Stick that in your pipe and smoke it

[Red Nick]

Quote of the day

[QUOTE"We are in a good position, and we have players who will be fit and fresh at the end of the season when it is important." ][/quote]

Get in there Rafa

[Karl]

Wow, how revealing.

[CharleyKnight]

Another ridiculous thread from Mad Nick.

[RedAdmiral]

You evidently have stuck it in your pipe and smoked it! Then you pressed 'post'.

[ratcatcher]

Originally Posted by Red Nick Quote of the day [QUOTE"We are in a good position, and we have players who will be fit and fresh at the end of the season when it is important." ] Get in there Rafa

Yes when we're 20 points behind again!

Really find it hard to swallow some people still fall for this.

[Rashid]

Find those comments hard to take myself, we will be fresh to clap United on and off the pitch when they win it in April yeah?

[ratcatcher]

Originally Posted by Rashid Find those comments hard to take myself, we will be fresh to clap United on and off the pitch when they win it in April yeah?

If Benitez has dragged up those comments (and its a big IF until I can find the relevant, recent article) about end of season freshness again, then, he's starting to sound a little like Ged.

[RedinSweden]

Originally Posted by ratcatcher Yes when we're 20 points behind again! Really find it hard to swallow some people still fall for this.

Originally Posted by ratcatcher If Benitez has dragged up those comments (and its a big IF until I can find the relevant, recent article) about end of season freshness again, then, he's starting to sound a little like Ged.

bollocks to you

[ratcatcher]

Originally Posted by RedinSweden bollocks to you

Yep, you keep engaging in sensible discussion, why dont you?

Tell me honestly, how many seasons are you prepared to put up with the rotation to keep players fit for the end of the season when, we are out of the title race come, say the first week in each new year, this season, next season, the season after? When?

You've already had 3 seasons of keeping the players fit for the end of the season and what's the closest we've been to the title winners?

So, before you come on here spouting your stuff, look inward and see what's happening and where we are going because I'll tell you what for nothing, the new owners wont stand it for 2 seasons or more.

[GeoffM]

I pressume he made that statement when he was asked about rotation.

Well, there are only so many ways he can answer the same question, and he is hardly likely to come and say 'rotation is bollocks and it is the sole reason we havent won every game we have played this season'.

I would imagine there are a number of reasons for the current dip in form we are in. Rotation might play a part in it, Paco's departure might also play a part in it, the loss of Agger and Alonso is certainly playing a part in.

I am all for a good discussion, but sensationalists saying we should fuck Rafa off out of it, sell Gerrard etc, etc is hardly good discussion.

Rafa has his faults, but he has his pluses as well, I would imagine he played a major part in getting The Chief, Alonso and Torres to the club, i have read whether or not O' Neil or Strachan would get more out of the current squad, well personally i dont think they would have the current squad, as they wouldnt attract the players Rafa has.

[Hermes]

Originally Posted by ratcatcher If Benitez has dragged up those comments (and its a big IF until I can find the relevant, recent article) about end of season freshness again, then, he's starting to sound a little like Ged.

Rotating his press statements is obviously not on his agenda.

[hamstrung]

We are in a good position - assuming our form improves. Not accepting his point about end of season fitness is an acceptance that the cause of the our poor form for the last half dozen games is purely rotation. Which of course it isn't.

[RedinSweden]

Originally Posted by ratcatcher Yep, you keep engaging in sensible discussion, why dont you? Tell me honestly, how many seasons are you prepared to put up with the rotation to keep players fit for the end of the season when, we are out of the title race come, say the first week in each new year, this season, next season, the season after? When? You've already had 3 seasons of keeping the players fit for the end of the season and what's the closest we've been to the title winners? So, before you come on here spouting your stuff, look inward and see what's happening and where we are going because I'll tell you what for nothing, the new owners wont stand it for 2 seasons or more.

I don't think the recent dip has anything to do with rotation. I think this whole rotation thing has been blown out of proportion by media mongs and lapped up by mongs who believe media mongs. So when I am accused of "falling for it" when our manager comments on his way of running a football club, a way which he always has and has been incredibly successful, I tend to consider that I am debating with someone who is being condescending and will probably not listen to any reasoned debate anyway. So therfore i choose phrases such as "bollocks to you".

So, bollocks to you.

[ratcatcher]

Originally Posted by GeoffM I pressume he made that statement when he was asked about rotation. Well, there are only so many ways he can answer the same question, and he is hardly likely to come and say 'rotation is bollocks and it is the sole reason we havent won every game we have played this season'.

He doesnt have to say that so bluntly. He could say, yes, we tried it but it didnt work or, we can try and make fewer changes as and when necessary. Just trotting out the same mantra when 80% of people can see its not working isnt in any way shape of form, blame. Not acting on information before you could however be said to be a little obstinate.

I would imagine there are a number of reasons for the current dip in form we are in. Rotation might play a part in it, Paco's departure might also play a part in it, the loss of Agger and Alonso is certainly playing a part in.

I tend to agree with this. However when things dont go to plan, you have to minimise or isolate those issues which are affecting the plan or performance. Having a settled side overnight wont cure the ill but, a settled side over a period of time will.

I am all for a good discussion, but sensationalists saying we should fuck Rafa off out of it, sell Gerrard etc, etc is hardly good discussion.

Rafa has his faults, but he has his pluses as well, I would imagine he played a major part in getting The Chief, Alonso and Torres to the club, i have read whether or not O' Neil or Strachan would get more out of the current squad, well personally i dont think they would have the current squad, as they wouldnt attract the players Rafa has.[/quote]Dont disagree with any of this.

[Red Nick]

Now you've finished your all so very good sensible debate without personal abuse here's the whole article

The gloves came off yesterday as Rafa Benitez came out fighting against his critics. The Liverpool manager knows there are problems at Anfield after two poor home performances. But instead of sniping, he wants to see people offering support to his players, as he gets them working harder than ever to find a solution. Benitez knows that his team has lost confidence, and he argues that to point the finger at them - and the management - merely deepens the problems. And the Anfield boss insisted that fans and former players have to now get behind the club if they want to see the success they yearn for. "This isn't a time for being negative, it's a time for being positive. We know that we haven't played well, but to respond to that, you have to be positive," Benitez said. "You can't accept that you will be bad and let everything fall apart. You have to work hard to try and recover. "It is true we have lost some confidence, but being negative isn't going to get it back. What do people want? For us to give in? No, we will work hard and fight, because that is the only way." Benitez believes that the snipers have over-reacted to two bad results, and are too quick to lay the blame at his door because of his rotation policy. He argues passionately that Liverpool, in fact, have had their best start in years, are in contention for all trophies. "We're are still unbeaten in the Premiership, and we are in a much better position than last year. People seem to forget that," he said. "We are in a good position, and we have players who will be fit and fresh at the end of the season when it is important."

[ratcatcher]

Originally Posted by RedinSweden I don't think the recent dip has anything to do with rotation. I think this whole rotation thing has been blown out of proportion by media mongs and lapped up by mongs who believe media mongs. So when I am accused of "falling for it" when our manager comments on his way of running a football club, a way which he always has and has been incredibly successful, I tend to consider that I am debating with someone who is being condescending and will probably not listen to any reasoned debate anyway. So therfore i choose phrases such as "bollocks to you". So, bollocks to you.

Then I'd suggest you are foolish who wont recognise the evidence in front of you. Still notice you evade saying how long you are prepared to put up with the inconsistencies in performance.

Wonder why that is?