Magic8Ball

we're in a pickle no doubt. My biggest fear right now is the only think keeping Rafa here is the dream of winning the league. IF/once he does that I don't expect the yanks will be able to keep him here

Send for the A team eh? - I'm not being negative but this season I'll be happy with qualifying for the CL, winning a major cup and the yanks NOT sacking Rafa. Without Agger and Alonso (more A's) we have no link between the defense and midfield. The CH's got away with being poor ball players because of Xabi, well he's gone and they can't hide anymore. Agger's often injured so we need another ball playing CH or we're in serious trouble! I certainly don't see Mash developing that side of his game and becoming more xabi like. Teams know without Xabi we're more easily put under pressure and they're doing that. We may need to move to 433 for some games ( dropping Mash for Leiva ) Rafa basically has to work out his team and formation again, so I'll be glad with a Cup this year

No Xabi no Agger, what do you expect ? the only solution is to break with the current formation and move to 433 - with Aquilani/lucas and Gerrard as the attackers and Mash sitting deep

Thanks, apologies for the typo - but you have conveyed my meaning.

Yup, if I didn't know better I'd say they were on Man U's payroll Slip sliding away, Slip sliding away ay ay ay, you know the nearer to #19 the more we're slip sliding away ... A good day, we go and win. A bad day's when I lie in bed and think of things that might have been ( with rich owners) Slip sliding away, Slip sliding away ay ay ay, you know the nearer to #19 the more we're slip sliding away

He lacks skill and control like Reira's, consequently he'll keep losing possession. This and his inability to find space means he wont make it here

He's not a LM, which is where he has to play for us he's a forward in 433 of or striker. TBH I doubt he'd be good enough for us either the things he's best at. We're stuck with him and he's getting a chance to prove us all wrong. TBH I expect him to flatter to deceive then let us down. Where Babel really fails is in mentality and attitude, he just doesn't have the will to impose his "game" on the opposition

LOL he's turning into a proper striker ! Johnson was awesome if he stays like that our right with Kuyt and Benayoun will be tremendous. Our left however needs something. Can Dossena develop into a Johnson type player ?

I would like him to be sold, but he'll only go if Rafa's allowed to spend the revenue generated

Thanks, can't find the quote, but thanks anyway

Means he wont sign for one of our rivals either

What does that mean ? what's the context ?

I suspect the problem is getting the talented players senior games for experience

They clearly can't afford to run the business, and if they think this sort of financial restriction will help them build a stadium, how are they going to fill it with a losing team? Not letting Rafa spend the money generated from transfers stops Rafa improving the team. Because he cant use generated funds Rafa wont sanction sales, which locks in the mediocrity already present. It's a lose, lose situation and could see us dropping out of the top 4. Why would the Yanks want to keep a club in that situation? There'd be fewer/no buyers ( certainly not at the price they want). We're just treading water, I suspect the Yanks want to sell and want to sell quickly, only no one will offer enough for them to make a profit.

Rafa wont walk if there's any chance the yanks can sue him. Right now I feel like the Yanks are secret Man U supporters intent on giving the title to them

So not only are the yanks denying Rafa the chance to improve the team, they're locking in it's failings ... and they hope to get a buyer by treading water forgetting that teams like Man City and Spurs are investing millions in their teams.....We don't have the squad to win the league, not without a lot of luck anyway. If we are to win anything it's going to be cup.

I'm trying to mocker it .... still, the tune fits right now

NY Red asked what was your nightmare scenario, well that's it - the Yanks "sack" Rafa for not doing well enough and once again we're back where we started ...... slip sliding away, slip sliding away ay ay ay, you know the nearer your destination the more you're slip sliding away .... where's that bottle of wine ?

You know I'm so torn ( no not Natalie Imbruglia) - while I have great faith in Rafa I just feel we're never going to do it, we made a profit in the transfer market and we're apparently not being allowed to spend it..... It started as a joke but the more I think about it the more I think Paul Simon was right .... we're slip sliding away .... it will take a miracle to win the league with these owners, more likely we'll struggle to remain in the CL slots and we we're so close - guess the nearer your destination the more you're slip sliding away

We need someone dominant in the air, but more importantly we need a good defender..... betcha his club raise the price as we're "desperate"

Slip sliding away .... slip sliding away ay ay ay you know the nearer the premier league title, more we're slip sliding away

The price is too high, Sheiks and other wealthy buyers figure it's cheaper to buy a club for 200m and spend 200m developing it than spend the 600m+ the Yanks want

We'll struggle to stay top 4 now and regularly qualify for the CL - to be honest I can see us falling out of the CL ( top 4) and the Yanks sacking Rafa - it's a farce ....

surely it's articles like this http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liver...icle119267.html that suck the optimism out of you

Seems we're cursed for so many years we were 3 players away from the league, then two finally at the end of last season we seemed 1 player (or a little luck ) away from the league, only to suddenly find when we need it most there's no money. Now we feel further away than ever, I mean needing to sell Reira, what gives? can't sell Dossena, Voronin or Babel OR ITANJE !!!! ... this sucks!