Rafa: Point Is The Only Positive

[Kinell]

Rafael Benitez reflected on a dour goalless stalemate at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon and declared: "At least we got a point."
The Liverpool manager was disappointed with his side's display in the Midlands as they struggled to create goalscoring opportunities, although Robbie Fowler almost claimed a late winner with a close range header.

The point takes the Reds further away from Bolton in the race for a top four finish, but Benitez admitted he expected more from the game.

"I think the only positive is that we got a point," he said. "When you don't play well and can't win the game then it's important to take a point.

"It's clear that it wasn't a good game and we weren't able to create chances. We wanted to start with a high tempo but it didn't happen.

"Robbie almost scored at the end but it wasn't to be. Sometimes when you don't play well it takes just one moment to win it and Robbie came close.

"We talked before the game about winning and that was our aim. We knew Bolton had lost and we knew we could have gone nine points ahead of them if we'd won. We'll have to wait until the end of the season to see how important this point is, but it's clear it wasn't a good game for either side."

Benitez also revealed that Steven Gerrard took a kick to his shin during the game but that it's not serious.

[FowlerLeftFoot]

Next time give him more than just the ****iiiiing 7 mins!!!

Rafael Benitez reflected on a dour goalless stalemate at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon and declared: "At least we got a point."
The Liverpool manager was disappointed with his side's display in the Midlands as they struggled to create goalscoring opportunities, although Robbie Fowler almost claimed a late winner with a close range header.

The point takes the Reds further away from Bolton in the race for a top four finish, but Benitez admitted he expected more from the game.

"I think the only positive is that we got a point," he said. "When you don't play well and can't win the game then it's important to take a point.

"It's clear that it wasn't a good game and we weren't able to create chances. We wanted to start with a high tempo but it didn't happen.

"Robbie almost scored at the end but it wasn't to be. Sometimes when you don't play well it takes just one moment to win it and Robbie came close.

"We talked before the game about winning and that was our aim. We knew Bolton had lost and we knew we could have gone nine points ahead of them if we'd won. We'll have to wait until the end of the season to see how important this point is, but it's clear it wasn't a good game for either side."

Benitez also revealed that Steven Gerrard took a kick to his shin during the game but that it's not serious.

[Shaggy]

At least he's acknowledging the poor performance with no excuses.

[Red Chilli]

Yes, honest opinion from Rafa.

We've given up in the premiership now, it's all about the champions league and finishing 4th.
A sad but familiar reality

[Hustler]

Rafael Benitez reflected on a dour goalless stalemate at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon and declared: "At least we got a point."
The Liverpool manager was disappointed with his side's display in the Midlands as they struggled to create goalscoring opportunities, although Robbie Fowler almost claimed a late winner with a close range header.

The point takes the Reds further away from Bolton in the race for a top four finish, but Benitez admitted he expected more from the game.

"I think the only positive is that we got a point," he said. "When you don't play well and can't win the game then it's important to take a point.
"It's clear that it wasn't a good game and we weren't able to create chances. We wanted to start with a high tempo but it didn't happen.

"Robbie almost scored at the end but it wasn't to be. Sometimes when you don't play well it takes just one moment to win it and Robbie came close.

"We talked before the game about winning and that was our aim. We knew Bolton had lost and we knew we could have gone nine points ahead of them if we'd won. We'll have to wait until the end of the season to see how important this point is, but it's clear it wasn't a good game for either side."

Benitez also revealed that Steven Gerrard took a kick to his shin during the game but that it's not serious.

Championship winning teams win the games that they dont play well in.

[Jayesh87]

We were absolute pish today!

We played boring football and lacked any creativity.
Stevie should play in the middle against lesser teams.
Stevie seemed disinterested with his mind on the Israel game.
Sissoko passing is shocking and so is his first touchh at times.
Rafa has to drop Kuyt ot atleast sub him off when he is playing ****e.
Aurelio on the left wing just doesn't work.
Pennant should of started.
Bellamy should have stayed on the pitch.
Rafa waited to long to bring Robbie on.
We haven't scored for 3 games now.

On the flip side we defended well and i was impressed with Javier. Thats about it

[cobain]

We can dream about the Premiership title for quite a while if we play like today.

And we should be saying "at least we earned a point in our fight with ManYoo for the Premiership" not "at least we earned a point in our fight for the fourth fookin place with bloody Bolton"

[Red_Al_77]

Same old same old. Rafa will have his big budget this summer. Next season will really show us if Rafa is capable of winning the PL. This season in the league is only mildly better than 2004-05.

[anfieldanfield]

Same old same old. Rafa will have his big budget this summer. Next season will really show us if Rafa is capable of winning the PL. This season in the league is only mildly better than 2004-05.

A big budget wont stop Rafa from playing two defensive midfielders against a frankly awful Villa side.

[Red_Al_77]

A big budget wont stop Rafa from playing two defensive midfielders against a frankly awful Villa side.

True but other more talented wingers / strikers would make up for that. Playing two defensive midfielders might have been based on the fact that Rafa feels others aren't up to the job. To be honest I have very little faith in any of our front 6. Only the back 5 look quality.

[alunevans]

At least he's acknowledging the poor performance with no excuses.

yes i have to admit that it helps when the boss does that.

i used to recall the same thing under ged and he'd come out and tell us what an exciting chance filled game we'd just watched.

[rushscored4]

A big budget wont stop Rafa from playing two defensive midfielders against a frankly awful Villa side.

You really are a cheery little soul aren't you, Jamo? You always bring a ray of sunshine to a wet and cloudy day...

[anfieldanfield]

You really are a cheery little soul aren't you, Jamo? You always bring a ray of sunshine to a wet and cloudy day...

Thanks Rushy, what can I say, I'm a glass half full kinda fella.

[Guest]

Same old same old. Rafa will have his big budget this summer. Next season will really show us if Rafa is capable of winning the PL. This season in the league is only mildly better than 2004-05.

Talking about budget for next season, it's been rumored in one of the papers today that Rafa has been feeling that we aren't moving quick enough in the transfer market and that we may lose our first choice players. By that, we may end up signing Voronin instead of securing the services of David Villa etc ...

It could all be just paper talk but it's been brewing for one week.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

A big budget wont stop Rafa from playing two defensive midfielders against a frankly awful Villa side.

Depressing. But true.

He's yet to learn that most of the sides in the Premiership are completely and utterly awful, he shows them too much respect. You can bet your arse that when Martin O'Neill saw that we were playing 2 defensive midfielders, with Gerrard on the right he was far from upset, same with Fat Sam, Moyes etc when he's done it against those sides.