RAFA: LET'S STAY CALM AND FOCUSED

[Fagan]

not just the players, some of us, including myself, are getting a bit carried away.

 

 

Offal

 

 

Rafael Benitez has told his players to take no notice of the hype surrounding a possible title success for Liverpool this season.

 

While Chelsea remain the favourites to once again land the top prize, many fans and pundits have tipped the Reds as their main challengers after another summer of rebuilding at Anfield which has seen Benitez strengthen his squad in key areas.

 

Last weekend's victory over Chelsea has also added to the belief in many peoples minds that Liverpool could topple Jose Mourinho's men this season, but the Reds' boss is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and working to ensure his players stay focused for the long campaign ahead.

 

On the eve of the new season he told Liverpoolfc.tv: "The important thing now is for us to stay calm. We know a lot of people are talking about us as a team who can win the league this season, but we have to just analyse the situation and do all we can to improve and think about the future.

 

"Of course we want to win games and win trophies but this is going to be a long race and we need to be careful because if we say we're going to do this and we're going to do that then it would be wrong. We need to take things one step at a time.

 

"It's important we keep the players focused and not start thinking we're better than we are at this moment."

 

Benitez expects his side to be competing at the top end of the table this year but he's well aware there are a number of other clubs capable of winning the race for championship glory.

 

He said: "I've been watching what other clubs have been doing this summer and it's clear that many of them have improved.

 

"We have to talk about Chelsea again, Manchester United continue to buy players and Arsenal have a good young team who will be more experienced this year.

 

"I also think Tottenham have a good side and a lot of good players so maybe they could be a surprise team."

[Guest Sabre]

We're going to do it

[Fagan]

We're going to do it

 

i'd rather tell myself its unlikely to avoid disappointment

 

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but i fookin know we are

[Falconhoof]

Exactly what you'd expect and want to hear from Rafa, going into the season.

 

By contrast, the pressure is all on Chelsea as Mourinho has already said they will be champions again and they know that any slight dip in their form from the last 2 seasons could see them playing catch up. I don't think a battle with other teams on simmilar points would suit the psychology of Jose and his players. They have been set up as 'special' and superior and the supporters and players will struggle with the reality that other clubs have squads that can match theirs without playing monopoly in the transfer market.

[RP]

Sensible comments from Rafa, exactly what you'd expect from him.

 

We've definitely caught people's eyes though over the summer. Loads of Chelsea fans have tried to turn the tables with "you must be favourites for the League now".

 

Stupid feckers, we will leave those kind of "we're the best" proclamations for d****ead Jose and his band of money launderers.

[Andy @ Allerton]

I'm a fan. It's my job to get carried away.

[David Hodgson]

I think there's the makings of a song here. Every time we're getting carried away this season, and get tempted into '..and now you're gonna beeeleeeve us......', instead we sing : '...let's stay calm and focused, let's stay calm and focused, lala--la--la'. I think it's catchy, and pyschologically keeps us 'grounded'.

 

what do other readers think ?

[Walrus]

I'm a fan. It's my job to get carried away.

How much do they pay fans these days? And where can I apply?

[Woodsyla]

I think there's the makings of a song here. Every time we're getting carried away this season, and get tempted into '..and now you're gonna beeeleeeve us......', instead we sing : '...let's stay calm and focused, let's stay calm and focused, lala--la--la'. I think it's catchy, and pyschologically keeps us 'grounded'.

 

what do other readers think ?

 

I like it, think I've got it right below

 

let's stay calm and focused

let's stay calm and focused

let's stay calm and fooooooocused and take one game at a time

and take one game at a time

and take one game at a time

let's stay calm and focused and take one game at a time

[Ronnie Whelan]

How much do they pay fans these days? And where can I apply?

 

 

Rent Boy.

 

 

 

Rafa is completely right with these comments, everyone is getting carried away. Getting more points than chelsea over 38 games is going to very difficult.

[Coyler]

I think there's the makings of a song here. Every time we're getting carried away this season, and get tempted into '..and now you're gonna beeeleeeve us......', instead we sing : '...let's stay calm and focused, let's stay calm and focused, lala--la--la'. I think it's catchy, and pyschologically keeps us 'grounded'.

Excellent!

[Runehammer]

I think this is the greatest song-related idea since Rafa in Istanbul!

[Guest Makaveli Smith]

lets take this season one game at a time.... if the lads fail to win against sheffield then lets not jump off the bandwagon all at once shall we?... can we try to stay optumistic but also realistic.... it's going to be hard from day 1.

 

I think liverpool have a good chance of winning the league this term but I think the most important thing to do is to at least be their closest rival... Its so important that we dont lose ground on them and also try and gain ground on the a*** and utd.... both teams will be looking for the title themselves and neither are push overs by any means.

 

im going to hope we can get the points in our first game... a decent performance and on to the next tie.