The incredible Xabi Alonso thread 2009.

[Squiggles]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

'No point in keeping an unhappy player'

Xabi, by this report, has been unhappy all year, and has delivered one of his best seasons in a red shirt.

Also Villa kept hold of Barry despite him wanting to move on.

 

[rebel23]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=MaschedUp link=topic=33578.msg873428#msg873428 date=1243124152]
[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=33578.msg873423#msg873423 date=1243123609]
i'm not having that, we were the only team to go there and beat them this season they weren't shambolic (they took the lead) and Lucas played his part in CM

we beat the champions of the world 4-1, their heaviest defeat of the season without this player who is so central in Alonso?!

as for selling a number of players, maybe he doesn't want to or they wont raise enough.
[/quote]

Yes, the Mancs did take the lead, but their defence was attrocious that day. They were very lucky against Inter the game before and we absolutely punished them for their howlers.

The game that summed it up Xabi's importance for me was the Preston game when Xabi went off. We lost complete shape and control of the game.

Lucas is simply not good enough. There is no getting around this.
[/quote]

well Benitez believes he is and that's all that counts

 

[Y1]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

An unhappy player can play out of his skin to prove a point, eg CR of the mancs. Fair do to Xabi for us.

For Barry, we would not meet their inflated valuation, so MON got his man to stay..

 

[Avmenon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg873395#msg873395 date=1243122062]
True Y1, but for the most part Fergie's had good reason to sell any of the players he has for disciplinary reasons, fights, books etc. But if Rafa wants to sell Alsono because he missed the Inter game to see his son being born, then the word Ross used for him is pretty apt.
[/quote]

You're right that it's only about money; but the reason thats the case is because its Xabi who wants to go this time.

I don't think Rafa's that ridiculous to think that replacing him with Barry is an improvement.

Rafa's to blame for him wanting to leave, but its too late now to think of that.

And Rebel, you're talking shite.

 

[Avmenon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Still hoping its a bullshit story tho 🙁

 

[Fallon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=33578.msg873438#msg873438 date=1243128176]
Still hoping its a bullshit story tho 🙁
[/quote]

Although it ties in with what has been said by a few people, I wouldn't believe a word that Bascombe or that shig rag says.

 

[jan]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=33578.msg873402#msg873402 date=1243122319]
it makes me wonder how on earth we won 4-1 at old trafford with Lucas in CM the way people go on about Alonso

he's a good player, great passer but you can get away without him I reckon and still win

the mancs play fletcher in midfield.


[/quote]

Your footbal knowledge equals zero. I don't even need to explain that as a large number of your posts suggests that you either a) are joking and trolling, b) have never watched a football game, c) somehow do not understand football at all or d) are Ralph Wiggum.

 

[Hansern]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

If the reports are true, that Rafa wants to play 4-3-3 aswell. Just as the Mans and Chelski. Getting Barry in is a great move. Barry-Mascherano-Gerrard. With Gerrard in an attacking role a la Lampard.

With a potential Tevez signing aswell, we could line up with Tevez-Torres-Kuyt upfront.

We'd have the option of playing 442 and 4231 aswell.
Why all this talk about Lucas? He'll be a sub next year, if he's here.

As for Xabi, if he's unhappy, let him leave. No player is bigger than the club. I would like to keep him, but thats not easy with a unhappy player.

 

[Buddha]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=33578.msg873431#msg873431 date=1243124895]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=33578.msg873429#msg873429 date=1243124441]
[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=33578.msg873426#msg873426 date=1243123915]
no, the point is midfielders (in my opinion) are overstated having watched the mancs win titles with combinations of O'Shea/Fletcher/Carrick/Giggs/Anderson i'm pretty sure you can get away with someone decent and hard working as long as there is quality elsewhere
[/quote]

I didn't realise Giggs was a central midfielder. Or are you talking about midfielders as a whole in which case you've forgotten the best of the all, Ronaldo. Or was that a mistake and you meant Scholes instead of Giggs?
[/quote]

he has played in CM this season with Fletcher i believe.

[/quote]

Correct, on a few occasions.

 

[Buddha]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=33578.msg873454#msg873454 date=1243148254]
If the reports are true, that Rafa wants to play 4-3-3 aswell. Just as the Mans and Chelski. Getting Barry in is a great move. Barry-Mascherano-Gerrard. With Gerrard in an attacking role a la Lampard.

With a potential Tevez signing aswell, we could line up with Tevez-Torres-Kuyt upfront.

We'd have the option of playing 442 and 4231 aswell.
Why all this talk about Lucas? He'll be a sub next year, if he's here.

As for Xabi, if he's unhappy, let him leave. No player is bigger than the club. I would like to keep him, but thats not easy with a unhappy player.
[/quote]

^^^^^^^^^
What he said.

 

[doctor_mac]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=33578.msg873413#msg873413 date=1243122957]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg873412#msg873412 date=1243122888]
I don't get the fuck Benitez shouts here at all.


If Xabi wants to go, then that's fair enough.
[/quote]

maybe 'cos people think alonso wants to go due to the way benitez has treated him?
[/quote]

Football is a game where there isn't too much room for sentiment by managers.

The majority of posters on this site believed that selling Alonso wouldn't be a bad idea, despite the fact that he was a popular player. I know it's easy to paint Rafa as a cold and ruthless schemer, forcing the valiant and uber-red Alonso out the door for the temerity of wanting to be at the birth of his child, but the fact is that Alonso had just went through a couple of pretty flat seasons, and it was an area the manager wanted to improve. Of course, he, and everyone who thought it was time for Alonso to move on have egg on their faces after the season he's had, but it doesn't mean that the decision to find a buyer for Alonso last season is a good reason to call the coach a cunt, or for 'fuck Benitez' to become a mantra. The way Rafa 'treated' Alonso, was down to the fact that he wants to improve the squad. I'm sure he'd like to keep him now, but hey ho.

If Alonso wants to move then he goes with the affection of all reds, and let's hope he helps fund a cracking signing.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Looks like Xabi's off then.

I can live with that as long as we get in Barry and at least 2 quality attacking signings.

 

[drizzt]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

That'll be SG back into CM then I reckon.

 

[Sven]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Don't believe everything you read from trash papers. A bit of media criticism doesn't do any harm.

 

[the_khl]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

I don't think Xabi will leave just yet.

I'll keep my fingers firmly crossed that my gut-feeling is spot on.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg873457#msg873457 date=1243149105]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=33578.msg873413#msg873413 date=1243122957]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg873412#msg873412 date=1243122888]
I don't get the fuck Benitez shouts here at all.


If Xabi wants to go, then that's fair enough.
[/quote]

maybe 'cos people think alonso wants to go due to the way benitez has treated him?
[/quote]

but it doesn't mean that the decision to find a buyer for Alonso last season is a good reason to call the coach a cunt, or for 'fuck Benitez' to become a mantra. The way Rafa 'treated' Alonso, was down to the fact that he wants to improve the squad. [/quote]

You're right Doc, but some of our fans don't need much of an excuse, in order for there true feelings on this subject to spill out.

"If" he does go, then we need to wait and see where the money is spent, before coming to any conclusions about wether selling Xabi is a good thing or not.

 

[Rosco]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg873441#msg873441 date=1243130521]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=33578.msg873438#msg873438 date=1243128176]
Still hoping its a bullshit story tho 🙁
[/quote]

Although it ties in with what has been said by a few people, I wouldn't believe a word that Bascombe or that shig rag says.
[/quote]

There's always one.

 

[Rosco]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=33578.msg873454#msg873454 date=1243148254]
If the reports are true, that Rafa wants to play 4-3-3 aswell. Just as the Mans and Chelski. Getting Barry in is a great move. Barry-Mascherano-Gerrard. With Gerrard in an attacking role a la Lampard.

With a potential Tevez signing aswell, we could line up with Tevez-Torres-Kuyt upfront.

We'd have the option of playing 442 and 4231 aswell.
Why all this talk about Lucas? He'll be a sub next year, if he's here.

As for Xabi, if he's unhappy, let him leave. No player is bigger than the club. I would like to keep him, but thats not easy with a unhappy player.
[/quote]

What if it's not just Xabi that's unhappy ?

Should we let every player that's been pissed off by Benitez leave ?

 

[FoxForceFive]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg873481#msg873481 date=1243154657]
What if it's not just Xabi that's unhappy ?

Should we let every player that's been pissed off by Benitez leave ?
[/quote]

At least a few of the kids would get a game. And possibly a few of the fans too.

 

[Biggus Dickus]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg873481#msg873481 date=1243154657]
[quote author=Hansern link=topic=33578.msg873454#msg873454 date=1243148254]
If the reports are true, that Rafa wants to play 4-3-3 aswell. Just as the Mans and Chelski. Getting Barry in is a great move. Barry-Mascherano-Gerrard. With Gerrard in an attacking role a la Lampard.

With a potential Tevez signing aswell, we could line up with Tevez-Torres-Kuyt upfront.

We'd have the option of playing 442 and 4231 aswell.
Why all this talk about Lucas? He'll be a sub next year, if he's here.

As for Xabi, if he's unhappy, let him leave. No player is bigger than the club. I would like to keep him, but thats not easy with a unhappy player.
[/quote]

What if it's not just Xabi that's unhappy ?

Should we let every player that's been pissed off by Benitez leave ?
[/quote]

If they don't want to be here they should tell Rafa or hand in a transfer request.

 

[spider-Neil]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

rafa has said he doesn't want to sell xabi, what more does xabi want? so xabi is going to hand in a transfer request because rafa 'tried' to sell him last season? be honest with yourself xabi for two seasons before this one you were (putting it kindly) average.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg873457#msg873457 date=1243149105]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=33578.msg873413#msg873413 date=1243122957]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg873412#msg873412 date=1243122888]
I don't get the fuck Benitez shouts here at all.


If Xabi wants to go, then that's fair enough.
[/quote]

maybe 'cos people think alonso wants to go due to the way benitez has treated him?
[/quote]

Football is a game where there isn't too much room for sentiment by managers.

The majority of posters on this site believed that selling Alonso wouldn't be a bad idea, despite the fact that he was a popular player. I know it's easy to paint Rafa as a cold and ruthless schemer, forcing the valiant and uber-red Alonso out the door for the temerity of wanting to be at the birth of his child, but the fact is that Alonso had just went through a couple of pretty flat seasons, and it was an area the manager wanted to improve. Of course, he, and everyone who thought it was time for Alonso to move on have egg on their faces after the season he's had, but it doesn't mean that the decision to find a buyer for Alonso last season is a good reason to call the coach a cunt, or for 'fuck Benitez' to become a mantra. The way Rafa 'treated' Alonso, was down to the fact that he wants to improve the squad. I'm sure he'd like to keep him now, but hey ho.

If Alonso wants to move then he goes with the affection of all reds, and let's hope he helps fund a cracking signing.
[/quote]

Summed up well by the Doc.
As everyone probably knows I am not one of Rafa's biggest fans, but the damage was done 12 months ago that was obvious. Rafa like everyone else(nearly) has had a change of heart after the season Xabi has had,aaand after the season Xabi has had who can blame him for going on his own terms, the jilted becomes the jilter, that is fair enough.

Although I still suspect Rafa has some crocodile tears in his eyes over the situation.

regards

 

[FoxForceFive]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Biggus Dickus link=topic=33578.msg873491#msg873491 date=1243155389]
If they don't want to be here they should tell Rafa or hand in a transfer request.
[/quote]

There's a major difference between not getting on with your boss & wanting to change employer. I've not got on with many a manager of mine & not wanted to leave the job.

 

[TheBunnyman]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

There's a lot of shite being spouted in this thread. So far all we have to go on is a quote from a 'friend'. I'll wait till Xabi himself or his agent says he wants to leave before I start slitting my wrists or blaming Rafa.

I really really don't want Xabi to go, but I find it hard to believe or accept that he 'hasn't been enjoying his football' this season. He's played brilliantly, the team have challenged for the league, won at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, and destroyed Real Madrid in the CL. And all the time, Xabi was meant to be hating it because the manager is too cold and inconsiderate? I don't buy it. If he went to Real Madrid, he probably wouldn't even know who the manager was - and he'd have a different boss a year later anyway.

I've no doubt Ross and Sheik and others will tell me they've got an unimpeachable source at the club saying that Rafa is a total cunt and most of the players hate his guts, but I just don't believe it. Players want to play matches and win trophies; getting on with their boss is not top of their list of priorities.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=33578.msg873498#msg873498 date=1243156549]

I've no doubt Ross and Sheik and others will tell me they've got an unimpeachable source at the club saying that Rafa is a total cunt and most of the players hate his guts, but I just don't believe it. Players want to play matches and win trophies; getting on with their boss is not top of their list of priorities.

[/quote]

So they could still hate his guts Bunny?

;D

 

[rage]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=33578.msg873358#msg873358 date=1243120480]
Rafa can position himself however he wants. Everyone concerned know he's responsible for this, and he'll be held directly accountable if this trade-off doesn't work out.

Xabi Alonso has been our second best player in a year where we nearly took the title.

In what will be a defining year, many have commented that we needed 'the perfect summer'; selling one of our best players doesn't feature in that.

I'm genuinely gutted.
[/quote]

spot on - huge gamble by rafa here

 

[spider-Neil]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

pesonally I think xabi has been 'the' best player of the season, not second best and I will vote to the effect come the official poll on .tv.

 

[vantage]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=33578.msg873498#msg873498 date=1243156549]
There's a lot of shite being spouted in this thread. So far all we have to go on is a quote from a 'friend'. I'll wait till Xabi himself or his agent says he wants to leave before I start slitting my wrists or blaming Rafa.

I really really don't want Xabi to go, but I find it hard to believe or accept that he 'hasn't been enjoying his football' this season. He's played brilliantly, the team have challenged for the league, won at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, and destroyed Real Madrid in the CL. And all the time, Xabi was meant to be hating it because the manager is too cold and inconsiderate? I don't buy it. If he went to Real Madrid, he probably wouldn't even know who the manager was - and he'd have a different boss a year later anyway.

I've no doubt Ross and Sheik and others will tell me they've got an unimpeachable source at the club saying that Rafa is a total cunt and most of the players hate his guts, but I just don't believe it. Players want to play matches and win trophies; getting on with their boss is not top of their list of priorities.

[/quote]
Mashed up also says that Bascombes source is Parry. Soon to be ex-CEO of the club. I'm taking this with a pinch of salt.

 

[Fallon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg873477#msg873477 date=1243154548]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg873441#msg873441 date=1243130521]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=33578.msg873438#msg873438 date=1243128176]
Still hoping its a bullshit story tho 🙁
[/quote]

Although it ties in with what has been said by a few people, I wouldn't believe a word that Bascombe or that shig rag says.
[/quote]

There's always one.
[/quote]

Sod off Rosco. The mods have been right before and the mods have been wrong before, they don't sway my opinion on this subject one way or the other, and Bascombe certainly doesn't as all he cares about nowadays in sensationalist headlines.

 

[rage]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

bascombe called keane last year and most people laughed at it.