Has the 'rant' backfired?

[Baldemort]

You can pretty much guarantee Fergie has reminded his side about Rafa's 'disturbed rant' He probably has printed it out and made some of the words stand out more like the word 'Scared'

Personally, it wasn't a rant a la Keegan but it was more a calculated outburst which was not targeted at Ferguson, more at the officials and the FA, to be more fair across the board and possibly gain some leniency. It was to make sure Fergie doesn't rant and rave about referees and put pressure on them and now that it is the turn of the year, this when Fergie traditionally does it more often rather than the start. Once Fergie does say something, I have no doubt in my mind he will when a result doesn't go his way and he starts to feel the pressure, the press will be all over the FA to act. That in itself could cost United the title. However, if we don't win the title, no doubt tabloid press will point to that press conference as being the turning point.

I dunno mate. I lost count of the times he said "Mr Ferguson". If it were aimed at the FA etc then it would be no problem. But the way he kept referring to Fergie made it a direct attack on him and Manu. The perfect way to rally the troops. Although, as pointed out above, although I think it had an effect during the Chavs game, they haven't exactly sparkled since then...

[Joe King]

Totally. Raffa should have kept his mouth shut or replied with a witty remark like "Its only the ramblings of an old man". To take out a sheet of paper and talk about "Facts" was rediculous, and old whiskey nose must have been busting a gut, especially when we drew with Stoke.

If we had have beaten Stoke, I dont think the Scum would have taken 9 points from last 3 games...pressure would have been on them to keep up. No we are under pressure, Chelski, Villa, Arsenal all won today also, so If we dont win on Monday night, we can conceed title.

United were always going to beat all three teams. They have more luck than any other side in the country.

[Joe King]

I dunno mate. I lost count of the times he said "Mr Ferguson". If it were aimed at the FA etc then it would be no problem. But the way he kept referring to Fergie made it a direct attack on him and Manu. The perfect way to rally the troops. Although, as pointed out above, although I think it had an effect during the Chavs game, they haven't exactly sparkled since then...

He was targeting to the extent that, dare he not try anymore foolish remarks about referees and Liverpool not up for it any more because he isn't taking it.

[Ballykissdevil]

I always wondered whether this 'rant' was a way of getting the press focused on him rather than on his captain who, on 23rd of this month is facing an assault charge.

If this is the case then no, it hasn't backfired.

[FatTony]

Its had no relevence whatsoever to any of the results since. Let the media keep harping on, it gives them something to talk about, but lets be honest its bull****.

[Kenneth]

It's backfired in the sense that Rafa looks like a tosser. Don't think it effects results.

[Neil Young]

Its had no relevence whatsoever to any of the results since. Let the media keep harping on, it gives them something to talk about, but lets be honest its bull****.

There is so much **** talked about football.

[Shanks]

It wasn't a rant.

no it hasn't backfired - Man Utd still look far from convincing.

[Cormack74]

But that would imply he knew what was going to be in his contract before seeing it.

He had been presented with 2 previous drafts apparently.

[DannyMan2006]

I always wondered whether this 'rant' was a way of getting the press focused on him rather than on his captain who, on 23rd of this month is facing an assault charge.

If this is the case then no, it hasn't backfired.

Very good point.

[-V-]

Agree with the lady who suggested Rafa has succeeded in taking the spotlight/pressure off the players and onto himself. When Mourinho does it everyone calls him a genius.
Rafa is just as good at manipulating and playing games as Mourinho and Fergie are.

But the 'rant' had no effect because it was poor team selection that cost us against stoke not some verbals and you have to expect the scum to win the matches they have won.

The poll says 74% of voters don't think it backfired/ had no relevance

[Pablo]

Where is the option for "It's far too early to tell?"

[kop-al-74]

The way i see it is if your gonna pick a fight with fergie,you bloody well make sure you go and win your next game by picking your best players and formation to beat a lowly team.The draw against stoke is where it has possibly backfired imo.

[SB]

It's backfired in the sense that Rafa looks like a tosser. Don't think it effects results.

I'm inclinded to agree with you as no-one has come out in support of Rafa. No other Manager, CEO, Referees, no-one.

Rafa must feel like a dead man walking at present. We need to smash Neverton big time to end talk of the 'rant' affecting our results so we can get back on track.

[Skillz]

Rafa launched in to Fergie publicly as we all know not too long ago. Just before a critical weekend of football with our two closest rivals playing each other. The timing would appear to suggest that Rafa made his speech in order to ruffle Fergie's feathers just before a crucial game with Chelsea. At the time of that speech we were sitting pretty at the top of the prem and motoring along nicely. The moment Rafa made his speech, it heaped a whole load of unnecessary pressure on us and got us embroiled with a battle of mind games with Manu and Fergie. I thought at the time it was a risky move to make. Had Manu lost or even drawn and had we beaten Stoke, it would have put pressure on Manu, but it seems to me that it has backfired, as I feared it would. Manu still aren't playing great football, but they have taken 9 from 9 since that speech. If anything, Rafa's rant has probably made it a lot easier for Fergie to motivate his troops. The pressure is now well and truly on us just before a local derby. If we fluff this one with a draw or a loss, I think Rafa will find it incredibly difficult to lift the squad after watching our lead being taken away by Manu and will leave us with egg on our faces.

My biggest gripe with the whole 'rant' issue is that I don't think it was necessary at all. Why get involved in the first place? It was totally unnecessary. Especially with Fergie who has an incredible track record at playing such games through a media that are heavily biased towards him. I hope Rafa doesn't rue the day he made that speech.

The thing is you have just pointed out what is actually important, the games on the pitch. Every thing else is neither here nor there IMO, except for how the media react when Fergie spits it and possibly when the refs when they make a decision.