Rafa the tinkerman

[Kopite_Colin]

have you not seen him play at all?

71 goals in 101 league games, says Kuyt's a better goalscorer than Crouch.

[Shaggy]

71 goals in 101 league games, says Kuyt's a better goalscorer than Crouch.

He probably is a better goalscorer but we have no idea how Kuyt's form will translate from Dutch football. His record, as great as it is, isn't comparable to anything Crouch has achieved.

I agree with the sentiment of the thread though. I think Rafa feels we've got a good enough squad to be able to chop and change to such an extent - insofar as we're not sacrificing anything in quality. I'd tend to agree - we have lots of quality in most positions - but regardless of quality we do need a more settled XI.

[Bob]

The best teams in the EPL have always have a reasonably settled core. However i'll not complain if we are doing well.

I'll put it down to bleeding in new players to gain full fitness for the meantime.

What concerns me is the theory he only reveals his team an hour before the tie - don't like that one little bit!

[Shaggy]

What concerns me is the theory he only reveals his team an hour before the tie - don't like that one little bit!

I do. I'm sure Rafa knows his team in advance but by not telling the players he's keeping them all on their toes. It ensures they all train with vigour in the build up to the game and that there are no squad members down in the dumps about missing out. I reckon it's healthy for the players and, if it's true, can perfectly understand why he does it.

[Kopite_Colin]

He probably is a better goalscorer but we have no idea how Kuyt's form will translate from Dutch football. His record, as great as it is, isn't comparable to anything Crouch has achieved.

Not sure how you come to that conclusion mate. Whatever league Kuyt has played in, he's CONSISTENTLY scored goals. Not something you can say about Crouch. Admittedly Cropuchie's international career has got off to a great start in terms of goals, but his league output is variable to say the least.

[Taffy]

It's early days so Rafa is probably just getting everyone involved at the momemt.

Once it settles I also think that Rafa will settle into a patern of a matchday squad, although there'll probably be a few changes in most games given the squad we now have. Saying that, players are dropping like flies at the moment with Warnock and Sissoko off with injuries tonight to add to Carra and Riise on the sidelines.

Our defence will be stretched to the limit if we have further injuries in the coming games.

The important thing tonight was not the performance but the result, and we're through so I'm happy! Let's look forward to the draw at 5pm on Thursday now!

[Shaggy]

Not sure how you come to that conclusion mate. Whatever league Kuyt has played in, he's CONSISTENTLY scored goals. Not something you can say about Crouch. Admittedly Cropuchie's international career has got off to a great start in terms of goals, but his league output is variable to say the least.

I come to that conclusion simply because Kuyt has scored his goals in a substantially weaker league than the one Crouch plays in, and at international level Crouch has a far better record. Hopefully Kuyt will show he can do it here as well as Holland and if so, he'll undoubtedly prove to be a better goalscorer than Crouchie.

Crouch has scored in every game he's played in bar one (Haifa at home) this season. He's doing what his critics want him to do - score goals - yet people are still having a pop?

[kurtangle01]

It's early days so Rafa is probably just getting everyone involved at the momemt.

Once it settles I also think that Rafa will settle into a patern of a matchday squad, although there'll probably be a few changes in most games given the squad we now have. Saying that, players are dropping like flies at the moment with Warnock and Sissoko off with injuries tonight to add to Carra and Riise on the sidelines.

Our defence will be stretched to the limit if we have further injuries in the coming games.

The important thing tonight was not the performance but the result, and we're through so I'm happy! Let's look forward to the draw at 5pm on Thursday now!

i'm happy that we're thorugh and i'm not trying to knock rafa but i just think that we would have made easier work of the game with a settled 11 where possible.

hopefully momo is okay. it would be a nightmare if he was out for a long period of time because he is so important to the team.

[Bob]

I do. I'm sure Rafa knows his team in advance but by not telling the players he's keeping them all on their toes. It ensures they all train with vigour in the build up to the game and that there are no squad members down in the dumps about missing out. I reckon it's healthy for the players and, if it's true, can perfectly understand why he does it.

Nervous tension before a game can be one thing, but adding only an hour or so for adjustment on top of that is a stroke to far IMO.

More importantly it could add confusion to training for set pieces, and also doesn't give players the time to fully concentrate for their opposing team. I'm sure they all see the videos etc. But knowing you're in the game could help sharpen your mind/prepare you better.

I trust Rafa enough though to adjust the build up accordingly!

It's not an orthodox ideology for sure though.

[Kopite_Colin]

Yes but Crouch hasn't played at the highest level either for more than 2 seasons, despite his strengths, and his goals output is mediocre. He IS doing OK so far, this season I agree, but I want much, much more of a goal threat up front, and I'm afraid, for all Crouch's assets a CONSISTENT goal theat he isn't. His international record is great (8 in 12), with 3 in one game (against Jamaica), but I doubt he will sustain that for long, but you can't knock it.

[nbryan1764]

have you not seen him play at all?

only in the world cup and that was hardly the best way to make a judgement on him. He was played out of position so I could never say what I thought of him. I have seen a few videos of his goals and some looked very good but I saw that with Cisse too. There are goalscoring precendents from the dutch league too...van nistelrooy and kezman both scored a hatful over there but had very mixed success in this league

[Bob]

Yes but Crouch hasn't played at the highest level either for more than 2 seasons, despite his strengths, and his goals output is mediocre. He IS doing OK so far, this season I agree, but I want much, much more of a goal threat up front, and I'm afraid, for all Crouch's assets a CONSISTENT goal theat he isn't. His international record is great (8 in 12), with 3 in one game (against Jamaica), but I doubt he will sustain that for long, but you can't knock it.

Crouch polarises opinion, though as it happens i agree with your sentiments.

Over half his goals came against Jimmy Carr and Greece. Having seen both those games it's no wonder how he managed 8/12.

[nbryan1764]

Not sure how you come to that conclusion mate. Whatever league Kuyt has played in, he's CONSISTENTLY scored goals. Not something you can say about Crouch. Admittedly Cropuchie's international career has got off to a great start in terms of goals, but his league output is variable to say the least.

hasnt he only played in the dutch league?

[Shaggy]

Crouch polarises opinion, though as it happens i agree with your sentiments.

Over half his goals came against Jimmy Carr and Greece. Having seen both those games it's no wonder how he managed 8/12.

Greece are the European champions and as for Jamaica, you can only beat (or score against) whoever is put in front of you. Crouch's stats for England are 8 in 12, and a good portion of those 12 appearances were as a sub.

Whichever way you look at it, his international record is impressive. Also, his record throughout 2006, thus far, must be pretty bloody good. He's consistently scored goals for club and country.

[REDSCOUSER]

I think RAFA will stop tinkering once the new players settle and the injured ones heal.
We are in the CL now so he probably knows his tactics/players that he can use.
Last season our squad was not as deep, this year on the other hand is much stronger so Rafa can afford a few changes.