Rafa: We'll soon hit top form

[dww]

I think that Kuyt's was a very good chance actually. Good ball, nice movement, poor finish.

[bobbyfallon]

alonso's chance was definately in if it hadnt been deflected.

a draw was not a bad result there - they will also improve over the season and dont be suprised to see them take points off the top clubs also.. their pace up front has to worry any defence

[Pablo]

I think that Kuyt's was a very good chance actually. Good ball, nice movement, poor finish.

True, a bit more that a "half chance" that one, but not that much more.

Incidentally if that chance had fell to Keane I think he might have scored and opened his account, as he is an excellent volleyer of the ball.

[saj]

I think that Kuyt's was a very good chance actually. Good ball, nice movement, poor finish.

He should have pulled it back to Keane who was free in middle

[Dessy]

I think that Kuyt's was a very good chance actually. Good ball, nice movement, poor finish.

Ngog's too I thought. Hard and low would have produced a goal. There was some debate as to whether a nick off the defender who was closing him down caused it too miss the target.

That asides all teams misfire from time to time. Man U had a shaky start last season and look what they did. We've not looked great but picked up points.....a bit of form which we're more than capable of and you never know.

Personally I think we should be playing better at the moment and I certainly think the side should look a little more balanced and composed following summer and pre-season. Don't know why we look a little off at the moment. Regardless of players missing we have enough in the dressing room to be playing well against the Boro's & Sunderlands of this world.

Hopefully we've blown the cobwebs off and can settle down and start producing what we did tail end of last year again. If we do and sustain it then theres no reason why we shouldn't be there abouts this season.

[Craig_H]

with the exception of keane's REAL chance the others as far as i can see is rafa clutching at straws. very houllieresque

Not true at all. They were all chances. Obviously if you have an agenda against the manager, you'll see it as straw clutching.

[bobbyfallon]

this prob doesnt deserve its own thread. vs united in a couple of weeks who will both teams have away on international duty..

liverpool: ????

united: ????

at least with gerrard and torres at home they may have a slight chance of making it. is ronaldo definately going to be out??

[rage]

Not true at all. They were all chances. Obviously if you have an agenda against the manager, you'll see it as straw clutching.

i don't have an agenda against the manager. i just want him sacked. he talks a good talk but when it comes down to it we'll never win the premiership with rafa in charge. as far as i'm concerned his brand of football is no different than houllier's narrow hoof ball counter attack reliance on gerrard owen/torres.

[dww]

I think the worrying thing is that the players don't look like they are confident and the fact that we have failed to start games well or keep possession. The problems seem to be quite deep rooted at the minute and we had a couple of easy games in which to get some momentum before Villa and more importantly United and we were patchy at best in all the games.

We haven't even looked particularly well organised which is a worry. I'm hopeful that we can turn it round but I do think we need to change our attitude in games and quickly. A good performance and result could do wonder though as I do get the feeling that a lot of the problem is psychological.

[Scratch]

i don't have an agenda against the manager. i just want him sacked.

And in order to do so, you pick holes with formations, you question his every word, you accuse him of being Houllieresque, you constantly berate him on these boards...and yet you claim not to have an agenda against him?? Then what the heck do you call you vitriol aimed in his direction at every opportunity?

[Vermilion]

i don't have an agenda against the manager. i just want him sacked. he talks a good talk but when it comes down to it we'll never win the premiership with rafa in charge. as far as i'm concerned his brand of football is no different than houllier's narrow hoof ball counter attack reliance on gerrard owen/torres.

Every manager relies on his best players, the Scum were scared ****less of losing the little **** to Madrid, without Rooney, Tevez and him they would be half the team.

Likewise Arsenal with Fabregas and Van Persie, huge players for Arsenal that Wenger relies on, it's rubbish to slag Rafa off for that reason imo, that's just how football is.

The more cash a club can spend on a single player, and the more times they can do it..the more players the manager has to Rely on, all clubs rely on their best players, we are no different.

[Craig_H]

i don't have an agenda against the manager. i just want him sacked.

[Skillz]

So basically we're fine tuning things at the beginning of the season and making ready for number 19 at the end of the season? No?

Spot on. Play **** 7 points 3 games. 2 aways out of the way, it's all good.
do not care who we play, we will win.

[Elvis]

Every manager relies on his best players, the Scum were scared ****less of losing the little **** to Madrid, without Rooney, Tevez and him they would be half the team.

Unfortunately, soon we'll be saying "Utd rely on Berbatov, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Scholes, Ferdinand, Vidic......" Hmmm.....I just wish we had a coupel more palyers to rely on....

[rage]

Unfortunately, soon we'll be saying "Utd rely on Berbatov, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Scholes, Ferdinand, Vidic......" Hmmm.....I just wish we had a coupel more palyers to rely on....

indeed