Lille post-mortem

[Lecter]

With that in mind, having looked on this season and seen how much of a task it was looking, to requalify for the CL (not to mention the unexpected early elimination in the group phase, and the cost of that failure) why wouldnt the owners have made some kind of attempt to fund much needed strengthening in January?

.

You know what looking back on this paragraph I think they have done the exact opposite

They have been aware of the risk of not getting 4th and have encouraged Rafa to bring in some funds (which they will probably use to pay down debt) and allowed him to sign a free transfer

As I said these guys arent stupid but they are greedy

[Craig_H]

You know what looking back on this paragraph I think they have done the exact opposite

They have been aware of the risk of not getting 4th and have encouraged Rafa to bring in some funds (which they will probably use to pay down debt) and allowed him to sign a free transfer

As I said these guys arent stupid but they are greedy

There has to be a case for saying their greed would prompt them to want to generate as much prize money as possible, though too.

[Craig_H]

I'd say they are completely ****ed, which is why I have been saying the things I have regarding the costs of sacking Rafa, hiring Mourinho, having zero budgets etc.....

Their American teams are highly leveraged also

How much longer can they possibly hold out for, do you think?

[little dave hedgehog]

How much longer can they possibly hold out for, do you think?

that's the real question. if they move on some of the high priced talent, it could be longer than bares thinking about.

[greystoneslfc]

Just to clarify, Rafa didnt come out and speak to Channel 5, either.

Rafa did speak to the media post-match. Maybe not Channel 5, but I'm Irish, don't have it!

[greystoneslfc]

Got to agree with this. I don't and never will buy this "not playing for the manager" ****e. It's criminal. What about the supporters? What about THEMSELVES? Surely every time you go onto a football pitch, no matter whether it's Wembley or the park with your mates, you wanna play well? Do the best you can? Why would they humiliate themselves live on TV with shameful performances, just cos they don't fancy the manager anymore? It's bull. I'm not having a go at anyone who thinks that's the case, more the players. Not believing in the manager is no ****ing excuse when you're wearing the Liver Bird on your chest FFS. They are a disgrace.

If you or me or even my mates had ever walked out with the attitude 'not playing for this manager', reserves straight away.

Surely professional pride must play some part?

[greystoneslfc]

you must have played football in teams when you were surrounded by players who were so far beneath your level that at times its like banging your head against a brick wall.

Yep, I did, I tried harder.

[Qantaga]

Everytime we lose we want Rafa out. Sounds a bit pathetic especially as he is going nowhere.
I don't think it was as good as Rafa had made out, but at the same time he has to keep some kind of confidence within the players, exploiting the positives over the negatives seems like a good thing. I don't think he should go because it's not 100% his fault we aren't doing all that well, Gerrard has been shocking this season, attitude and all. Alonso was one of my favourite players who had a key role that isn't going to be replaced overnight, we're looking at a season or two before that happens I think. Rafa would have to screw up next season for me to want him out for sure as I still think there is a turning point with him in charge.

In a season we'll know, maybe he will leave. Never know.

[tiktu]

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

Well, he could start leading by example and not to miss 70% of his own passes...

[Lecter]

There has to be a case for saying their greed would prompt them to want to generate as much prize money as possible, though too.

Yes thats true

But investing in companies kind of goes against the whole ethos of Leveraged Buy Outs

[Lecter]

How much longer can they possibly hold out for, do you think?

Thats the whole how long is a piece of string question

IF RBS/Purslow is as good as their word then not beyond the summer, unless they find somebody daft enough to invest with a minority stake

The big question is whether RBS will follow through on this £100 million debt pay down by July

I must admit I have my doubts

[Matt]

I had a dream last night that Rafa resigned and that I was quite sad about it.

This RBS deadline in July...I take it this is key, but when exactly is it? Because if everybody is waiting to see what happens with that it'll mess about with our transfer plans and we'll end up missing the boat on players as per ****ing usual.

If we have any transfer plans, that is.

[RichC]

Sorry but O'Neill? We don't want another counter-attacking side

At least there'd be an attacking side to it!

[Lecter]

I had a dream last night that Rafa resigned and that I was quite sad about it.

This RBS deadline in July...I take it this is key, but when exactly is it? Because if everybody is waiting to see what happens with that it'll mess about with our transfer plans and we'll end up missing the boat on players as per ****ing usual.

If we have any transfer plans, that is.

I reckon all we will be doing is bosmans or balancing the books in the summer

I cant see anything other than that happening with this deadline due and with the lack of Champions League football (in all likelihood)

[Chazza]

I reckon all we will be doing is bosmans or balancing the books in the summer

I cant see anything other than that happening with this deadline due and with the lack of Champions League football (in all likelihood)

And no doubt 2 or 3 out with no cover coming back in, the squad will look more and more devoid of depth whilst the likes of City and probably Spurs and Villa will add 1 or 2

Well and truly ****ed!