Liverpool FC Forum

by **Owzat** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:41 pm

s@int wrote:Which is why I say he gambles too much, makes too many mistakes and costs us points. Last night we won, on other occasions when he has gambled we have not.

It's getting bizarre, he comes out and guarantees we WILL finish top four then doesn't start with his best XI. I can only guess he feels Wigan home is easier than pompey away, but with eight wins and nine non-wins, we can't afford to risk dropping more points. We've already dropped 21 points compared to just 28 all last season.

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:47 pm

Scottbot wrote:Gybs, it won't hurt every once in while to actually come out and 'Rafa, wot the fook are you doing!? that's bolllo...x that is!' instead of the company line. The whole Aquilani situation is totally mystifying. He would not have got on last night had we not scored the 2nd goal. It's like he will only get a decent amount of playing team if we are cruising 2/3 goals ahead or we are behind. It's so weird. Just play the lad from the start and lets sink or swim with him, the substitution of Aurelio for Lucas nearly cost us last night, and while we're at it, Why the foook is Aurelio starting the game ahead our new £20 million player!?

I agree Scott, I get a "Rafa wot the fook are you doing!" moment regularly.

I just wonder if Aquilani is not as fit as we think and Rafa is just giving him minutes here and there to relieve the pressure of having bought a player injured till Christmas.

I can't say I ever noticed Aquilani before we signed him, so I am not sure if his usual game involves any tackling, but he certainly hasn't since he came. Anyone know ?

by **Big Niall** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:21 pm

Doesn't Acqualini have a terrible injury record. Reviewed his figures with Roma, averaged about 20 games a season.

To spend soooo much money on a guy with that dodgy medical history is nuts. He has nothing yet either.

by **tubby** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:21 pm

Owzat wrote:Instead of him repeating his 'promise' that we will finish top four, perhaps he'd like to stick his neck on the line and say he'll go if we don't. Part of me says he has had all the chances to prove he can win the league and has failed, it took his 5th season to make a proper fist of a challenge and now we have gone back to where Rafa started. Maybe we'll suddenly mount a title challenge again next season, chances are that last season was the one-off and not this season. Should we gamble on keeping Rafa given how BAD we are right now?!? 10 wins in 24 matched by 10 defeats is awful for a supposed good side, even if you make the case that a key player or more were missing it emphasises the case that we won't win with Rafa in charge because we are too dependant on players who are going to get injured ie we can't rely on our best XI playing 38 games a season.

But I have faith, that many more defeats and he'll be on his way out. Finishing fourth may not take a big improvement in form, but he can't keep losing. He lost 14 league games in 04/05, we're one shy of halfway there with three games to go until halfway. The one 'consolation' that the Champions League won't distract us is countered by the unanswered question that is how Rafa will treat it. He may well play a second string to avoid not keeping his promise and not finishing top four

What's the point in him saying that? Not only woud that heap more pressure on him it will put doubts in the players mind if we fail to finish 4th. Also he just signed a new contract. Sorry mate but that just sounds like it will cause more harm than good especially as morale is so thin at the moment.

by **tubby** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:23 pm

Big Niall wrote:Doesn't Acqualini have a terrible injury record. Reviewed his figures with Roma, averaged about 20 games a season.

To spend soooo much money on a guy with that dodgy medical history is nuts. He has nothing yet either.

Have you only noticed that mate?

by **redbeergoggles** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:02 pm

lakes10 wrote:after the win last night i know some pro Rafa fans will be saying "in Rafa we trust"

"In Rafa we trust "

by **Reg** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:08 pm

s@int wrote:Which is why I say he gambles too much, makes too many mistakes and costs us points. Last night we won, on other occasions when he has gambled we have not.

S@int, if you want to win the league, if you want to be successful in business, if you want to win the lottery..... you have to gamble in life. Its a fact, no? :Oo:

Dont tell me Fergie, Maureen, Warren Buffet, Churchill, Nelson, Bill Gates and Ian Botham didnt 'gamble' basis a hunch.

by **dawson99** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:11 pm

Reg wrote:
s@int wrote:Which is why I say he gambles too much, makes too many mistakes and costs us points. Last night we won, on other occasions when he has gambled we have not.

S@int, if you want to win the league, if you want to be successful in business, if you want to win the lottery..... you have to gamble in life. Its a fact, no?

Dont tell me Fergie, Maureen, Warren Buffet, Churchill, Nelson, Bill Gates and Ian Botham didnt 'gamble' basis a hunch.

Why 'gamble' and then just leave him on the bench? Last nights lineup was just bizarre.

by **Benny The Noon** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:13 pm

Well Rafa has just said that torres was very tired after last match but will be ready to start against Pompey .

by **Benny The Noon** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:15 pm

Gybs, it won't hurt every once in while to actually come out and 'Rafa, wot the fook are you doing!? that's bolllo...x that is!' instead of the company line. The whole Aquilani situation is totally mystifying. He would not have got on last night had we not scored the 2nd goal. It's like he will only get a decent amount of playing team if we are cruising 2/3 goals ahead or we are behind. It's so weird. Just play the lad from the start and lets sink or swim with him, the substitution of Aurelio for Lucas nearly cost us last night, and while we're at it, Why the foook is Aurelio starting the game ahead our new £20 million player!?

Nothing to do with company line scott - its what i feel - the guy has been out for a very long time and i would rather he was playing 100% and fully ready as opposed to being 75% ready and am willing to be patient with Aquilani as he is here for a lot longer than just the next game

by **Emerald Red** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:23 pm

s@int wrote:I can't say I ever noticed Aquilani before we signed him, so I am not sure if his usual game involves any tackling, but he certainly hasn't since he came. Anyone know ?

I wouldn't say so, no. He's more a Scholes type of player that likes to dart about, picking up the ball and get into the box or around it. Though I dare say he's better in a tackle than ginger bollox is. He'll be a great player for us. Just can't fathom why it's taking Rafa so long to get him starting games. Our mid has been shyte all season, and that's the key difference between this year and last. It's not so much the defence.

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:52 pm

Reg wrote:
s@int wrote:Which is why I say he gambles too much, makes too many mistakes and costs us points. Last night we won, on other occasions when he has gambled we have not.

S@int, if you want to win the league, if you want to be successful in business, if you want to win the lottery..... you have to gamble in life. Its a fact, no?

Dont tell me Fergie, Maureen, Warren Buffet, Churchill, Nelson, Bill Gates and Ian Botham didnt 'gamble' basis a hunch.

Successful people don't gamble unless they need to mate. Rafa gambles for no apparent reason at times.

If you are crossing a road and being chased by a mad axe man its understandable to gamble on the traffic. If you have plenty of time and you gamble and get knocked down ..... its your own stupid fault.

Thats how I see things mate. Rafa gambles when there is no real need to, so when he comes a cropper its his own fault.

If you are 2-0 down with 20mins to play by all means throw caution to the wind, you haven't much to lose. If you are going into a must win game and you don't play the strongest team you have available you are asking for trouble.

by **Benny The Noon** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:55 pm

Well it seems it was the fittest team and strongest from the players who were fully match fit ready to go

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:02 pm

Benny The Noon wrote:Well it seems it was the fittest team and strongest from the players who were fully match fit ready to go

FFS! I am not talking about one match, I am talking about season after season while he has been with us.

by **Benny The Noon** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:05 pm

And so far this season he has done pretty much the same - think the one stupid risk he took was playing gerrard against Lyon when he wasnt ready and he went off injured again - that was a mistake and a risk and im guessing thats why he is being careful with both Torres and Aquilani as wont want a repeat of that .

Only one game i can think off when he played a totally wrong team and that imo was the fiorentina game away

Liverpool FC Forum

Sack him. if you want the manager sacked - ...put your thoughts in here.

Who is online