Dogged Rafa calls Torres back to front

[AFII]

It's not only the results. We have not deserved anything more than a point from the games we have drawn. We were lucky to get a point against Porto and Portsmouth. They played better than us and should have won the game.

We didn't deserve anything more than a point against Birmingham, and that was at Anfield. That game was probably the worst game at home in years.

I wouldn't have been worried if we had created a lot of chances but failed to score but we have not created that many chances in our last three games.

Before the international break we played excellent football and after it we have not played any better than we did with Houllier before he got sacked.

[Red Chilli]

I'm supporting Rafa on this one

[CAD]

Brum played one up front Sami and Carra can easily deal with him which leaves our full backs enough freedom to double up on the flanks with Pennant and Babel which gives you that extra man in midfield plus 1. If you play 3 Centre Backs then the 3 of them would be picking up one guy which I find a ludicrous suggestion. Also when we are defending you end up in a 5-3-2 situation which means it's harder to counter attack.

FFS mate that is basic stuff if you have ever done any coaching.

That is so far off the mark I don't even know where to start.

Let's forget the whole thing.

[Neil Young]

Let's forget the whole thing.

One, two, 1-2-3-4...

Things have come to a pretty pass,
Our romance is growing flat,
For you like this and the other
While I go for this and that.
Goodness knows what the end will be;
Oh, I don't know where I'm at...
It looks as if we two will never be one,
Something must be done.

You say eether and I say eyether,
You say neether and I say nyther;
Eether, eyether, neether, nyther,
Let's call the whole thing off!
You like potato and I like potahto,
You like tomato and I like tomahto;
Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto!
Let's call the whole thing off!
But oh! If we call the whole thing off,
Then we must part.
And oh! If we ever part,
Then that might break my heart!
So, if you like pajamas and I like pajahmas,
I'll wear pajamas and give up pajahmas.
For we know we need each other,
So we better call the calling off off.
Let's call the whole thing off!

You say laughter and I say lawfter,
You say after and I say awfter;
Laughter, lawfter, after, awfter,
Let's call the whole thing off!
You like vanilla and I like vanella,
You, sa's'parilla and I sa's'parella;
Vanilla, vanella, Choc'late, strawb'ry!
Let's call the whole thing off!
But oh! If we call the whole thing off,
Then we must part.
And oh! If we ever part,
Then that might break my heart!
So, if you go for oysters and I go for Esters
I'll order oysters and cancel the Esters.
For we know we need each other,
So we better call the calling off off!
Let's call the whole thing off!

Thayank you vair, vair march.

[CAD]

One, two, 1-2-3-4...

Thayank you vair, vair march.

[Chrono]

I think what I'm trying to say is go **** yourself

[Manofthebog]

This thread has made me suicidal.

I'm off to support THE PEOPLES CLUB

[Chrono]

This thread has made me suicidal.

I'm off to support THE PEOPLES CLUB

Pick me up a sarnie

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

This thread has made me suicidal.

I'm off to support THE PEOPLES CLUB

[Pacman]

That is so far off the mark I don't even know where to start.

Let's forget the whole thing.

We'll agree to disagree then

[Pacman]

OK mate lets put insults aside and we'll talk again in 4/5 years when we are still waiting for another league title.

Whatever

[RedProf]

This is a Forum. You discuss ideas and ponder the sometimes mysteries ways of Rafa. If you have no input that's fine.

If you have input I'm sure we all be very interested to hear it and discuss it.

To sit in your armchair and say nothing and just point at those who does, must be ****ing easy

The thing is mate, I get fed up of the bile that seems to be constantly spouted at Rafa. Rafa should do this, Rafa should do that, like we know better. Of course we don't.........at times I think we should just let the man get on with his job without constant sniping and such ****e. The way people go on, its like he must be stupid. You really think Rafa is incompetent and bumbling??? Did he really just draw names out a hat to see who played up front against B'ham? Anyone that does think Rafa is a crap manager, really does need to **** off because he's the best manager we'll probably have in many a year. Do you think people on the terraces berate him as much as people do on internet forums? The odd loon may be dissatisfied but I'd bet the majority of the Kop would keel over if he left right now.

Why so much drama over Torres not playing against Birmingham? So we got a 0-0. Big deal. The seasons barley begun. We all know Rafa, we all know he will rotate to keep his team, especially the star players, fresh for the season end. Just coz we spent £20M on Torres doesnt mean he will play in every game. Sometimes Rafa gambles and plays percentages - the side he played against B'ham would probably, 9/10 times, beat them. It's a long season, and the Prem will undoubtedly be a tougher place to be this year. I don't see anyone, us, Arsenal, Utd or Chelsea, romping to a title with 90+ points as per the last few years.

But too many on here can't see what Rafa is doing - I mean, he's a manager, he manages his resources as best he can. Torres played tonight and was exceptional.........maybe Rafa suspected that a further rest at the wknd just gone was just what he needed, and playing against a Reading high back 4 would let him unleash and show exactly what he can do. Great for the team, great for him. Maybe the rest made him ever more hungry. The thing is, on any other day most of us know we'd probably have won on Saturday without him - maybe a header from a corner or some other set piece, given we were struggling to get a rhythm.

Will Torres play on Saturday - I'll bet he does. Then it wouldn't surprise me if he is sub for the next league game. In the majority of games when he is sub, I'd wager we will still win them. I bet Rafa thinks that too. And that way we'll have a world class player who is not suffering from burn out by half way through the season. Look at how Torres plays - he is an immense centre forward, he's got the lot...if you designed a centre forward you'd be picking one with all the attributes of Torres. Given that this is his 1st season in the prem, and that he has an all action style and puts in a **** load of graft and gets booted to high heaven every game, Rafa no doubt is extremely aware of how susceptible he could be to injury and burn out in such a fast, rough and tough league, thus is playing him slightly cautiously and selectively.

[Morph]

IMO Rafa knew exactly what he was doing leaving torres out and playing him tonight, especially if you run with the theory that he picks strikers better suited to games. Which is why I think he'll play v Wigan on Saturday. Just unfortunately he only got a draw and a win, rather than 2 wins.

[JPK]

IMO Rafa knew exactly what he was doing leaving torres out and playing him tonight, especially if you run with the theory that he picks strikers better suited to games. Which is why I think he'll play v Wigan on Saturday. Just unfortunately he only got a draw and a win, rather than 2 wins.

I think Rafa got it wrong.Torres is sensational and would have killed Ridgewell too.

[AFII]

I think Rafa got it wrong.Torres is sensational and would have killed Ridgewell too.

Rafa isn't Mr perfect even if he the best manager in the world. He will make some mistakes, every manager do that. We will just have to accept it and move on.