Liverpool FC Forum

[Bad Bob]

Right - synopsis:

System employed: We dominated from start to finish despite being away from home. Created many chances, while limiting them to 1. Verdict: Good call Rafa.

Personelle employed: See above, with the exception of Crouch who missed more opportunities than an impotent man at a hen party.

Verdict: It was the right lineup. Rafa can't be blamed if the players aren't hitting the net.

Subs: Aurelio - who offers set-piece threat and the only genuine left-footer on the bench. (Gonzalez was sh*gged.)

Kuyt - the obvious choice.

Garcia - Mr Spectacular. Replaced Bellamy who was injured.

What's the problem?

The problem is that we lost and when we lose people need a scapegoat.

It's either:

A. Rafa
B. Rotation
C. Zonal Marking System [or it used to be]
D. One of the players
E. Rick Parry
F. David Moores
G. Lack of money
H. Horrible away kit
I. The turd on the entrance to the stadium

I'm getting tired of reading the same bullocks every time we lose. When we're winning, everything is rosy and we're going to win the league. When we lose, we won't finish in the top four.

When we win, it was a team effort [i.e. v Watford] when we lose like we did yesterday it's because of one player [Crouch,Hyypia,Riise,Garcia,Pennant,etc.. the usual scapegoats]

Football is a team game, you win as a team and you lose as a team. Crouch missed his chances as did Bellamy, but you can't blame them for losing the game because they didn't concede the goal our back four did.

Had Crouch been playing at another club we would be having threads ''Sign Crouch,he's English'' just like we had with Bent,Defoe,etc...

Then you have posters who doubt the quality of certain players [Alonso for instance]. Is he did that good? Yes he's that damn good and people take it for granted. If he was playing for Barca we would have orgasms about his footballing ability all over the place.

''Sign him up Rafa'' just like we are now with the flavors of the month in: Micah Richards, Baines, Bale.

I'm not saying they're not good players but just because you go on Football Manager and sign them and they do the job, doesn't mean that you're a certified UEFA manager and that Rafa and the rest of us have to listen to your bullocks.

That is the problem. Everyone knows everything and the MANAGER who actually works his bullocks off and has an impressive track record  "NEEDS TO F#CK off to Spain " is the response you get from people when we lose. Just look at the BBC boards.

Spot on from where I sit as well, mate.  Typical over-reaction to a bad day at the office from some of the usual suspects, who seem only to appear when we drop points. 

[Lando_Griffin]

Right - synopsis:

System employed: We dominated from start to finish despite being away from home. Created many chances, while limiting them to 1. Verdict: Good call Rafa.

Personelle employed: See above, with the exception of Crouch who missed more opportunities than an impotent man at a hen party.

Verdict: It was the right lineup. Rafa can't be blamed if the players aren't hitting the net.

Subs: Aurelio - who offers set-piece threat and the only genuine left-footer on the bench. (Gonzalez was sh*gged.)

Kuyt - the obvious choice.

Garcia - Mr Spectacular. Replaced Bellamy who was injured.

What's the problem?

The problem is that we lost and when we lose people need a scapegoat.

It's either:

A. Rafa
B. Rotation
C. Zonal Marking System [or it used to be]
D. One of the players
E. Rick Parry
F. David Moores
G. Lack of money
H. Horrible away kit
I. The turd on the entrance to the stadium

I'm getting tired of reading the same bullocks every time we lose. When we're winning, everything is rosy and we're going to win the league. When we lose, we won't finish in the top four.

When we win, it was a team effort [i.e. v Watford] when we lose like we did yesterday it's because of one player [Crouch,Hyypia,Riise,Garcia,Pennant,etc.. the usual scapegoats]

Football is a team game, you win as a team and you lose as a team. Crouch missed his chances as did Bellamy, but you can't blame them for losing the game because they didn't concede the goal our back four did.

Had Crouch been playing at another club we would be having threads ''Sign Crouch,he's English'' just like we had with Bent,Defoe,etc...

Then you have posters who doubt the quality of certain players [Alonso for instance]. Is he did that good? Yes he's that damn good and people take it for granted. If he was playing for Barca we would have orgasms about his footballing ability all over the place.

''Sign him up Rafa'' just like we are now with the flavors of the month in: Micah Richards, Baines, Bale.

I'm not saying they're not good players but just because you go on Football Manager and sign them and they do the job, doesn't mean that you're a certified UEFA manager and that Rafa and the rest of us have to listen to your bullocks.

That is the problem. Everyone knows everything and the MANAGER who actually works his bullocks off and has an impressive track record  "NEEDS TO F#CK off to Spain " is the response you get from people when we lose. Just look at the BBC boards.

Got to agree mate.

It's bad enough that we lose - I don't want to have to listen to a bunch of gimps bleating that Rafa should go, so and so should be sold, we will get relegated, etc, etc, etc.

People seem to forget what that man (Rafa) has done for us.

People need a good slapping.

Not just our fans but football fans in general.

Like some opposing turd of a fan who said on the beeb that the only quality we have in the team is Alonso and Gerrard. I wanted to strangle the clueless tw@t.

The reality of it is, that the average fan doesn't know a great deal at all, and is infact regurgitating something he heard someone he respects utter previously. The problems with this are:

1. He was p*ssed/stoned/tired/thick at the time of reception, and gets the recital wrong due to memory lapses/incompetence.

2. He tries to be a smart a*se, and alters the info slightly, therefore unwittingly negating it's whorthwhile content.

3. It was b*llocks to begin with.

Now, I'm not for one moment suggesting I know it all. I'm not suggesting I know a lot. The fact is, my opinion might be as valid as a junkie murderer's human right's cry as the Prison officer's boot connects with his money-making posterior.

But I think I talk sense when it comes to our club.

I just talk b*llocks the rest of the time.

The thing is, though - why do people find delight in chatting anal secreations about our great club?

[A.B.]

Right - synopsis:

System employed: We dominated from start to finish despite being away from home. Created many chances, while limiting them to 1. Verdict: Good call Rafa.

Personelle employed: See above, with the exception of Crouch who missed more opportunities than an impotent man at a hen party.

Verdict: It was the right lineup. Rafa can't be blamed if the players aren't hitting the net.

Subs: Aurelio - who offers set-piece threat and the only genuine left-footer on the bench. (Gonzalez was sh*gged.)

Kuyt - the obvious choice.

Garcia - Mr Spectacular. Replaced Bellamy who was injured.

What's the problem?

The problem is that we lost and when we lose people need a scapegoat.

It's either:

A. Rafa
B. Rotation
C. Zonal Marking System [or it used to be]
D. One of the players
E. Rick Parry
F. David Moores
G. Lack of money
H. Horrible away kit
I. The turd on the entrance to the stadium

I'm getting tired of reading the same bullocks every time we lose. When we're winning, everything is rosy and we're going to win the league. When we lose, we won't finish in the top four.

When we win, it was a team effort [i.e. v Watford] when we lose like we did yesterday it's because of one player [Crouch,Hyypia,Riise,Garcia,Pennant,etc.. the usual scapegoats]

Football is a team game, you win as a team and you lose as a team. Crouch missed his chances as did Bellamy, but you can't blame them for losing the game because they didn't concede the goal our back four did.

Had Crouch been playing at another club we would be having threads ''Sign Crouch,he's English'' just like we had with Bent,Defoe,etc...

Then you have posters who doubt the quality of certain players [Alonso for instance]. Is he did that good? Yes he's that damn good and people take it for granted. If he was playing for Barca we would have orgasms about his footballing ability all over the place.

''Sign him up Rafa'' just like we are now with the flavors of the month in: Micah Richards, Baines, Bale.

I'm not saying they're not good players but just because you go on Football Manager and sign them and they do the job, doesn't mean that you're a certified UEFA manager and that Rafa and the rest of us have to listen to your bullocks.

That is the problem. Everyone knows everything and the MANAGER who actually works his bullocks off and has an impressive track record  "NEEDS TO F#CK off to Spain " is the response you get from people when we lose. Just look at the BBC boards.

Got to agree mate.

It's bad enough that we lose - I don't want to have to listen to a bunch of gimps bleating that Rafa should go, so and so should be sold, we will get relegated, etc, etc, etc.

People seem to forget what that man (Rafa) has done for us.

People need a good slapping.

Not just our fans but football fans in general.

Like some opposing turd of a fan who said on the beeb that the only quality we have in the team is Alonso and Gerrard. I wanted to strangle the clueless tw@t.

The reality of it is, that the average fan doesn't know a great deal at all, and is infact regurgitating something he heard someone he respects utter previously. The problems with this are:

1. He was p*ssed/stoned/tired/thick at the time of reception, and gets the recital wrong due to memory lapses/incompetence.

2. He tries to be a smart a*se, and alters the info slightly, therefore unwittingly negating it's whorthwhile content.

3. It was b*llocks to begin with.

Now, I'm not for one moment suggesting I know it all. I'm not suggesting I know a lot. The fact is, my opinion might be as valid as a junkie murderer's human right's cry as the Prison officer's boot connects with his money-making posterior.

But I think I talk sense when it comes to our club.

I just talk b*llocks the rest of the time.

The thing is, though - why do people find delight in chatting anal secreations?

Lando, I wonder whether or not you mentioned the words "anal secreations" at your Christmas dinner with the family 

[Lando_Griffin]

Right - synopsis:

System employed: We dominated from start to finish despite being away from home. Created many chances, while limiting them to 1. Verdict: Good call Rafa.

Personelle employed: See above, with the exception of Crouch who missed more opportunities than an impotent man at a hen party.

Verdict: It was the right lineup. Rafa can't be blamed if the players aren't hitting the net.

Subs: Aurelio - who offers set-piece threat and the only genuine left-footer on the bench. (Gonzalez was sh*gged.)

Kuyt - the obvious choice.

Garcia - Mr Spectacular. Replaced Bellamy who was injured.

What's the problem?

The problem is that we lost and when we lose people need a scapegoat.

It's either:

A. Rafa
B. Rotation
C. Zonal Marking System [or it used to be]
D. One of the players
E. Rick Parry
F. David Moores
G. Lack of money
H. Horrible away kit
I. The turd on the entrance to the stadium

I'm getting tired of reading the same bullocks every time we lose. When we're winning, everything is rosy and we're going to win the league. When we lose, we won't finish in the top four.

When we win, it was a team effort [i.e. v Watford] when we lose like we did yesterday it's because of one player [Crouch,Hyypia,Riise,Garcia,Pennant,etc.. the usual scapegoats]

Football is a team game, you win as a team and you lose as a team. Crouch missed his chances as did Bellamy, but you can't blame them for losing the game because they didn't concede the goal our back four did.

Had Crouch been playing at another club we would be having threads ''Sign Crouch,he's English'' just like we had with Bent,Defoe,etc...

Then you have posters who doubt the quality of certain players [Alonso for instance]. Is he did that good? Yes he's that damn good and people take it for granted. If he was playing for Barca we would have orgasms about his footballing ability all over the place.

''Sign him up Rafa'' just like we are now with the flavors of the month in: Micah Richards, Baines, Bale.

I'm not saying they're not good players but just because you go on Football Manager and sign them and they do the job, doesn't mean that you're a certified UEFA manager and that Rafa and the rest of us have to listen to your bullocks.

That is the problem. Everyone knows everything and the MANAGER who actually works his bullocks off and has an impressive track record  "NEEDS TO F#CK off to Spain " is the response you get from people when we lose. Just look at the BBC boards.

Got to agree mate.

It's bad enough that we lose - I don't want to have to listen to a bunch of gimps bleating that Rafa should go, so and so should be sold, we will get relegated, etc, etc, etc.

People seem to forget what that man (Rafa) has done for us.

People need a good slapping.

Not just our fans but football fans in general.

Like some opposing turd of a fan who said on the beeb that the only quality we have in the team is Alonso and Gerrard. I wanted to strangle the clueless tw@t.

The reality of it is, that the average fan doesn't know a great deal at all, and is infact regurgitating something he heard someone he respects utter previously. The problems with this are:

1. He was p*ssed/stoned/tired/thick at the time of reception, and gets the recital wrong due to memory lapses/incompetence.

2. He tries to be a smart a*se, and alters the info slightly, therefore unwittingly negating it's whorthwhile content.

3. It was b*llocks to begin with.

Now, I'm not for one moment suggesting I know it all. I'm not suggesting I know a lot. The fact is, my opinion might be as valid as a junkie murderer's human right's cry as the Prison officer's boot connects with his money-making posterior.

But I think I talk sense when it comes to our club.

I just talk b*llocks the rest of the time.

The thing is, though - why do people find delight in chatting anal secreations?

Lando, I wonder whether or not you mentioned the words "anal secreations" at your Christmas dinner with the family 

Only the once, and it turned out they were actually the gibblets.

[A.B.]

Right - synopsis:

System employed: We dominated from start to finish despite being away from home. Created many chances, while limiting them to 1. Verdict: Good call Rafa.

Personelle employed: See above, with the exception of Crouch who missed more opportunities than an impotent man at a hen party.

Verdict: It was the right lineup. Rafa can't be blamed if the players aren't hitting the net.

Subs: Aurelio - who offers set-piece threat and the only genuine left-footer on the bench. (Gonzalez was sh*gged.)

Kuyt - the obvious choice.

Garcia - Mr Spectacular. Replaced Bellamy who was injured.

What's the problem?

The problem is that we lost and when we lose people need a scapegoat.

It's either:

A. Rafa
B. Rotation
C. Zonal Marking System [or it used to be]
D. One of the players
E. Rick Parry
F. David Moores
G. Lack of money
H. Horrible away kit
I. The turd on the entrance to the stadium

I'm getting tired of reading the same bullocks every time we lose. When we're winning, everything is rosy and we're going to win the league. When we lose, we won't finish in the top four.

When we win, it was a team effort [i.e. v Watford] when we lose like we did yesterday it's because of one player [Crouch,Hyypia,Riise,Garcia,Pennant,etc.. the usual scapegoats]

Football is a team game, you win as a team and you lose as a team. Crouch missed his chances as did Bellamy, but you can't blame them for losing the game because they didn't concede the goal our back four did.

Had Crouch been playing at another club we would be having threads ''Sign Crouch,he's English'' just like we had with Bent,Defoe,etc...

Then you have posters who doubt the quality of certain players [Alonso for instance]. Is he did that good? Yes he's that damn good and people take it for granted. If he was playing for Barca we would have orgasms about his footballing ability all over the place.

''Sign him up Rafa'' just like we are now with the flavors of the month in: Micah Richards, Baines, Bale.

I'm not saying they're not good players but just because you go on Football Manager and sign them and they do the job, doesn't mean that you're a certified UEFA manager and that Rafa and the rest of us have to listen to your bullocks.

That is the problem. Everyone knows everything and the MANAGER who actually works his bullocks off and has an impressive track record  "NEEDS TO F#CK off to Spain " is the response you get from people when we lose. Just look at the BBC boards.

Got to agree mate.

It's bad enough that we lose - I don't want to have to listen to a bunch of gimps bleating that Rafa should go, so and so should be sold, we will get relegated, etc, etc, etc.

People seem to forget what that man (Rafa) has done for us.

People need a good slapping.

Not just our fans but football fans in general.

Like some opposing turd of a fan who said on the beeb that the only quality we have in the team is Alonso and Gerrard. I wanted to strangle the clueless tw@t.

The reality of it is, that the average fan doesn't know a great deal at all, and is infact regurgitating something he heard someone he respects utter previously. The problems with this are:

1. He was p*ssed/stoned/tired/thick at the time of reception, and gets the recital wrong due to memory lapses/incompetence.

2. He tries to be a smart a*se, and alters the info slightly, therefore unwittingly negating it's whorthwhile content.

3. It was b*llocks to begin with.

Now, I'm not for one moment suggesting I know it all. I'm not suggesting I know a lot. The fact is, my opinion might be as valid as a junkie murderer's human right's cry as the Prison officer's boot connects with his money-making posterior.

But I think I talk sense when it comes to our club.

I just talk b*llocks the rest of the time.

The thing is, though - why do people find delight in chatting anal secreations?

Lando, I wonder whether or not you mentioned the words "anal secreations" at your Christmas dinner with the family 

Only the once, and it turned out they were actually the gibblets.

[account deleted by request]

[Ace Ventura]

It was one of them bad days at the office as a few have said.
And it is mostly the players fault for not converting the chances in the first half but still i think substitutions in general could be more adventurous and earlier.
When we went 1-0 down just after half time Blackburn started to take control and we looked rattled, personally i think at that point he should of changed things instead of waiting.
I also think that he should of kept Crouch on (despite his misses) and changed the system in some way.

Not blaming the manager at all for the defeat as we bossed the majority of the game but missed too many chances, but i agree with Rafa-Dodd that changes in those circumstances should be a bit more attack minded.

[Rafa D]

I am not looking for a scapegoat for our loss at Blackburn. We lost because we could't score and they did, classic sucker punch.

  However my ideas about Rafa's subs has been simmering for a while. I have noticed it before in certain games where we have been chasing games and the subs have been rather passive. I understand Rafa doesn't want to concede a counter goal but certain situations call for big risks.

  I love Rafa though, for sure 

[Rafa D]

Later on I'll put forward a bigger, more factual based post on Rafa's use of subs. At the moment I can ne be arsed!!


  Also its NOT a knock on the big fella, just a suggestion. I know his subs in the F.A Cup and CL won us it.

[Scottbot]

At the moment our subs are very passive. Its man for man. Imagine yesterday if Benitez had brought on Kuyt for Finnan and Garcia for Riise. We could go 3 at the back and Xabi sitting with Garcia, Gerrard, Bellamy and Gonzalez all pushing forward with Kuyt and Crouch in the box. It would of been a worrying time for the Blackburn defence to contend with that. I know  your open to a counter but with that much attacking presence on the pitch, it worries the opposition and the manager.

That's about right Doddy. It's true Maureen has often made good use of his subs but then let's not forget the ridiculous depth of attacking talent he has on the bench plus the fact the media laud his changes (if they work) as if he is some sort of modern-day football mesiah. Rafa refrains from using substitutions as an out and out impact on the game and i can't remember many (or any) ocaasions where he has brought 2 (or 3) players onto the pitch at the same time. I think he uses his subs fairly effectively but admit i am a big fan of throwing 2/3 men to change a game if things aren't working out.

[66-1120597113]

Cant really blame the subs..although at times i think Raffa should be a bit more ruthless!
Giving players 20 mins at the end is not always the answer..
Its obvious in a lot of games 1 or 2 players are gonna have a bad day at half time,so why not give another player a chance to have a good day and change it at half time?
Its a very English trait not to use subs to around 70 mins or so,one that i feel is wrong..If players are not doing well,get them off the pitch regardless of what time in the game!

[Sarge]

100% spot on a.b. and lando.

Manure, chelsea and arsenal are playing on top form but they still drop unneccesary points.

Like us, we are know playing on top of our socks and went many games without even conceding a goal. All of sudden, because of the friedel's superb form (probably plenty of ar$e spanking from their sh!tty 6-2 arsenal hammering) , again some people saying about the team and the gaffer.

Remember we are still on course for a possible 90++ points for the premiership!

[Ace Ventura]

Has anyone got any stats regarding Rafa making subs at halftime ?
Because i dent recall him ever doing it.

There are loads of games that we have been totally ineffective in the first 45 and the manager just leaves things as they are for about another 10-15 minutes.

This isn't me pressing the panic button after the defeat at Blackburn, for the majority of that game we played well and should definately have won.
I just think that he has a sort of ritual thing with his subs, where he waits until the same sort of time in most games before he makes the change....no matter how we are playing.

[Bad Bob]

I just think that he has a sort of ritual thing with his subs, where he waits until the same sort of time in most games before he makes the change....no matter how we are playing.

Seems that way to me as well, mate.  He did haul Crouch off pretty early by his standards tother day from the sounds of it, but he seems to usually wait until the 60-65 minute mark.

I think the general sentiment that he could be a bit more adventurous when we're chasing a game has merit.  We have the defensive wherewithall not to be caught out in most cases so gambling a bit going forward shouldn't leave us too exposed.  I think it would signal something important to the players, too, about the need for urgency.

Finally, since Mourinho was brought up I think it only fair to point out that, despite his talented bench, he has on occasion resorted to throwing the likes of Robert Huth on as a an attacker, so he's not always as cavalier as he could be with the subs,either.

[A.B.]

Last year Rafa's subs scored more goals than any other side [except Chelsea I think].