KevieG

Benzema/BenArfa/Silva/Mancini on the cheap/Nasri Any two from that would be very nice, 50 million would do it. Then we'd be pushing hard.

Possibly, he has the credentials, but maybe it would take him a few years. Don't know what this has to do with anything though

I think in the big European games we are generally tactically quite good. Rafa has done well in such situations. But tactics, or lack of them, are also needed to play against Wigan and Pompey.

They would be two of the best teams, no doubt about it. But in 85 for example, you could say the same about Everton and Liverpool, and from United's point of view, looking up, I'd say they felt a lot like we do now. There was a time when ourselves and Forest were also arguably the two top teams. I think the standard of the top 4 in England today is very very high, but it does taper off after that. The Uefa cup would seem to prove this. If the top 4 english teams were sent into Europe like they are today in the late 70's, they would be just as dominant as they are today. Anyway, I suppose its an argument for a different day.

I don't think Rafa will win us the title. I may be wrong but I don't think so. I think Mourinho would. Its an opinion. I think the things we lack, he would bring.

I think some parts of it are very moot, ie the standard being stratospheric. Its harder for us now as we are the 3 or 4th best team and were the best team back then.

The evidence is that he's a great coach. But my opinion is that he would win us the title. We can drop this as people are going to think I'm only shit stirring, I've already said I'm happy with Rafa for another season, but if we implode again by Christmas, its good night and god bless.

Yeah, maybe I should be banned too

Jump on the diction why don't you.

well thanks then, good for you. All i'm saying is i try to judge Rafa objectively. If I think someone else would do a better job for this club then I wouldn't hesistate in getting that person in. If I could get a 25 year old Maradona here but had to get rid of Torres then it would be bye bye Torres. And Rafa would be the first to do likewise, as he has done many times already. Why should be treated any differently. But hey, just call people cunts. Its easier

we could do with both, but last night showed how short we are in quality attackers

ergo Grant > Mourinho :whatever: Its my opinion. I think he would win us the title. Like he did back to back in very recent memory

I'd rather win than bang on about the nobility in getting 4th. My position hasn't changed on that score. But like I said, I'm happy enough with Rafa for now

I think two more match winners and we'd be sorted, it is possible at the moment to blot out Torres and Gerrad. Stopping 4 top class attackers is very different and is why United can get out of jail when their backs are to the wall.

That was a good article but I think is a completely moot point. Comparing teams from different eras serves no purpose as you aren't comparing like with like. The team of today may well have been better than the teams of even the late 70's early 80's if transported back in time, but I would say thats mainly down to fitness. English teams still dominated Europe then and in an era of better players too.

superb

If its any consolation I'm willing to give Rafa another season as I think maybe, just maybe, the penny has dropped with him. But I'd have Mourinho here in the summer in a heartbeat if given the chance to choose.

It is racism. But I'm sure you meant it in a funny way so thats ok. Did you like Bernand Manning?

We are only 11 points behind the top two and winding down now, i don't think its insurmountable, especially considering we didn't know what we were doing for 2/3 months of the season. We actually aren't as far behind as people may think. I think getting rid of the dross in the squad like Vorinin,Kewell, Pennant, Benny, Riise and selling one of Kuyt or Crouch, and getting in two top quality attackers, we could challenge for the title. We've got as good a spine as any other team.

This time of the year Rafa usually gets me siding with him after we have a bit of a run in the CL and there's generally an air of optimism about. But good as his record is in the CL, we can't just keep relying on what is essentially still a cup competition to keep us going year on year, its too risky. We haven't challenged in the league during his tenure and 5 years in, as it will be next year, I think its the very least we need to do. There are signs of improvement and stability so I'd say give him another season to show us that he is getting closer to the top two. If we have another season like this one, then its time for him to go.

Well maybe not the best football, but i see what you are saying. Rafa's mindset regarding the league is the big issue, he says its his number one priority but I don't believe it. I firmly believe he'd take a CL win over a league one.

I think at 20 you either have a first touch and football intelligence or you don't. Maybe as a centre half you can work on positioning and stuff to the extent that you'll improve, but with a winger/centre forward I'm not so sure. Before anyone says Ronaldo, I think at 20, it was obvious he had both but was just an asshole that needed to be knocked into shape. I hope Babel proves me totally wrong

In the big games especially against United and Chelsea, Torres tends gets isolated because Kuyt and Babel/Pennant/Benny simply aren't good enough. We end up pumping long high balls to him which he hasn't a hope of winning. Plus the improvement we need to show mainly needs to happen in the big 4 games. As such, two top class replacements for these lads would be my top priority. If that means thinning the squad to generate revenue and taking a gamble with a kid or two then so be it. 2 other key things which are just as important. i)Are we sticking with 4-3-3 as our primary formation? This needs to be 100% decided upon before any transfers take place. ii) Rafa needs to change his mindset on a few things. This is still the biggie.

Don't think he'll make it. I'd love to be proved wrong, but I don't think he has the intelligence or first touch to be top class. Plus I think if he is to make it, its as a centre forward and there's a lad only a couple of years older than him who isn't going anywhere

I'll be very surprised if he makes it. I'd take the 11.5 million back in a second if we could get it