07 Sep 2018 17:00:42
Question for Ed001!
A few weeks ago there was some talk about the legacy of Michael Owen at Liverpool, which led to comparisons with Robbie Fowler. Unsurprisingly, the latter is held in much higher esteem. I seem to recall that it was said that one of the main reasons Fowler ended up leaving Liverpool was due to Owen not wanting to have him around (apologies if I'm misremembering! ), but I've also read that it was in part due to a spat between Fowler and Phil Thompson? Would it be possible to shed some light on which is true (if not both) and what could have been done differently (despite dropping in performance levels later in his career, I do feel the loss of Fowler is still seen as being one that happened too soon)?
Thanks!

{Ed001's Note - Owen told Ged Houllier that he hated playing alongside Fowler and only wanted to play with Heskey so Houllier got together with Thommo to orchestrate an argument to give him an excuse to offload him.}

1.) 07 Sep 2018
07 Sep 2018 17:14:25
Bladdy hell.

I would say that that shouldn't ruin Owens legacy, for the main reason as that's just shocking management.

The fact Fowler was practically forced to leave is down to houllier.

No-one likes eachother, are our squad really all round eachother having dinner every night? I'm sure there not all bessies. Torres use to get slack because he didn't lik3 th3 night life with th3 boys


If mane asked klopp yo sell firmino, or anyone I'm certain there would b3 team building, relegation ship fixes or just a f off and deal with it before mane got what he wanted.

2.) 07 Sep 2018
07 Sep 2018 17:29:17
I know what you mean Kloppsboss but “relegation ship fixes” made me laugh out loud. I’m sure Zed has a witty come back for that.

3.) 07 Sep 2018
07 Sep 2018 19:13:09
Thanks for the response Ed! Quite surprising as Houllier had always been made out to be the loving father-figure/ top man-manager (especially in relation to Rafa) . Just a shame it all got so ugly!

{Ed001's Note - he was far from a loving father figure. He was a very domineering man.}

4.) 07 Sep 2018
07 Sep 2018 19:18:07
Ah that seems to fit a bit more in the context of the situation! I think I'd gotten that impression from Steven Gerrard's autobiography about 10 years ago! Thank goodness we moved onto Rafa by the sounds of it!

5.) 07 Sep 2018
07 Sep 2018 19:29:13
Ged was a snake and would NEVER take the blame for his own issues. He did the same when he blamed France's failure to make the 1994 WC on David Ginola not keeping the ball at the corner flag in the last game vs Bulgaria (which they lost in added time) . He is also now getting his comeupance from ex-Lyon legend Sidney Govou on the dreadful things he did while he was their manager. Again, the guy is a true snake and I don't have any more time for him.

6.) 08 Sep 2018
08 Sep 2018 14:20:22
Houllier won us a stack of trophies. he's alright in my book.

7.) 08 Sep 2018
08 Sep 2018 19:48:18
Mine too RedLorryYellowLorry 🤝

His job was to win trophies, he succeeded to a large degree. He wasn’t perfect but he didn’t do anything to disgrace the club like some who get more respect - Suarez, Mascherano. Gerrard charged with affray, admitting tapping up players, Firmino drink driving, Mo Salah using his phone whilst driving, Carra spitting at a kid.

No-one is perfect, Ged did his best for the club and was successful 👍.

8.) 12 Sep 2018
12 Sep 2018 20:23:51
That does not remove from the fact that he was a snake and did the things he did whether at LFC or Lyon on purpose and made it look like it was someone else's fault. I don't care if he won trophies nor do I care if Suarez nearly won us the PL or SG was a great player for us or Mascherano disgraced the club. All of them were still did HORRIBLE things and they should be called out for their deeds. Them winning trophies for us is irrelevant cos we are talking about their conduct, not how many things they won.