Great rafa interview

[Craig_H]

It's really clear that he's rotating because he needs super-fit players at the sharp end of the season.

That's good mate, and i genuinely applaud him for thinking further down the line and seeing the bigger picture.


BUT, what's the use of it, if we're 20 points off the pace by Easter?

It's far easier to win a title leading the table, than it is to be chasing and have to work away at a 10-20 point defecit.

And every league game is worth 3 points, whether it's Birmingham in September or Man Utd in the latter part of the season.

[captainfog]

That's good mate, and i genuinely applaud him for thinking further down the line and seeing the bigger picture.


BUT, what's the use of it, if we're 20 points off the pace by Easter?

It's far easier to win a title leading the table, than it is to be chasing and have to work away at a 10-20 point defecit.

And every league game is worth 3 points, whether it's Birmingham in September or Man Utd in the latter part of the season.

that's a big if

[redblood]

That's good mate, and i genuinely applaud him for thinking further down the line and seeing the bigger picture.


BUT, what's the use of it, if we're 20 points off the pace by Easter?

It's far easier to win a title leading the table, than it is to be chasing and have to work away at a 10-20 point defecit.

And every league game is worth 3 points, whether it's Birmingham in September or Man Utd in the latter part of the season.

Syd mate the main point being that our squad should be good enough and we should not have to rely on 1-2 players.
We have seen that he has taken that responsibility of Stevie by making other players responsible for winning/contributing to winning games.

[Johnny]

BUT, what's the use of it, if we're 20 points off the pace by Easter?

Because he`ll let that happen.this season is not a sprint,it`s a marathon.

[Shanks]

Linky no worky

Right Click Save Target As.

[El Jefecito]

That's good mate, and i genuinely applaud him for thinking further down the line and seeing the bigger picture.


BUT, what's the use of it, if we're 20 points off the pace by Easter?

It's far easier to win a title leading the table, than it is to be chasing and have to work away at a 10-20 point defecit.

And every league game is worth 3 points, whether it's Birmingham in September or Man Utd in the latter part of the season.

Rafa obviously thinks that with Crouch, The Crow, El Nino and Kuyt that he won't be 20 points down! Doh!

[Craig_H]

that's a big if

It's also generally how it's been in recent years. Maybe 20 points is a bit over the top, but Rafa's never taken us into Easter within touching distance of top spot.

[Craig_H]

Rafa obviously thinks that with Crouch, The Crow, El Nino and Kuyt that he won't be 20 points down! Doh!

Well duh...silly me, because he's never wrong, is he?

He also thought that he'd beat Brum with them. Double doh

[El Jefecito]

It's also generally how it's been in recent years. Maybe 20 points is a bit over the top, but Rafa's never taken us into Easter within touching distance of top spot.

Rafa has not been able to bring in the players he wants. So no big suprise there!

[Craig_H]

Because he`ll let that happen.this season is not a sprint,it`s a marathon.

Ah, so Rafa can decide that at will, can he?

Are you saying he's CHOSEN to let it happen before then?

[Craig_H]

Rafa has not been able to bring in the players he wants. So no big suprise there!

Whilst i doubt Rafa's previous signings have been players he DIDNT want, i do take your point.

However, having now got the players he wants, for them to make the difference between the last few seasons and this one, they surely need to actually be on the pitch as opposed to picking splinters...

[El Jefecito]

http://videos.icnetwork.co.uk/m3/Raf...igan%20Jay.mp3

link fixed.
audio.
Really revealing, goes into a lot more detail than normal in UK interviews.
especially convincing on rotation. should shut a few people on here up
It's really clear that he's rotating because he needs super-fit players at the sharp end of the season.
"I need torres fit for the last games of the season ...the champions league, not against birmigham"
You can't play your best players 30 -40 games in a row and not expect them to suffer throughout the season..

BTW. the sacking refers to when he was in spain....misleading teaser headline.

Thanks Tom! That was a great interview!!!!!!

[Craig_H]

Syd mate the main point being that our squad should be good enough and we should not have to rely on 1-2 players.
We have seen that he has taken that responsibility of Stevie by making other players responsible for winning/contributing to winning games.

It should be mate, and generally it is. But it doesnt work out that way sometimes and players like Torres make the difference when things arent happening as they should. You surely need to take advantage of this weapon mate.

[Red_Polo]

Cheers Tom, good listen

The problem with this is IF he hasn't played our best players and we have got draws/losses where we should have won we will not be in contention for the trophies.

There must be a happy medium?

Exactly, only an idiot would disagree with rotation wholesale, it's all about finding the right balance. Only rest your best against the opposition we're most likely to beat without them. For me, Brum at home is a game where you ought to be resting a couple of players and still winning, so I thought it was a bit silly to go on about rotation so much. Pompey away it was understandable though.

[kanban111]

Still unbeaten in all competitions. If we hit a really bad spot of form and lose a few then we can have a sensible discussion about rotation. The knee-jerk rubbish we've had recently is completely over-the-top. In fact it's getting tedious in the extreme.

It's not just the results Tom,it's the performances,which,let's be frank have been a little scary of late,we've seen it all before with top class players being totally anonymous,it's not good enough,Gerrard included.Top class senior players can't complain about not winning the league when they are not doing anyone any justice,us,them,everyone, it's piss poor at times & they/we need to stop making excuses for it.
It's defo a MENTALITY thing for me,we know we can but too often we don't,the frustration i have at times is ****in unbearible,cos i know we can.
William Gallas said something at the tail end of last season,"If you want to reach fourth place you'll become a fourth placed team" I can't stand the prick but he says something that seems to ring true with us,we settle for less & i think it's become a mindset now & it's a ****in huge hurdle to get past because it's gone on for soooo long.
Off to bed,later