Darth Crooks Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 At this point i wouldnt even blame the players and manager if they just sat down and done fuck all for the full 90 minutes. My view is that anything, including results and performance, mean absolutely nowt anymore. Any vitriol or negative thoughts should be aimed in one direction only, regardless how things are going on the pitch. we stay up! Whoop de fucking doo. Rafas off and so will the players eventually. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToonArmy1892 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Behind him, but losing faith ever so slightly. So somewhere between the top two options, I guess. By that, I don’t think we would get anyone better and I 100% want him to stay and for a long time, hopefully. But even allowing for the s*** budget. I’m not sure on some of his signings, the reluctance to use ‘expensive’ players (by our standards, at least) and the way he has handled certain players who have been moved on. I also feel the tactics seem even more cautious this year. Cardiff and Leicester were shambolic and I don’t pin that all on the players being not good enough. Are they that bad that we should struggle to a 0-0 with Cardiff and get played off the park at home by Leicester? I have no issue with how we set up against the better sides. But it feels like we’re getting stuck in a rut and not even having a go. Pretty ugly to watch. Ultimately, we’re in this position because of our c*** of an owner. But I don’t think that should mean players and the manager should be exempt from minor gripes. Cardiff maybe, but we were away and drew. It shouldn't surprise anyone that we got outplayed by Leicester, they are miles better than us, sad as that is to say. (Yes i know we beat them away last season, that WAS a surprise) Brighton home is ridiculously huge at this early stage, we simply have to win that game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r0cafella Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 To those who aren't fully behind Rafa I'd like to ask why you aren't? Is it the Mitro thing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Away Toon Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 I'm not sure that not being fully behind Rafa should be regarded as madness or a crime by some on here. How about the dull tepid boring defensive football we play. I feel sorry for him in that he's been royally shafted by Ashley since he arrived (whoever saw that coming) but can you honestly say he's getting the maximum out of our players? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearergol Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 I'm not sure that not being fully behind Rafa should be regarded as madness or a crime by some on here. How about the dull tepid boring defensive football we play. I feel sorry for him in that he's been royally shafted by Ashley since he arrived (whoever saw that coming) but can you honestly say he's getting the maximum out of our players? I think he's doing everything humanly possible to get the maximum out of our players yeah. Should we blame him that Kenedy and Diame are useless this season compared to last? Think that's on them tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 To add to that, we don't even have the players to play any kind of decent attacking football anyway Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 To add to that, we don't even have the players to play any kind of decent attacking football anyway I know, its like people think we will suddenly be Brazil 70. When in reality we are more like Debery 08. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 I’m someone who has been apathetic under this regime for Long time. But even compared to last season I care much less. I wouldn’t be surprised if the playing staff and coaches were in the same boat. Even a 2% drop in focus and we’ll get relegated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dontooner Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 To add to that, we don't even have the players to play any kind of decent attacking football anyway Rafa being a tactical coach probably sees stability first. If he given very little money, i can see him buying and setting up a very negative team. The problem with the negative football is just compounding itself with Ashley attitude towards the club and a highly safety 1st attitude Manager. Honestly think we have a much better chance of surviving with Rafa's Turtle/counter style than a Rafa's lets attack and try to win style. Longer term wise, Ashley is the sabotaging agent. He is consistently trying to be smart and run us like a dollar store. Its just not a enjoyable and pretty picture to look at. Rafa can do much better than us, i respect him for that alone for sticking with us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 The fixture list is definitely a major factor IMO. We need every player to be full of confidence and playing above their level to have any chance - that’s what Rafa achieved last season. The fixtures made that impossible this time around, we’ve really only had one result worse than expectations. The situation is bleak but I have some faith that Rafa was expecting this and is managing people to be ready for the easier run. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raconteur Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Absolutely mental to even consider that Rafa isn't straining every sinew to get more out of this squad, including questioning every single one of his own decisions. He's a borderline psycho when it comes to tactical details and how things can be improved. If it was as straightforward as just telling them to attack more (our strikers are shit, the way some go on you'd think they're just starved of a bit of service) then I reckon he'd have done so. I know how hard he works and his attention to detail would not be bettered by any other manager imo. Personally i would like a tad better ball retention, not 'attack more' as i don't think you can with this squad. I feel that this is largely not something Rafa can be blamed for - he's not telling Diame to miss a square ball from five yards, or defenders to panic and bomb it forward. Having said that, Ayoze running into blind alleys and coughing up the ball a dozen times every weekend is partly on Rafa, because he is so isolated that whenever he gets the ball three defenders converge on him. Similarly, Ritchie on the right means we have a slow winger who cuts in every time, which is predictable and easily defended against. However, it all comes back to the short blanket theory. Someone stronger and better on the ball in the hole (like... Longstaff?) wouldn't press and run the way Ayoze does, or have the technique of Ayoze. Murphy might be a better winger, but Rafa wants Ritchie on the pitch when he's trying to build a game for the first hour. We've seen (when Murphy starts on the left) that he doesn't offer much Ritchie doesn't. He's trying to find a solution to an intractable problem, and this is the best plan he could come up with. It's ugly, and we're winless in seven, but it will come good* * A very relative term Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubestationatmidnight Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Perhaps as Rafa has tried to suggest, we had a functioning academy we might have a couple of players to step up and freshen up the team. A functioning academy :lol: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackyboy Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Rafa and the players look to me like they've had enough and lost interest. Rafa must feel sorry for his players and they must feel sorry for him. According to the press Ashley is going to take the whole squad and Rafa out for meal, a sort of bonding session. Having paid for the meal there will be no money left for new signings Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Any players coming in this jan () will be loans and half arsed lame signings on the cheap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_69 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Everything wrong with us boils down to the fact that we don't score enough goals, and that's purely down to the fact that we will not invest in the right quality in what is arguably the most important area of the pitch. Our defence and keeper are fine - we don't concede a lot of goals and even against the big teams we're able to keep the scores against us low - that's down to Rafa's input and organisation. An OK striker costs £20m plus these days, reasonable wingers the same and a good #10 will probably set you back £30m unless you get lucky, like Leicester did with Mahrez (i know he's not strictly a #10 though). We were a Championship team last season and we're weaker this time around. There's only so much a manager can do, even one as good as Rafa. Our squad is probably £100m short of the quality it needs to compete at this level. People criticising Rafa's tactics and team selections need to have a bit of a word with themselves because what you are essentially saying is "Rafa should've played this sub-standard player instead of that sub-standard player." & "Rafa should've deployed these tactics with our sub-standard players instead of the tactics he did employ". The fact remains that whoever he selects to start and whichever tactics he employs, he is doing so with sub-standard players so it makes no fucking difference. If it makes you feel better playing PL fantasy football in your heads with our dogshit squad then fill your boots but you're wasting brain cells. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Everything wrong with us boils down to the fact that we don't score enough goals, and that's purely down to the fact that we will not invest in the right quality in what is arguably the most important area of the pitch. Our defence and keeper are fine - we don't concede a lot of goals and even against the big teams we're able to keep the scores against us low - that's down to Rafa's input and organisation. An OK striker costs £20m plus these days, reasonable wingers the same and a good #10 will probably set you back £30m unless you get lucky, like Leicester did with Mahrez (i know he's not strictly a #10 though). We were a Championship team last season and we're weaker this time around. There's only so much a manager can do, even one as good as Rafa. Our squad is probably £100m short of the quality it needs to compete at this level. Who ever signed the players has bought very poorly this season. We are gash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Everything wrong with us boils down to the fact that we don't score enough goals, and that's purely down to the fact that we will not invest in the right quality in what is arguably the most important area of the pitch. Our defence and keeper are fine - we don't concede a lot of goals and even against the big teams we're able to keep the scores against us low - that's down to Rafa's input and organisation. An OK striker costs £20m plus these days, reasonable wingers the same and a good #10 will probably set you back £30m unless you get lucky, like Leicester did with Mahrez (i know he's not strictly a #10 though). We were a Championship team last season and we're weaker this time around. There's only so much a manager can do, even one as good as Rafa. Our squad is probably £100m short of the quality it needs to compete at this level. Who ever signed the players has bought very poorly this season. We are gash. Yeap, our business looks poor so far this season. Not added anything apart from depth in certain positions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Everything wrong with us boils down to the fact that we don't score enough goals, and that's purely down to the fact that we will not invest in the right quality in what is arguably the most important area of the pitch. Our defence and keeper are fine - we don't concede a lot of goals and even against the big teams we're able to keep the scores against us low - that's down to Rafa's input and organisation. An OK striker costs £20m plus these days, reasonable wingers the same and a good #10 will probably set you back £30m unless you get lucky, like Leicester did with Mahrez (i know he's not strictly a #10 though). We were a Championship team last season and we're weaker this time around. There's only so much a manager can do, even one as good as Rafa. Our squad is probably £100m short of the quality it needs to compete at this level. Who ever signed the players has bought very poorly this season. We are gash. Yeap, our business looks poor so far this season. Not added anything apart from depth in certain positions. Moving deck chairs round the titanic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubestationatmidnight Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Everything wrong with us boils down to the fact that we don't score enough goals, and that's purely down to the fact that we will not invest in the right quality in what is arguably the most important area of the pitch. Our defence and keeper are fine - we don't concede a lot of goals and even against the big teams we're able to keep the scores against us low - that's down to Rafa's input and organisation. An OK striker costs £20m plus these days, reasonable wingers the same and a good #10 will probably set you back £30m unless you get lucky, like Leicester did with Mahrez (i know he's not strictly a #10 though). We were a Championship team last season and we're weaker this time around. There's only so much a manager can do, even one as good as Rafa. Our squad is probably £100m short of the quality it needs to compete at this level. People criticising Rafa's tactics and team selections need to have a bit of a word with themselves because what you are essentially saying is "Rafa should've played this sub-standard player instead of that sub-standard player." & "Rafa should've deployed these tactics with our sub-standard players instead of the tactics he did employ". The fact remains that whoever he selects to start and whichever tactics he employs, he is doing so with sub-standard players so it makes no fucking difference. If it makes you feel better playing PL fantasy football in your heads with our dogshit squad then fill your boots but you're wasting brain cells. ?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest covmag Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Everything wrong with us boils down to the fact that we don't score enough goals, and that's purely down to the fact that we will not invest in the right quality in what is arguably the most important area of the pitch. Our defence and keeper are fine - we don't concede a lot of goals and even against the big teams we're able to keep the scores against us low - that's down to Rafa's input and organisation. An OK striker costs £20m plus these days, reasonable wingers the same and a good #10 will probably set you back £30m unless you get lucky, like Leicester did with Mahrez (i know he's not strictly a #10 though). We were a Championship team last season and we're weaker this time around. There's only so much a manager can do, even one as good as Rafa. Our squad is probably £100m short of the quality it needs to compete at this level. People criticising Rafa's tactics and team selections need to have a bit of a word with themselves because what you are essentially saying is "Rafa should've played this sub-standard player instead of that sub-standard player." & "Rafa should've deployed these tactics with our sub-standard players instead of the tactics he did employ". The fact remains that whoever he selects to start and whichever tactics he employs, he is doing so with sub-standard players so it makes no fucking difference. If it makes you feel better playing PL fantasy football in your heads with our dogshit squad then fill your boots but you're wasting brain cells. summed up brilliantly mate the doubters just fucking read this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pons Alias Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Doing the rounds on FB - is this Giggs? "For those in doubt to the miracle Rafa is pulling off by having us in the Premiership and finishing 10th, here is our net spend since Rafa joined for both Premiership and Championship clubs." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 We can't be expected to compete with the likes of Millwall and Sheff Wed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marki Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Doing the rounds on FB - is this Giggs? "For those in doubt to the miracle Rafa is pulling off by having us in the Premiership and finishing 10th, here is our net spend since Rafa joined for both Premiership and Championship clubs." wow totally ludicrous Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chopey Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 That's horrendous that, Rafa needs to do something about it, or walk away because if he leaves in the summer he leaves us with a considerably weaker squad than when he arrived. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufc4eva Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Our squad is horrific and he signed most of it, but he has done so because he has no other choice. He has been forced to ensure we have bodies and try to improve them which he has for quite a few, but so difficult when every player needs improving to average. We are good defensively but the front 4 players are shocking. Let's be honest if he leaves there really is no point in supporting this club, because if he isn't backed then who will be - McLaren or Pardew again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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