I've got to hold my hand up today.

[Guest Kev]

...crazy.

 

Anyone else, and be honest.

[aka Dus]

No, if only because Newcastle are so bad.

[muleskinner]

I was surprised I was surprised but Rafa keeps you on your toes. Don't think Glenn Roeder was expecting that side either. I wasn't surprised at the result, Newcastle are a poor side and anything less than a win would have been hugely disapointing.

[Benitez]

wouldn't go as far as saying 'crazy', but I was a bit mystified and concerned I should know better by now.

[McBain]

I thought, and continue to think that Cisse on the right is crazy. The rest I thought made sense

 

Every other player was in a position they were comfortable with

[Michael]

I was worried before kick-off as I thought both Kromkamp and Warnock looked weak on paper.

[forde]

I was surprised I was surprised but Rafa keeps you on your toes. Don't think Glenn Roeder was expecting that side either. I wasn't surprised at the result, Newcastle are a poor side and anything less than a win would have been hugely disapointing.

Yes Newcastle are not a great team but they do not lose many at home so still a very good win!

[Spion kop]

the lineup suprised me but once i saw the formation i thought it was fine.

[Clay Davis]

i was happy that Cisse was getting a start, and Hamann was playing but i was very worried about todays game.

[Guest Kev]

Crazy was probably not the right word, but it was definately not the team I would have picked or expected.

 

With Robbie cup-tied I fully expected him to play and not for once thought Agger, Hyypia and Carra would start.

 

In hindsight, Rafa got it spot on.

[Guest Scot]

It's almost as if he knows what he's doing isn't it?

 

[DonRafa]

It's almost as if he knows what he's doing isn't it?

 

 

 

Aye, its uncanny I tell ye,uncanny!

[Guest Svennis]

I thought so too.

[Kahnee]

With Robbie cup-tied I fully expected him to play and not for once thought Agger, Hyypia and Carra would start.

 

Totally agree with you there. Was somewhat mystified by the first 11, even more puzzled by the bench

 

But hey - that's why I post on here and Rafa has an office at Anfield

[Guest Kev]

Totally agree with you there. Was somewhat mystified by the first 11, even more puzzled by the bench

 

But hey - that's why I post on here and Rafa has an office at Anfield

 

I have an office (of a kind) there as well

[Bootle Buck]

I wasn't too optimistic when I saw the line-up but when Warnock went bombing up the wing early on I could see the justification. I thought the likes of Warnock, Agger and Kronkamp made up for lazy performances from Cisse and Kewell.

[Guest Kev]

I thought we were so on top it was unreal. The whole system worked well and but for a number of brainless selections by Cisse and at times Garcia it could have been another 5-1 or better.

[Guest Jack Bauer]

Kewell wasn't lazy, he stuck to the left and got into some great positions, it's not his fault no one passed to him.

[Guest Kev]

Kewell wasn't lazy, he stuck to the left and got into some great positions, it's not his fault no one passed to him.

 

He looked to me 'lazy' more than once. By lazy I mean he appeared to lack a sense of urgency is his play.

[Benitez]

I have an office (of a kind) there as well

 

 

I can just see them doing a job swap day at Anfield. Rafa doing 'Operation Anfield Exercise' en Espanol, and Kev coaching the team, putting Djimi at centre forward, relegating Luis to the stands, and then we'd lose twelvty nil

[magneto]

The only thing that I don't understand is why it took Fowler so long to come on.

 

We were 3 - 1 up with 30 mins to go and Fowler (who is cup-tied) could have come on.

[Guest Ant]

You should hole your hand up about 99.999% of things you said during the game

[Kite]

I thought we were so on top it was unreal. The whole system worked well and but for a number of brainless selections by Cisse and at times Garcia it could have been another 5-1 or better.

I don't get why so many people have said... "yeah, but Newcastle are really crap..." etc., instead of praising what was a really solid, professional performamce by the reds. And, yes, a totally (initially anyhow) mystifying selection by Rafa!!

Edited March 19, 2006 by Lenin

[Spike]

Todays selection makes the fact that McCluntock and Charlie Dicholess on Soccer saturday were talking about Rafa not knowing his best team and only limited tactial nouse even funnier

[Kahnee]

I have an office (of a kind) there as well

 

Yeah, but on match days you're in it while Rafa is pitchside