Ruthless Rafa Starts Purge

[Pacman]

I doubt Rafa aimed it directly at them? I think he's come out basically to state that he doesn't want to bull**** anymore and that he's fed up with having to deal with 2nd/3rd choice. He knows it and so the owners, I just don't see Rafa as a man who would write off the Americans' clout before he'd even went into a transfer window - their first. I just think he wants everyone at the club to pull in the right direction. No nonsense full blast ahead and he wants everyone to know that, directors, players etc.

Could he not of said that in private to them though?

I just feel when Rafa really wants to say 'look I'm not messing here' he does it through the press.

[SCarter]

Could he not of said that in private to them though?

I just feel when Rafa really wants to say 'look I'm not messing here' he does it through the press.

This could just be a statement of intent to the rest of europe. Let the other clubs know that you can now match anyone for money and you are to be feared.

[sean_lfc]

Exactly. It will put a bit of pressure on them to deliver, I doubt he meant it ill-natured or even threatening, I assume he just wants action. He knows he's worth it and he wants milk. So the milkmen need to deliver, nothing wrong with that. To be honest, I'm glad he says publicly what we all talk about and know. It's good to hear Rafa talking honest and straight, he's telling everyone what he wants so that everyone can deliver. Or something lol :]

[Pacman]

This could just be a statement of intent to the rest of europe. Let the other clubs know that you can now match anyone for money and you are to be feared.

Hmm I'm not to sure about that maybe your right.

Last summer when Stevie was going to leave he said in a press conference that he wanted him to stay for life suddenly Stevie realised Rafa really does want him after all. Surely Rafa was saying this to him in private as well but he thought it would show he really means it if he did it through the press. Maybe he gets the impression he needs to say these things in the press because he fears Gillet and Hicks are full of hot air.

Just a thought.

[sean_lfc]

I think it's very ill-informed to give a verdict on the Americans yet. From zero to hero to zero within a few months? Please. Everyone has been raving about them, they have said and done all the right things up to now, they are praiseworthy Chairmen if you compare them to all the other top chairmen around. They seem genuine and I don't believe for one second that they'd 'do us over'. It's the furthest from reality.

So what are you saying? That they're full of hot air, didn't really want to expand our current stadium design to fit in 70000 or even 80000 fans, that they don't really want to make 'this special club which has no match in the whole world of sport' the force to be reckoned with for the next decade? That they just said all those things to then not deliver? It makes absolutely NO sense and anyone with a little faith would say the same.
I think you're reading way too much into Rafa's comments.

[Pacman]

I think it's very ill-informed to give a verdict on the Americans yet. From zero to hero to zero within a few months? Please. Everyone has been raving about them, they have said and done all the right things up to now, they are praiseworthy Chairmen if you compare them to all the other top chairmen around. They seem genuine and I don't believe for one second that they'd 'do us over'. It's the furthest from reality.

So what are you saying? That they're full of hot air, didn't really want to expand our current stadium design to fit in 70000 or even 80000 fans, that they don't really want to make 'this special club which has no match in the whole world of sport' the force to be reckoned with for the next decade? That they just said all those things to then not deliver? It makes absolutely NO sense and anyone with a little faith would say the same.
I think you're reading way too much into Rafa's comments.

Perhaps I'm just a pessimist.

[Rich]

I don't think they'd have spent all the money they have so far to then back track from what they've been telling the fans. Perhaps they do use the media a little too much, but if they back Rafa and sort out the 78,000 seater stadium, and the marketing of the club then I'll be very happy, cos all that will mean one thing - TROPHIES.

[Lecter]

Why did Rafa need to say what he said in the press today then? Perhaps your right but I just don't get it.

A lot of negotiations / business has probably been put on hold due to the Champions League final

Its probably Rafa waking everyone up and saying that the club mustnt dawdle

I'm not too worried to be honest

If there is no movement / news in 3 or 4 weeks time I would be concerned though

[Pacman]

A lot of negotiations / business has probably been put on hold due to the Champions League final

Its probably Rafa waking everyone up and saying that the club mustnt dawdle

I'm not too worried to be honest

If there is no movement / news in 3 or 4 weeks time I would be concerned though

[honourablegeorge]

A lot of negotiations / business has probably been put on hold due to the Champions League final

Its probably Rafa waking everyone up and saying that the club mustnt dawdle

I'm not too worried to be honest

If there is no movement / news in 3 or 4 weeks time I would be concerned though

I dunno Lec - you'd think the work was progressing regardless. The only differenec is there's probably a few million in Bonuses that we're not paying out this morning, and a few quid from Carlsberg not coming in.

Judging by the sudden appearance of the Gonzalez deal, I'd guess plenty has been going on behind the scenes.

[Lecter]

I dunno Lec - you'd think the work was progressing regardless. The only differenec is there's probably a few million in Bonuses that we're not paying out this morning, and a few quid from Carlsberg not coming in.

Judging by the sudden appearance of the Gonzalez deal, I'd guess plenty has been going on behind the scenes.

No you wouldnt HG

The money from the Americans has only be transferred in this week (the club clearly dont want to be increasing their overdraft hence the wait)

Groundwork will have be done already now the real work begins

Anyone who thinks Athens hasnt affected the day to day running of things is living in cloud-cuckoo-land

[Red Chilli]

I think Rafa's a bit pissed off.

He's annoyed that we haven't won anything this season (except the comunity shield, but I don't really count that) and this is the first season of his that this has happened.
He's also annoyed that he hasn't really challenged for the title in 3 seasons.
He can't afford to make it 2 seasons in a row without winning anything and he can't afford to go another season without challenging for the title IMO.

Therefore I expect ruthlessness and more risk taking. Some of his signings have been very low key so far. I can only think of Alonso that was a big money high profile transfer.
I expect 3 big money risky transfers, the likes of Eto'o and Alves.

[Guest]

The money from the Americans has only be transferred in this week (the club clearly dont want to be increasing their overdraft hence the wait)

Saw something about that in an article in the Telegraph or Guardian during the week, that the club are waiting for some sort of legal ruling which will enable the americans to use the money and that doing business right now it would mean increasing our overdraft ... Something along these lines but I can't remember exactly which paper I've seen that.

[sean_lfc]

"I need yur cloves, yur bootz, and yur modorcygle"

[honourablegeorge]

Yeah, but they'd already know how much money was being transferred in and when, etc., so the deals could well be near ready, like Gonzalez', just waiting for the window to open, and cash to drop, etc. Bellamy's another deal I suspect is all but done.

I'm just hoping, here. Chances are it'll be the usual "we can't sign him until he finishes his holiday in Barbados/the Copa America/a five year contract with Chelsea" saga we go through every year. Except someone actually signs in the end.