Rafa Benitez

[Shaggy]

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

And to a certain extent, the reverse applies to our away form. Best home record in the league, worst away.

[BobTheCharmer]

And to a certain extent, the reverse applies to our away form. Best home record in the league, worst away.

agreed there. I'll start to really worry if we start losing to the likes of Watford & Boro. No excuses now. Most of the hard away games have been played. Only Spurs really worries me.

[FatTony]

Sorry mate, but with the greatest respect I think that's bollocks.

He recognises when he's made a mistake in the transfer market and bombs non-performing players out in no time.

In terms of tactics and how he wants us to play - what's he supposed to do? Abandon his footballing principles entirely in a knee-jerk fashion? That type of thing is for crap managers like Keegan and Eriksson who have no real conviction in any footballing philosophy. The great managers have a true, clear and defined philosophy which they stick to, and Rafa has his. You're either with him or you're not and I for one am with him all the way.

Personally I believe in his principles and it's good to have a man at the helm with such courage in his convictions.

Its not a knee jerk reaction though is it, this is now his 3rd season in charge. I agree, you need to have courage and convictions, they're qualities we should all hold highly, but that doesn't mean he's right and there's no shame in admiting when you're wrong.

For me, the real problem is the rotation policy, and I'd stake my house on the fact that we'd be winning more games playing our best 11 week in week out. There are those who will point to Valencia, but its a different league, different style, and more importantly a different group of players. The blend was obviously right at Valencia and Tenerife, but not at CA Osasuna and Real Valladolid, and not at LFC at the moment.

No disrespect taken

[Sir Bob]

For most of Rafa's reign we have been poor away from home. I love him but he has not come to terms with the demands of the league away from home.
We've scored 1 goal away from home & that was a dodgy penalty. We are far too negative on the whole. The full backs very rarely get forward as don't the CM. That leaves only the 2 wide men to support the front 2. We simplt don't get enough players forward. When was the last time a midfield player actually got ahead of the ball to score away from home. Certainly not this season.

[kopdan]

its clear fans opinions are split. The longer this run continues, the more attention it will get to the point where you have another Houllier situation with the press having a go day in day out.

Its simple now for the board. Damage limitation this season in the league, have a cup run or two and plan for next season. That must include investment or a takeover. We need money to compete at the moment and quick.

[Morph]

Its not a knee jerk reaction though is it, this is now his 3rd season in charge. I agree, you need to have courage and convictions, they're qualities we should all hold highly, but that doesn't mean he's right and there's no shame in admiting when you're wrong.

For me, the real problem is the rotation policy, and I'd stake my house on the fact that we'd be winning more games playing our best 11 week in week out. There are those who will point to Valencia, but its a different league, different style, and more importantly a different group of players. The blend was obviously right at Valencia and Tenerife, but not at CA Osasuna and Real Valladolid, and not at LFC at the moment.

No disrespect taken

Been through this before:

Reina
Finnan
Carra
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kuyt
Crouch

DON'T GET ROTATED

Garcia would probably have played today but i suspect he's injured, and he was beginning to show some form on the left, but a fit harry kewell would probably take that off him.

Rotation is fine for Carling Cup, FA Cup, and the last 2 games in our Champs league group, we hardly see it any other time unless caused by injury.

[kurtangle01]

its clear fans opinions are split. The longer this run continues, the more attention it will get to the point where you have another Houllier situation with the press having a go day in day out.

Its simple now for the board. Damage limitation this season in the league, have a cup run or two and plan for next season. That must include investment or a takeover. We need money to compete at the moment and quick.

this investment saga has been ongoing for longer than i care to remember and it's got to the point where i'm beginning to think that david moores values his position more than he values the future of the club. i'd love to think that investment will come and we will be able to go out and buy 3-4 real quality players that will move us forward but i just can't see it.

[FatTony]

a fit harry kewell

If I had a pound for every time I heard that I'd be a millionaire!

[Sir Bob]

its clear fans opinions are split. The longer this run continues, the more attention it will get to the point where you have another Houllier situation with the press having a go day in day out.

Its simple now for the board. Damage limitation this season in the league, have a cup run or two and plan for next season. That must include investment or a takeover. We need money to compete at the moment and quick.

Rafa would love more cash but our problems run deeper than that. For a start Wenger hasn't had as much to spend as Rafa. Also with the cash Rafa has had our away form under him in 3 seasons is not good enough, not by along way. More cash would be great but it would not automatically solve all our problems.

[Morph]

If I had a pound for every time I heard that I'd be a millionaire!

fair nuff, but you're still wrong about rotation

[kopdan]

its coming to a crossroads now. If the club dont get it this summer, I think thats it for another 16 years.

On a side note, did anyone notice Rafa's dig at our "new stadium" when talking about Arsenal. Seemed to drop it in the conversation.

[kurtangle01]

next week will see our first away winof the season. i can feel it in me bones.

[kurtangle01]

its coming to a crossroads now. If the club dont get it this summer, I think thats it for another 16 years.

On a side note, did anyone notice Rafa's dig at our "new stadium" when talking about Arsenal. Seemed to drop it in the conversation.

no. what did he say?

[kopdan]

Rafa would love more cash but our problems run deeper than that. For a start Wenger hasn't had as much to spend as Rafa. Also with the cash Rafa has had our away form under him in 3 seasons is not good enough, not by along way. More cash would be great but it would not automatically solve all our problems.

not saying that mate. Investment will bring in a new stadium which we need to compete financially with the likes of the top 3. Also allows him to bring in the players that were top of his list and not 3rd or 4th.

[kopdan]

no. what did he say?

he was talking about Arsenal this year and dropped in a comment about their "new stadium" which seemed out of place in the conversation.

May possible be looking at it too much but it certainly felt like a comment aimed at our board to get it sorted.