Fixtures Conspiracy?

[honourablegeorge]

Story in the Mirror this morning - Rafa claiming the fictures are always against us.

 

Not sure I like the sound of this - maybe part of it is him trying to create some sort of siege mentality with the players, but it could be counterproductive too (someone mentione rafa's annual Bolton outburst earlier in the week - along the same lines).

 

It's all a bit Jose Mourinho, really.

 

 

Mirror Link

[Falconhoof]

Its a legitimate complaint.

[Rimbeux]

One of the axioms of the art of war, siege mentality

[12twelve]

it is a bit annoying (and a surprise) to hear him say that, considering United and Arsenal are also having early kick-offs

[Raj]

As long as we keep winning, I couldnt give a f***

[Falconhoof]

it is a bit annoying (and a surprise) to hear him say that, considering United and Arsenal are also having early kick-offs

 

On the weekend following an international break ?

 

We have an early kick off after every single one.

[JohnnyH]

it is a bit annoying (and a surprise) to hear him say that, considering United and Arsenal are also having early kick-offs

 

Utd have it once as do Arsenal. We have it after every single international.

 

I know Mourinho bleats but when he has, his comments have been proven to be rubbish. In this case the facts add up.

 

I also think it does no harm in creating that "us against the world" feeling that Ferguson used so well with his squads. I also think it shows we have one tuff mo'fo' in our manager who isn't out to be the Mr nice guy.

 

Give 'em hell Rafa!

[honourablegeorge]

If it does help to create a siege mentality amongst the players, then fair enough. The flip side is that it's a ready-made excuse for the players, if they want one. It can go either way.

[Raj]

The flip side is that it's a ready-made excuse for the players, if they want one. It can go either way.

 

If that's true, then the players do not have the right mentality to play for this club.

[Coyler]

He's just lost the love of his managerial life. Go easy on him.

[Cobs]

Man up, Rafa, ffs !

[Cobs]

If that's true, then the players do not have the right mentality to play for this club.

but it's the manager who's making up the excuse - does he have the right mentality to manage the club?

[Rimbeux]

If that's true, then the players do not have the right mentality to play for this club.

 

True, but it's not always easy to work that one out, in this case if a below par performance is the rest/travel theory vindicated, or if the player(s) have drifted into an opportunity and excuse to fail?

[Mondavi]

I think he's got an extremely valid point, must admit I'd have preferred the complaint to have been made weeks ago though, back when the fixtures were released.

 

Also think a private communication could have been better.

 

All that said, I do wonder if this is all part of building up a siege mentality. There is a definite change in attitude amongst the players and staff this year, and maybe this is just more rafaganda to promote this amongst the lads.To give them a message on return to club action, to get into "everybody's against us mode" ahead of the portsmouth game.

[Romario]

Too much like Mourinho for me. Much rathered the Rafa that kept his powder dry.

[McBain]

If it works then it will be worth it. But i dont see it working

 

When other managers do it we laugh at them. As others will be laughing at Rafa now. I doubt he gives a shyte though

[Cobs]

the message he should be putting out is that it's great opportunity to put pressure on our rivals by playing first and winning.

 

 

Last season Mourinho was whinging cos Man Utd kept on getting the early fixtures and Chelsea always had to play catch up.

 

 

TV is King - there are gonna be early fixtures throughout the season and guess what - TV companies are gonna want to show The Mighty Reds March to No.19 (eat your heart out StevieH/Knox ) so we better get used to it

[cymrococh]

I like it, I think he's doing it for the siege mentality thing.

[Raj]

but it's the manager who's making up the excuse - does he have the right mentality to manage the club?

 

what is he making up? in my opinion his statement is correct.

i dont really see it as an excuse either.

[hideNseek]

Facts back him up so there's nothing wrong in Rafa telling Premier officials he's not stupid and knows they are biased against us.

[Cobs]

what is he making up?

an excuse for failure

[Raj]

True, but it's not always easy to work that one out, in this case if a below par performance is the rest/travel theory vindicated, or if the player(s) have drifted into an opportunity and excuse to fail?

 

Of course, but what Rafa says to the press and to his players, is likely to be the exact opposite.

I think its fair to say that Rafa will be instilling the correct mentally into his players for this game.

[Cobs]

Facts back him up so there's nothing wrong in Rafa telling Premier officials he's not stupid and knows they are biased against us.

 

THEY ALL HATE US !

[Raj]

an excuse for failure

 

Disagree.

[Cobs]

Disagree.

it's there in black and white

 

 

 

we lose tomorrow - it's cos we didn't have enough time to prepare.