Benitez not happy with Fergie

missingtime · 09-01-2009 07:19PM

Three points:
1. Rafa spoke very clearly and not in any way "animated"
2. I would have preferred him not to say anything but he presented himself very well.
3. The sky presenters are clearly having a torrid gay love affair and I wish them all the best

That is all

ciaran76 · 09-01-2009 07:29PM

"Then he was talking about the fixtures," continued the former Valencia chief. "Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything

Well thats not true Rafa is it ????

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/liverpool-boss-rafa-benitez-unhappy-over-554949.html

Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez Unhappy Over Early Kick-off Timings On Saturday Following Internationals
Submitted by Niraj Prabhu on Thu, 2007-09-13 10:35.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is not happy about the early kick-off fixture on Saturday that follows the internationals, as he feels “it is impossible to prepare the team properly.”

Boggles · 09-01-2009 07:49PM

Jazzy wrote: »

rafa is putting all the focus and attention on himself and is deflecting it away from his players (1 of whom was recently in a 'brawl', another who has a world of expectation on his shoulders and another who is trying to justify his price tag).
bloody great move and very intellegent.

Or highlight them further as a reason Mad Rafa went into the rant, because no one today was talking about Torres, Keane, or Gerrard, they will be tommorow.

Pressure at the top can do strange things to people, United top by Saturday week, Rafa gone in the summer.

You heard it here first.

09-01-2009 08:07PM

It's quite clear what's happened here.....Benitez is studying sports psychology in the University of Liverpool, and that right there, was his thesis!

Spud83 · 09-01-2009 08:07PM

dfx- wrote: »

You couldn't sit on the fence more than if there was a comfy armchair on it.

What's your matter of opinion? Should he have said it?

No, as I don't see what he or Liverpool gain from it.

Also as I said its all a matter of opinion. Nobody comes out of this as right or wrong until the league has been won and then the moment will be looked back on as something it wasn't.

09-01-2009 08:11PM

Sorry to do a Pighead on it but this is beautiful:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2319584/Rafael-Benitez-turns-on-the-Premier-League.html

Rafael Benitez wrote:

"I would like to ask the Premier League why is it that Liverpool always play the most fixtures away from home in an early kick-off, following an international break?" he said. "We had more than the top clubs last season and we have four already to prepare for this season. It's going to be very difficult for us to win the Premier League because the other teams are so strong, but I want our supporters to know that despite the disadvantages we have, we will fight all the way.

"We will fight to cope with our more difficult kick-off times and all the other decisions which are going against us."

Boggles · 09-01-2009 08:13PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

No, as I don't see what he or Liverpool gain from it.

Also as I said its all a matter of opinion. Nobody comes out of this as right or wrong until the league has been won and then the moment will be looked back on as something it wasn't.

Sorry Alan, Rafa has came out and talked nonsense while "sticking to the facts".

Rafa is wrong, whatever about the end of the season.

Unearthly · 09-01-2009 08:15PM

I love the excuse that he is taking the pressure off the players in January with a game with Stoke City

Any title challenging team worth their salt wouldn't need pressure off them for that game

Spud83 · 09-01-2009 08:16PM

Boggles wrote: »

Sorry Alan, Rafa has came out and talked nonsense while "sticking to the facts".

Rafa is wrong, whatever about the end of the season.

I didn't mean right or wrong as in the facts that were said. I meant right or wrong in starting the exchange / responding to it.

Spud83 · 09-01-2009 08:17PM

Unearthly wrote: »

I love the excuse that he is taking the pressure off the players in January with a game with Stoke City

Any title challenging team worth their salt wouldn't need pressure off them for that game

Really cause you United were under pressure for 80 minutes to beat them.

09-01-2009 08:18PM

Unearthly wrote: »

I love the excuse that he is taking the pressure off the players in January with a game with Stoke City

Any title challenging team worth their salt wouldn't need pressure off them for that game

Well one could argue that he's trying to influence the United games by talking about bennett reffing against Wigan. He knows that the "comfortable lead" (that Mr Alan talks about) won't be so comfortable if United win the games in hand and on Sunday so he's trying to be smart but instead he's made somewhat of a laughing stock of himself. The fact that he wrote it down and gave it some thought and that was his best effort says to me that the pressure is getting to him.

Unearthly · 09-01-2009 08:19PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

Really cause you United were under pressure for 80 minutes to beat them.

Still did it without Fergson writing a list of false facts before the game!

Jazzy · 09-01-2009 08:20PM

Boggles wrote: »

Mad Rafa

now i know im right

Spud83 · 09-01-2009 08:21PM

Unearthly wrote: »

Still did it without Fergson writing a list of false facts before the game!

correct we just needed an extra man than them

09-01-2009 08:23PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

correct we just needed an extra man than them

So? There's 38 games in a season, you don't win all of em 5-0 having been down to 8 men. We still got the result against a team who set up to get every man behind the ball and kick the sh1t out of any United player with the ball at his feet. And that tactic cost them one of their players....tough sh1t. Point is we won the game, and Fergie wasn't looking to deflect attention from his team prior to the game. I firmly believe Rafas comments are geared more towards trying to influence officials in the United games rather than take pressure off his own team.

Unearthly · 09-01-2009 08:25PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

correct we just needed an extra man than them

I don't really know what you are trying to get at

Are you saying Man Utd struggled to beat Stoke because they felt pressure of the title race in December?

Dave! · 09-01-2009 08:25PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Sorry to do a Pighead on it but this is beautiful:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2319584/Rafael-Benitez-turns-on-the-Premier-League.html

Dunno whether I enjoy that more when it's done to Mr Alan or Mr Benitez

Unearthly · 09-01-2009 08:28PM

Deleted User wrote: »

. I firmly believe Rafas comments are geared more towards trying to influence officials in the United games rather than take pressure off his own team.

I think you are right actually thinking about it

but he still made himself look silly in the way he went about it

09-01-2009 08:31PM

Completely agree. I think he's made a fool of himself because of the way he did it. taking out notes had me laughin at him before he said anything!

Spud83 · 09-01-2009 08:33PM

Unearthly wrote: »

I don't really know what you are trying to get at

Are you saying Man Utd struggled to beat Stoke because they felt pressure of the title race in December?

No, I am saying that United didn't just turn up and beat Stoke at a canter. Just like Liverpool might not tomorrow and there will be pressure on them to take advantage of the fact either United or Chelsea or both will be dropping points on Sunday.

Also I don't believe I ever said Rafa was trying to take pressure off him team.

Highsider · 09-01-2009 08:56PM

Rafa you legend. It's great to see someone tell it like it is about ferguson. love the fact man u fans are getting wound up by this. Get in there rafa

jesus_thats_gre · 09-01-2009 08:57PM

When I heard about it on the radio, my initial thoughts were "ah jaysus, he didn't fall for it, did he?". Then I got thinking about how Rafa handled the owners this time last years when they were openly looking for a replacement for him. Then I actually watched the press conference and had to have a laugh.

The media will obvious spin this as being a victory for AF but the Liverpool squad will respond positively to it. Rafa is a shrewd operator and the fact that he was 100% in control of himself in that press conference is a clear indication that he hasn't "lost it".

Villain · 09-01-2009 08:58PM

+

mayordenis · 09-01-2009 09:03PM

=win?

Eirebear · 09-01-2009 09:10PM

As a complete and utter neutral (I couldnt care less about either team)i honestly think Fergie will be sitting at home with a wry smile on his face right now.

He has been in this position before, and he has won, he has been in this position before and he has lost out.

But Rafa has never been in this position, much like Keegan all those years ago.

It may not have much effect just yet but it certainly is advantage Ferguson at the moment.

Highsider · 09-01-2009 09:14PM

Boggles wrote: »

Sorry Alan, Rafa has came out and talked nonsense while "sticking to the facts".

Rafa is wrong, whatever about the end of the season.

Could'nt disagree more. It's fu<king brilliant. Calm,calculated and honest. I can understand why you and other man u fans are getting their knickers in a twist by it mind.:)

Dub13 · 09-01-2009 09:14PM

I only seen this thread now.I think we will leave this open as this story has legs and does not just concern Liverpool.

Here is an interesting piece I found on it,I would tend to agree the season starts here.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2009/01/arise-sir-rafae.html

Arise Sir Rafael Benitez

Was that the funniest press conference you're ever likely to see?

To all those media hacks trying to compare it with Keegan's rant at Ferguson and accusing Rafa of taking the bait; step back and think about it for a change. It is nothing like the rant of a broken man like Keegan, who had seen his side squander a healthy lead at the top of the table, reacting to the provocation and mind games from the purple nosed one. It is not taking any bait from Ferguson and signs of losing the plot, as Ferguson hasn't said anything for Rafa to react to. How can he take the bait if there isn't any there? He knew exactly what he was saying. A man losing the plot and reacting does not have a sheet full of notes to hand! He's casting the bait for Mr.Ferguson to bite on.

Rafael Benitez has spoken out this afternoon and said the things that everyone else has been too scared to say before. Everyone thinks it, but nobody has the balls to stand up and say it; until now. Well done Rafael Benitez. Alex Ferguson has been intimidating referees and the authorities for too long with nobody daring to stand up to him, and we now have a manager prepared to do just that. We've waited long enough!

It does hurt and scare them down the east lancs that we sit top of the table, and could be 10 points clear of them by Saturday night. It scares them to see a Liverpool side that sit clear at the top and can only become stronger with the return of Fernando Torres. It scares them that come May we could be sat back on the perch Ferguson always wanted to knock us off. They're scared, make no mistake about it.

And on that note, it's about time we stopped worrying about the fall from grace and being overtaken at the top. What about belief and desire, something Benitez has shown in abundance this afternoon. He's been very, very clever with his words today, putting pressure on the referee before the game with Chelsea on Sunday in a very astute manner. Something Ferguson and Mourinho have been masters at for the past few years. It's refreshing to see our manager ruffling a few feathers. The season starts here.

We're in there fighting and that press conference this afternoon is the music to my ears as we enter the ring. This is where it all begins.

He's timed it to perfect. A calculated swipe on the eve of what could be the defining weekend of the season. We've just got to go out an beat Stoke now to see whether today's press conference has any affect on the Sunday.

And the greatest thing about the interview? The simple slip of the tongue that highlights the humour and mindset of Rafael Benitez? Referring to him and Mr.Ferguson instead of Sir. The work of a genius. Simple yet blunt. Dismissing the stature of the man with the exchange of one word. Brilliant.

Our manager has started playing games this afternoon that may or may not have an affect on games, and ultimately the destination of the league title, but he's brought a smile to my face anway. Thank you Rafa.

Take the pressure off Gerrard. Take the pressure off Keane. Take the pressure off the side and putting it all upon himself and the referee before Sunday.

I doff my cap sir.

Paul Jones

Mr Alan · 09-01-2009 09:17PM

Dub13 wrote: »

I would tend to agree the season starts here

and we have a 7 point head start!

Mr Alan · 09-01-2009 09:29PM

Reading around on various Liverpool forums, the scouse fans are ****ing loving this....

A battle cry. A statement of intent. The Title race has offically started.

This man has given us the European Cup. He gave us back our Pride. He has Publically slated The Sun, The News of the World, The Yanks, He came for a bevvie with the lads, he invited the Union to his office and now he has done something that no Liverpool Manger since Kenny after holding up his baby saying "you'll get more sense out of this one than Ferguson" has done, given that arl twat a bloody nose. He is one of us, simple as, and I love the bones of the fella.

Anyone comparing this to Keegans rant is deluded, this was a measured, researched, intelligent statement of fact.

On sunday, them ***** wont be able to say a word to the ref, and neither will Fergie. He has taken the pressure off the lads and tomorrow, we will sing them home to victory.

I've just read through this thread and listened to Rafa on the radio and I've never been so fired up!

This is it boys. This is the start of everything we've wanted for nearly 20 years. We're top of the league and looking like a proper team. We've got the best striker in the world ready to step back into the side and our manager is letting out a war cry. This is it!

From now on every game is massive. Rafa has drawn a line in the sand today and done so from a position of strength. We've now got to back up his words and fight with everything we've got to stay there.

Roll on Saturday afternoon as that game is now massive. I'm walking about here wanting to punch something I'm that fired up!

LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOOOOOL.....

Ex-****ing-actly. 21 years since a Liverpool manager last took him on.
Kenny holding his baby daughter at the post match press conference after the 3-3 on Easter Monday was genius but since then none of our managers have taken him on with the verbals.Rafa's outburst may go in our favour or maybe it won't but at least we've got a manager who's up for the battle and one who won't **** out because they're scared of the consequences.

No-one from United, be they players or officials, will be able to so much look at the ref on Sunday.Also, the ref will want to look like he's not going to wilt under any United pressure.Should be fun to watch!**** them. If we're going to war lets do it properly, no pulling our punches or going in half hearted cos of what others might think.
This is Liverpool on 18 titles against United on 17 titles and it's gonna get nasty. We either stick up for ourselves on and off the pitch or they will match our record.
Time to show our balls.

if yer didn't believe it before
believe it now
our manager is one of us
and to paraphrase his "rant" today :-

COME ED YER WHISKEY NOSED MANC ****
IF YER WANT IT, HERE WE ARE !!!

This is about the 5th time when i thought i couldnt possibly love Rafa anymore than i do, and then he goes and doubles my love for him.

well in Rafa. well ****ing in.

jesus_thats_gre · 09-01-2009 09:34PM

That was released surprisingly quickly...

Benitez not happy with Fergie

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