In the summer of 2002, after the World Cup in Japan and Korea, Houllier could have, and definitely should have, bought Anelka and Duff, instead, he went for that catastrophic trio, of Diouf, Diao and Cheyrou, two of which we still haven't managed to fully release off our books.
Ultimately these tranfer decisions, cost him his job.
Had he gone with Anelka and Duff, there's a fair chance he'd still be in charge today, such was the importance of that summer spending spree.
How does this concern Rafa ?
Well, this summer Rafa let Hamann and Cisse leave, he probably should've kept hold of both. We're going to miss Djib's goals, no doubt about that, and we've already seen occasions this season, (such as the last half hour against Galatasaray) that were made for Hamann's style.
The crucial thing is, if Rafa insisted on replacing these two players, it is essential he improves the squad with the replacements.
Aurelio, Bellamy, Pennant and Gonzales aren't good enough to mount a title challenge with, that's the honest truth, the majority of them were bought because of a discounted price pinned to their shirt. I genuinely can't see anything in Aurelio to suggest he's worth having at the club, we've already got two left backs and two left wingers, very odd decision from Rafa. I suppose he was free, *shrugs*.
Rafa should've have gone for quality, not quantity (our squad's already too big), this summer. A bit of extra cash would've secured a long term transfer target, such as Daniel Alves or Guily.
We're out the title race and it's only mid October, it's depressing, yet not unfamiliar, I'd take fourth place now if it was offered, without question.
So, the question I pose is this; could Rafa's transfer aquisitions in the summer of 2006 have an equally influential impact as Houllier's summer of 2002 ?
Ultimately these tranfer decisions, cost him his job.
Had he gone with Anelka and Duff, there's a fair chance he'd still be in charge today, such was the importance of that summer spending spree.
How does this concern Rafa ?
Well, this summer Rafa let Hamann and Cisse leave, he probably should've kept hold of both. We're going to miss Djib's goals, no doubt about that, and we've already seen occasions this season, (such as the last half hour against Galatasaray) that were made for Hamann's style.
The crucial thing is, if Rafa insisted on replacing these two players, it is essential he improves the squad with the replacements.
Aurelio, Bellamy, Pennant and Gonzales aren't good enough to mount a title challenge with, that's the honest truth, the majority of them were bought because of a discounted price pinned to their shirt. I genuinely can't see anything in Aurelio to suggest he's worth having at the club, we've already got two left backs and two left wingers, very odd decision from Rafa. I suppose he was free, *shrugs*.
Rafa should've have gone for quality, not quantity (our squad's already too big), this summer. A bit of extra cash would've secured a long term transfer target, such as Daniel Alves or Guily.
We're out the title race and it's only mid October, it's depressing, yet not unfamiliar, I'd take fourth place now if it was offered, without question.
So, the question I pose is this; could Rafa's transfer aquisitions in the summer of 2006 have an equally influential impact as Houllier's summer of 2002 ?
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