Rafa Watch

[Alex]

Just read his analysis of the champions league final. Its excellent. You learn things when you read it. Thats what articles should be.

[dww]

Just noticed this comment about Rafa on his website:

I am a much better player for the time I've spent working with him and if I do go on to manage at some point in the future he's the model I'll use in my career. I can't make my respect for him any clearer than that.

[Fredo]

If it's really from Bellamy then fair play to him.

[Reece]

Wow, high praise indeed.

Although did he make those comments before or after Rafa sold him?

[Shaggy]

Remember after we beat Chelsea in the 2007 semi final, Rafa was on the pitch congratulating the players and Bellamy came up to him, right in front of a camera, and said "You're a ****ing genius".

Looked for it on YouTube but can't find it.

[Reece]

Oh yeah I vaguely remember that.

[dww]

Looking online it comes from a denial of a story saying he had no working relationship with Rafa when he was with us. All the stories seem to indicate that context suggested he knew he was going to leave in the summer though.

[peekay]

This just makes me Love and worship Rafa even more. He didn't half get up old whisky noses... nose..!



Link

[The Erectile Banana]

I love Rafa 'n' all, but does anyone else think the website stinks slightly of desperation?

[Shaggy]

Yep, although I read an opinion earlier and felt it was a good point - after the last 3 years he endured with us it's good to see him doing whatever *he* wants and making the point that he will - rightly - return to management on his terms.

I agree with that.

Balague said Rafa had to be talked into this and was eventually convinced to go for it.

[Chris]

I love Rafa 'n' all, but does anyone else think the website stinks slightly of desperation?

Maybe, but theres no harm in getting the real him out there a bit rather than the crazy loon the media would have people believe.

[Reece]

And perhaps it gives him an opportunity to respond to some of the ridiculous criticism he STILL gets from some quarters (of the media etc).

[The Erectile Banana]

That's a fair enough point. The guy deserves a break.

I just hope the website doesn't become another stick to beat him with. God knows, the British media already have a full rainforest ready to chuck at him the next time he sticks his head over the parapet.

[Craig_H]

In my time as a follower of football, i cant recall the media doing a 'job' on anyone, as much as they did with rafa. And i really dont understand what their problem is, still.

Granted, he wasnt one to give a journo a soundbite, or tell them anything they wanted, but his style of dealing with the media is wildly disproportionate to the sheer cuntery they've given back to him.

It's a big like someone coming upto you in the street and calling you a dick - and then, you go and firebomb their house or something.

And worst of all, when you see the utter buffoonery that passes for punditry these days, you see just how valuable Rafa could be to any sports broadcaster. Yet, the dickheads dont see what's right in front of them.

[Fredo]

He clearly rattled the British media during his time here.