Despite grabbing fourth from Newcastle that year we were f***ing absymal, there was only one sure way we were heading before Rafa came in and that was a downward spiral, I think its too easy to forget just how depressing it was in geds final year and what a state we were actually in, every game felt like a struggle, we spent most of the year particularly from the january knowing he was going to have to get sacked plus the uncertainty over owen and the utter s****ness of the squad (first team wasn't too bad), we just take what we are doing now for granted now as do fans from other clubs funnily enough. but as a fan who can't remember liverpool lifting a league title and only ever seeing the spice boys piss their talent and our trophy chances away coupled with the false dawns of the houllier era , rafa to me will be special regardless of what happens this season because he has me believeing in him, what he is trying to do and the direction the club and team are going in, not even the yanks can put a dampener on that.