Rafa

[RedProf]

At the moment we're not challenging the Top 3, we're lead Everton and Pompy in the race for 4th spot.

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed last night and Rafa deserves a huge amount of credit for bringing these sorts of nights to us on a consistent basis but the league is the priority and should always be the priority.

At the moment we aren't, but we aren't a million miles off. Up until the **** hit the fan in December we were right up there. I am not saying Rafa has the Prem sussed as yet, far from it, but each year he learns more. I think all fans can see his skills and brilliance in Europe, and for me, there is no reason, other than time or money or stability, as to why he can't build us into a team that will win year after year. I would much rather that than a flash in the pan win the Prem one year then go back to challenging for 4th. Give him time, give him money, a stable ownership and lets reap the rewards. I shudder when I look back and think the likes of Curbishly and Allerdyce were strongly linked with the job after Ged.

[Roboklopp]

Personally, I would hand Rafa a 10 year contract. Bollox to those who want him out. His record in Europe speaks volumes for his ability and nous. He might not win the Prem next year or the year after, but he is a winner, he learns, he will get better in the Prem, eventually he will build a dynasty - given stability and enough funding to let him achieve his plans. Long term for me all the way, I'll take the bumps during the ride, let him get on with it. Who else can come in and challenge with the top 3. And don't forget, in about 2 years time Fergie goes, so we may well be in pole position to dominate then.

[Roboklopp]

At the moment we're not challenging the Top 3, we're lead Everton and Pompy in the race for 4th spot.

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed last night and Rafa deserves a huge amount of credit for bringing these sorts of nights to us on a consistent basis but the league is the priority and should always be the priority.

We've finished 3rd the last 2 seasons and have serious amount of off-field bollocks to contend with this, plus the not inconsiderable matter of long-term injuries to key players in Agger & Xabi.

[razortoddy]

As Rafa left the field yesterday , he had a big grin and winked to the spectators in the paddock. Top man

[dww]

At the moment we aren't, but we aren't a million miles off. Up until the **** hit the fan in December we were right up there. I am not saying Rafa has the Prem sussed as yet, far from it, but each year he learns more. I think all fans can see his skills and brilliance in Europe, and for me, there is no reason, other than time or money or stability, as to why he can't build us into a team that will win year after year. I would much rather that than a flash in the pan win the Prem one year then go back to challenging for 4th. Give him time, give him money, a stable ownership and lets reap the rewards. I shudder when I look back and think the likes of Curbishly and Allerdyce were strongly linked with the job after Ged.

The problem is I don't think we can count on the levels of investment some want. I do however think that long term Rafa is the right man and the key is stability and the work he has put in improving our youth and reserve setups.

I do think though that he should look to get an assistant that he has trust in. We seem to lack someone to give another opinion on things and at times to consider the psychology of individual players. I also think we would see benefits of allowing Rafa to focus on less elements of the teams preparation.

In a way bigfooty has a point we have to think that 4th is a minimum requirement but at the same time I think that sacking someone who is succeeding in a number of areas for failing in one short term (even if it is seen as the bread and butter - remember Arsenal ended below us for two seasons before pushing on for this season) seems less than sensible unless we have an obvious candidate to replace him. Needless to say I see no clear option as a step up from Rafa but all would have the disadvantage of wanting to instigate changes which at all teams tends to produce a period of transition with less than optimal results unless there is vast funds to ease the way.

[Roboklopp]

The problem is I don't think we can count on the levels of investment some want. I do however think that long term Rafa is the right man and the key is stability and the work he has put in improving our youth and reserve setups.

I do think though that he should look to get an assistant that he has trust in. We seem to lack someone to give another opinion on things and at times to consider the psychology of individual players. I also think we would see benefits of allowing Rafa to focus on less elements of the teams preparation.

In a way bigfooty has a point we have to think that 4th is a minimum requirement but at the same time I think that sacking someone who is succeeding in a number of areas for failing in one short term (even if it is seen as the bread and butter - remember Arsenal ended below us for two seasons before pushing on for this season) seems less than sensible unless we have an obvious candidate to replace him. Needless to say I see no clear option as a step up from Rafa but all would have the disadvantage of wanting to instigate changes which at all teams tends to produce a period of transition with less than optimal results unless there is vast funds to ease the way.

Good post- especially about the number 2 & player psychology.

I agree that we might not get the cash that will give us the quick Chavski, Scum fix of buying the league, but if we do not get the chance to add another handful of £20m+ players, then in today's climate with those 2 doing so as the rule rather than the exception, we have to ask ourselves how realistic is it of us to expect to challenge for the league in the short to medium term at all?

THe only way around it is to invest in youth & that takes serious time. Rafa is doing that, has made us level with the Gooners over the last 3 league seasons on average (this season had been poorer but there have been mitigating circumstances to some extent). Rafa has also simultaneously given us a better record in Europe than anyone in terms of how far we have progressed each season on average.

What I'm saying is that maybe we could do better in the league, but under such financial constraints & with all of the other big 3 unlikely to slip up at once, maybe it's well-nigh impossible to actually win it. (I mean, does anyone actually think we have a squad comparable to the Scum & Chavs? Really?) So 2nd, 3rd or 4th- is it really that important? Ask Shanks.

In that case, the only really big one we have a chance of winning is the CL & to do that (& keep up in the top 4), then there's no-one better than the man we already have.

[Leyton388]

Just saw this on another forum

Salom Identifies Benítez As His No.1 Target - Report
A report in the Spanish press suggests that Valencia vice-president Rafael Salom has indicated to others at the club that he would like to seal the return of Rafael Benitez to the Mestalla for next season.
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galleria zoom Benitez enjoyed a successful three year spell at Valencia from 2001-2004, winning two Spanish league titles and one Uefa Cup, and with speculation continuing to surround his future at Anfield, Salom is hopeful of bringing him back to the club if a report in this morning's Marca is to be believed.

The Madrid based sports paper indicates that Salom has confided in senior officials at the club and told them that Benitez is the man that he wants at the helm next season, and is also hopeful of bringing back former sporting director Eduardo Maciá, who followed Benitez to Liverpool in 2006.

If Benitez does leave Liverpool in the summer it seems highly unlikely that a return to the Mestalla would be high on his list of priorities, especially with the turmoil that has surrounded the club this season, with surely a move to one of Europe's truly elite teams on the cards in the increasingly improbable outcome that he does leave the Anfield dugout.

Salom is thought to be certain that current coach Ronald Koeman is not the man to take the club forward and in the likely case that Benitez turns down their advances he may be forced to look within La Liga to find a replacement for the Dutchman.

Almeria coach Unai Emery has been mentioned as a possible candidate, as has Racing Santander's Marcelino, although the latter is thought to have agreed to take charge at Sevilla next season and has therefore been all but discarded from Salom's plans.


The bit highlighted made me giggle. So the most successful team in europe over the past 4 seasons is not good enough?

[jayjay]

Just imagine where we would be now if he had not been appointed... scary

We were in serious mess, lack of investment, ****e squad, (on big bobs who we couldn't offload for love nor money) no leadership or direction from the farsical board.

The best thing for me with Rafa is how he has brought back the glory days, but the difference for me is this time I have experienced it first hand. I watched us on tv late 70's and eighties, but it's just not the same. The only started going to Anfield in the mid 90's.

For that reason he is very special in my books.

[Red_Polo]

The bit highlighted made me giggle. So the most successful team in europe over the past 4 seasons is not good enough?

I took it as meaning if he were to leave us he'd go to another elite club as opposed to somewhere like Valencia.