Rafa's alleged contract offer to Crouch....

[Skillz]

we shop in neto's lad when we dont have too

how about one decent lad instead of half a dozen clubbers

[The Birdman]

I think Gerrard should play in central midfield, that's his best position.

Like I said if Crouch and Riise were at least on the bench they would've been able to say thankyou to those fans and those fans could've shown their respect to them.

Like it or not mate, to a certain extent this club is built on sentimentality, yes at their best Shankly and Paisley were ruthless, but they were also passionate and compassionate people and passion is a sentiment. Furthermore Liverpool is one hell of a sentimental city that's why football means so much.

Hey, I agree to an extent, but all the same the players who weren't in the squad should still have showed their appreciation to the supporters.
You've got to get the balance right with sentimentality, and we got left a long way behind when Man U went all corporate while Moores continued to employ Parry because they got 2 for 1 deals on ties

[DannyMan2006]

Stevie said it in his book mate.

Rafa just see's players as cogs in his machine no room for sentiment, sentiment doesn't win you football matches.

I would much rather have someone like Rafa in charge who doesn't care who you are if you don't cut the mustard or you don't fit in to his system you're binned than someone who picks you on past performances and reputation.

I am a massive Rafa fan though and a bit biased

Without reading the rest of the thread I think that what Stevie said is clear evidence Rafa could do with a good number two. It's not essential to have a number two, but I think it could help to have someone with the softly, softly approach in much the same way Ally McCoist acts at Rangers.

Wonder how Samis fixed after next season ends? Carra or Stevie for the future.

[Skillz]

Without reading the rest of the thread I think that what Stevie said is clear evidence Rafa could do with a good number two. It's not essential to have a number two, but I think it could help to have someone with the softly, softly approach in much the same way Ally McCoist acts at Rangers.

Wonder how Samis fixed after next season ends? Carra or Stevie for the future.

I agree that we still need a No 2 but I think this year has been good. Rafa has had to be closer to the players, and it worked largely.

[El Jefecito]

Crouch has just done an interview in which he has broadcast to the world that Rafa is a liar. Even if it is true, that's not smart, it's not something that should be played out in the press.

Bye Bye Peter. Don't forget to thank Rafa for your england spot and BTW Wave good bye to the CL and Finals.

[El Jefecito]

Without reading the rest of the thread I think that what Stevie said is clear evidence Rafa could do with a good number two. It's not essential to have a number two, but I think it could help to have someone with the softly, softly approach in much the same way Ally McCoist acts at Rangers.

Wonder how Samis fixed after next season ends? Carra or Stevie for the future.

See I think Rafa sees players who need the softly softly approach as weak willed and a liability. He wants players who are strong and believe in themselves and will do whatever it takes to succeed. Can you imagine anyone in the Dalglish/Souness era saying, "I wanted to feel needed"?

FFS man-up

[Shaggy]

Bye Bye Peter. Don't forget to thank Rafa for your england spot and BTW Wave good bye to the CL and Finals.

Rafa gave him the chance to play for a top club but the rest, the actual football, was down to him. Crouch doesn't owe anybody a 'thank you' for his England spot. He earned it himself.

[El Jefecito]

Rafa gave him the chance to play for a top club but the rest, the actual football, was down to him. Crouch doesn't owe anybody a 'thank you' for his England spot. He earned it himself.

50/50 for me. Do you think he would have as much shout for a spot while @ soton in the 2nd division?

[Shaggy]

50/50 for me. Do you think he would have as much shout for a spot while @ soton in the 2nd division?

Clearly not in the long-term but he'd already earned his first call-up while a Southampton player, which kinda negates your claim. The fact he continued to be selected was down to him performing to a high standard for us. Eriksson, McLaren and Fabio Capello can't all have been wrong.

[El Jefecito]

Clearly not in the long-term but he'd already earned his first call-up while a Southampton player, which kinda negates your claim. The fact he continued to be selected was down to him performing to a high standard for us. Eriksson, McLaren and Fabio Capello can't all have been wrong.

See your perspective, but, Opinions and arseholes

[Shaggy]

Fair enough but what else was it down to? Rafa programming Crouch to play well?

No way does Crouch have to thank Rafa for his (successful) international career. No way!

[El Jefecito]

Fair enough but what else was it down to? Rafa programming Crouch to play well?

No way does Crouch have to thank Rafa for his (successful) international career. No way!

I agree, he continues to be in the squad on merit, but it would have been harder if he wasn't playing for us. He has stood out more than he has ever before because he is playing with such good players that have provided a platform for him to show his worth, which would have remained hidden otherwise.

Don't misunderstand me I'm not denigrating him, just want to recognise that playing for liverpool has enchanced his prospects.

[Shaggy]

Fair comment.

[El Jefecito]

Fair comment.

Do you think though that calling Rafa a liar is the end of the line for him?

[Johnny]

Alves, Simao, Vidic, Milito, Andrade.

I think you'll find that we have more 2nd choices than most, kid

Ronaldo,Quaresma and Malouda.............