Utd opened up a 7 point gap after we stumbled to our 10th draw of the season. Without Stevie G and Alonso in midfield we just lacked imagination and drive. Lucas once again was given a starting role in midfield alongside Mascherano but failed to impress. One really has to wonder about Rafa's vision in selling Sissoko and replacing him with Lucas.
I for one hope that Rafa doesn't sign the new and improved contract thats on offer. We should cut our losses and get rid of him at the end of the season.There are a number of players that should follow him out of Anfield namely Lucas, Dossena, Babel, Ngog, Benoyoun, Voronin, Deggen, El Zhar, Pennant & Aurelio. These are players that have never lived up to expectations.
In the league this season Rafa's tactics were questioned. I know he is the one that got us to the top but in recent weeks he seemed to have no clue. Decisions that are ultimatley made by him came into question, team selection, subs, timing of subs and negative tactics. These are decisions that could well end our title push.
Next up for LFC is an exciting trip to the Bernabeau and I bet my life on it you'll see a totally different Liverpool. Their hunger and drive for success would be greater and you can just hear everyone saying what a great manger he is but don't be fooled as its back to normal next Saturday with a visit to the Riverside sporting a team consisting of wholesale changes.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Torres Gets Rafa Out Of Jail
Fernando Torres came off the bench to score a dramatic injury time winner against Portsmouth at the weekend. Rafa left him, Alonso, Kuyt and Riera on the bench and started with a "weakened" 11. Eyebrows were raised when Rafa went with a very unconventional starting line-up. 5 at the back and Aurelio in the centre of the park! What was he thinking? Why did he change the formation of the team?
Aurelio was holding his own in midfield and even added some flair to it but we were lacking Alonso's ability and craftmanship to split defences and create something out of nothing and duly did that once he was introduced.
Babbel looks like a broken man on the field. He no longer seems to have the ability to run at defences. His confidence is gone thanks to Rafa's inability to find his best position on the field. Is it as a winger or a striker, no one seems to know let alone Rafa. And what about the selection of Ngog to lead the line. He showed some good touches in pre-season games but nothing of late warrants a start. Rafa would have done better keeping Keane.Thank God Lucas was suspended for the game otherwise Mascherano might have also joined the "dream" team on the bench!
Ok Rafa got the 3 points with resting key players and using them sparingly at the end but I just hope he knows what hes doing in the run in to the championship. With Gerrard out for up to 3 weeks he cannot gamble with his team selection. He need all his "big" players to come to the party and overhaul the points deficit to the mancs and bring home our 19th Championship.
Aurelio was holding his own in midfield and even added some flair to it but we were lacking Alonso's ability and craftmanship to split defences and create something out of nothing and duly did that once he was introduced.
Babbel looks like a broken man on the field. He no longer seems to have the ability to run at defences. His confidence is gone thanks to Rafa's inability to find his best position on the field. Is it as a winger or a striker, no one seems to know let alone Rafa. And what about the selection of Ngog to lead the line. He showed some good touches in pre-season games but nothing of late warrants a start. Rafa would have done better keeping Keane.Thank God Lucas was suspended for the game otherwise Mascherano might have also joined the "dream" team on the bench!
Ok Rafa got the 3 points with resting key players and using them sparingly at the end but I just hope he knows what hes doing in the run in to the championship. With Gerrard out for up to 3 weeks he cannot gamble with his team selection. He need all his "big" players to come to the party and overhaul the points deficit to the mancs and bring home our 19th Championship.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Keane Returns To Spurs
While Rafa claims that Keane was never a player that he wanted many supporters felt that he was given a raw deal. When Keane arrived in the summer it was hailed as something of a coup and many believed that with his intelligence, a partnership with Torres would flourish.Even the great Kenny Dalglish commented on the importance of a signing like Keane and Rafa got credit for persuading "Mr" Spurs to join his Rafalution.
But when things didn't go to plan with his partnership with Torres many doubted the signing. Keane couldn't capitalise from Torres's injury and failed to impress in his absence. He did manage to score two against WBA and a stunner against Arsenal in the league but was soon dropped from the starting 11 and was an unused sub for a few games and even dropped further behind an unimpressive Ngog.
After rejecting the new contract offered by the Americans because he did not have full control over transfers the truth came out about the Keane transfer. Rafa claimed that he never wanted Keane but it was Rick Parry that sanctioned the deal. Rafa only wanted Gareth Barry but Parry refused to pay the 18 Million Pounds demanded by Villa instead he did a deal worth 20 Mil with Spurs for Keane.
Keane was never given a fair chance by Rafa to completely settle in having scored just 7 goals in 28 starts in which he was subbed in 18 of those games. Subsequently he was sold back to Spurs for 16 Million Pounds ( as reported by Koptalk ) and with the extension of the transfer window due to the heavy snowfall around the UK , hopefully Rafa signs another striker to strengthen our push for the title. Javier Saviola was strongly linked with us and could prove to be a quality signing if he comes to Anfield.
Good Luck Keano...YNWA
But when things didn't go to plan with his partnership with Torres many doubted the signing. Keane couldn't capitalise from Torres's injury and failed to impress in his absence. He did manage to score two against WBA and a stunner against Arsenal in the league but was soon dropped from the starting 11 and was an unused sub for a few games and even dropped further behind an unimpressive Ngog.
After rejecting the new contract offered by the Americans because he did not have full control over transfers the truth came out about the Keane transfer. Rafa claimed that he never wanted Keane but it was Rick Parry that sanctioned the deal. Rafa only wanted Gareth Barry but Parry refused to pay the 18 Million Pounds demanded by Villa instead he did a deal worth 20 Mil with Spurs for Keane.
Keane was never given a fair chance by Rafa to completely settle in having scored just 7 goals in 28 starts in which he was subbed in 18 of those games. Subsequently he was sold back to Spurs for 16 Million Pounds ( as reported by Koptalk ) and with the extension of the transfer window due to the heavy snowfall around the UK , hopefully Rafa signs another striker to strengthen our push for the title. Javier Saviola was strongly linked with us and could prove to be a quality signing if he comes to Anfield.
Good Luck Keano...YNWA
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