Liverpool opinions
Fortress Anfield or Maginot Line? - Au Revoir Gerard Houllier
By John
Williams
In 1915 Henri-Philippe Petain, a military man noted for his belief in defence over offence, took command of the besieged fortress of Verdun. Afterwards Petain was praised for his artillery-based defensive operations and his organisation of manpower resources.
However, it was left to the attack minded Ferdinand Foch rather than Petain to plan in the Allied offensive in the autumn of 1918. He halted the German advance during the second battle of Marne in July of 1918. In July of that year Ferdinand mounted the counter attack that turned the tide of the war. Several months later he accepted the German's surrender, which took place in November of 1918.
You don't have to be a student of history to see the parallels between the careers of Gerard Houllier and Petain. Similarly, it is difficult to avoid the comparison between Arsene Wenger and Ferdinand Foch, whose maxim was 'Attaquez! Attaquez! Attaquez!'
Some few years ago fortress Anfield was in danger of being overrun, allegedly due to Roy Evans' inability to control his wayward troops. To my sorrow I was among those civilians who called for Evans to be replaced by Houllier.
The latter's defensively based strategies enabled us to win three major battles, each time by the skin of our teeth rather than with any attacking elan and conviction.
To armchair generals like myself the victories somehow had a hollow ring about them, but we hoped they would be the bridge-head for an all out assault on mainland Europe. As it is, we are once again pinned down in our trenches as superior enemy forces raid us with impunity with their free wheeling movement reminiscent of the old days of cavalry charges and General Shankly. For Anfield read Maginot line, which was of course built at Petain's behest and which had a fatal flaw that allowed the enemy in.
Our pitiful arsenal consists of obsolete defensive weaponry, such as the old fashioned 88 mm Hoofitzers which are all we have left because our imperious field marshal summarily banished any subordinates who spoke out in favour of weapons of mass mobility, such as the Litmanen bayonet or the sharpshooter's favourite, the Robbie Fowling piece. In 1917 the French army shot its mutineers. Houllier eschews shooting in favour of public humiliation and dishonourable discharge.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Houllier is highly selective in what he listens to. Any notions contrary to his own are considered seditious and therefore quashed. Thus he receives only positive feedback, from those who tell him only what he wants to hear. All other contributions, whether by his military staff or civilians are contemptuously dismissed. It almost appears that Gerard Houllier fits the text-book definition of a tyrant, and a failing tyrant at that.
Nothing great flourishes under tyranny and its attendant atmosphere of fear which at present seems to pervade Anfield's front line troops. It should be noted that much of Gerard Houllier's dictatorial attitude stems from his intense desire to ensure that he fulfills his historical mission to re-establish Liverpool F.C. to their former glory, but it is his personal fear of failure that is reflected in Liverpool's timid approach. His mission appears to be weighing him down to the extent that he is trapped in a defensive mentality that screams,
'They shall not pass!'
Yet pass they do, frequently, and, under Houllier, I fear for Liverpool's future as a top flight club.
December 2002
May 26th 2004 I can honestly say that, apart from the occcasional abusive comment sent my way, which questioned my sanity, (as if there was ever any doubt that I am insane), I am not sorry I wrote this article and yet I wish Gerard well. I suppose we must both echo the little sparrow and say, "Non, je ne regrette rien"
Update January 28th 2006 The Robbie Fowling piece is back!