I think he should go

[Joe King]

If we gave Rafa £50m to spend, he'd end up buying 3 defensive midfielders, 1 mediocre spanish winger and a new defender.

[FatTony]

Well he had about that much to spend in the summer and bought 2 strikers, 1 atacking midfielder and a central midfielder.

I'm exaggerating a little I know, but this is what he's done in the past. Its not that he hasn't been given money to spend, its that he's chosen to spread that money across several players instead of a couple of class signings.

Maybe now he has built up a decent squad of players for cover and only now will he start to bring in quality, but historically, I don't think he's hit the right balance, which is why almost 4 years down we're still lacking in quality in depth. The thing is, when you look at how much he has actually spent and the players who've failed, would you as a board member be happy to back him unquestionably?

I'd just like to add that I really don't believe that Gerrard or Owen would've become the players that they have/did (in Owens case) if Rafa had been in charge. I don't think he would've given them the run that previous managers have at that stage in their careers.

[Pacman]

I'm with you Pacman.

Give Rafa a supportive board and competitive warchest and I believe we'd be right up there. Infact. if it weren't for the trouble and strife off the pitch, I don't think we'd be that far away now. It's no coincidence that our season started to unravel when Hicks started rocking the boat.

And I don't have any major problem with Rafa's methods, I just think we lack the squad depth to execute them.

To a certain extent I agree however off the field worries shouldn't bother the players.

Certain players need to take a good hard look at themselves all this can't just be lumped at the managers door. Players like Kewell, Finnan. Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard (yes Gerrard), Babel, Kuyt etc all need to realise who they are playing for.

They are playing for their futures.

If we do get rid of Rafa I'd expect a lot if not all of them (maybe not Gerrard) to be shipped out the door.

I get the feeling that the players we have might be technically good but they have no bottle whatsoever.

[FatTony]

To a certain extent I agree however off the field worries shouldn't bother the players.

Certain players need to take a good hard look at themselves all this can't just be lumped at the managers door. Players like Kewell, Finnan. Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard (yes Gerrard), Babel, Kuyt etc all need to realise who they are playing for.

It might help if Rafa picked the starting 11 before the weekend so that at least they could train and try and build understandings for the game ahead, rather than being thrown together and hour before kick off so they're running around not really knowing what everyone else is doing.

[Colemere]

No we need stability, we haven't had a manger stay for ages since Paisely. Utd and Fergie have been together for 2 decades and Arsenal and Wnger have been together for 1 ecade, Chelsea are an anomily as they have endless amounts of money.

The behind the scenes antics have been a distraction this year, Gerrard himself said that.

One thing though, Rafa needs to swallow his pride and bring Pako back, the attention to detail doesn't seem to be there since he has gone, who sits on the bench with a clipboard taking notes now?

[Fowler_God]

Arrrggghhhh can someone change my vote.

I should have said back him all the way.

why what did you vote?

[Pacman]

It might help if Rafa picked the starting 11 before the weekend so that at least they could train and try and build understandings for the game ahead, rather than being thrown together and hour before kick off so they're running around not really knowing what everyone else is doing.

That's what they do in training though surely? I mean how many times have Alonso and Gerrard played together? How many times have Sami and Carra? Pennant and Finnan?

They have got no confidence at the min but they are also showing no bottle. Players are going hiding in games and not stepping up to the plate. They are drilled day in day out on how to play the managers way however they just aren't doing it. Most of these players have been with us for a few years so by now you would have thought they would know each other and how they play so it shouldn't matter when the manager picks the team.

[Pacman]

why what did you vote?

Yes get him out now.

[Fowler_God]

Yes get him out now.

[Morph]

Hmm so only 13.54% of this forum want him out now

and the rest (86.46%) it seems want him till at least the end of the season

with 67.19% seemingly happy for him to stay on past this season, given an upturn in results occurs

seems pretty clear cut to me

[Scratch]

Where are all those that said that G&H should offer him a new contract to show that they're backing him all the way? Are they still of the same opinion now??

Not trying to start a war, just want to know if they still believe it to be so, or if they merely got caught up in the moment?

[desertscouser]

Hmm so only 13.54% of this forum want him out now

and the rest (86.46%) it seems want him till at least the end of the season

with 67.19% seemingly happy for him to stay on past this season, given an upturn in results occurs

seems pretty clear cut to me

I shouldn't post when I'm pissed like I did last night but I stand by what I said, for the first time I 've lost faith in Rafa's ability to turn things around. The above poll is very similar to the feelings on LFC boards when things started to go wrong 18 months before GH was sacked. There was only a minority who wanted him gone immediately and that minority turned into a majority a year later. If Rafa doesn't turn things around, then the tide and poll percentages will quickly turn against him.

I love Rafa but I've lost faith in him.

[Morph]

I shouldn't post when I'm pissed like I did last night but I stand by what I said, for the first time I 've lost faith in Rafa's ability to turn things around. The above poll is very similar to the feelings on LFC boards when things started to go wrong 18 months before GH was sacked. There was only a minority who wanted him gone immediately and that minority turned into a majority a year later. If Rafa doesn't turn things around, then the tide and poll percentages will quickly turn against him.

I love Rafa but I've lost faith in him.

I'm losing faith in the man myself, but he can win it back easilly enough.

Just start winning some games and the gloom will be lifted for the time being, a nice run or a cup in either the FA or CL, and things will look better come end of season

[blacky]

I'm with you Pacman.

Give Rafa a supportive board and competitive warchest and I believe we'd be right up there. Infact. if it weren't for the trouble and strife off the pitch, I don't think we'd be that far away now. It's no coincidence that our season started to unravel when Hicks started rocking the boat.

And I don't have any major problem with Rafa's methods, I just think we lack the squad depth to execute them.

You know that's what I thought but recent results and performances have changed my mind. I think if you give Rafa the board support (which he had up till this season btw) and a warchest to spend on quality players such as Aimar, Villa, Queresma etc etc he would still rotate because it is one of his beliefs and I believe one of fundamental reasons behind our inconsistant form.

[Skillz]

I think you are right Diego. Many have posted that if Rafa goes the players will too but not if Mourinho came in. I'm certainly no Mourinho fan but his results speak for themselves, even at Porto. I recall him doing a lot of talking to Reds players in our matches with them. I think players really respect him for some reason. So there you have it. If Rafa goes, could we stomach Mourinho if it meant Torres, Gerrard, Reina (our only three decent players) stayed too?

No