Transition will take time - show some class.

[carheex]

I went to westfallen in 2001 for the 5-4 game. It was something else. I think that he lost the grip when he had the heartattack in 2001 and that we slowly declined from that moment. He should have left in 2003. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

That said I never liked the football we played under GH. Way too defensive and the players he brought in speaks volumes about GH and his vision imho.

I consider Rafa a far superior manager as well.

He never had a heart attack!

[Exiled_red]

I agree with the sentiments to some extent, but I'm unsure about what transition you are talking about.

Rafa has a fairly stable squad now after the three seasons he's been here so It's not really about players learning to adapt to the club or the style of play

[CAD]

He never had a heart attack!

Heart surgery then. Same same but different...

[stevie_gerrard_8]

My only problem with Rafa is whether or not his gameplan is suitable for the premiership. The idea of controlling the game and making sure we dont concede. Also preventing the opposition from playing instead of hurting the opposition ourselves.

In Europe its perfect, but im not sure whether it works in England, unless you have class players who can capitalize on the few good chances.

[Neil Young]

My only problem with Rafa is whether or not his gameplan is suitable for the premiership. The idea of controlling the game and making sure we dont concede. Also preventing the opposition from playing instead of hurting the opposition ourselves.

In Europe its perfect, but im not sure whether it works in England, unless you have class players who can capitalize on the few good chances.

What a very good post. Simple, clear and makes sense.

And no bullsh*t speculation.

[dww]

My only problem with Rafa is whether or not his gameplan is suitable for the premiership. The idea of controlling the game and making sure we dont concede. Also preventing the opposition from playing instead of hurting the opposition ourselves.

In Europe its perfect, but im not sure whether it works in England, unless you have class players who can capitalize on the few good chances.

I think my problem is whether he is willing to buy the players that would make it work. I think his attacking buys have been too conservative a times - particularly his choices for the second striker and wide players.

I think his overall philosophy is pretty close to what United play at the minute. the key differences being Ronaldo and Rooney for them. While I don't believe he has ever had the opertunity to add players ofthat calibre for a variety of reasons I think that if he bought and picked a set of three more aggressive players in those positions we would do much better. Partly I think the problem lies with Gerrard as well who had the potential to balance the team excellently by taking a floating role from the right - then players like Benayoun might be able to fulfil the roles I envisage for them as teams are scared of Gerrard and that makes both space and chances for others.

[Skillz]

What a very good post. Simple, clear and makes sense.

And no bullsh*t speculation.

True I think Rafa's system would work but he needs quality additions. Wide areas in particular.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

I think my problem is whether he is willing to buy the players that would make it work. I think his attacking buys have been too conservative a times - particularly his choices for the second striker and wide players.

I think his overall philosophy is pretty close to what United play at the minute. the key differences being Ronaldo and Rooney for them. While I don't believe he has ever had the opertunity to add players ofthat calibre for a variety of reasons I think that if he bought and picked a set of three more aggressive players in those positions we would do much better. Partly I think the problem lies with Gerrard as well who had the potential to balance the team excellently by taking a floating role from the right - then players like Benayoun might be able to fulfil the roles I envisage for them as teams are scared of Gerrard and that makes both space and chances for others.

Agreed. With the way Benitez plays, I believe he causes the whole team to lose its balance. However, can you drop one of our few matchwinners and club captain?

With who he has bought, I thnik you need to spend big, to get the best attacking players. However, there is no way we should be challenging for fourth, as we have spent far more than Everton, Villa and Man City.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

True I think Rafa's system would work but he needs quality additions. Wide areas in particular.

That's what Ive always thought, but if its true he played Gerrard just in front of the back four, then I cant see us ever winning the championship under him

[Sadgeek]

I wonder whether the current situation ie playing defensively, is as a result of the squabbles going on over Rafa's position. He may feel that the next defeat could be his last game in charge and so trains to a defensive standard.

I'm not suggesting we do a Newcastle and approach every game with a mindset of "score as many as you want, but we'll score 1 more than you" but a more attacking mindset may be all that is needed. The players aren't used to playing with every man behind the ball, and it is this that causes confusion and frustration.

If G&H are going to bin the big man, then so be it, but by the sounds of it, he's ****ed whether he's a success or not. Might as well go out with guns blazing...

Let's see whether Kuyt is as **** when he's forced to play up front only, as when he's allowed to help out defensively and ends up out of position on an attack.

[dww]

Agreed. With the way Benitez plays, I believe he causes the whole team to lose its balance. However, can you drop one of our few matchwinners and club captain?

At the minute we can't drop him but I would certainly put him on the right and tell him to get used to it. Under Rafas system it is where he is most effective. he has only been good in burst centrally any way so even if he was narked it is unlikely to adversely affect his performance or that of the team that much.

[Skillz]

That's what Ive always thought, but if its true he played Gerrard just in front of the back four, then I cant see us ever winning the championship under him

I can. This isn't Rafa's best team, no way. If we had players like Simao, Alves, Malouda etc we would be a different proposition.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

One more thing. Where has all the energy gone from our team. I remember early on in the season we had two players harrying for the ball fighting as if their lived depended on it. Where has all that gone?

[Skillz]

One more thing. Where has all the energy gone from our team. I remember early on in the season we had two players harrying for the ball fighting as if their lived depended on it. Where has all that gone?

Spot on. I can't believe Rafa hasn't isolated that as the obvious reason for our form. It's ****en weird IMO how we play atm. Maybe Rafa has lost the players, I hope not.

[dww]

Spot on. I can't believe Rafa hasn't isolated that as the obvious reason for our form. It's ****en weird IMO how we play atm. Maybe Rafa has lost the players, I hope not.

I think there is something rotten at the club at the minute. I suspect it is not unrelated to the G&H situation. Speculation about a manager almost always results in a lack of authority for them and without a number two who relates to them Rafa may not have 'lost' the dressing room but he might find it hard to have their full confidence and concentration.