Lille post-mortem

[Shaggy]

To be honest I reckon Rafa's comments are intended as a heat deflection. We're not out of the tie and if we go through this will be forgotten. If, this time next week, we're out after a similarly **** performance, I'd expect a very different interview.

[SK]

the playmakers tend to play a little deeper, look at xavi for barcelona, or alonso for real, pirlo for ac milan, cambiasso for inter.

The key thing is getting the balls to the players who can cause the most damage at the right times. If you cant then keep hold of possession until the opening is created.

Alonso was the master at this and since his departure lucas hasnt filled his boots and never will.

yes i understand that, but the majority of them play a different formation, barca play 433. ac milan in their day had kaka behind the two strikers(or at times the lone striker) and he, imo was instrumental in their succes. cambiasso at inter is not so much a play maker as is stanković, cambiasso (if i dear to say it) plays a sort of lucas role.

real imo have to be excluded in all talk of formations as no-one can compete with them in the transfer market and they can just flood the starting lineup with all sorts of players. however when they bought zidane and played a 4231 sistem, zidan was played just behind the striker.

we do need more players with the basic ability to control and pass the ball, and if they can get past players it's a bonus. all our flaws (regarding the 4231) came to light as soon as xabi left imo, and why rafa is sticking with this formation is beyond me.

[Shaggy]

Been on a plane so missed the match. On the train from schiphol to amsterdam central and I am going to smoke a fat one at forget all about LFC for the weekend. Still plenty of cheap flights tomorrow if anyone fancies it.

Haha, good man. Enjoy.

[little dave hedgehog]

reading that interview with rafa, he is on a different planet, or doing way too much e.

anyone with his head so deep in the sand shouldn't be in control of a moped at the moment, not to mention a multi million pound club.

[Craig_H]

To be honest I reckon Rafa's comments are intended as a heat deflection. We're not out of the tie and if we go through this will be forgotten. If, this time next week, we're out after a similarly **** performance, I'd expect a very different interview.

Do you think he'd walk away? Not if we lose next week, just generally i mean.

Do you think he'd stay just for the money, or do you see him walking if things got bad enough by his own standards, to think '**** this' ?

[Craig_H]

The yanks were ****ing idiots for giving him that longterm contract and it's biting them on the arse right now. Sadly, it's biting us too.

[Parr_Zee]

To be honest I reckon Rafa's comments are intended as a heat deflection. We're not out of the tie and if we go through this will be forgotten. If, this time next week, we're out after a similarly **** performance, I'd expect a very different interview.

Really? I'd expect to see the exact intervierw i've seen many times:


- we worked hard and tried our best
- we knew it was going to be difficult
- we have talked about how Lille will play
- now we have to focus on the next game, and try to finish 4th

[Rich]

The yanks were ****ing idiots for giving him that longterm contract and it's biting them on the arse right now. Sadly, it's biting us too.

After last season I'd have given him a 10 year contract, so I don't blame the owners for that in the slightest.

[little dave hedgehog]

tbh, i think that in rafa's mind he probably thinks he can out all this right with a decent break from each other and a good preseason. that may be all he's thinking about.

[Le Chef]

If we bring in another manager its another ****in 5 year plan, but Rafa has been watching a different game than me.

4000 plus went today, and not once did they sing for Rafa, which is the first time I can recall. If we lose Monday, I think he'll walk

[JohnDoe]

He won't walk. He wants the pay off.

[Craig_H]

After last season I'd have given him a 10 year contract, so I don't blame the owners for that in the slightest.

The sentiment was fine and the team's performance certainly justified it, but i didnt understand the rush to thrust it in his face so desperately.

Furthermore, when only one of his seasons in charge yielded a title challenge, i dont know why there was such a desire for such a long contract. Evidence suggested that last season was the exception to the rule and this season backs that up emphatically.

[Chris]

He won't walk. He wants the pay off.

Good on him.

They gave him the contract, they pay the price.

[wiw]

Anyone see how pissed off Gerrard was when Babel ****ed up his pass to him, down the left hand side? You can tell how pissed off the better players are with the others

[Craig_H]

If we bring in another manager its another ****in 5 year plan, but Rafa has been watching a different game than me.

4000 plus went today, and not once did they sing for Rafa, which is the first time I can recall. If we lose Monday, I think he'll walk

Why is it?

Why cant a new manager use the quality that's already here (and it is here, it's just the current manager can no longer bring it out) and make a few tweaks to mould it into his own team? Why would that need to take 5 years?