Rafa Watch

[Chazza]

I'm not sure many managers would have put Luiz into midfield successfully.

[Bender]

I'm not sure many managers would have put Luiz into midfield successfully.

i wouldn't say it's been a successfull conversion yet

[dom9]

In a strange way I agree with Harry. A lot of people are now saying this Rafa chap is doing well at Chelsea, we should have signed him. Well, not really. Chelsea IMO have one of the top 3 squads in the league, on par with city and united.
There is nothing to suggest he would do any better here than BR is doing, I remember Rafa's last couple of seasons, strangely, a lot of people seem to forget. We still do not have the financial power to satisfy Rafa's needs nor potential achievements, and that's where we are.

So ya, Rafa is doing ok, and so he should be.

I think that every Chelsea manager between Mourinho and Benitez might take issue with the 'dope' statement. After all they were all sacked for not being succcessful enough, weren't they?

[kingfunk]

The only dope is the owner, DeMatteo had them top of the league before a few bad results and got sacked
Who knows, if Rafa had lost another 2 at the start, would he have also been sacked? Every manager needs time.

Although I agree with what Harry said as principle, I also believe there is obviously sour grapes involved, he probably thought he was a shoe in for the job.

[danperkins]

In a strange way I agree with Harry. A lot of people are now saying this Rafa chap is doing well at Chelsea, we should have signed him. Well, not really. Chelsea IMO have one of the top 3 squads in the league, on par with city and united.
There is nothing to suggest he would do any better here than BR is doing, I remember Rafa's last couple of seasons, strangely, a lot of people seem to forget. We still do not have the financial power to satisfy Rafa's needs nor potential achievements, and that's where we are.

So ya, Rafa is doing ok, and so he should be.

[Red_Polo]

If people think Rafa at Chelsea is doing nothing more than meet minimum standards, there must be some folk with pretty inflated expectations around.

[Fredo]

I didn't think Di Matteo was that bad but surely Rafa has turned their fortunes around since then. I don't understand why people would dismiss this, but I now recall that Kingfunk and LDP were one of his biggest critics during his last year. Not a coincidence.

[dom9]

If people think Rafa at Chelsea is doing nothing more than meet minimum standards, there must be some folk with pretty inflated expectations around.

Have you seen the LFC forum recently?

[Chris]

I think the idea he's only done as well as any old mug would is unfair given the huge improvement since h+
+e took over in spite of being absolutely detested by their fans.

He averages the same points per game this season as Di Matteo did. It'll go a tiny bit ahead when they beat QPR tonight but huge improvement? Nah. It was only a few months ago they were apparently the new Barcelona after smashing some teams and beating Arsenal/Spurs away.

[kingfunk]

I didn't think Di Matteo was that bad but surely Rafa has turned their fortunes around since then. I don't understand why people would dismiss this, but I now recall that Kingfunk and LDP were one of his biggest critics during his last year. Not a coincidence.

don't be daft. Do I believe that Rafa is a better manager than DeMatteo? Yes. I also believe the Chelsea squad is on par with City and Uniteds. Obviously you don't have as much belief in Rafa's ability as I do.

[kingfunk]

He averages the same points per game this season as Di Matteo did. It'll go a tiny bit ahead when they beat QPR tonight but huge improvement? Nah. It was only a few months ago they were apparently the new Barcelona after smashing some teams and beating Arsenal/Spurs away.

[Red_Polo]

I didn't think Di Matteo was that bad but surely Rafa has turned their fortunes around since then. I don't understand why people would dismiss this, but I now recall that Kingfunk and LDP were one of his biggest critics during his last year. Not a coincidence.

True, and people are often easily led by their prejudices

Not just the final season to criticise though! Apparently kingfunk also remembers the horror of his penultimate season. The meagre 86 points was inexcusable in fairness.

Have you seen the LFC forum recently?

Used to piss me off far more than it does now tbh. I've probably mellowed a little, I try not to get too wound up by the bilge. As long as you can look past that, there are enough interesting and sensible posts to make it worthwhile.

[kingfunk]

True, and people are often easily led by their prejudices

Not just the final season to criticise though! Apparently kingfunk also remembers the horror of his penultimate season. The meagre 86 points was inexcusable in fairness.

When we through the league away?

[Fredo]

don't be daft. Do I believe that Rafa is a better manager than DeMatteo? Yes. I also believe the Chelsea squad is on par with City and Uniteds. Obviously you don't have as much belief in Rafa's ability as I do.

I think you are confusing a preconceived assessment of the quality of their squad with what Rafa is capable of doing.

[Red_Polo]

He averages the same points per game this season as Di Matteo did. It'll go a tiny bit ahead when they beat QPR tonight but huge improvement? Nah. It was only a few months ago they were apparently the new Barcelona after smashing some teams and beating Arsenal/Spurs away.

Of course it suits you to re-frame what I said that way, but it's a misrepresentation.

I was referring to the poor form they were in when Rafa took over and the irrefutable improvement since.