or are you one for a Roy Evans return?!?
Okay, so I see something else now - there appears to be a growing shortage of top-draw British managers nowadays, who aren't already tied-up with something else.
It's gonna be a very tough descision to make, whoever they can seriously draw the names down to. Perhaps, even, the Thai PM will have his own suggestions, for the sake of marketing purposes in the Middle East? With a 30% stake, you never know what they really want...!
The point I'm trying to make is that no club - especialy not one in Liverpool's position - should simply jump at the first, and biggest, name to come from the word of mouth. Bigger isn't always better. Buying something 'flashy' (or, "bling", even...) might make you look cool, but actions do speak in far greater volumes than words or images ever could.
Is it for the manner in which he's been treated like a dog (something Claudio Ranieri will soon know also, I'm sure). Did he really have a great understanding with of each-and-every player at the club? Was there really such a close relationship, as people like captain Steven Gerard have publicly declared? Or, was it simply for the "ambition" the man had - which, of course, he has simply been unable to fulfil with so-many over-priced signings who have simply failed to achieve anything...?
See how confusing it is for me, as a non-Liverpool fan? I can only see the good points towards Houllier's Anfield departure. I mean, for a top-of-the-table [yes, really!!] side, what does he have in comparison with Sir Alex Ferguson or Arséne Wenger, for example?
With this new replacement, they've simply got to get the right-man, or else the club will simply continue to slide. No matter how much money they can get from the Thai Prime Minister and his 30% stake, they've got to ensure it will be money very well-spent (in short; no more Diao's, Chayrou's or Traoré's!).
Already there are two big-name candidates. There's the man who last night took FC Porto to a superb 3-0 Champions' League Final victory over Chelsea-beaters Monaco, José Mourinho (who now looks set for Stamford Bridge and nowhere else), and the guy from La Liga-winners Valencia (...whose name I forget, of course!). But, aside from Celtic's Martin "waiting for United" O'Neil, where are all the other British candidates?
If you know me on these forums, you'll know that (aside from the fact I don't half go-on-and-on with topics like this...) I'm one who believes in home-grown talent over anything produced abroad wherever possible. And, with Liverpool's managerial vacancy, again, I believe the same applies here. Why go for something foreign, again - just look at your current squad and that's all that's wrong with it, isn't it!
By all means, they have some top-quality foreigners in there. I mean, after all they've for the club in the last few years, all the strength they've added to the team, people like Dietmar Hamman in midfield and the "unbreakable" centre-back partnership of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz; these of the players who deserve to start alongside Steven Gerard, Michael Owen, Harry Kewell, Jamie Caragher and Djibril Cissé [yes, I know the deal's still not quite 'done' yet]. It's the kind of truly-deserving, hard-working players like the names above who assist the current side in resembling something similar to the "almighty" Liverpool from decades ago.
I believe they could stick with Jerzy Dudek in-goal, but that's only really because I can't see many other international 'keepers wanting to join the current Liverpool team over one of the current top 3. So long as they stick with this one this time - and don't chuck him out after a bad-spell, like Houllier did with the very-promising Sander Westerveld - it could work out well for them. That is, of course, so long as they can plug the other holes growing amongst their teams.
Despite what people say, I don't think El-Hadji Diuof's such a bad player. We all saw what he could do in the 2002 World Cup - but, why hasn't that happened enough at Anfield?
Selling Patrick Berger was still a huge mistake, to me; even though the bought-in Harry Kewell.
But, really, what is there in Vladmir Smicer that you couldn't get in an Englishman, with more (just look Jermaine Pennant going-to-waste in the Arsenal reserves )?
You see, to me, it's somewhat of a fact that English players are among the hardest-working and most-determined in the whole of World Football (that is, unless, of course, the money gets too much and they become as big as David Beckham). Especially in their home country, for their home club (or country). You don't get passion or desire like that anywhere else - it's all about the flair, elsewhere.
Going back to the manager's job; who do you think would be the right Englishman to take-over at Anfield now?
Look at what Steve McClaren has done with Middlesbrough. For a club their size, has he really taken them as far as he - or anyone - could do right now? Imagine where he could take you, as Sven-Goran Eriksson's No.2...
David O'Leary at Aston Villa. Unless he's denied the funds he needs to take the club the next-step-up, I can't see him leaving. He's still proven he can 'do it' away from Elland Road though...
Sam Alladyce is a Scouser....
Or are you one for a Roy Evans return?!?
Okay, so I see something else now - there appears to be a growing shortage of top-draw British managers nowadays, who aren't already tied-up with something else.
It's gonna be a very tough descision to make, whoever they can seriously draw the names down to. Perhaps, even, the Thai PM will have his own suggestions, for the sake of marketing purposes in the Middle East? With a 30% stake, you never know what they really want...!
The point I'm trying to make is that no club - especialy not one in Liverpool's position - should simply jump at the first, and biggest, name to come from the word of mouth. Bigger isn't always better. Buying something 'flashy' (or, "bling", even...) might make you look cool, but actions do speak in far greater volumes than words or images ever could.