Guz

The atmosphere tonight was always going to be great with it being almost a must win game. But now it's going to be insane. Anyone remember West Brom away on boxing day in Rafa's first season? The La Bamba song done for about 15mins straight. It was f***ing class but will hopefully look like nothing compared to tonight's support for El Boss

Exactly. Surely the root of the problem is G+H not trusting/believing in Rafa or undermining (in Rafa's eyes) his role at the club.

The situation escalated to such a height though that anything but sacking Rafa would calm the situation down. Nothing new has happened since Bascombe's article so the same old ground will be repeated constantly, probably till December 16th.

Noone would be stupid enough to sack the manager before a crucial CL game. It would leave Alex Miller in charge of the team for the night and the next few weeks. Cant help but think they'll keep him on till after the Marseille game and relieve him of his duties then.

No. It would be great if it did because the owners could never justify sacking him based on that. But if Rafa wasn't being allowed to carry on with building the squad and transfers were put on hold till December 16th then there was distinct lack of faith from the powers that be. If you've taken us to the champions league final twice in two years, doing well this season and are loved by the majority of the suppoerters but arent allowed to go in to sort out some free transfers then you're gonna be highly pissed off and be very dubious of what your bosses think of you. Thats the problem - there's an underlying issue of distrust from both parties, of eachother's ability to conduct their jobs. If it was just a mis understanding of Rafa's role at the club then fine, things can be sorted out but I find it hard to believe it's been allowed to escalate to these heights if there wasnt that deep rooted problem between the two parties. Maybe it just needed a trigger to kick off and Rafa applied it.

Mate, I'm not even going the game but I'm so fired up. Before cup finals etc. I just get nervous and paranoid that we're gonna lose. The porto game has just got me on edge and I just wanna unleash the frustration of the last few days with a good sing song, even if it is in a pub. Atmosphere is going to be absolutely cracking. I imagine the 3Kings will be buzzing too on wednesday night?

I cant f***ing wait for Wednesday night. Must win game, european night, we're playing well again and the ground is going to be bouncing for 90 minutes in support of the team and importantly, manager. Hope we f***ing destroy f***ing Porto and show Mr f***ing tom f***ing hicks what we think of Rafa getting the axe

Rafa spotted picking out his attire for the press conference

Times article seems to get its information from the Echo. As does the BBC

Maybe you're right. Hopefully not though

If they sack him within the next 6 months, unless we crash out of Europe altogether and go through a domestic slump of HUGE proportions, then they cannot use that as a justification for sacking him. No one will fall for it. It's clear as day that if he goes it's because of poor relations between the two parties. Certainly not on December 16th anyway. If they know theyre going to sack him, without any chance of changing their minds, they wont just sit on their arses for 3 weeks waiting for it to happen. Either he gets sacked NOW (the very immediate future) or there IS a way out of this mess.

Thats not rope. Thats just a s***ty, short and torn little shoe lace. The only way they can justify sacking him would be his relationship with them and his undermining (?) comments in the press and even that is a very weak argument. And anyway, what if we win on Wednesday and again in Marseille, while also beating Bolton, Reading and United - a situation not totally outside the realms of possibility. They're not just gonna sit on their hands for 3 weeks if they know exactly what they're going to do and won't change their minds about it. Which all means there is a way out. It's obvious the situation is very very strained but could be that both parties have decided to stop the public bickering and slowly work things out. Tommorow's pre-Porto press conference will give us an indication if thats the way they're going. I know everyone talks about Parry's incompetence and no one trusts G+H but there is no way in hell that nothing is going on behind closed doors to rectify the situation. I'd also like to think Mr Moores is playing a reconciliation role in all this as he seems to have the best relationship with everyone.

He cannot be past the point of no return if he is still in a job till December 16 at least. G+H wont just say "f*** it lad, let him get on with it for a few weeks, then we'll sack him". Maybe I'm being daft or naive but it just doesn't add up.

These stories about being on borrowed time doesnt make sense. If the relationship is beyond breaking point and they want him out why not just get him out? Or is it nailed on and they're just waiting till the CL games are out of the way? Something doesnt add up and I'm guessing the situation, though very very strained, is not as polarised as is being made out. Maybe. Hopefully?

This whole sags sounds by an elaborate ploy by the RTK to improve atmosphere

"I asked for a lamp and they gave me a sofa!"

Sounds like Rafa wanted Kahka Kaladze but Parry ended up asking G+H for £30m for Kaka

Anyone remember the uefa cup tie around in 2004? Cant remember who we played but Stevie scored a goal and ran over to hug Ged. Dunno if I can see him doing the same with Rafa but would be class if anyone did it

I agree with you. I just think the two statements released by the owners have been counter productive although I'm sure a lot of people would've still got worried if they came out with the dreaded vote of confidence. I cannot see this hanging on a fine thread for another 3 weeks.

The problem is that neither party looks like backing down in public or atleast doing anything to diffuse the situation.

Except the "His job is in massive danger" which has only come about because of Bascombe's article. It's not a reasnoable assumption at all.

Not saying he's right or wrong but he's not really f***ing up the club on grand proportions is he. He's just doing what almost all tabloid journalists do and creating a stir with a newspaper article. Judging by the internet he's done a damn good job of it too, accurate article or not.

It's funny how there are so many people skeptical and cynical (with good reason) of newspapers yet as soon as ONE article is posted in a sunday rag about Rafa being sacked, people go into meltdown. Granted, part of it is due to who the article was written by but people need to get a grip or they'll drive themselves insane.

A bit like we started looking for Houllier's replacement from February of his final season Not that I believe we're lining up Mourinho

Wasn't very happy with his body language today