Question for those who dont want rafa gone...

[Craig_H]

Nope sorry, but those players are better than Villa and Pompey, they're good enough to take us to 4th place easily.

[DomL]

thats your opinion mate i dont agree, look at ManU they say Evra isnt good enough yet he is probably better than Risse thats how good you have to be and we need to realise that.

[Craig_H]

thats your opinion mate i dont agree, look at ManU they say Evra isnt good enough yet he is probably better than Risse thats how good you have to be and we need to realise that.

How good you have to be for what?

They're chasing the title, we're chasing 4th. Slightly different. By about 25 points, i'd say.

[Reaper]

Ok...

I dont think that has any relevance.

Better?

What relevance DOES it have then? I'm intrigued.

Apologies first mate, was under the affluence of incohol when logged on late last night but I can remember what my train of thought was now I have a clear head..

The point I was going to make is that we should expect to beat teams from a division below even if the manager was not allowed to speak to the players at all.

Whilst I agree Rafa's selections of late are making him look a prize berk at times I also think there is a level of responsibility that should be shouldered by the players too..

Most of the criticism been thrown is aimed squarely at the manager as far as I can see and I do not think this helps us improve as the players will be under the false impression that we the fans do not blame them one iota.

FTR I think tha Rafas days with LFC are numbered unless he can pull a rabbit out of the hat this week.

The question "who has played football to a decent level?" was going to be followed by the question "So did you need a manager there every second to tell you what to do on the pitch?"

Again my sincere apologies for wittering like a bloke in the takeaway at last orders last nite mate

[Craig_H]

No probs fella, no offence taken or harm done.

I agree with you that the players havent done the business and that's obvious. Where i differ slightly though, is that if the players arent doing it, the manager needs to act. It's his job to bring the best out of them and for me, it isnt happening.

[DomL]

How good you have to be for what?

They're chasing the title, we're chasing 4th. Slightly different. By about 25 points, i'd say.

I know but im just saying their is a difference in quality more so than from 4-1st than 4-5th in terms on quality.

Im not saying we shouldnt be fourth comfortably but if thoughs players arnt performing to their highest level then when their level drops its alot lower than we should be having.

Take lucas his level has drop since we signed him but his abilites help him and enable him to put in good performances still.

[Craig_H]

I'm honestly not sure what you're trying to say, but the upshot is that there's no comparison to be made between what we need and what United do, we're not title challengers and we need to cement ourselves into the top 4 before we even think of what's required to win the league.

Our squad is more than good enough to be 4th.

[Nic83]

Yes it is his fault we are where we are

It is also his fault we won the Champions League , something the great Wenger has never done

You're correct on both counts.

The question is though: when you put the 2 together, is it good enough?

The answer is no.

[Nic83]

I'm honestly not sure what you're trying to say, but the upshot is that there's no comparison to be made between what we need and what United do, we're not title challengers and we need to cement ourselves into the top 4 before we even think of what's required to win the league.

Our squad is more than good enough to be 4th.

We only lack a couple of top notch attacking players.

From keeper, through the spine, and a couple of others, I think we are even on a higher level that the other top 3, never mind level pegging

[Sarb]

We only lack a couple of top notch attacking players.

From keeper, through the spine, and a couple of others, I think we are even on a higher level that the other top 3, never mind level pegging

Rotation is a problem though. Even if he buys quality he'll never allow his team to play consistently because he messes around too much. He's bought lots of his own players, had a fair crack of the whip, yet he's never finished close enough in the league.

He did wonders to get the team to win in istanbul. Houllier did well to get us the treble. However, what we want is the Premiership and he's never given an indication that we'll be close under him to winning it.

And for that reason he has to go.

[Craig_H]

Could be right nic. It's no use though if he doesnt play them.

[DomL]

I'm honestly not sure what you're trying to say, but the upshot is that there's no comparison to be made between what we need and what United do, we're not title challengers and we need to cement ourselves into the top 4 before we even think of what's required to win the league.

Our squad is more than good enough to be 4th.

When some of our players arnt playing to the best of their abilities then they we are below fourth spot.

We should be playing better football than we are, and we are possibly unerachieving at the momment, but Rafa has overacheived with this team for a long time.

I have only seen players coming in this year that i know could win the league or challenge thats it this year.

[dww]

I think from a psychological angle the loss of Pako and the decision to not replace him with another assistant has been massive. With all the off field bull**** I think that Rafa's cold approach to player relations needed to be counter balanced by someone who dealt with the players on a more personable level.

I also think that Rafa needs someone to work ideas off whether he thinks that or not. I think rotating players who are not brimming with confidence may be part of the problem. I don't intrinsically think rotation is a problem but if you want to change systems then players need to have real belief.

I would still like to give Rafa another year but only if he accepts the need to make changes and the one I would demand is that he has a proper assistant with the qualities outlined to some extent above.

[Leyton388]

How would anyone feel about Harry Redknapp? He's a top manager and seems to create good attacking football and given the chance i belive he would do well.

[1 True Red]

The point is mate, off field stuff shouldnt stop the manager picking the right players, using the right system, playing them in the right position and motivating them. It just shouldnt.

100% correct