Tom Hicks: Quit talking and coach the players

[sonsofthedesert]

See i'm not convinced it's true, or should i say that if it is true then we will need a director of football to oversee our transfers which obviously Rafa will walk away from at some point. However how many times have journalists padded out or sensationalised a story for maximum effect. I will hold my judgement until some official comment from LFC.

They aren't saying he can't do anything to do with transfers just not do anything at the mo as we as a club need to concentrate on the games ahead as they could make or break our season. They are partially right and wong to do this, we should be sorting it out now and not later but also we should be concentrating on the games.
The big problem is both sides have done this publically.

[StevieG08]

They aren't saying he can't do anything to do with transfers just not do anything at the mo as we as a club need to concentrate on the games ahead as they could make or break our season. They are partially right and wong to do this, we should be sorting it out now and not later but also we should be concentrating on the games.
The big problem is both sides have done this publically.

I didn't say he had been taken away from transfer dealings, others have said it due to one article written by Barret which doesn't contain any quotes to back his theory up. Is it not beyond the realms of imagination that due to the financial meltdown of the U.S economy that H&G are a little pre-occupied at the moment to discuss a transfer window that doesn't even open for another 6 weeks or so? Not taking sides but just putting forward an argument for a different take on things.

[sonsofthedesert]

I didn't say he had been taken away from transfer dealings, others have said it due to one article written by Barret which doesn't contain any quotes to back his theory up. Is it not beyond the realms of imagination that due to the financial meltdown of the U.S economy that H&G are a little pre-occupied at the moment to discuss a transfer window that doesn't even open for another 6 weeks or so? Not taking sides but just putting forward an argument for a different take on things.

Sorry wrong quote, I was agreeing with you, I also think your comment above is about right. I really think it has all been handeled badly but the reason is simple and as soon as the funds for the new stadium are sorted and we win the coming games then everything will be sorted.

[StevieG08]

Sorry wrong quote, I was agreeing with you, I also think your comment above is about right. I really think it has all been handeled badly but the reason is simple and as soon as the funds for the new stadium are sorted and we win the coming games then everything will be sorted.

I think there's a lot of crossed wires over this one

[reddragon]

Correct.

Do his ****ing job.

To a certain extent I agree with you. However, IMO any deal we need to make with Kia for Mascher probably needs to be agreed sooner rather than later. The lad is a class above anyone else available this Jan, and Kia will already be talking to Barca/Madrid etc. and agreeing a possible deal there. OK we all hope Mascher keeps his word and wants to stay at Anfield, but that Kia can obviously be a persuasive cunt and if the money is good Mscher's head could be turned.

Let's face it if Mascher was to leave we'd all be gutted - Rafa most of all.

[AFII]

The most stupid thing in all this is that Rafa isn't allowed to sell any players. There is absolutely no reason to why G&H should stop him doing that.

If Rafa isn't allowed to do that, how the feck is going to know which players that will still be here in January. The clubs that want the players Rafa want to sell may not wait until the middle of next month.

So he may end up with an unhappy player that don't want to stay and Rafa want to sell because of some stupid idea by G&H.

[El Jefecito]

Was just listening to an Irish talk radio thing and apparently off the record Rafa told journos that if we don't qualify for the CL then he can't have El Jefecito nor Galary.

[AFII]

Was just listening to an Irish talk radio thing and apparently off the record Rafa told journos that if we don't qualify for the CL then he can't have El Jefecito nor Galary.

If that's true then we will probably see many players rested against Newcastle with full focus on the Porto game.

[Monty]

I don't know whether any of you listened to the Rafa interview on the BBC site but he doesn't sound happy at all. He dismisses all questions not relating to the Newcastle game which is fair enough, but the interviewer sounding 'almost' concerned, asks him if he's had a good week and he says something like "Not the best but I'm focused on training and coaching my team". He says this sentence over and over again. To completely speculate, it's as if G & T have told him to do just that and he was taking the piss by repeating it over and over again.

I don't know about you fella's but for the first time EVER, I'm really worried that we just might lose Rafa.

[Woobus]

That's an option

G&H didn't exactly leave Rafa with many other options than to use the media. It worked, he got an answer.

He had just spoke to them on the phone for 30 minutes before the interview, I can understand being annoyed but why use the media to get it across. If one of his players tried that trick they would be on the bench. They all need to wise up and talk behind doors.

[tomasjj]

[El Jefecito]

I don't know whether any of you listened to the Rafa interview on the BBC site but he doesn't sound happy at all. He dismisses all questions not relating to the Newcastle game which is fair enough, but the interviewer sounding 'almost' concerned, asks him if he's had a good week and he says something like "Not the best but I'm focused on training and coaching my team". He says this sentence over and over again. To completely speculate, it's as if G & T have told him to do just that and he was taking the piss by repeating it over and over again.

I don't know about you fella's but for the first time EVER, I'm really worried that we just might lose Rafa.

Here's more of what was said:

How much will you have to spend in January?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Are there assurances you'll have what you want?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

So what is the long-term plan?
"My plan is training and coaching the team."

Is there anything upsetting you?

"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Do you have anything to say?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Even off the record?
"No."

It's clear something is up.
"You have my answer."

You're very different from normal.
"You have my answer."

You said after the Bayern story you were happy to stay here a long time. Is that still the case?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

You're not normally late. You were obviously preoccupied by something.
"Because as always I was focusing on the training session."

Is there anything you'd like to say?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

You always say you're focused on that but usually give off-the-record answers to enquiries. How come it's suddenly changed?
"No off-the-record stuff. Nothing. I'm just focused on training and coaching as always."

You suggested you were open to the possibility of the England job. Is that something we should treat seriously?
"It's your decision. You never know what will happen in the future."

Were you serious when you answered it?
"I was serious."

One day you're looking to stay here a long time, the next who knows about the England job. That's a contradiction.
"The future is the future. Now, as always, I am focused on training and coaching my team, so I cannot say anything else. Just to keep preparing for the next game."

So what you're saying suggests perhaps the future here is in question?
"I am focused on training and coaching my team."

So who knows?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Are you being allowed to do that as you wish?
"I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Does everyone at the club share that opinion?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

[Monty]

**** the bed, it doesn't look good does it!

[desertscouser]

It doesn't sound good at all.

The whole saga is so classless. It's very un Liverpool like and it's an embarrassment to the club. All parties should be ashamed of themselves and as for Hick's rebutal, well it was far too harsh for my liking. There are ways to say things and the Texan in my opinion tried to be the big man when what the situation needed was some diplomacy.

In hindsight I wish Rafa had kept his grievances in house. If he had, none of this would've happened.

In my opinion Rafa will walk sooner rather than later. Do you know what, I wouldn't be surprised if he walks straight after the Newcastle game

[cobain]

Rafa needs to stop being a cunt and a pain in the ass. If the financial backing is the case, you cannot expect to have endless amount of money and buy all the best players. I think the transfer kitty from previous transfer window made him a bit spoiled.