Rafa thread - decisions & comments etc

[Johnny]

I for one was gobsmacked when Rafa substitutied Stevie G for Lucas considering the blue****e was on the ropes with 1 player sent off and Stevie G is our best attacking midfielder.

So is Rafa a pure genius for subbing Stevie G off in the 70th minute and replacing him with an unknown south american kid, Lucas? or is he off his rockers & lucky to get away with the win?

Why put in the third option,takes away from the poll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sarb]

I said no, Everton after the initial 5 minutes were in control, Lescott was running riots down our right. the formation was not working, and the personnel within were not right. Rafa needs to get the most out of his players, play to their strengths and the formation with the Crow on the right was not good.

We didn't look like we were going to score for long periods, how many actual shots on target did we have when it was 11 vs 11?

After Everton went down to 10 men, Rafa took a long time to make changes, Momo was not playing well and as an attacking threat is null and void yet he stayed on till quite late

Hyypia should have been replaced ages ago, to place all the his eggs in to the Heinze basket was stupid.

As my signature now says i am having doubts in Rafa's ability.

I have an embryonic seed of doubt on Rafa's ability to win the Championship

Let's hope he can win the Premiership then!

[Imy]

Let's hope he can win the Premiership then!

what can i say i'm like some old fashioned old get,

need to get to grips with this fancy new terminology

[Sarb]

what can i say i'm like some old fashioned old get,

need to get to grips with this fancy new terminology

No worries. I do have my doubts but have decided to just back the team now and see what happens. Rafa isn't a rubbish manager. Winning the title with Valencia against Barce and Madrid proves that. Just see what happens

[KopSecret]

Rafa - decisions & post Derby comments

Taking off Stevie was Rafas best tactic yet

The look on Gerrards face said it all - he was shocked to be subbed, as if the mere thought was incomprehensible.

I thought it was Rafas best decision of the day - Stevie ain't been performing lately - he needs to learn that his place can't be guaranteed and that he needs to fight for his place.

Maybe then we'll get to see how good Stevie really is or maybe he will just fold under the pressure

[alunevans]

The look on Gerrards face said it all - he was shocked to be subbed, as if the mere thought was incomprehensible.

I thought it was Rafas best decision of the day - Stevie ain't been performing lately - he needs to learn that his place can't be guaranteed and that he needs to fight for his place.

Maybe then we'll get to see how good Stevie really is or maybe he will just fold under the pressure

thought he played alright today personally. he was crap against spurs but not today.

[bazza76]

Yeah but Bazza what is Sissoko's position? He came here as a defensive midfielder and I've seen him all over the midfield since then. Now it seems like he's a central mid with an attacking mind

I would say a flaoting disruptive midfield player, he is told to put himself about and break up the play, where Mascher is told to sit infront of the back four. Gerrard can play the position that Sissoko plays to much better effect.

[bazza76]

Sissoko isnt **** though is he. If he was ****, Rafa would have shipped him out like others before him. We know Rafa doesnt mess about.

Momo is a break up player isnt he. Problem is, we seem to have got a better player in Mascher for that position and Momo struggles further up the pitch.

I believe we'll sell Momo IF we sign Mascher

Rafa plays players for what they can do, rather than for what they can't, that is known as his philosophy, you would have to assume that sissoko is played just a s a disruptor, because the rest of his game leaves alot to be desired. If he doesn't have the quality to pass the ball around competently now, he will never be a real top class player.
Personally, I don't like Rafa's Philosophy of playing players for their strengths rather than weaknesses. I like players to be able to do various things especially in midfield.

[flyboy]

sissoko was the worst performing midfielder out there. clear for everyone to see.rafa was talking about playing with the brain and not heart.how he rate sissoko's performance better that gerrards is absolutely bewildering.in the end it was more of clattenberg's decision or rather indecisions that won us the tie. rafa just got lucky

[Sarb]

Not really good enough today considering he was in a free role of sorts

[Los Rojos]

Personally, I though it was an insane decision to take Gerrard off. He was just starting to boss the game, especially with the blue****e down to 10 men. Momo should have gone off for Lucas who was superb.

[andyinswinton]

I take your point but if we hadn't won, it would have been a huge mistake.

Because Lucas did so well when he came on, Rafa's decision was vindicated but it could have exploded in his face.

[Sarb]

Rafa is paid to make the decisions and live with the consequences I guess

[Jennings]

Both substitutions surprised me.

Yossi was working hard and keeping posession.

[MrsB]

Personally, I though it was an insane decision to take Gerrard off. He was just starting to boss the game, especially with the blue****e down to 10 men. Momo should have gone off for Lucas who was superb.

Agreed. Why he plays all the time is beyond me. He's been so **** it hurts.