A Critical Evaluation of Rafa

[Neil Young]

By the way, I think Agger is a very good player who will only get better. The huge difference in his performance against Drogba in the two legs of the semi-final was particularly encouraging I thought and shows what he should be capable of regularly when he has more experience.

[desertscouser]

I think judging him on his very bad performance at the San Siro is a little unfair. He hadn't played for a few games and seemed to be short of fitness and match practice. He also didn't have his regular centreback partner.

I know, but I had to mention it because I enjoyed it so much at the time.

[El Jefecito]

By the way, I think Agger is a very good player who will only get better. The huge difference in his performance against Drogba in the two legs of the semi-final was particularly encouraging I thought and shows what he should be capable of regularly when he has more experience.

Drogba turned him once in the first leg and everyone makes it sound like he was continously raped.

He played fine in the first and second legs as he has done all season.

[Neil Young]

I know, but I had to mention it because I enjoyed it so much at the time.

That's completely understandable.

[Neil Young]

Drogba turned him once in the first leg and everyone makes it sound like he was continously raped.

He played fine in the first and second legs as he has done all season.

I have never made it sound like he was "raped" because I don't like that expression to be used so casually. You use it if you really want but please don't associate me with it.

I thought Agger was targetted by Chelsea in both games. As a result he looked the weak link in the first game (even though that may have been due to poor cover from Riise) yet, whether because of individual coaching or a change in tactics by Rafa, he was totally dominant in the second leg.

[Redlife]

I think your bald statement that Agger is the better player needs some rationale since that's the argument (now). In terms of who is the better player right now I don't see why age or the size of the transfer fee come into the equation.

On ability right now, I'm not sure Ferdinand is quite as bad as many of us, including me, would like to believe.

Am I right in thinking he's faster than Agger? If so, that's certainly an advantage. He also plays in a defence which does not benefit from having top quality defensive midfielders in front, in a team that arguably plays more attacking football so tending to leave the defenders more isolated, especially given that their full-backs also often play further up the pitch than ours (I'm thinking primarily of Evra rather than Heinze on the left here).

I'm not saying I like Ferdinand or that I think he's great but when assessing his abilities, I do think it's important to remember though that he was a mainstay of a team that has just won the League. (I feel so unclean saying that ).

Obviously given the transfer fee and age then Agger has to be the better value. Other than that I think the case is at least arguable.

I would prefer to have Agger in our team everytime. He's certainly less error prone than Ferdinand. I don't know what the difference in pace is like. If there is any, it's not noticeable. Transfer fee obviously doesn't influence ability, but with respect to age it's worth nothing that Ferdinand is supposedly in his prime whereas Agger is still developing. It's another argument why I'm glad we have Agger and not Ferdinand.


dww makes an excellent point; the Scum's potency in attack and the pace with which they attack doesn't necessarily mean that their defence is left exposed. It only tends to happen in Europe against more wily teams like Milan, but in the Premiership teams are intimidated and also don't always have the ability to exploit any holes left behind.

[Neil Young]

I would prefer to have Agger in our team everytime. He's certainly less error prone than Ferdinand. I don't know what the difference in pace is like. If there is any, it's not noticeable. Transfer fee obviously doesn't influence ability, but with respect to age it's worth nothing that Ferdinand is supposedly in his prime whereas Agger is still developing. It's another argument why I'm glad we have Agger and not Ferdinand.


dww makes an excellent point; the Scum's potency in attack and the pace with which they attack doesn't necessarily mean that their defence is left exposed. It only tends to happen in Europe against more wily teams like Milan, but in the Premiership teams are intimidated and also don't always have the ability to exploit any holes left behind.

They're good arguments.

[JimmytheJalopy]

I would prefer to have Agger in our team everytime. He's certainly less error prone than Ferdinand. I don't know what the difference in pace is like. If there is any, it's not noticeable. Transfer fee obviously doesn't influence ability, but with respect to age it's worth nothing that Ferdinand is supposedly in his prime whereas Agger is still developing. It's another argument why I'm glad we have Agger and not Ferdinand.


dww makes an excellent point; the Scum's potency in attack and the pace with which they attack doesn't necessarily mean that their defence is left exposed. It only tends to happen in Europe against more wily teams like Milan, but in the Premiership teams are intimidated and also don't always have the ability to exploit any holes left behind.

When Ferdinand wasn't playing in either leg.

[El Jefecito]

I have never made it sound like he was "raped" because I don't like that expression to be used so casually. You use it if you really want but please don't associate me with it.

Mountain, Molehill.

[Woobus]

We will only ever finish third with rafa at the helm. He doesn't have what it takes to when the Premiership, three years have made that obvious enough. Sad fact. And before all the abuse starts coming my way, look at what Rafa HAS ACTUALLY DONE in the league, not what you want him to do. I can comprehensively prove the point, so don't start arguing.

After reading the posts on here you seem to have a soft spot for United and there tactics, would you have sacked Ferguson only after 3 seasons? How long did it take him to build a Championship winning side at United? How long was it before he won anything for them?

Its utter nonsense to say Rafa will never win the league, in his second season he was 2 games off winning the league. If we had of beat Chelsea twice instead of getting beat twice number 19 would have been ours. He now has a great spine of a team and with a few quality players added will be able to challenge for the league.

It took Ferguson 5 years to win anything and 6 for the league, in 3 years Rafa has won us the Champs League, FA Cup and got to another Euro Final (Something Ferguson hasnt managed to do it over two decades). Rafa is twice the manager Ferguson is, and Ferguson seems to have done alright in the league. Need to have faith in the tactical master

[Neil Young]

Mountain, Molehill.

That's your opinion.

You have no knowledge of my background, of what may or may not have happened to people close to me, etc.

I asked you nicely. It's a shame you chose to respond in such an immature and insensitive manner.

[El Jefecito]

That's your opinion.

You have no knowledge of my background, of what may or may not have happened to people close to me, etc.

I asked you nicely. It's a shame you chose to respond in such an immature and insensitive manner.

Get over yerself

[Neil Young]

Get over yerself

[AFII]

So how many clear mistakes has Agger done for us. The only one I can think of is the one against Drogba but that wasn't a big mistake.

Agger is the best central defender in the league IMO. He reminds me a lot of Sammer and he was the best defender in Europe for a few years before he had to quit because of a bad injury.

[El Jefecito]

So how many clear mistakes has Agger done for us. The only one I can think of is the one against Drogba but that wasn't a big mistake.

Agger is the best central defender in the league IMO. He reminds me a lot of Sammer and he was the best defender in Europe for a few years before he had to quit because of a bad injury.

I can't remember one either. Thats got to be unheard of.