Can any other manager do a better job than Rafa Benitez?
IT was meant to be, I suppose. Our wonderful record against Chelsea in cup competitions had to have a blip or two at some point, but it's just a shame that it came in the semi-final.
You can point to a couple of managerial decisions if you want, but I'd rather just think that it was just Chelsea's turn.
They played well, and I was hugely impressed with Frank Lampard's performance. We played well later on in the game, but you could see the belief in Chelsea's players for the first time in all our massive meetings in this competition.
I'm not devastated, though.
Yes, I'd rather we won, but I have to agree with commentators who say that this team isn't ready yet to go a step further. It's a young team, with nascent talent, and this defeat will probably do more to develop the team than a victory.
Sounds daft, I know, but the lads will only get stronger from this. You have to experience the lows to properly appreciate the highs, and I can see how this will affect one or two of the younger lads in a positive way.
Of course, the papers are now writing their obituaries on Rafa's career at Anfield. They drag up stats claiming the Spaniard isn't the man to take us forward, but conveniently forget that the last two campaigns have seen us finish above Arsenal (supposedly the finest side in the country) in the League, score more goals than any other Champion's League team and pull back the points deficit against United and Chelsea.
Progress has been made and will continue to be made, but only with Rafa at the helm. Chelsea and
Arsenal have failed to beat us this year in the League, and in my opinion there's only one team who can genuinely say they are stronger than us. Pity it's our fiercest rivals, but there you go, that's footie for you.
For Rafa to leave would be a massive error on the club's part. The short- term strategists out there would get their way, and that attitude is killing the game. A manager has to have a good long time in his position to build the club up, with Ferguson and Moyes springing to mind as great examples of clubs sticking by their managers and reaping the rewards later on.
Of course, if Rafa goes there's no guarantee that the new incumbent would be any better, and he would have to start from square one again. The club would face the loss of key players, and we would find it difficult to build any kind of momentum towards a title challenge.
Rafa's critics have their grievances, and some are more than valid, but can they honestly say there is someone out there other than the current boss who will land number 19 for us?
Rafa has enjoyed great support from the fans this season, mostly due to the continuing shenanigans with ownership and administration, but the vast majority also recognise him as a great manager who will, sooner rather than later, capture the title for us.
The disappointment of Wednesday night's game has perhaps provoked more anti-Rafa feelings, but we should all take a breath and realise that in Rafa we have one of the world's great coaches and managers, and we should stick with him.
As to the winner in Moscow...?
My heart says the much maligned Avram Grant, but my head thinks Ferguson will do it.
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I don't think there is a manger who could have exceeded Rafa's achievements. This team is a work in progress and a lot of damage had been done over the past 15 years, mismanagement, poor investment in sub standard players, etc. With a bit more luck and two or three new players, we could see our beloved reds win No. 19 next year under the stewardship of the best manager we have had for 20 years - In RAFA we trust!!!
It is time for Rafa to go, i am tired of the unattractive football on offer. If we had a less cautious manager i believe, with the squad we have, we could outplay Chelsea instead of producing tactics based on stopping them from playing.
We have so much trouble keeping possession, Fulham pass the ball better than us.
So he wants to sign Gareth Barry? Do you honestly think we will be able to beat Man U and Chelsea playing Mascherano and Barry as holding midfielders?? Stopping the opposition from playing doesnt beat them.
Heaven forbid of Gerrard or Torres gets injured, unlike Man U and Chelsea, we have no one else to step up and score ( both had freakish seasons for avoiding injuries ).
Give me a manager that lets a team PLAY...