Rafa Discussion Thread

[Vermilion]

All of the hallmarks of a manure performance were denied.

The penetrative passing from the back. Denied.
Width from the full backs. Denied.
Rapid counter attacks. Denied.
Patient possession in the CM. Denied.

Smug Arrogant celebrating by Ferguscum. Denied.
Rooney Grinning at the Kop. Denied.
Happy scum faces after the game. Denied.
Radio Show Taunts. Denied.
Pundits waxing lyrical on Ferguscum. Denied.
The recurring stat about how long it's been since we won/scored. ****in Denied.

Happy Liverpool fans all over the world. ALLOWED.

[Johnny]

Well, we had a proper left winger playing on the left. It helps from an attacking view point because this time we didn't have a right footer constantly cutting in from the left. We had Reiera beating his man, sometimes on the outside, sometimes in the inside. Less momentum was lost in the attacks from the left hand side.

Yossi was playing on the right, not a right winger but probably a bit better suited in that position.

We didn't have Keane playing on the left wing. The team was pressing all over the place and we were moving the ball forward a lot more quickly. When you have players playing in their natural position I think you're a lot more better attacking and defensively

Midfield against Villa: Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun

Midfield against Scum: Yossi, Alonso, Mascherano, Reira

Much more balanced hence different tactics. The substitutions were also a lot better, more intention to win the game and a lot more positive.

All of those changes happened because we bought Reira after the Villa game.Compairing the team that played against Villa to the team that played ManUre is futile.Your whole point is moot.

[El Jefecito]

That was one of the most crucial factors yesterday, the balance, and the purchase of Riera has given us that. Looks to be an inspired signing.

And we've yet to see the wing backs incorporated into our normal game yet. I think they'll be able to add a lot to our attacking as well.

[Rigadon]

Just goes to prove how much more difficult it is to win the league these days. The top teams are just that much better than they were back in the day.

Does that mean we had it easier ‘back in the day’?

[El Jefecito]

Does that mean we had it easier ‘back in the day’?

What's that supposed to mean? If you got something to say, say it.

[Sarb]

All of those changes happened because we bought Reira after the Villa game.Compairing the team that played against Villa to the team that played ManUre is futile.Your whole point is moot.

Look mate, I'm not comparing teams. I'm saying that we set out with the intention to win the game, the substitutions were a lot more positive aimed at winning the game (they weren't really in the Villa game) also.

My point isn't moot. I've said quite a few times that we have a squad capable of challenging if it's used correctly and with the right mindset. It was yesterday and I hope it continues

I'm not bigging up Rafa or praising the guy. I'm saying he got the team selection right yesterday and the subs were right. I hope it continues cos if it does I see us being close come May.

Like I said I'm not going to start saying 'yeah wicked result' 'I knew we'd win' etc etc. It's a fantastic result. And I've not done that today or yesterday either.

I have my resrvations about Rafa and whether he'll continue to pick players in the right positions or play with the right tactics. That's my opinion...not based on some random mindset but based on prior actions. If he wins us No. 19 I'll gladly hold my hands up and say I was wrong. Ain't got a problem with that.

My problem is being referred to as a tosser or a cunt because I have a different opinion. It isn't squealing like a pig. It's just expressing my opinion that it isn't on. A lot of comments have been made recently about me moaning to the mods. Yeah I did do that, that's because I was referred to as a cunt for no reason. If people on here are happy to be referred to as a cunt continuosly then that's fine. I'm not.

I'm not a WUM and I don't have the time to post on here just to wind people up. I just give my opinion and that's it

[El Jefecito]

Look mate, I'm not comparing teams. I'm saying that we set out with the intention to win the game, the substitutions were a lot more positive aimed at winning the game (they weren't really in the Villa game) also.

I disagree with that. I just think they were just more subtle and their point was missed by the majority. For example, he got stick for Benni instead of Babel. While Babel is great for the counter attack, if the opponents are sitting back, you are more likely to get a goal through a through ball than on the counter. Hence Benni.

Just because you don't understand a particular substitution doesn't make it by default defensive or wrong. Sometimes, just sometimes, maybe this Rafa guy is a little smarter than the maxipad mafia.

[El Jefecito]

Look mate, I'm not comparing teams. I'm saying that we set out with the intention to win the game, the substitutions were a lot more positive aimed at winning the game (they weren't really in the Villa game) also.

My point isn't moot. I've said quite a few times that we have a squad capable of challenging if it's used correctly and with the right mindset. It was yesterday and I hope it continues

I'm not bigging up Rafa or praising the guy. I'm saying he got the team selection right yesterday and the subs were right. I hope it continues cos if it does I see us being close come May.

Like I said I'm not going to start saying 'yeah wicked result' 'I knew we'd win' etc etc. It's a fantastic result. And I've not done that today or yesterday either.

I have my resrvations about Rafa and whether he'll continue to pick players in the right positions or play with the right tactics. That's my opinion...not based on some random mindset but based on prior actions. If he wins us No. 19 I'll gladly hold my hands up and say I was wrong. Ain't got a problem with that.

My problem is being referred to as a tosser or a cunt because I have a different opinion. It isn't squealing like a pig. It's just expressing my opinion that it isn't on. A lot of comments have been made recently about me moaning to the mods. Yeah I did do that, that's because I was referred to as a cunt for no reason. If people on here are happy to be referred to as a cunt continuosly then that's fine. I'm not.

I'm not a WUM and I don't have the time to post on here just to wind people up. I just give my opinion and that's it

TBF I don't think people are pissed off with your opinion. I think some who hold a similar opinion make stuff up, misrepresent facts, steal stuff from red cafe and post it as though it's from somewhere else, arrogantly proclaim those who disagree as RCDNW, claim only those who share your views can see both sides of the coin, etc, etc.

If that **** didn't happen you guys would get far less stick than you do

Likewise, if you guys continue to do it, the **** will continue to flow. It's fundamental human nature. As sure as night follows day.

[Sarb]

Defensive substitutions were made in the Villa game. Everyone knows it

[El Jefecito]

Defensive substitutions were made in the Villa game. Everyone knows it

I disagree. And the "Everyone knows it" line, is what frustrates people. On a per sub basis explain to me how they were defensive and I can give you a very reasonable explanation as to how they were at the very least neutral.

It's the fact that you dismiss my opinion with "and everyone knows it", which pisses people off, not the fact that you think they were defensive.

See my previous point?

[rage]

a key difference between the villa and utd game was we weren't playing catch up after 2 or 3 minutes in the villa game.

rafa did well yesterday no denying it but how much was it a consequence of his 'plan a' whatever it was having to be put to one side very early on in the game?

i'd like to see, like others, rafa continuing to play offensive football in the future. the stoke game will be interesting as both gerrard and torres will be back. of course i want to see both play BUT i also want to see the balance in the team remain with all 11 players being played in positions they are natural in and/or played in positions where they can do a job better than any one else we have.

[Sarb]

a key difference between the villa and utd game was we weren't playing catch up after 2 or 3 minutes in the villa game.

rafa did well yesterday no denying it but how much was it a consequence of his 'plan a' whatever it was having to be put to one side very early on in the game?

i'd like to see, like others, rafa continuing to play offensive football in the future. the stoke game will be interesting as both gerrard and torres will be back. of course i want to see both play BUT i also want to see the balance in the team remain with all 11 players being played in positions they are natural in and/or played in positions where they can do a job better than any one else we have.

[El Jefecito]

a key difference between the villa and utd game was we weren't playing catch up after 2 or 3 minutes in the villa game.

rafa did well yesterday no denying it but how much was it a consequence of his 'plan a' whatever it was having to be put to one side very early on in the game?

i'd like to see, like others, rafa continuing to play offensive football in the future. the stoke game will be interesting as both gerrard and torres will be back. of course i want to see both play BUT i also want to see the balance in the team remain with all 11 players being played in positions they are natural in and/or played in positions where they can do a job better than any one else we have.

Please provide some evidence, which Sarb failed to do, that yesterdays performance was due to Rafa playing offensive football, and not because he had a better balance of players available.

Thanks!

[Sarb]

How do you mean I failed to do?

I told you why the tactics were different and why we were more attacking. A better balanced team with players in right positions. Meant momentum wasn't lost in attack and we did a lot better on the flanks especially the left.

Seriously El Jef, I don't know why you think I failed to address your question because I did.

You're telling me the differences in the midfield personnel in both games made no difference whatsoever? We went for it yesterday, we were happy for a draw against Villa. Keane was playing on the left against Villa with Lucas, Mascher and Xabi through the middle.

Yesterday we played a 4-4-2 with strikers tracking back, a proper left winger. I'm sorry but the midfield against Villa was one to stop us conceding, not one to help us score

[rage]

the fact that we actually had shots on target good enough for you el jef?