Rafa is over cautious

[wiw]

Im sick of his tampering with the starting 11. Its not coincidence that when we stuck with the same 11 at the start of the season we were kicking ass. As soon as he starts messing with it and playing Lucas and Bennyanjoon we stumble.

I would rather he start his strongest team then bring players off for the rest once we are winning.

So what happens when one of the 'starting 11' gets injured, and his backup comes in having not played for weeks and looks totally off the pace? Whether we like it or not it's a squad game now and you have to keep everyone at the same high level throughout the season or you're found wanting

[Tatterdemalion]

Some people need to remember that whilst it might be fair to expect that we should be doing better than we are, it is Rafa who has given us the right to have, without irony, that expectation.

[Craig_H]

Some people need to remember that whilst it might be fair to expect that we should be doing better than we are, it is Rafa who has given us the right to have, without irony, that expectation.

That's spot on and i fully praise him for getting us in that situation.

What i'm gutted by though, is that i feel we have the tools to win the league, but i think we'll fail due to our own mistakes.

[reds123]

That's spot on and i fully praise him for getting us in that situation.

What i'm gutted by though, is that i feel we have the tools to win the league, but i think we'll fail due to our own mistakes.

totally agree with you. You are being realistic and not pessimistic.

What the heck is robbie keane doing on the bench when we need 3 points ?

why does he keep mascherano/lucas in midfield when one of them was not needed ?

[Elvoz]

Some people need to remember that whilst it might be fair to expect that we should be doing better than we are, it is Rafa who has given us the right to have, without irony, that expectation.

so you cant have a go at him ?
why do people seem to be happy to settle for being "in the mix" when we could and possibly should be well clear by now

[Skillz]

I've said it before, maybe not here, that Bolton and Newcastle put ****all pressure on our midfield/ball carriers and we won with ease. The exact same thing could be said of Chelsea vs the Mancs, hence the ease of their victory.

Most teams though this season realise that if you give the opposition no time on the ball, be resolute and disciplined in defence you can get result against anyone. Neither us, MU, Chelsea or Arsenal have shown they have the ability to consistently get through teams who employ this tactic, of which there are many.

Whoever finds the way first wins the league, IMO.

[Skillz]

Actually, my selection would've had Gerrard just behind Torres, not Kuyt.

Quite a bit of difference between Torres and Kuyt.

“I don’t know if I can play 90 minutes yet but for sure I can be in the squad." - Torres, today

There's your answer Craig, he wasnt ready and as Rafa said weeks ago he isn't going to rush him back.

[Craig_H]

“I don’t know if I can play 90 minutes yet but for sure I can be in the squad." - Torres, today

There's your answer Craig, he wasnt ready and as Rafa said weeks ago he isn't going to rush him back.

Then start him, give him the opportunity to win us the game and bring him off on 60 mins or at half time.

[Scratch]

Then start him, give him the opportunity to win us the game and bring him off on 60 mins or at half time.

TBH, i think Rafa is right to ease Torres back in by bringing him on late on, when defenders are tired. However, my only gripe with the Stoke line-up was the lack of Keane. Kuyt on the right, Riera on the left and Keane in the middle would have been my line-up, cos Kuyt is wasted as a lone striker (might work well in the support striker role tho I think) and Benny is not the man for a game like Stoke, as his tendancy to drift inside makes us too narrow.

[Baldemort]

Then start him, give him the opportunity to win us the game and bring him off on 60 mins or at half time.

Exactly. What's the point in leaving him on the bench to try to rescue the game in 30mins? Play him form the start to try and get an early goal to settle the team, and if we need him to stay on the pitch for longer we can leave him on, as opposed to limiting him to a maximum of 30mins.

[Elvoz]

Exactly. What's the point in leaving him on the bench to try to rescue the game in 30mins? Play him form the start to try and get an early goal to settle the team, and if we need him to stay on the pitch for longer we can leave him on, as opposed to limiting him to a maximum of 30mins.

and surely he is likely to exert more intense pressure on himself while we chase a game to win it in the last 20 mins

[Baldemort]

and surely he is likely to exert more intense pressure on himself while we chase a game to win it in the last 20 mins

He's probably more likely to injure himself if he's over doing it in the latter stages of the game in a desperate attempt to salvage the game.

[Elvoz]

He's probably more likely to injure himself if he's over doing it in the latter stages of the game in a desperate attempt to salvage the game.

your a quick learner new fish

stick with me

[Baldemort]

your a quick learner new fish

stick with me

I've posted elsewhere mate but thought i'd give this place a try.

[Skillz]

Then start him, give him the opportunity to win us the game and bring him off on 60 mins or at half time.

No doubt he will when he is ready. If it happens this week and we are 0-0 when he comes off, dont start. Torres is critical to our chances but he has to play and play well. He hasn't done much to show his true form yet.

Personally do not think he will start against Everton in either game but will be unleashed in top form after that.