Myth?

[montymole]

So is it a myth then that Rafa 'doesnt like players who rock the boat'?

Buying Pennant and Bellamy would suggest that he's willing to risk harmony for a bit more bite and arrogance on the pitch. Arrogance is something we do lack currently, some of our players are just too nice! While Chelsea are arrogance personified.

Mista was something of a premadonna apparantly, though it's arguable how much say Rafa had in his purchace (wasnt he the lamp?).

Anyhow, while Rafa likes professionalism, it's clear he wants us to be more aggressive and passionate. Whether these two players with tarnished pasts (and presents) are the answer will be found out in time. I think you could say alot of the reasoning behind their purchase was down to money. Bellamy commanding less wages than Cisse, though ultimately doing the same job. Pennant costing half as much as Alves (and maybe less wages too)..

One thing's for sure, the old assumption that Rafa wanted a robotic, singleminded mentality (on the pitch and in the dressing room), has surely now been thrown out the window.

Whether that's ultimately for the good of the club could be painful viewing. It certainly makes it a whole lot more interesting though..

[Ryan]

Generally the players that he shipped out who were deemed to have 'rocked the boat' weren't HIS purchases. Thus leaving him with no feeling of remorse over not giving them the 'arm round the shoulder' treatment.

Cisse
Henchoz
Murphy
Le Tallec
etc.

Yes he's gone out on a limb with Bellamy and Pennant, but as he's shown with Morientes, Josemi, Nunez and the rest - he's got an admirable penchant for not putting up with ****e performances too long.

If Craig and Jermaine are doing it off the pitch as opposed to on, then they'll be fcuked out sharpish.

[montymole]

Yeah I like the way he doesnt mess around with players who are clearly underperforming (awaits Crouch onslaught!), I also think he's fairly ruthless in using players too and then shipping them on when a better option becomes available..

[brendan]

I'm not sure that it was every talked about in those terms.

It was certainly posited by some people (including me) that Benitez doesn't really like "star" players and dislikes "big name players" who believe all their own hype (even if it is justified).

However, I don't think Pennant really falls into that category (although Bellamy certainly does), and I think that Bellamy's "issues" have been deemed less important than his bargain-basmement knock-down price of

[Rich]

The one worry I have is from Potato Head the other day, he basically said that Pennant is easily influenced, and gets into situations that he shouldn't.

Pennant, hopefully, has been told to get rid of this element from his life.

Let's hope he has.

[Ryan]

Didn't Bruce claim that he and Pennant "argued all the time"?

I can't see Rafa being too enamoured at that prospect.

Nor can I envisage Stevie G and The People's Carra being too impressed.

[stevenage_kop]

new team new start lets give them a chance

[montymole]

With being at Liverpool you'd have to hope that the fact the players around him are also professional, would rub off on him somewhat. It's easier at a smaller club to get into cliques with players who suit your persona and then end up getting into unsavoury situations.

Lets just say that if he does get into some scrapes while not exactly doing it on the pitch, it won't be long before the main men in the dressing room let him know about it.

[brendan]

Didn't Bruce claim that he and Pennant "argued all the time"?

I can't see Rafa being too enamoured at that prospect.

Nor can I envisage Stevie G and The People's Carra being too impressed.

Hello Ryan, banned again?

Don't tell me, that ridiculous thread, which I can't actually remember was about?

[Ryan]

Hello Ryan, banned again?

Don't tell me, that ridiculous thread, which I can't actually remember was about?

Yep, that and telling Dunk that his bezzie Mod Syd is a "****ing ******"...

Nail. In. Coffin.

[montymole]

What happened?

[brendan]

Yep, that and telling Dunk that his bezzie Mod Syd is a "****ing ******"...

Nail. In. Coffin.

Hahahahaha.

And here's me thinking you and Sydders were bezzie drinking mates, lid.

Is it permanent?

[Ryan]

His 'I'm-just-doing-my-mod-duties-and-everybodys-picking-on-me' attitude had finally worn me down.

You'd be quite surprised by some of the Mod's responses in that fabled boardroom about it all. Especially Mark's. Although, when you know how to get in there, and read every word the ***** are saying, it does make it easier.

Anyway, I think they *really* like me here. Banned within one day I was!

Or 'Sin-binned' I can't really remember.

Are you still 'Koptalking'?

Edit: Use of word!

[brendan]

His 'I'm-just-doing-my-mod-duties-and-everybodys-picking-on-me' attitude had finally worn me down.

You'd be quite surprised by some of the Mod's responses in that fabled boardroom about it all. Especially Mark's. Although, when you know how to get in there, and read every word the **** are saying, it does make it easier.

Anyway, I think they *really* like me here. Banned within one day I was!

Or 'Sin-binned' I can't really remember.

Are you still 'Koptalking'?

I was the first person sin-binned here. So there.
Let me guess, Mark has "had enough" of you? Said the same about me, I think.

I haven't been doing anything for a few days - up in Liverpool for a wedding.

This place is OK, some familiar faces and the odd KT divugee who will doubtless carry on frothing at the mouth about both of us.

[dww]

The thing is Bellamy despite his bad boy image has always been a good trainer. His real problem is that he has a tendancy to lack respect for authority and is arrogant. My suspicion is that much as Hughes got the best out of Bellamy for Wales and Blackburn, Rafa feels that he can command Bellamy's respect and so get him to perform. I think that the element of risk in this strategy is balanced by the low price we paid meaning we should get most of the fee back if it doesn't work out.

Pennant I think is more of a concern but as has been pointed out he is young and could well learn to control himself a bit better. Again there does seem to have been a compromise drawn due to his price but I think he is worth trying.