I think he should go

[AFII]

1) Rafa took us to an all-time high in the League of 81 points, it cant just be a fluke. May be he has the potential, but he needs to be given some time, atleast till the end of the season. May be by their he would prioritize the club above his ego!

It was Rafa AND Pako who took us to 81 points. Rafa have so far won nothing without Pako. The manager and his assistant is a team and they work like a team.

Man U struggled when Quiroz left but found their way again when he returned, one of many examples of how important the management team is.

Rafa without Pako is an unproven manager without an excellent CV. Rafa and Pako have an excellent CV.

[Dalglish]

Rafa without Pako is an unproven manager without an excellent CV

Shut the **** up

[Reece]

[Jennings]

He shouldn't go.

However he needs to tweak something. For example, he could employ a system whereby players are only rotated if they are injured or if we are cruising a game.



Some things he does well:-
- We are tight at the back.
- We have invested in youngsters
- We have a great spine to our team

[Imy]

Rafa without Pako is an unproven manager without an excellent CV

Shut the **** up

Why swear and curse?

If you don't agree with someone, argue the point not swear at them

[AFII]

Rafa without Pako is an unproven manager without an excellent CV

Shut the **** up

So, what has he won without him?

The answer, nothing.

So Rafa without Pako don't have an excellent CV but Rafa and Pako as a team have an excellent CV.

They have worked together a long time so when Pako left we really didn't know what to get from him because the management team with the fantastic CV that we signed up was gone.

It's all about having a good management team. Houllier is another example. His assistant left and everyone know what happened after that.

[alunevans]

I think he's not been as good since the beard

[Dalglish]

So, what has he won without him?

The answer, nothing.

So Rafa without Pako don't have an excellent CV but Rafa and Pako as a team have an excellent CV.

They have worked together a long time so when Pako left we really didn't know what to get from him because the management team with the fantastic CV that we signed up was gone.

It's all about having a good management team. Houllier is another example. His assistant left and everyone know what happened after that.

Pish. No-one "knows" - everyone speculates

Rafa picks the team, Rafa chooses players etc. Pako didnt.

[Pacman]

Arrrggghhhh can someone change my vote.

I should have said back him all the way.

[Craig_H]

Arrrggghhhh can someone change my vote.

I should have said back him all the way.

Come what may?

So we finish 7th, 25-30 points off the top, go out of europe, dont have europe next season...and he should be backed 'all the way', no matter what?

[CAD]

Any talk of him leaving before summer is nonsense. The last thing we need now is that kind of turmoil. Please get a grip people and keep the toys in the pram. We can all see it's not good enough. I have been a general in the RCDNRinthePL brigade for longer than I care to remember. I hope he leaves next window. But until then let's make the most of it.

Last straw for me was Pompey away where he changed five players after a 6-0 win and played Alonso and Momo in the center midfield.

Rafa is the antichrist when it comes to promoting momento and consistency in a squad.
He could be better at motivating players. I think most of us can agree to that.

Wait for it!

[Frank Leroux]

the consensus seems to be judge him at the end of the season. Well we're not gonna win the premiership. so what do we judge him on.

FA Cup?
Champions League?
Top 4...

...Rafa will not change, he'll over rotate, play kuyt the remainder of the season, and our players will continue to lose faith in their leader and it will show more and more in our play. Where did it all go so wrong?

You see, this is the thing. As with Houllier, Benitez will not change his fundamental belief(s) as to how the game should be played (apologies for the bold) - nor should he. Any manager worthy of being a top manager - never mind an LFC manager - should have his principles, his 'big idea', his over-arching view as to what creates a successful team.

His principles have been born from working in Spain, with spectacular success and with limited resources while he was at it.

I don't believe that these principles transfer to the PL. The requirements are different, not as cerebral.

'Waiting' to see what happens in the next 5 months is waiting for a 'road to Damascus'-type conversion akin to Wenger going long-ball. He may get us 4th (or 3rd) - but what does that change? Extra funds to buy the type of player(s) Benitez believes will lead to league success playing his type of football?

I seriously think we have a squad which could challenge with a different approach to the game. I'm not convinced the players enjoy playing at the moment...and it's nothing to do with owners.

I removed a 'Benitez won't = #19' comment from my signature when I realised what he was (probably) up against wrt the owners. In that argument I will always be on Benitez's side. But as much as I want 'him' to bring us 19, I still don't think he will.

The board have a big year ahead of them....

[Pacman]

Come what may?

So we finish 7th, 25-30 points off the top, go out of europe, dont have europe next season...and he should be backed 'all the way', no matter what?

IMO it wont come to that but yes I think we should back him all the way.

IMO clubs need stability. You don't become a bad manager over night and I personally think Rafa is a world class manager. This season has been awful I'm not going to disagree with anyone who say's that however clubs get rid of managers all to easily and I think he deserves at least another season.

Just my opinion.

[Frank Leroux]

...Rafa is the antichrist when it comes to promoting momento and consistency in a squad.
He could be better at motivating players. I think most of us can agree to that....

Man management and demanding 'tempo' within the game are, imo, his main flaws. Rotation feeds into both, I think.

[Fan65]

He shouldn't go.

However he needs to tweak something.

Agreed

Number one , He should tweak Kewell's arm up his back and straight out the door. And to think we let Garcia go....

It stands out like a moment of fun at a Cliff Richard Concert that team selection is letting Rafa down. Kuyt needs a spell in reserves to discover some form, Torres needs a partner and Babel needs to play. We need more crosses into the box and Pennant is the best we have to do it.


Rotation the problem ?...

Gerrard
Alonso
Masher
Lucas

Ok which two do you play regularly? and who do you leave out ?

Not easy is it.

It's very easy in hindsight.


And I'd play Lucas every game.