Rafa Discussion Thread

[el matador]

one of my mates asked me the other day what i would feel if rafa was sacked.

After some thought i told him that I would feel indifferent.

I would desperately love rafa to win us the league but it wont happen. I would like his tactics to be less defensive and more expansive but that wont happen either. I would like to be entertained and watch us really have a go at teams but that's not rafa's style.

yes people say we're unbeated and second in the league but have they been watching our games. Have they not seen us outplayed twice by liege, at home by boro, and seen us given a right good going over by sunderland.

Did they not watch the dross served up by rafa's team at villa a team that both chelsea and united would beat convincingly ?

Lets give the boss and the team our patience and support and see if this early season garbage is just a hiccup or a sign of things to come.

Like I told my mate if he got sacked I wouldnt be happy nor would I feel sorry for him or us.

[Assassin]

absolutely. i'll hold my hands up and say i was wrong whilst celebrating like all my xmas' had come at once.

[Reece]

Did they not watch the dross served up by rafa's team at villa a team that both chelsea and united would beat convincingly ?

To be fair, Chelsea lost there last season, and Villa are an improved team now.

[el matador]

To be fair, Chelsea lost there last season, and Villa are an improved team now.

the one thing you can say about those two is that they would have a good go at villa and not go there with the aim of getting a point.

[Reece]

the one thing you can say about those two is that they would have a good go at villa and not go there with the aim of getting a point.

To be honest I was on hols for the Villa game so I can't really comment on our performance or tactics.

[el matador]

To be honest I was on hols for the Villa game so I can't really comment on our performance or tactics.

i think by not watching the game you probably did yourself a favour.

[Reece]

Aye sounds like it from what I've read

[Sarb]

@

Out of curiosity if we win number 19 this year would change your mind

Ain't going to happen mate

[Craig_H]

That is what we are all after fella.

I'm confident we will do it I really am and I get frustrated when fans write us off before we have even started.

You have to appreciate though that they're not writing us off on the back of nothing - we've had 18 years of false dawns to it's quite hard to believe (especially when we're playing so poorly and look out of ideas) that the miracle is finally going to happen.

[Craig_H]

rafa's clearly made mistakes with signings, line ups, tactics and still does to this very day. i won't deny any of it.
the question is though, if the board were to replace rafa who would they replace him with? is there someone who would have the same clear vision and long term strategy for the club in terms of youth development? someone who clearly seems to understand the history and legacy of the club as well as love and respect for the supporters as well as the city?
wouldn't a hiddink to name just one be a short term fix, paper over the cracks rather than what we need? it's everyone to decide i reckon with no rights or wrongs...

I would agree and that's why i definitely dont want rafa sacked - i just want him to realise that certain things havent worked and wont work - and therefore change them.

[blacky]

mate i don't even think we'll be in the mix come xmas.

Firstly Rage thanks for being honest and keeping the criticism to this thread. Your posts are respected even if I disagree with them. I really really hope you are wrong, and if we win the title or are in the mix come May I'd like to think you would come on here and publicly say you were wrong

[blacky]

Ain't going to happen mate

Same goes for you Sarb. I'd love nothing more than to prove the RCDNR brigade wrong. IMO we will be in the mix come April/May and I hope you come on here and take all the stick that you will have earned

[Sarb]

Blacky Im not in a RCDNR brigade. I just have doubts that he has what it takes to win the Premiership. I posted earlier today in repsonse to a question whether I think Rafa has done any good and I listed quite a few things of positives he's done

Just because I question his tactics, selections and some signings doesn't mean I'm in a RCDNR brigade, I just have my doubts over him

I'll gladly come on here in May and hold my hands up if we win No.19 (if I get time during all that celebrating) and publicly apologise. I just can't see it to be honest

[Exiled_red]

Blacky Im not in a RCDNR brigade. I just have doubts that he has what it takes to win the Premiership. I posted earlier today in repsonse to a question whether I think Rafa has done any good and I listed quite a few things of positives he's done

Just because I question his tactics, selections and some signings doesn't mean I'm in a RCDNR brigade, I just have my doubts over him

I'll gladly come on here in May and hold my hands up if we win No.19 (if I get time during all that celebrating) and publicly apologise. I just can't see it to be honest

Just out of curiosity who would you get to replace Rafa? And given a similar budget ~£25m net spend a season how long would you give them to win the league/challenge for the title?

[Sarb]

Personally I'd get an ex-player, someone who will let the players express themselves
and play without inhibitions.

A few people may laugh but he's done brilliant jobs at Newcastle, Fulham and Man City. Keegan is an option for me.

I don't think we're far off a title winning side. It's undermined by tactics and selections. Even someone like Rijkaard could come in and do the job

5 years and 25m net spend a season is ample enough time to show progress towards winning the title...maybe even getting there