Liverpool FC Forum

[Lando_Griffin]

Yes he can.

He's more likely than anyone else to aswell - even if we got the fabulous (ahem) Martin O'Neill.

What's that saying? "You don'tknow what you've got until it's gone."

Too f*cking right.

[Lando_Griffin]

Let's just compare things shall we?

Let's just see how much worse Rafa is compared with the "heavyweights" of the game:

Alex Ferguson. Now the most successful manager in English history regarding trophies won (Although everyone knows Bob Paisley would have whipped his a*se given the same timescale.):

Appointed manager of the scum on 6th Nov 1986.

'86-'87: They finished 11th. Major Trophies won: 0.Minor trophies won: 0.

'87-'88: Finished second, nine points behind the best team in the World. Major/minor Trophies: 0/0.

'88-'89: Finished 11th. Trophies: 0/0.

'89-'90: Was on the verge of being sacked after a run of 6 defeats and 2 draws in 8 games. Finished 13th. Major/Minor trophies: 1 FA Cup. 0 Minor.

WOW!!!!! Well I'm overawed by THAT success. 1 trophy in 4 years. That IS para-ficking-normal.

I'm suprised Rod Serling didn't enquire about the situation.

Arsene Wenger:

Began at the A*se on 1st October 1996. He is the most successful manager in The Goooooooners' history, and is also their longest serving (and ugliest) manager.

His record is thus:

'96-'97: Finished 3rd. Trophies: 0/0.

'97-'98: Champions. Trophies: Premiership and FA Cup.

'98-'99: Finished 2nd. Trophies: 0.

'99-'00: Finished (Can't find the data - it wasn't top, let's put it that way.) Trophies: 0.


So....

Rafa Benitez:

Signed by the greatest club in the World in June 2004.

Brought great success in a short period of time, overshadowing his peers regarding time taken to win trophies.
Fastest manager in Liverpool history to 50 league wins.

'04-'05: Finished 5th and won the Champions' League, despite the worst injury crisis in living memory. Lost to that seasons' Champions Sh*tski in League Cup final after an own goal took the tie to extra time. Trophies: 1 - the biggest in club football.

'05-'06: Finished 3rd with record points-haul, record unbeaten run, record consecutive win streak, and record amount of clean sheets. Won the FA Cup, European Super Cup and was runner-up in World Club Championship, having leathered the opposition for 90 minutes but failing to score. Trophies (Major/Minor): 1/1.

'06-'07: Currently 3rd. Won Community Shield. Topped Group in Champions' League.



Now- you're telling me Rafa is worse than those two, comparing their early days only?

'Cos you're on drugs if you are.

[redmikey]

yes he will .

not even can..will..   he has managed to get us mentioned at the start of the season as top tips to go all the way, and while it hasn't panned out like that this season due to our travel phobia early doors ,and the sqauds real depth in qualitity, we are still breaking club records even this year

with the take over money and the sheik desire to be the best at everything he is involved with will get the money rafa needs to buy the best young talent which imo i think rafa has already been doing since his first day

and the top end players to bring in first team players where needed

left back
left and right wing
right back cover
etc etc

[parchpea]

Anyone can buy a title and Benitez is no exception given a massive transfer kitty.

We hired him because he worked miracles against the big two in Spain by steering Valencia to the championship. They hoped he could repeat his magic here unfortunately Rafa has found it tough going in the league.

Right now we are no nearer the title than when he took the job so if we percivere with Benitez he needs a new plan and more cash to put it in place. Maybe that will work 

[Leonmc0708]

One week ago did you think he would win us the title one day ?

Then the answer is the same surely ?

[CarlosRocks]

One week ago did you think he would win us the title one day ?

Then the answer is the same surely ?

well said...

[Kash_Mountain]

Off course he can bring the title home.  One thing that does concern me though is the over reliance on Stevie.G

[Owzat]

Simple question , simple answer, Rafa can give us the title ,but not with this squad .

Nuff said, really.

Precisely. We lack adequate cover for RB and RM. If we get Carson back we have decent cover for GK but Paletta is not up to playing CB yet and Sami is getting older and slower so ideally needs replacing. With Sissoko out injured our central midfield is thin on the ground and we could do with another CF. We could bring back Cisse but I'm not sure he's in Rafa's thinking and we may well sell at a loss to whoever will bid the most (or just sell him)

And listing what trophies we've won doesn't really cut it - every manager since Kenny has won a cup or two, but none  of them have won the league. Good news is Rafa averages more points per game in the league than any manager since Kenny, however the bar has been raised with two teams worth over £100m apiece now making it more difficult to win