trowie

I have been more and more convinced that Raffas job was under threat before his ouitburst.I wonder if funding is still tight due to this situation and with another manager funds would be released. I can't see it happening on arrival of a new man, but if G&H want the manager to focus on coaching then are they not asking that man to prove himself as a coach first and foremost before giving carte blanche on transfers. If a new man can get this squad believing in themselves (or even Raffafor that matter) then I'm sure the trust in spending big will come. Everything coming from Hicks mouth is saying that to me and I would be worried if they were financing to the hilt to buy players to finish 4th or less in the season

I'm in knee jerk mode but if I'm sensible I agree with all you are saying.But I do feel he needs to stop moaning about money and quality and get motivating. The squad may not be the best in the world but it's certainly ten times better than the Istanbul squad. Start using his skills in getting this squad to over achieve and he may get the extra cash he needs for the players he really wants

I can't disagree with that either.But Everton have a much lesser squad than us with a lesser budget, but are playing above their capabilities. How do they manage that with a lesser squad than ours. Raffa is a great tactician, no doubt , but where is the motivational qualities, the Shankly psychology of making players believe in themselves. Hicks was spot on when even he observed that we played with a belief in our inferiority.

I too find it difficult to disagree with you, although I would love too.Perhaps a bit too brutal, but I lost it with Raffa in the Reading game. I'm not the kind of personn who throws the towel in. Fight till the end even if it's to the detriment of the following game. I don't mind going out of competitiions as long as we have given it our all. I don't think we have in the league this season as far as home games are concerned and that is what I spend a large chunk of my cash on due to my location these days. Talking of home games I have come to the conclusion we are too easy going, with an arrogance that we should be able to win without even bothering to krank it up when necessary. Necessary should be in the first half hour rather than the last 10 minutes.

So did Aldo Case and quite a few others, oh wouldn't it be nice to ave em back

But don't you think that he might buy himself time on the off chance that hillette may be gone before him or at the least he goes with an English title under his belt The man is a strategist. He knows what's in play at the moment and knew things had changed. His outburst a month ago was not impetuous but calculated for what ends I'm not certain. But one it got the fans behind him at a time they were wobbling and two has brought the whole situation into the public domain.

One thing that constantly pops up into my conspiracy obsessed mind is Raffas falling out with Pako, allegedly for being too familiar with JM. At the time Raffa said he knew things that he would keep to himself until the time was right.Given that both of these guys are on somewhat a sort of gardening leave, (Pako can't take a job any where and Jose can't take a job in this country till the end of the season).....well my head just goes into overdrive. JM and Pako as the new driving force next season... OMG

JM should attend the conference on heritage and conservation.After all his last club had no history

There is no truth in the story that the credit problems in the states has caused an embargo on Raffa improving the squad.... The plans for improving the playing stadff have unfortunately been downgraded er modified but we will still be looking at a squad that is better than the original one we planned but are tweaking and modifying the squad we planned last summer. But we can assure fans we will have a squad they can be proud of at the start of the 2011 season.

Always found when a manager says repeatedly he wants to stay at the club, it's because hes had wind that the owners want him out, and he's safegaurding his payoff. How many times did we hear Mourinho saying exactly that until they agreed it wasn't working and he settled for a bumper pay off. I hope it's not true, but nothing shocks me anymore in football, not even when Bill quit.

That the apparent change in transfer undertakings was a clear signal that they no longer have confidence which will inevitably lead to his departure

Dont think for one minute that this is how I think, but if I was Tom Hicks and my manger had just asked me to spend £2om on one player and he was used sparingly, even to the annoyance of a lot of sensible fans and pundits who knew a bit more about it than me, I would sure as hell curtail his powers or go as far as to sack him at the most damage limiting way I could. Then again I'd have hauled him in and asked for reasons for his actions first unless I was hell bent on sacking him anyway. I'm sure that's the scenario that Raffa has seen coming, from the sudden change in club strategy.

No offence was meant regarding your post, and was not trying to outwit you or anything else mate. Need to lighten up a bit though. Tried to pm you but not allowed

He's got the best scouts in the world working for him. No point in having dogs and barking yerself

Well Kaizer I could possibly be your grandfather, but being pleased that a member of our squad is not available regardless of you views of his competence, is the mindset of a complete moron. Whatever his contribution in your view, it's one player's contribution to availability to the cause that will be missing. I am completely astounded and saddened to the responses to our players and manager this week and am seriously considering not frequenting the boards.

As skips go it's nice

You'll find that forwards often went behind the goal line in order to not interfere with play in the old rules of offside, and it was accepted

Interesting that England were zonal marking against corners the other night and not one commentator noticed or mentioned it

fatten them up!

I remember someone describing it as a submarine pre photos. Couldn't see it in the first pics but that side elevation illustrates what they were saying.

With the general improvement in Stadia, I can see the quarter finals becoming a neutral venue game in future years. Emirates OT New Anfield and one more...... Goodison....no something impressive like Swanseas new stadium

Think you would see that walking up the plazza

Man U's total f*** up of this situation, in giving a letter to his agent without stipulations and faxing us his availability and then rejecting our offer, has give me the biggest source of amusement ever. I wait eager with my toast to wipe the egg of the red nosed t***

And as much as I am impressed with JP's contribution, the lack of confidence in finishing still worries me. Should have had two today