The Rafa Thread

[El Jefecito]

If there are people who don't rate the manager in the Rafa thread, surely one can expect anti Rafa posts?

The implication being you've only slagged him in the Rafa thread. You wanna stand behind that?

[Rashid]

The implication being you've only slagged him in the Rafa thread. You wanna stand behind that?

Not really, this is an LFC forum and when discussing the managers decisions on matters it can stretch to many threads.

[Woobus]

What have you seen from Rafa in the league that makes you think that given another 5 years he will crack it?

The highest points ever by a Liverpool manager for me, along with the periods were we have been the best team in the league. What we have missed is consistency, which has been Rafas fault at times, behind the scenes and injury problems.

[Johnny]

Not if he doesn't win the title in the next 2 seasons he shouldn't

No manager would have won the league for us in the last 5 yrs if they were forced to rebuild Houlliers squad with the transfer budget Rafa was given under Moores.
Since the Yanks arrived we bought,Torres,Keane,Mascher,Lucas,Skrtl and a lot of good youngsters that should actually challenge for the title.

Rafa`s problem was that to challenge for the PL and CL at the same time meant spreading the squad too thin resulting in results like that at Reading which was sanwiched between a crucial Cl game against Marseille and a game against ManUre the next week.Now we have better strength in depth and can challenge on both fronts.

[El Jefecito]

Not really, this is an LFC forum and when discussing the managers decisions on matters it can stretch to many threads.

So don't imply otherwise. It's disingeneous. And let's face it in your case it has stretched to many posts, in many threads, across many sites, for many years.

Now if you didn't say pretty much the same thing in all of the above then we'd take you seriously but please, I know bitters that have more good things to say about Rafa than you and Fergie doesn't even get as hard time on here as you give Rafa. We hear you, you have a point, he's not perfect. But FFS some BALANCE.

[Darth Marty]

Its the way in which he has changed the youth setup, now for the first time in a decade we have the real possibility that some youth players will really get a good crack at the 1st team, and even become superstars, that impresses me. Its the manner in which he speaks, he is extremely clever and commands respect in the football world, and he is absolutely passionate about Liverpool. All of that means something and impresses me.

But aside from all of that I can clearly see a vast improvement in our team and squad. We have 8/9 truly world class players in our first 11 and if it wasnt for Rafa im positive we would be in a far worse position than we currently are, in footballing terms I mean. Lets not forget that both the scum and the chavs, and even the arse have all improved beyond recognition in the premiership years and its amazing that we are still there or thereabouts. We are still a footballing giant despite being run like a poundshop for the past decade.

Also I clearly remember that before Rafa we were also rans in the league, but far worse than that we were nobodies in european football. Now we all expect a quarter final in the champions league at minimum! Arent we the Number 1 ranked European club side at present?

So, for me anyway, there is enough evidence that given similar backing and preferably better backing, over the next 4-5 years we will win the league and more than that build a set up so that we can continue to compete. I dont think Rafa is building a Premiership winning team, I think he is building a Premiership dominant club.

Thats why.

[Johnny]

I mean it. Given the situation with the scum and the chavs its nigh on impossible to break their stranglehold and in my opinion it would only set things back if we were to replace him.

Long term he will get it right and win some leagues for us, im sure.

When DIC buy us ,T I C K - _ - T O C K

[Johnny]

Its the way in which he has changed the youth setup, now for the first time in a decade we have the real possibility that some youth players will really get a good crack at the 1st team, and even become superstars, that impresses me. Its the manner in which he speaks, he is extremely clever and commands respect in the football world, and he is absolutely passionate about Liverpool. All of that means something and impresses me.

But aside from all of that I can clearly see a vast improvement in our team and squad. We have 8/9 truly world class players in our first 11 and if it wasnt for Rafa im positive we would be in a far worse position than we currently are, in footballing terms I mean. Lets not forget that both the scum and the chavs, and even the arse have all improved beyond recognition in the premiership years and its amazing that we are still there or thereabouts. We are still a footballing giant despite being run like a poundshop for the past decade.

Also I clearly remember that before Rafa we were also rans in the league, but far worse than that we were nobodies in european football. Now we all expect a quarter final in the champions league at minimum! Arent we the Number 1 ranked European club side at present?

So, for me anyway, there is enough evidence that given similar backing and preferably better backing, over the next 4-5 years we will win the league and more than that build a set up so that we can continue to compete. I dont think Rafa is building a Premiership winning team, I think he is building a Premiership dominant club.

Thats why.

Great post mate.

[Rashid]

The highest points ever by a Liverpool manager for me, along with the periods were we have been the best team in the league. What we have missed is consistency, which has been Rafas fault at times, behind the scenes and injury problems.

Every team has that, off the top of my head last seasn United missed Rooney for 2 months, Hargreaves for about 3 months in total, Carrick for 2 months, Vidic for a month and so on. Chelsea had the same issues wth Lampard taking off time due to his ma, Drogba at the African nations, Ballack out for months at the start and so on... then Arsenal had Van Persie out more or less the whole season, their new signing Eduardo out for the season, Sagna out for a month at a crucial time, Fabregas out for 6 weeks at the end etc.. in fact we are lucky compared to that lot.

[Rashid]

It's the way in which he has changed the youth setup, now for the first time in a decade we have the real possibility that some youth players will really get a good crack at the 1st team, and even become superstars, that impresses me. Its the manner in which he speaks, he is extremely clever and commands respect in the football world, and he is absolutely passionate about Liverpool. All of that means something and impresses me.

The youth set up is 100% down to the ex Ajax guy not Rafa.

But aside from all of that I can clearly see a vast improvement in our team and squad. We have 8/9 truly world class players in our first 11 and if it wasnt for Rafa im positive we would be in a far worse position than we currently are, in footballing terms I mean.

Who are these world class players? Reina? Torres? Gerrard? Mascherano? Who else?

Also I clearly remember that before Rafa we were also rans in the league, but far worse than that we were nobodies in european football. Now we all expect a quarter final in the champions league at minimum! Arent we the Number 1 ranked European club side at present?

Rafa has done well in Europe, but no better than Evans and Houllier in the league. Houllier in his time spent NET £12m a season - peanuts compared to Rafa.

So, for me anyway, there is enough evidence that given similar backing and preferably better backing, over the next 4-5 years we will win the league and more than that build a set up so that we can continue to compete. I dont think Rafa is building a Premiership winning team, I think he is building a Premiership dominant club.

I don't think he has earnt a new contract, no way.

[Woobus]

Every team has that, off the top of my head last seasn United missed Rooney for 2 months, Hargreaves for about 3 months in total, Carrick for 2 months, Vidic for a month and so on. Chelsea had the same issues wth Lampard taking off time due to his ma, Drogba at the African nations, Ballack out for months at the start and so on... then Arsenal had Van Persie out more or less the whole season, their new signing Eduardo out for the season, Sagna out for a month at a crucial time, Fabregas out for 6 weeks at the end etc.. in fact we are lucky compared to that lot.

And it really messed Chelsea and Arsenal up, you cant really compare Uniteds injury problems to ours. During our bad spell we had Carra, Finnan, Riise, Agger, Sissoko, Gerrard, Alonso, Pennant and Torres all out pretty close to each other. I am nearly certain there was a couple more but I think thats enough to show how badly hit by injury we were from September to January.

[Darth Marty]

unbelievable.

unbelievable.

Cheers Johnny, I rather like that post myself.

[Rashid]

unbelievable.

unbelievable.

Cheers Johnny, I rather like that post myself.

I thought your post was ace and a superb defence of Rafa, I just disagreed with some of it.

[Johnny]

I thought your post was ace and a superb defence of Rafa, I just disagreed with some of it.

Your EST therapy has reached phase 1.
We`ll continue your therapy until you come to your senses.

[El Jefecito]

The youth set up is 100% down to the ex Ajax guy not Rafa.

Youth, Rafa was the one that fought the battle to get SH out and to replace him with someone who had experience with a REAL youth system. So he deserves at least the credit for being smart enough for seeing that there needed to be change and then determined enough to see that it happened. As you say the credit for doing not very well in the league last year is down to Piet.

What about the reserves setup which is what was being implied in the prior post. The one that has actually won things? Is that down to Piet? I think not, managed by a guy hired by Rafa and filled with players paid for w/Rafa's money identified by Rafa's scouting system.

Rafa has done well in Europe, but no better than Evans and Houllier in the league. Houllier in his time spent NET £12m a season - peanuts compared to Rafa.

Must have been me but I thought Rafa got our highest ever EPL points total. More than Evan and Houiller every got. Must be wrong though!

Net spend has probably changed from the days of Evans has it not. You know with economic realities such as inflation, the increase in money pumped into the EPL etc. Have you indexed linked that 12m. I'm sure you have. How else could you be so sure of your facts.

I don't think he has earnt a new contract, no way.

What ends will you not go to, to ensure that Rafa gets no credit?

Of course even though I have rebutted with sound reason and fact every point you have posted I am sure you will continue to post the same old ****e. As you have done for the last 10 years. And the saddest thing of all. You are 10 years older.