Rafa Watch

[The_weatherman]

Was a poor result against a newly promoted Sporting Gijon, so was important he did well in the next couple of matches or else he would have been under immediate pressure. Even if he’d won the next few matches by one or two, I think some of the fans who didn’t want Ancelotti sacked would have been on his back. Great response so far though, although I wish it wasn’t that f*cker Ronaldo scoring all the goals.

I will be cheering Madrid this season because of Rafa, he so deserves any success that comes his way. We treated him like **** and should have taken him back after Dalglish. I'd take him any day over most managers. I think he only bought one out field player? Kovacic?

[danperkins]

Hate Madrid and Barca, would love Athletico to challenge but lot to ask. Sevilla are great fun to watch. I do find it almost unfair the gulf between the top and bottom clubs. A 5 or 6 nil thrashing every few weeks is nothing out of the ordinary. Madrid have a fantastic side though, Modric was a huge loss for them last season, world class player. One player I really like at Madrid that goes unnoticed is Danny Carvajal. Brilliant RB has everything. I can't see Kovavic getting the game time he wants there with Kroos & Modric ahead of him.

I watch a lot of Spanish football as technically it's the best in the world, although mostly because I just like to see who scores the most goals between Messi & Ronaldo. It still baffles me at how far ahead they are of any other player in the world. Ronaldo has 8 goals in 2 games, that's just ridiculous. Be interesting to see how Messi does tonight.

[The_weatherman]

Hate Madrid and Barca, would love Athletico to challenge but lot to ask. Sevilla are great fun to watch. I do find it almost unfair the gulf between the top and bottom clubs. A 5 or 6 nil thrashing every few weeks is nothing out of the ordinary. Madrid have a fantastic side though, Modric was a huge loss for them last season, world class player. One player I really like at Madrid that goes unnoticed is Danny Carvajal. Brilliant RB has everything. I can't see Kovavic getting the game time he wants there with Kroos & Modric ahead of him.

I watch a lot of Spanish football as technically it's the best in the world, although mostly because I just like to see who scores the most goals between Messi & Ronaldo. It still baffles me at how far ahead they are of any other player in the world. Ronaldo has 8 goals in 2 games, that's just ridiculous. Be interesting to see how Messi does tonight.

I see where you are coming from, but I always enjoy watching Barca, don't generally like Real but I just really want Rafa to succeed there. Sevilla are fun to watch as well, in fact Valencia, Atleti and Sevilla are good teams, very, very good in fact and probably all put together less expensive than Liverpool.

[danperkins]

I see where you are coming from, but I always enjoy watching Barca, don't generally like Real but I just really want Rafa to succeed there. Sevilla are fun to watch as well, in fact Valencia, Atleti and Sevilla are good teams, very, very good in fact and probably all put together less expensive than Liverpool.

I used to love Real when i was a kid and Butragueno, Michel, Hugo Sanchez etc where playing but as soon as the Galacticos thing happened I lost interest. Barca and Real are incredible sides but they just buy anyone who is currently the best player. Hard to compete with that, I guess I like the underdogs. Athletico aren't pretty to watch but I love what Simeone has done there. Sevilla & Valencia would probably beat most teams in the premier league alright.

[Yozza]

Barca and Real are incredible sides but they just buy anyone who is currently the best player. Hard to compete with that

That's just what we used to do.......!

[Norbs]

To be fair to most on here, I think we may be among a few old enough to remember when we were that good

[Maxiedge]

There was a time, when Crouchie was playing too, where we won 7-8 games in a row. We were unplayable, everyone in tandem. Even Cisse played his part.Was awesome to watch. It wasn't the Gerrard/Torres show, it was better for me as we dominated games instead of relying on the brilliance of two players.

[paulg]

That seems a lifetime ago, now.

[Yozza]

To be fair to most on here, I think we may be among a few old enough to remember when we were that good

[McDermotX]

I see Rafa has those saps top of the league tonight.

Not quite the heady heights of a home struggle against a 4th Division side, but......

[Alex]

Read today that Rafas Madrid have only conceded 2 La Liga goals this season. 10 less than Ancelotti at the same stage.

Hes going to win the thing isnt he

[dom9]

Even Rodgers could win la Liga at Real.

[Vermilion]

[Fosterbloke]

Even Rodgers could win la Liga at Real.

Would love to see Ronaldo as a wing back, I reckon he'd be good at it too!

[Shaggy]

http://www.marca.com/en/2015/10/08/en/football/barcelona/1444319716.html?cid%3DSMBOSO34503%26s_kw%3DtwitterCM%26t%3D118478694=Twitter

Javier Mascherano paid tribute to Rafa Benítez in an interview with Panenka.

"Benítez took me from the pits of despair to the very top of my game. We've stayed in touch ever since we went our separate ways. He's an amazing person and a great teacher, a coach you can learn a lot from if you really want to", Mascherano said of the Spanish tactician, whom he played under at Liverpool.

The Argentine revealed that his relationship with the Real Madrid boss "has not changed", although "it's somewhat awkward right now". In any case, Mascherano said: "I'll leave Barça one day or he'll leave Real Madrid and everything will go back to normal. We still talk, but not as often as we used to".

"I used to speak with Rafa - when he was head coach at Napoli last season - and now we talk a little less due to obvious circumstances, but I'm really grateful to him", the 31-year-old added.