aCe' wrote:average job this season that could easily turn to poor if we lose to Chelsea in a couple of day... Overall hes been average too when the CL runs are brought into the equation
bigmick wrote:I voted "others" as I think he's done an OK job.
Given the time he's had and the money he's had, and given the team he inherited I think the trophy return is poor.
Had we simply left Houllier in charge (and thank God we didn't) would we have won two more trophies in five seasons? Quite possibly given Gerrard having his peak years and particuarly if Houllier had been given the same financial backing that Rafa has had. That doesn't mean that Houllier is as good at his job as Benitez because I don't think he is, but based on their records in terms of trophies there is little in it (in fact Rafa probably comes off second best in truth).
Had we put say a Mourinho in charge for five seasons (not saying we should have, I'm simply asking the question. Deep breaths all) then would we have won more than two trophies and none for the last three seasons? Well unsurprisingly I think we would have yes.
People at this point will throw Wenger into the equation (they normally do) but I don' think the comparison holds good. For one thing, four seasons ago they won the title without getting beaten all season.
Since then, Wenger has replaced the whole team and has actually spent a negative amount of money. It is arguable whether or not we are currently a better team than them (I think we are) but in terms of depth and squad strength, unfortunately for us there is no comparison.
It's also worth noting that Arsenal sold their best defender and their best attacker for over 40 million quid in the Summer, while we sold only Alonso out of our first team.
What pulls Rafa's efforts up from the average to the above average are two things. Firstly, it is beyond dispute that we are a better team than when he took over. You could argue given the time he's had, the money he's had and the Gerrard he's had that there is no wonder, but whichever way you look at it we have improved so he deserves credit for that.
The second tick is in the Champions League where we have made a habit of reaching the proper part of the competition, when it actually starts. Once we get there we haven't got the best of records recently, but getting there consistently deserves some credit.
As per usual though, we are very much a work in progress. Win nothing for the fourth year in succession and although I don't doubt there will numerous reasons/excuses put forward, it surely must be approaching the point where people will start ot look at it.
Win something, most particularly the Premiership, and the reign of Rafa suddenly looks good, fantastic even if we win the title.
It's not about being a real fan I don't think or any of that old nonsense, it's about belief. Unfotunately someone writing on here "believe believe believe" doesn't really do it for me (I wish it did), nor does somebody giving it one of those buttrock thingies. the way i see it, if you think Rafa will eventually lead us to the summit, if you believe that, then you will find a way to justify it in the sense that he's doing a good job. If you don't believe that, then you'll find a different slant to say the job he is doing is merely OK (even the most fervent anti must surely accept he's doing that well at least).
My belief is that he's done just better than OK. As to the future, we'll see.
It's gone from an OK job to just better than OK in the space of the same post.I voted "others" as I think he's done an OK job.
NANNY RED wrote:Oh ilove you Baldrick
Ciggy wrote:Rafa's part of the furniture now, like Wenger is to Arsenal, Fergie is to Man U, it would be hard to imagine our club with out him.
Anyone thinking or hoping that he will be leaving anytime soon needs to get them thoughts out of their head.
He wont be going anywhere for a very long time.
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