Stu.Murph wrote:LFC2007 wrote:Stu.Murph wrote:You'll see there isn't a great deal of difference with the exception that Houllier actually signed more than 3 players who improved the team in that time.
Tonight says it all Stu, no need for lengthy debate..............
Yes last night said it all...
You're totally correct. How could I ever doubt Rafa could bring home the league after last night?
Typical rose tinted specs brigade knee jerk reaction.
I responded to the comment (your last response):
'Compare Benitez and Houllier's first three seasons'
'You'll see there isn't agreat deal of difference'.
Last night proved my point, that there IS a significant difference, Rafa has achieved two champions league finals in three years - Houllier never came remotely close.
Benitez has achieved European football every season - Houllier was unable to do that.
Our league performances bar last season have been relatively similar to what they were under Houllier, if a little better (exemplified by last season).
Therefore the significant and most impressive improvement are our performances in Europe which in reply to your comment is why Rafa has shown empirical and significant improvement in comparison to the first three seasons under Houllier.
You seem to have a problem in comprehending my argument.[/quote]
I just think pathetic arguements like "you don't know more than Benitez"
"you can't possibly say a player is a good or bad player because you aren't as qualified as Benitez".
Buts, ifs and maybe's a little bit boring and tedious.
Sitting on the fence isn't something I do. I learnt the game, I've played the game and I know the game inside out which is exactly the reason I can judge a players ability and potential, which is exactly the reason I understand tactics, ability, potential, youth players and such and such.
I also laugh at people who have the cheek and audacity to not call me a "true fan" because I do not blindly follow the current manager and I can see that his signings aren't of the required quality to win us the league (hence the reason we're 3rd and not first).
I've never for a second doubted Benitez as a coach or tactical expert. I sometimes believes he picks the wrong ones but thats understandable. What I question is his ability to successfully win a premiership title and build a team good enough to do so and remain a consistent threat over a period of time.
Last season we looked to have the potential. This season we look flat and ordinary.[/quote]
If you look at my argument as a whole, which you have not comprehensively responded to then I think you will see my points very cleary and in direct response to the points you have made. In your last post directed at me you have not addressed the points I made, for example........ I have addressed the point you made about the similarity of the first three seasons under Houllier to that of Benitez, I have shown the distinct difference between them and it is plain and clear in my argument.
Your perception of my argument is out of context, I was talking about Benitez in the context of his successes, his prior experiences and the evidence that supports his credentials e.g. two European cups in three years, an FA cup, a record premiership points total.
Please tell me exactly where I have questioned your personal credentials in judging the game. I have merely stated the credentials of Benitez, this is something you have misconstrued in your post.
Benitez is a top, top manager and we are not privy all the information he has at his disposal for example, what goes on behind the scenes, the reasons for his decisions or for example detailed scout reports that form part of the basis on why he signs a player.
It is not about being 'boring and tedious', its about being realistic and contextual in assessing his performance as manager.
I do not blindly follow Benitez, I put his progress at the club in context, you do not, and that's the fundamental crux of the argument.
I have made my points very clear in my previous posts, you have never directly replied to them in context, or in a balanced way.
I have never stated that the signings Benitez has made are good enough to win us the league - that is an assumption you have made. What I have said is that he has made some quality signings, some poor signings, and some who would be too premature to judge. I have also put these signings in the context of a) the budget b) signings made by previous managers c) signings made by fellow managers.
You are entitled to your opinion as to whether Benitez is capable of building a side capable of winning the premiership - I have merely put this in context (yet again), for example it took Ferguson (at a time when the league was weaker than it is now) 5 years to build a team capable of winning titles on a consistent basis, at that time he had the largest budget in the league aswell. I am saying that I would rather wait another season or two for him to build his side and develop the way he sees fit. It would be crazy (in my opinion) to change the manager, of which there are none, who could replace Benitez under the circumstances and do a better job. It would throw us back another decade.
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