Post match thread

[PaulLinehan]

LOOK...I think it is obvious that opionions are divided a number of ways.....

at the end of the day, we are all supporters of LFC and i also think the one thing we can all agree on as fans is that Parry is a ******!!!

only joking!!! in all seriousness though, i do think that we can all agree that there is absolutely NOTHING to be gained by sacking rafa mid-season.... a proper assessment should be undertaken at the end of the season on everyones part.....

until then, we should all get on with it as best as we can - including supporters - YNWA....

[Craig_H]

Two CL finals, winning one, and our highest points tally in he prem suggests that we are improving.

Obviously if we were finishing 8th he should go but we aren't, are we? That's just bollocks to try and suit your argument.

It's not bollocks, it's just how you come across sometimes...as if everything's fine WHATEVER happens.

The highest points tally in the league was then followed by what? A poorer one, by 14 points. So why are we deemed to be 'improving' rather than going backwards?

Houllier achieved 80 points in 2002 (our highest PL points tally at that time) but was still sacked not long after - so wasnt he 'improving' us too?

2006 was a good season, but it means nothing if we dont build upon it. We followed up an 82 point campaign with a 68 point one.

This season we'll probably end up with 70-75 points or so.

Not dissimilar to Houllier's 2002 end of season and his 2003 one.

[Johnny]

All the usual suspects saying all the usual things.This thread was predictable.

[Craig_H]

what I am certain of is that the whole framework of our beloved club is/has improved 100 times, from the youth setup, to fitness levels, scouting, buying & selling and eventually down to our 1st XI...it has improved and will continue to do so, sacking Rafa now would undo 90% of all that hard work and set us back even further. If in 3 seasons time we are playing like this then sack Rafa, and i bet he wouldnt mind then because he knows whats expected of him. That said he should be given far more support from the owners than he has been getting, its ****ing disgraceful that the cunts havent ended this bull**** scenario.

I'd ask you to substantiate how it's improved. Bare facts please.

And why would sacking rafa undo 90% of it? Why couldnt a new manager take it on board and build further upon it?

[Robster007]

All the usual suspects saying all the usual things.This thread was predictable.

Including that comment

[Craig_H]

Agreed DJS. I want Liverpool to succeed, preferably with Rafa, but if its without him, so be it. I'm a Liverpool fan as opposed to a fan of individuals. I don't see how we have improved where it matters, on the pitch. We look devoid of ideas, unmotivated and our football is poor. It's sad because I'm struggling to remember a performance that really got me excited since Derby.

The thing is, there HAVE been improvements certainly, i wouldnt begrudge Rafa that. The squad is stronger and the deeper setup of the youth system has been worked on hugely.

BUT the most critical area is the points tally and league position. And despite strengthening the squad well, Rafa doesnt seem able to use it to its fullest potential. THAT is the problem for me. He's bought relatively well and he's added decent depth. He just doesnt use what he has well enough for me.

[Craig_H]

LOOK...I think it is obvious that opionions are divided a number of ways.....

at the end of the day, we are all supporters of LFC and i also think the one thing we can all agree on as fans is that Parry is a ******!!!

only joking!!! in all seriousness though, i do think that we can all agree that there is absolutely NOTHING to be gained by sacking rafa mid-season.... a proper assessment should be undertaken at the end of the season on everyones part.....

until then, we should all get on with it as best as we can - including supporters - YNWA....

I do agree that sacking mid season would be folly.

[Darth Marty]

I'd ask you to substantiate how it's improved. Bare facts please.

And why would sacking rafa undo 90% of it? Why couldnt a new manager take it on board and build further upon it?

New managers always bring upheaval, its accepted because good managers always have their own team, methods and preferred personnel. Rafa is spanish and has brought in lots of spanish players, guaranteed they would all reconsider their positions should Rafa get the boot, **** me even Torres loves Rafa, Mascher probably wants to wait to see if Rafa is boss next year before even looking at contracts placed in front of him and all the youth players would no doubt be threatened if a different coach came in. You tell me how that could be good for the future of the club? And if you are beong seious about asking me to tell you how things have improved then you are even more of a crackhead than I gave you credit for.

[kurtangle01]

It's not bollocks, it's just how you come across sometimes...as if everything's fine WHATEVER happens.

The highest points tally in the league was then followed by what? A poorer one, by 14 points. So why are we deemed to be 'improving' rather than going backwards?

Houllier achieved 80 points in 2002 (our highest PL points tally at that time) but was still sacked not long after - so wasnt he 'improving' us too?

2006 was a good season, but it means nothing if we dont build upon it. We followed up an 82 point campaign with a 68 point one.

This season we'll probably end up with 70-75 points or so.

Not dissimilar to Houllier's 2002 end of season and his 2003 one.

Perhaps my take on things is different to yours. I definitely wouldn't be happy finishing 8th. We aren't though, are we?

FWIW, I think we're a couple of quality players short. That will hopefully come in the summer.

Sacking Rafa, and getting rid of all the works he's done, will do us no good. Obviously if we're still here debating this in three years, and we're still no closer, then yes he should go.

I think this debate is perhaps pointless anyway because the owners of the club will probably take the decision regardless. There just seems to be something there that wont go away.

[Craig_H]

New managers always bring upheaval, its accepted because good managers always have their own team, methods and preferred personnel. Rafa is spanish and has brought in lots of spanish players, guaranteed they would all reconsider their positions should Rafa get the boot, **** me even Torres loves Rafa, Mascher probably wants to wait to see if Rafa is boss next year before even looking at contracts placed in front of him and all the youth players would no doubt be threatened if a different coach came in. You tell me how that could be good for the future of the club? And if you are beong seious about asking me to tell you how things have improved then you are even more of a crackhead than I gave you credit for.

Things have been up and down in terms of league points tally and final positions. Not unlike GH's days.

And why is it inconceivable that a new manager would take some of what Rafa's done behind the scenes, keep the good parts as he sees it and amend what he doesnt think is right?

[Johnny]

Including that comment

Probably.



It`s just getting harder to click on my Est bookmark.

[Robster007]

Probably.



It`s just getting harder to click on my Est bookmark.

I know how you feel sometimes.

[Craig_H]

Perhaps my take on things is different to yours. I definitely wouldn't be happy finishing 8th. We aren't though, are we?

FWIW, I think we're a couple of quality players short. That will hopefully come in the summer.

Sacking Rafa, and getting rid of all the works he's done, will do us no good. Obviously if we're still here debating this in three years, and we're still no closer, then yes he should go.

I think this debate is perhaps pointless anyway because the owners of the club will probably take the decision regardless. There just seems to be something there that wont go away.

I agree that we're only a couple of quality players short.

I cant generally fault rafa in his squad building process, he's worked wonders there and i'm grateful for that.

But the problem for me isnt that. We HAVE a strong squad and quality players. Rafa just doesnt utilise it properly IMO. He doesnt have a settled system or enough stability in his team selections for me.

THAT is why i am concerned, because whoever he has to choose from, he doesnt offer much sign that he'd make the right choices in the vast majority of cases.

[StevieG08]

Another poor display from a team of players who looked like they were strangers. Some of the stuff which Redknapp and Newell talked about at the end was interesting, £143mil spent in the last 3.5 years(yes i know it's not a net figure but still) and some 60 players on our books. This may give an insight as to why Rafa is being blocked from making any transfers in January.

Another thing i would like to add is that Rafa's post match interviews are starting to sound like a certain Frenchmans did in his final days, same excuses for poor results. As much as i admire Rafa and would dearly love him to succeed i'm beginning to think the pressure of the job is getting to him, perhaps he needs a new no.2 and quick!

[Darth Marty]

For me its the whole package, dont get me wrong I am bitterly disappointed at our team and play recently but it really is clear, at least to me, that Rafa has improved a lot of things, from grass roots to the 1st XI. Surely you only have to look at the standard of youth team players we are constantly signing to see that Rafa has his eye on the bigger picture as well as looking to the present, imagine the situation if Wenger was sacked just as his youth players started blooming? Our tfr policy is far better than I can ever remember it being, hell we make profit on our sales now and I am positive that things will improve if we keep Rafa. Back him, give him free reign and re evaluate in 3 seasons.