The Rafa Thread

[donpisci]

No I didn't but I am not paid to know that. Rafa chose to gamble on Kuyt and it hasn't paid off.

Kuyt had an immense scoring record before we signed him and showed all the qualities of being able to play in the premiership, so how would anybody know it wouldn't work? They wouldn't. Every transfer is a gamble- there's no gurantee of any transfer working out.
Every manager in the history of the game has had transfers that haven't worked out as well as they hoped, using it as a stick to beat Rafa with though is just silly, especially as the majority of his signings have been a success.

[Rashid]

Rafa chooses the players end of.

[rage]

yes seems to have worked for arsenal doesnt it?????

at least they were in the race.

[gerbin11]

It is a simple question Rashid Who? Its easy to complain how about suggesting a solution.

[gerbin11]

at least they were in the race.

Could I ask you the question then - Who would you relace him with?

[Rashid]

It is a simple question Rashid Who? Its easy to complain how about suggesting a solution.

Guus Hiddink or Frank Rijkaard would be my choice... and I'd have the Swansea manager Matinez (?) in as assistant.

[Guest]

[red g]

at least they were in the race.

but have won **** all !!! i always remember that season we were 5th behind Everton and Rafa weakened his team for the premiership, I was going mad as i thought there would be no way we can win the CL so we would be without it for a year.

from what i remember the forums were in uproar, Rafa doesnt know what he is doing etc.... We cant win the CL, we have to secure 4th.....priorities all wrong ....and look what happened!! When looking back in 10 years time nobody remembers the runners up or those that 'were in the race' Rafa is a Winner and will do what he thinks is best to win Medals....and he has been pretty good at it so far

[rage]

Could I ask you the question then - Who would you relace him with?

i wouldn't right now. he has this year. does anyone really think rafa will be our manager next year if he fails to compete in the league in his 5th season?

[Guest]

i wouldn't right now. he has this year. does anyone really think rafa will be our manager next year if he fails to compete in the league in his 5th season?

Even if we're relegated.

[red g]

Guus Hiddink or Frank Rijkaard would be my choice... and I'd have the Swansea manager Matinez (?) in as assistant.

How much money do you think them 2 would want in the transfer market? do you think they would stay if they were sold a red herring, just like Rafa was?

[red g]

i wouldn't right now. he has this year. does anyone really think rafa will be our manager next year if he fails to compete in the league in his 5th season?

i hope so

[Scratch]

i wouldn't right now. he has this year. does anyone really think rafa will be our manager next year if he fails to compete in the league in his 5th season?

Yes, if the team continues to improve as it has been doing, with more fluid football and more solidity, closing the gap on the teams that count.

Next question?

[Parm]

I'm with you now.

An interesting question. If Parry et al had said no to Barry 4 months ago. Do you think we would have got Bentley?

hmmm interesting point, I wonder how badly the BArry situation has affected our chances this season? As you say if at the end of the season the board had said no to Barry and not string everyone along, would rafa have gone out and picked up (Silva/queresma etc etc) instead?

The squad the scum had when Rafa came was far better, and has still had more spent on it since. The Chav's are just different, they spent 200 odd million immediately, and in doing so bridged the gap to the Scum with one foul swoop, and have obviously continued to spend massively since.

Is it any wonder Rafa has found it hard to beat those two to the title, Wenger managed it while the Scum where in a lull, a sort of transitional phase, he's found it difficult since Chavski turned up as a force., and with the Scum now reorganised.

I have no doubt in Rafa & Wengers ability to manage, but it's going to be tough for either to win a title from here on in, unless something changes at the clubs, or one of the sides just has a perfect season, but then sustaining it would be almost impossible.

The advantage Chavski have is immense, whether it be by being able to pay massive sums for older players in their prime, without a worry for sell on fees, to paying the best wages to attract the worlds best players. They have a big head start in so many areas, as do the Scum, Some areas we can bridge without cash, by doing things better than our opponents, but others we can't, and those two clubs will always hold an advantage because of it.

Indeed, If Rafa had been given 100mill+ for the first 2 years he was here, then there would be no bridge to gap. We have seen now with Chelski that after such significant investment they only need to pick up the odd player here and there every season and still be comfortable knowing we'd be in the mix for every trophy at the end of the season.

Ok Rafa has had money, but he has had to lay a lot of foundations, do a lot of long term rebuilding. He has had flops, but Rafa is quick to ship them out straight away. However I can not explain the continued persistence with Kuyt!!!
As has been mentioned, this season we must see us even more closer to the top, even challenging until the last game. We ended up 11 points off the top last season. This is significant because it wasnt as if Utd had run away with it and eased up at the end, they had to fight until the very last game. We lost 2 games which, in all honesty we should have won (West Ham and Reading) and defo should have got something out the manc home game.

[El Jefecito]

Guus Hiddink or Frank Rijkaard would be my choice... and I'd have the Swansea manager Matinez (?) in as assistant.

Xavi was pretty down on him last week, said Barca unravelled because of his lack of man management skills.