I suppose this is what separates good managers from great managers.
Ofcourse there is a bedding in period with players, but in todays ultra fast paced league and the need to have instant results this period is incredibly short and there is a requirment (unfair or not) to be ready to play effectivley, almost as soon as they arrive
selecting a player on just pedigree and past performances is one thing, but selecting a player ( especially one with pedigree/reputation etc) to fit in to an already functioning team is another. (remember tino at Newcastle? )
And who is out there that could really fit in and do the job? Defo, Bent and Bellamy are all well and good. personally I dont think they would suit our "style" of play and the never say day attitude that has come to the front of our game would be lost on Defoe and Bent (ONLY MY OPINION!!!)
Having said all that i think there is now a subtle change in Rafa's approach since he first joined us. European football is very different from English football and I think Rafa may have been caught out by that ( the moreintes signing for example, not that that was detrimental, you can't argue with winning the Champions League!), I suppose even he had to bed in (again ONLY MY OPINION) If Rafa had gone to say.......Italy or France and had signed morientes, they would have done ok....but Rafa has shown his true brilliance and rapid adaptability with the signing of the likes of Momo Sissoko who has really fit in well with the team and the league.
It is obvious that we do need a few more signings, morientes, sadly, hasnt worked out for us. I am excited to see who he brings in and am looking forward to the prospect of next season. Yes because of him we won the champions league and the FA cup, but to me the league is our holy grail, what Rafa does now in order to bring the league back to us will be what defines him to me as a great manager.
The champions league and FA cup were fantastic achievements, and Rafa has made being a liverpool fan fun again, but the premiership is what its really all about.
what do you all reckon?
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