Just had a thought...

[Unrighteous]

... that perhaps Rafa's targets this summer in England are a show of Sammy Lee's influence in Rafa's quest to bring us a premiership trophy.

 

Anyone else think that might be a possibility?

[AL66GOLF]

Was Rafa not interested in Barry before Sammy came on board?

[Rashid]

Sammi's record in the Premiership leaves a lot to be desired though. I think Rafa himself feels that premiership experience, more aggression and maybe a better team spirit is going to key this season. Last autumn a lot of players hid during our bad spell so maybe is trying to address that with players who are used to fighting in this league.

[hamstrung]

I am willing to bet the above post is a reference to Sammy Lee's dinosaur football in some way.

[sh#t waffle]

Ooooh, so close.

[RedinSweden]

Sammy Lee has won the league three times Rash.

[Catch22]

Although i fear it may be due to a concentration on the League at the expense of the CL, a key factor is the 20% move in EUR/£ since last summer.

[Spy Bee]

Maybe Sammy Lee is the SDoF?

[Tossed and blown]

Although i fear it may be due to a concentration on the League at the expense of the CL, a key factor is the 20% move in EUR/£ since last summer.

 

At the semi-final stage Rafa said that he wasn't surprised 3 english teams got through and went so far as to say he thinks there will be four in the future. It's not inconceivable that the CL could become like the FA cup with one of the four teams winning it most seasons. Buying players who can hopefully do well in the prem may be more beneficial than it first seems.

[JMARKH]

At the semi-final stage Rafa said that he wasn't surprised 3 english teams got through and went so far as to say he thinks there will be four in the future. It's not inconceivable that the CL could become like the FA cup with one of the four teams winning it most seasons. Buying players who can hopefully do well in the prem may be more beneficial than it first seems.

 

It has become like that since 05 all big four teams have been in the final, I can see the same this year and more moaning from blatter and platini

[Section_31]

I think Rafa himself feels that premiership experience, more aggression and maybe a better team spirit is going to key this season. Last autumn a lot of players hid during our bad spell so maybe is trying to address that with players who are used to fighting in this league.

 

I think that's a good point to be honest Rash and I agree, there's a definite change of strategy involved with Rafa shifting from skillful players who could possibly turn out to be a littler lightweight to proven premiership grafters with skill.

If it comes off then it's to be aplauded, because it proves he's not too proud to make a change and adapt his tactics.

 

I also think that -as you say - team spirit is crucial when it comes to winning the premiership due to the sheer number of games and the physical hardship involved, some matches are more like boxing matches than footy, and I think that having that bond of players has helped the Mancs walk off with trophies in the past - but that lack of team spirit has impacted on teams like arsenal, who've faded badly when the shit hit the fan.

 

Several times over the last couple of years we've shown a distinct lack of cajones, hopefully the likes of Keane and Barry would help remedy that, and I think they would.

[Walton Park]

Sammi's record in the Premiership leaves a lot to be desired though. I think Rafa himself feels that premiership experience, more aggression and maybe a better team spirit is going to key this season. Last autumn a lot of players hid during our bad spell so maybe is trying to address that with players who are used to fighting in this league.

 

You are dead on the button for the later. But I think you are being sarcastic. Its not like like you to see sense, not that I am the perfect pundit.

[Mr.Smoketoomuch]

Sammy Lee has won the league three times Rash.

 

As a player. Graeme Souness has won it five times. Doesn't say anything about your coaching/managing competence.

[RedinSweden]

As a player. Graeme Souness has won it five times. Doesn't say anything about your coaching/managing competence.

 

He had six months as a manager. Pretty hard to win it in that time.