One more season ?

[Falconhoof]

I've heard a lot of people say they want/expect Rafa to be given one more season. Thats a laudable sentiment, very loyal to the man and after the chaos of this season it might be reasonable to allow him a season with a competitive summer's spending and then no distractions from the board room.

Have people considered the rebuilding job we need though ?

 

We still need 2 new centre forwards, a left winger and to persuade Gerrard to play wide right or buy a top right midfielder. We'll have to replace Alonso, one of the most senior figures in the squad if reports are to be believed. We are looking at rebuilding the defence with Sami going, question marks over Carra's form and the bedding in of Skrtel to add to weakness in both fullback positions. We've seen enough of Itandje to know he isn't good enough for a stand in keeper at this level. He makes the likes of Kuscak look like Clemence.

So, there's a rebuilding job just to get the personnel strong enough to match the other top 3 clubs, then there's all the bedding in of these new faces and for those players to accept Rafa's rotation policy and his cautious approach to the game. After all of that, what are people expecting from Rafa next season ? A league title ? A strong push for it ? I can't see it, there's too much change needed.

[Guz]

My general feeling is that if a manager has a bad season then he should always be given another one straight after to set things straight. That's why I was happy to see Ged still in a job after he finished 5th. I also hold the CL very, very highly and think reaching the final is a top achievment which saved our season last year from freefall to very credible. We bossed our group, went toe to toe and then some (winning 2-1 at the nou camp!!) with Barca, brushed aside PSV with ease and then fought hard with Chelsea and Milan. The way we matured in Europe last season compared to our 2005 win was very encouraging to see.

 

We may well do the same this year, god i hope so, but assuming we don't I'd consider it as Rafa's real first failure. I know we were average in the league last year too but I personally think we're devaluing the CL if we don't consider it as part of our goals every season. That's why at this stage I'd still be in favour of giving him another season. But the way things are going he may well dig his own grave...

[Guest Snorky]

One more season ? I wouldn't give him one more game.

[Guest Linton]

We need: new manager, left back, right back, left midfielder, right midfielder and two strikers.

[Crazy Horse]

I think Rafa is ten times the manager Houllier was, so I'm not in favour of giving him the bullet. The 'Ferguson needed time too' argument didn't work for me with regard to Houllier, but I think Rafa has it in him to be one of the greats.

 

What Rafa needs is total support from the owners, a squad clear-out, a few new players with some football intelligence, and to be left alone for a couple of seasons to do things without interference. And fewer stupid, ignorant c**** on internet forums giving him s***. Not much chance of him getting any of that though.

[alias75]

I've heard a lot of people say they want/expect Rafa to be given one more season. Thats a laudable sentiment, very loyal to the man and after the chaos of this season it might be reasonable to allow him a season with a competitive summer's spending and then no distractions from the board room.

Have people considered the rebuilding job we need though ?

 

We still need 2 new centre forwards, a left winger and to persuade Gerrard to play wide right or buy a top right midfielder. We'll have to replace Alonso, one of the most senior figures in the squad if reports are to be believed. We are looking at rebuilding the defence with Sami going, question marks over Carra's form and the bedding in of Skrtel to add to weakness in both fullback positions. We've seen enough of Itandje to know he isn't good enough for a stand in keeper at this level. He makes the likes of Kuscak look like Clemence.

So, there's a rebuilding job just to get the personnel strong enough to match the other top 3 clubs, then there's all the bedding in of these new faces and for those players to accept Rafa's rotation policy and his cautious approach to the game. After all of that, what are people expecting from Rafa next season ? A league title ? A strong push for it ? I can't see it, there's too much change needed.

 

 

If theres any truth that hes refusing to play wide right then i think that illustrates perfectly whats wrong with this club. The players should concentrate on playing where the manager tells them and playing to the best of their ability when chosen.

[Guest Snorky]

I think Rafa is ten times the manager Houllier was, so I'm not in favour of giving him the bullet. The 'Ferguson needed time too' argument didn't work for me with regard to Houllier, but I think Rafa has it in him to be one of the greats.

 

What Rafa needs is total support from the owners, a squad clear-out, a few new players with some football intelligence, and to be left alone for a couple of seasons to do things without interference. And fewer stupid, ignorant c**** on internet forums giving him s***. Not much chance of him getting any of that though.

 

There are some stupid ignorant c**** who fiddled whilst Rome burnt as well.

[bobbyboulders]

I've heard a lot of people say they want/expect Rafa to be given one more season. Thats a laudable sentiment, very loyal to the man and after the chaos of this season it might be reasonable to allow him a season with a competitive summer's spending and then no distractions from the board room.

Have people considered the rebuilding job we need though ?...

 

You are spot on.

 

A lot of people seem to believe (as do I) that he deserves one more season. But he's not going to be able to turn it around in one season. We're miles away. He'll need at least two more. But have we seen enough in the league to suggest that it'll be worth another 2 seasons? Perhaps someone else could get us closer if they were given those two years instead?

 

The logic of this is harsh and points to the idea that, despite him deserving one more crack, we are so far behind that we should strongly consider moving for someone else during the summer if a really top class option were to become available.

Edited February 16, 2008 by bobbyboulders

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

Cull the dross, add two top quality players (realistically we won't be able to afford any more) and although we may not win it next season we should be able to challenge. It would require a change in mentality and cutting out the questionable team selections but it's certainly do-able.

[Falconhoof]

Cull the dross, add two top quality players (realistically we won't be able to afford any more) and although we may not win it next season we should be able to challenge. It would require a change in mentality and cutting out the questionable team selections but it's certainly do-able.

 

You must be seeing a different set of players to me.

[Chili Palmer]

If theres any truth that hes refusing to play wide right then i think that illustrates perfectly whats wrong with this club. The players should concentrate on playing where the manager tells them and playing to the best of their ability when chosen.

 

I would be absolutly amazed if that was the case.

[MFletcher]

I think we have an excellent base to the team.

 

Reina

Agger

Skrtel

Mascherano

Lucas

Babel

Torres

 

They're all young players who are going to improve. The problem we have is that Rafa is still relying on dross like Kewell, Pennant, Crouch etc. They're decent Premiership players, but they're not good enough for us. I think it would take another two summers or so to get rid of them and replace them with the quality of player needed. We can't afford to cull half the squad in the summer, because such an overhaul would leave us with too many positions to be filled and not enough money to buy the required quality for it.

 

Even if a new manager comes in, they'll still have to go through the same process that Rafa will - selling the likes of Crouch, Pennant, releasing Kewell etc. and bringing in younger, faster, more technically able players.

 

I'm still of the opinion he should be getting at least one full season - at the absolute bare minimum - to make things work. I know comparisons to Everton are most unwelcome on this forum, but one need only look at the state Everton were in after they finished sixth. Everyone expected them to push on and challenge the top four and they ended up in 17th. The next year they finished fourth. You sometimes need to take a step backwards in order to take two steps forward.

[Falconhoof]

I think we have an excellent base to the team.

 

Reina

Agger

Skrtel

Mascherano

Lucas

Babel

Torres

 

They're all young players who are going to improve. The problem we have is that Rafa is still relying on dross like Kewell, Pennant, Crouch etc. They're decent Premiership players, but they're not good enough for us. I think it would take another two summers or so to get rid of them and replace them with the quality of player needed. We can't afford to cull half the squad in the summer, because such an overhaul would leave us with too many positions to be filled and not enough money to buy the required quality for it.

 

Even if a new manager comes in, they'll still have to go through the same process that Rafa will - selling the likes of Crouch, Pennant, releasing Kewell etc. and bringing in younger, faster, more technically able players.

 

I'm still of the opinion he should be getting at least one full season - at the absolute bare minimum - to make things work. I know comparisons to Everton are most unwelcome on this forum, but one need only look at the state Everton were in after they finished sixth. Everyone expected them to push on and challenge the top four and they ended up in 17th. The next year they finished fourth. You sometimes need to take a step backwards in order to take two steps forward.

 

 

How is that any sort of base or foundation ? Skrtel has played how many games ? Lucas has started how many games ? I like Babel but he hasn't proved himself yet.

You can't call that list an established core or 'spine', we can't rely on Carra or Finnan as the untouchables they were.

We need a major clearout, then you have to wonder if Gerrard wants to see through the rebuilding process or would he rather go to Chelsea.

[MFletcher]

How is that any sort of base or foundation ? Skrtel has played how many games ? Lucas has started how many games ? I like Babel but he hasn't proved himself yet.

You can't call that list an established core or 'spine', we can't rely on Carra or Finnan as the untouchables they were.

We need a major clearout, then you have to wonder if Gerrard wants to see through the rebuilding process or would he rather go to Chelsea.

 

I'm referring to a basis to build on though.

 

If I was referring to the spine, then that would be:

 

Reina

Carragher

Agger (when fit obviously)

Mascherano

Gerrard

Torres

[Guest Ant]

Parry Out, Moores Out, Benitez Out, Americans out, DIC in, Mourinho In.

 

Complete and total overhall...

[Barnesy_10]

I wouldn't give him another season...

 

The team are playing ugly and drawing, losing and winning ugly too..

 

giving him another season will more likely set us back more than if we sacked him... Deep down, I think the fans have seen enough to suggest that Rafa can't cut it... as much as we love the man, much like GH we have to face facts and think of what is best for the team long term..

[Guest Ant]

Can I ask those backing Benitez, what logical reason do they have which they believe Rafa will win us the league given investment?

[Archangel]

If i was to decide, as an overview objectives would be

 

One more season

 

One more striker 15 - 20 m range

 

No other changes unless cash neutral (Crouch for Johnson say)

 

No more excuses accepted about owners, fixture congestion, tiredness etc etc

 

Top four position in January maximum 5 points behind top or he goes

 

Top four position in May maximum 5 points behind top - preferably better than in January

 

Good cup runs - better consistency in team performance

 

 

Benitez can do this, he is good enough but to do it I think he must start to change one or two things which seem to be his fundamental philosophy and thats why i think that maybe an immediate change of manager would be a better option because he isnt going to change and its not working at this club

Edited February 16, 2008 by Archangel

[Kuyt-fever]

In Istanbul he earned he right to see out his contract.

[Guest Snorky]

Benitez can do this, he is good enough but to do it I think he must start to change one or two things which seem to be his fundamental philosophy and thats why i think that maybe an immediate change of manager would be a better option because he isnt going to change and its not working at this club

 

Rafa will continue to stick with his tactics regardless, there has been no hint over the last 4 years that he's either realised he's wrong or is prepared to change his ways.

[Elisha_Scott]

In Istanbul he earned he right to see out his contract.

 

b******s, b******s,

b******s, b******s

[Guest Ant]

In Istanbul he earned he right to see out his contract.

 

In Istanbul he earned time to develop.

 

We haven't developed

[Kuyt-fever]

Yes we have. He emassed our biggest points total ever and won the cup , he then finished 3rd again and got the CL final as we smashed past our group and Barcelona. This season has been s**** but his 3 good/very good seasons cancel out his one poor season.

[Guest Ant]

Yes we have. He emassed our biggest points total ever and won the cup , he then finished 3rd again and got the CL final as we smashed past our group and Barcelona. This season has been s**** but his 3 good/very good seasons cancel out his one poor season.

 

Aye but it means f*** all when you can't challenge for the league.

 

The Level of progression has been very small and we find ourselves where we where last under Houllier more or less.

[Gunga Din]

In Istanbul he earned he right to see out his contract.

 

 

would you be saying that if we lost the penalty shootout? the progress in the league, if there has been progress at all, has been minimal, and ultimately, thats what he will be judged on.

Edited February 17, 2008 by Gunga Din