KevieG

How is he second to none? I don't get this

Controlling games is a load of bollocks, its media speak, how often have i seen him say we controlled a game after a draw, yet created sweet shag all. I'd re-evaluate after the season's end but would have serious think about giving him the chop if real progress is not made, by that I mean I'd be expecting(along with the owners I'm sure)to have a real tilt at the title. 2 seasons back, United and ourselves were relatively level on the points front. They won the league last year, Arsenal who we were supposedly after overtaking seem to have also moved up a notch . So judging it from that starting point we aren't moving forward at all or at least the others are pulling away from us. This is a huge season for Rafa

Approach is about much more than rotation. We play negative/cautious football.

Do you genuinely believe Rafa has the stuff to bring us the title?

that would do for me if all were fit and available, that team is without doubt the most comfortable in possesion that we have and most intelliegent with the ball. anything which lessens the clogger factor would really lift the spirits

Then I think the fans are holding up their side of the bargain, time for Rafa to get the finger out.

I'd completely refute that. Not the style of play bit, but Charlton was great for Irish football. He presided over the most successful period in its history. He certainly had tactics, however simplistic, and a philosophy on the game that isn't a million miles from Rafa's

Egg-fucking-zactly. Its rafa's mentality that is the key thing holding us back. Rotation certainly is part of that as players are not building up an understanding but the other part is that our first empasis is always on caution. Sometimes I think Rafa would rather a lad tried the long hoof up the field, if it does work out, then great but if it doesn't work out, then at least the ball is not in the danger area, its playing percentages. The RTE pundits have started referring to him as Spanish Jack, at first I thought they were just being hyperbolic, but I think there is some truth to it.

Some people would claim its not criticising managers.

reminds me of Houghton in a way.

Yossi is certainly good enough for Liverpool, he should be starting every game at the moment. He did more in his first 5 mins last night than the other 2 wide men in the whole game

What do all of you lot assume this means? For me it has been the pass and move philosophy that is suppposed to be the way that this club approaches the game. In my opinion this approach to football is dead at the club, for the past 10 years now our style of football has been nothing sort of shite. Its just about palatable when we are winning, but there are times watching us(too many times) when its just excructiatingly bad. Its pretty clear that all of our defence including keeper are under instruction to hoof it when in possession, central midfielders don't have the remit to come short, demand the ball and look to start a move from deep. This stems from our previous two managers philosophies plus the players they have signed in pursuit of this. Roy Evans for all this faults at least had the team playing a good brand of football Opinions?

mentality is more important, we need to start using possesion better. this comes from the manager but i fear it goes against his belief system.

No, but we're almost gone from an easy champions league group after 3 games. our style of play is awful, and personally I think Babel was a waste of money. Believe me, I would love to be completely caught out and made look like a fool for that last sentence but i doubt it will happen

we won't come within an asses roar of the title

Babel aint a winger. i'm doubtful he's even a striker but we'll have to wait and see on this. Using Agger and Alonso as an excuse is just not on. We couldn't pass the ball. Arsenal lost half their first team and just got on with it because they have been coached to play in a certain way. Every team should have a style of play. Whats ours?

To be honest I've lost faith in Rafa. The excuses were meant to stop this year

good post musher

Agree with all this

I'll probably be hammered for this but i don't give a shit. The problem is Rafa's approach to football, thats long term. We have about 5 players in the squad comfortable in possesion, we don't pass and move, EVER. Neither do we have width to our game. We're like a poor mans version of Chelsea.

sami's pace has been gone for 2 years at least, up to the manager to sort that out, if he's that much of a liability then there should be someone else in the squad for cover

:wow: seriously lad, thats preposterous

What a joke. Benitez being ripped apart on RTE right now, and do you know what they are right. When does our play ever come through midfield, where is the movement, when does one of our CM's demand a ball from the centre halves to kick off a move? Rafa has the team long enough now for him to imprint whatever style of play he wants us to have, and i for the life of my cannot see anything but a bunch of hoofers. How many times does Pepe pick up a ball and launch it long Jack Charlton style. Its pathetic. As for tonight, the only players that I would say are of standard are Pepe, Carra, Gerrard and Yossi. Call it kneejerk if you want but I can't see us going anywhere from here.

you are joking right?

Hopeless, absolutely hopeless. Kuyt not up to it,give him 10 chances to make a 10 yard pass and he'll fuck up 6 or 7. Finnan having a nightmare. Sami is past it. Gerrard refusing to do the simple things, he must have lost possesion 15 times in that half. What ever happened to pass and move:( Besiktas aren't even very good. Its depressing.