Dont normally post, bit of a lurker (hey I get into enough arguments at home, forums are my respite ) ... and Ive also only read until page 4 before posting so here are my thoughts... Rafa - love the guy, and really dont want him to go. However he f***ed up pimping Alonso round, which (Alonso by handing in a transfer request) forced the sale, which forced a replacement to be bought (Aqualad). I have no doubt Aqua will be boss for us, he does need playing time though. Having said that, the lack of funds he was allegedly promised 2009 and never materialised have backed him into a corner... its almost as he is being constructively dismissed... and by that I mean making the job so tough and budgets so tight he cant do anything better. Lets all be honest, Ngog is a decent backup, he is no f***ing Torres. Im sure if Rafa had the funds he was promised (instead of those snide yank c**** going back on their word - and I think Gillet is the driving c*** behind this, less though than Hicks (who is less of a c***, but still a c***) then we would have had a second top class striker. What to do now? I'd love Phil Thompson back as assistant manager. When Rafa came in, Thommo leaving was the only thing that put a downer on it (though Pako was boss!) as he has a genuine love for the club. Cant help thinking that if he was still here he'd have kicked Ryan t***tting Babel black and blue, and some of the other c**** too. Moving on with regards to players getting s*** from people... Lucas was an attacking midfilder (IIRC) when he was voted young player of the year in Brazil, now he's a defensive mid. I can see why Rafa is playing him there, but cant help thinking he's slightly out of position. If Rafa does go ... Mourinho for me, no contest. He was second favourite on betfair before Rafa (for my sins I backed Mourinho as thought he was most likely!).... the reason for this is that I think he is the best for us mentally (dont take the piss, Im a bit drunk writing this lol) as we dont have a bad squad, BUT we need confidence and belief and I think he has that in abundance and can push the arrogance he has onto our team. Anyway if rumour is to be believed he was a liverpool fan with a club crest on his mobile (hey, just writing what I read, and if it is b******s... please dont burst my bubble... its nice in in this bubble of mine )