Jim D

GH never did, Rafa has proven that he can compete with the best teams in Europe by getting to two Champions League in three years. Ferguson however in his 22 years in charge of the Mancs has only achieved this feat once. Yes Ferguson outperforms Rafa domestically, there is no question about that but Fergie has had a lot more time to establish that. Just a shame Fergie wasn't sacked for taking seven years to win the Championship, a time where he only won the FA Cup (which most Man U managers before him achieved) and the now defunct Cup Winners Cup.

No competitive as in challenging for trophies against the best teams in Europe.

But points don't necessarily make prizes.... Rafa has won more silverware than Wenger since Rafa arrived in England and winning trophies is all that matters because that is why Liverpool Football Club exists does it not?

Because they have been given the TIME in the English League, Wenger has been managing in this country since 1996 (12 years) and Ferguson even longer 1986 (22 years). Rafa has barely had 4 years and in that time he has made us competitive. The same amount of time by the way Ferguson took to reclaim the title back. Even the best managers make mistakes and Rafa is no different. I'd much prefer to win both the Premiership and the Champions League

Course they count but in those 4 years Rafa has outperformed Wenger in the trophy stakes and in the League.

But two Champions League Finals in the space of three years doesn't? It is a good job it has bought Wenger patience because the last time he won the title was nearly FOUR years ago. Oh and for the record up until last season Ferguson also went FOUR years without reclaiming the title. Can you imagine what would happen here if we did win the title but 4 years on we still had not reclaimed it under Rafa's management? Aye we would be calling for his head.

Well it is difficult for a Chelsea fan to do that. Seriously though, since Rafa has arrived in England, he has been more successful than Wenger, at a time where both managers have been going through a period of transition and rebuilding. Of course one major advantage Wenger has over Rafa is his 10+ years experience of managing in the English game. Wenger 2005 FA Cup Winners 2006 Champions League Runners Up 2007 League Cup Runners Up Rafa 2005 Champions League Winners 2005 League Cup Runners Up 2006 FA Cup Winners 2007 Champions League Runners Up League performance, Rafa = 5th, 3rd, 3rd. Wenger = 2nd, 4th, 4th.

Hmmmm...Which kinda mimics Wenger's position about two seasons ago where everyone was calling for Wenger's head because they were struggling to finish 4th and only just pipped it at Tottenham's expense. Dodgy lasagne anyone? The board backed him, they finished 4th again, surely he should have been sacked by then and hey presto, given time and the support throughout the club they are now at the top of the table.

Exactly by our standards we are playing s***e this season whereas the others by their standards are having an amazing season. We'll finish above all of them come end of the season, class will tell in the end. The League table at the moment is lying a little because of the game in hand we still yet to play since August!

Sack Wenger he didn't win anything for 4 years and sack him again because he has not won anything since 2005!

I think it is something that we should be practising on the training pitch every session. Most of the time it almost seems that our routines are manufactured, that we just make it up there and then on the pitch. There is no thought or imagination put into them and as a consequence they have become very predictable. Look at Villa this season, over 50% of their goals have come from set plays. If we were anywhere near that ratio, considering the amount of corners and free kicks we win then I'm sure we would be somewhere near the top. It might have been the difference between us converting those draws into wins.

Aye lets end the season now and award Arsenal the title since they play nice football I personally feel we should be awarded the 1989 league championship, we played far better football that season than George Graham's boring "1-0" to the Arsenal side.

Indeed but so have we under Rafa and during that time Rafa has brought home the biggest prize European football can offer and the FA Cup. I find it amazing that despite us not winning the League for so long that we as a club have always remained competitive at the top level of football.

Despite all their pretty football they have won nothing since 2005, a VERY fortunate win in the Cup Final against the Mancs.

Where was our ghost penalty?

That is the one thing which is standing out in Babel's game at the moment.

Another free kick opportunity wasted, by the time the ball was rolled across the Chelsea wall was within 4 yards of the ball.

Its working because Kuyt is occupying Joe Cole down that flank, it is Half Time and I think we've played really well, I'm just waiting for that obvious sucker punch.

I forgot about that.

3 chances now for Crouch and not once has he really tested the keeper. We've played well just not got the goal that our play in the first half deserves.

Nothing, that is why Riley gave Chelsea a free kick for a "ghost foul" on Cech. Very promising performance so far though.

Joe Cole.........diving ****......no booking.

Crikey another chance! We're playing well here, some good passing and movement in our attacking play. Crouch couldn't get enough power in the header, was backtracking.

Its 4-4-2, Babel left and Gerrard right.

Just want a decent performance today from the Reds, our record at Stamford Bridge under Rafa is appalling. We've not scored there in seven outings (Champions League, Premier League and League Cup). A goal from us today would make a change!