A question about Rafa...

[JudgeRed]

The problem is, thanks to the owners, a transfer budget is likely to be a pipedream

i disagree with your standpoint, but having read your previous posts on the subject I know that you arent for turning. For me, I still stand by my original statement about the club owing him a season fully backed. when you think about the players that he wanted eg Alves, Simao, Vidic to name a few and look at what he got- Its arguable that we have been overachieving, and at somepoint a season like this has been inevitable. IMO of course.

[Paul12]

Yep, we're all disappointed but people seem to think this is a place they can just let off steam, even if that means talking ****e. And a few even think we're all here just for the privilege of reading them saying the same old ****e over and over and over again. It's so boring and unimaginative and childish.

I agree, but like with the TV there is an 'off switch'....well, sort of.

I actually thought Rafa was pretty bold yesterday. Torres had looked lethargic from the beginning and was finding space only outside the area. So, in order to present Birmingham with problems in the area and to try to freshen Torres up for Thursday, Rafa took him off. Ngog missed chances, but he did what Torres had not done...get into dangerous positions.

Indeed, all 3 substitutions were forward looking. Yet Rafa is still criticised. We would have won that game, and looked comfortable doing it, if the back four had sufficient understanding to cope with one player being taken out of position. The Greek got his positioning wrong both for the goal and for the sitter they missed and that meant (a) for the goal that Cara and Johnson had to come across (Ridgewell was Maxi's man, but I don't see him being criticised); (b) for the sitter, Johnson was put in a redundant position leaving Carra to cover two positions.

[Guest]

I agree, but like with the TV there is an 'off switch'....well, sort of.

I actually thought Rafa was pretty bold yesterday. Torres had looked lethargic from the beginning and was finding space only outside the area. So, in order to present Birmingham with problems in the area and to try to freshen Torres up for Thursday, Rafa took him off. Ngog missed chances, but he did what Torres had not done...get into dangerous positions.

Indeed, all 3 substitutions were forward looking. Yet Rafa is still criticised. We would have won that game, and looked comfortable doing it, if the back four had sufficient understanding to cope with one player being taken out of position. The Greek got his positioning wrong both for the goal and for the sitter they missed and that meant (a) for the goal that Cara and Johnson had to come across (Ridgewell was Maxi's man, but I don't see him being criticised); (b) for the sitter, Johnson was put in a redundant position leaving Carra to cover two positions.

[CJ]

I agree, but like with the TV there is an 'off switch'....well, sort of.

I actually thought Rafa was pretty bold yesterday. Torres had looked lethargic from the beginning and was finding space only outside the area. So, in order to present Birmingham with problems in the area and to try to freshen Torres up for Thursday, Rafa took him off. Ngog missed chances, but he did what Torres had not done...get into dangerous positions.

Indeed, all 3 substitutions were forward looking. Yet Rafa is still criticised. We would have won that game, and looked comfortable doing it, if the back four had sufficient understanding to cope with one player being taken out of position. The Greek got his positioning wrong both for the goal and for the sitter they missed and that meant (a) for the goal that Cara and Johnson had to come across (Ridgewell was Maxi's man, but I don't see him being criticised); (b) for the sitter, Johnson was put in a redundant position leaving Carra to cover two positions.

Paul what are you doing here with well reasoned posts.

be gone with you!!!!!!

actually i quite enjoy reading posts like this. if only i could write them

[Armchairkopite]

Maxi an absolute steal at 1.5 million, cant wait for him to get his first goal.

[Lecter]

The problem is, thanks to rafa's mismanagement of this season, a transfer budget is likely to be a pipedream.

Well finishing second and getting Champions League football got him a zero NETT budget so what can you expect from this season??

Mismanagement or no mismanagement (at playing level) the club was only ever going to bumble along with the current owners in charge

[Armchairkopite]

Well finishing second and getting Champions League football got him a zero NETT budget so what can you expect from this season??

Mismanagement or no mismanagement (at playing level) the club was only ever going to bumble along with the current owners in charge

Aye, how we judge a man who has one arm hand behind his back.

Yes hes made mistakes but he hasn't had the backing like Utd, Arse and the Chavs give their managers.

He deserves this Summer to right a few wrongs and if the club can get its act together in the boardroom, I still think he is the man for the job.

[Craig_H]

i disagree with your standpoint, but having read your previous posts on the subject I know that you arent for turning. For me, I still stand by my original statement about the club owing him a season fully backed. when you think about the players that he wanted eg Alves, Simao, Vidic to name a few and look at what he got- Its arguable that we have been overachieving, and at somepoint a season like this has been inevitable. IMO of course.

Anyone can pinpoint the best players in the world and say i want him, him and him. Anyone can do it.

You dont get to just buy the best players all the time though, that's not realistic and if rafa cant get us in the CL positions with a side featuring Pepe, Agger, Carra, Mascher, Johnson, Gerrard & Torres, then he's simply not good enough.

[Craig_H]

Well finishing second and getting Champions League football got him a zero NETT budget so what can you expect from this season??

Mismanagement or no mismanagement (at playing level) the club was only ever going to bumble along with the current owners in charge

I expect a side that went within 4 points of being champions, to be able to finish in the top 4 without a problem.

Actually Lec, scrap that - forget the top 4.

Do you think our team is good enough to be able to win at places like Pompey, Wolves, Wigan etc?

Do you think our team is of a high enough standard to have more than the pitiful 4 away wins all season?

If you think they arent good enough for that, then you must seriously think most of our players are utter utter ****.

[Craig_H]

Aye, how we judge a man who has one arm hand behind his back.

Yes hes made mistakes but he hasn't had the backing like Utd, Arse and the Chavs give their managers.

He deserves this Summer to right a few wrongs and if the club can get its act together in the boardroom, I still think he is the man for the job.

I'm not asking him to compete with United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

I'm asking him to take a side that was 2 different results off being champions, to finish 4th.

****ing hell, do you lot think our players and team are so ****ing utter dog****e tripe, that the extent of our capabities includes losing to Wigan and Pompey, and not being able to win more than 4 away games???

[Armchairkopite]

There you go again, wind your neck in.

Do you think that people are oblivious to the facts or do you just like mouthing off being the big 'I AM' all the ****ing time.

Everybody has an opinion that they are entitled to express of course on a forum such as this opinions are there to be questioned but you dont go around saying I AM right you are wrong all the ****ing time because it makes you look like a dick head.

Every game has been analysed throughout the season and the consensus is that its not good enough but just because people want to look at the bigger picture other then just the manager doesn't make them any less knowledgeable or less passionate about Liverpool Football Club then you so **** off with the attitude.

[Craig_H]

There you go again, wind your neck in.

Do you think that people are oblivious to the facts or do you just like mouthing off being the big 'I AM' all the ****ing time.

Everybody has an opinion that they are entitled to express of course on a forum such as this opinions are there to be questioned but you dont go around saying I AM right you are wrong all the ****ing time because it makes you look like a dick head.

Every game has been analysed throughout the season and the consensus is that its not good enough but just because people want to look at the bigger picture other then just the manager doesn't make them any less knowledgeable or less passionate about Liverpool Football Club then you so **** off with the attitude.

1. I never said anyone was oblivious to anything.
2. I havent used the phrase 'i am'.
3. Nowhere have i said people arent entitled to opinions.
4. I never said 'i am right, you are wrong'.
5. I never said anyone's less knowledgable or less passionate.

I simply asked you a question.

Do you think our team is only as good as to manage 4 away wins all season and isnt good enough to win at places like Pompey, Wigan and Wolves?

[Robster007]

2 CL finals in 3 years? Most points achieved for us in the prem? His team scoring the most goals in the prem last season? Up til this season, keeping us competitive despite the 2 clowns runnin the shop?

In a nutshell. How quickly we forget eh....

[Robster007]

I agree, but like with the TV there is an 'off switch'....well, sort of.

I actually thought Rafa was pretty bold yesterday. Torres had looked lethargic from the beginning and was finding space only outside the area. So, in order to present Birmingham with problems in the area and to try to freshen Torres up for Thursday, Rafa took him off. Ngog missed chances, but he did what Torres had not done...get into dangerous positions.

Indeed, all 3 substitutions were forward looking. Yet Rafa is still criticised. We would have won that game, and looked comfortable doing it, if the back four had sufficient understanding to cope with one player being taken out of position. The Greek got his positioning wrong both for the goal and for the sitter they missed and that meant (a) for the goal that Cara and Johnson had to come across (Ridgewell was Maxi's man, but I don't see him being criticised); (b) for the sitter, Johnson was put in a redundant position leaving Carra to cover two positions.

Superb post. Craig, you could learn a thing or two by reading this and taking it in.....

[Robster007]

1. I never said anyone was oblivious to anything.
2. I havent used the phrase 'i am'.
3. Nowhere have i said people arent entitled to opinions.
4. I never said 'i am right, you are wrong'.
5. I never said anyone's less knowledgable or less passionate.

I simply asked you a question.

Do you think our team is only as good as to manage 4 away wins all season and isnt good enough to win at places like Pompey, Wigan and Wolves?

FFS Craig, just pack it in. I miss you not being here. Belligerent, relentless bollocks.....