Rafa's transfer decisions

[New York Red]

I'm a Rafa supporter. I need to reiterate that. I think he's absolutely brilliant.

 

But I have to question some of his transfer decisions. I'm a bit nervous at how Aquilani is going to turn out. Is this going to be just like how things have worked out with Degen? A player who gets paid a bucketload of money and does nothing for the club.

 

Though he is great when he is fit, Auerilio is interminably injured, and again, get paid loads. He's a luxury unfortunately (because when fit he is brilliant). But how much does he cost us for what he contributes? On that criteria, he's one of the highest paid in the club.

 

Voronin and Dossena are two different examples. Highly paid and clearly not worth the money be it through wages or transfer fees. What he saw in those two I just don't know.

 

I don't include Babel in this because at the time he was considered to be one of the top prospects in Europe. He just turned out to be sh*t.

 

Parry probably had a lot to do with these decisions so he has to share some of the blame, but so does Rafa. We've had our share of f*ck ups more than most. Degen, Itandje, Nunez, Josemi, Dossena, Voronin.

 

Here's my worry other than the potential failure of Aquilani. Purslow will be looking at all of these business/football decisions very closely. He'll ask what the process was for evaluation. He'll ask why we are relying on a crocked left back and so having three in the squad. He'll ask why we were relying on a fat, lazy striker when our top man is injured and we miss out on a Champions League place.

 

I'm rapidly convincing myself that this could be a bloody year for us.

[Knox_Harrington]

Context, gradual improvement in positions, no manager is perfect in the transfer market.

[MFletcher]

Dossena was top class for Udinese. Just because he hasn't hit the heights with us doesn't mean that he's dogs***.

 

Some people here shouldn't be allowed an opinion.

[johngibo YPC]

He'll ask why we were relying on a fat, lazy striker when our top man is injured and we miss out on a Champions League place.

 

I think if he asks Rafa that, Rafa will t*** him

[Red Lecter]

. I'm rapidly convincing myself that this could be a bloody year for us.

Bloody, how?

 

Purslow might enjoy getting into slanging matches with Rafa, but Rafa has a new contract and it's going to cost serious amounts of money to dislodge him. If Rafa goes, so do most of the assistants and backroom staff. Scouting ends up being overhauled by the new guy, the new personnel probably follow Rafa out the door since they were his appointments for the most part. And that's going o cost the club even more money.

Edited September 7, 2009 by Sanj77

[_00_deathscar]

And can people stop including Nunez as a 'f*** up'? What the hell were we supposed to do there - Real offered us 8m + Nunez.

 

He wasn't great, but he gave it his all and actually contributed positively.

[New York Red]

Context, gradual improvement in positions, no manager is perfect in the transfer market.

 

I agree. They've all had terrible f*ck ups. Djemba-Djemba, Jeffers, Boulharouz etc. They've all had them.

 

I worry that Purslow will take a hard look at some of these decisions that Rafa has made not in the context you describe.

[ChrisC]

One thing I do like about Rafa is he's pretty quick to get shot of the s**** players (Babel excluded obviously).

[New York Red]

Dossena was top class for Udinese. Just because he hasn't hit the heights with us doesn't mean that he's dogs***.

 

Some people here shouldn't be allowed an opinion.

 

Really? Who decides?

[MFletcher]

People with common sense, a trait you have failed to exhibit in your opening gambit to this thread.

 

How can anyone, with any seriousness, say 'what did he see in Dossena?' A quality attacking left back, endeavour, excellent attitude, determined to improve, Italian international, excellent season with Udinese.

 

No, he bought him on a whim - much like your obsession with signing Ezequiel Garay on the basis of a short YouTube compilation.

[New York Red]

Bloody, how?

 

Purslow might enjoy getting into slanging matches with Rafa, but Rafa has a new contract and it's going to cost serious amounts of money to dislodge him. If Rafa goes, so do most of the assistants and backroom staff. Scouting ends up being overhauled by the new guy, the new personnel probably follow Rafa out the door since they were his appointments for the most part. And that's going o cost the club even more money.

 

I'm not sure that this guy will give a sh*t about that. I could easily see him picking on this issue and starting to put the screws to Rafa.

[Knox_Harrington]

I'm not sure that this guy will give a sh*t about that. I could easily see him picking on this issue and starting to put the screws to Rafa.

If Purslow doesn't like Rafa he'll find some way to lash the needle out. And Rafa will find some way to reply. Don't worry about it.

[surf]

Jaysus NYR, i know you get a bit nervous occasionally, but this is poor even for you. How can you question Aquilani when you've never even seen him play?

[New York Red]

People with common sense, a trait you have failed to exhibit in your opening gambit to this thread.

 

How can anyone, with any seriousness, say 'what did he see in Dossena?' A quality attacking left back, endeavour, excellent attitude, determined to improve, Italian international, excellent season with Udinese.

 

No, he bought him on a whim - much like your obsession with signing Ezequiel Garay on the basis of a short YouTube compilation.

 

And your opinion of Dossena negates any of the other points?

 

On what do you base your opinion of Dossena? YouTube clips? How do you know how he did for Udinese. As for his excellent atitude, how do you account for him showing up overweight?

 

I really need to take the advice of a good friend of mine on this forum and to tell you to go and f*ck yourself. You have no interest in debate, but take great delight in being negetive.

[Marvin]

Rafa's " weaknesses" in the transfer market are largely a result of the financial constraints he has had to operate in - if you are reduced to having to pick up players on a free then you will end up with some players like Voronin unfortunately but overrall he has done wonders within those limitations. If Purslow doesn't understand that he can f*ck off.

[New York Red]

If Purslow doesn't like Rafa he'll find some way to lash the needle out. And Rafa will find some way to reply. Don't worry about it.

 

I can't help it Knox. I'm finding out more and more about Purslow and I'm not sure that I like what I'm hearing. He may be the guy to handle our finances for the next ten years, but that won't neccessarily result in us winning.

[Mike]

rafa has bought some great buys and some disasters. he's not alone there though. other than wenger i don't think there are many managers who get all their big purchases right.

[richwilks]

Dossena has struggled to adapt to the role he was given. The player himself was being raved about as the best left back in Italy when we signed him. It didn't work out, just like enldess transfers don't.

 

Who thought Veron would be terrible when the Mancs paid £28m for him, but by the same token Van Nistlerooy proved inspirational.

 

There seems to be a common opinion that Torres was world class when we bought him. He wasn't, he is an example of how transfer can go well.

[Marvin]

I can't help it Knox. I'm finding out more and more about Purslow and I'm not sure that I like what I'm hearing. He may be the guy to handle our finances for the next ten years, but that won't neccessarily result in us winning.

 

Isn't Purslow a short term appointment?

[New York Red]

Jaysus NYR, i know you get a bit nervous occasionally, but this is poor even for you. How can you question Aquilani when you've never even seen him play?

 

From what I hear and read (I've never seen him play), he is an absolutely superb player. That's not the issue. The issue is him being injured and what we'll get out of him. To take a chance on a player like him is a hell of a gamble. For the money we've spent on Auerilio for instance, I'm not sure that he was worth the gamble.

 

I hate the thought of Purslow throwing it in Rafa's face at the end of the season. It's pretty unusual for managers to sign players who are carrying a long term injury and you have to wait for months for their debut.

[Knox_Harrington]

rafa has bought some great buys and some disasters. he's not alone there though. other than wenger i don't think there are many managers who get all their big purchases right.

Franny Jeffers. Richard Wright. Even Wenger's bought badly at times though his record is good.

[YNWAdownunder]

Dossena was top class for Udinese. Just because he hasn't hit the heights with us doesn't mean that he's dogs***.

 

Some people here shouldn't be allowed an opinion.

 

you need to calm down sir......everyone is allowed an opinion you dont have to read the post..

 

New york has a fairly viable point without going as far as saying hes right. Some transfers benitez has made really were bad and Dossena was defintely one of them.

In terms of aquilani only time will tell i think its not so much worry as anticipation as to how good he can be and what impact he can make. I think benitez is contstantly restricted by the owners in teh fact that yes he is given a transfer budget but it seems to be released in bursts instead of allowing the large signings the owners see it as better value if we get 3 players for that maount as opposed to one which as we all know can turn out disatrous. Degen was an unlucky signing, on a free if he stayed fit would have been a great signing but unforntuantly the gamble didnt pay off. Voronins return is possibly the worst decision i can see personally. I mean we have Ngog and a number of other players who can play up front why not give them a shot rather than a ageing fabio look alike. Sometimes i get jealous of Arsene Wengers eye for talent and ability to nurture it (even he has made some bad transfers) that benitez doesnt seem to have but benitez is a tactical genious he finds a way to make it work no matter what hes got--- every manager has their strengths and weakensses. Perosnally im a bit worried at the lack of first team chances our youth is exposed to. Would have much rathered Ayala be given more of a shot personally.

 

Having said this benitez over his reign has done alot of youth team signings behind the scenes so maybe its just a matter fo time before these bad boys come through the ranks and tear a new whole in the premier league.

[JRC]

rafa has bought some great buys and some disasters. he's not alone there though. other than wenger i don't think there are many managers who get all their big purchases right.

Reyes? Jeffers and Wright weren't youth team finds either.

[johngibo YPC]

Isn't Purslow a short term appointment?

 

i think he is short term CEO, long term with the club

[New York Red]

rafa has bought some great buys and some disasters. he's not alone there though. other than wenger i don't think there are many managers who get all their big purchases right.

 

Agreed Mike. And even Wenger has picked up duds like Frannie Jeffers, Wiltord and Cygan. Nobody is immune form it.

 

It's the combination of being comfortable with certain signings, including injured players while also having a ruthless b*gger like Purslow breathing down his neck that bothers me so much.