Rafa Benitez issues Liverpool FC warning

[Johnny]

This cunt needs banning.Jokes over.

[Rashid]

You obviously don't want to accept the truth Rashid. I can't do that for you.

Take a look at the last 20 years worth of premiership winners. Take a look at where we have finished in relation to winning the title and then take a look at SCUM
You might find 2 maybe 3 times where we have finished ahead of them.

Only then could you possibly grasp the fact that Rafa was starting with a very big handicap and in order to overcome that he will need to spend a lot more money than they will if he is to challenge.

It's not about whether we finished 1 point ahead of them in the year whatever, it's about TITLE CHALLENGES. We haven't had ONE in 18 years, they have WON the title 11 times in that period.

If someone told all of us that between 2004 and 2008 Rafa will spend significantly more money than Manchester United and Arsenal GROSS and NET but not more than Chelsea than we would have all jumped for joy. Nobody back then wanted Abramovich type of investment which is what ythe type of spending you think is required would have meant.

We haven't had title challenges the 14 years prior to Rafa because by comparison Man United have spent much more than us, Rafa though has spent much more than them in his tenure.

A challenge is the minimum requirement or he should be sacked.

[Johnny]

I'd have to make a sensible and rational assessment of the situation.

If he hasn't challenged but there are 2 billionaires having a pissing contest then I'd probably be able to rationalise that in my mind.

If there isn't a suitable, better replacement then again, I'd probably not irrationally get my pitch fork out.

If the team is going backwards and players are losing confidence in him, then I might want him out.

Basically, he's not just on a timer, there's more to it

Wish I had written that.Good post.

[Red Chilli]

If someone told all of us that the between 2004 and 2008 Rafa will spend significantly more money than Manchester United and Arsenal GROSS and NET but not more than Chelsea than we would have all jumped for joy.

Nobody back then wanted Abramovich type of investment which is what ythe type of spending you think is required would have meant.

We haven't had title challenges in the past 18 years because by comparison to Man United have spent much more than us, Rafa though has spent much more than them in his tenure.

A challenge is the minimum requirement or he should be sacked.

So for 13 years they outspent us and for 5 years Rafa has outspent them and you think that's fair? Surely Rafa has another 8 years of outspending the SCUM before you can compare.

[Woobus]

Even if that useless base has won more than the "Rafalutionised" base it don't matter"!

Thats a weak argument, if you look at the two finals its clear AC were the better team in 05. We were very lucky to beat them.
The last time we played AC we were the better team and if we had of got Torres one season earlier we probably would have won it.
Surely you would agree that nearly every area of the team has improved since Rafa took over?
Better goalkeeper
Better central defense with great cover
Left back to early to tell with Dossena but would much rather have Dossena and Aurelio than Riise and Traore
Right back we have probably become weaker, Finnan was great back in his prime. Havent seen Deggen play yet, so hard to tell
Midfield is a hell of a lot stronger with so much strength in depth.
Up front well all I have to say is Torres
Youth team and reserves are full of talent from all round the world, far stronger now than what it was.
Squad players are far better now as well, looking back at who made the bench under Houllier shows how far we have came. Milan Baros, Bruno Cheyrou, El-Hadji Diouf, Stephane Henchoz, Patrice Luzi, Florent Sinama Pongolle and Djimi Traore were often on the bench. Give me our squad players now anyday.

[Red Chilli]

Wish I had written that.Good post.

Cheers, I can be sensible when I put my mind to it

[Rashid]

So for 13 years they outspent us and for 5 years Rafa has outspent them and you think that's fair? Surely Rafa has another 8 years of outspending the SCUM before you can compare.

What a ridiculous world you live in.

You carry on mate, let's agree to disagree. There is not a big club in the world that would give Rafa more than 3 years to win a title.

[Rashid]

Thats a weak argument, if you look at the two finals its clear AC were the better team in 05. We were very lucky to beat them.
The last time we played AC we were the better team and if we had of got Torres one season earlier we probably would have won it.
Surely you would agree that nearly every area of the team has improved since Rafa took over?
Better goalkeeper
Better central defense with great cover
Left back to early to tell with Dossena but would much rather have Dossena and Aurelio than Riise and Traore
Right back we have probably become weaker, Finnan was great back in his prime. Havent seen Deggen play yet, so hard to tell
Midfield is a hell of a lot stronger with so much strength in depth.
Up front well all I have to say is Torres
Youth team and reserves are full of talent from all round the world, far stronger now than what it was.
Squad players are far better now as well, looking back at who made the bench under Houllier shows how far we have came. Milan Baros, Bruno Cheyrou, El-Hadji Diouf, Stephane Henchoz, Patrice Luzi, Florent Sinama Pongolle and Djimi Traore were often on the bench. Give me our squad players now anyday.

FACT: Rafa won more with Houllier's "duds and misfits" than he has with his "team".

[Red Chilli]

What a ridiculous world you live in.

You carry on mate, let's agree to disagree. There is not a big club in the world that would give Rafa more than 3 years to win a title.

So we're not a big club then?

Or are you not in this world?

It seems lost on you that I am trying to point out the ridiculous nature of your comparrisons. One day the penny will drop

[Craig_H]

Not if he was doing the best job possible under the circumstances.If the Arabs come in and he splashes 25million on 4 new players and we don`t challenge then i`d say try a new manager.It`s only been two yrs since he got proper backing and he`s brought in 5/6 fantastic players.He`s proved when he gets his 1st choice that they are great players.

In all honesty, my problem isnt really what he does in the market nowadays, he's buying better than ever before. I dont think he makes the best of what he has, in terms of the team and squad, and this is my main worry.

[Harv]

FACT: Rafa won more with Houllier's "duds and misfits" than he has with his "team".

so? Just proves that he IS a good manager

[Rashid]

So we're not a big club then?

Or are you not in this world?

It seems lost on you that I am trying to point out the ridiculous nature of your comparrisons. One day the penny will drop

We are a HUGE club and Rafa is lucky to be in a job.

[Red Chilli]

FACT: Rafa won more with Houllier's "duds and misfits" than he has with his "team".

That's not a fact, that's a misconception:

2005: Champions league (1 trophy) which had Xabi Alonso as a pretty crucial figure in it's success (equalising goal)

2006: FA cup and Super cup (2 trophies).

Sorry to poke holes in your argument

[Johnny]

FACT: Rafa won more with Houllier's "duds and misfits" than he has with his "team".

Yes he did.HE WON.

[Harv]

That's not a fact, that's a misconception:

2005: Champions league (1 trophy) which had Xabi Alonso as a pretty crucial figure in it's success (equalising goal) dont forget King Luis

2006: FA cup and Super cup (2 trophies).

Sorry to poke holes in your argument