Rafa Watch

[Craig_H]

I wouldnt rule Chelsea out.

[Leyton388]

Chelsea always seem to blow it though.

[Craig_H]

Chelsea always seem to blow it though.

Famous last words, great bit of mockering there

They'll win it sooner or later. Unless they keep failing for the next 2-3 years, and then Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Anelka and co will be a bit too old.

[Reece]

Absolutely

[Lecter]

Nicked off RAWK

Dr Cornwallis' exchange with Paul Tomkins (who has a direct line to Rafa)

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Incidentally, I got a 10 day ban on RAWK for asking about Kenny and Rafa, and surmising that their relationship could have been 'odd', and then Roy's statement basically mirrors my comments.
Not saying I was right or wrong, just asking the question, and then I'm banned. Alright to chat about it now Barney?

As HBHR says, Paul T gave the above comments regarding Rafa and Kenny. But, when you read PT's response back in full, he never goes as far to say that they were 'matey'.

This was our chat in full...

(PT) I shared the same concerns as Dr C listed earlier about Rafa and Kenny. I’ll put it here, so people don’t miss my reply.
However, Rafa never said a bad word about Kenny to me, though he originally wanted him to be more of a political figure within the game – in the way United use their power to influence the authorities. In the end, Purlsow began taking on the kind of thing Rafa felt Kenny should have been doing.
I know for a FACT the following about Kenny:
He thought Rafa was a “brilliant, world-class manager”. But after 6 years, and with player morale low and all the in-fighting, he felt a change was more than likely inevitable. I was told recently that most of the players loved Rafa, but they were just worn down by his intensity. The same thing happened at Valencia.
However, Kenny also strongly advised the board that there was no point changing manager for a 2nd-class replacement. And the fact that he entered his hat into the ring when he saw the shortlist of Hodgson and Hughes backs up the theory that he did not see Hodgson as good enough for the job.
I don’t think RB and KD were best mates or anything, but there was mutual respect. Rafa even allowed Paul Dalglish to monitor training sessions as part of his own education and gave him advice.


Me - Many thanks for that Paul.
Did Rafa have a big say in Kenny’s appointment and role then?


(PT)Yes, Rafa brought him back to the club. It was all his idea.
Kenny is eternally grateful for that, too

[Craig_H]

I was told recently that most of the players loved Rafa, but they were just worn down by his intensity. The same thing happened at Valencia.

Very interesting, that part. And also supports the idea that if Rafa could have just toned down very slightly on some of his more 'regimented' methods, things may have worked out better for all concerned. You can understand why the players would struggle with the 'intensity' after a while.

[Shaggy]

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12602_6481759,00.html

[Craig_H]

Great video

Cheers shagger.

[Craig_H]

"Instead of talking about flips and flops..."

[Reece]

That's awesome. You can tell his passion from the way he speaks about us.

[Shaggy]

That's awesome. You can tell his passion from the way he speaks about us.

Was about to say the same. He seemed to be breathing quite heavily...you can really sense his passion on the subject. I love it when he's in the mood.

[Craig_H]

Was about to say the same. He seemed to be breathing quite heavily...you can really sense his passion on the subject. I love it when he's in the mood.

[Arn]

but they were just worn down by his intensity.

If you are prepared to work your socks off week in week out then Rafa is the best manager in the world for you by a mile. If you don't are prepared to do that then you can just **** off and earn your stupid high wages at another club.

Rafa make players better if you want to be better and is prepared to give 100%. That is a FACT.

[Shaggy]

Bit sensationalist this but a nice little dig at the end.


Rafa launches attack on clueless Hodgson

Published 23:00 01/11/10 By Darren Lewis

(3) Recommend


Raging Rafa Benitez last night launched an astonishing attack on Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson fuming: “Shut up and do your job”.

Hodgson has continually criticised the quality of the players left behind by Benitez and last week claimed the ex-Anfield chief marginalised legend Kenny Dalglish.

But the Inter Milan boss produced one his famous Rafa Rants to rip Hodgson to shreds, accusing the former Fulham manager of underachieving with his new signings, not having a clue, and talking down his players and the club.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash against Spurs, Benitez said: “I feel that Mr Hodgson he doesn’t understand.

“Every single press conference is worse than the last one. He’s talking about things he doesn’t know.

“Some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar. He doesn’t understand, maybe he has been in the job for not so long.

“When I was in charge we gave the fans the pride. We fought for the fans, we fought for the club and we fought for our players. Maybe he cannot understand this.”

Last month Hodgson, speaking about club ambassador Dalglish, said: “I always said to Kenny when it was mooted that Liverpool wanted me for the job that, if I got it, he would be very much on board with me.

“It won’t be the question it was with Benitez that you are here in name but you are never allowed to set foot in Melwood - and basically we don’t want anything to do with you.”

But Benitez piled the pressure on Hodgson ahead of Liverpool’s Sunday showdown with league leaders Chelsea when he hit back yesterday: “I brought back Kenny Dalglish to do a role in the club. It was (managing director) Christian Purslow that gave him another role. So (Hodgson) doesn’t know but I will explain to him.

“Instead of talking about the flips and the flops, he has to concentrate on his players and do his best. He has a big job to do.

“He signed nine players. I left that squad with £10m net spending, I left that squad with £300m value. Thirteen internationals.

“So instead of talking about flips and flops, he has to concentrate on the job, try to do his best and not talk about the level of his players.

“Let the new players come in and concentrate, try to do their best, because it will be the best for the clubs and the best for the fans.”

During his six-year reign, fan-favourite Benitez lifted the Champions League and the FA Cup and reached a second Champions League Final three years ago.

Hodgson meanwhile, has failed to get his Anfield reign off the ground, winning three of his ten matches and losing to Northampton in the Carling Cup and Blackpool in the League.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Former-Liverpool-boss-Rafa-Benitez-has-launched-an-attack-on-current-manager-Roy-Hodgson-insisting-he-doesn-t-know-what-he-s-talking-about-article619113.html#ixzz144m40lWO

[Lecter]

Nicked off RAWK

Just heard the interview, and all I can say is the man still gets us. He doesn't need to come out and say anything, so the person who we all know is barmy is spouting all kinds that we all know is crap, but he got a nice wedge of money and was snapped up by the European champions within days. Ok so that wasn't his first option, but many people would just sit back and let it blow over them, but he still cares about us, the club and the fans.

That point is so obvious in his interviews as he always mentions it, he knows that Roy isn't the right man to take us forward, and knows that all the crap he's coming out with is doing more harm than good, so as one of us, someone who loves Liverpool he is trying to make people, i.e. the media that Roy isn't the god everyone seems to want to make him out to be.

Some of you may think I'm delusional but I thank Rafa for saying this stuff, even though the media make it out to be him cracking up again, we know he's not, and is only saying way we're all thinking!

Don't think he'll ever come back to us, but I'll always love the man!