Malcolm X

Where I have tried to paper over the cracks? We could have won 1-0 had Yossi not had the rush of blood.

No we were 1-0 up despite playing sh*t. Until Yossi conveniently intervened. Thanks Yossi, you did f*ck all the whole game and then brilliantly give away a penalty.

Even I can't come up with anything positive after today. Sorry mate but that was awful, f*cking awful.

Yossi lost us the match. Give away a stupid f*cking penalty right at the death and then missed an absolute sitter to level it at 2-2.

If that was pen when the guy was f*cking walking away from the goal, why the f*ck was Gerrard's not given against Arsenal?

How many games has Walcott started for Arsenal? If Rafa played Walcott as little as Wenger has, Rafa would get slaughtered for spending, scrap that, WASTING 10 million on a player who he does not play much when he would have been better off spending that on a back up striker, left back etc.

You make very good points but good fast wide players cost money which Rafa did not have in the past and still does not have. He has been linked with plenty of wide players with skill and pace but has been priced out of them Simoa and Alves being two examples that spring to mind. He also wanted to sign Walcott but didn't have the cash. He signed Gonzalez but unfortunately that didn't work out. Babel is another player he had marked for the left wing spot but unfortunately for Rafa apart from having pace, Babel has f*ck all else about him. You can fault Rafa for signing him in the first place.

Berger never stayed wide. He didn't have the discipline but by jove when he cut inside, he did with devastating effect. I still can't forget his pass for Owen's winner against the Ars* in the FA Cup.

Ant and Kev, it wasn't aimed at anyone else. I remember Kev actually went to the point of saying that Rafa was lucky to win the CL and the FA Cup.

Have you not been reading this forum, Rafa won the CL because he had a good squad at his disposal. Winning no 5 had nothing to do with Rafa's ability as a manager.

It is interesting that none of the 'Rafa Out' posters have made any comments on this.

He had enough confidence in him to put him in the starting line up at Villa Park.

And that plan backfired spectacularly because Aurelio was nowhere to be seen.

On what f*cking planet. He's been awful. He started brightly but he can't hold his own sh*t let alone the ball.

My Team would be: Cavalieri Carragher Ayala Agger Aurelio Lucas Aquilani Pacheco Gerrard Babel/Dossena Ngog Subs: Gulasci, Torres, Skrtel, Benayoun, Dossena, Spearing, Eccleston

To be honest you didn't do yourself any favours with the Cheyrou comparisons. I agree that the game seemed to pass him by but I am willing to give him the benefit and say it was down to lack of fitness and the fact he is getting used to the pace of the game.

Almost as good as being linked with Didier Baptiste.

I thought I'd resurrect this thread. Just where do you think he stands amongs all the goal keepers that have played in English League? In my opinion the top 5 best ever keeper's to play in the English League are as follows: Banks Schmeichel Reina Clemence Shilton I may be accused of bias but I think Reina definitely deserves the number 3 spot. In a few years he could be the best ever to play on these shores. Just for amusement have a look at this gem from Phil MC*ntly's team of the decade: "GOALKEEPER: Shay Given (Newcastle United, Manchester City and the Republic of Ireland) Given was a model of consistency for Newcastle United and has continued this at Eastlands. He remains as good as ever for club and country, at 33. There has been plenty of debate about signings made by Mark Hughes, but no-one questions Given. Well worth his place in this team, just edging out Brad Friedel and Petr Cech."

I know, I am more confident of the Spurs game than I was before these two. Treat it as another cup final and we should be back in it.

The thing is people were not going to forget it as witnessed by two pages of discussing my post. I think I was mentioned more times in those two pages than I have been ever since I joined this forum. PS: I am still waiting for DH to apologise for calling me a pr*ck.

I accept I was out of order and I apologise.

From the BBC website: "2041: Apologies - I may have neglected to tell you about a potential Liverpool penalty as it was pretty much at the same time as Bolton's opening goal. Dirk Kuyt nicked the ball past Richard Dunne in the Villa box and the defender cleaned him out. Stonewall spot-kick." Just our f*cking luck, the ref was looking elsewhere.

Agreed. We've played well. I think Rafa should make a tactical change. Push Aquilani further up and push Gerrard in midfield.