Rafa Watch

[Shaggy]

Interesting to see Rafa playing the game - not sure he's ever really done that. It's ridiculous that playing the game seems to be more important than actual football/results in this country. I hate this country.

[Icon]

Interesting to see Rafa playing the game - not sure he's ever really done that. It's ridiculous that playing the game seems to be more important than actual football/results in this country. I hate this country.

[Gingawaria]

He's doing a bloody good job at Chelsea all things considered. He's had the fans on his back the entire time yet he looks likely to finish in the top 3 and is in a European final.

The media seem to be laying off him as well...it's just a shame that he's doing it at ****ing Chelsea.

Deserves a top job next season, Madrid job a possibility with Jose leaving?

[red g]

Interesting to see Rafa playing the game - not sure he's ever really done that. It's ridiculous that playing the game seems to be more important than actual football/results in this country. I hate this country.

3 x Manager of the Year David Moyes agrees with this.

[Shaggy]

I think the most impressive thing is casting Terry and Lampard into the wilderness and *still* being able to seemingly keep the squad on side. They're on a great run at the moment. Terry especially has so much power and influence in that squad - he's seen off so many managers that he is bound to exert loads of influence over the squad. It seemed to happen to Scolari and it definitely did to AVB - if Terry doesn't like you (and you can guarantee he doesn't like Rafa since he benches him every week ) then the squad won't play for you. Yet somehow Rafa's been able to both see off 'JT' and keep getting results. Impressive IMO.

[Alex]

Got to feel a little sorry for Lampard though. He was playing alright in parts this season. I think he unfairly gets lumped in with Terry in all of this because they seem so close.

[Shaggy]

Got to feel a little sorry for Lampard though. He was playing alright in parts this season. I think he unfairly gets lumped in with Terry in all of this because they seem so close.

Well apparently he rocks the boat when he's not getting his own way too. He's bound to have a load of influence but doesn't appear to be as pushy as Terry. I think the balance of their side looks a lot better without Lampard - Ramires and Luiz as the 2 in the 4231 is a good combo.

[cream]

I suspect that Roman would actually want to keep Rafa on but the the fans would never accept it. They can't see past Mourinho and Roman knows he'll have to spend half a billion of his own* money bankrolling then cleaning the **** up after him. Not worth it for a couple of league titles.

[dww]

Well apparently he rocks the boat when he's not getting his own way too. He's bound to have a load of influence but doesn't appear to be as pushy as Terry. I think the balance of their side looks a lot better without Lampard - Ramires and Luiz as the 2 in the 4231 is a good combo.

I don't think any of their CM combinations are ideal. If Rafa had been able to buy one player in that area I think they would be a very different proposition.

[Shaggy]

I agree - none of them are ideal, but Ramires and Luiz is the best they have. Problem they have is they both like to break forward and neither is a natural sitter. Mikel is but he's just not good enough.

[fred_plasticine]

I think the most impressive thing is casting Terry and Lampard into the wilderness and *still* being able to seemingly keep the squad on side. They're on a great run at the moment. Terry especially has so much power and influence in that squad - he's seen off so many managers that he is bound to exert loads of influence over the squad. It seemed to happen to Scolari and it definitely did to AVB - if Terry doesn't like you (and you can guarantee he doesn't like Rafa since he benches him every week ) then the squad won't play for you. Yet somehow Rafa's been able to both see off 'JT' and keep getting results. Impressive IMO.

well, it's been clear from the start the rafa is just a stopgap. so why fight to get rid of a manager who's gone anyway in the summer?
that makes it a hell of a lot easier for rafa in that respect.

[Shaggy]

It's not about "fighting to get rid of him", obviously - they know he's going. As has been widely pointed out, the 'interim' tag is a hindrance to him - another one. It doesn't make it easier for him at all, it completely undermines his authority. Players could easily just down tools and not perform for him as they know there is no comeback - he'll be gone and they start afresh in the summer.

[dww]

I agree - none of them are ideal, but Ramires and Luiz is the best they have. Problem they have is they both like to break forward and neither is a natural sitter. Mikel is but he's just not good enough.

Mikel, much like Anderson at United, looked to have a lot of potential (and put in some exceptional one off performances) but has become increasingly pointless as their career has gone on. Agree totally about Ramires and Luiz - I think a signing in that area will be Mourinho's first priority (which is what made the Alonso rumours seem credible, at least to me).

[fred_plasticine]

It's not about "fighting to get rid of him", obviously - they know he's going. As has been widely pointed out, the 'interim' tag is a hindrance to him - another one. It doesn't make it easier for him at all, it completely undermines his authority. Players could easily just down tools and not perform for him as they know there is no comeback - he'll be gone and they start afresh in the summer.

it does undermine his authorty yet at the same time it allows him the freedom to act in a way he maybe wouldn't be able to otherwise.
again, some of you are painting a picture of a manger who's working with both his hands tight a his back and still performing wonders. rafa himself is pretty good at doing exactly the same. a man misunderstood and shackled. ridiculous.

[Shaggy]

LOL. Look we know you don't like him and refuse to give him any credit, but trying to make out the fact he's interim manager is actually in his favour is what's ridiculous. No one said he's "performing wonders" either.