The New Manager Thread

[dww]

if mascher could do that on anything like a regular basis, he would be tops. i'm not necessarily saying he isn't world class, but for a central midfielder, his skills at going forward aren't the best. messi is not a complete player either, but he does everything he needs to do in his position. mascher could do more if he's going to play where he does. not that i think he's in any way a bad player.

Is he notably worse that Makelele in an attacking sense? As he was certainly world class.

that being said, and i've said this before, and maybe will get some more flack for it, but if i were in charge, mascher would only play against the very best oposition, when we're trying to shut up shop and when our midfield was getting kicked up in the air.

I think that is a bit reductive. I think a holding midfielder like Mascherano can be thought of as a way to release other players - i.e. the fullbacks or centre backs in a flexible way.

I also think the higher up the pitch the team plays the more useful the type of passing Masherano is good at becomes.

[little dave hedgehog]

i think essien is a better shout for a world class player there.

dave, i'm not saying i'm right, but if i were in charge, that's how my team would play. it makes sense to me, but any manager plays with his own tactics, and i can see why benitez likes him.

[red g]

also masher looks better with agger in the team as he has someone nearby to pass it to, who can actually control it

[dww]

i think essien is a better shout for a world class player there.

I think they do different things.

I'm not really sure what definition is workable for world class player as clearly it will always be debatable. I would say that Essien would be a more flexible choice if you were picking a world XI but I think if you wanted a specialist holding player then there are very, very few players you would look at ahead of him.

dave, i'm not saying i'm right, but if i were in charge, that's how my team would play. it makes sense to me, but any manager plays with his own tactics, and i can see why benitez likes him.

Fair enough.

[little dave hedgehog]

I think they do different things.

I'm not really sure what definition is workable for world class player as clearly it will always be debatable. I would say that Essien would be a more flexible choice if you were picking a world XI but I think if you wanted a specialist holding player then there are very, very few players you would look at ahead of him.



Fair enough.

i did say he was best in the world at one thing. just wish he could sort out a couple of other things to be great at too.

[CJ]

I disagree.

a world first Graig H disagreeing with someone i never thought i would see the day

[pezzzer]

When all said and done it's one bad season in five ffs. Have we really degenerated into the kind of club that wants to ditch our manager when he and the team need our support the most??

Craig H, Red g etc, do you only sing when we're winning??

[Craig_H]

It's more about some of us who just dont think Rafa's footballing philosophies are good enough to win the PL title or challenge for it consistently. Maybe we just dont think he can take us forward? You have your opinion, and that's fine. Others will have their own.

Are we not allowed to have an opinion?

[red g]

When all said and done it's one bad season in five ffs. Have we really degenerated into the kind of club that wants to ditch our manager when he and the team need our support the most??

Craig H, Red g etc, do you only sing when we're winning??

I have been one of his biggest backers right up till the last 3 months. Always supported him......massively.

And he has my 100% Support while here....in fact 150% and i love the fella i really do. But somewhere deep down i am not sure he is the man for the job anymore.

I just think he over analyses things, whiich has mader me probably over analyse the last few years and look at to many of his negatives and not enough of his positives.

I am just down

[red g]

When all said and done it's one bad season in five ffs. Have we really degenerated into the kind of club that wants to ditch our manager when he and the team need our support the most??

Craig H, Red g etc, do you only sing when we're winning??

I would also add for Liverpool FC its 5 bad seasons in 5 ......as the premiership trophy is still sat in every other ****ers trophy cabinet but ours.

(maybe 3 bad seasons as first couple were pretty good )

[pezzzer]

It's more about some of us who just dont think Rafa's footballing philosophies are good enough to win the PL title or challenge for it consistently. Maybe we just dont think he can take us forward? You have your opinion, and that's fine. Others will have their own.

Are we not allowed to have an opinion?

Ive just re-read my post craig and i cant see where ive said your not entitled to your opinion?

You and red g are very different animals in as such he is just very ****ed off at the crap season we are having where as you will just NEVER back rafa as you simply dont believe he will bring us the PL.

Thank god your in the minority craig, unfortunately not the silent one in your case

[Craig_H]

If i dont think he'll ever win the PL, why wouldnt i want a manager who i think would?

Should i not want a manager who i think could do it for us?

Saying i 'never' back rafa is a bit idiotic, as i gave him huge credit for last season. I'm not one dimensional though, so like giving him credit when he does well, i criticise when i think he's done poorly.

[red g]

Ive just re-read my post craig and i cant see where ive said your not entitled to your opinion?

You and red g are very different animals in as such he is just very ****ed off at the crap season we are having where as you will just NEVER back rafa as you simply dont believe he will bring us the PL.

Thank god your in the minority craig, unfortunately not the silent one in your case

it is true

[The Birdman]

I would also add for Liverpool FC its 5 bad seasons in 5 ......as the premiership trophy is still sat in every other ****ers trophy cabinet but ours.

(maybe 3 bad seasons as first couple were pretty good )

Quick point, seeing as we haven't won the league in 20 years why do you think we have a divine right to win it (ergo if we don't it's a bad season??)
There are 4 throphies every season, arguably 3 worth winning with the PL and CL top 2, seeing as we haven't won the league in 20 years how is finishing top 4 and having cup success a 'bad season' as you suggest??

People need to get a grip in my opinion and live in the present nor the past, currently, Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and arguably (on money spent in the last 2 or 3 transfer windows) Spurs and Villa have a better chance of winning the league than us

[pezzzer]

If i dont think he'll ever win the PL, why wouldnt i want a manager who i think would?

Should i not want a manager who i think could do it for us?

Saying i 'never' back rafa is a bit idiotic, as i gave him huge credit for last season. I'm not one dimensional though, so like giving him credit when he does well, i criticise when i think he's done poorly.

Benitez and the team as a whole have had a bad season craig, it happens, every team has a stinker once in a while ok?

We came a good second last year so I really dont understand a fans change in loyalties so soon after our title race last season?

For me I really hope benitez stays and finishes the job we know he can do and bring us the pl, would he finally earn your faith in him then? Or if 3months after that we have a mediocre spell will u draw your daggers again?

If the worst happens and maureen did take over after you get your wish and benitez leaves, GOD HELP HIM if he looses a game starting with Lucas and kuyt, normal service from you will be resumed.