Before I go on can I first remind people that we are top of the league (virtually) and throught to the champions league last 16. 
Now on to my moan.........
Towards the end of last season we went on a great winning run that brought many compliments, we were good to watch, scoring goals and not conceding. I think most agreed that with a few key additions we could well have a serious crack at the title.
I think the majority of us added that the key signings we would all prefer was a left back to replace Riise, and due to the unreliable Aurelio. A right back to replace and challenge the inconsistant Arbeloa. And a right winger to offer genuine enterprise and an attacking threat, to replace the cumbersome and out of form Kuyt.
In fact it reminded me of the time we were runners up under Houllier. We were on the verge of something really special and all felt back then that a few key additions would let us take that final step. Most were initially excited with the players who came in and some of them performed well early on in the season. This early form and momentum from the previous season saw us race to the top of the league and there was reason for optimism.
But it wasn't long before we soon realised that Cheyrou was not "the new Zidane" and that the rest were frankly nowhere near the class our club demanded. Quite rightly I and many others kept faith in them initially as it is impossible to gauge early on if a player is simply stuggling to adapt or is absoloute rubbish. We know how that batch of signings turned out. Diouf being the only one with a remote touch of class, but lacked the character.
Anyway a bright start led into the now deaded month of November, and by the time the month was out we were out of the Champions League and out of the title race. We went on to finish 5th.
Fast Froward to this season. Our prayers are soon answered with the departure of Riise and the arrival of an attacking left back by the name of Andreas Dossena, a real class act who was on the verge of becoming his countrys first choice left back, no mean feat for an Italian. Also through the door was the free transfer of Phillip Degen. Not to everyones liking but most were happy to accept he would provide a challenge to Arbeloa and as prior to his first major injury he was first choice at Dortmond and in the very solid Swiss side he looked a good coup on a free.
Soon after we had N'Gog and Cavlieri enter the fields of Anfiled Road, nothing major but a replacement for the hapless Itandje couldn't harm and a few supporters wistfully dreamed of an Anelka type signing, still one for the future so no real harm done.
But where is our right winger we wondered? Well here's where Rafa played the joker in his pack. He had no intention of signing one! Instead, in comes Robbie Keane?!? Whilst most were initially suprised we were signing a striker, and all were suprised at the £20m transfer fee, but most caution soon led to optimism as fans dreamed of the Keane and Torres partnership.
There was of course still a worry. Where would Keane play? After all we had just swept most before us using a hugely successfull 4231. Rafa must be switching to 442. We were suprised but saw it as a positive.
Then came another bomb shell. The signing of Albert Riera. Opinion was split due to memories of a fantastic season with Espanyol and a poor one with Man City. What was more strange was that Rafa was signing a player to compete and possibly replace Ryan Babel in the first team, a player who many believed to be on the verge of having a real impact at Anfield.
Cue a couple of interviews where Rafa states he now sees Babel as a striker and no longer a winger. Fine Rafa, many said, but then why sign Keane?
Anyway fast forward even more and we are where we are now. Not doing to bad at all thank you very much on the grand scheme of things. In fact we are all delighted with the start. Less so with the performances it must be said.
Anyhow we are not a million miles from the next transfer window and what are the players people are wanting to sign?
Yes you guessed it, a left back, a right back and a right winger. Back to square one. And what formation is Rafa starting to rely on again? Again you are spot on when you say 4231. And once again we are bcak to square one.
We are a long way from a Houllier style collapse, and it is clear the signings we made have either been unlucky or slow to settle. I remain convinced Keane will settle if Rafa gives him a chance with Torres up front. The price alone dictates he will get a stay of execution.
The other two in Degen and Dossena are hanging by a thread. Either way Rafa has come through the nightmare month of November unscathed and a good run of games whould see us make the January transfer window whilst still in a positive position. But that is when Rafa will have to act. I await the outcome with baited breath...........
...........The press do also, who are already getting a slight smell of blood. With this being described as Rafas do or die season, and as yet no new contract on the table they will be quick to strike and write the inevitable Benitez for Madrid headlines. You wouldn't be suprised to see Schuster struggling at Real, who hire and fire managers faster than Usain Bolt will run the 100m. I await the inevitable press rumours.
Either way we can write what we like, but to win the title we will not be able to carry any first choice players. I expect a strong Rafa to do what he does best. Sell players he regards as failures. The challenge has been set for our under-achievers.
And I expect Rafa and his reds to be sitting top of the premiership come May. He may have got it wrong in the summer. He will not get it wrong again. Our rivals have allowed us a second chance. They will come to regret this.
Now on to my moan.........
Towards the end of last season we went on a great winning run that brought many compliments, we were good to watch, scoring goals and not conceding. I think most agreed that with a few key additions we could well have a serious crack at the title.
I think the majority of us added that the key signings we would all prefer was a left back to replace Riise, and due to the unreliable Aurelio. A right back to replace and challenge the inconsistant Arbeloa. And a right winger to offer genuine enterprise and an attacking threat, to replace the cumbersome and out of form Kuyt.
In fact it reminded me of the time we were runners up under Houllier. We were on the verge of something really special and all felt back then that a few key additions would let us take that final step. Most were initially excited with the players who came in and some of them performed well early on in the season. This early form and momentum from the previous season saw us race to the top of the league and there was reason for optimism.
But it wasn't long before we soon realised that Cheyrou was not "the new Zidane" and that the rest were frankly nowhere near the class our club demanded. Quite rightly I and many others kept faith in them initially as it is impossible to gauge early on if a player is simply stuggling to adapt or is absoloute rubbish. We know how that batch of signings turned out. Diouf being the only one with a remote touch of class, but lacked the character.
Anyway a bright start led into the now deaded month of November, and by the time the month was out we were out of the Champions League and out of the title race. We went on to finish 5th.
Fast Froward to this season. Our prayers are soon answered with the departure of Riise and the arrival of an attacking left back by the name of Andreas Dossena, a real class act who was on the verge of becoming his countrys first choice left back, no mean feat for an Italian. Also through the door was the free transfer of Phillip Degen. Not to everyones liking but most were happy to accept he would provide a challenge to Arbeloa and as prior to his first major injury he was first choice at Dortmond and in the very solid Swiss side he looked a good coup on a free.
Soon after we had N'Gog and Cavlieri enter the fields of Anfiled Road, nothing major but a replacement for the hapless Itandje couldn't harm and a few supporters wistfully dreamed of an Anelka type signing, still one for the future so no real harm done.
But where is our right winger we wondered? Well here's where Rafa played the joker in his pack. He had no intention of signing one! Instead, in comes Robbie Keane?!? Whilst most were initially suprised we were signing a striker, and all were suprised at the £20m transfer fee, but most caution soon led to optimism as fans dreamed of the Keane and Torres partnership.
There was of course still a worry. Where would Keane play? After all we had just swept most before us using a hugely successfull 4231. Rafa must be switching to 442. We were suprised but saw it as a positive.
Then came another bomb shell. The signing of Albert Riera. Opinion was split due to memories of a fantastic season with Espanyol and a poor one with Man City. What was more strange was that Rafa was signing a player to compete and possibly replace Ryan Babel in the first team, a player who many believed to be on the verge of having a real impact at Anfield.
Cue a couple of interviews where Rafa states he now sees Babel as a striker and no longer a winger. Fine Rafa, many said, but then why sign Keane?
Anyway fast forward even more and we are where we are now. Not doing to bad at all thank you very much on the grand scheme of things. In fact we are all delighted with the start. Less so with the performances it must be said.
Anyhow we are not a million miles from the next transfer window and what are the players people are wanting to sign?
Yes you guessed it, a left back, a right back and a right winger. Back to square one. And what formation is Rafa starting to rely on again? Again you are spot on when you say 4231. And once again we are bcak to square one.
We are a long way from a Houllier style collapse, and it is clear the signings we made have either been unlucky or slow to settle. I remain convinced Keane will settle if Rafa gives him a chance with Torres up front. The price alone dictates he will get a stay of execution.
The other two in Degen and Dossena are hanging by a thread. Either way Rafa has come through the nightmare month of November unscathed and a good run of games whould see us make the January transfer window whilst still in a positive position. But that is when Rafa will have to act. I await the outcome with baited breath...........
...........The press do also, who are already getting a slight smell of blood. With this being described as Rafas do or die season, and as yet no new contract on the table they will be quick to strike and write the inevitable Benitez for Madrid headlines. You wouldn't be suprised to see Schuster struggling at Real, who hire and fire managers faster than Usain Bolt will run the 100m. I await the inevitable press rumours.
Either way we can write what we like, but to win the title we will not be able to carry any first choice players. I expect a strong Rafa to do what he does best. Sell players he regards as failures. The challenge has been set for our under-achievers.
And I expect Rafa and his reds to be sitting top of the premiership come May. He may have got it wrong in the summer. He will not get it wrong again. Our rivals have allowed us a second chance. They will come to regret this.
was much improved early in the season and Kuyt and Xabi are playing very well. Our position is due to existing players upping their game, not the new buys in the main. I think Rafa success comes from his tactical ability. I think his judgement of players is no better than average.
Comment