Mourinho 'keen on Benitez's job'

[5aq1b]

What do you call good cause.

I'd say not competing in the title race for 4 years good cause. I mean winning it seems too much to expect these days unless Rafa is baked with 100 billion every week of the transfer window, but at least we should be competitive. For 3 seasons, approaching 4, we've not been competing for the title and that's good enough cause to ask whether Rafa is capable of ever winning it, let alone competing.

This season isn't over, and we're better off at this stage of the season than we ever have been before. It's one of the best starts to the campaign but we can't stop other teams strengthening, and that's what Arsenal, United and Chelsea have done.

Rafa needs time, there is no logic in getting rid of. If we want to compare him to the other 3 teams then we either give him 20 years in charge ie. Fergie, 10 years in charge ala Wenger, or give him £225m to spend without having to worry about selling before buying ala Chelski

[MascheredUp]

Tomorrow will be the key.

If a statement isn't issued by the club responding to this it's gonna look really bad. If a statement is issued and it's vague as ****, then it'll be the end.

Rafa's reaction when he's asked before/after the game will also reflect this.

[Johnny]

I just hope their competitive spirits is alive and well to show the Manc owners who's the real boss!

It`s possible that now the New stadium plans are 200mil cheaper than before that the Yanks have earmarked some off that money for transfers.

So far our insiders are saying we will sign Owen,Mertesacker,Swienstieger and Garay.


Let`s wait until the January and summer transfer windows are closed until we judge the Yanks.


I may not have much confidence in them but i`m willing to give as much off a chance as I am with the manager and players.


I judge on performance and so far the yanks have delivered Torres and Babel.Not bad.

[Red Chilli]

This season isn't over, and we're better off at this stage of the season than we ever have been before. It's one of the best starts to the campaign but we can't stop other teams strengthening, and that's what Arsenal, United and Chelsea have done.

Rafa needs time, there is no logic in getting rid of. If we want to compare him to the other 3 teams then we either give him 20 years in charge ie. Fergie, 10 years in charge ala Wenger, or give him £225m to spend without having to worry about selling before buying ala Chelski

Wenger won the league in his first full season, along with the cup, so I fail to see why we need to give him 10 years a la Wenger.

Is there enough talent in our squad to win the league? Serious question?

We have the best keep er in the league.
We have the man who I believe to be the best defender for 3 seasons at the back-carra.
We have one of the most consistent full backs in the league for the past 3 years-Finnan
We have arguably the most complete midfielder in the premiership- Gerrard.
We have the best passer in the premiership -Alonso
We have the hottest striker in Europe - Torres

Apart from those players we have 2 internationals for every position pretty much. If this squad realised it's potential, they are capable of winning the league with very few additional playing staff.
The problem is, virtually NONE of them (except Pepe, Torres and Carra) are living up to their potential, and you have to ask the question why.

[Dhav]

I just hope their competitive spirits is alive and well to show the Manc owners who's the real boss!

Right now, the Manc owners are proving that they're boss. They're doing it all the right way, inconspicuous behind the scenes, neither seen nor heard, quietly getting on with running their club, and backing their manager when necessary by signing the cheques, ie the complete opposite to what our owners are doing. Gillett and Hicks conducted a media blitzkrieg to reassure us they were nothing like the Glazers. Well looking at the way they're going about things at OT, G&H could stand to learn a lot from them.

What do you call good cause.

I'd say not competing in the title race for 4 years good cause. I mean winning it seems too much to expect these days unless Rafa is baked with 100 billion every week of the transfer window, but at least we should be competitive. For 3 seasons, approaching 4, we've not been competing for the title and that's good enough cause to ask whether Rafa is capable of ever winning it, let alone competing.

I think if we're not competitive next season then that is good cause. Right now it is too early to judge. It's only mid-season, we dont know what will happen before the end. Personally I think if we finish the season within 6 pts off the top then we've done alright, anything less than a double figure deficit is progress enough to suggest we can give it a real go next season, and Rafa would deserve another crack at it. Bear in mind this summer is the first chance he's had to sign top targets instead of second and third chances, and so it is only now that he can really be judged.

Personally, I think Rafa should be here next season regardless of what happens this. I think he's achieved enough in his time here to get another year.

[Red Chilli]

Tomorrow will be the key.

If a statement isn't issued by the club responding to this it's gonna look really bad. If a statement is issued and it's vague as ****, then it'll be the end.

Rafa's reaction when he's asked before/after the game will also reflect this.

Re bolded part: Why will it look really bad? An article saying Rafa expects to be sacked, well that's for Rafa to comment on. An article saying Mourinho wants Rafa's job, nothing to do with the club.

So why do we need to comment on the rags?

[Johnny]

Wenger won the league in his first full season, along with the cup, so I fail to see why we need to give him 10 years a la Wenger.

Is there enough talent in our squad to win the league? Serious question?

We have the best keep er in the league.
We have the man who I believe to be the best defender for 3 seasons at the back-carra.
We have one of the most consistent full backs in the league for the past 3 years-Finnan
We have arguably the most complete midfielder in the premiership- Gerrard.
We have the best passer in the premiership -Alonso
We have the hottest striker in Europe - Torres

Apart from those players we have 2 internationals for every position pretty much. If this squad realised it's potential, they are capable of winning the league with very few additional playing staff.
The problem is, virtually NONE of them (except Pepe, Torres and Carra) are living up to their potential, and you have to ask the question why.

Are you suggesting that the manager that was going BALLISTIC on the sidelines was the problem or that the players(Internationals) were to blame?

[Dhav]

Some managers don't need 100 billion every week of the transfer window, despite what some est posters believe.
There is enough talent in this squad to win the title IMO if they were optimally managed.

Do you think so? I'm not convinced. I think we're desperately short in certain areas, and we're probably about two key/top players away from having a title winning team.

[Red Chilli]

Personally, I think Rafa should be here next season regardless of what happens this. I think he's achieved enough in his time here to get another year.

What if he finishes 6th and wins nowt? UEFA cup and worst finish for a decade (I think). Would you give him another go?

[Red Chilli]

Are you suggesting that the manager that was going BALLISTIC on the sidelines was the problem or that the players(Internationals) were to blame?

There is a reason why virtually none of our players are playing to their potential.
It can't be ALL the players to blame all at the same time. THe manager and coaches are reponsible for making sure they realise their potential.

Tell me which players have lived up to their potential this season on a consistent basis? Pepe, Torres and Carra are the only 3 I can think of. Maybe Arbeloa, but that's it.

[Dhav]

Tomorrow will be the key.

If a statement isn't issued by the club responding to this it's gonna look really bad. If a statement is issued and it's vague as ****, then it'll be the end.

Rafa's reaction when he's asked before/after the game will also reflect this.

Re bolded part: Why will it look really bad? An article saying Rafa expects to be sacked, well that's for Rafa to comment on. An article saying Mourinho wants Rafa's job, nothing to do with the club.

So why do we need to comment on the rags?

Agree with Chilli on this one, the time for the club to issue statements and kill the speculation has long since passed. Their refusal to release a clear and unequivocal statement at that time, instead opting for non-descript and vague statements that clarified nothing is what has led to this constant swirl of speculation. Now my question is, was that a deliberate ploy by the club and was there an agenda behind it?

[Johnny]

There is a reason why virtually none of our players are playing to their potential.
It can't be ALL the players to blame all at the same time. THe manager and coaches are reponsible for making sure they realise their potential.

Tell me which players have lived up to their potential this season on a consistent basis? Pepe, Torres and Carra are the only 3 I can think of. Maybe Arbeloa, but that's it.

I think your putting all the blame on player under performance on the management.when 11 players take to the field against Man city and hammer them for most of the game but fail to put the ball in the net after taking the lead while Rafa screams instructions at them to improve then the players must take responsibility.
Rafa can prepare the team but too many times on the pitch they fail to deliver passes,tackles and finishes.

[Dhav]

What if he finishes 6th and wins nowt? UEFA cup and worst finish for a decade (I think). Would you give him another go?

His position would be much weaker, but depending on CL performance yes I probably would. Houllier got another chance.

Being out of Europe might actually aid our title challenge next season and under those circumstances it probably wouldn't be the best time to sack a manager (with all the necessary pay-offs) and bring a new one in given lack of CL revenue.

Dont think that scenario will happen to be honest. I think we'll comfortably finish in top 4.

[Revo]

a Top 4 Finish Is The Absoloute Minimum Regardless Of Whom The Manager Is

[Johnny]

There is a reason why virtually none of our players are playing to their potential.
It can't be ALL the players to blame all at the same time. THe manager and coaches are reponsible for making sure they realise their potential.

Tell me which players have lived up to their potential this season on a consistent basis? Pepe, Torres and Carra are the only 3 I can think of. Maybe Arbeloa, but that's it.

Ithink you believe that all our players should be "World Class" every game.Most of our players have played to their potential this yr.Unfortuneatly Rafa has been shopping in the bargain basement for so long that our team are obviosly not the best team in England.If your looking for a scapegoat look to the board for the last 20 yrs.We were the biggest team in the world once,Our owners didn`t push on regarding marketing and stadiums when they should have.