Rafa's transfer record good or bad ? - I want lfc to win the league don't you ?
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:18 pmIve been a supporter of rafa from the start but this season ive wavered and now believe its time for rafa to go. its my opinion and everyone entitled to their own opinion. I can no longer look through red coloured glasses. Yes we had a decent win against spurs in the last outing but we cant always be looking to win the race for fourth and a CL spot. That would be wonderful if we were the like of villa, hull, everton, etc etc but we are not we are LFC with a strong and proud history of being among the big clubs of europe and it all starts at home in the League the once bread and butter of the club which we havnt seen for 2 decades. I like many are sick of being also rans in the League and the only way we are going to win the our next title is through quality player purchases and not doing what rafa keeps on doing year after year making the same mistakes when it comes to player management.
I read this article below and have decided to post it....... the "yes" and "no" comments after each player are the journalist thoughts of wether the player was successful for LFC or not.
http://www.sportingpreview.com/columns/317314.php
THE WILLIE GANNON COLUMN - RAFA'S TRANSFER RECORD. GOOD OR BAD?
Rafael Benitez is under the kind of pressure that no Liverpool manager before him has ever had to endure. Presiding over the club's worst run in decades, Rafa has had to brave abuse from a growing number of fans, Tweet's from players, and questioning from ex-players.
His detractors point to his "poor judgement" in the transfer market, negative tactics, atrocious man management skills, and a growing sense that the dressing room is turning against him.
While his many "Rafaelites" portray a man who has has his hands tied as far as the transfer market is concerned, a tactical genius who his players worship, and the only man capable of bringing the glory years back to the club.
It is now twenty years since Liverpool last won the league title. The empire built by Alex Ferguson has all but eclipsed the old world order.
In a bid to move the club back onto a level playing field with the immense finances enjoyed by the red half of Manchester, ex-chairman David Moores agreed to sell the club to American's Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Under the duo Benitez's future has always been questioned. Not long after taking over they approached Jurgen Klinsmann for the manager's job. This in turn led to a massive break down in communications and the club basically splitting into two factions.
In short, Rafa has had to operate under severe duress. But he has also shown himself to be an adept politician too, brokering a five year deal during this time. With the board split into equal factions making each other impotent, Benitez became the king maker, and received his demands.
However, this season, which started with such optimism, has now all but faded to a mere shadow.
The expected title challenge is gone, as is the lucrative Champions League, minor distractions like the FA Cup and League Cup's ended before they even began and Liverpool find themselves battling with four other teams for that last vital Champions League position. And being entered in a meaningless cup competition that will provide more distraction than is needed but may yet provide the club's only glimmer of silverware this year.
Rafa was able to point to an injury crisis of biblical proportions as his title challenge faded by October, while critics said many of the players were mere squad players.
Either way, the club who once were a Who's Who of football became a Who's That? as Rafa picked some fringe reserve players who obviously were not good enough.
And as it stands many now feel that the team who challenged for the league last season, finishing second, are now a very average side when without their star duo of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
It all comes back to Benitez's dealings in the transfer market. He is the man who had to re-build the mess that was careering out of control under Gerard Houillier, and over the past six years he has had ample time.
Is this current squad good enough to win the league? Evidence would suggest no. Does it only require tweeking or does the club need a massive face lift? Your answer would suggest which side of the fence you sit regarding Benitez.
When all is said and done, Rafa has brought some incredible players to the club.
The Spanish trio of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, and Pepe Reina are all supreme talents, Yossi Benayoun has grown immensely as a players since he came in in 2007 and Gerrard was re-invented as a player under Rafa.
There is no doubting that he has done much right.
On the other hand, he has been accused of not knowing what he is doing in the transfer market. By bringing in 72 players, many feel he is buying quantity over quality. Although only 49 of those 72 players would be recognised as being of first team or reserve quality.
One rumour now surfacing is that Rafa has placed much faith in the Prozone statistic system, and that his 49 signings may have been influenced statistics over scouting.
This could go some way to explaining why the Spaniard has moved on so many of his purchased players. Only 24 of 49 players signed remain at the club, and that includes four players who joined this season.
Here is a list of all the major players bought and sold by Benitez during his six year reign.
PLAYERS IN FEE OUT FEE SUCCESS
Josemi 2004 £2.0m 2005 swap No
Luis Garcia 2004 £6.0m 2007 £4.0m Yes
Xabi Alonso 2004 £10.5m 2009 £30.5m Yes
Antonio Nunez 2004 swap 2005 undisclosed No
Mauricio Pellegrino 2004 free 2005 free No
Fer. Morientes 2004 £6.3m 2006 £3.0m No
Scott Carson 2004 £0.7m 2008 £3.2m No but...
Markus Babbel 2004 free
Danny Murphy 2004 £2.5m
Michael Owen 2004 £8.0m
Chris Butler 2004 free
Stephane Henchoz 2004 free
Wlad. Smicer 2004 free
El Hadji Diouf 2004 undisclosed
Patrice Bernardi 2004 free
Alou Diarra 2004 free
Igor Biscan 2004 free
Pepe Reina 2005 £6.0m Yes
Mark Gonzalez 2005 £4.5m 2007 £4.2m No
Bou. Zenden 2005 free 2007 free No
Antonio Barragan 2005 undisclosed 2006 £0.6m No
M. Sissoko 2005 £5.6m 2008 £8.2m No
Peter Crouch 2005 £7.0m 2008 £9.0m No
Godwin Antwi 2005 undisclosed 2009 free No
Jack Hobbs 2005 £0.7m 2009 undisclosed No but...
Paul Anderson 2006 swap 2009 £0.2m
Jan Kromkamp 2006 swap 2006 undisclosed No
David Martin 2006 undisclosed
Daniel Agger 2006 £5.8m
Robbie Fowler 2006 free 2007 free Yes
Craig Bellamy 2006 £6.5m 2007 £7.5m No
Gabriel Pauletta 2006 £2.0m 2007 swap No
John Otsombor 2005 free
Gregory Vignal 2005 free
Richie Partridge 2005 undisclosed
Milan Baros 2005 £6.5m
Paul Harrison 2005 free
Mark Smyth 2005 free
John Welsh 2006 swap
Conal Platt 2006 free
Zak Whitbred 2006 free
Bruno Cheyrou 2006 free
Calum Woods 2006 free
Paul Willis 2006 free
Fabio Aurelio 2006 free No
Jermaine Pennant 2006 £6.7m 2009 free No
Dirk Kuyt 2006 £9.0m Yes
Nabil El Zhar 2006 undisclosed
Alvaro Arbeloa 2006 £2.6m 2009 £3.5m No
Fran. Duran 2006 undisclosed 2007 free No
Javier Mascherano 2006 £18.6m Yes
Andrei Voronin 2006 free No
Krisztian Nemeth 2006 undisclosed
Charles Itandtje 2006 free Yes
Fernando Torres 2006 £26.5m Yes
David Raven 2006 free
Ramon Calliste 2006 free
Dietmar Hamann 2006 £0.4m
Carl Medjani 2006 undisclosed
Robbie Foy 2006 free
Djimi Traore 2006 £2.0m
Neil Mellor 2006 undisclosed
Chris Kirkland 2006 undisclosed
David Mannix 2007 free
Darren Potter 2007 free
Stephen Warnock 2007 £1.5m
Salif Diao 2007 free
Flor. Pongolle 2007 £2.7m
Danny O'Donnell 2007 £0.1m
Djibril Cisse 2007 £6.0m
Yossi Benayoun 2007 £5.0m Yes
Ryan Babel 2007 £11.5m No
Emilio Insua 2007 swap Yes
Damien Plessis 2007 undisclosed*
Martin Skrtel 2007 £6.0m Yes
Jerzy Dudek 2007 free
Lee Peltier 2008 free
Craig Lindfield 2008 free
Besian Idrizaj 2008 free
Miki Roque 2008 free
Ray Putterill 2008 free
James Smith 2008 free
SJ Dominguez 2008 free
Philip Degen 2008 free No
Andrea Dossena 2008 £7.0m No
Robbie Keane 2008 £19m 2009 £12m No
Diego Cavalieri 2008 £3.5m
David Ngog 2008 £1.5m
Vitor Flora 2008 free 2009 free No
Albert Riera 2008 £8.0m No
Anthony La Tallec 2008 free
Harry Kewell 2008 free
Danny Guthrie 2008 £2.5m
John Arne Riise 2008 £4.0m
Steve Finnan 2008 free
Glen Johnson 2009 £18m
Alberto Aquilani 2009 £20m
Sot. Kyriakos 2009 £2m No
Sebastian Leto 2009 £1.3m
As Azdarivic 2009 free
Sami Hypia 2009 free
Sh. O'Connor 2009 free
Adam Hamill 2009 free
Maxi Rodriguez 2010 £1.5m
As mentioned before, there have been some spectacular successes, but there have also been some disastrous signings. Ryan Babel, Robbie Keane, Andei Voronin, and Alberto Aquilani come to mind.
It may be harsh to include the £20m Italian in this list as he was injured when Benitez signed him, but as far as this season is concerned he has been an un-mitigated disaster.
I read this article below and have decided to post it....... the "yes" and "no" comments after each player are the journalist thoughts of wether the player was successful for LFC or not.
http://www.sportingpreview.com/columns/317314.php
THE WILLIE GANNON COLUMN - RAFA'S TRANSFER RECORD. GOOD OR BAD?
Rafael Benitez is under the kind of pressure that no Liverpool manager before him has ever had to endure. Presiding over the club's worst run in decades, Rafa has had to brave abuse from a growing number of fans, Tweet's from players, and questioning from ex-players.
His detractors point to his "poor judgement" in the transfer market, negative tactics, atrocious man management skills, and a growing sense that the dressing room is turning against him.
While his many "Rafaelites" portray a man who has has his hands tied as far as the transfer market is concerned, a tactical genius who his players worship, and the only man capable of bringing the glory years back to the club.
It is now twenty years since Liverpool last won the league title. The empire built by Alex Ferguson has all but eclipsed the old world order.
In a bid to move the club back onto a level playing field with the immense finances enjoyed by the red half of Manchester, ex-chairman David Moores agreed to sell the club to American's Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Under the duo Benitez's future has always been questioned. Not long after taking over they approached Jurgen Klinsmann for the manager's job. This in turn led to a massive break down in communications and the club basically splitting into two factions.
In short, Rafa has had to operate under severe duress. But he has also shown himself to be an adept politician too, brokering a five year deal during this time. With the board split into equal factions making each other impotent, Benitez became the king maker, and received his demands.
However, this season, which started with such optimism, has now all but faded to a mere shadow.
The expected title challenge is gone, as is the lucrative Champions League, minor distractions like the FA Cup and League Cup's ended before they even began and Liverpool find themselves battling with four other teams for that last vital Champions League position. And being entered in a meaningless cup competition that will provide more distraction than is needed but may yet provide the club's only glimmer of silverware this year.
Rafa was able to point to an injury crisis of biblical proportions as his title challenge faded by October, while critics said many of the players were mere squad players.
Either way, the club who once were a Who's Who of football became a Who's That? as Rafa picked some fringe reserve players who obviously were not good enough.
And as it stands many now feel that the team who challenged for the league last season, finishing second, are now a very average side when without their star duo of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
It all comes back to Benitez's dealings in the transfer market. He is the man who had to re-build the mess that was careering out of control under Gerard Houillier, and over the past six years he has had ample time.
Is this current squad good enough to win the league? Evidence would suggest no. Does it only require tweeking or does the club need a massive face lift? Your answer would suggest which side of the fence you sit regarding Benitez.
When all is said and done, Rafa has brought some incredible players to the club.
The Spanish trio of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, and Pepe Reina are all supreme talents, Yossi Benayoun has grown immensely as a players since he came in in 2007 and Gerrard was re-invented as a player under Rafa.
There is no doubting that he has done much right.
On the other hand, he has been accused of not knowing what he is doing in the transfer market. By bringing in 72 players, many feel he is buying quantity over quality. Although only 49 of those 72 players would be recognised as being of first team or reserve quality.
One rumour now surfacing is that Rafa has placed much faith in the Prozone statistic system, and that his 49 signings may have been influenced statistics over scouting.
This could go some way to explaining why the Spaniard has moved on so many of his purchased players. Only 24 of 49 players signed remain at the club, and that includes four players who joined this season.
Here is a list of all the major players bought and sold by Benitez during his six year reign.
PLAYERS IN FEE OUT FEE SUCCESS
Josemi 2004 £2.0m 2005 swap No
Luis Garcia 2004 £6.0m 2007 £4.0m Yes
Xabi Alonso 2004 £10.5m 2009 £30.5m Yes
Antonio Nunez 2004 swap 2005 undisclosed No
Mauricio Pellegrino 2004 free 2005 free No
Fer. Morientes 2004 £6.3m 2006 £3.0m No
Scott Carson 2004 £0.7m 2008 £3.2m No but...
Markus Babbel 2004 free
Danny Murphy 2004 £2.5m
Michael Owen 2004 £8.0m
Chris Butler 2004 free
Stephane Henchoz 2004 free
Wlad. Smicer 2004 free
El Hadji Diouf 2004 undisclosed
Patrice Bernardi 2004 free
Alou Diarra 2004 free
Igor Biscan 2004 free
Pepe Reina 2005 £6.0m Yes
Mark Gonzalez 2005 £4.5m 2007 £4.2m No
Bou. Zenden 2005 free 2007 free No
Antonio Barragan 2005 undisclosed 2006 £0.6m No
M. Sissoko 2005 £5.6m 2008 £8.2m No
Peter Crouch 2005 £7.0m 2008 £9.0m No
Godwin Antwi 2005 undisclosed 2009 free No
Jack Hobbs 2005 £0.7m 2009 undisclosed No but...
Paul Anderson 2006 swap 2009 £0.2m
Jan Kromkamp 2006 swap 2006 undisclosed No
David Martin 2006 undisclosed
Daniel Agger 2006 £5.8m
Robbie Fowler 2006 free 2007 free Yes
Craig Bellamy 2006 £6.5m 2007 £7.5m No
Gabriel Pauletta 2006 £2.0m 2007 swap No
John Otsombor 2005 free
Gregory Vignal 2005 free
Richie Partridge 2005 undisclosed
Milan Baros 2005 £6.5m
Paul Harrison 2005 free
Mark Smyth 2005 free
John Welsh 2006 swap
Conal Platt 2006 free
Zak Whitbred 2006 free
Bruno Cheyrou 2006 free
Calum Woods 2006 free
Paul Willis 2006 free
Fabio Aurelio 2006 free No
Jermaine Pennant 2006 £6.7m 2009 free No
Dirk Kuyt 2006 £9.0m Yes
Nabil El Zhar 2006 undisclosed
Alvaro Arbeloa 2006 £2.6m 2009 £3.5m No
Fran. Duran 2006 undisclosed 2007 free No
Javier Mascherano 2006 £18.6m Yes
Andrei Voronin 2006 free No
Krisztian Nemeth 2006 undisclosed
Charles Itandtje 2006 free Yes
Fernando Torres 2006 £26.5m Yes
David Raven 2006 free
Ramon Calliste 2006 free
Dietmar Hamann 2006 £0.4m
Carl Medjani 2006 undisclosed
Robbie Foy 2006 free
Djimi Traore 2006 £2.0m
Neil Mellor 2006 undisclosed
Chris Kirkland 2006 undisclosed
David Mannix 2007 free
Darren Potter 2007 free
Stephen Warnock 2007 £1.5m
Salif Diao 2007 free
Flor. Pongolle 2007 £2.7m
Danny O'Donnell 2007 £0.1m
Djibril Cisse 2007 £6.0m
Yossi Benayoun 2007 £5.0m Yes
Ryan Babel 2007 £11.5m No
Emilio Insua 2007 swap Yes
Damien Plessis 2007 undisclosed*
Martin Skrtel 2007 £6.0m Yes
Jerzy Dudek 2007 free
Lee Peltier 2008 free
Craig Lindfield 2008 free
Besian Idrizaj 2008 free
Miki Roque 2008 free
Ray Putterill 2008 free
James Smith 2008 free
SJ Dominguez 2008 free
Philip Degen 2008 free No
Andrea Dossena 2008 £7.0m No
Robbie Keane 2008 £19m 2009 £12m No
Diego Cavalieri 2008 £3.5m
David Ngog 2008 £1.5m
Vitor Flora 2008 free 2009 free No
Albert Riera 2008 £8.0m No
Anthony La Tallec 2008 free
Harry Kewell 2008 free
Danny Guthrie 2008 £2.5m
John Arne Riise 2008 £4.0m
Steve Finnan 2008 free
Glen Johnson 2009 £18m
Alberto Aquilani 2009 £20m
Sot. Kyriakos 2009 £2m No
Sebastian Leto 2009 £1.3m
As Azdarivic 2009 free
Sami Hypia 2009 free
Sh. O'Connor 2009 free
Adam Hamill 2009 free
Maxi Rodriguez 2010 £1.5m
As mentioned before, there have been some spectacular successes, but there have also been some disastrous signings. Ryan Babel, Robbie Keane, Andei Voronin, and Alberto Aquilani come to mind.
It may be harsh to include the £20m Italian in this list as he was injured when Benitez signed him, but as far as this season is concerned he has been an un-mitigated disaster.
playing for christ sake. I hope he doesnt read this ffs he's hardly played and being labelled a disaster. do me a 
I think thats somewhat of an overstatement however you look at it. He's coming back from a long time out and looks to be improving to me, I really think the lad will have you eating your words by the end of the season.