kick316

And if R. Madrid can't or won't meet his valuation, how would he bear to stay in Liverpool seeing that his position was so untenable? How would he cope another season with Rafa in charge?

If it really isn't about money and Xabi feels that his position is simply untenable than why doesn't he hand in a transfer request?

Well in a league championship or in fact any type of competition, your improvements can only be measured relative to your competitors. If you improve your team by 10% while others also improve by 10% means that in real terms your league position will remain constant. The only relevant stat in this case is the league table and the points total. Irrespective of whatever conclusion you are trying to draw up with your selective stats, the ONLY relevant statistic shows that we were 2nd last year (compared to 4th the previous year) with one of the highest points total we have ever had.

You are absolutely correct. The problem with Code's stat analysis is that he is looking at us in isolation. Any improvement or regression is always relative to the other teams around us. So the only way you could formulate any meaningful analysis from the stats is to compare our performances against the other teams in the same time period and see what the trends are. Otherwise any conclusions drawn are distorted at best and just plain wrong at worst.

And what stats did you use to come to this conclusion? Do the goals they scored after the 90th minute count? What about penalties?

So to be a good manager, you have to win your games in 90 minutes? Any result that comes after 90 minutes doesn't count? :whatever: What about being able to reach the finals in the first place? Or does that not count if any of the matches were won in extra time and/or penalties?

You can bet that this will be next Bascombe "exclusive"

And why would he want to lose a few million in compensation by handing in a transfer request?

What conclusion are you implying here? Rafa has purposely held back the team from competing in the league? I would think we're doing better because we have an improved squad, our improved head-to-head records against our main rivals and being fortunate in that many of our rivals are dropping points against "lesser" teams. So you think Rafa orchestrated all that to get a new contract?

Rafa’s statements were premeditated with the aim of getting some type of response. Judging from the outburst in the media he appears to have met his objective. Of course there will be many ridiculing him but surprisingly many are supportive and agree with what he said. What Graham Poll said in support of Rafa is extraordinary in my opinion. If you analyse what Rafa said, he is putting focus on the referees, the FA and the in-game behaviour of Man Utd’s players & manager. If his comments introduced any doubt in referees or influenced just a few wrong decisions against the Mancs than he would have achieved his goal. But those of a more simplistic nature or agenda driven will continue to peddle the “Rafa has lost it” angle or start comparing it with Keegan. Fact is Rafa is a very smart man and he did this for a reason. Can it backfire? Of course it could. Rafa could have taken the safe route and just stayed quiet but he took a calculated risk. That’s what winners and champions do.

Anyone seriously comparing this with the Keegan outburst is either:- - a complete simpleton who can't see beyond the superficial similarities and realise how completely different the two scenarios are. The main difference off course being that the Keegan situation was an emotional outburst in response to something while Rafa's was a calculated action to get a response. or - someone with an agenda who will use any excuse to bash Rafa.

Exactly. Contrast what he said against what Slur alex just said a few days ago. Slur Alex tries to play mind games on us by putting pressure and introducing doubt in our players (Liverpool will crack, not experienced, etc etc). Rafa on the other hand is putting the focus on the referees and FA. You can be sure that from now on, every decision the refs (especially Bennett) make in the Mancs upcoming games and the conduct of the players/managers will be scrutinised. Also note the timing of the outburst. On the eve of the crunch tie between the Mancs and Chelsea...a fixture that often sees controversial decisions favoring the Mancs!

If the players start to feel pressure due to this than I have to question their mental fortitude and whether they have what it takes to be champions

Do they have the funds to pay off Rafa if they fired him? In addition to that, the club's success in Europe these past 4 seasons have brought in a lot of money. Indeed I would think that the club needs a good Champions League run every season to service its debts. Would a yes man achieve anywhere near the same level of success as Rafa?

How could Alonso have agreed terms if we had not agreed fees with Arsenal/Juve yet?