zzzzzzzzzzzzz........
saf took over in november, i think, so the league position of
man u is immaterial at that point in time because it is (only) in
the 3rd month of the season. what about man u's league position in
the prior season? it finished #6 despite being a mid-table team a
few years before that. so, man u is hardly a hull city team at that
time if that is what you are trying to imply.
granted rafa took over a stronger team. but didn't he delivered
the european cup and fa cup in his initial tenure? he came close
last year, so if you look at rafa's managerial acumen not only
amongst liverpool managers and also with the rest of the epl team,
he is ranked right up there with the best.
arguably, saf took a longer time to gel and get the team's
balance right.
and you are skirting the issue.....it is exactly today's
impatient mindset that alot of the investors and fans have that is
sidelining the efforts of the club. if rebuilding take 3 or 10
years, so be it. and obviously money has taken a significant
influence on how the game plays out today. but to take it all out
at rafa is hardly fair given the limitations and constraints he has
to deal with.
what i am trying to tell rooney9 is his comment is not a valid
one. you don't just look at the timeline to justify sacking
someone. there are a lot more variables involved, so if rafa needs
to go, it has to be for the right reasons.
November is immaterial ? Maybe someone told Newcastle about this
last season too... And did anyone expected them to go down?
Honestly, NO! Then what happen? The unexpected. To brush it away as
immaterial is a rather silly comment. Just look what
happen to Spurs, had they persist with Ramos they might have joint
Newcastle in the Championship for this season cos
there was no telling what could happen to the club. They were
at the foot of the table and one game after another nothing
changed. They had only 2 points from 8 games... They were still at
the foot of the table until Harry came and turn them around to what
they are today... Starting from mid-season is probably more
difficult than from the start... cos you have lesser time to work
with the players.
Anyway, since you said Man United were a mid-table club during
the mid 80s, which is very true, then all the more Fergie did
wonders with a mid-table club taking them all the way to the title
within 6.5 yrs... Something Rafa won't be able to now even with a
top 4 club.
And you are correct too on Rafa taking over a stronger
team... Perhaps one might wonder was it his team that won the CL in
his first year. Or was it the previous manager's ? or even
Gerrard who made it possible? Cos year after year, they seems to be
getting worst from his first year...
Is it really arguable at all that Rafa is taking a longer
time to gel and get the team's balance right than Fergie? What are
you basing it on, some cup matches? It's winning the league title
the only valid point of prove that they got the team's balance
right... Cos the league is the only prove of consistency over a
long season... Have Rafa done this yet? No.
There is no need to skirt any issue... Football indeed has
changed over the years that's a fact... Even the game rules itself.
There is more money to be gain and loss from it now than 20 odd
years ago. Missing out on the top 4 place could mean a smaller
budget for next season's operation. And in turn, towards a mid
table club...
And to be very frank, those people who believed there has
been limitations and constraints placed on Rafa... Probably
read too much of his comments and belief it to be true... But in
reality, Rafa has just covered his shortcomings by claiming
limitations and constraints...
