Rafa Benitez

[wiw]

If teams know how we close down then they're going to punish us. Zenden chases shadows, as does Alonso lately, and Gerrard is too far out wide to get involved enough. Crouch seems to get lost amongst centre backs and Kuyt is trying hard but not getting anywhere.

Our system is simply far FAR too rigid going forward. We pass it in little triangles very nicely and don't get anywhere. By the time we don't get anywhere, the oppositing team have got 11 men behind the ball. When we actually DO try and make penetrating passes, the opposition sees it coming a mile off and we're back to square one. Then we pass it around in an attempt to keep the ball and end up getting nowhere again. I just don't understand 4-4-2 against Arsenal away.

Our 4-4-2 eventually changes into an inefficient 4-2-3-1, but without the penetrating wingers and clever movement.

In a nutshell - we aren't good enough EDIT because our game tactics rely on possession, and we don't have the quality to keep the ball in the final third.

[wiw]

Plus we lack any type of composure on the ball. I think with our high tempo closing down and running, by the time we do get the ball, we're too edgy and end up losing the ball in an attempt to hold the high tempo. Then we lose it, lose more confidence and **** up even more

[Shaggy]

I think I'm going to kill myself.

[Morph]

Is waiting 16 years not patient enough? The club is what we follow and beleive in not the individual manager or group of players. I think Rafa needs to be given time and talking about sacking him at the end of the season is madness but I also think that Rafa needs to start realising that the tactics and training methods he uses which worked so well in La Liga may not be suited to the Premiership.

Well you kind of answer it yourself there, but Rafa hasn't had 16 years, how long did it take Ferguson 6 years?

We don't have the funds of the mancs or chelski, so basically we need time.

[wiw]

I think I'm going to kill myself.

I live with two Arsenal fans

What is your suicide method of choice? I may join you

[kopdan]

I think I'm going to kill myself.

its not that bad shaggy

could be Elton Welsby

[Shaggy]

its not that bad shaggy

could be Elton Welsby

What's with the Welsby fascination?!

It is that bad. It's totally soul destroying.

[kopdan]

long story Shaggy

My boss is an Arsenal fan. I am dreading it now

[Shaggy]

Oh Christ.

I bet Dhavlos is currently swinging from a noose in his bedroom.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Oh Christ.

I bet Dhavlos is currently swinging from a noose in his bedroom.

I've just kicked the neighbours cat.

****ing **** has flees anyway.

[kopdan]

Oh Christ.

I bet Dhavlos is currently swinging from a noose in his bedroom.

so something good did come from today then



















obviously thats not a serious comment

[Morph]

its not that bad shaggy

could be Elton Welsby

whatever happened to him anyway?

[kopdan]

exactly

what "did" happen

[BobTheCharmer]

Sorry but watching us away from home this season, we sit deep, don't commit men forward and beyond the ball. There's no aggression, intent to attack and dominate. Our passing, movement and creativity is complete no-existant or just ****e.

Yet it's the complete opposite at home.

It's got to stop. I'd rather we had a right go, lost 4-0 away every time rather than sit deep and meekly surrender like we've been doing recently.

we were **** at home for the most part against west ham & blackburn. I think the home form is flattered only by the poor opposition.

[Jan-Erik]

i think you hit the nail on the head regarding investment, niall. we don't have the resources to go out and spend £50,000,000 in one summer on 2-3 players.

hopefully next summer rafa will feel that we've got a big enough squad and will only go after 1 or 2 players. i feel that 2 or 3 of the current squad will be quietly shipped out like nando and josemi were.

our away for is a concern and it has to improve to the standard that it was last year.

i just wonder that if we had played 4 or 5 **** teams away from home at the start of the season and won them would we have seen better and more confident performances at highbury, old toilet and scumford bridge?

Whats the point in bringing in 4-6 players each summer that's not good enough just to have a bigger squad? Wouldnt it be better to buy one or two quality players? Its better having a great first 11 than a average squad.