Hicks:"I am solidly behind Rafa"

[disco]

I will be stuck on stage 2 until the yanks are gone. Some people might be willing to be fooled agian by these two, but I'm not one of them.

Answer me this Disco, do you believe Hicks when he says he is backing Rafa?

I'm sceptical, but unlike other people I'm willing to give them the chance. If anything, we've demonstrated that we're quick to ask questions so they should be very wary of raising expectations and not meeting them.

Thing is though, they cannot possibly win. If we continue to do badly this season then, in any other season, there will be many people who would think he should be replaced and many people who think he should be given a further chance.

However, if they sack him then, everyone who believes the latter will call them liars.

[Los Rojos]

Thing is though, they cannot possibly win.

They've put themselves in this no-win situation though.

[Montana]

I think G&H will give Rafa one more season unless we fail to qualify for the CL.

Mascherano deal will be a big clue - if they really still want Rafa out then Mascherano will not be signed. I can't see them committing £17m then sacking Rafa. Doesn't make sense.

[steveheighwayrobbery]

This is great news for LFC. Simple as.

nOw see that is not a properly formed sentence that isn't. FACT

[Dhav]

Thats daft. Why offer Rafa a new contract when he still has 2 and half years left? Why not back him now and hope that he does well. And if he does THEN give him a new contract

Because they say they have faith in him going forwards (which surely means beyond the two years on his contract), but that it is Rafa's commitment that is in question. Unless of course they are lying on both counts.

[Tom]

Tom Hicks said: "This new financing package is a strong vote of confidence in the Club's financial strength and a recognition of the exceptional opportunity represented by the construction of the Club's new state-of-the-art stadium at Stanley Park. The successful completion of this financing package is particularly significant in light of the currently challenging credit-market environment. With the refinancing process now done, Club supporters can look forward to the timely commencement of construction work on the new stadium and renew their focus on actions on the pitch."

This bit sounded like some kind of "come and buy me" advert for something for sale.

[-V-]

Not really at all.

I have faith in Rafa too but i wouldnt give Rafa a long-term deal now. 2 and half years is long enough to show progress. What happens if Rafa fails then what? Sack him and give him a £10m pay-off?

Thats madness. Rafa has 2 and half years to take us forward and thats the way it should be

[Tom]

It looks more like a vote of confidence to me. Without concrete proposals to extend his contract anyhow. Remember Rafa has already gone public with a desire to extend his contract. This announcement would have been the logical place to address that.

[Rich]

It looks more like a vote of confidence to me. Without concrete proposals to extend his contract anyhow. Remember Rafa has already gone public with a desire to extend his contract. This announcement would have been the logical place to address that.

Even a 12 month extention would have helped build bridges.

[-V-]

Yep but i dont think it would make good business sense to give him a huge long-term contract at this stage. Hopefully over the next 2 and half years things will go well and then both parties will be happy to continue. Thats the way it should be.

Rafa is only human, he is capable of failure. We have to get mount a title challenge next season

[Skillz]

It looks more like a vote of confidence to me. Without concrete proposals to extend his contract anyhow. Remember Rafa has already gone public with a desire to extend his contract. This announcement would have been the logical place to address that.

Spot on. I want stability in the club, therefore I am firmly in the Benitez camp. If he stays I will always believe. If he goes, well, I will **** myself until the announcement of his replacement is made. At that point I most likely would **** myself further at the ridiculous muppet they thought would do a better job than Rafa.

[Jack D Rips]

Perhaps Im wrong is saying this, and if I am I have no doubt I will be told.

If the £105 mill debt is on the club and we had debt of £60 mill at the time of the takeover, then we will now only be £45 mill worse off and that includes funds for player purchase and commencement costs of stadium.

The bit that worries me is the end bit where he talks of summer signings. Doesnt give me much confidence that Mascher is going to be signed

[disco]

They've put themselves in this no-win situation though.

Fine. But if they are genuinely reaching out to us, then it's disappointing that only a few of us will - cautiously - give them a chance.

I'm starting to feel people are just being belligerent now, nothing will appease them now their mind is made up.

[disco]

Yep but i dont think it would make good business sense to give him a huge long-term contract at this stage. Hopefully over the next 2 and half years things will go well and then both parties will be happy to continue. Thats the way it should be.

Rafa is only human, he is capable of failure. We have to get mount a title challenge next season

If Rafa truely ****s things up this year (no CL, knocked out of all cups by end of feb), then it's already costing £6-8m to get rid of him. Why make it 12-16?!

[REDSCOUSER]

Is that sensible?

Forgetting all the off-field ****e, there are many people who have question marks about Rafa's management given our results. If he gets a new 5 year contract, but we fail to qualify for the CL etc., then it would cost a fortune to replace him.

I'd wait until the summer before extending his contract.

I should have said in the summer which we all agree on. Problem is will the yanks be happy with finishing 4th and the odd cup win ? I believe RAFA is still learning the English game and how different it is than La Liga. The squad is not all complete, we still need to improve the starting 11. By backing RAFA they have to provide funds to sign at least 3 very good starting players.

We all know that will never happen. Behind the scenes he will be doing everything he can to force Rafa to look for employment elsewhere before resigning. Hicks must be a f**king retard if he thinks we will fall for his lies again.

Liar.

As for Rafa getting a new contract, well, although I'm behind him....he needs to really sort out what's going on on the pitch before deserving a new contract. This season has been a disaster on and off the pitch.

I really cant think of any manager coming in to win us #19 in his 1st season even that cu nted porkandcheeser who managed the chavs.
Rafa has fooked up a few times for sure with his team selection and tactics but I believe he will deliver #19 at the end.

This is key for me. Hick's last comment in that press release suggests that he has no intention of giving Rafa an extended deal in the short term.

I dont trust them 2 nobeds, not anymore, not after back stabbing RAFA when they interviewed Klinsmann.