Liverpool v Aston Villa- Pre Match Build Up!

[nbryan1764]

In three seasons at the club, we haven't even got close to a title challenge.

Cups are all well and good, but Rafa was brought in to win the League. To be honest, in terms of league position, we haven't progressed since Gerard Houllier.

we have been over this before though. In terms of position I agree but in terms of quality we have. We are generally getting more points too. Its just a fact that the bar is higher. In GH's day if we finished above Arsenal and/or the Mancs the chances are we woul win the league. Today that is not the case. In GH's day if we had 90 points we would be pretty certain of the league. Today we would not. Things are different and that has to be accepted. The teams that are successful have a different style about them too. Today, to be a good attacking team is not usually enough although I accept that the mancs are sort of disputing that rule. Arsenal, however are totally probing the rule. You need more that style you need to almost be a dominating crusher. For us to be up with the Mancs and Chelsea we would have needed 2 things from the start of Rafa's reign, 1) A better base to start from. We had so much deadwood we needed two preseasons of clearout, and then 2)More money to replace the deadwood. Unfortnately we had to place more emphasis on quantity at the expense of top quality. This preseason is the key for me. We should have more money and we dont need wholesael changes. Now is the time to get the extra quality to produce that push. If we do get the money in the summer and then still find ourselves in exactly the same position this time next year then I will be in agreement. Until then I will reserve judgement.