Rafa praising individuals

[BG]

Has anyone else noticed that Rafa has been praising individuals a lot more recently?

 

In recent weeks he's been glowing about Masch (obvious why), Torres and Gerrard.

 

For a man who refused to accept that Gerrard was the difference in the 06 Cup Final and would generally only ever talk about the team ethic etc it seems like quite a change.

[Spike]

He's tapping them up for Barca

[lawrie]

Has anyone else noticed that Rafa has been praising individuals a lot more recently?

 

In recent weeks he's been glowing about Masch (obvious why), Torres and Gerrard.

 

For a man who refused to accept that Gerrard was the difference in the 06 Cup Final and would generally only ever talk about the team ethic etc it seems like quite a change.

 

Yep I've noticed it too.

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

He was playing hard to get. Now he has got them into bed, he feels more comfortable complementing them.

[Ombudsam]

For a man who refused to accept that Gerrard was the difference in the 06 Cup Final

 

he wasn't the difference. He was the equalising force against the mighty W.Ham

[Maldini]

I think he's just realised that he needs to play the media's game a bit more, they need their headline quotes and they need him to say things that fit into the stories they've already written. He's trying to improve his relationship with them so that if push comes to shove there might be a few voices in the media who support him. Maybe.

[Benitez]

Rafa's just crazy in love with Torres like the rest of us. He can't help but say nice things about him.

[Skillz]

He was playing hard to get. Now he has got them into bed, he feels more comfortable complementing them.

 

 

Agree with that. He has had to be ruthless to get players to listen and play as he likes. Since Xabi has been injured, Stevie has played his role, IMO, more disciplined, covering for Mashers runs forward as Masher does for him etc and dictating play. All the while Stevie has managed to do this and keep scoring. I think Rafa has been impressed by this as in previous seasons I feel Rafa hasn't trusted him for this role.

 

So in short I think Stevie has made a commitment to Rafa to prove he can play this role and he has been successful, hence the praise. I think Rafa knows he has the best CM in the world now. Well in Stevie and well in Rafa for continuing his development.

 

As for Torres I agree with "Benitez". It's hard not to love him