Rafa Watch

[Exiled_red]

I don't really like Real Madrid, but I hope he does well with them, they are the side he always wanted to manage so hopefully they give him a fair chance at it. It will be difficult with Barca the team they are at the moment

[gratziani]

Why's Rafa crying, the emotionless robot? Must solely be to spite Fat Sam who was next in line for Real.

Cant believe he was only third choice behind Colin ****** and Fat Sam

[Darkon]

If say one of Rafas greatest strengths is analysing a players strengths and weaknesses and I hen knowing how to deploy them in a team. Look at what he did with Gerrard. I think he can add the steal required to Nadrid, without dulling them as an attacking force.

He is a good man, it is his dream job, I hope it works out for him.

Yep, really hope he manages to get some succes before he eventually get's fired - every Real manager does at some seemingly random point in time. Deserves to bring home some silverware to them, and hopefully survive long enough to grap one of the two big ones for them.

[Tee]

Colin Pascoe.

[Roboklopp]

Why's Rafa crying, the emotionless robot? Must solely be to spite Fat Sam who was next in line for Real.

[Muddled]

Colin Pascoe.

[Angryred]

Wonder who Rafa will get in as his assistant?

[Buzzo]

If say one of Rafas greatest strengths is analysing a players strengths and weaknesses and I hen knowing how to deploy them in a team. Look at what he did with Gerrard. I think he can add the steal required to Nadrid, without dulling them as an attacking force.

He is a good man, it is his dream job, I hope it works out for him.

[The_weatherman]

Bale's best performances for Tottenham in his final season there came when he would run through the middle. He has the pace and agility to go in any direction and it becomes a nightmare for defenders. Out on the wing is too restrictive for him

Can't remember who it was who said that both Messi and Ronaldo were playing too wide and they should be moved more central so they could influence the games more. There is a point in that, but Messi could play at right back though and still dominate.

[-V-]

Bale's best performances for Tottenham in his final season there came when he would run through the middle. He has the pace and agility to go in any direction and it becomes a nightmare for defenders. Out on the wing is too restrictive for him

[The_weatherman]

Isco, of course, forgot about him. I can totally see why Rafa wants Ronaldo upfront, like Buzzo says Rafa can then others the responsibilities. But if wants Bale in the middle he'll have to sign wide players or use Cheryshev, James and Isco wide. Could Illaramendi have second chance now? It'll fun to watch how this unfolds.

[cream]

I think James will be no 10 with Isco and Bale in the wide areas. That's what I'd do anyway.

[Buzzo]

Thats some set of problems to have though.

I reckon the only way Rafa can negate the fact that Ronaldo basically plays only for himself is by playing him as a CF - just leave him to score the goals and give the rest of the team the responsibilities.

[The_weatherman]

Wonder what means for James? He has Kroos and Modric in the centre, so who'll take to the flanks if Ronaldo and Bale go inside? Interesting to see what happens. Maybe he'll win Ronaldo over with this though.

[Shaggy]

I think Bale in that role might work really well too, a bit like Sterling for us. He's obviously not a 10 in the classic mould but if he picks the ball up in those spaces he can just run right at the heart of a defence. Gonna be fascinating to see how Rafa does with all the resources.