An Epic Swindle by Brian Reade

[Galb]

I think many got frustrated and, like Gerrard, failed, for whatever reason, to see the bigger picture. Then there was the mantra that the manager takes the blame when things go wrong and seventh wasn't good enough for LFC etc. so he had to go. They were wrong, I feel, but not malicious. At least, many weren't, they were just misguided.

Of course not all of us needed hindsight.

Anyone who hated him though is simply a very poor judge of character, or worse.

I hope this is a reminder to everyone about the need to take most things in the football press with a mound of salt - my memory of the whole saga was that there was so much coming out against Rafa all over the press that a lot of people naturally believed it.

Most of the journos just repeat what they've been told without any independent analysis or verification. So all your reading from 'sources' is what someone wants you to read.

In this case, the owners and Purslow.

[Charly]

I think most of the people that wanted Rafa gone were because of performances on the pitch. I was not enjoying watching us play. I am glad we have Kenny, not because hes Kenny, but because the football has improved. Now it may be just force of personaility thats inspiring the players, but I think the players were simply not giving it all for Rafa. The spark had gone. Shame, as it was probably the stuff happening off the pitch which had disillusioned the players, and nothing to do with Rafa.

Although the book did quote Carra saying that Rafa had started to make comment in training about it all, and that he might leave, which I thin was wrong, as that can only have an adverse effect on the players... Not that I blame Rafa, after the **** he had to put up with.

[Neil Young]

The thing is Charly, we didn't replace Benitez with Dalglish. You wanted him gone but what we got instead was far, far worse.

Post-rationalisation is one thing but the airbrushing of history is something else.

[dom9]

The thing is Charly, we didn't replace Benitez with Dalglish. You wanted him gone but what we got instead was far, far worse.

Post-rationalisation is one thing but the airbrushing of history is something else.

I was one of those thought that Rafa had lost the dressing room, so could not realistically continue and and improve the team. It was time for a change. That's why I reluctantly thought him leaving was the best option, as long as he was replaced by someone that could do the job better.

Obviously we ended up with Hodgson, and that was a catastrophic mistake. But I was behind Hodgson in the early days. I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt until all doubt was eliminated.

Ideally in hindsight, he would have been replaced directly by Kenny, but there were massive doubts about him before he got his chance.

[Galb]

I was one of those thought that Rafa had lost the dressing room, so could not realistically continue and and improve the team. It was time for a change..

I think there's no doubt some of the players for whatever reason had performance issues over the end of Rafa's time.

But I dont think you can separate that entirely from the background - if you're a 'star' player who has issues with the manager, you're far less likely to let it affect your performances or demeanour if you know the board have got the manager's back and will allow him to get rid of you if you're disruptive.

If you have a case where it's well known those in charge want the manager out, its much easier for players to start moaning and acting up because they know the manager doesnt really have the authority to deal with them. Especially if they have those in charge saying the same things to them about how he's going to have to go.

We'll never know but I think the change of owners - if they expressed confidence in Rafa - would have had a much bigger impact than you might expect on the dressing room.

[dom9]

Yeah, all fair points, but ultimatley speculative.

[Neil Young]

Hmm, speculation about what would have happened if he'd stayed in charge or not is muddying the water. There is not equality between the two sides of this argument in terms of the one essential fact.

Benitez was not replaced with someone better. Quite the opposite.

So fans who didn't back him made a mistake.

It's that simple.

[Fredo]

Hmm, speculation about what would have happened if he'd stayed in charge or not is muddying the water. There is not equality between the two sides of this argument in terms of the one essential fact.

Benitez was not replaced with someone better. Quite the opposite.

So fans who didn't back him made a mistake.

It's that simple.

[redstaralex]

That's all the email requests answered and book sent

sorry am a bit late, can you send me a copy please?

ta

[dom9]

Hmm, speculation about what would have happened if he'd stayed in charge or not is muddying the water. There is not equality between the two sides of this argument in terms of the one essential fact.

Benitez was not replaced with someone better. Quite the opposite.

So fans who didn't back him made a mistake.

It's that simple.

But what exactly do you mean?

Whether I backed him or not is irrelevent as it had no impact on the situation.

The ones who made the mistake are the ones who made the decision.

[JHP]

But what exactly do you mean?

Whether I backed him or not is irrelevent as it had no impact on the situation.

The ones who made the mistake are the ones who made the decision.

You individually didn't but it certainly helped them knowing a body of supporters were/ had turned against him.

[Craig_H]

You individually didn't but it certainly helped them knowing a body of supporters were/ had turned against him.

Yeah, because if there was one thing Hicks/Gillett did, it was act according to what the supporters wanted, eh?

[CJ]

I was one of those thought that Rafa had lost the dressing room, so could not realistically continue and and improve the team. It was time for a change. That's why I reluctantly thought him leaving was the best option, as long as he was replaced by someone that could do the job better.

Obviously we ended up with Hodgson, and that was a catastrophic mistake. But I was behind Hodgson in the early days. I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt until all doubt was eliminated.

Ideally in hindsight, he would have been replaced directly by Kenny, but there were massive doubts about him before he got his chance.

i agree with all that. the one reason i didnt want rafa gone though was that we wouldnt replace him with anyone as good or better due to problems at the club. I was supportive of dodge, still dont beleive he is a bad manager just clearly the wrong manager for us ever.

We have Kenny now if i rewound to last summer and knew what i know about Kenny now i wonder if i would have said no to Benitez going?

[JHP]

Yeah, because if there was one thing Hicks/Gillett did, it was act according to what the supporters wanted, eh?

Yeah so you think it made it harder for them knowing there was a body of support against him eh?

[Craig_H]

Why is Neil acting as though those who thought Rafa should go, were automatically wanting Hodgson to replace him?

Rather silly, that is.

The mistake was appointing the Bodge. And the mistake was made by the club, not the supporters.