RedHarvest

KD:...but he's won nothing and has a smalltime mentality. CP: Nonsense, David is a fine manager used to getting the best out of a limited budget, and his eyes are not all that googly really.

This feels so inevitable now. I dont blame either Gerrard or Rafa for wanting out.

Feel totally sick about this now it's official. Rafa will go on to prove he's a great manager elsewhere. It makes me sick to think what could've been after Istanbul had the club not been fatally infected by G&H

Torres out, Zlatan in - the final indignity!

The whole anti Kuyt argument seems to be based on qualities he doesn't have, and never did have, in spades ie: creativity, positional cunning, clever ball use - he's capable of it as in that chelsea clip, but it's not his game. He's an energetic commited forward player capable of scoring important goals. We'd be mad to get rid of him, especially now; he loves the club, he's couragous, loyal and gives a million percent every game - rare qualities in the modern player. He's not the problem here.

With all them gone once Rafa goes, what about the rest who promised to jack it in if MON is appointed (entirely plausable)?....there'll be no one left. The ownership being the main issue, I wonder if Rafa's had a deadline (now passed) in his own mind as how long to hold out before resolution. Thing've turned even more sour since Rhone talks fell through.

Mascherano Kyrgiakos Kuyt ...Gerrard was very good too, slowly coming back into form.

Cos it's clearly personal, not reasoned out, but I guess that's what these forums are all about. I personally dislike Mourinho (and think he's basically not as good as Rafa) but he's a legimate target for us as a manager.

Masch Agger Reina

So true. Insua and the whole LB position since Riise left is exhibit A in the case against Rafa.

Ridiculous poll. Rafa has to stay while the other top tier options are not possible/realistic ie: Mourinho/Hiddink/Capello. Martin O' Niell is a decent manager in the lower regions of the 2nd tier of possible choices - clearly a step down from Rafa. If we had to step down from Rafas quality and pedigree I think O'Niell would be a legitimate option to consider. The palpable knee jerk hatred of MON from some on here is ridiculous and childish.

Agger Torres Gerrard

think Villa and Spurs will bottle it - 5th for us

Pepe Yossi Masch

It's inevitable with our luck this season that we suffer a few more injuries,,,I just hope and pray that Reina stays fit, we'd be rightly f***ed without Pepe for the run in.

passing it well here, an early goal is vital

I was so totally disheartened by the Wolves performance I called for Rafa to go. It was hasty I’ll admit but was clearly inspired by the abject, frankly unnaceptable nature of too many of the performances this season. The situation with the owners is an ongoing cancer and is a major part of the problems but not the totality and the playing and coaching staff can’t and rightly don’t refer to it as an excuse. I don’t want Mourinho despite his record and undoubted motivational skills, Rafa’s the better manager and more suitable for us. The only replacement I’d consider is Hiddink – not a realistic option (being as he’s Abramovichs bitch and a bit of a breadhead). I think the interim solution of Kenny and/or Carra is not the answer and Rafa staying til the summer is the only sensible way to go. So I think it’s as simple as 4th place to rescue the season or Rafa is gone, hence his open ended statements to the press re: Juve. I wonder if Rafa regrets his statement guaranteeing 4th? In hidsight it seems a misjudgement and could be contributing to the uncertainty and lack of belief in our play. Having said that I believe all it would take is a sustained period of games without injury to the first choice 11 and we could storm back, and Rafa’s the man again.

Effort's one thing - look at Kuyt, Carra, Masch, , they all put in trojan effort. It's self belief and conviction that's been missing throughout the team.

Regarding our terrible luck with injuries this season - we all knew our squad was thin and lacked quality at the start of the season, but hoped against hope based on the excellent football we played at the end of last term. This injury crisis was a s***storm waiting to happen and Rafa will cite it as a defence - but the whole Aquilani thing negates that argument. Someone posted earlier that the players just seem to be going through the motions, playing out the managers time - sadly, that looks to be the case IMO.

Something must change. Is Rafa capable of turning it around? Really doesn't seem like he can in this cursed season. Any other top club would have jettisoned him by now. The ownership situation has perversely made him bullet proof - it's a totally f***ed check mate situation for the true fans of this club and we keep providing ammo for our detractors with every performance. I know the long term risks (and cost) of sacking him now but it's the obvious solution IMO, he has to go, otherwise we play out this season to form, finish mid table, lose our best players. Totally depressed.

I'd previously thought Lucas was being very harshly scapegoated when others are affected by the poor morale - but i'm afraid it's just true, he isn't good enough. Neither is Insua. Rafa is the culprit where these players are concerned, he should have found better for the club, that's his job. Mascherano on the other hand remains hugely effective and a world class specialist in his position - he just had a stinker last night, same as everyone else.

Kyrgiakos Reina Maxi

Huge crisis of confidence. Putting aside the continual debates about whether Lucas, Kuyt, Riera etc..are good enough or not, there are players out there every week with absolutely no self belief.

Insua and Masch were terrifically bad, Gerrard looks a shadow, Carra seems finished, Lucas was awful...The greek probably MOM, Maxi just about ok, but Jesus that was painful to watch. Cant think of a positive beyond the lousy point. Maybe those who say we miss Alonso are right - who out there looked like they could put their foot on the ball and play?

Surely AA is Rafas attempt to address the lack of thrust in midfield in order to turn majority possession into wins and points, as was Barry...I know they're different players in terms of attacking tendencies but I'm not sure how different, not having seen enough of Aquilani. I was sure most fans agreed this was good policy from Rafa before the whole injury/form/club malaise turned into the s***storm it is now.