Rafa - "I suppose I might have to play Aquilani a bit more now he can run"

[Buddha]

Rafael Benitez today predicted Alberto Aquilani will have a major role to play as Liverpool chase fourth place over the remaining seven games of the season.


VIDEO: Aquilani's first LFC goal>>
The Italian international has seen his debut season on Merseyside interrupted by injuries and spells of illness, but Benitez insists the glimpses of quality he has provided during his time on the field - including a well drilled first goal against Portsmouth last week - are a pointer towards what Aquilani will provide as he continues his adaptation to the English game.

The 25-year-old impressed as a late substitute at Old Trafford on Sunday after recovering from the stomach bug which ruled him out of the Europa League clash with Lille.

"It was a shame he was sick because he had been good for the performance (against Portsmouth)," said Benitez. "You can see he wants to improve and it is important for us to have another player pushing.

"We need players with quality to help us improve until the end of the season. Alberto has got desire and he is working very hard. When we have him available, he can give us a different approach on the pitch in different games.

"Physically you could see he coped with a lot of running last time and it was much better.

"It is a question of time. It is disappointing that he was ill and missed out against Lille but we are hopeful he will continue to improve and play more games before the end of the season."

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Fuck off Benitez.

 

[vantage]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076111#msg1076111 date=1269470484]
Fuck off Benitez.
[/quote]

Reminded me of this for some reason.
General Melchett: There is, however, one small problem.
CaptainYerbouti: That everyone always gets slaughtered in the first ten seconds?
General Melchett: That's right. And Field Marshall Haig is worried that this may be depressing the men a tadge. So, he's looking to find a way to cheer them up.
Captain Yerbouti: Well, his resignation and suicide would seem the obvious suggestion.
General Melchett: Interesting thought. Make a note of it, Darling.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Quite.

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

But how is he ever going to get match fit if he doesn't............... forget it. I no longer care.

 

[franklyfrank]

[quote author=Loch Ness Monster link=topic=39485.msg1076121#msg1076121 date=1269472631]
But how is he ever going to get match fit if he doesn't............... forget it. I no longer care.
[/quote]

I say just play him every minute of every game from now until the end of the season to fuck.

 

[Peatcheo]

He should be starting every game - FACT.

 

[vantage]

[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=39485.msg1076126#msg1076126 date=1269473156]
He should be starting every game - FACT.
[/quote]

He isn't fit enough to do that. He needs to play more.

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

For £20 million, he should be driving the minibus, putting the nets up, sweeping the changing room, bringing half-time orange squash, and getting the first round in after the game.
Was it only 8 months ago he signed for us? Oh where does the time go, all those magical performances.

*shakes head*

 

[Peatcheo]

[quote author=vantage link=topic=39485.msg1076129#msg1076129 date=1269473287]
[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=39485.msg1076126#msg1076126 date=1269473156]
He should be starting every game - FACT.
[/quote]

He isn't fit enough to do that. He needs to play more.
[/quote]

Is a vicious cycle!

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=39485.msg1076135#msg1076135 date=1269473503]
Is a vicious circle!
[/quote]

Edited for you.

 

[Peatcheo]

[quote author=Loch Ness Monster link=topic=39485.msg1076137#msg1076137 date=1269473576]
[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=39485.msg1076135#msg1076135 date=1269473503]
Is a vicious circle!
[/quote]

Edited for you.

[/quote]

Guffaw.

 

[spider-Neil]

he should certainly pay every home game, I'd also play him every away game as well but no way is rafa going to do that

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39485.msg1076188#msg1076188 date=1269498032]
he should certainly pay every home game, I'd also play him every away game as well but no way is rafa going to do that
[/quote]

i know, it's scandalous that i should have to pay to watch it when he gets PAID to sit and watch from the side

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=39485.msg1076211#msg1076211 date=1269506025]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39485.msg1076188#msg1076188 date=1269498032]
he should certainly pay every home game, I'd also play him every away game as well but no way is rafa going to do that
[/quote]

i know, it's scandalous that i should have to pay to watch it when he gets PAID to sit and watch from the side
[/quote]

😛

 

[Squiggles]

He should play every game because we've got nothing to lose. At all.

 

[Bernowatson]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=39485.msg1076409#msg1076409 date=1269530501]
He should play every game because we've got nothing to lose. At all.
[/quote]

We've got nothing to lose............. This is the kind of forward thinking that is outlawed over at Melwood!..... I say play Lucas, we definately wont lose then....

🙂

 

[Terrier]

[quote author=Loch Ness Monster link=topic=39485.msg1076132#msg1076132 date=1269473390]
For £20 million, he should be driving the minibus, putting the nets up, sweeping the changing room, bringing half-time orange squash, and getting the first round in after the game.
Was it only 8 months ago he signed for us? Oh where does the time go, all those magical performances.

*shakes head*
[/quote]

haha

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076111#msg1076111 date=1269470484]
Fuck off Benitez.
[/quote]

What's he said in that piece that you don't agree with mate?

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39485.msg1076656#msg1076656 date=1269558975]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076111#msg1076111 date=1269470484]
Fuck off Benitez.
[/quote]

What's he said in that piece that you don't agree with mate?
[/quote]

[quote author=Benitez link=topic=39485.msg1076109#msg1076109 date=1269470271]
"When we have him available, he can give us a different approach on the pitch in different games."
[/quote]

He's been 'available' for quite a while now. Unfortunately the only 'different approach in different games' Benitez is going to use him in is expected drubbings of bottom of the league teams at Anfield.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076659#msg1076659 date=1269559349]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39485.msg1076656#msg1076656 date=1269558975]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076111#msg1076111 date=1269470484]
Fuck off Benitez.
[/quote]

What's he said in that piece that you don't agree with mate?
[/quote]

[quote author=Benitez link=topic=39485.msg1076109#msg1076109 date=1269470271]
"When we have him available, he can give us a different approach on the pitch in different games."
[/quote]

He's been 'available' for quite a while now. Unfortunately the only 'different approach in different games' Benitez is going to use him in is expected drubbings of bottom of the league teams at Anfield.
[/quote]

I think you're looking for something to complain about in there mate. He's been unavailable for the last few games really, and was so for the most of the first half of the season.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39485.msg1076661#msg1076661 date=1269559695]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076659#msg1076659 date=1269559349]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39485.msg1076656#msg1076656 date=1269558975]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076111#msg1076111 date=1269470484]
Fuck off Benitez.
[/quote]

What's he said in that piece that you don't agree with mate?
[/quote]

[quote author=Benitez link=topic=39485.msg1076109#msg1076109 date=1269470271]
"When we have him available, he can give us a different approach on the pitch in different games."
[/quote]

He's been 'available' for quite a while now. Unfortunately the only 'different approach in different games' Benitez is going to use him in is expected drubbings of bottom of the league teams at Anfield.
[/quote]

I think you're looking for something to complain about in there mate. He's been unavailable for the last few games really, and was so for the most of the first half of the season.
[/quote]

Do you reckon he'd have started with him at Old Trafford if he was 100% fit?

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076662#msg1076662 date=1269559766]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39485.msg1076661#msg1076661 date=1269559695]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076659#msg1076659 date=1269559349]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39485.msg1076656#msg1076656 date=1269558975]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39485.msg1076111#msg1076111 date=1269470484]
Fuck off Benitez.
[/quote]

What's he said in that piece that you don't agree with mate?
[/quote]

[quote author=Benitez link=topic=39485.msg1076109#msg1076109 date=1269470271]
"When we have him available, he can give us a different approach on the pitch in different games."
[/quote]

He's been 'available' for quite a while now. Unfortunately the only 'different approach in different games' Benitez is going to use him in is expected drubbings of bottom of the league teams at Anfield.
[/quote]

I think you're looking for something to complain about in there mate. He's been unavailable for the last few games really, and was so for the most of the first half of the season.
[/quote]

Do you reckon he'd have started with him at Old Trafford if he was 100% fit?
[/quote]

No.

I wasn't the only one either mate.

 

[kingjulian]

I can't help but wonder on how Rafa decides to give some players more time.

On one hand, have a look at Lucas and Peter Crouch. They both had a very horribly shitty sequence of 20 games or so when they came on. Every one from the media to the fans were calling for them to be dropped from the team. But he decided they needed more first team games to improve and they did improve (from utterly shit to a reasonable option in Crouch's case and a passable squadie in Lucas's case)

On the other hand, have a look at Babel, Keane, Aquilani, Cisse. They all had much better starts than Lucas and Peter Crouch. In the case of Keane and Aquilani, they had also proved elsewhere that they can play. Even the media and the fans were off the opinion that they needed more game time, but Rafa chose to stifle them off playing minutes.

I don't know, it could be just me, but I see a pattern here. The need to prove the press and pundits wrong at any cost. For a man who has pretty much fallen out of favor with the media and most of the mangers in the premier league, and even his own right hand man Paco, the need to prove everyone wrong often comes at a very high cost.....his job! He should have just gotten on with getting the best out of what he has got. Rafa is actually a pretty good manager when he just does that. He has been woeful at signing new players or developing players from the academy and bedding them in, but he has clearly proved in his time here that he manges to get as much as it is possible out of the players he has got.

But he has to go, any change from him now is going to be too little too late....and he does not seem like someone who can change.

His last sequence of signings shows he has thrown away nearly 80 million pounds without actually improving on anything.

Dossena
Riera
Aquilani
Keane
Glen Johnson
The big greek

That is 80 million worth of proof on how bad he has been the last two seasons in the transfer market. We were never in a position to be that wasteful. If you ask me, measures should have been taken to stop the rot after Keane was bought and sold.

He has to go, and i would actually look no further than King Kenny for his replacement.

1. He has been there and done it. Off all the candidates under consideration, i find his record most relevant. Roy Hodgson came back and proved that he still is a very good manager. Our King can do it too.
2. He is someone the press would love (from a return of the prodigal son angle). Right now the hatred towards everything Liverpool and mainly Rafa Benitez is palpable. I can't take it anymore. How do you enjoy something that has so much negative vibe surrounding it?
3. He has been working with our academy and youth development and he will be the man to provide us continuity.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Excellent post and welcome to the board.

I'm not sure about the media (outside of Merseyside) being ultra welcoming to Kenny. I think a lot would be waiting for him to fail because that in itself would be a story.

Good discussion of Rafa's issues though and I agree.

 

[SummerOnions]

I suppose the issue with Kenny is that i don't want his king status tainted.

If he's shit people will remember him for that, not waht he did 20 years ago.

 

[kingjulian]

Thank you Dark Star starwars man..

The King will always be the King. Fowler's pitiful second spell didn't take anything away from his God status, did it? Besides i don't think the king will fail. He is a strong and well respected man. He has got the brains to succeed if given some backing.

 

[Avmenon]

I think evenDalglish himself had ruled it out; the game has changed quite a bit in the 15- odd years since he's managed.

 

[spider-Neil]

good read kingjulian but I think the answer to the question you posed is pretty striaght forwards,

in the case of crouch and lucas but served/serve a function in rafa's set up. crouch was the point man and even though he wasn't scoring his allowed the people around him (especially gerrard) to fill their boot and in the case of lucas rafa wants two holding midfielders who protection the defense and form a barrier behind the attackers to snuff out counter attacks.

in the case of babel I think the reason he wasn't given more games is because rafa doesn't trust his ability to retain possession and feels he doesn't fullful enough of his defensive chores. in the case of keane it really was a case of his fae didn't fit especially with the ridiculously prolific combo of gerrard and torres and finally in the case of aqua I think it as a case of him being injuried, whiched turned to handling with kid gloves, which turned into being too far into the business end of the season to trust someone who (may) not be a defensively solid as the current CM picked.

except for the case of keane (who I've never rated) and we actually become MORE prolific when he left I disagree with the aqua and babel exclusions. in the case of babel I think someone that raw needs games, warts and all, if he fucks up after a run of sequences then at least you know he doesn't fit instead you are giving games to someone who is doing little more than 'adding balance' you are going with the 'safe' choice rather than going with someone who with the right guidence could become one of your game winners. in the case of aqua you would be going with someone who would help you WIN games as apposed to someone who will help you not LOSE games (doesn't seem to be working out does it?) sure it leaves you more open but at the same time you as a team become more of an attacking threat and not so easy to shut out because you are so static and predictable.

that's way rafa has done what he has done.

 

[vantage]

[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=39485.msg1076978#msg1076978 date=1269659798]
I think evenDalglish himself had ruled it out; the game has changed quite a bit in the 15- odd years since he's managed.
[/quote]

Yes, fortunately The King has more sense than to:

a) Believe that he could just step back into management again, he can't and his reputation would be forever tarnished
b) Work for the fools that currently own the club

It seems that some very loyal fans have realised that there are no serious candidates for replace Rafa in the firing line so want a legend to take over.

Won't ever happen.