Rafa

[dww]

Well he missed about four sitters last week against Bolton, and then woefully miskicked from 10 yards last night when he should've scored.

It's not so much finishing chances (which Owen isn't very good at anyway) - it's about fitting into our system and Ngog does that. He can hold the ball, got a bit of strength about him and is pretty quick. Owen was an absolute no go and, IMO, only very short-sighted people would've wanted us to have signed him. There's a Red at work who bleats on and on about Rafa "failing to sign Owen" as though we'd be ****ing top of the table if he had.

I agree with the broad points but the problem is that Ngog is raw and not a natural scorer. Part of the thing about Owen is that he gets in the right position a huge amount of times and that gives the rest of his team the confidence to put in certain balls knowing odds are he'll be there. That's why Owen is a natural goal scorer not necessarily his clinical finishing.

I agree that Owen wasn't the right call for us but I do think that the failure to sign an experienced head or a player who was a natural goal threat has been shown to be a mistake. Whether that was Rafa's call or one imposed by finances who can say.

[cadmium]

No way would I "welcome" Mourinho

I'd begrudgingly accept him if he was all that was available.

Me neither mate. The comments he's come out with about us in the past and the ways he's acted would not make him welcome at Anfield. Then again he has got the ego to shrug that type of thing off.

Anywayhe's destined for the Scum once purple nose retires

[dww]

Me neither mate. The comments he's come out with about us in the past and the ways he's acted would not make him welcome at Anfield. Then again he has got the ego to shrug that type of thing off.

Anywayhe's destined for the Scum once purple nose retires

I think we are safe as Mourinho only seem interested in jobs where he inherits a set up that is favourites to win things. He doesn't strike me as someone keen to spend time building a legacy or slowly evolving a team.

I don't think he would do a better job than Rafa.

He has the ego to ignore abuse though and I think that as a population fans would warm to anyone who bought success.

[cadmium]

I think we are safe as Mourinho only seem interested in jobs where he inherits a set up that is favourites to win things. He doesn't strike me as someone keen to spend time building a legacy or slowly evolving a team.

I don't think he would do a better job than Rafa.

He has the ego to ignore abuse though and I think that as a population fans would warm to anyone who bought success.

Spot on there mate

[Reece]

Can you imagine Mourinho putting in the work that Rafa has throughout the whole structure of the club? Because I certainly can't.

[Guest]

Owen is crap and was always crap. Can't believe I thought he was the best around when he played for us.

[danwms]

he was at the time though

[saveferris]

I agree with the broad points but the problem is that Ngog is raw and not a natural scorer.

I agree with that, in addition I dont think he can play the one man up front role either.

As for Rafa, whilst he has made mistakes he has also become a victim of his own success. We have been relatively poor, compared to last year in particular, but this is due to mistakes from many and injuries.

These can be rectified, and i am sure we will be on a charge again. I really think others will drop points and once we have a fully fit squad will win many more than we draw or lose.

[peekay]

I agree with the broad points but the problem is that Ngog is raw and not a natural scorer. Part of the thing about Owen is that he gets in the right position a huge amount of times and that gives the rest of his team the confidence to put in certain balls knowing odds are he'll be there. That's why Owen is a natural goal scorer not necessarily his clinical finishing.

I agree that Owen wasn't the right call for us but I do think that the failure to sign an experienced head or a player who was a natural goal threat has been shown to be a mistake. Whether that was Rafa's call or one imposed by finances who can say.

One thing I have been wondering quite a bit is did Rafa have his budget reduced in the middle or end of summer. Everything seemed to be going along nicely, Torres made comments about Mata/Silva even after the Johnson purchase. All of a sudden things seem to go downhill.

If Rafa knew at beginning of summer that he would not have enough money, maybe he would have organized things differently.