geordiesteve710 Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 With various mackem halfwits trying to deflect from their own miserable plight by peddling nonsense about Rafa such as he "relegated us" or spent a fortune assembling the strongest squad ever, it's worth remembering just what an excellent job he has done in less than a year. He came to a club in turmoil which was fragmented from top to bottom. He moved on most senior players at the end of the season (Krul, Janmaat, Colo, Taylor,Wijnaldum, Sissoko, Cisse and others) and replaced them for a lot less money. He displayed an almost ambassadorial demeanour which pulled the club, city and fans back together again. Faced with a 46 game scrap, a team and squad in transition, against teams who whose big day of the season will be against us,he has done an amazing job to have us where we are as things stand. If it needed further illustration just look at Villa and Norwich who many reckoned were better equipped overall for the second division. If we do go up this season I would put it down as one of his greatest achievements even though there have been many and mostly at a higher level. Much needed perspective. It's frustrating watching some pretty awful football the last couple of months, no doubt about it, but it's a strength of his that he knows his own mind and will stick to his methods. I would expect us to look a lot more fluid if he is still here next season and adds some much needed quality to key areas of the squad. Totally agree with both of these posts, Rafa is a master at game management, we would have lost at Norwich the other week if it wasnt for him. Was getting a coffee at work today and a lad from the office made a point of saying "your team are doing well at the moment." The football might not have been great recently but the results are still there and we'd have killed for that kind of form under the shite managers we've had recently. Rafa knows what he's doing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsley Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 The football's not been that bad like, IMO at least. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 I wouldn't say he's an expert in game management, like. He absolutely is an expert in preparation, managing a squad and setting the team up tactically but in spite of what was accomplished in Istanbul, changing the game when things aren't going for him isn't his forte. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiotes Witch Doctor Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 I wouldn't say he's an expert in game management, like. He absolutely is an expert in preparation, managing a squad and setting the team up tactically but in spite of what was accomplished in Istanbul, changing the game when things aren't going for him isn't his forte. Judging by what we've seen so far I would 100% agree with this, there's been more than a few occasions this season where we've needed to freshen things up our change approach after going down or drawing and hes kept it the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Howaythetoon Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 He is all about his players knowing what, where, when and how and he trusts them 9 times out of 10 and to be fair they have delivered. Better players will see the football improve and of course our performances and results. Give Rafa 11 players 7/10 ability and you are going places, throw in a few 9s like at Liverpool and its major honours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsley Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 I wouldn't say he's an expert in game management, like. He absolutely is an expert in preparation, managing a squad and setting the team up tactically but in spite of what was accomplished in Istanbul, changing the game when things aren't going for him isn't his forte. Judging by what we've seen so far I would 100% agree with this, there's been more than a few occasions this season where we've needed to freshen things up our change approach after going down or drawing and hes kept it the same. I think this is because Rafa prioritises 'control' over anything else - if we are having the lion's share of possession, winning the majority of second balls, forging openings if not necessarily chances etc then the goals will eventually come and there's little point making substitutes so as to upset the process. Blackburn away's a chief example - 0-0 and in supreme control of the game (if looking toothless) but Rafa opted to keep things as they were rather than bring on Atsu and/or Mitrovic and twist the knife; it was only until after they scored when he tried to drastically change things. That's the key I think; his subs are reactive rather than proactive more often than not but there's at least some sort of tactical justification behind the approach, whereas McClaren would inexplicably twiddle his thumbs until it is too late and Pardew would bring on a left-back for no reason whatsoever. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleBingo Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 I watched the Valencia/Madrid game in a bar in Valenica on Wednesday night, amazing game and needless to say, they all had much love for our manager and a few Rafa songs went up. Great night although it's fair to say it's all still a bit hazy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sempuki Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cp40 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 insightful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 He probably wanted to strangle half of them today Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheInfiniteOdyssey Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Please play two strikers at home, we give teams way too much respect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
huss9 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Please play two strikers at home, we give teams way too much respect. the problem is we dont have 2 decent strikers to play - not even one when gayle is injured. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sempuki Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-targeted-chinese-super-9918483 Amusing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-targeted-chinese-super-9918483 Amusing. Won't be if he goes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stifler Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-targeted-chinese-super-9918483 Amusing. Won't be if he goes. He came to us so he could stay close to his family. Why the hell would he go to China? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sempuki Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-targeted-chinese-super-9918483 Amusing. Won't be if he goes. He came to us so he could stay close to his family. Why the hell would he go to China? That's what I'm thinking. If it's true which it's most likely not it would be a bit of a trek away from his family. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-targeted-chinese-super-9918483 Amusing. Won't be if he goes. He came to us so he could stay close to his family. Why the hell would he go to China? Everyone has their price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Spaceman Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 For the mirrion dorrar man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Lots of stories from our preferred media partner about him leaving since the window shut. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-targeted-chinese-super-9918483 Amusing. Won't be if he goes. He came to us so he could stay close to his family. Why the hell would he go to China? Everyone has their price. This - very true. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Zaius Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Lots of stories from our preferred media partner about him leaving since the window shut. Makes you wonder whether the club are behind this. Destabalise his position because they'd prefer another yes man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest palnese Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Must admit I'm really struggling with him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
U2 Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Making a lot of mistakes. He did warn us... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 He's been poor come match day. No wonder Ashley didn't want to give him any more coin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Fuck off man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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