Elisha_Scott

I am not questioning Rafa per se. What I am trying to say is that he did a great job at Valencia, agreed. At Liverpool, he has proven a good cup tie manager, but we have never threatened to win the league. This season is or was meant to be the one. However its all going wrong for us at the moment, and ultimately, Rafa must take responsibility. The Mancs this season are looking superb, Arsenal too. Chelsea have ridden a small rocky patch, but are back to form. We, even when we tonked Derby, weren't exactly setting the world alight. We were good against Chelsea, but thats proven to be the exception rather than the rule this season.

I can tell.

Well, f***ed, as in, playing dreadfully.

What I am saying is, at the moment we are basically watching Rafa's team and squad. His players, his coaching, his tactics, everything. And, while it is not pleasant to hear or think about, we are struggling badly. I am just saying that, someone like Wenger is brilliant at coaching a 'team' where they all seem tom play and think the same way, Ferguson is similar, but spends quite heavily too. Rafa hasn't proved he can do it here yet. I am still behind Rafa though and hope it gets sorted, I am just voicing concerns, which is well within my rights to do.

What is the problem? When it boils down to it, we have given Rafa money to spend and at the moment we are still f***ed without Agger and Alonso, is that good coaching?

Thats true, but totally different proposition to winning the premier league, as has been proved. I watched the Mancs yesterday and they are better than us, simple as that. We may be able to give them a game over 90 minutes, but over the course of a season, we wont win as many points as them. This is going miles away from the subject of Kuyt though, who would not get in the first 11 of Arsenal, Man U or Chelsea. I like Dirk and think he could be a good squad member, but we need someone top class next to Torres for the most part.

And, the one after Wolves is Sheff Wed In between Bournemouth and Yeovil is Port Vale And try Crewe Alexandra

The one between Spurs and Birmingham is Fulham

I know, which is the other side of the coin, when Rafa needs to be looked at. Wenger is a perfect example of not having to buy proven individuals to turn them into a great team. Ferguson and Wenger have both created several different very good sides at their clubs, they both have different methods, but basically, it is about team building. Us missing Xabi and Agger so much is a problem we shouldn't be suffering so badly from, having had money to spend in the summer.

Thats a cop-out though. The lad is trying to make a point about one of our players, a very valid point too. Just because he scored in a derby doesn't mean a thing. It seems that nobody can make a negative point about any of our players without being looked down on by all the 'superior fans' on here. In MY *** opinion the team we had out against Besiktas had 5 maybe 6 players in it who are decent, but nothing to write home about. You can carry maybe 2 in a good side, but not 6, if you are hoping to dominate most teams, as we should. And thats taking into account Xabi, Agger and Torres being out. I mean at any one time, we should still only be playing 2 'do-a-job' players. We should have some of the best in their position in the country and Europe. Gerrard, Alonso, Torres, Carra, Finnan, Reina, Agger are the only ones I would put in that category. I know some will include Mascherano, but even so, its not really good enough in a squad that should be challenging to win the league. I am hoping that Rafa can coach a 'team' though, which would go some way to negating the need for lots of great individuals, but the signs so far this season are worrying. I really hope everyones concerns are unnecessary though, things may 'click', lets hope so. *** Definitely not HIS opinion.

Who?

Just like Alonso is no Sissoko, however that doesnt mean Alonso isn't miles better. Kenny Dalglish was no Dirk Kuyt but..............

It is the derby, controlled passion is what its all about. Allied with ability and you have someone who loves the derby experience and he has won loads of them. How many times have I read posts on here asking for a return of the Gerrard who cleared off the line at Anfield years ago and celebrated like he had scored the winner? You cant have it both ways.

Playing against Everton is not just another game though. I agree all our players should be up for every game, but to say the derby is the same as playing against Reading etc... is rubbish. Just look at our fans, pretty subdued in virtually every home game, but come the derby, bang up for it, human nature.

This would need another thread, but briefly, I am not 'having a go' at Mascherano with any thought to an outcome, I am just presenting my opinion, my opinion being that he is not as good as people are making out. Whether Gerrard, Momo or Riise plays instead of him. I rate Alonso and Gerrard miles above Momo and Mascherano. Pennant is OK, nothing special, his attitude winds me up though. Crouch proved to be a good player and a good option last season, but this time around he is totally off the boil, I wouldn't be too bothered if both or either were sold.

Pennant is a tool, Crouch is tall. You are a c**k, anything else? You have just scanned my posts for bits and pieces and then tried to get involved. If you read my posts properly you wouldn't be going on about what I said about Riise, now f*** off, Egil Olsen!

Elaborate on what? You want me to tell you every negative thought I have about Rafa? No, I am not interested in that, I voiced concerns, and people disagree or agree, simple as that, I never claimed to be the Oracle. But it seems every single post I make gets scrutinised and thrown up at every turn, I posted something when I was annoyed yesterday. I shouldn't have called him a prick, but hey ho.

So should I stop posting then? I cant help the fact that people think I am speaking on behalf of someone else. I am not posting what anyone else think but me, some of what I read, some of what I see and some of what I hear helps me form an opinion. With regards to Riise, I have already explained what I meant, I didn't mean everyone followed suit, it was more the fact that when I dared criticise him, I got hammered by people, but now it seems not as clear cut as that, it was a perfectly reasonable point to make. Again, my opinion of Riise is MINE, nobody elses. It seems I am on a loser because of who people think I am talking on behalf of and its ridiculous to think that.

I cant remember what I posted exactly, but I just meant he pisses a lot of people off with his personal skills. Surely you can see that even from here.

Thats not what I meant at all. I just meant dont mock someones opinion when it is a reasonable debate. What was idiotic about the Riise comment?

He played well in that game, but dont get me started on that when it comes to Rafa, mistake on mistake.

It would be a good start. Dont want to get on about Mascherano again, I just think some of the posters on here are willing things to be true rather than being able to make a judgement on what goes on. I used to get lots of people having a go at me because I 'hated' Riise, unfairly. Now virtually every one wants him out of the team

No, stop putting words into my mouth. I think Rafa could still do great things here, but he really needs to sort things out with his people skills. I am genuinely worried as a Liverpool supporter that he is making a mess of things, Saturday being the latest in a long line of weird situations. Playing Torres at Reading being another, I still cant justify this one either. Losing Pako and various other things have me worried.

For f***s sake, I only ever state MY opinion. And I am waiting to witness something to change mine about Macherano.

Therein lies a problem, we all used to 'Trust in GH' too Maybe Rafa is the one with the ego problem eh?