Rafa's Last Season?

[RedProf]

I think that the idea that we have to be top 2 is a bit over the top. I think we have to accept that United and Chelsea have raised the bar hugely since Rafa took over and have had the resources every season to buy the players they want (on top of starting with better squads). I think the only way to compete with the likes of United and Chelsea for a team with less money like ourselves is long term stability and growing a team. I don't think anyone wants to settle for anything other than winning but the desire and romance of wanting a league title has to be balanced by realism.

I think in the last two years we have started to see the laying down of a great team for the future with a spine that will last potentially another 4 years or so. With a lot of young players who can and in my view will grow as a unit under Rafa. To break with the consistency we would have to identify someone who would have a much higher chance of success and I see noone around - in all the big leagues the teams with the most money are winning the title consistently (there may be some small debate about Germany I guess but Bayern only flexed their muscles again this year and won at a canter as a result).

Every season, every top teams manager is potentially at risk. If we fail to get CL football Rafa will go, undoubtedly for example. However I think we have to accept that we will not ever again be favourites for the title unless the financial landscape changes or our youth team really produces a whole generation of stars (in the style of the 90s United one).

A great post and everyone should read this and understand in the current climate it will take time to get a squad and team that can genuinely challenge. I'd let Rafa get on with it, regardless of how we do this year, whether we finished 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th or 6th (though to finish as low as that I'd expect some sort of disaster to have happened or mitigating circumstances). Stability is so so important, and Rafa's proved he is no ****wit, so if he doesn't manage it this year I'd be happy to know he has got several more years ahead to work at it.

[Slinky Skills]

I think that the idea that we have to be top 2 is a bit over the top. I think we have to accept that United and Chelsea have raised the bar hugely since Rafa took over and have had the resources every season to buy the players they want (on top of starting with better squads). I think the only way to compete with the likes of United and Chelsea for a team with less money like ourselves is long term stability and growing a team. I don't think anyone wants to settle for anything other than winning but the desire and romance of wanting a league title has to be balanced by realism.

I think in the last two years we have started to see the laying down of a great team for the future with a spine that will last potentially another 4 years or so. With a lot of young players who can and in my view will grow as a unit under Rafa. To break with the consistency we would have to identify someone who would have a much higher chance of success and I see noone around - in all the big leagues the teams with the most money are winning the title consistently (there may be some small debate about Germany I guess but Bayern only flexed their muscles again this year and won at a canter as a result).

Every season, every top teams manager is potentially at risk. If we fail to get CL football Rafa will go, undoubtedly for example. However I think we have to accept that we will not ever again be favourites for the title unless the financial landscape changes or our youth team really produces a whole generation of stars (in the style of the 90s United one).

That's the most sensible post I've seen on here for a while. I do still think that he'll kop it if we don't finish in the top two though. The Yanks are ruthless.

[Elvoz]

while im about
i worry rafa has an inferioriy complex over taggert
i see the league as a fine line for us
we have to get results against manure (a goal will be a good start)the chavs and arse

obvious yes but its how are season will pan out

[certifiable]

For the first time in many years i am very very very excited about our first 11!!

We will do very well in the league this season, i am certain of it. Rafa will make us challenge. We have a strong first 11 now and some very exciting prospects coming through the youth ranks now.

..............Reina
Carra Skrtle Agger Dossena
Gerrard Mascher Lucas(ALONSO) Babel
...........Keane Torres

Absolutely fantastic line-up. Can't wait. Agger is back!!! Watch out for Lucas too, he will shine this season. He came on well at the end of last season and he has dominated the pre-season games with little support. Once he is back from the Olympics he will push on and get better and better. Also Alonso now has a point to prove and im confident he will be out to show everyone he's still got it.

Can't ****ing wait. The deadwood is clearing, this is Rafa's team to challenge.

I don't think it can be under-estimated how important agger could be.
He was blossoming into something very special before injury.
Brilliant ball player for a CB, and, pre-injury, was pretty much starting to dictate how our attacks began, compacting the play and squeezing the opposing team back by bringing the ball out.

He is huge for us already, and for me was virtually improving week on week, hope that continues now from start of this season.

[Mattshark]

forgotten more than you prob know kid thats not my point

still 4th is grand

carry on rafa

Why 4th we have there once under Rafa, we have made continued progress. If we make more progress and still finish there then I have no complaints.

[Pacman]

while im about
i worry rafa has an inferioriy complex over taggert
i see the league as a fine line for us
we have to get results against manure (a goal will be a good start)the chavs and arse

obvious yes but its how are season will pan out

Nah I'm not having that lid.

I doubt Rafa even thinks abar taggert and the scum.

He can't influence what they do over the course of a season only what we do.

[The Birdman]

Are people still humouring Elvoz??

[Elvoz]

Nah I'm not having that lid.

I doubt Rafa even thinks abar taggert and the scum.

He can't influence what they do over the course of a season only what we do.

never score against them and imo we went there last year for a draw when we should of gone looking for a win (mascher sending off didnt help like)

trust me young paco no one loves the club or wants it to succeed more than me - but as you well know im a realist

[Elvoz]

Are people still humouring Elvoz??

it would appear so

keep tuning in pal you may learn something



and btw the way still keep taking the credit down the pub you get these days since you started reading my posts

your mates probably think all the stuff you spout now is from your head

[Pacman]

never score against them and imo we went there last year for a draw when we should of gone looking for a win (mascher sending off didnt help like)

trust me young paco no one loves the club or wants it to succeed more than me - but as you well know im a realist

We've beaten them in the FA cup though.

To be fair we've been ****ing unlucky against them over the years. We battered them 2 years ago but the sneeked a last min winner through John O'Shea.

We'll do them this year.

[Mattshark]

never score against them and imo we went there last year for a draw when we should of gone looking for a win (mascher sending off didnt help like)

trust me young paco no one loves the club or wants it to succeed more than me - but as you well know im a realist

No your a pessimist, there is a difference, maybe you should look it up.

[Pacman]

Are people still humouring Elvoz??

I'm just waiting to see when Villa is going to join.

[Elvoz]

No your a pessimist, there is a difference, maybe you should look it up.

yeah thats why i back them to win everything

knob

(look that up)

[kris90210]

it would appear so

keep tuning in pal you may learn something



and btw the way still keep taking the credit down the pub you get these days since you started reading my posts

your mates probably think all the stuff you spout now is from your head

its like reading an old, ****e eminem trash talk

[cannotmakeit]

forgotten more than you prob know kid thats not my point

still 4th is grand

carry on rafa

You talking to me or are you chewing a brick?