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There are two interpretation of this I think: either they have given Rafa a budget, and he's unhappy that it's not large enough, or they have refused to give him figures even conditional upon CL progression, and effectively frozen all transfer activity. If you believe it's the former Rafa is being more or less petulant, and if it's the latter the owners are incompetent. Either way I think Rafa will leave.

So we wait until two weeks before the transfer window opens? And in the meanwhile have no discussions about possible budgets, meaning that planning could at least be made for the worst case scenario. This seems to be a matter of laziness on the part of the owners, or 'keep your eye on the ball' pop-psychology. That's what the owners are looking at. They probably think they're applying market forces, giving a well needed spur. Unless there's a u-turn from the owners, this is the end of Benitez at Liverpool in my opinion. Next summer he'll be off.

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The people writing the website don't know what's happening.

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And you're happy to associate yourself with Alan Shearer's opinions? Personally I would've thought that's a moment to keep one's head below the parapet. I'm looking forward to a couple of those low, swinging crosses across the defense from deep. I reckon Torres could be very effective on the end of them, with his acceleration and positioning.

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Great bit of defending by Aurelio there.

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I like it, the picture showing the light shining through to the inside looks great. Patchworks of multicoloured light as if through stained glass windows. No idea how it will age though.

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Hansen was actually trying to make a point, and Desailly was replying with the sort of nonsense managers come out with when they want to say nothing: 'Just one game, whole season to go', 'It's a difficult situation to come into'. What use is a pundit who can never say anything negative (at least about one team)? Hansen is bad, but its a stretch to call any of the rest of them on MOTD/MOTD2 pundits. They're more like window dressing.

I blame Crouch.

Superb tackle by Mascherano there.