Riise: soccernet
'Emile is going through one of those barren periods which every striker suffers, but I love him as a player and as a person. Apart from being such a nice guy, he has got to be one of the quickest and strongest strikers in the Premiership.
'It is unfortunate he is coming in for some criticism because he is a player who always gives everything and just needs a bit of luck. But the players are right behind him, because we all appreciate him.
'I am more than willing to come out in Emile's defence while people are having a go at him, and I am not the only player who feels he is a fantastic team player.
'In fact, I would doubt if there is a striker in the Premiership who works more on the football field than Emile.
'He is incredibly unselfish. He is not someone who moans if he doesn't get the right ball. Instead, he just keeps on working for the team. Emile hasn't scored many goals this season but has helped in so many scored by other players because he wins headers and goes in for tackles.
'Sometimes he holds up three defenders, which allows Michael Owen to be alone, but not enough people seem to realise that.
'I accept that strikers are always going to be judged on goals scored, but Emile is the type of player who does most of the hard work for others and who takes lots of kicks.
'Personally, I don't think Emile will care too much about what is being said. Even though things are a bit difficult for him right now, I still think he is doing a good job for the team.
'Gerard Houllier has always spoken up for him and Phil Thompson is doing that now - and so are the players.
'As a forward, he wants to score goals, and I believe he will because he has done it for the past two seasons. I am confident he will come through this spell and that people will be saying good things about him again soon.'
<hr></blockquote>
Nice to see the Pool lads supporting each other, here they are in a group photo,
From L-R : Emile Heskey, Stven Gerard, John Arne Riise & Michael Owen
