Rafa Watch

[Baracus]

I didn't expect to open this thread and be covered in Baracus' spunk.

There will be plenty more of this to come.

Personally I find this post a little over celebratory about what another club are going to do. Not having a go like, but I really can't imagine any scenario where I'd be 'ing over anything another club in the same league as us does.

See I've read alot the people saying they hate chelsea hate utd. I support LFC but I don't hate any team, manager or players like others do nor like I am 'meant to'. I enjoy watching good football and having good banter just like I enjoyed watching Chelsea and Newcastle back in 90's when they where irrelevant. Unfortunatley for me compared to alot of people I don't work nor am I surrounded in an environment where football is discussed and defend like a Religion, where emotions run high and people get annoyed with facts and stats, if and buts. I like Rafa and want him to prove his doubters wrong, I would celebrate his success. If that means success with Chelsea so be it. As Long as they don't beat us fair game. If they do, fair game well done Rafa.

[cream]

Is he talking about us here, or am I reading into things too much?

Yep, he's talking about us (Bodgeson and Kenny). Dead right though.

[Baracus]

Is he talking about us here, or am I reading into things too much?

Brendan?

[Joey Jones]

It's not even close. Neville is brilliant; insightful and thoughtful analysis. Redknapp is an utter, utter moron.

They're leagues apart. Redknapp would be more suited to Match of the Day 'say what you see' form of analysis.

[tufty]

It's not even close. Neville is brilliant; insightful and thoughtful analysis. Redknapp is an utter, utter moron.

[peekay]

Rafael Benitez has swiftly responded to Alex Ferguson's criticism of him by saying that Arsene Wenger is the Premier League's best ever manager.

Benitez and Ferguson have never been close and Chelsea's new interim manager said, without much prompting, that he had always thought Wenger was a superior leader.

"There are a lot of good managers in the world, many who have won trophies," Benitez said. "I don't like to talk too much about other managers. When I came to England I knew the other managers here. Arsene Wenger is the best manager there has been here for a while. But I cannot talk about these things every day."

Benitez had only been Chelsea manager for a few hours when Ferguson (right) said he was "lucky", and he asserted his right to respond to criticism.

"I like to talk about my team, about football," he said. "But if some people push you, if you want to win, maybe you have to push back."

Benitez and Ferguson fought a tight Premier League title race in 2008-09, in which the latter triumphed, and Benitez said that acrimony was a natural result of competition. "You're playing to win trophies, and only one can win it," he explained. Some managers in the middle of the table can be friendly, but only one wins it. People try to win in different ways. I like to respect people, but the problem is sometimes I cannot because they push you."

In spells at Valencia, Liverpool and Internazionale, Benitez has won the Champions League, UEFA Cup, World Club Cup, Spanish title and FA Cup, and he insisted that he has a winning mentality.

“I was over 20 years in the Real Madrid academy,” Benitez said.

“To be first is the only thing I understand. To be second is to be unhappy. I want to be first, to challenge, and I want to compete to win trophies. You can improve teams, but that is not the same as winning trophies. I like to win trophies.”

Benitez hopes that this will endear him to the Chelsea supporters. “All fans, around the world, know the manager wants to win. They prefer a manager with a winning mentality rather than one who finishes seventh or eighth.”

Fernando Torres was one of the stars of Benitez’s Liverpool team but he has lost form at Chelsea.

Benitez sounded relaxed about his hopes of getting the best out of him. “You don’t need too much time talking with Fernando,” he said. “I know him, but he knows me and what we’re looking for. I have to spend more time with the others. Fernando is easy.”

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...e-3304409.html

As much as I love Rafa for taking on Ferguson, he should just shut up at this point. According to the British press, Ferguson is some kinda X men character who can control your thoughts and induce fear into opposition, causing them to make mistakes. However clever the response, he will never win the media battle over Ferguson.

The best way to respond is on the pitch.

[Norbs]

Is he talking about us here, or am I reading into things too much?

He's right, fans don't want to see a manager who finishes 7th

[baitman]

As much as I love Rafa for taking on Ferguson, he should just shut up at this point. According to the British press, Ferguson is some kinda X men character who can control your thoughts and induce fear into opposition, causing them to make mistakes. However clever the response, he will never win the media battle over Ferguson.

The best way to respond is on the pitch.

all true

maybe brendan should also limit the amount of fodder he feeds the press, too. talk on the pitch, please.

[malg]

Rafa is only warming up for taking the biggest job in football, Liverpool. Now that will go down well.

[barnes10]

rafa shouldnt give two ****s about ferguson.

if he changes his approach now then it means fergie won. he wont and if he needs a second 'facts' rant, then he'll deliver it.

[kingfunk]

Rafa should sell all the chavs decent players to us in January for a combined price of 10m. Just like that chav broughton shafted us

[RichC]

Rafa is only warming up for taking the biggest job in football, Liverpool. Now that will go down well.

He won't be coming back anytime soon, think people have to get used to that fact.

[Kenneth]

They clearly aren't.

[Vermilion]

Rafa should sell all the chavs decent players to us in January for a combined price of 10m. Just like that chav broughton shafted us

He never wanted a Shiek or Oligrach to buy us, oh no, he did just enough to get paid a bundle.

What mugs we were, and now, guess where our great manager is from back then ? surely noone will bite on this.

[kingfunk]

Exactly.