uncle bob

Its not that we didnt need another striker with Crouch leaving, its with limited funds a wide attacking quality player was a must, then if funds permitted we should of bought another striker

I hope you are right but his performances to date and Rafa's ability to spot a good full back leave a lot to be desired

We havent played well once in the last 4 games and we have been crying out for quality width and good full backs and in 4 years Rafa has not addressed either issue. It is also a valid point that if funds were limited then maybe (and I agree its with some hindsight) he should of finalised the wide positions before buying Keane. Also I have lost count the number of full backs we have bought and none todate appear to meet the bill. Early days for Dossena but he so far has been crap.

You my get your wish this sunday

He seems totally incapable of spotting/buying either a good full back or wide player in over 4 years. He wants too many 'intelligent players' which is an oxymoron in most cases, to play in a variety of positions, i.e. for most cases square pegs in round holes. The majority of players he has bought or not bad players, just only comfortable in playing in a specific way, often on instinct, yet Rafa tries to get them playing in positions they are just not comfortable in or able to perform. He should settle in a formation he is happy with and concentrate on buying players that fit his system. Its 4 years and we still do not have any real quality wide players in the squad. It should also be acknowledged that whilst not having the funds of Chelsea or Man U, he has been well financed. Too much money has been wasted on poor players to play in the wide positions as previously posted. The stats for or first 4 games look good, but they disguise serious problems in the shape and personnel. We expect a high standard of 'football' than we are getting most weeks, after 4 years in charge.

spot on - we were much more of a threat after we took Keane off

yet another one of you sideways pops at Gerrard- sad

That is unfair

We have one of the best, if not the best attacking central midfielder in the world and you want to push him wide because the club keep buying the wrong type of player we need. Gerrard has gone on record as saying he doesn't want to play on the wing, yet lets p1ss off our best player to keep bad buys on the pitch. Yes I am aware the team comes first, however players feelings also have to be taken into account. Last season we had him often playing a free but essentially central position behind Torres, that worked. Maybe we have spent the £20M not on a bad player, but on a position that was working with our current players instead of going for a quality wide right player. (Yes I make that observation with hindsight.) Its seems as fans we fail to appreciate what a special player we have, and consider it acceptable, irrespective of the players feelings to shuffle him about to accommodate for ever changing tactics and personnel. I also sense from some posts that certain fans have never fully forgiven him for contemplating leaving for Chelsea. With the players we have I am not convinced a 442 formation suits our real quality players, and agree with previous poster that a 433 or 4213 formation is the route we should be going. Also at the moment Keane is trying to hard to impress, as a result he is wandering all over the pitch to get more ball, which is affecting any pattern of play. If Keane is to be used as a permanent player then maybe he should be more the centre forward, with Torres playing slightly behind him to use his pace. It should be noted that even for Spain this summer, Torres appears more effective as a lone striker, similar to his role last season

that is exactly what I said - in response to previous query

The aims have changed - read their web site, they had to, we are told in order to be able to set up web/organisation therefore ultimate aim had to be non specific regarding individuals. Now appear to be focusing as a travel company for local fans.

Totally disagree, whilst not agreeing with the aims of shareliverpool, I respect their focus and clarity of issue. SoS have so many 'aims' for a focus group that they are less likely to succeed than shareliverpool. They have also avoided the pitfall of alienating non local fans. In fact there whole reason for SoS being formed, was for the removal of G&H, which has now changed to 'holding the owners to account' and yes I am aware of the reasons. It now also appears that SoS focus is as a fans travel company, which without significant cash injection, focus and the use of fully employed staff for this work, it is likely to fail in the long term as volenteers will only do it for free for so long. Therefore IMHO the most likely group to replace G&H is shareliverpool, rather than SoS.

Thats why'spit the dog' run rings around him for the 1st hour on Saturday

CR*P

You must have

What was really evident at Sunderland - Rafa just cannot spot a decent full back. Still believe Finnan the best full back at the club, and maybe Darby will come through, but lost count the number of full backs Rafa has gone through( Josemi to Degen) and they way below the standards of most top teams.

Thats it, Rafa screwed up - nothing else for it but to sack Rafa and replace him with Klinsman

Have SoS been invited:

That was probably me, not quite 60, but look older. That's what happens when you follow Liverpool, you can never relax at a game Bob 2

David Silva and Downing were loosely mentioned

According to Daily Post and others, Rafa stated he had the backing of one of the owners, which in all probability was Hicks, therefore very easy for Parry with the backing of Gillett to fu*k up transfer and to alienate Rafa, then claim they simply didn't agree with Villa's valuation. What next quick call by Gillett to Klinsman together with Parry to determine valuation of other Rafa targets.

That is exactly my position, so be careful you don't get accused of being an American stooge for G&H

Again don't be confused by facts, for your information the club has been taken from us, G&H own the club not you. Also we do keep paying our money, how big was the season ticket boycott, shirts still being bought, hospitality still being paid for. Come into the real world and stop believing you will affect change in ownership, its arrogant nonsense. Also how do you know that Hicks does not rate Rafa highly. Regarding new contract, couldnt it be just possible that Gillett and Parry blocking this for their own ends.

Fair points, added to which if there are still two warring camps in the club, Rafa appears to be siding with Hicks which would give Gillett and his puppet Parry a reason to isolate Rafa, and maybe force his resignation. Again speculation but hell that's what we all seem to be doing

1. He appears to have loaded the club with debt contrary to initial assurances, however without all the details, I am not sure the debt to the club is as large as being speculated, however time will tell. 2. Delay in start of new ground, although appreciate they did say they would review the original plans, and in the interim were caught in the world wide 'credit crunch' 3. Being suckered by Gillett into meeting Klinsman as an option to replace Rafa.