Liverpool FC Forum

by **Scottbot** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:20 pm

Just watched the press vid, cracked up at the end when Rafa has a dig and a cheeky smile at the reporter for 'trying in different ways' to get him to talk about the goings on at Anfield instead of the game itself. quality

by **account deleted by request** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:23 pm

By Eric B. Utheim - 27th November 2007

When Liverpool got new American owners this spring, a lot of Manchester United supporters questioned why the Liverpool fans didn’t protest against the move more stubbornly then they did. Having arranged massive protest against the similar overtaking of their own club by the Glazer family, they didn’t understand how the Liverpool fans could greet their new Yankee owners with such celebration. Now it looks like those questions were justified.

Yes, Gillett and Hicks played the PR-game perfectly at the beginning. Coming out with all the right noises, all the right sound bites. But now, Liverpool’s American honeymoon is over. Reality is setting in. And for the first time since they seized control of Britain’s must successful football club, George Gillett and Tom Hicks find themselves under fierce criticism from a vast majority of the Liverpool fans. It is the serious broad sheets that are leading the way; it isn’t the Sun or the other tabloids. Serious papers are writing that Benitez will be out of a job sooner rather than later – and no statement has been released, yet, where the owners show their support for Benitez. If you want the Rafalution to continue, it doesn’t look good.

Many newspapers have over the last few days written that Rafael Benitez has picked a fight he cannot win. Because, as Jose Mourinho found out, in modern football it is the men controlling the purse strings that now control the game. Well, by going against the Liverpool supporter’s wishes, it looks to me like it is the Americans who have picked a fight they cannot win. Sure, they can sack Benitez, but at the same time they will lose the vast majority of Liverpool Football Club’s main asset: the fans. I’m not talking about day-trippers from Bury St. Edmund, Trondheim or Donegal, but the loyal match going Reds, the season ticket holders from Bootle, Dingle and Huyton.

In this conflict, I cannot avoid thinking that the two Americans are seriously underestimating the Kopites. If the unjust sacking of the manager who brought Ol’Big Ears back to Anfield on a permanent basis goes trough, the before mentioned Manchester United supporter’s protests will seem like a San Francisco hippie love in from the late 1960’s. Yes, Benitez should have kept his criticism within the club, and not so actively used the press to get his point across. And yes, this is one of those conflicts where it is not black and white. None of the parties involved can claim to be 100 per cent right, none of the involved parties can claim that the opposition doesn’t have valid arguments. The two Americans anger at Benitez’s public outbursts are understandable, and it is unworthy of the manager of a gentleman’s club like Liverpool to use the kind of tactics that Benitez has used over the last week or so. But at the same time they should handle football related criticism from the man that is paid to decide on the football matters at Anfield, and that should always be the manager.

Frustration at the Liverpool suits’ slowness in transfer negotiations is nothing new, and is something that existed long before the two Americans arrived. Remember Simao Sabrosa? When it comes to negotiating - and more importantly, going through with – transfer deals, Liverpool aren’t exactly moving like Ian Rush onto a Kenny Dalglish through ball, but more fittingly like Neill Ruddock giving Jan Molby a piggy back ride.

So it is understandable when, according to reports, Benitez is close to a few cheap deals, but isn’t allowed to seal them because Mr. Hicks and Mr. Gillett wants to wait until they arrive in England just before Christmas, that Spanish frustrations run high at Melwood. Benitez hasn’t lost his temper because Hicks and Gillett have refused to sanction a big money move for some International superstar, but rather because the green light isn’t given to what can be described as minor transfer deals, and because the mighty Liverpool FC – one of the major trademarks in the World - is run via e-mails and a fax machine in Texas.

Apparently Liverpool have been close in recent weeks to clinch a £4 million pound deal for AC Milan’s Kakha Kaladze, wrap up a couple of Bosman player’s for next season, and sign a few talented but cheap South American youngsters. But all this is put on hold until the two Americans arrive on Merseyside for the game with Manchester United on the 16th – thus putting it all in danger as other clubs are hovering over the same targets. The transfer window means that you can only sign players in January, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t necessary to get all the groundwork in, in advance.

Personally, my main beef with the American owners is their lack of involvement in the day to day running of the club. I cannot help but think that Rafa feels the same way. Hicks and Gillett visit Liverpool around every two months, all the major decisions are made through e-mails and phone calls across the Atlantic. Mr. Gillett’s son Foster, who is supposed to be at Anfield to run the show together with Rick Parry, has apparently been spending more time back home in the States lately, than in Liverpool. The new American Liverpool seems to be like a car with the engine in England, and the steering wheel in America. The main course of concern for me, is Rafael Benitez’s boldness. Has the situation gone so far that Benitez feels that he now has nothing to lose? Is the fact that Benitez now uses the media as his outlet a sign that he feels himself that his time at Anfield is running out? Or even worse, is Benitez using this as a tactic to speed up the process of his own departure, because he sees that it will happen sooner rather than later anyway?

I think it boils down to one headstrong and stubborn Spaniard, who knows how Liverpool FC works, and who knows where the chink in the Americans armour is: Their lack of history in the game of soccerball, and their lack of historical knowledge when it comes to Britain’s most successful soccerball team. Rafael Benitez hears his name being chanted at every game, not at least so in the last outing at St. James’ Park. He is well aware of his own popularity, and I believe he attempts to use this as a stick to beat the Americans. Or rather, he gives the stick to the Kopites, so they can swing it for him.

When Liverpool face Porto and Bolton later this week, Gillett and Mr. Hicks will see what fans’ passion is all about. This isn’t hockey, baseball or the NFL. This isn’t bowl shaped stadiums filled with middle-aged rednecks sitting still, sipping their Budweiser while they punch the air and let out screams of “Yeah!” every five minutes or so. This is real football, real feelings and real fans. By picking a fight with Benitez, the two Americans have also picked fights with the Liverpool fans. Perhaps seen by the Americans as nothing more than “customers” in their new soccerball business. But this will not be an American dream for George and Tom. If they do sack Benitez, it will turn into a nightmare, because as a poster on a Liverpool forum wrote here the other day:

“The Yanks have the money, but we have the scousers…”

personally I think American football has a lot going for it

by **big al** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:28 pm

Guys Please stop the panic what happens, happens. Rafa has asserted himself over the last few days, he has sent the owners a message and they will not forget it if he fails but if he brings success they will give him from this point whatever he needs. We are all looking in at the goldfish bowl. Everyone at the club has a tough job to do, so stop the panic get behind them and tomorrow sing the team to victory. We will see in May if Rafa gamble pays off, I personaly believe he'll get the funds he needs in the transfer window but I tell you this he will have to make it count. What I love about Rafa is that he knows that BALLS or WHAT?

by **Effes** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:43 pm

Ballague in the Racing Post:

THERE looks like no way back for Rafa Benitez and victory over Porto on Wednesday probably won't save the Liverpool boss.

The Reds fans seem to think that their passionate backing for the manager and a few good results will play a key part in keeping Benitez at Anfield.

But they don't understand – thebusiness these people are in goes beyond that.

Managers such as Alan Pardew and Jose Mourinho found themselves out of favour with key figures in the boardroom and paid the ultimate price. Results became irrelevant.

That's the situation Benitez finds himself in and his only hope is that George Gillett is more diplomatic than Tom Hicks. All the angry noises, all the threats, are coming from Hicks and while they are supposed to speak with one voice it will be interesting to see if Gillett wants to calm things down.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by **LFC2007** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:55 pm

Reg wrote:
LFC2007 wrote:
Reg wrote:If in their eyes he is endangering their investment, he will have to go.

How exactly is he endangering their investment?

Conversely, the capital worth of the club and its access to capital is impacted by bad publicity and fall outs that - in this fickle world - affect fan and sponser expenditure and its ability to pay the wages and service debt. Rafa losing games is less damaging to the club finances than bad publicity. G&H have a premium image product on a par with RM and Barca and cannot allow a public spat to endanger the volatile image rights which would cost us time - and them more money, to rebuild.

If one person should move aside as a result of this debacle it should be Foster as he is failing to manage the local business and/or communicate effectively with the owners.

Clearly, although the extent to which it affects our access to capital, ability to pay wages, and service debt, in my view is virtually nil. This type of publicity serves only to place Rafa and our results under the microscope. Should our results on the pitch be positive, it will reflect positively on our image. The ability to get a series of good results under pressure is an admirable trait, it spins the negative publicity on its head, in turn benefitting our public image. As the saying goes; 'Life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% of how you react to it'.

Any image based organisation is the same - hence government ministers resign to contain damage.

This Parliamentary convention is increasingly by-passed, and often not adhered to. In our situation, Rafa is calling for swifter action to prevent us from missing out on important targets in the January window. Rafa's 'department' is the team, he oversees every aspect of the playing side of the club. He is therefore delegated the responsibility to identify targets. Given that he has a great knowledge of the market, he is best placed to judge the availability of these targets, and the time scale with which we have to secure their acquisition. If he signals to the owners that these targets are a) likely to cost more or b) likely to be snapped up by another club within the next month, I would expect the owners to respond swiftly with an answer that clarifies their position concerning spending. It appears that the owners have not established a channel of communication with Rafa that addresses his concerns, and as a result he has made his frustrations known to the public. I will assume that there are funds available for January. If they are awaiting the outcome of the UCL group stage to determine the extent our spending plans, these targets on Rafa's advice, are likely to cost more, or will be unavailable. It is speculated that Rafa has plans afoot to off-set any expenditure by selling one or more of our squad. The possibility of any sales, may also be placed in jeopardy if, the time it takes to establish communication with the yanks over the issues is not swiftly resolved, and that means a.s.a.p. If the yanks simply refuse to communicate over any issues concerning transfers until the 10th dec, they are naive as to the dynamics of the transfer market. The apparent 'stubbornness' of the yanks, in refusing to communicate or engage in any future planning concerning transfers, is very worrying. They must trust the advice of those who know the market best, and those who are aware of the teams' requirements, and as I said earlier, this is Rafa's 'department'. This apparent refusal to communicate, and inability to collaborate with Rafa on matters he has a superior knowledge over, is inconsistent with what they portrayed as their mantra when they first arrived. I forget the exact quotes, but 'Snoogy Doogey' springs to mind.

In summary, Rafa should not be forced to resign for making his frustrations known publicly. He shouldn't have expressed his concerns publicly, but to do so shouldn't warrant a resignation. Government ministers have kept their positions for far worse. I certainly don't believe Rafa resigning would 'contain' the damage to their investment, it would create massive unrest at the club, probably leading to a spiral of negative publicity. For as long as Rafa is getting results on the pitch, sorting out the communication breakdown regarding tranfsers a.s.a.p is the only course of action for their 'investment', and is by far the most sensible course of action.

by **bedlovedays** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:02 pm

A few questions.

Is there anyone that can do half the job the Benetez does?

If he is sacked will G and H feel the wrath of the scousers?

What is the wrath of the scousers?

Will you stop going to games, buying shirts and supporting the club?

What will you do?

If someone working for you is insubordinate and makes you look foolish in public yet does a bang up job, do you sack him?

How on earth would we rebuild if Rafa goes?

Which players would leave if Rafa goes?

Do Tom and Georgie have any idea what they are playing with?

And, as a reminder of where we were a few years ago............

an old post.

Houllier will not win it for Liverpool.

We were watching earlier today the start of new and promised Houllier’s style of attacking and attractive football against Chelsea. He has promised us, the fans good football with plenty goals.

In the actual fact we have watched a Liverpool team exactly the same of last season, with same players but except one new face. A team who was without sort, without ideas, without width, without shape, totally disjointed, lacked energy and discipline, could not pass correctly, or shoot at goal properly. Any Liverpool team that start with headless chicken player like Bruno Cheyrou, who I do not think he is even good for our receives.
I just don’t understand why our dear Heskey was not sold before the start of the season, who was supposed to be a goner at the end of last season!!!!!!.

I am sorry friends we might have to wait for a lot more years before we can win the league, and certainly not under Houllier, who as usual said that he was sorry for the players, and that Chelsea a very good team etc, more stupid excuses which had revelled a same as last season, and he was short to say that Chelsea was the home team and Liverpool was the away team, and how exactly did look during the game, Liverpool has made Chelsea look so good with their expensive new faces, because Liverpool was so bad, and did not improve from last season failure.

Houllier lack the tactical strategy and practical methods of good attacking football, who can and will not be able to change his tactics during a game, his selection still shabby, with one and solid style only, plan “A” and if that does not work change personal and hope for the best, well any third division’s manager could do that!

I do not have much hope for this season, while Houllier is still in charge, and every loving and sincere Liverpool fan should have listened to John Toshack’s comments, after the game, would probably share my point of view.

The fans and Liverpool chairman and board of directors should really consider the removal of Houllier, if Liverpool FC going to have a serious chance of winning the league.

Edwards

by **Walk On** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:03 pm

Seriously, If we don't act NOW it may be too late. We are supposed to be world famous fans who are passionate, knowledgeable and loyal. Now we must show this by standing up and telling the American owners and indeed Parry how it is. They are messing with the wrong people. It's our club, if THEY don't play by our rules then THEY are out. It's in our hands. Tomorrow's game must be just the start of it. We must let them know in anyway we can that we will win this. Let's not stop at polite chanting either. If this mess continues we must devise new ways of showing direct force - we will not be :censored:

with. I'm telling you - history is made by mass direct action and no better club in the world to do this than us. Let's do it now...

by **nobybob** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:08 pm

s@int wrote:By Eric B. Utheim - 27th November 2007

When Liverpool got new American owners this spring, a lot of Manchester United supporters questioned why the Liverpool fans didn’t protest against the move more stubbornly then they did. Having arranged massive protest against the similar overtaking of their own club by the Glazer family, they didn’t understand how the Liverpool fans could greet their new Yankee owners with such celebration. Now it looks like those questions were justified.

Yes, Gillett and Hicks played the PR-game perfectly at the beginning. Coming out with all the right noises, all the right sound bites. But now, Liverpool’s American honeymoon is over. Reality is setting in. And for the first time since they seized control of Britain’s must successful football club, George Gillett and Tom Hicks find themselves under fierce criticism from a vast majority of the Liverpool fans. It is the serious broad sheets that are leading the way; it isn’t the Sun or the other tabloids. Serious papers are writing that Benitez will be out of a job sooner rather than later – and no statement has been released, yet, where the owners show their support for Benitez. If you want the Rafalution to continue, it doesn’t look good.

Many newspapers have over the last few days written that Rafael Benitez has picked a fight he cannot win. Because, as Jose Mourinho found out, in modern football it is the men controlling the purse strings that now control the game. Well, by going against the Liverpool supporter’s wishes, it looks to me like it is the Americans who have picked a fight they cannot win. Sure, they can sack Benitez, but at the same time they will lose the vast majority of Liverpool Football Club’s main asset: the fans. I’m not talking about day-trippers from Bury St. Edmund, Trondheim or Donegal, but the loyal match going Reds, the season ticket holders from Bootle, Dingle and Huyton.

In this conflict, I cannot avoid thinking that the two Americans are seriously underestimating the Kopites. If the unjust sacking of the manager who brought Ol’Big Ears back to Anfield on a permanent basis goes trough, the before mentioned Manchester United supporter’s protests will seem like a San Francisco hippie love in from the late 1960’s. Yes, Benitez should have kept his criticism within the club, and not so actively used the press to get his point across. And yes, this is one of those conflicts where it is not black and white. None of the parties involved can claim to be 100 per cent right, none of the involved parties can claim that the opposition doesn’t have valid arguments. The two Americans anger at Benitez’s public outbursts are understandable, and it is unworthy of the manager of a gentleman’s club like Liverpool to use the kind of tactics that Benitez has used over the last week or so. But at the same time they should handle football related criticism from the man that is paid to decide on the football matters at Anfield, and that should always be the manager.

Frustration at the Liverpool suits’ slowness in transfer negotiations is nothing new, and is something that existed long before the two Americans arrived. Remember Simao Sabrosa? When it comes to negotiating - and more importantly, going through with – transfer deals, Liverpool aren’t exactly moving like Ian Rush onto a Kenny Dalglish through ball, but more fittingly like Neill Ruddock giving Jan Molby a piggy back ride.

So it is understandable when, according to reports, Benitez is close to a few cheap deals, but isn’t allowed to seal them because Mr. Hicks and Mr. Gillett wants to wait until they arrive in England just before Christmas, that Spanish frustrations run high at Melwood. Benitez hasn’t lost his temper because Hicks and Gillett have refused to sanction a big money move for some International superstar, but rather because the green light isn’t given to what can be described as minor transfer deals, and because the mighty Liverpool FC – one of the major trademarks in the World - is run via e-mails and a fax machine in Texas.

Apparently Liverpool have been close in recent weeks to clinch a £4 million pound deal for AC Milan’s Kakha Kaladze, wrap up a couple of Bosman player’s for next season, and sign a few talented but cheap South American youngsters. But all this is put on hold until the two Americans arrive on Merseyside for the game with Manchester United on the 16th – thus putting it all in danger as other clubs are hovering over the same targets. The transfer window means that you can only sign players in January, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t necessary to get all the groundwork in, in advance.

Personally, my main beef with the American owners is their lack of involvement in the day to day running of the club. I cannot help but think that Rafa feels the same way. Hicks and Gillett visit Liverpool around every two months, all the major decisions are made through e-mails and phone calls across the Atlantic. Mr. Gillett’s son Foster, who is supposed to be at Anfield to run the show together with Rick Parry, has apparently been spending more time back home in the States lately, than in Liverpool. The new American Liverpool seems to be like a car with the engine in England, and the steering wheel in America. The main course of concern for me, is Rafael Benitez’s boldness. Has the situation gone so far that Benitez feels that he now has nothing to lose? Is the fact that Benitez now uses the media as his outlet a sign that he feels himself that his time at Anfield is running out? Or even worse, is Benitez using this as a tactic to speed up the process of his own departure, because he sees that it will happen sooner rather than later anyway?

I think it boils down to one headstrong and stubborn Spaniard, who knows how Liverpool FC works, and who knows where the chink in the Americans armour is: Their lack of history in the game of soccerball, and their lack of historical knowledge when it comes to Britain’s most successful soccerball team. Rafael Benitez hears his name being chanted at every game, not at least so in the last outing at St. James’ Park. He is well aware of his own popularity, and I believe he attempts to use this as a stick to beat the Americans. Or rather, he gives the stick to the Kopites, so they can swing it for him.

When Liverpool face Porto and Bolton later this week, Gillett and Mr. Hicks will see what fans’ passion is all about. This isn’t hockey, baseball or the NFL. This isn’t bowl shaped stadiums filled with middle-aged rednecks sitting still, sipping their Budweiser while they punch the air and let out screams of “Yeah!” every five minutes or so. This is real football, real feelings and real fans. By picking a fight with Benitez, the two Americans have also picked fights with the Liverpool fans. Perhaps seen by the Americans as nothing more than “customers” in their new soccerball business. But this will not be an American dream for George and Tom. If they do sack Benitez, it will turn into a nightmare, because as a poster on a Liverpool forum wrote here the other day:

“The Yanks have the money, but we have the scousers…”

personally I think American football has a lot going for it

fantastic post you put into words what i was thinking

by **big al** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:14 pm

LFC2007 I don't think its only about market forces or money. What we are witnessing is the old style of owner locking heads with the manager. Go back 30 years and thats what Football in England was like. Im not sure if you ever watch american sports finals but you see the owner picking up the trophies not the players. The owners pay the wages and they get the glory. In England thats not the case. Gillett and Hicks have learned a valuable lesson from Rafa. He has the heart and soul of the club at stake they have its mind. They think in terms of return for outlay and long term investment what glory can I get myself for all the dough Ive spent. Rafa is chasing a different dream he has the weighed of history on his shoulders and knows his legacy will be in terms of securing the future. I truely believe he has done enough at the moment he is taking stock as are the owners. If he succeeds in winning a major trophy this season he will have won and they will defer to him in future. If he fails he will move on. Thats why I really love the guy he is willing to gamble his own future and integrity to succeed. The fans now need to do what ever they can to help him that includes giving him the ten minutes ovation tomorrow as suggest here and \i would suggest bombarding Gillett and hicks with personal emails.

by **lakes10** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:01 pm

bedlovedays wrote:A few questions.

Is there anyone that can do half the job the Benetez does?

If he is sacked will G and H feel the wrath of the scousers?

What is the wrath of the scousers?

Will you stop going to games, buying shirts and supporting the club?

What will you do?

If someone working for you is insubordinate and makes you look foolish in public yet does a bang up job, do you sack him?

How on earth would we rebuild if Rafa goes?

Which players would leave if Rafa goes?

Do Tom and Georgie have any idea what they are playing with?

Q: Is there anyone that can do half the job the Benetez does? ---

A: Many but they all have jobs right now and i would not like to see them at our club

Q: If he is sacked will G and H feel the wrath of the scousers?-------

A: In trurh, the Liverpool fans will get over it very soon

Q: What is the wrath of the scousers? ------------

A: Say they will never go to another game again, burn anything American.

Q: Will you stop going to games, buying shirts and supporting the club?------------

A: yes for 2 weeks, they start to buy the shirts they burnt

Q: What will you do?-------

A: nothing

Q: If someone working for you is insubordinate and makes you look foolish in public yet does a bang up job, do you sack him?------

A: Yes sack him

Q: How on earth would we rebuild if Rafa goes?--------

A: we will not need to, we are bigger than one man

Q: Which players would leave if Rafa goes?--------

A: none

Q: Do Tom and Georgie have any idea what they are playing with?----------

A: oh yes and they know how to play hard ball very well

by **zarababe** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:20 pm

lakes10 wrote:
bedlovedays wrote:A few questions.

Is there anyone that can do half the job the Benetez does?

If he is sacked will G and H feel the wrath of the scousers?

What is the wrath of the scousers?

Will you stop going to games, buying shirts and supporting the club?

What will you do?

If someone working for you is insubordinate and makes you look foolish in public yet does a bang up job, do you sack him?

How on earth would we rebuild if Rafa goes?

Which players would leave if Rafa goes?

Do Tom and Georgie have any idea what they are playing with?

Q: Is there anyone that can do half the job the Benetez does? ---

A: Many but they all have jobs right now and i would not like to see them at our club

Q: If he is sacked will G and H feel the wrath of the scousers?-------

A: In trurh, the Liverpool fans will get over it very soon

Q: What is the wrath of the scousers? ------------

A: Say they will never go to another game again, burn anything American.

Q: Will you stop going to games, buying shirts and supporting the club?------------

A: yes for 2 weeks, they start to buy the shirts they burnt

Q: What will you do?-------

A: nothing

Q: If someone working for you is insubordinate and makes you look foolish in public yet does a bang up job, do you sack him?------

A: Yes sack him

Q: How on earth would we rebuild if Rafa goes?--------

A: we will not need to, we are bigger than one man

Q: Which players would leave if Rafa goes?--------

A: none

Q: Do Tom and Georgie have any idea what they are playing with?----------

A: oh yes and they know how to play hard ball very well

Hello Lakes... what's up fella.. think Benitez ain't doin a good job ay? think he's not right to say I want more players.,like Fergie did aka Tevez? think these Yanks are good for us ay? If Benitez leaves.. so will many of the players.. Gerrard too.

Don't underestimate the impact of such a disasterous move. Benitez is world class, respected and wanted by many - don't forget that fella

and if he's forced to go - who will wanna come and manage under such circumstances?

Unbeaten in the league and playing well ready to reach 2nd - getting rid of the cra.p and rebuilding takes 3/4 seasons, don't forget that fella - Rafa's magic but he ain't no Merlin, these things take time and we must realise that u can't arrest 17 yrs of decline so quickly.. do me a favour ask Shanks, if I'm right or wrong.. he'll convince ya :;):

by **lakes10** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:27 pm

zarababe wrote:
lakes10 wrote:
bedlovedays wrote:A few questions.

Is there anyone that can do half the job the Benetez does?

If he is sacked will G and H feel the wrath of the scousers?

What is the wrath of the scousers?

Will you stop going to games, buying shirts and supporting the club?

What will you do?

If someone working for you is insubordinate and makes you look foolish in public yet does a bang up job, do you sack him?

How on earth would we rebuild if Rafa goes?

Which players would leave if Rafa goes?

Do Tom and Georgie have any idea what they are playing with?

Q: Is there anyone that can do half the job the Benetez does? ---

A: Many but they all have jobs right now and i would not like to see them at our club

Q: If he is sacked will G and H feel the wrath of the scousers?-------

A: In trurh, the Liverpool fans will get over it very soon

Q: What is the wrath of the scousers? ------------

A: Say they will never go to another game again, burn anything American.

Q: Will you stop going to games, buying shirts and supporting the club?------------

A: yes for 2 weeks, they start to buy the shirts they burnt

Q: What will you do?-------

A: nothing

Q: If someone working for you is insubordinate and makes you look foolish in public yet does a bang up job, do you sack him?------

A: Yes sack him

Q: How on earth would we rebuild if Rafa goes?--------

A: we will not need to, we are bigger than one man

Q: Which players would leave if Rafa goes?--------

A: none

Q: Do Tom and Georgie have any idea what they are playing with?----------

A: oh yes and they know how to play hard ball very well

Hello Lakes... what's up fella.. think Benitez ain't doin a good job ay? think he's not right to say I want more players.,like Fergie did aka Tevez? think these Yanks are good for us ay? If Benitez leaves.. so will many of the players.. Gerrard too.

Don't underestimate the impact of such a disasterous move. Benitez is world class, respected and wanted by many - don't forget that fella and if he's forced to go - who will wanna come and manage under such circumstances?

Unbeaten in the league and playing well ready to reach 2nd - getting rid of the cra.p and rebuilding takes 3/4 seasons, don't forget that fella - Rafa's magic but he ain't no Merlin, these things take time and we must realise that u can't arrest 17 yrs of decline so quickly.. do me a favour ask Shanks, if I'm right or wrong.. he'll convince ya

lol, love your post.

by **JamCar05** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:28 pm

zarababe wrote:rebuilding takes 3/4 seasons

Spot on Zara, this for me is an extremely relevant thing, which the haters (if I may call them so

) tend to forget. Football is all about continuity and stability, which both the mancs and arsenal have proven. If - God forbid - a new manager should come in, he would want to do things his way, and that will take time to implement. Please, let's not ruin this great thing that Rafa has built up, which will in my honest opinion end up with a championship within the next couple of seasons, if not this one al ready. YNWA.

by **Reg** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:02 pm

LFC2007 wrote:
Reg wrote:
LFC2007 wrote:
Reg wrote:.

, and is by far the most sensible course of action.

Good reply 2007 and I need some time to respond, it´s 7pm here and got to get off home, feed the kids, walk the dog before I can sit down and articulate some thoughts, but in brief there will be no `immediate´ impact on the clubs ability to service debt, but Rafa being sacked to protect the integrity of the ownership structure would unquestionably haemorage the recent progress, question our ability to land a CL spot for next season and therefore affect cashflow, tv coverage, sponsership value and lessen what is nausiously refered to as `customer delight´. Thats you and me.

Slurp a coupla cold ones and I´ll be back..... :talktothehand

by **Yankee17** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:52 pm

I just finished watching the latest press video that was linked at the top of the page. I just have to say that our manager is SHEER CLASS. He handles himself well, he handles the press well, and he stands behind the supporters and the club.
In four years, I can only think of a few times that he has said or done things in public that could be considered questionable at best. And the majority of those times, his statements have not been personal, they have been for the BETTERMENT of the club. If this forum has this much discussion over two 'controversial' press conferences by RB, just wait until they apoint the 'MOANING ONE' as manager. Again, Benitez is class, and I would not want Mourinho to represent LFC.

I do not blame RB one bit for his public showing of irritation. I think that it has largely been blown out of proportion, and I think the responses by G & H made Rafa's comments seem more incendiary than what they truly were.

Some here are openly against RB, blaming him, accusing him, and degrading him for his actions and managerial capability. I find that ridiculous and unimaginable. He has brought us a very long way from when he took over, and to want him fired now smacks of stupidity and impatience by the owners and the supporters who agree with them.

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