Does this forum need a team building exercise?

[alunevans]

How long constitutes a break in footballing terms though, I believe he had about a month off after we won the euro cup, and he had around a month after the world cup I think, maybve 3 weeks. Your average worker gets about this time off a year. True not all in one block, but surely Rafa can identify when a players really needs a break and gives them some time off. There's definately something to be said for the christmas breaks of other leagues.

The other thing as well is the idea of time off coming into play well the following shouldn't really be affected.

Bellamy
Gonzalez
Aurelio
Sissoko
Hyypia
Finnan
Zenden
Fowler

The only players we had in the world cup were I think:

Crouch
Kuyt
Garcia
Carra
Gerrard
Alonso
Reina

And I would say that at least half of those haven't looked to different from their form of last year.

Well Reina doesn't count he's a goalie.

But of the others I'd say only Crouch looks unaffected. (Cant really judge Kuyt as I cant compare last season to this given he's switched leagues).

But i'd say the rest don't look themselves.

[Morph]

I would say Crouch Kuyt and Garcia, all look the same as last year.

Reina's form I don't think has anything to do with the world cup.

So Carra, Gerrard Alonso

Alonso looked fatigued at the start of the season but started to step up, Sundays game wasn't his best.

Carra only played half the games at the world cup and didn't have a proper break, also has he ever recovered properly from his injury?

Gerrard has looked spent, and the argument maybe stands more ground for him than the above two.

But I'd say realistically these are the only three fatigued players we might have.

[Shaggy]

So Rafa getting us our highest points total since the Premier League began means nothing?

Forget winning cups, he is still the best League Manager we have had. Ged may well have finished second but Rafa has got more points.

95% of the time Rafa gets it right. League or Cup. He has dragged this club up by the balls.

**** me, lets say we do sack Rafa. How much is that going to cost? We've got **** all money as it is never mind paying him and his backroom off. Then what? Whoever comes in isnt going to be cheap, then they'll wanna buy players.

People might not like it but Rafa is here until HE decides otherwise and it would be a sad sad day if he gets hounded ut because we lose a few games. If we endure a season of ****e, like Houllier, then yeah fair play but can anyone honestly see that happening?

Rafa isnt behond blame but the players right now need to take more of the blame. Rafa is man enough to admit when he gets it wrong, he doesnt sulk or hide, he does something about it. Something a few players could do well to learn from.

[alunevans]

Yeah I can go with that Morph. There are 3 most influential players though aren't they. That must have a huge impact. And like I say, four years since a proper physical recovery time is a long time, especially when your competitors are getting that recovery time in the Summer.

Like I say, its four years since Stevie had a proper break. Just a thought.

I would say Crouch Kuyt and Garcia, all look the same as last year.

Reina's form I don't think has anything to do with the world cup.

So Carra, Gerrard Alonso

Alonso looked fatigued at the start of the season but started to step up, Sundays game wasn't his best.

Carra only played half the games at the world cup and didn't have a proper break, also has he ever recovered properly from his injury?

Gerrard has looked spent, and the argument maybe stands more ground for him than the above two.

But I'd say realistically these are the only three fatigued players we might have.

[mick the click]

If Raffa walked away I would **** myself for our immediate future. And medium. Who else is there.

I'm worried - I hope it's not a team ego thing. We don't need it.

[Tom]

If Raffa walked away I would **** myself for our immediate future. And medium. Who else is there.

Spot on.

Lets examine the facts.
My argument is that we won't win the league without huge investment anyhow, but putting that inconvenient fact aside, Rafa is - on his previous record - THE MASTER - at getting underfunded teams to win things. See his record in spain.

If rafa can't sort us out - I'd like to know who can.

Basically we're stuffed if he goes, it'd put us back 5 years, a disaster.

If he stays for extended period he gets the chance to do what Wenger has done at arsenal. Develop the club in his own image.

[Diego]

Spot on.

Lets examine the facts.
My argument is that we won't win the league without huge investment anyhow, but putting that inconvenient fact aside, Rafa is - on his previous record - THE MASTER - at getting underfunded teams to win things. See his record in spain.

If rafa can't sort us out - I'd like to know who can.

Basically we're stuffed if he goes, it'd put us back 5 years, a disaster.

If he stays for extended period he gets the chance to do what Wenger has done at arsenal. Develop the club in his own image.

thats the entire idea isn't it, were talking long term not just this season, and even if this season doesn't go acording to our best wishes does not mean the club is not going forward...

[Bob]

thats the entire idea isn't it, were talking long term not just this season, and even if this season doesn't go acording to our best wishes does not mean the club is not going forward...

If we fail to qualify for the CL (and i now predict/hope for forth - started off predicting 2nd/3rd) then that would be undoubtedly a step back. And if Gerrard leaves (again i don't believe he will) then that will be a gargantuan step back.

But i've just about started looking forward again.

[The Glove]

There are not 4 teams better than us in this league. Certainly not over the course of a season.

[Red Chilli]

High five