So it's beginning to sink in that Pako's departure has contributed in whaever measure to the performances on the field...
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that Rafa has been a little clueless/lucky with some of his substitutions this season (compared to other seasons) - WHY?
Who can forget the images of Pako (always sitting next to Rafa - for 11 years!) CONSTANTLY talking to eachother during a game...
What were they talking about? What their respective missus' was making for dinner or wearing in the bedroom later that evening? I think not.
As a management team at Melwood (Tenerife and Valencia) they played the good cop/bad cop role (one close, the other distant).
As a management team during games they discussed individuals and tactics, cross-referenced with performance/attitude during that previous week and made excellent (probably JOINT) decisions on the fly - if not why the feck did Rafa talk to Pako so much during games?
?
Rafa's playing down of Pako's role - as purely a fitness technitian - is an insult to Pako and their professional, and by many accounts, personal friendship over so many years. Still to this day, can't understand the level of bad feeling...
Maybe Pako just told Rafa he was getting a tad overweight and Rafa took it very badly...eh... I wish ;0).
If I really do have a wish, it would be to see Rick Parry, Rafa Benitez and Pako Ayestaran (still on payroll, to the end of the season) in a press conference at Anfield any day - all putting pride to one side and putting Liverpool FC to the front.
Rafael Benitez WITHOUT Pako Ayestaran, the man he has worked with so successfully for the last 11 years - is still a good manager, but NOT a Great Manager. That is now becoming apparent, maybe he is just getting used to working without Pako... and will come good, I REALLY HOPE SO.
That said, I trust Rafa, I wish him all the best at our club - because our dreams to lift the Premiership are still alive this season... but depending on Sunday, only just or more of a dream than a genuine wish.
In Rafa (we still) Trust.
YNWA.