Rafa thread - decisions & comments etc

[El Jefecito]

I didn't understand why Gerrard was off and not Sissoko, putting Lucas on was a good decision. He's still a genius to me, even if I didn't agree with that particular decision.

Rafa implied in his post match comments that Momo was doing as he was told, where SG on the other hand.......

There is a battle wills going on now, and there will only be one winner.

[jayjay]

thank **** it paid off.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

He said, Gerrard was playing with his heart, not his brain.

Trans: he was likely to make bad decisions and waste oppurtunities. (according to Rafa)
I disagree with his decision to take Gerrard off.

Yet he kept that donkey Sissoko on who gives the ball away constantly.

Is there a "Rafa's on a wind-up" option in the poll?

[RedJedi]

Im baffled some some of his descions or lack of them.

We got away with it today, if we hadnt the pressure would on him would have been immense.

He is starting to sound like Ged in his after match, which scares the **** out of me.

[DeeGame]

Yet he kept that donkey Sissoko on who gives the ball away constantly.

Is there a "Rafa's on a wind-up" option in the poll?

Sorry i forgot that option

[Nic83]

I'm baffled at Crouch's constant omission.

[Gazzla]

I'm baffled at Crouch's constant omission.

I'm not, every time I have seen him play this year including pre-season he has looked woeful

[Tom]

1) We won
2) we're still in the title race
3) Our better players are yet to come back (Torres, Alonso, Agger, Arbeloa)

Nothing else matters

Exactly. In the period in which lucas came on we made 4 chances two from crow, a babel shot and an effort from sissoko. We then went on to get the winner as a direct result of Lucas's shot.

Great tactical decision, also gives a kick up the arse to players (and fans) who think that a player is guaranteed a place in the side on reputation only.

[bazza76]

Gerrard was showing signs of tiredness before he came off his crossing was getting sloppy and I guess Rafa seen that as a sign, also Rafa admitted afterwards he wanted to play more of a passing game. Levia contributed very well I thought, he obviously has been showing this in training.
Turned out to be a very good substitution, we had NO guarantee would would have won had Gerrard stayed on.
Rafa made a brave decision, he knew he could face criticism if we only drew the game, as it turned out, we won. It was a gamble, but it was a calculated one, and not a blind decision that came off based on sheer luck.
I would also think, Stevie was rested due to some other big games we have coming up, Besiktas and Arsenal are only around the corner. You cab bet Gerrard will have a big part to play in them games, consider that and the fact that Gerrard has just been away in Russia.

[kopdan]

I dont believe Gerrard was tired

He was just ****

[hairykewell]

Gerrard didn't have the best game but Sissoko really stood out with his inability to complete the simplest of passes. Even in hindsight Sissoko still had to be the man to be taken off.

Rafa talked about our inability to hold the ball yet took Steven Gerrard off instead of Sissoko. Anyway I'm glad for Rafa's sake we won. Stevie G needs a kick up the ass and maybe him being taken off will give him that.

[Kopite_Colin]

I'd like to think that Bazza's point and Hairy's point will have the perfect effect on SG.

[kopdan]

Gerrard didn't have the best game but Sissoko really stood out with his inability to complete the simplest of passes. Even in hindsight Sissoko still had to be the man to be taken off.

Rafa talked about our inability to hold the ball yet took Steven Gerrard off instead of Sissoko. Anyway I'm glad for Rafa's sake we won. Stevie G needs a kick up the ass and maybe him being taken off will give him that.

oh i agree about Momo. I never would have replaced Gerrard no matter what as he can pop up at anytime with some magic.

I dont believe it was a Rafa masterstroke either though as it was two penalties that won the game, and nothing else.

[bazza76]

I dont believe Gerrard was tired

He was just ****

well, so far this season, thats not a bad assessment of Gerrard, when you compare his form of now to his form of past seasons.

[kopdan]

I think Rafa has stiffled him to be honest. Almost as if Rafa has said conserve your energy