Rafa calls for change

[carheex]

Rafa has a right to complain, people have the right to defend him and have a right to have a go at him.

If you think he is out of order for trying to look after the best interests of out club fair enough

Fine, but I really don't see how having an extra 2hrs 15mins preparation time is going to make enough difference worth shouting about. Portsmouth have exactly the same amount of time to prepare as we do, whether we kick off at 12.45, 3pm, 5pm or 3pm on sunday.

[sonsofthedesert]

Fine, but I really don't see how having an extra 2hrs 15mins preparation time is going to make enough difference worth shouting about. Portsmouth have exactly the same amount of time to prepare as we do, whether we kick off at 12.45, 3pm, 5pm or 3pm on sunday.

They have more time due to lack of traveling.

[red g]

They have more time due to lack of traveling.

[sonsofthedesert]

:whatever::whatever:

Is that the best debate you can come up? very puerile and schoolgirlish.

Do you go on to every thread to stir up trouble?

[Pacman]

Fine, but I really don't see how having an extra 2hrs 15mins preparation time is going to make enough difference worth shouting about. Portsmouth have exactly the same amount of time to prepare as we do, whether we kick off at 12.45, 3pm, 5pm or 3pm on sunday.

Rafa's point has gone way over your head.

[carheex]

Do you go on to every thread to stir up trouble?

How is having an opinion "stirring up trouble"? Wouldn't it be fun if we all agreed...

[carheex]

Rafa's point has gone way over your head.

Has it? I thought he was complaining that we kicked off at 12.45 instead of 3pm. Maybe you'd be so kind as to explain what "you think" he meant if it wasn't as I understand it?

[red g]

How is having an opinion "stirring up trouble"? Wouldn't it be fun if we all agreed...

i dont think you are stirring up trouble, your just wrong

[Pacman]

Has it? I thought he was complaining that we kicked off at 12.45 instead of 3pm. Maybe you'd be so kind as to explain what "you think" he meant if it wasn't as I understand it?

When England last played on a Wednesday who did we play on the Saturday and at what time? When England next play on a Wednesay who do we play on a Saturday and at what time?

The defence rests.

[dww]

Out of interest what do they do in Spain following internationals?

[sonsofthedesert]

:whatever::whatever:

Is that the best debate you can come up? very puerile and schoolgirlish.

That isn't an opionion about the topic, it is you having a go.

[carheex]

They have more time due to lack of traveling.

We have an advantage due to more money and a bigger squad. So what? Let's not be making excuses - it makes us as bad as chelsea fans and people are already putting benitez in the same "whingeing" (not my words) category as mourinho.

[red g]

Rafa calls for fixture changes
Rafael Benitez has expressed his anger at the fixture list, saying it was "impossible to prepare a team properly" after international matches.

Liverpool boss Benitez, like many of his fellow bosses, faces a rush this weekend as he prepares his side to face Portsmouth in the Premier league.

Many of the Spaniard's key players have been on duty with their countries in crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers and far-flung international friendlies and he believes the limited period of time they have to recover for domestic action is restrictive.

Liverpool's visit to Fratton Park on Saturday, a 12.45pm kick-off, is the first top-flight match of the weekend and Benitez has called for a change of policy.

He told League Managers' website: "I am really disappointed with the fixtures that we have because it is more difficult here in England. You play early kick-offs on the Saturday (after internationals) and it is impossible to prepare the team properly.

"The players arrive back on Thursday evening and the only thing you can do with some of them is just to run a little bit and send them home.

"Friday morning you will have a light training session and you will travel to Portsmouth in this case and you cannot prepare the team."

He added: "Normally the players that are going away are internationals because they are good players and you need these players for winning every game.

"For me it's impossible to prepare the team properly, you can prepare small details but to prepare the team physically and mentally for the game will be difficult."

Benitez went on to question the treatment of sides who compete in midweek in Europe and said the vagaries of the fixture list could cost teams a shot at the title.

"One of the things for me that is important now is to change the schedule for the top sides," he said.

"We had the same problem with the Champions League games; we were playing on the Wednesday, then kick off on the Saturday and normally away. I think it's not fair and in the end you have more problems winning these games.

"When you play for the title, if you lose two or three games away against 'normal' teams, after that you know maybe you can lose against the top sides and maybe your possibilities will be more difficult."

complaining about the fixture list, not just early kick offs......think you missed that bit

[red g]

Out of interest what do they do in Spain following internationals?

Well Barca and real madrid always seem to play late on Saturday and Sunday night

[carheex]

That isn't an opionion about the topic, it is you having a go.

Sorry, but your reply to one of my messages was simply...:whatever:

That's not really having an opinion on the topic either. My apologies but I thought the best way to communicate with you would be to bring myself down to your level.