Capello claims Liverpool are chasing him - Parry says we're not!

[DaveC]

parry was not so quick to come out and defend rafa.

Why would he when they might having doubts about him?

They wouldn't be doing their jobs properly if they wasn't planning ahead.

The current support for Rafa is very admirable, but come December 16th if we're out of the CL and title trace, the mood among even Rafa's most staunchest fans will be a whole lot different...

[DaveC]

That's too funny.

If you aren't excited about the prospect of a top manager like Cappello taking over if Rafa did leave, which, by the way, I don't want, then you must be a bit stupid.

[MrMichael]

That's too funny.

If you aren't excited about the prospect of a top manager like Cappello taking over if Rafa did leave, which, by the way, I don't want, then you must be a bit stupid.

Ah, here we go again. As an already shining beacon of sense and rational debate on this site after a couple of days of illuminating contributions, you've managed to claim total dominance over claims to intelligent thought have you?

No, I'm not in the slightest bit excited by a cock and bull story like this, not even remotely. Even if the story were more credible I still wouldn't be, I'm far more excited by the prospect of us having the first genuine chance in years of taking a real shot at the league, under Benitez. Were he to be sacked at this point, or any point soon, we could write this season off, whoever was brought in, especially a manager with no experience in this country, whatever his record elsewhere. That isn't exciting, that would be tragic.

Oh, and would you like to explain just how we could possibly "be out of the title race by Dec 16th"? The ManU game is obviously very important, a loss would dent our challenge undoubtedly, but it would not put us "out of the title race" at this stage.

[DaveC]

Ah, here we go again. As an already shining beacon of sense and rational debate on this site after a couple of days of illuminating contributions, you've managed to claim total dominance over claims to intelligent thought

Glad you noticed.

Again, if you're not excited at the prospect of a proven winner like Cappello talking over, should it come to that, then you're obviously a bit silly.

If we were to draw or lose against Reading and then lose to the mancs, I'd say we'd be out of the title race. No way will we be able to pull 9 points back, maybe more, and not drop any more until the end of the season.

So you can see why the board are covering the bases.

[desertscouser]

Sorry Dave but why would we be excited about Rafa leaving? Who gives a f**k about the potential replacement??

The disappointment of losing Rafa at this point of the season would far exceed the feeling of excitement at securing his potential replacement.

[DaveC]

Sorry Dave but why would we be excited about Rafa leaving? Who gives a f**k about the potential replacement??

The disappointment of losing Rafa at this point of the season would far exceed the feeling of excitement at securing his potential replacement.

I'm not excited about Rafa leaving, far from it. I want him to stay and get it right, and hopefully come Dec 16th, if that really is a significant date, we are still comfortably in both major competitions.

Go back before the recent run of results and the same old doubts and questions were being asked of Benitez, I'm sure they were on here, so why would the board be any different and not plan ahead?

In fact, they wouldn't be doing their jobs properly if they hadn't made future plans, and we'd be very naive to think that these things don't go on, especially at big clubs like ourselves.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by Dagger
This is monumental news. I've been advocating this guy for years. EVERY team he manages wins the league. We all love Rafa but with our poor form this season now might be the best time to cut and run. This is absolutely amazing - I'm shaking with excitement.

CAPELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Nice one nob head.

Definitely a Manc or a blue sh!te.

Dagger - Chelsea - Chelsea Dagger = WUM - geddit?

[Sir Bob]

On the face of it, I'm sure that Capello's people are behind this story as it would appear he's up for the England job. However, its not impossible its from LFC either, to keep Rafa in his place.

I don't blame the press though for this story, I blame the club. If Capello's agent has gone to the Mirror with this, they are bound to run it. The problem has been caused by the internal mess the club found itself in, thats what gives such stories some degree of credibility.

[DaveC]

You blame the club for tabloid gossip mongering?

If anyone is to be blamed for going public it's Benitez and his fat mate, Bascombe.

[MrMichael]

Glad you noticed.

Again, if you're not excited at the prospect of a proven winner like Cappello talking over, should it come to that, then you're obviously a bit silly.

If we were to draw or lose against Reading and then lose to the mancs, I'd say we'd be out of the title race. No way will we be able to pull 9 points back, maybe more, and not drop any more until the end of the season.

So you can see why the board are covering the bases.

I just find it very difficult to get excited at the prospect of any eventuality involving the team failing. And I don't think thats a silly stance to take either. Were that to happen, and were Benitez to (wrongly) get sacked, then Capello would be a much better choice than say, Mourinho, but I'll cross that bridge in the extremely unlikely eventuality of it occurring. But where, so far, all we have is a load of media hearsay and a future that could easily go a completely different direction, no, which in fact, on current form, is more likely to go a different direction from the one you're suggesting, I'll take it all with a pinch of salt and not get excited by every dubious story that comes along.

[desertscouser]

I'm not excited about Rafa leaving, far from it. I want him to stay and get it right, and hopefully come Dec 16th, if that really is a significant date, we are still comfortably in both major competitions.

Go back before the recent run of results and the same old doubts and questions were being asked of Benitez, I'm sure they were on here, so why would the board be any different and not plan ahead?

In fact, they wouldn't be doing their jobs properly if they hadn't made future plans, and we'd be very naive to think that these things don't go on, especially at big clubs like ourselves.

To a certain extent, I don't disagree with you. However, the problem is, Rafa isn't Houllier. While GH was taking us on the road to sh!tsville, I would've been all for Parry and co looking for replacements. It was totally justified but in Rafa's case it isn't...yet. To start looking for a replacement now is disrespectful to Rafa and in my opinion it would show that the owners (and Parry) were doing their jobs badly rather than as you say they'd be doing their jobs properly.

As for having doubts regarding Rafa, many of us have been critical of him although most would agree that he has to be fully judged at the end of the season. If by then we haven't mounted a title challenge as well as being knocked out of the group phases of the CL then I think the owners could feel justified in looking for a replacement. Until then, they should back Rafa to the hilt.

[Guest]

I'm not excited about Rafa leaving, far from it. I want him to stay and get it right, and hopefully come Dec 16th, if that really is a significant date, we are still comfortably in both major competitions.

Go back before the recent run of results and the same old doubts and questions were being asked of Benitez, I'm sure they were on here, so why would the board be any different and not plan ahead?

In fact, they wouldn't be doing their jobs properly if they hadn't made future plans, and we'd be very naive to think that these things don't go on, especially at big clubs like ourselves.

Hicks was quoted at the start of the season and he said that Rafa 'was a genius'.

A whole premiership season is not plain sailing and we're still unbeaten. Planning ahead and thinking about possible replacements in November is reminiscent of management at clubs such as Newcastle or Leeds, where it's been run by clowns.

Judging by your comments, you seem to be a staunch supporter of the 'board'.

[DaveC]

I just find it very difficult to get excited at the prospect of any eventuality involving the team failing. And I don't think thats a silly stance to take either. Were that to happen, and were Benitez to (wrongly) get sacked, then Capello would be a much better choice than say, Mourinho, but I'll cross that bridge in the extremely unlikely eventuality of it occurring. But where, so far, all we have is a load of media hearsay and a future that could easily go a completely different direction, no, which in fact, on current form, is more likely to go a different direction from the one you're suggesting, I'll take it all with a pinch of salt and not get excited by every dubious story that comes along.

Lets hope so, results have certainly improved and that's what he will always be judged on despite what the internet "insiders" claim about boardroom politics, though obviously his random outbursts about transfers don't do him any favours.

Even I, one of Rafa's staunchest supporters, have been having doubts about him this season, especially after the Blackburn game, where I could just not see any sign of improvement after nearly four seasons. So I can understand why the club have taken the current stance. They will have learnt a lot from the Houllier debacle.

[Kaip]

This is monumental news. I've been advocating this guy for years. EVERY team he manages wins the league. We all love Rafa but with our poor form this season now might be the best time to cut and run. This is absolutely amazing - I'm shaking with excitement.

CAPELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

[Parm]

I've not seen a quote off him in these articles.