How close are we to being 100% of what Rafa wants?

[Philby]

The quote below is from Nov 2005. Just how much have we progressed since then? Our squad has certainly improved quite a bit since then & we now have far more world-class (or near world-class) players. In terms of the league we've still yet to mount a challenge for the title but in terms of points gained we have improved quite a bit.

 

If I were to give us an arbitrary number I'd say we are 80-85% of what Rafa wants us to be...

 

  Quote

"We are still far away from what I want it to be," says Benitez.. "In my first season we did very well in the Champions League but we needed to improve in the Premiership.

 

"We are now in the last 16 of the Champions League after a good performance and we are now doing much better in the Premier-ship. The team is more solid, consistent and we are keeping more clean sheets and scoring more goals.

 

"We are better than last season and closer to my idea but as a manager you can never be satisfied. Last season we were 60% of what I wanted and this season we are maybe at 70%.

 

"We can still improve in all areas. We talk about how well the defence is playing but it can do better, why not? And in attack, we are doing better but we can still score more goals.

 

"Having said that, I am happy with how the team is playing. We are more consistent. But I am a perfectionist and while it is impossible, we must try and find the perfect team."

[Hightown Phil]

We never will be.

 

He's a perfectionist.

 

We'll never be quite perfect.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

A good way off I would say.

 

He has an excellent keeper and a solid pick for center halves along with a class defensive midfielder in Mascherano.

 

An inform Alonso would be ideal alongside Mascherano whilst Gerrard and Torres cement the strenght through the middle that would be further enhanced if Keane turned it on.

 

Conspicuously I have not mentioned the wide areas and I think that is where Rafa has recently tried to address. Lets give Riera and Dossena time to settle in, you really cant definitively judge either yet whilst Babel has looked impressive so far lets see him take it on.

 

Overall, we have some spine but weak threats from out wide. I think Arbeloa has really tried to make up for Kuyt's lack of incisiveness out wide but I hope it doesnt leave our right exposed against better teams.

[Rimbeux]

Still a way off imo. We have to not only challenge for the league, but win it and again and again whilst at the same time at least matching our CL level under him so far. It is not likely we'll get there because it needs a drift in attitude as well as more players of full class especially on the flanks

[Ronnie Whelan]

We are certainly more what he wants when compared to 2005. If we were at 70% in 05, we have since added Torres, Keane, Mascherano, Riera, Skrtel and a host of good underage lads. Sure, he would prefer to have one or two more but IMO we are not that far off.

 

However, having the players is only the beginning of creating a title winning side. Better players already come with belief which is vital in having a title challenge. We have the squad IMO we need the belief.

[Stevie H]

we need to clone jocelyn angloma.

[Phil M (ET Crew)]

82.53%

[Guest Ant]

We are a way off IMO we are at 65%.

 

But it's an impossible job as Rafa is a perfectionist

[Mr Makaveli]

  Phil M (ET Crew) said:

82.53%

 

I wouldnt quite go that high, he was planning on gerrards goal at stoke being allowed so I would say 82.528%.

[Ronnie Whelan]

  Ant said:

We are a way off IMO we are at 65%.

 

But it's an impossible job as Rafa is a perfectionist

 

 

So you think we have gone backwards since 2005?

[Flasher]

We're very close. 90% I reckon.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

With everyone at top form I'd say the team would be 90% of what Rafa's ideal is.

 

At present I'd say we are at 75%-80% with some players not quite playing up to their level.

[Flasher]

  Rory Fitzgerald said:

With everyone at top form I'd say the team would be 90% of what Rafa's ideal is.

 

At present I'd say we are at 75%-80% with some players not quite playing up to their level.

 

And still keeping clean sheets and getting results. Good innit.

 

In contrast, I think Chelsea are peaking too early, again. Honeymoon with Phil will wear off at some point.

Edited September 30, 2008 by Flasher

[Stevie H]

think he'd probably like two better fullbacks and a better right midfielder, so that's 8 out of 11 = 72.72% there.

[johngibo YPC]

I actually think Rafa has changed his mind on what he wants from the team since then, and may well do again, so its difficult to say really

The squad is better though

[Mike]

he's so mauve

[Molby]

lol at this thread - the way people are plucking percentages out of the air

 

can I play? 76.5%

 

he wants top class wide players that carry a goal threat btw - full backs, wing backs or wingers

[Hassony]

87.9%

Edited September 30, 2008 by Hassony

[Rory Fitzgerald]

  Stevie H said:

think he'd probably like two better fullbacks and a better right midfielder, so that's 8 out of 11 = 72.72% there.

 

But you're assuming a full back is as important as a 33 goal a season sensation.

 

We need a definitive model to show how much each position contributes.

 

We need to have a stats duel between players also.

 

I will say we are at Forfty % of what Rafa wants

[Spike]

122% now we've shipped voronin on loan

[Mad_Fer_It]

i heard from a very good source that Rafa is finally "happy" (satisfied maybe?) with the squad he has.

Of course he always wants to improve the squad as any manager does...

[Guest spk]

  Flasher said:

And still keeping clean sheets and getting results. Good innit.

 

In contrast, I think Chelsea are peaking too early, again. Honeymoon with Phil will wear off at some point.

 

cant really see the argument there. they lost the champs league because of drogbas rediculous behaviour and they could have won the prem on the last day of the season. theyve deco and carvalho out injured for a a couple of weeks though essien is out of action til early next year. this time last year they had f*** all players about because of the african cup and injury. this year they should be f***ing strong.

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=b_6RbP3CNUg

[Archangel]

Still weak on the left flank despite Riera, back four do still have their 'blonde' moments and I'll feel happier when the Torres/Keane partnership starts to click because sooner or later its going to start eating away at the player

 

I'm not expecting anything especially with the general state of finances but I'd be fascinated to see what happens in the january transfer window. I dont think Benitez has got it completely as he wants purely speculation, no real insight. Possibly another strike partner for]Torres and a left back. A lot depends on movements the other way and there are several possibilities there with alonso and the usual suspects, I'm not sure even Kuyt wouldn't be sacrificed if the opportunity arose

[Maldini]

I think it's consistency more than anything else, our greatest problem is still that we lack mental strength rather than us lacking ability.