The bottom line

[desertscouser]

Not sure about this. There are still those who would have him replaced.

Maybe so. But there's no doubt there'd be more wanting him replaced if it wasn't for the fact that the owners are so despised. Regarding on the field matters, Rafa deserves criticism, but I'll never back the owners decision to force him out or sack him. Never.

[Joe Le Toff]

I dont think Rafa has helped himself too much in the whole sorry episode to be honest, but if it comes down to him or them, then it really is a no-brainer.

[alunevans]

Not sure about this. There are still those who would have him replaced.

It's not a question of that though Les. It's a question of whether you want us to be under the control of a manager that these dopes appoint. Personally I don't. I want them gone.

Only then is it sensible to seriously consider replacing Rafa. And I say that as someone who has expressed considerable doubts myself.

[badpiggy]

It's not a question of that though Les. It's a question of whether you want us to be under the control of a manager that these dopes appoint. Personally I don't. I want them gone.

Only then is it sensible to seriously consider replacing Rafa. And I say that as someone who has expressed considerable doubts myself.

i'm a doubter too and i agree - it's long term versus short term here and that's case closed for me (but with a heavy heart. how the **** has it ever come to this? ****in texan republicans. only a maniac/texan republican would trust them...)

[Jennings]

Irrespective of the owners, if Rafa can't deliver he has to go.

[Jazzmaster]

Not sure about this. There are still those who would have him replaced.

Of course there are. Despite the recent goings on, this does not nullify the fact that there has been too many underwhelming performances this season. Whether that is down to the goings on off the pitch, who knows. But the fact remains that we are 12 points off the lead with a game in hand and we should be better placed than that.

I have my grave doubts as to whether Rafa has what it takes to win the league and if he was to go at the end of the season it would not be the worst thing in the world. However i say that only in context of the following:

1. We get a top replacement. A Rijkaard, Hiddink etc

2. We do it at the end of the season. There is no better manager in the champs league and we stiff have a decent shout of winning silverware this season.

Failing that another season would decide his fate once and for all and would confirm or put to bed ALL doubts over his capability - i still personally dont think he will ever win the league but i might give him another season all the same because I have something niggling away at the back of my mind that says rafa's footballing philosophy may be on the brink of coming together to create a team that would be a real force in the premiership and beyond.

There is no doubt that the yanks have acted poorly here and the klinsmann episode is a stain on the clubs integrity. However at least now its out in the open and we can move on with or without them. the most worrying this for me about it is that they wanted to hire a manager with no club pedigree and for that alone I want them as far from LFC as possible. That does not mean that I necessarily want rafa to stay but I would give him another season nonetheless.

[Frank Leroux]

Irrespective of the owners, if Rafa can't deliver he has to go.

I think irrispective of the manager, it's the owners that could turn their time at the helm into (more of) a train wreck. They could leave this institution in a state from which it might never recover.

We can argue all day about the manager and the games, but at least with sensible - and sensitive - running of the club we'll still have the manager and the games to argue over in the future....cough...Leeds.

[Exiled_red]

It's time to decide whose side you're on. Rafa Benitez or Hicks & Gillett. The choice should be obvious.

Totally agree. In my opinion if Rafa goes Those two have won and the club has lost

[desertscouser]

Irrespective of the owners, if Rafa can't deliver he has to go.

And you'd trust these pair of clowns to appoint the right replacement? ffs they wanted Klinsmann!

[Frank Leroux]

Jazzmaster,

I'd suggest it's about priorities.

Assuming one is sceptical about the Mangers' ability to get us to 19 you'd have to stand back and see the potential one party (the owners) has to adversly affect this club.

I think to start critique-ing the manager, imo, we need to assume steadiness at board/owner level. We don't have that right now, it seems.

[Revo]

Irrespective of the owners, if Rafa can't deliver he has to go.

theres plenty of time at the end of the season to evaluate that comment and to evaluate the progress of the mans work, not just the starting senior team

[Jazzmaster]

Jazzmaster,

I'd suggest it's about priorities.

Assuming one is sceptical about the Mangers' ability to get us to 19 you'd have to stand back and see the potential one party (the owners) has to adversly affect this club.

I think to start critique-ing the manager, imo, we need to assume steadiness at board/owner level. We don't have that right now, it seems.

Oh I totally agree with you on that. If it boils down to a straight fight I know that there can be only one camp with my support which is that of rafa. That doesnt mean im suddenly going to become totally hypocritical in relation to what ive said about the manager in recent times because i have been critical of him and i stand by that.

[Frank Leroux]

Oh I totally agree with you on that. If it boils down to a straight fight I know that there can be only one camp with my support which is that of rafa. That doesnt mean im suddenly going to become totally hypocritical in relation to what ive said about the manager in recent times because i have been critical of him and i stand by that.

Me too.

I just think the thread was intended to gauge where one's loyalties lay with regards to the two camps. Your post seemed to be veering dangerously into the Rafanalysis hard shoulder....

[Jazzmaster]

Me too.

I just think the thread was intended to gauge where one's loyalties lay with regards to the two camps. Your post seemed to be veering dangerously into the Rafanalysis hard shoulder....

Fair enough

[AFII]

Rafa should be judged against Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea when he can compete with them in the transfer market a few years. That means that he can build the team he want and not sign second or third choice players. A Torres instead of a Kuyt for example.