Most pundits who stand firmly and comfortably in the neutral ground say that Caller one is rash and should reflect on the successes Houllier has brought us in his time. Two League Cups, an FA Cup and the UEFA Cup - plus a couple of other trophies that were less important for the silverware and more for the moral victories they represented at the time.
It got me thinking seriously about where I stand on this arguement.
Without a shadow of a doubt, whether you are caller one or caller two, you must admit that as a team, LFC is at a crossroads. Right from the failure to clinch a Champions League spot at the end of last season, we have been in a situation that hasn't come around at this club in the last 15 years. There was a feeling during the summer, a realisation that Houllier could take that final step and become an Anfield legend. We waited for the big signings and, I would say GH took a step closer to showing the type of Managerial hunger needed to lead this team, by purchasing Kewell. Gerard's desire to nurture players is entirely admirable and no one more than I would like to see it work. To do as Wenger has with Henry, a veritable failure on the continent as a left winger; Pires (who?) and Viera (Forgotten man) both unable to find the skill beneath the surface before Wenger took them in and gave them a stage. Was this luck on Wengers part or just pure managerial guile? Who knows but the players and Wenger himself...perhaps it was a little of both. Whatever the path to glory, it was to glory they marched and Houllier cannot disguise his desire to re-enact this feat. His perseverance last season with Traore and now this campaign it is Biscan. Both players who I have heard some fans defend to the hilt in the past. But please...really...let's not lead ourselves into dream land here, one is not ready to play in the premiership yet and the other will never be good enough, no matter how many different positions he is forced to fill. I could use this philosophy on a host of other people currently occupying squad numbers at Melwood, but you know who they are, deep down you know who is fit for the shirt and who isn't, so I will let you pick out your own players who we have been told have promise and then fall short. My point being, in the summer when Houllier signed Kewell, I thought that he was bending his own rules and that showed great character. He went after a known performer, someone who had already built and established a reputation and whose success at Anfield would not result in slaps on the back for Houllier; there would be no plaudits about how he brought out the best in Kewell - We have already seen him at his best. However, this is where the inspired signings ended. I do not include Le Tallec and Sinama-Pongolle as they are a long long way off being ready for this league yet and were signed two years ago! No, Kewell was it, done, no more big names. Some may say that is fine, that is all we need. Those people would be caller two's....and I respect that, loyalty in the face of adversity is what this country was built on. Caller two probably believes Houllier's statement from this morning....the fight is not over yet and effectively saying that we can still win the league. I would have to disagree. I cannot see this team, even with it's best line-up fit and on fire for the rest of the season only losing one more game home and away; Not a chance. The league has gone before November for us Reds and it's a crying shame it really is.
So now to Mr Pundit....now there's someone who gets right up my nose. They point out to us that with the trophies we've won under Houllier, Caller one is a 'fair-weather fan' and should be ashamed to want rid of a fine manager who has just lost a few games....ridiculous to be asking for his head...Caller one is stupidity personified. Well....perhaps as a fan I could be satisfied with the trophy haul of the past and our current league position....of course, I would have to be a fan of either Leeds, Everton, Charlton, Southampton or one of another 6 mid-table to 6th spot also-ran teams who's biggest excitement each year is maybe scraping a win at Anfield! As a Liverpool fan I am completely gutted about our current place in the league and the way in which we've got there...no excuses, no one can change my mind...simple as that. I would imagine that if you're reading this, you are a red and you feel the same about losing four games already as I do, in which case you have one simple question to answer; The thought process below is definative and will resolve whether you are in agreement with Caller One or Caller Two.....
Think about the standard of player LFC can get in the next close season....ok, most of your are now imagining Cisse partnering Owen upfront, with Boumsong installed with Hyypia at the back. But how good are they? Does anyone really know? Is Cisse a 20 goals a season man? Is Boumsong Hansen for the new Millenium? The bottom line is this....we are no longer one of the top three teams in the country, so we are now fighting for fourth spot just to be able to use Champions League football to tempt players in; With Houllier in charge, can we do enough over the next 18 months to bring in enough talent to win the league and keep Michael Owen? That is what it comes down to. Michael will be asking himself the same question....If not this season, then when? Next? And if so, how? What are we going to do differently to make sure of it?
The answers lie at that crossroads with Mr Houllier. One way is the stuff of legends, let's call it the Shankly Way, the other is all about stubborness, wasting both opportunities and money; we'll call that the Souness Way. Which way is Houllier going to walk? Whichever way, it won't be alone...he is taking you with him.
Are you a backer or a sacker?