Friday, December 12, 2008

UF Quick Throw: Let the mindgames begin!

Normally Fergie is first to open his mouth (normally only long enough to take breaths in-between swigging from the whisky bottle), but Rafa's trying his hand at this psycho-babble, and early too! (Though if Jose were still in the league, he'd have started back in September).

So Rafa thinks his side need a miracle to win the EPL. Brutal, shocking honesty? Headgames with his rivals? Attempts to temper expectations ahead of the xmas break? You decide.

[Guardian UK]

15 comments:

Jacob said...

Realist

BackBergtt said...

"We are really pleased because we are top and I can guarantee that if we are still top of the table after Christmas we will have a clear chance of winning the title.

... It was an interview with a French journalist and we were talking about tactics. I was really surprised with the story but everyone in Liverpool knows about this newspaper."

Sarah said...

He better watch what he says. Schuster said something similar about the upcoming Real/Barca game and they booted him out.

Not that it's not true though.

BackBergtt said...

Worth noting.

On foxsoccer I can't even find mention of the story.

BBC has it in their rumors page.

And Soccernet? Oh they're running it as their main news story with an absurd picture of Rafa looking sad surrounded by shadows. SHOCKING.

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

I read that and it almost felt like a well-written Onion article meant to piss off Liverpool fans (particularly the part about him talking to the Sun). Is this a precursor to the rumored jump to Juventus?

Unknown said...

Georger: the whole thing does feel very early-April-Fool's, to be sure, and I'm not surprised Soccernet ran with such hyperbole. At this point, I take nothing any manager says seriously, especially those battling at the top. They all just love to fuck with one another.

Sarah: :(

Magnakai: I cannot see Rafa heading to Juve, especially with a 4-year contract extension worth over 15 million pounds on the table (and they're agreed on price/contract size, just ironing out minor details), although this article is just so baffling. There are so many ways to read it and interpret it.

Unknown said...

u75: double :(

BackBergtt said...

Personally I'm shocked soccernet had space for the story, they had to bump another Ronaldo story with a picture of him giving a thumbs up.

BackBergtt said...

Oh look they bumped it once LFC refuted the story, but I doubt they'll report on that aspect of it.

Also, Arsenal have already lost to two promoted teams, Chelsea's best player got suspended for throwing shit at fans, and United lost to LIVERPOOL; I'd say there has been a fair amount of slippage already this season.

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

LB: The only reason I could see him leaving (and I'm not sure I'd leave for Juve, either) would be that he knows something about the finances that we don't and wants to get out before he's stuck having to sell players he's worked to accumulate. That contract extension's been going on forever, which is slightly worrisome.

EbullientFatalist said...

Soccernet now has a dour Wenger picture as their headline. :(

BackBergtt said...

That contract extension's been going on forever, which is slightly worrisome."

Not really, the reports were that money wasn't even discussed until a week ago.

Rafa would never leave to coach Momo again.

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

Ah, my mistake...it feels like I've been reading headlines about it all season, but if they've only just gotten around to talking about the money then it's not really stalling out.

EbullientFatalist said...

Remember the Xmas wish list post yesterday that quickly devolved into a "Sunny" commentary? I have a wish I want to add:

I want Liverpool to finish 6th this season, so Rafa will be fired, and I won't ever have to read another story/rumor about him leaving.

/Gunners & Wenger jinx'd.

BackBergtt said...

Update: Soccernet pulled the article and replaced it with one about Benitez being 'defiant' over the title chances. However they did see fit to post an article by Raynor this afternoon about the manufactured quotes without any mention of the refutation. Top notch work over there.