The best WWII general?

[Kraxis]

Do not forget that Zhukov also had the Siberian troops at his disposal, something his predecessor did not. Timoshenko had to make do with human waves and the like of people herded into German fire. Not surprising that they didn't do very well (but they still caused enough casualties to thin out the Germans enough).
So when the fresh, well equipped, professional and very motivated Siberians attacked it was a huge surprise not only to the High Command but the local commanders as well. Where did they come from? Just days before the Russian defences had been crumbling and the human waves finally running out.

Most German divisions, which at the outset had had about 18,000 troops if not more, were now down to about 5,000 if not less. That is a critical sapping of strength, especially in the thin long strike at Moscow.

And lets not forget that while Zhukov was indeed the Defender of Moscow, he had saved it, he also managed to bungle up the advance afterwards. He didn't personally order the lousy attacks that got encircled time and again in the late winter, but he had a hand in the planning.