Rafa Appreciation Thread

[Andy @ Allerton]

Still made up with him - OK we had a bit of a blip against two very good Arsenal sides and the rub of the green never went for us - but this still doesn't in any way at all diminish the respect and admiration I have for Rafa.

 

He's an excellent coach a brilliant manager and a superb person - always showing nothing less than a dignified and forthright attitude to the press and the world whatever the circumstances.

 

In a season or two when everything finally clicks then I think we'll be a side to be reckoned with and with a better start to the season we'd be right up there in the league as well.

 

Sound fella. Great manager.

 

He won't let these two blips worry him

[Buzz]

I just hopes he sticks around to bring it all to fruition. Everytime we get near a transfer window, we get someone interested in investment and it never happens. My worry is he was promised big money from an investment, which is never gonna come and he might get the feeling he is being messed about, like at Valencia, and leave.

[sean]

If and when we beat Barcelona over 2 legs, his decision to rest key players for the Carling Cup will be deemed a master stroke, much the same as the Burnley disster a couple of seasons ago.

We're spoiled, that's what we are.

[Bailo]

If and when we beat Barcelona over 2 legs, his decision to rest key players for the Carling Cup will be deemed a master stroke, much the same as the Burnley disster a couple of seasons ago.

We're spoiled, that's what we are.

[Guest]

Cup games = potential banana skins

 

Rafa's ace.

 

He got Reina and Alonso for us despite competition from the very best sides in Europe.

 

Who else would have brought Luis Garcia to the PL?

 

He won the European Cup.

 

He won the FA Cup.

 

But best of all...

 

...he had a pint in a German local with the lads

 

 

I hope he stays for a decade at least.

[Roscoe]

his record speaks for itself, and as a bonus he seems a thoroughly decent man.

 

My main gripe with him this morning is that he kept a promise he made to another loyal servant of our great club. It backfired, but if that is as bad as it gets......

[Red2Core]

My main gripe with him this morning is that he kept a promise he made to another loyal servant of our great club. It backfired, but if that is as bad as it gets......

A man of his word thats why i strongly believe in him,so all those kneejerk T**TS can fek right off.

[Mondavi]

He's still the man for us, his focus on progressing in the league each year, getting closer to number 19, is in tune with the fans desire. That's what we want, and if a little tinkering/gambling means we don't succeed in the cups, then so be it. You can't win them every year, and his record so far in knockout cups is actually excellent. any other team had a better record in those 3 comps over the last 2.5 seasons since he's been here ? we've been to the final of each in his first 2 years, winning 2 of 3 for goodness sake, not bad for someone who doesnt care about the cups.

 

There's a fine line between pursuit of excellence, and being spoilt by success.

[Tones]

We have always had the odd bad result in a cup game. Same with every manager we have had and every other team that exists. Yes it was embarrassing and unacceptable. Rafa will be the first to admit that. He wont be happy wioth last night. I still have faith in him. Still think he is the right guy to have in charge.

[Paddy 66]

I still believe he is the man to guide us to number 19 and probably more european glory.

[_00_deathscar]

RAFA IS THE BOSPHORUS!

[Guest Ross17]

As much as people are moaning about the team played last night which Rafa picked, you still do not expect that line up to concede 6 goals and he can do nothing once those players go out on the pitch.

 

The link below has alot of good points to it

 

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...070110-1010.htm

[12twelve]

We'll win number 6 and 19 with Rafa in charge.

[Igors Uncle Dave]

He is the best manager around for me

[Hector McDougal]

I wouldn't have anyone else. Rafa is boss.

[Guest InExile]

Rafa is the BEST bar none!!

[Kahnee]

Cup games = potential banana skins

 

Rafa's ace.

 

He got Reina and Alonso for us despite competition from the very best sides in Europe.

 

Who else would have brought Luis Garcia to the PL?

 

He won the European Cup.

 

He won the FA Cup.

 

But best of all...

 

...he had a pint in a German local with the lads

I hope he stays for a decade at least.

 

[MickeyDocs]

The echo article sums it all up brilliantly... give the man more money so we can compete for players for the future... Rafa has firmly stated he wants to buy players like Momo and Gonzales, I presume Mascherano falls in to this category.

 

It would be nice to see the board back him completely... will this takeover ever be completed btw?

 

 

 

It's time for us to get real

 

Jan 10 2007

 

Exclusive By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

 

 

RAFA Benitez says Liverpool must learn the lessons of last night's Carling Cup humiliation, as he urged the club to match Arsenal's ambition in the recruitment of young talent.

 

Benitez, who apologised for the 6-3 defeat, is deeply frustrated his efforts to create an equally powerful reserve line-up has been thwarted by lack of funds.

 

But the boss insists he was right to stand by his team selection at Anfield, and argued the gulf in class was a result of Arsenal's ten years of careful planning and recruitment.

 

He says Liverpool's prospective new owners must take note if they want the club to match the Gunners.

 

"The first thing we must do is say sorry to our supporters. They were magnificent and deserved better," said Benitez.

 

"Secondly, although we made mistakes in the game my players worked hard and I must recognise this.

 

"But when you analyse the situation, the conclusion which worries me is Arsenal could pick nine reserves and score six goals at Anfield. We had seven players of the first team and could not win.

 

"There is a lesson in this for the whole of our club. If you want to compete at the top level, you must be able to spend a lot of money not only on your first team, but on the young players and reserves.

 

"Arsenal spent £4m on Diaby, £4m on Denilson, £8m on Walcott and Baptista is a £22m player.

 

"They have been working for ten years to build a strong squad, and we have been working for two years. My scout department has done an excellent job, but sometimes we go too slow as a club to make signings we need, and when we do there is not a lot of money.

 

"Today, for example, we are signing a young Italian keeper on loan with an option for later. We've also been working for many weeks to sign the young Scottish player James McCarthy.

 

"These are the deals we are doing because we want to build a squad of similar quality in the future, but without spending big money it's difficult.

 

"The money we sign is for the first team, and when you look at the quality of Reina, Sissoko, Alonso, Bellamy and Crouch it's clear all are worth more now than when we bought them."

 

Benitez has come under fire for his team selection in the wake of the latest cup exit, but he's standing firm.

 

"I used Momo Sissoko in the Carling Cup against Birmingham and lost him for four months," he said.

 

"Last night we believe we've lost Luis for the rest of the season and Gonzalez and Warnock were injured. Steven Gerrard has a dead leg and Xabi Alonso a tight hamstring.

 

"What is more important? The Premiership, the Champions League or the Carling Cup?

"If Arsenal can play nine reserves and score six at Anfield, people should be asking why is this. It's not because of one game, it's because of many reasons. I picked a team with seven players from the first team last night.

 

Do people expect me to play Finnan every week? He has had to play in every fixture this season. The players I used were good players."

[Sion]

"Today, for example, we are signing a young Italian keeper on loan with an option for later. We've also been working for many weeks to sign the young Scottish player James McCarthy.

 

I thought he was Irish now

[MickeyDocs]

I thought he was Irish now

 

 

He's Scottish born and bred, but has chosen to represent the Republic of Ireland. Something to do with a promise to his Grandfather who hails from Ireland.

[smithdown]

But best of all...

 

...he had a pint in a German local with the lads

 

 

 

Get in!

 

Worth a league cup quarter defeat on its own.

[Boca]

Under Rafa : Played 126 Won 72 Drew 24 Lost 30

 

European Cup 2005

FA Cup 2006

[DonRafa]

The man is class, he fits our club like a glove

[Flip Martian]

Rafa is a class act as a manager. I don't think he's the finished article yet as a manager - he does seem to make the odd mistake. But he's class. Intelligent. Modest.

 

And he's ours. Can't imagine anyone I'd rather have in that job.

[HK]

Thank goodness for this thread.