Rafa and Hicks an unlikely alliance ?

[m.c]

It was'nt that long ago that we were all up in arms and united behind Rafa over the Klinsman saga.

Weather you were in agreement with Rafa's tactics happy with our league form and performances or not it did'nt matter. We had been lied to Rafa had been wronged and our club had been made to look a total shambles.

Although I think Rafa could have conducted himself better in the now famous press conference we all had one common enemy. Tom Hicks. We wanted him gone then and to this day nothing has changed.

His actions in some peoples eyes were responsible for the demise of results and performances and more worryingly the long term future of our club.

Little has changed off the field. We all hope G+H will go and let the club move forward.

Whats this got to do with Rafa. ?

Well if recent quotes from Rafa and things printed in the press are anything to go by it seems that Rafa and hicks have kissed and made up.

Rafa seems to know that he'll be at the club beyond his current contract and the only person who could have given him this assurance is Hicks.

At the moment things seem to have improved on and off the pitch. An excellent win against Milan coupled with a E mail of congratulations from Hicks. Two much needed prem wins (lets hope its three) and a couple of signings and things in the short term seem a lot better.

Short term that's where I have a problem.

If Hicks stays long term with the debt he's saddled us with and the transfer kitty drys up then what. ?

The cracks in the relationship between Rafa and Hicks will start to show again and Rafa will be gone. Pushed or jump it wont matter. We'll be left with Hicks for the next 10~15~20 years and his debt.

Is Rafa being blinded by his will to manage his team and get another contract whilst not seeing the long term implications for our club.

How he could ever trust Hicks again is beyond me and I just have an uneasy feeling about it all.

[silverlining]

Yeah, the Rafa Can Do No Wrong brigade have been twisting themselves into fucking knots trying to square all this away without crticising Benitez.

It's fucking hilarious to watch.

"Yeah, he said all that to expose those Yank cunts nice one Rafa!"
"He's playing this brilliantly, he's only grovelling apologies to get more cash!"
"He knows those Yank cunts wanted Klinsmann, he's a genius at PR!"
"Oh, he knows DIC are taking over, it's only a matter of time!"
"Yeah, he's pretending to be Hick's mate and publically supporting him because...er....because, hang on...er, shit."

[philyburkhill]

More like Rafa isn't saying anything because he doesn't want the sack.

[dave u]

Rafa has formed an alliance with Hicks and Ian Ayre. In the other camp you have Parry, Moores and DIC.

The whole thing turns my stomach, I'm sick of the lot of them.

[Moschops II]

Originally Posted by silverlining

Yeah, the Rafa Can Do No Wrong brigade have been twisting themselves into fucking knots trying to square all this away without crticising Benitez.

It's fucking hilarious to watch.

"Yeah, he said all that to expose those Yank cunts nice one Rafa!"
"He's playing this brilliantly, he's only grovelling apologies to get more cash!"
"He knows those Yank cunts wanted Klinsmann, he's a genius at PR!"
"Oh, he knows DIC are taking over, it's only a matter of time!"
"Yeah, he's pretending to be Hick's mate and publically supporting him because...er....because, hang on...er, shit."

Do you think using "fucking" as an adverb all the time makes you seem more intelligent, Brendan? Or somehow makes your points more worthy of note? The problem is, it makes you sound 12. Are you 12?

[noodles]

Originally Posted by dave u

Rafa has formed an alliance with Hicks and Ian Ayre. In the other camp you have Parry, Moores and DIC.

The whole thing turns my stomach, I'm sick of the lot of them.

Is there a reason for Rafa, forming alliances with those 2?

[TK421]

Originally Posted by dave u

Rafa has formed an alliance with Hicks and Ian Ayre. In the other camp you have Parry, Moores and DIC.

The whole thing turns my stomach, I'm sick of the lot of them.

Do you think Rafa is gone if DIC get in? That seems to be the inference to me.

[silverlining]

Originally Posted by Moschops II

Do you think using "fucking" as an adverb all the time makes you seem more intelligent, Brendan? Or somehow makes your points more worthy of note? The problem is, it makes you sound 12. Are you 12?

Yes, it's common knowledge that the word "fucking" adds intellectual weight to any argument.

[theRedHorse]

Originally Posted by dave u

Rafa has formed an alliance with Hicks and Ian Ayre. In the other camp you have Parry, Moores and DIC.

The whole thing turns my stomach, I'm sick of the lot of them.

According to some "sources" Rafa is doing something very ingenius at the moment...

Any idea what, Dave?

[silverlining]

Originally Posted by theRedHorse

According to some "sources" Rafa is doing something very ingenius at the moment...

Any idea what, Dave?

Haha, isn't he always? I'm surprised he has any time for football management at all with the amount of genius sub-plots he gets himself embroiled in.

[edinjapan]

Why is Cowtown Red on Rawk suggesting Rafa can't stand Hicks, but is playing along?
I don't buy it that he's formed an alliance. Doesn't make sense. What does make sense is to keep on Hicks good side in the short term.

[theRedHorse]

Originally Posted by edinjapan

Why is Cowtown Red on Rawk suggesting Rafa can't stand Hicks, but is playing along?
I don't buy it that he's formed an alliance. Doesn't make sense. What does make sense is to keep on Hicks good side in the short term.

Pretty much.

[Trucker Paddy]

Originally Posted by TK421

Do you think Rafa is gone if DIC get in? That seems to be the inference to me.

yeah i reckon rafa will be gone if DIC get in soon, if there in control before summer i reckon they could have there own ideas for a manager.

[robslappa]

I think it's become a case of my enemy's enemy is my friend. Parry and Benitez have never got on and if Parry's now sided with DIC that would leave Benitez sidelined. Everyone needs allies and maybe that's why he's aligned himself with Hicks.

It could turn out to be a poor move though on Benitez's part if DIC gain control.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by edinjapan

Why is Cowtown Red on Rawk suggesting Rafa can't stand Hicks, but is playing along?
I don't buy it that he's formed an alliance. Doesn't make sense. What does make sense is to keep on Hicks good side in the short term.

Or Hicks and Ayre confide information to Rafa and he tells other parties?

[dave u]

Originally Posted by David L

Is there a reason for Rafa, forming alliances with those 2?

No idea, I assume it's because it's in his best interests if he wants to keep his job.

What I don't like about it all is that Rafa spent the best part of six months telling everyone off the record how bad the yanks were and how they needed to fuck off. Obviously that all came to a head over the Klinsmann thing, and the fans took to the streets to support him against the owners.

Then Hicks lets him know his job isn't under threat anymore, and Rafa is putting out messages to the same people that maybe it isn't such a bad thing if Hicks stays after all. What's changed? As far as I can see, the only thing that has changed is his own job security.

The club is fucked if Hicks gets control, so how come Rafa is in his corner? Maybe he's got a good reason and there's stuff we don't know. I hope so, as otherwise he's letting down a lot of people.