Liverpool FC Forum

by **Fowler_E7** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 4:28 pm

i think the last few seasons have higlighted to most supporters just how far are great club has fallen from grace. Personally i think we now have a great manager who will have us up there and challenging for the title within two seasons if he gets money for investment in the squad.

What do you think? how long until the reds are considered serious title challengers again?

by **Fowler_E7** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:54 pm

sorry the title of this thread is supposed to read "when will we be a real force again"

by **JBG** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:39 pm

Its going to be a while, make no mistake about that.

Gerrard Houllier actually made us competitive fairly quickly when you think about it, although it later proved to be a false economy and he wasted far too much money for the club's good and made a lot of poor decisions.

Benitez has a huge task, but I think he is a shrewder man and far more capable manager than Houllier. Were he given the same amount of money as Houllier got, I think he would make us fairly competitive within 18 months or even sooner, but going on the assumption that while there will be some money, it will be limited, I think that next year we will see some decent improvement, but it could be 3 or 4 years before we actually get into a position to seriously challenge for the title, let alone win it.

If Benitez stays I can guarantee you that his first team in 2006/07 will be dramatically different than the current one, with guys like Hamman, Hyppia, Riise, Traore, Kewell, Diao, Finnan, Dudek long gone. A lot of the problem players will be weeded out (and remember that most have already been weeded out) and in two years time Benitez's side will be his own, and probably all links with the previous manager long gone. It could be the case that in three years time the only "Houllier" player still in the side will be Jamie Carragher.

by **Fowler_E7** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 1:57 am

yeh i think your right there, i think it all depends on finance basically. If benitez has to work with a small budget, it will take lots of time for him to build a team of his own, plus the fact that he may have to get players that are not his first choice and possibly unknowns. If he receives money similar to the amount houllier got each year i could see us challenging fairly soon as Benitez does seem to have an eye for a more quality player than Houllier.

Lets not kid ourselves though because the boss still has a huge job on his hands at the moment as he is forced to work with players that he may not neceserially want, and like you said JBG i doubt most of the current squad will still be here in a few years time

by **A.B.** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 3:19 am

You have to understand that Rafa won the La Liga with 13 players with Valenica as they were hammered by injuries. I believe that he will get us back on track sooner or later.

by **zarababe** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:47 pm

This season will definately be about hanging in there.. change won't happen overnight .. it shud not have been expected neither .. however we have all seen improvments too which shud not be negated.. the signs are good for the future.... but for now calm heads, fingers crossed and faith in the Boss..

by **Cool Hand Luke** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 4:19 pm

I think maybe some of the talk of progress under Benitiez has been over the top. I must admit when he first arrived I had some reservations about his style of play, mainly the tempo at which his Valencia team played. But I think he has come with the right attitude, he seems to be willing to embrace the Premership and willing to learn about the Premier League.

Only time will tell whether Benitiez can make us title challenger again, it is by no means a certainty. It will take 2-3 years for the squad to become Benitiez's. I know it’s a cliché but this season really is a transitional one, and I will really start judging him from next season. I think we are at least 3 years away from challenging for the title and this is with some serious investment. The squad right now is way of that of the "big three". And our team is not much better than the likes of Newcastle and Middlesborough, it is going to be a tough task to get into the Champions League this season, but it must be done.

Primary Objective - Get into the Champions League by any means.

Secondary Objective - Better last seasons points total.

If we can do the first at least then we will at least have a bass to build with in the summer, and then it is up to the people at the top to put up the cash, were talking 20-30 Mil. Players will be leaving and arriving with alarming regularity over the next two years but that is normal. So by the time Benitiez has got a settled squad that he is happy with it could be 2006/2007 season.

So I would forget about challenging for the title for a few years. The main thing we must achieve is progression.

by **JBG** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:44 pm

Good post Luke, there's no guarantee that Benitez will succeed, and even if he does, it won't be overnight.

by **mynameisred** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 6:45 pm

A.B. wrote:You have to understand that Rafa won the La Liga with 13 players with Valenica as they were hammered by injuries. I believe that he will get us back on track sooner or later.

You have to understand the word inheritance!!!! (Or however you spell it)

by **A.B.** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 6:48 pm

mynameisred wrote:
A.B. wrote:You have to understand that Rafa won the La Liga with 13 players with Valenica as they were hammered by injuries. I believe that he will get us back on track sooner or later.

You have to understand the word inheritance!!!! (Or however you spell it)

by **mynameisred** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 6:49 pm

by **chiggz_likes_owen** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 4:35 am

3 to 4 years

by **LFC #1** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 5:32 am

think we will be challenging come the 2006/2007 season, by that time Rafa's team and tactics will well and truly be in place.

This season Champions League qualification should be achievable and then next season a top 3 spot, then I think the players will be working together with Rafa as a cohesive unit, and we will be challenging for the title.

I will make a prediction here, we will win the Premier League before the end of the decade, and maybe even the European Cup - a lot can happen in 6 years.

by **crazyhorse** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:29 am

Agree with the above post, but with the condition that we have an injection of capitol for Rafa to bring in a couple of big sigings - world class players.

by **REDTILLDEAD** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:43 pm

Mmmm?

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When will we be a real force again? - Your predictions

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