Gerard Houllier close to the formula
Tuesday 25th January 2011, 10:29AM GMT.
Villa boss Gerard Houllier believes he is edging closer to the formula which will propel his team up the Premier League table.
The manager had to endure a tough end to 2010 but the club seem revitalised since the turn of the year as the Frenchman finally starts to exert his influence.
And Houllier admitted he had to be ruthless at on occasions, as the claret and blues look to string together two wins in the league for the first time since April 2010 at Wigan tonight.
He said: “There was a time when even players playing were moaning, whining and were unhappy. It’s something I had to overcome, yes.
“I have not been disappointed by that overall but if it happens to a player I bomb him out.
“You can’t prepare a game with somebody who is pulling a face because it drains the mental energy down. We have the best job in the world.
“We are paid to play the game and when you see somebody unhappy or not doing the necessary basic things to be focused and ready then you get angry.
“Now the team is physically and mentally stronger and that is a very important aspect of the game. But I am not getting carried away – I am staying humble and we have to stay humble.
“The players need to combine ambition and humility because it is a cocktail to win.”
UK Sport
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