Liverpool FC Forum

[Big Niall]

1. He won the European f*cking cup, a phenomenal achievement considering the resources he had yet. His league form was hampered by having to rotate his big players for the big European games and not having enough quality to replace them.

2. Would you do that? Name me a current manager who would? I say again he was owed substantially more than what he walked away with yet you slate him for taking anything. And you have absolutely no proof that he had a job lined up. And it was Hillborough Justice Foundation that made it public.

3. Again, you have a "feeling" he tries to flame it. You make derogatory comments based on total guesswork. Everyone has a right to an opinion Niall but for me if you're going to put yourself in a position where you are posting on a Liverpool FC supporters forum, where the vast majority have a positive view in regards to RBs tenure irrespective of their opinion on his leaving then I think you need to have a sizeable amount of evidence to back up your claims or else your statements will cause nothing but arguments.

Your wasting your time mate. We all know how hyper kids get during half term.


At the end of the day if they are all sad enough to get kicks out taking a pop at a former manager who won a European Cup then that's up to them.

Not as bad as those that have it in for the new LFC manager though.

He has burnt his own bridges thanks to showing a lack of respect and general common sense. Fans are not stupid mate, they will back him to the hilt but you need to give them back something too. He hasn't done that. It's not his fault he isn't cut out for the job.

can you really claim that he was given a fair go?

[supersub]

I think "hatred" is a bit strong, I'd be surprised if anyone "hates" Rafa. Always seemed like a decent enough bloke to me, and apart from the last season did a fairly decent job as manager too. Not great, not legendary, not a hero, but decent. Some good buys, some bad buys, some good nights, some bad nights, two trophies in six seasons and a best effort in the league of 2nd, with a worse effort of 5th (I'm discounting the 7th of the final season). So all in all he did OK (apart from the last season). No need to "hate" him, but entirely legitimate to both question his iconic status, AND to think the time was right for a change (which it was).

Funnily enough (and I did think it was funny I just can't help it ) the Spurs game was very familiar. Bizarre press conferences, eyes well and truly taken off the ball and a set-up which wasn't genius. Followed of course by a lacklustre performance and a well deserved defeat.

What a pity.

I see no problem in your personal assessment of Benitez's tenure as manager...I will question your thoughts on the hate for Rafa because it's clear Big Niall shows nothing but hate for Rafa Benitez; I would add this seems to be reciprocated by  a few towards Roy but I don't think it's hate for Roy , more likely fear that he is not the right man...

I don't see Rafa Benitez's reign as "he did ok"
I think he did very well under the extreme problems put on him by G & H over the last 3 years...
I fully understand why certain sections of our support wanted to see Rafa gone but I think most of them thought Europe's top managers would be chomping at the bit to takeover the reins...I felt we wouldn't attract any manager with a 5 star pedigree until the ownership dilemma was sorted.

I hope Benitez does well in his future, the same way I wished all ex-managers and players well in their careers after Liverpool......I don't hate any ex employee of Liverpool, although I can't stand Lawrenson's bitterness towards the reds at times. 

[Big Niall]

I think "hatred" is a bit strong, I'd be surprised if anyone "hates" Rafa. Always seemed like a decent enough bloke to me, and apart from the last season did a fairly decent job as manager too. Not great, not legendary, not a hero, but decent. Some good buys, some bad buys, some good nights, some bad nights, two trophies in six seasons and a best effort in the league of 2nd, with a worse effort of 5th (I'm discounting the 7th of the final season). So all in all he did OK (apart from the last season). No need to "hate" him, but entirely legitimate to both question his iconic status, AND to think the time was right for a change (which it was).

Funnily enough (and I did think it was funny I just can't help it ) the Spurs game was very familiar. Bizarre press conferences, eyes well and truly taken off the ball and a set-up which wasn't genius. Followed of course by a lacklustre performance and a well deserved defeat.

What a pity.

I have to disagree about the iconic status thing. He won the biggest trophey in club football in one of the most memorable finals in the history of the competition.

His tactical nous helped us get through some tough teams that year, former finalists and semi finalists, and not just that year either. Ok during his time we didn't have as much success in the league as we did in Europe but at least we were there mixing it up with the top teams midweek to the point where we were one of the most feared teams in Europe.

I don't know about you Mick but I treasure a lot of memories from those years, beating Barca in the Camp Nou, thrashing Real, knocking out Chelsea on more than 1 occasion when they were virtually buying their way to silverware. To me he will always be an icon and you know damn well there are plenty of other supporters that feel the same way even if you don't.

As for the celebrating after last night I think it's a bit of a disgrace tbh. I suppose it just goes to show how right we were all along this season that you felt the need to let loose 1 evening as youve been hiding under a owl shaped rock for the last few months.

de de de de de de de de 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....ndex=48

He showed great tactical awareness throughout that campaign - absolutely bollloxed up the final though (dropped Hamann for Kewell FFS and only pure luck, an injury to Kewell from memory forced him to bring on the mighty german).

Cups are great, but the league is how a manager should be judged.

[tubby]

I think "hatred" is a bit strong, I'd be surprised if anyone "hates" Rafa. Always seemed like a decent enough bloke to me, and apart from the last season did a fairly decent job as manager too. Not great, not legendary, not a hero, but decent. Some good buys, some bad buys, some good nights, some bad nights, two trophies in six seasons and a best effort in the league of 2nd, with a worse effort of 5th (I'm discounting the 7th of the final season). So all in all he did OK (apart from the last season). No need to "hate" him, but entirely legitimate to both question his iconic status, AND to think the time was right for a change (which it was).

Funnily enough (and I did think it was funny I just can't help it ) the Spurs game was very familiar. Bizarre press conferences, eyes well and truly taken off the ball and a set-up which wasn't genius. Followed of course by a lacklustre performance and a well deserved defeat.

What a pity.

I have to disagree about the iconic status thing. He won the biggest trophey in club football in one of the most memorable finals in the history of the competition.

His tactical nous helped us get through some tough teams that year, former finalists and semi finalists, and not just that year either. Ok during his time we didn't have as much success in the league as we did in Europe but at least we were there mixing it up with the top teams midweek to the point where we were one of the most feared teams in Europe.

I don't know about you Mick but I treasure a lot of memories from those years, beating Barca in the Camp Nou, thrashing Real, knocking out Chelsea on more than 1 occasion when they were virtually buying their way to silverware. To me he will always be an icon and you know damn well there are plenty of other supporters that feel the same way even if you don't.

As for the celebrating after last night I think it's a bit of a disgrace tbh. I suppose it just goes to show how right we were all along this season that you felt the need to let loose 1 evening as youve been hiding under a owl shaped rock for the last few months.

de de de de de de de de 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....ndex=48

He showed great tactical awareness throughout that campaign - absolutely bollloxed up the final though (dropped Hamann for Kewell FFS and only pure luck, an injury to Kewell from memory forced him to bring on the mighty german).

Cups are great, but the league is how a manager should be judged.

So he started off with the wrong formation and/or players, so what? Does the fact that he turned it around after going 3 down not get him any credit or does it only count if we don't concede any? Then again you don't even rate the European Cup. And anyway what about getting to the final? And then again 2 years later.

I find it astonishing how much disregard you show for the European Cup. Does that mean the 4 before don't count for either? Whatever your smoking mate, let me have some. 

[supersub]

[I have to disagree about the iconic status thing. He won the biggest trophey in club football in one of the most memorable finals in the history of the competition.

His tactical nous helped us get through some tough teams that year, former finalists and semi finalists, and not just that year either. Ok during his time we didn't have as much success in the league as we did in Europe but at least we were there mixing it up with the top teams midweek to the point where we were one of the most feared teams in Europe.

I don't know about you Mick but I treasure a lot of memories from those years, beating Barca in the Camp Nou, thrashing Real, knocking out Chelsea on more than 1 occasion when they were virtually buying their way to silverware. To me he will always be an icon and you know damn well there are plenty of other supporters that feel the same way even if you don't.

As for the celebrating after last night I think it's a bit of a disgrace tbh. I suppose it just goes to show how right we were all along this season that you felt the need to let loose 1 evening as youve been hiding under a owl shaped rock for the last few months.

de de de de de de de de 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....ndex=48

He showed great tactical awareness throughout that campaign - absolutely bollloxed up the final though (dropped Hamann for Kewell FFS and only pure luck, an injury to Kewell from memory forced him to bring on the mighty german).

Cups are great, but the league is how a manager should be judged.[/quote]
I think your memory is suffering, Hamman did not replace the injured Kewell.......but why let real facts get in the way of pure hatred and bitterness

[Big Niall]

I see no problem in your personal assessment of Benitez's tenure as manager...I will question your thoughts on the hate for Rafa because it's clear Big Niall shows nothing but hate for Rafa Benitez;

I have said that he did very well in Europe, I didn't celebrate last night (check the thread), I think they are contenders to win it.

I think the spanish and Italian leagues suit him more than the english one.

I think he grabbed a lot of money to go (I don't blame him) but find the belief he was a victim to be wrong - fire me from my job but give me millions to go!

None of the above is hatred.

He is a better manager and a better man than Houllier(although I think Roy Evans to be a better man than benitez - he didn't get dirty when houllier publicly lambasted him recently)

[Dundalk]

FFS lads catch a grip will yous

Rafa is Inter manager
Roy is Liverpool  manager

I support Liverpool so therefore my support lies with Roy

This is a Rafa topic on the forum and should be used to discuss how he is getting on in Italy, it should not be used as a slagging match between Rafa and Roy.

He lost a CL match! Big swing, so did Arsenal tonight, judge Rafa at the end of the season and the same with Roy

[metalhead]

FFS lads catch a grip will yous

Rafa is Inter manager
Roy is Liverpool  manager

I support Liverpool so therefore my support lies with Roy

This is a Rafa topic on the forum and should be used to discuss how he is getting on in Italy, it should not be used as a slagging match between Rafa and Roy.

He lost a CL match! Big swing, so did Arsenal tonight, judge Rafa at the end of the season and the same with Roy

O RAFA O RAFAAAA!!!

[maguskwt]

Interesting read on the situation, mate.  Incredibly one-sided but interesting.  You might, however, wish to trawl back through this thread--say through pages 26-30 or so--to get a glimpse of the other side of the coin.  Inter up 4-0 against Spurs at the San Siro is the setting and the Rafa obsession that you're talking about is there for all to see.  Except, it wasn't coming from the 'antis' on that occasion.  Maybe a wee read back will help put these more recent comments into perspective and might just make it clear that, when it comes to discussing Rafa, very few people are 'above the fray' around here.

Reality Check: Rafa is no longer a topic for sensible discussion on this board.  He's merely an instrument for winding others up.
Unfortunately, Roy is moving with lightning quick speed into the same category.  Of course, there's still a few posters that struggle gamely not to get caught up in the petty point scoring but they're rather thin on the ground these days. 

Bob, let's forget about about Rafa for a min... just answer this question...

Who is more pathetic? The people who are rejoicing that an ex-liverpool manager is doing well, or the people who are rejoicing the failings of an ex-liverpool manager? Especially if that ex-liverpool manager was the one who brought back to us European glory. Who lacks more class and decorum?

[laza]

FFS lads catch a grip will yous

Rafa is Inter manager
Roy is Liverpool  manager

I support Liverpool so therefore my support lies with Roy

This is a Rafa topic on the forum and should be used to discuss how he is getting on in Italy, it should not be used as a slagging match between Rafa and Roy.

He lost a CL match! Big swing, so did Arsenal tonight, judge Rafa at the end of the season and the same with Roy

Ssssssssshhhhh DD

Let them go for it down here and maybe some semblance of sanity will return to current Liverpool manager's thread

[jacdaniel]

Rafa owned Harry redknapp at the San Siro. 

[Bad Bob]

Bob, let's forget about about Rafa for a min... just answer this question...

Who is more pathetic? The people who are rejoicing that an ex-liverpool manager is doing well, or the people who are rejoicing the failings of an ex-liverpool manager? Especially if that ex-liverpool manager was the one who brought back to us European glory. Who lacks more class and decorum?

Another strange post, mate...'let's forget about Rafa for a minute' followed by 'which view on Rafa is more pathetic?' 

If you'd like an honest answer, I'm equally fed up with both sides.  I'm fed up with those who were rejoicing in the Spurs victory the other night because it seems petty and feels like a wind-up attempt, to be perfectly honest. 

But, EQUALLY, I was fed up with those who were crowing loudly when Inter was 4-0 up a fortnight ago (although they quieted down rather quickly, as it turns out).  Why?  Because the comments weren't just 'hey, nice one Rafa' or 'made up for the man' kind of fare (which I would certainly go along with).  No, instead we got a lot of the 'I told you so' attitude along with it, as if charging out to a 4-0 lead was definitive proof that Rafa was the The Man and we were absolute ingrates for parting company with him.

And that's where I have a problem, which I raised at the time.  See, if Rafa truly was The Man he was being made out to be, why didn't we see Liverpool handing Spurs a caning more often during his tenure?  If he was so peerless a tactician in the Champions League why did we fail to get out of one of the weakest groups in the competition last year?  The comments struck me as distinctly lacking in perspective, as if we'd binned Rafa when he was at the absolute top of his game with us and were now seeing the folly of our ways.  Unfortunately, from my perspective, Rafa's powers were on the wane with us at the end and it was time for him to go.  Someone asked after Inter put the 4th one in that night to remind everyone why we got rid of Rafa as if it were a complete mystery.  The answer, IMO, is that Rafa unfortunately helped get rid of himself by not being The Man very much at all last year.  He gave the board an opening to part company by presiding over some very lacklustre football--a fact that seems too quickly forgotten by some who would look to rejoice when Inter do well.  It's about balance, mate--something that's been all too rare around here for too long.

[bigmick]

Like it is Bob, well said as usual. The reason I rejoiced in the Spurs win was partly because I find it funny that two thirds of the forum will be gutted about it, partly because it was nice after getting bullsh!t off the posse all week about priests and bowls of sugar to be able to say "have a bit of that", and partly because at least it meant we didn't have to endure the frankly sickening sycophancy you get off them if Rafa does anything right.

That's the truth of the matter, similarly I laugh when Real Madrid do well because I know they all hate it when Mourinho proves the fact that he is a different class manager again.





People often say I hate Rafa when I don't at all. I hate all the bullsh!t which surrounds him, but the man himself is absolutely fine by me.

[stmichael]

He showed great tactical awareness throughout that campaign - absolutely bollloxed up the final though (dropped Hamann for Kewell FFS and only pure luck, an injury to Kewell from memory forced him to bring on the mighty german).

absolute myth. smicer came on for kewell. hamann came on for finnan at half time as finnan was injured.

[Big Niall]

I think "hatred" is a bit strong, I'd be surprised if anyone "hates" Rafa. Always seemed like a decent enough bloke to me, and apart from the last season did a fairly decent job as manager too. Not great, not legendary, not a hero, but decent. Some good buys, some bad buys, some good nights, some bad nights, two trophies in six seasons and a best effort in the league of 2nd, with a worse effort of 5th (I'm discounting the 7th of the final season). So all in all he did OK (apart from the last season). No need to "hate" him, but entirely legitimate to both question his iconic status, AND to think the time was right for a change (which it was).

Funnily enough (and I did think it was funny I just can't help it ) the Spurs game was very familiar. Bizarre press conferences, eyes well and truly taken off the ball and a set-up which wasn't genius. Followed of course by a lacklustre performance and a well deserved defeat.

What a pity.

I have to disagree about the iconic status thing. He won the biggest trophey in club football in one of the most memorable finals in the history of the competition.

His tactical nous helped us get through some tough teams that year, former finalists and semi finalists, and not just that year either. Ok during his time we didn't have as much success in the league as we did in Europe but at least we were there mixing it up with the top teams midweek to the point where we were one of the most feared teams in Europe.

I don't know about you Mick but I treasure a lot of memories from those years, beating Barca in the Camp Nou, thrashing Real, knocking out Chelsea on more than 1 occasion when they were virtually buying their way to silverware. To me he will always be an icon and you know damn well there are plenty of other supporters that feel the same way even if you don't.

As for the celebrating after last night I think it's a bit of a disgrace tbh. I suppose it just goes to show how right we were all along this season that you felt the need to let loose 1 evening as youve been hiding under a owl shaped rock for the last few months.

de de de de de de de de 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....ndex=48

He showed great tactical awareness throughout that campaign - absolutely bollloxed up the final though (dropped Hamann for Kewell FFS and only pure luck, an injury to Kewell from memory forced him to bring on the mighty german).

Cups are great, but the league is how a manager should be judged.

So he started off with the wrong formation and/or players, so what? Does the fact that he turned it around after going 3 down not get him any credit or does it only count if we don't concede any? Then again you don't even rate the European Cup. And anyway what about getting to the final? And then again 2 years later.

I find it astonishing how much disregard you show for the European Cup. Does that mean the 4 before don't count for either? Whatever your smoking mate, let me have some. 

I said that it was an injury that forced him to make the change. Also - read what I say. HIs Euro achievements are great and I do rate the Euro Cup, of course I do. Where did I say I didn't? don't make things up.

I said I don't rate this mickey mouse loser cup we are in. I also said the league is the most important as cups need luck.