All those who want Rafa sacked...

[Jazzmaster]

When the 'sack rafa' themes arose it was too early in the season to even consider such a thing... However, conversely, its still too early in the season to be calling the sack rafa brigade into question.

All in good time my pretties, all in good time

I don't get this post.

So let me try and understand it.

It's too early in the season to even consider sacking Rafa?

However conversely it's too early in the season to be calling the sack Rafa brigade into question?

So under what circumstances would you sack Rafa? If we fail to win the league? If we don't finish in the top 4? if we get relegated? If we finish 20 points behind first place?

So has he only got this season?

Does his sucess so far with us count for nothing?

I know you're not saying we should sack Rafa but by the same token you (IMO) seem to be saying that you would consider sacking him at the end of the season? Why?

All im saying is that if we dont make it into the next round of the champions league and dont improve on last year in the premier league, then this will give the sack rafa brigade's arguments some weight.

I myself do not wish to 'sack rafa' but like i said, its too early to consider the matter either way really.

[Pacman]

...Surely that was more a case of Josemi not cutting it/wanting home than Finnan upping his game?

I know the statement wasn't directed at me but I thought I'd butt in. Benitez has given us great times and raised our profile throughout Europe back to where it was in the Seventies/Eighties. This is good.

Personally, I just think his game is too tactical/cerebral and cautious to win the title we all want.

It really shouldn't be baffling, the reasoning is quite simple. And no, I don't enjoy feeling this way.

Surely that was more a case of Josemi not cutting it/wanting home than Finnan upping his game? If that's the case then why didn't he bring in another right back? Finnan fought his way into Rafa's plans.

[Craig_H]

Where did Rafa get it wrong on Crouchy. He did ****all to earn a spot in the starting 11 as far as I saw preseason. Personally I thought he should of got a go 1 game before he did.

Maybe you have no real idea what is going on?

Preseason this, clueless that.

Crouch is BETTER THAN kuyt, end of story. THAT'S what he did to deserve a spot. He was top scorer, he's a bigger goal threat, he's MILES ****ING BETTER than Kuyt.

Get back to the drawing board...

[Craig_H]

You cannot earn a spot in Rafa's team. No matter how good your performances are there is no assurance that you will play the next game unless you are one of his "core" players.

Exact-a-****ing-mundo.

[Frank Leroux]

Reina, Carragher and Gerrard always seem to be in the team, only dropped against easier teams. It is nonsense to think that how you perform has no bearing on team selection. The rest of the squad get games depending how good they are, not picked randomly.

Of course they're not picked randomly.

But would you consider it at all possible that the - to my eyes - emphasis that Benitez puts on caution in the game is born out by his readiness to maintain a (relatively constant) back five whilst being happy to change, game to game, the other positions?

I think there is a clear reasoning, or logic to a constant defensive group. I also, though, see similar logic behind maintaining the other positions also.

[Guest]

Preseason this, clueless that.

Crouch is BETTER THAN kuyt, end of story. THAT'S what he did to deserve a spot. He was top scorer, he's a bigger goal threat, he's MILES ****ING BETTER than Kuyt.

Get back to the drawing board...

Respect the guys opinion even if you don't agree with him. How can you rationally say that X is better than Y ? It's a matter of opinion my friend. Kuyt is better in certain areas of the game than Crouch and all in all it can be evened out.

[Craig_H]

Respect the guys opinion even if you don't agree with him. How can you rationally say that X is better than Y ? It's a matter of opinion my friend. Kuyt is better in certain areas of the game than Crouch and all in all it can be evened out.

Where do you get the idea that just because i disagree, i negate someone's right to an opinion???

As for Kuyt and Crouch, you're right. There are certain areas that one is better than the other...

As a footballer and striker, Crouch is better. As a marathon runner, Kuyt takes it every day of the week.

[Guest]

Where do you get the idea that just because i disagree, i negate someone's right to an opinion???

As for Kuyt and Crouch, you're right. There are certain areas that one is better than the other...

As a footballer and striker, Crouch is better. As a marathon runner, Kuyt takes it every day of the week.

It's not as clear cut as that. If Crouch ran as much as Kuyt, he could end up a worse player, on the technical side of the game. We could go on and on.

To come back to the first point, you made your point clear that the poster's opinion was wrong mate. That's the main gripe most people have with you on the site.

[Frank Leroux]

Surely that was more a case of Josemi not cutting it/wanting home than Finnan upping his game? If that's the case then why didn't he bring in another right back? Finnan fought his way into Rafa's plans.

(After due investigation)...Kronkamp(sp?).

The more you look at it, the more you wonder how much competition Finnan has had for the right back berth. Finnan has been a great servant though, I don't want to underplay his value to us over the years.

[Skillz]

Preseason this, clueless that.

Crouch is BETTER THAN kuyt, end of story. THAT'S what he did to deserve a spot. He was top scorer, he's a bigger goal threat, he's MILES ****ING BETTER than Kuyt.

Get back to the drawing board...

Sorry DJ. Crouch stood out like a sore thumb early on and the fact he was not playing did not surprise me at all. He was ordinary every time I saw him.
He started playing better about a month ago and 'hey presto' he is playing more now.

Now that's not the end of the story, cos I know you will have something to say, probably in CAPITALS, you clown.

[Craig_H]

It's not as clear cut as that. If Crouch ran as much as Kuyt, he could end up a worse player, on the technical side of the game. We could go on and on.

To come back to the first point, you made your point clear that the poster's opinion was wrong mate. That's the main gripe most people have with you on the site.

Kinell fredo...

If i post an opinion, and you think the opposite of me, do you, or do you not therefore think my opinion is wrong???

Stop being such a crybaby drama queen just because i happen to think someone's wrong.

[Redspin]

He`ll have to deliver to get three years. Of course CL finals every other year is good enough, but if we fail to get CL one season that will be it IMO. If Chelsea get their act together this can become a hard year for us, with City also doing well.
Let`s hope we reach another level when Agger, Torres and Alonso get back.
By the sounds of it at least one of the americans are only in the club for the money, and that is what will decide Rafas future.

If you honestly think Man City are likely to challenge for a top 4 place at the end of then season then frankly, with all due respect, you're barmy

[Skillz]

Where do you get the idea that just because i disagree, i negate someone's right to an opinion???

Because you post like an arrogant cnut, maybe.

[Rafa Shankly]

I dont want him sacked....but so what? Why should this quote make them hang their heads?

because of their inability to see past the previous game.
of course they should hang their heads in shame for even suggesting rafa should be sacked on the basis of a few games that we failed to win(or lose)

[Craig_H]

Sorry DJ. Crouch stood out like a sore thumb early on and the fact he was not playing did not surprise me at all. He was ordinary every time I saw him.
He started playing better about a month ago and 'hey presto' he is playing more now.

Now that's not the end of the story, cos I know you will have something to say, probably in CAPITALS, you clown.

Well at least you didnt cry about it like freda

Preseason is bollocks all mate, i dont care about the rotterdam cup or other ****e like that.

Crouch was by far our best striker last year and even in the few games he's had this season, he's done more than Kuyt and Voronin put together.

He scores goals, he keeps possession, he gives us an outlet, his touch is good, he can link the play and defenders hate playing against him.

He's infinitely better than Kuyt.