bigmick wrote:I would say if I was guessing, that on this forum anyway (and I'm sure it wouldn't be representative of the match going crowd as the vast majority on here don't go) that there is around a 50/50 split of those who think Rafa is doing good stuff for the long-term and should stay, and those who think it's time for a change at the end of the season. Just to cloud the waters even further, some of us think he is doing good stuff for the long term but still think it might be right at the end of the season to consider a change.
That said, I reckon if you asked just about any sensible observer to look at our current situation, our manager is being put in a position on a week to week basis which is absolutely impossible to work in.
Lets look at it. We were expected to go a lot closer in the league than we have, and we are out of the title race. For whatever reason, the players and the team have performed below expectations. What would the manager normally do?
1. He'd go out and buy some players in January. It's pretty much as obvious as the nose on your face that we need a striker. Annelka has gone to Chelsea, Berbatov is likely going to go to man Utd, and we aren't in for anybody. This nonsesne about Rafa saying we are happy with the players we've got, or "we've got enough players" is sheer diplomacy on his part IMHO. I don't believe the owners are backing him in the transfer market. It might be because they don't rate him, or it might be because they're skint, but whatever, they aren't backing him as of right now. I know we've bought a centre-half but that will probably be as a result of a long term committment IMHO.
2. He'd turn around and say, "these players are playing for a place in the squad next season. If things don't improve, heads will roll". Why doesn't he do that? well obviously because the players will no doubt think if anyone's head is going to roll, it won't be theirs it'll be the managers. How can he possibly be expected to motivate players if they're of the opinion that they are just marking time until the new bloke comes in?
3. He'd drop half the first team and bring some of the reserve players in. Once again not really an option as he would be accused (by me no doubt) of over-rotation, and I am convinced it is this issue which has galvanised the owners disrespect for him.
So the manager is in a corner, backed in with nowhere to go it seems to me. He has seemingly no kitty to bolster the squad. He is undermined at every turn in the press with story after story about Capello, Klinnsman etc going undenied by anyone at the club. The players, now that any hopes of the title have gone appear to have given up the ghost and lost belief, while his motivational powers are significantly diminished by the uncertainty surrounding his position. He essentially has to get players who were all fired up for a title challenge, to get all fired up for a fourth place challenge which isn't easy.
I have criticised him many times, but think the club ought really to clear up some issues outstanding. At the very least he deserves backing for the remainder of the season, but he certainly doesn't deserve the way it's been handled at the moment.
well said you have a knack of putting my thoughts into words