Kenny isn't what we need

[Craig_H]

the football was still dire on the whole, effective I'll give you. Feb-May when we came second was brilliant.

Strongly disagree about the football being dire on the whole.

And in any case, even if it was (i dont think it was), i'd still take winning football.

That Feb-May when we came second, is nigh on impossible to replicate on a regular basis.

[Craig_H]

So why not lend that kind of time to Kenny as well. If the fans can see this approach isn't working then I'm sure Kenny and Co can see it too. Luckily, the manager and owners aren't as knee jerk as the fans.

I havent said not to.

[BobTheCharmer]

I really can't agree with you there.

I don't expect or want you to matt. you enjoyed it and so did many others, I didn't and no matter how many people insist I must be mental to have my view, I won't change it.

[RichC]

I really can't agree with you there.

Some of the football under Rafa was turgid to say the least, it did the job but it was often pretty dull to watch.

We did play the best football I've seen for 20 years+ from us though when we finished 2nd

[Muddled]

I wouldn't say the football was dire; we grinded out results early in the season, then went through a poor spell - not too disimilar to now - of not being able to put the ball in the net, then clicked and went on a run of results were we looked invincible.

Looking at our performances now, we are creating chances, but not being prolific and the big problem area for me is we are getting over-run in midfield. Rafa was spoilt in the middle of the park, we are really in the process of rebuilding it.

[CJ]

Certainly true, but if or when it becomes clear that FFP is just a farce, i dont think FSG will just decide to sell us again.

The Man City £400m stadium naming rights deal has gone through, nothing's been said about it and that in itself proves to me that FFP is just a load of balls. Especially since City, without the worldwide fan appeal of a Madrid or Barca, wouldnt have been missed by worldwide TV broadcasters, had Uefa banned them.

I stillnreckon they will run us with an arsenal esque model long term. I think they are comfortable with injecting cashwhen needed. If that was all the time I think they may want out. Obviously new stadium or expansion is the key long term. Also cl football is a must for the cash and the players it attracts

[cream]

I wouldn't say the football was dire; we grinded out results early in the season, then went through a poor spell - not too disimilar to now - of not being able to put the ball in the net, then clicked and went on a run of results were we looked invincible.

Looking at our performances now, we are creating chances, but not being prolific and the big problem area for me is we are getting over-run in midfield. Rafa was spoilt in the middle of the park, we are really in the process of rebuilding it.

Exactly. The demise of Gerrard is also having a big impact on the team as well.

[cream]

I would also question whether there has been a cash injection from the owners, if there has then I'd expect us to be pretty active in coming transfer window.

[Mattshark]

Some of the football under Rafa was turgid to say the least, it did the job but it was often pretty dull to watch.

We did play the best football I've seen for 20 years+ from us though when we finished 2nd

Apart from our last season under Rafa, I really enjoyed our football under him for the most part

[cream]

Apart from our last season under Rafa, I really enjoyed our football under him for the most part

He was given time and money to build his team.

[Lecter]

And who is our only goal threat? The answer is Suarez. You don't really expect anyone else to score. That is why I predicted some fantasy scores in our latest games and Suarez to score almost all of them.

Is it money well spent when we only have one goal threat?

I would even say that Morgan would have done better than Carroll. So why splash out £35m on a player instead of giving him a chance?

Is Carroll really that much better than Morgan? Would Morgan missed sitter after sitter the way Carroll do?

Carroll is probably the better player but Morgan is no doubt the better finisher.

Torres was our main goal threat under Rafa (and Gerrard who is injured) so its a situation thats been around for a long long time

Very simplistic to say blame everyone but Suarez when even he himself is guilty of missing chances. There was a stat over the weekend on the telly that said something like Suarez only converts 11% (think it was that) of the goal scoring opportunities he has - thats a shocking statistic for a player of his quality

[Kenneth]

He was given time and money to build his team.

Well indeed. Winning the biggest competition in club football was probably the biggest reason.

[Mostar]

Cant agree there mate, FSG are entirely minted and they certainly can pay £200k wages (not to everyone obviously, but if it's needed and considered worthwhile, they can). They may not think it's worthwhile and that's their decision to make, but i dont for one minute think they 'cant' pay it.

Not sure if that's a fact, let alone an obvious one

He was voted their best player last year.

Hardly conclusive though.

Too much guesswork in these threads from wannabe football managers.

You said I made an assumption and I go give you a proof in writing about what Mata himself said and then you throw an insulting remark..

[Craig_H]

He was voted their best player last year.

A fans vote chose Raul Meireles as the PL player of the year, last season...

[Lecter]

Firstly, the Hodgson era is no barometer to use, so i'd ditch that one straight away.

Second, Rafa was here for 6 years, Kenny's not even been back for one year yet.

Most of Rafa's time didnt consist of serving up dross, arguably the last year of his reign was. So his 6th year.

Bit unfair, with Kenny not even 1 year into it, to start comparing frequency of dross, compared to six years' worth.

Even at our best under Rafa we were unimaginitive and functional

I liked Rafa as a manager but he had as many failings as Kenny does