Rafa, Sky and the Four Deadly Sins....
Wthout wanting to dwell on the Sky coverage too much because we knowthey talk shit, but the Newcastle game encapsulated in one match theway they have systematically attacked Benitez over the last 2 seasons.
Theyhave a set of varied themes about Rafa that they can wheel outdependent on the circumstances or result. They are roughly as follows:
1. He rotates players even if they are ‘in form’
2. He plays players out of position, particularly not playing SG as a centre midfielder
3. He makes baffling substitutions.
4. Zonal marking doesn’t work.
Thisis alongside the general theme that hes actually a bit of a buffooni.e. he looks like a fat Spanish waiter with a David Brent beard, andhas the same sort of daft ideas.
When the game gets underway,Gray and Redknapp then apply one or more of the above labels to thegame to support their bias. This is pretty easy because if a team isnot playing well there can be a number of reasons things are notworking e.g, tiredness, lack of form etc but these things are notimmediately apparent to most people via the keyhole of a tv set.Indeed, if a team is doing badly, supporters look for a reason toblame, to find something tangible to cling to and vent theirfrustration. Gray and co provide them with a neat set of reasons and ascapegoat in the shape Rafa. In the words of Martin Tyler's Monkeybefore the game on Sunday, commenting on why the team had severalchanges from the match on Boxing Day his reply was:
‘ Because the managers name is Rafael Benitez’
Aquite astonishing statement for someone who is meant to be an expert,but hold on, Redknapp nods in agreement and then shakes his head voicerising in bewilderment as he talks (barely able to find words todescribe the incredulous situation) about why Robbie Keane has beenleft out.
Anyone worth their salt would've course know thereason he was left out was 2 fold and entirely logical. Firstly he hadrun himself into the ground 2 days previously and secondly hes crapplaying up front on his own – the usual formation used so effectivelyby Liverpool this season. Indeed, Sky have themselves not been slow topoint out on numerous occasions that Keane had spent much of the seasonplaying out of position and have used this to even question the logicof Benitez buying him the first place. This contradiction is notmentioned though as it undermines the general notion that Rafa makesbaffling decisions and is a tinkering rotating buffoon who will do hisutmost to throw away any sort advantage over the ‘genuine’ titlecontenders.
‘If Liverpool don’t win today then people will beasking some serious questions about this selection and Rafa Benitez isopening himself up for an absolute barrage of criticism.’ Says Grayrubbing his hands.
However, the game on Sunday posed themsomewhat of a problem. Within 15 minutes of the start the only negativeon Liverpools part was that they were not 4-0 up. Dominating the game,passing fluently and looking as though they could open up Newcastle atwill and running out eventual 5-1 winners for the first time ever, leftGray, Redknapp and Keys with 15 minutes to fill without one ounce ofammunition for criticism. The game was won, Liverpool are top theleague for New Year and a genuine title challenge is in full swing.There wasn’t even a dodgy goal that didn’t go over the line to talkabout endlessly. Even more difficult for them was that the gameinvolved all of the 4 deadly sins mentioned above- rotation, Gerrardnot in centre midfield, Ngog on instead of Keane and zonal marking.
Nowhad the game gone tits up for Liverpool and a draw or defeat ensuedthen the 15 minutes of ‘Andy and Jamie’ would have become a rafa attacklike we have never seen before. Indeed I am pretty sure it would haveended up summarizing that the above 4 reasons are why Liverpool willnever win the league under Benitez. Redknapp has as much said this inthe past.
So the fact they instead won so handsomely must, inany reasonable persons eyes mean that Rafa is in fact very right andRedknapp and Gray are in fact very wrong. Redknapp in his defence triedto play up the win and back track on his previous comments but onlyserved to confirm his prejudices.
‘What I said was that theywould never win league under Rafa if he persisted in playing playersout of position like Stevie G on the right and chopping and changingplayers. But he seems to have learnt how to play in the premier leaguethis year and I’m really impressed’
Someone should have replayedthe first part of the show to Redknapp which was, as I have alreadyoutlined, a discussion over rafas bewildering rotation policy. Theyshould also point out to Redknapp that SG has barely played in aconventional CM position this season and yet we are top of the league.
Thepoint I am really making is that there will be days in 2009 when we sitthere pissed off that we have dropped points and we will be told againby our friends on Sky that its all down to Rafa and his four deadlysins.
Remember Sunday proved once and for all that Sky talkshite but its not going to stop them. Its going to be a bumpy ride andI’m pretty sure they will pull out all the stops to make it as hard aspossible. Stick together on this lads and take no notice. Have faith inRafa.
Happy New Year – roll on May |
發表於 2008-12-31 08:56 PM
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