For those that WANT Rafa gone.

[Craig_H]

We have a better squad, but not necessarily a better team.
We have a better calibre of player, but not necessarily a better team.

A good team performs to a higher level than the sum of it's component parts, like Everton. We don't

Both teams playing to their potential, there's no comparrison IMO

[AFII]

We have a better squad, but not necessarily a better team.
We have a better calibre of player, but not necessarily a better team.

A good team performs to a higher level than the sum of it's component parts, like Everton. We don't

Both teams playing to their potential, there's no comparrison IMO

and then you need to count in everything that have happened on and off the pitch. Like the G&H and DIC saga, the no performing players and so on.

If every team played to their full potential week in week out then we would fight it out with Arsenal for third behind Man U and Chelsea.

[Craig_H]

and then you need to count in everything that have happened on and off the pitch. Like the G&H and DIC saga, the no performing players and so on.

Any of it rafa's fault then?

[AFII]

Any of it rafa's fault then?

The G&H saga is definitely not his fault. Who knows if the no performing players is his fault or not.

[Red Chilli]

The G&H saga is definitely not his fault. Who knows if the no performing players is his fault or not.

Doesn't matter, it's his responsibility

[Craig_H]

The G&H saga is definitely not his fault. Who knows if the no performing players is his fault or not.

Let me get this straight...are you or are you not, refusing to say that anything is his fault?

[MascheredUp]

If Ferguson, Wenger or even Mourinho was managing our set of players, I have no doubt we'd be in a a much better position in all competitions than we are at the moment.

Look at the impact that Ramos has made in his short time at Spurs with virtually the same players that failed under Jol time and time again.

We are no better off than when we were under Rafa in his first season.

[AFII]

Let me get this straight...are you or are you not, refusing to say that anything is his fault?

Some of the things is his fault, like some weird subs but we really don't know how much the players listen to what he say anymore. Then he really can't do much about it.

He could of course bench the players that don't perform but the problem is that it's some of our key players that don't perform, like Gerrard, Carra, Alonso and Finnan. If he dropped them for the rest of the season then we would have more or less no chance to finish in the top four.

[carlton]

The Board are not focussed on football matters because lets face it half of them are complete idiots when it comes to 'soccer'. and parry and moores are too busy trying to save the club by selling to DIC. Therefore rafa has been able to probably assume more power than a manger should have. The Board if focussed would insist on a number 2. How can one of worlds biggest club get away without having a top class number 2. Its a joke. He simply cannot do it himself and its appears he isnt surrounded by strong personalities on the coaching staff. This has been echoed many times by posters on this site.

A strong number 2 would also be a bridge to the senior players and cajole and stroke their tender little 80,000 + pound a week egos. "There there (insert relevant name), rafa really loves you and thinks youre great. Its because he loves you so much that he doesnt need to tell you a thousand times a day". He should reunite with his mate.

[Craig_H]

How about he does something radical like...you know...actually getting the best out of them?

[Red Chilli]

Some of the things is his fault, like some weird subs but we really don't know how much the players listen to what he say anymore. Then he really can't do much about it.

He could of course bench the players that don't perform but the problem is that it's some of our key players that don't perform, like Gerrard, Carra, Alonso and Finnan. If he dropped them for the rest of the season then we would have more or less no chance to finish in the top four.

Errrr.......that's his ****in job FFS.

[Craig_H]

Errrr.......that's his ****in job FFS.

[AFII]

Errrr.......that's his ****in job FFS.

I know that it's his ****ing job but what options do he have?

If he would bench Gerrard, Carra, Alonso and Finnan for example and we lost the game then he would be flogged and probably sacked.

So only playing with the in form players isn't an option right now because then we would more or less play with our reserves. Only Reina, Skrtel, Lucas, Masch and Torres would play from the first team.

[Craig_H]

I know that it's his ****ing job but what options do he have?

If he would bench Gerrard, Carra, Alonso and Finnan for example and we lost the game then he would be flogged and probably sacked.

So only playing with the in form players isn't an option right now because then we would more or less play with our reserves. Only Reina, Skrtel, Lucas, Masch and Torres would play from the first team.

He doesnt need to bench them, he needs to get them playing for him...in a way Mourinho did with the chelsea players.

[Harv]

Ok, let me put it another way.

Do you think we're comfortably better than them?

If so, they shouldnt be close to us.

If not...we WERE when rafa took over, so £150m later, why arent we?

i dont think we are comfortably better than them. We are better, but i wouldnt say we are in a comfortable position. If City buy a top class Striker, and Villa buy a top class midfielder, then they will be even closer.

They have both spent a fair amount on upgrading their team in a very short amount of time.

They are both alot closer to us than they should be, i'll give you that. But are one or 2 players off really making a run at the title. This season has been ruined by injury and goings on off field. Theres no doubting that.

Also these figures that everyone comes up with are also false. Look at the amount of players Rafa has gotten rid of from Hoilliers era. He had to buy his second and third choices, and fill a squad too. We cant just buy a £15-20m player...and then have a 17 year old as his back up. If he gets injured we would be royally ****ed.