Post Match Recriminations - Hull City

[nbryan1764]

It opens up another debate really, because the Didi sub was about stopping Pirlo and Kaka, which it did.

Is Rafa equally as astute when it comes to changing things going forward, rather than stopping the opposition from playing? Not sure.

I'm not sure either. I think he can wait too long to try to change going forward

[Craig_H]

I'm not sure either. I think he can wait too long to try to change going forward

I'd tend to agree.

Apart from enforced changes, has he EVER made a sub at half time, to change the game? Quiz question there. I dont recall it happening.

[nbryan1764]

I'd tend to agree.

Apart from enforced changes, has he EVER made a sub at half time, to change the game? Quiz question there. I dont recall it happening.

lol yes Didi in Istanbul!!

[dww]

lol yes Didi in Istanbul!!

I think that was enforced, was it not? (Injury to Finnan)

[nbryan1764]

I think that was enforced, was it not? (Injury to Finnan)

it was enforced that Finnan came off yes, but Didi was already coming on for Traore

[RedReet]

It opens up another debate really, because the Didi sub was about stopping Pirlo and Kaka, which it did.

Is Rafa equally as astute when it comes to changing things going forward, rather than stopping the opposition from playing? Not sure.

That’s my point, because he kept them quiet it allowed others to get forward more making us more of a threat. He wasn’t expected to score the goals to get us back in it, but he gave the team more freedom to attack.

Istanbul was just an obvious example, but Rafa has made other substitutions that has left us scratching our heads and it worked.

Keane and Gerrard when playing together often make similar runs and get in each others way, maybe this had something to do with Rafa’s subs. Gerrard always looked our greatest threat so maybe Rafa wanted the wingers to stretch play pulling defenders out of position to make more space for Gerrard.

I don’t know why exactly he brought Lucas on, but I’m sure he seen something in the game that he thought Lucas could influence (maybe let Gerrard get even further forward).

[Craig_H]

lol yes Didi in Istanbul!!

Apart from enforced changes.

[nbryan1764]

Apart from enforced changes.

Didi coming on was not enforced lol Is there an echo in here?

[Craig_H]

That’s my point, because he kept them quiet it allowed others to get forward more making us more of a threat. He wasn’t expected to score the goals to get us back in it, but he gave the team more freedom to attack.

Istanbul was just an obvious example, but Rafa has made other substitutions that has left us scratching our heads and it worked.

Keane and Gerrard when playing together often make similar runs and get in each others way, maybe this had something to do with Rafa’s subs. Gerrard always looked our greatest threat so maybe Rafa wanted the wingers to stretch play pulling defenders out of position to make more space for Gerrard.

I don’t know why exactly he brought Lucas on, but I’m sure he seen something in the game that he thought Lucas could influence (maybe let Gerrard get even further forward).

That would imply that Lucas offers better protection than Mascherano does - which would be nonsense.

[Craig_H]

Didi coming on was not enforced lol Is there an echo in here?

So the injured finnan would've played on, would he?

Or would we have played with 10 men?

'lol'

[nbryan1764]

So the injured finnan would've played on, would he?

Or would we have played with 10 men?

'lol'

no Traore was coming off!

Quote:
Rafa Benitez: 'After giving them this motivation talk I started to write the new team formation on the whiteboard. I told Traore that he had to get changed and that Hamman was coming on for him.'
Djimi Traore: 'I took my boots off after I was told I was not going back on.'

[RedReet]

That would imply that Lucas offers better protection than Mascherano does - which would be nonsense.

That was just a guess because I haven't heard Rafa mention anything about it yet, but I meant play Lucas as an attacking Midfielder.

Besides Mascherano was playing poor.

[Craig_H]

no Traore was coming off!

Quote:
Rafa Benitez: 'After giving them this motivation talk I started to write the new team formation on the whiteboard. I told Traore that he had to get changed and that Hamman was coming on for him.'
Djimi Traore: 'I took my boots off after I was told I was not going back on.'

What was the sub? Finnan off, Hamann on.

Was finnan injured?

If an injured player comes off, it's an enforced sub.

Not gonna dwell on this, it was an enforced change but even if you say it wasnt, that'll be ONE half time change in 4 and a half years. The point still remains.

[Craig_H]

That was just a guess because I haven't heard Rafa mention anything about it yet, but I meant play Lucas as an attacking Midfielder.

Besides Mascherano was playing poor.

I just think Rafa wanted to 'teach Keane a lesson' for his drama queen antics in Holland. Fine, do that by all means. But not at the detriment of the result.

Sorry Rafa, but 3 points are more important than your own stubborness and pride.

[RedReet]

I’m not justifying Rafa’s subs just pointing out that there is probably more to them than meets the eye.

Lucas for Gerrard against Everton being another example.