Liverpool FC Forum

by **stapo1000** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 5:55 pm

rafa benitez made me very optimistic for the new season in talking to the press about both new signings and our strikers.

Rafa said that first he'll take a look at the squad before he makes his move in the transfer market. He said that if the squad impresses him he'll only buy 1 or 2 new players.

He also said to rick parry that it is important not to splash cash around like gone outta fashion but to spend wisely.(in other words we're gonna be the opposite of chelsea in that respect).

He also spoke about our strikers saying that he had the best strike force in England and that having 4 good strikers is a good problfor him to be faced with. He said he will try to give all of them at least 15-20 games during the season.

Now how many of us wanted to here all that... :alien:

by **zarababe** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:05 pm

I'm excited .. and his statement coupled with Cisse's poitivity is great.. he will sign when he knows where..and who

by **stapo1000** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:07 pm

exactly!!

by **stapo1000** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:12 pm

take a look at what chelsea are doing:
-buying kezman AND drogba when they already have a handful of good strikers
-buying robben when they've duff, one of the best left wingers around.
-buying all of these portuguese players who dont even start for portugal for positions that they already have decent players for.
i hope they keep on spending their money and never make any progress while real football clubs like lfc make it the hard way.

by **The_Rock** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:13 pm

Hope he also promotes more academy players. I heard that houllier had some problem with the academy coach and thus no academy players being promoted in the last few seasons.

by **7_Kewell** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:08 pm

it's good news. I think we will be more attacking and if he buys anyone, it's going to be a defender or defensive midfielder. :kungfu:

by **fritzylfc** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:03 pm

bennie is know mug he will take stock then decisions will be made.

by **115-1073096938** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:06 pm

Fritzy, don't agree with alot of what ya say lad but you hit the nail on the head there.

Spot on.

by **stapo1000** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:01 pm

SUMS IT UP

by **azriahmad** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:32 am

Agreed, but I am waiting to see how Benny is going to solve our problem of a pedestrian defense, a lack of creativity and pace in the midfield and more width on the right.

Surely, there will be at least one more signing on the horizon, before any of the academy youngsters can come through.

by **woof woof !** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:10 am

azriahmad wrote:Agreed, but I am waiting to see how Benny is going to solve our problem of a pedestrian defense, a lack of creativity and pace in the midfield and more width on the right.

Me too, and the kick off is just around the corner.

by **begintoend** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:44 am

Have to think positively....

Hoping Rafa to surprise me. Winning the first half of the season with the current crop of players. Will he start buying only during the 2nd transfer window? Cos where's the cash???

by **woof woof !** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:50 am

Good question, I wonder how much of Rafa "assessing " the squad is down to lack of funds rather than anything else .

by **anfieldadorer** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:36 am

Surely, there will be at least one more signing on the horizon, before any of the academy youngsters can come through

there should be and i believe there will be

by **stmichael** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:21 pm

Rafa is entitled to look at all of his squad, on an equal footing and then decide who is good, bad or indifferent.

Many would like to have seen certain players out on their ear the day Benitez walked in the door....fair enough in some respects (for those of us who have suffered them over the past few years), but if Benitez can see something in even one of them then their 'chance' (i.e a couple of weeks of training) has paid off.

I can't see much good coming out of the likes of biscan, and ultimately I think they'll all be moved on (or kept as second reserve at best if we can't find a buyer)...but in terms of 'second chance' I would consider that to be Benitez at least having a look at them.

Players such as Smicer could perform well under Benitez. I dont think there is much doubt that Smicer has ability (we have all seen flashes of his genius), the fact is that he has never showed it consistently enough. His problem is... he is not a central midfielder (cant tackle), but is not a striker. He is an "in the hole" player.

Under Houllier we did not have a place for such a player (even though we had about 5 of them ) but depending upon RB's tactics, there may be some sort of role for Smicer to play.

Now ... i wouldnt be at all upset if he left, but I think he will stay, and could be a useful squad player!!

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