a new beginning...

[Snigger]

We need rid of Kuyt, Crouch, Kewell, Pennant and Riise - Play Babel as a striker, bring in a left back, left wing, right wing and striker who understands that his job is to score goals.

[Fowler_God]

- Play Babel as a striker

To be honest i think the plan was always to use Babel as a striker next season anyway.

I think Rafa has done the right thing with him this season. He has put no pressure on him whatsoever. Its not like we rely on Babel, he has been able to develop and learn at his own pace.
Next season he will be the player people were expecting this season. Then we will have 2 world class forwards.

[Tatterdemalion]

We don't stand a hope in hell of winning the title until the money starts to rolling from building the new stadium - and probably 2-3 seasons in. We simply can't compete in my opinion.

Let's keep hold of a manager who can win us some cups in the meantime.

[el matador]

4 years is not that long, Fergie had won nothing after 4 years with Utd - Rafa has won and FA cup, a European Cup and got us to a second final. As for the ****pile he will leave behind and without mentioning some of the quality youth he's brought in:

Mascher
Alonso
Reina
Torres
Agger
Benayoun
Babel
Lucas

All ****? all average?

if the players are better why arent the results better.

If Pako came back and stabilised benitez then we may return to our proper level. As things stand we are absolutely miles away from where we all thought we would be this season.