Hear me out

[Kingstheman]

Why do I feel so baffled that there is such a hard core band of apologists for Rafael Benitez on a Tottenham Hotspur forum?

Not only that, they seem to have a real mastermind-like insight into internal politics of Liverpool FC between 2004 and 2010.

 

[Toela65]

Just a query...how could have Benitez gotten Cristiano Ronaldo for Liverpool when he was already at United by the time Benitez arrived at Liverpool in 2004?

I didn't say Rafa was getting him I said he was an example of a deal that Rick Parry cocked up (under Houllier this time), which illustrates the incompetance of him, showing what Rafa had to put up with, thus trying to paint a picture why he was no fan of Parry and wanted more of a say over transfers and not that he was some crazed power-hungry mad men). This has been written about extensively and Rafa has even talked about in interviews (might be the BBC interview at his house)

I apologise if I didn't make that very clear.

 

[Toela65]

Why do I feel so baffled that there is such a hard core band of apologists for Rafael Benitez on a Tottenham Hotspur forum?

Not only that, they seem to have a real mastermind-like insight into internal politics of Liverpool FC between 2004 and 2010.

Have you read this thread.

My post were made in response to some questions asked of me by some interested Spurs fans on an interesting Spurs forum. If you don't like what you read don't read it. It's your choice.

There is no such thing as an 'apologist'. There are those who are informed and those who swallowed everything the media had to say about Rafa in England.

You probably think the "Facts rant" was the reason we lost out to united at the end of the 2008/09 season too. (hint - we won more points per game post rant than after rant. There was no change in performance either good or bad after the rant)

 

[StartingPrice]

Have you read this thread.

My post were made in response to some questions asked of me by some interested Spurs fans on an interesting Spurs forum. If you don't like what you read don't read it. It's your choice.

There is no such thing as an 'apologist'. There are those who are informed and those who swallowed everything the media had to say about Rafa in England.

You probably think the "Facts rant" was the reason we lost out to united at the end of the 2008/09 season too. (hint - we won more points per game post rant than after rant. There was no change in performance either good or bad after the rant)

I am prepared to be educated if it is that someone has pertinent information. I have read your comments with interest, but it does seem to me that you lean heavily on one side of the argument. I haven't, for instance, read one comment by Parry, or heard of one discussion you, or anyone else for that matter, has had with the guy. You may be exactly one hundred percent spot on - but it is hard to tell because all of your information comes from one side of the argument. Do you have anything from the Parry side?

Also, I gave two reasons why I immediately react badly to Benetiz. Maybe with one, you will be able to provide info that I was unaware of, that makes me alter my view, so I will deal with that second. But, firstly, I personally, without any media intervention, watched him, in a game where you needed to win (I think, to stay in the title race), at Anfield, and with the game level with 20 minutes (or summit) to go, bring off Torres and bring on a defensive midfielder. It wasn't the only time he baffled.

Secondly, Alonso-Gate was pretty much played out in public, and iirc Benitez was pretty brazen about the fact that he wanted Barry and was happy to sell Alonso, and Alonso was equally public that he was leaving, the next year, because Benitez wanted rid of him the Summer before. Is that not correct?

 

[nightgoat]

I didn't say Rafa was getting him I said he was an example of a deal that Rick Parry cocked up (under Houllier this time), which illustrates the incompetance of him, showing what Rafa had to put up with, thus trying to paint a picture why he was no fan of Parry and wanted more of a say over transfers and not that he was some crazed power-hungry mad men). This has been written about extensively and Rafa has even talked about in interviews (might be the BBC interview at his house)

I apologise if I didn't make that very clear.

This interview with Houllier suggests that he was in agreement with the board over not signing Ronaldo.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/12/06/gerard-houllier-liverpool-fc-would-have-won-premier-league-if-they-d-let-me-sign-cristiano-ronaldo-100252-27773168/#ixzz1ynvWK9Ex

But I agreed with not breaking the wage structure. I thought it would cause problems in our dressing room. I know some of the signings were not as sharp as they could have been. Maybe we would have won the title with Ronaldo, but we had Harry Kewell

 

[OmarsComing]

"..Maybe we would have won the title with Ronaldo, but we had Harry Kewell.."

 

[StartingPrice]

"..Maybe we would have won the title with Ronaldo, but we had Harry Kewell.."

That bit caught my eye, too.
Maybe we'd have won the league with Drogba...but we had...Crouchinho

p.s. Toela65, I notice you rated kingstheman's post <DUMB> I don't think he was referring to you, at all. Or saying that it is baffling that you should be an apologist for Benitez, or have any insight into what went on at Anfield in that time. Just saying it is a bit strange that there are so many Spurs fans, who are members of this forum who are fanatical about defending his reutation

 

[Acid]

This guy is the Mr Bean of the Football World, stumbling upon success he could never repeat as the core team/foundation was already there for him which he went ahead to dismantle bit by bit every year until he left them in a rotten state; comes across like a complete and utter idiot to me.

 

[ethanedwards]

This guy is the Mr Bean of the Football World, stumbling upon success he could never repeat as the core team/foundation was already there for him which he went ahead to dismantle bit by bit every year until he left them in a rotten state; comes across like a complete and utter idiot to me.

Check out what he did at Valencia.

 

[specspurs]

I didn't say Rafa was getting him I said he was an example of a deal that Rick Parry cocked up (under Houllier this time), which illustrates the incompetance of him, showing what Rafa had to put up with, thus trying to paint a picture why he was no fan of Parry and wanted more of a say over transfers and not that he was some crazed power-hungry mad men). This has been written about extensively and Rafa has even talked about in interviews (might be the BBC interview at his house)

I apologise if I didn't make that very clear.

Thanks for clearing that up and appreciate your insight into Anfield and Benitez.

 

[Kingstheman]

Have you read this thread.

My post were made in response to some questions asked of me by some interested Spurs fans on an interesting Spurs forum. If you don't like what you read don't read it. It's your choice.

There is no such thing as an 'apologist'. There are those who are informed and those who swallowed everything the media had to say about Rafa in England.

You probably think the "Facts rant" was the reason we lost out to united at the end of the 2008/09 season too. (hint - we won more points per game post rant than after rant. There was no change in performance either good or bad after the rant)

I think nothing of the sort, I actually don't care what Benitez says, said or will ever say.

 

[lukespurs7]

Possibly a decent manager but too many questionmarks but more importantly I don't like the bloke, would not be a good fit for Spurs.

 

[Acid]

Check out what he did at Valencia.

I just have done - thanks for pointing me to that - interesting reading; I'll read more before I reassess my opinion of him as again he might of stumbled onto a good foundation.