Rafael Benitez has conceded that sometimes he "gambles too much"

[Craig_H]

A great record would have been wins against Arse, Chavs, Spurs and Birmingham as well. But if you put things into perspective then you would see that during the first 4 months, we had injuries to Torres, Gerrard, Alonso, Carra, Agger and some more as well. Thats 5 players which form the spine of our team.
There was an interesting stat during the scum game yesterday that whenever Rooney has missed a game due to injury/suspension this season, United have not won.
And Chavs lost the title last season due to injuries to Cech, Terry etc.
So in an ideal world, yes we could be better off, but given our injuries during that period, a good record is good enough.

Well i think everyone has injuries and it's not an excuse. Injuries play their part, but so do poor decisions, poor tactics and a lack of stability...and Rafa's played his part in that.

But before i get accused of being everything that's wrong with the world, let's just agree to disagree...

[Skillz]

Well i wasnt implying that, so there we go.

We basically disagree on the impact of rotation and that's fine with me, but you seem to be irked that i dont think the same way as you. I dont know why it bothers you so much.

I also think that our lack of a title challenge has mostly been down to poor decision making by the manager, but you obviously disagree. I'm sure we can live with that.

Of course we can live with it. BTW it is the condescending tone of your posts that "irks" me. Your opinion is valid and more often than not backed with substance.

[akjs123]

Well i think everyone has injuries and it's not an excuse. Injuries play their part, but so do poor decisions, poor tactics and a lack of stability...and Rafa's played his part in that.

But before i get accused of being everything that's wrong with the world, let's just agree to disagree...

[Exiled_red]

Rafa didn't rotate that much at Valencia. That is a myth. The whole back four, the keeper, Albelda, Baraja, Aimar, Vicente and Mista more or less played week in week out in the league when fit.

What he did was that he rotated the team very much when they played in and won the UEFA Cup. He played one team in the UEFA Cup and one in the league.

I think that under normal circumstances he wouldn't have changed the back 4 so much, but this season we've had injuries to Agger, Arbeloa, Aurellio, Riise's been off form, Sami can't play 2 games a week anymore. Had we not had so many injuries I think there would have been a more settled back four

[El Jefecito]

Rafa rotates too much. Whoever says he don't is dreaming. And yes, rotating has cost us many points this season.

To all those who say if he had the money and better players to rotate it would be ok...that's wrong. Arsenal hardly rotate and play the same number of games, they are doing well.

Can't understand why we have to play strikers on the wing. If you want to rotate at least play players who are used to those positions.

Can't let that go. Both Kuyt and Babel have played plenty and probably predominantly as the wide players in a 433.

[El Jefecito]

rafa might come close to acknowledging his faults but he won't learn from them. today i give u pennant on the left wing.

So what is the problem with that? He wanted someone a la Babel that would cut inside, so he chose a right footer.

[Craig_H]

Must admit, i DID wonder why he didnt just switch him with Kuyt, at least there'd have only been ONE of them playing in a foreign position.

And SpeedyG, as you asked the question, i'll try and answer...

Yes, it gives him the opportunity to cut inside, but the fundamental issue is that it meant Pennant was playing in a position that's totally unnatural to him and very rarely can a player feel comfortable and confident in a 'wrong' position. Lacking confidence and comfort isnt really the ideal situation to be in, if you want to perform well.

[Morten_nogamst_Pedersen]

So what is the problem with that? He wanted someone a la Babel that would cut inside, so he chose a right footer.

Yeah Pennant cutting in and shootin with his right foot. That's lethal!

[El Jefecito]

Yeah Pennant cutting in and shootin with his right foot. That's lethal!

Is that any different than when he is playing on the right. He's limited wherever he plays. If Rafa was given the money we'd have a different player and a different way of using him

[Craig_H]

If Rafa had chosen to spend the £18m on one proper winger, instead of Gonzalez, Benayoun, Pennant etc, we might've got somewhere by now.

[akjs123]

If Rafa had chosen to spend the £18m on one proper winger, instead of Gonzalez, Benayoun, Pennant etc, we might've got somewhere by now.

Let see in the past 3 years which wingers Rafa has gone for ... Alves, Simao, Figo, Malouda, Mancini, Cicinho. These are the ones that was common knowledge that Rafa wanted. But due to player preference or club chairmen being dicks, he couldnt get any of them. So its not as if Rafa had not chosen to pay big money for a winger.

[Skillz]

If Rafa had chosen to spend the £18m on one proper winger, instead of Gonzalez, Benayoun, Pennant etc, we might've got somewhere by now.

Well he tried to get Malouda. That would of done wonders to our season.

[Diego]

If Rafa had chosen to spend the £18m on one proper winger, instead of Gonzalez, Benayoun, Pennant etc, we might've got somewhere by now.

they weren't all bought with in the same year where they? it's not like he can but 5 million a side each year and after 3 years he can afford a winger. if rafa had spent 15-18 million on a proper player every summer we'd have the smalles squad in the country...

[Craig_H]

Let see in the past 3 years which wingers Rafa has gone for ... Alves, Simao, Figo, Malouda, Mancini, Cicinho. These are the ones that was common knowledge that Rafa wanted. But due to player preference or club chairmen being dicks, he couldnt get any of them. So its not as if Rafa had not chosen to pay big money for a winger.

As ive said over and over, if the decent options arent available, keep your money rather than spending it on 3 useless options.

[Craig_H]

they weren't all bought with in the same year where they? it's not like he can but 5 million a side each year and after 3 years he can afford a winger. if rafa had spent 15-18 million on a proper player every summer we'd have the smalles squad in the country...

Yes he can. He ships out people, replaces them with average replacements, who either have no real impact or are shipped out a year or two later...and we're back to square one.

Keep the original players, instead of virtually giving them away, hang onto the money until a better transfer option is available, and go from there.