Rafa - I'm here to stay

[Craig_H]

he does to be fair, or has started to. My issue is the rest of the changes he makes. Keep Babel and Benni playing. Keep a steady back four

He has started to, yes. But my fear is that once we get to next season, and there's 4 competitions, we'll be back to square one with torres dropped for Villa away, and then picked for Wigan at home in the Carling Cup 4 days after

[Craig_H]

Not everything is under his control doesn't mean he hasn't got control of what he's doing. He just can't be spot on and faultless all the time, that was my point.

Well, he plays his best players consistently often. Kuyt is more consistent than Pennant if you ask me. He hasn't got any preference for a player (as like some would have us believed earlier Re: Alonso as he was rightly dropped when he was in poor form).

Why is Babel flying now ? Maybe it's the fact that Rafa used him intelligently at the start ? I think that's a real possibility. He was used sparingly and now he's showing his quality.

Might also be because he just IS good and would've been good sooner if he'd had a proper run of games too.

[kopdan]

He has started to, yes. But my fear is that once we get to next season, and there's 4 competitions, we'll be back to square one with torres dropped for Villa away, and then picked for Wigan at home in the Carling Cup 4 days after

which is fair enough, I dont mind for cup games. But the league should be treated a must win = steady team

[nbryan1764]

They all get to the latter stages usually. Fergie's won it, as has Mourinho...

It's easier by the sheer fact that, as a cup competition, you can probably lose half your games and still win it. Try that in the league and see where you end up.

yes they have won it...once. How many PL titles has Fergie won? I know the not so special one has won two. Wenger has never won it. Just by definition it is not easier to win otherwise our beloved friends down the road would have won it far more than...twice!

[nbryan1764]

Might also be because he just IS good and would've been good sooner if he'd had a proper run of games too.

I think Babel is one player of all that he has played perfectly.

[MrMichael]

THE BABELFISH.

Now it is such a bizarrely improbable coincidence that anything so mind-bogglingly useful could have evolved purely by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see it as a final and clinching proof of the non-existence of God. The argument goes something like this:

"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."

"But," says Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves that you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. Q.E.D."

"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.

"Oh, that was easy," says Man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white and gets himself killed on the next zebra crossing.

[nbryan1764]

He has started to, yes. But my fear is that once we get to next season, and there's 4 competitions, we'll be back to square one with torres dropped for Villa away, and then picked for Wigan at home in the Carling Cup 4 days after

I hope that he does not. My hope is that now he has basically committed to not doing so for the rest of the season that he realises that a settled side works better (assuming we have a good run that is!)

[carlton]

Might also be because he just IS good and would've been good sooner if he'd had a proper run of games too.

Geez mate, do you find it so hard to give the Manger even an iota of credit? You dont rate him at all do you? Serious question.

[Guest]

Might also be because he just IS good and would've been good sooner if he'd had a proper run of games too.

No, he wasn't as consistent for 2/3 rds of the season. He was in and out of games albeit with flashes of brilliance. Rafa has done a great job with him.

And if Torres had an equal, I'm sure he'd have rotated with him and used them both in the end, allowing them to be fresher.

The aim of all this rotation malarkey is to use your squad and allow the best players to be in better shape for the run in. It's something which works if you've got a very very good squad and the players of the required mentality. It's the way to go, there isn't any other way.

It's more difficult when we've got 3 teams which are probably in the top 5 of the most consistent and talented team in world football to contend with.

[Craig_H]

yes they have won it...once. How many PL titles has Fergie won? I know the not so special one has won two. Wenger has never won it. Just by definition it is not easier to win otherwise our beloved friends down the road would have won it far more than...twice!

It's easier to win because, as i said, you can lose half your games, the margin for error is huge. On the other side of the coin, you cant afford to lose one game 5-0 for example, but as long as you're not stupid and go mad for one game, you can be alright.

There's a far lower level of consistency needed, but obviously in the latter stages, the competition is far tougher.

[Craig_H]

which is fair enough, I dont mind for cup games. But the league should be treated a must win = steady team

Agreed.

[Guest]

With my previous post I'm resting my case leaving Sydney arguing with himself.

[Pacman]

It's easier to win because, as i said, you can lose half your games, the margin for error is huge. On the other side of the coin, you cant afford to lose one game 5-0 for example, but as long as you're not stupid and go mad for one game, you can be alright.

There's a far lower level of consistency needed, but obviously in the latter stages, the competition is far tougher.

United should sack Fergie then once in how many years? Pitiful effort and as for Wenger he can't even win such an easy competition maybe the gooners should hang him

[bobbyfallon]

With my previous post I'm resting my case leaving Sydney arguing with himself.

........and he will

[Red_hot]

Do you get bored of this Sydney? Genuine question

He might not but I know I do.