I'm not sure if I'd even consider Alonso his biggest mistake; since he had been undeperforming in comparison with his own incredible high standards.
His mistake was in the manner in which it was done.
He whored him out to all of Europe,and the only reason he stayed was because Wenger didnt think he was worth the 16 odd million Rafa wanted (this was one reason why I bit my lip when some used to talk about how shrewd Rafa was to get 30 million a year later)
Let's take Kuyt at 9 million.
He's been a decent signing; but he was bought as a striker based on his good performances in Holland.
A lot on here were very concerned and wrung their hands at the thought that we were getting Kezman instead of RVN.
Thankfully he was neither.
He wasnt a good striker, so he got shunted to the right.
It's to his credit that he's done as best as he could ther..but it was never and will never be stellar because he's not a great striker and he's not a great RM.
Still love him though, he's done better than most of our team through practically graft and will.
We were slow up front, who does he get as an addtional striker?
Peter Crouch at 7 million.
But he was also a decent buy,even if the limitations that existed before he came were not solved.
How could they be?
I'm sure we can remember the days when our 2 strikers were Kuyt and Crouch. 😱
So he's sold for 12 million and Rafa is lauded for making profits.
Except, we're not Ajax.
Our subsequent lack of finshing and pace is remedied to an extent by Bellamy at 6 million and Fowler.
A great nostalgic hurrah or us, but in all honesty it was Bellamy's failure that rankled..admittedly much of that was Bellamy's fault...neveretheless, Rafa should have persisted with him IMO.
Robbie Keane at 19 million.
Never mind, I'm not going there since I've only got one bottle of wine and I'd need a lot more.
Thankfully Rafa got Torres, which was a GREAT signing..and I can remember when many were worried that he'd be rubbish here.
Right midfield.
It'sa travety hat our best RM isKuyt.
It's not all Rafa's doing of course since he wantedlves and got Pennant (something which is often mentioned).
But we still paid 7 million for rubbish, and should have kept Kuyt until a better player was affordable.
Since then we've tried a whole bunch of players,ranging from mediocre to crap.
Bennayoun was so-so, but even then I'm not sure what the hell he was.
Left Midfiel.
Gonzalez,Leto, Babel, Riera.
That's about 25 milion right there.
Babel wasnt even bought as an LM but was shunted there because he was a shit striker.
(yes, he wasnt utilised properly, not given proper chances blah bla)
Midfield.
MUCH MUCH better here.
Alonso, Mascherano.
Sheer quality.
(and yes, Garcia was quality to me too...don't know where the hell to put him though)
Sissoko was a good buy, and it wasnt Rafa's fault he playedbadlylater on.
But then there's Lucas, and Aquilani.
Left back.
Fuck me.
We had a very capable LB and replaced him with Dossena, and Insua (though thankfully Insua was buttons)
Aureli was a decent gamble, but wich backfired.
For Hodgson as well.
Rightback.
Good RB in Finnan, but Rafa semed to want him out from day one, preferring to place his faith in Josemi and then Kromkamp.
Rubbish and notsorubbish.
Arbeloa was a good buy,but we couldnt keep him..again, NOT wholly Rafa's fault.
Sohe fixes RB by bringing in Englands top RB at 18 million.
We're still rubbish at RM, LM, need a partner striker for Torres..but he gets Johnson.
hairpullingmoment.
Centrebacks.
Good job in Agger and Skrtel at about 10-11 million for the two.
(I'm still hopin they become our mainstay CB's in a few years)
In all honesty though, his only MASSIVE success has been Reina, where he took a risk on a good player at a very reasonable price, and it's proven fantastic.
His overall transfer record has been decent, but it could have been and should have been so much better...much like his managerial record.
I've probablly forgot some players though.
