Ranting Rafa

User avatar
TFF
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 5321
Joined: 20 Jan 2006 09:17
Location: Running to the hills

Ranting Rafa

by TFF » 09 Jan 2009 16:09

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 820615.stm

"I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they (Manchester United) are nervous because we are at the top of the table," added Benitez.

The Spaniard then pulled out a sheet of paper and read out a list of accusations about Ferguson's conduct regarding referees, the respect campaign and fixture lists.

"I want to talk about facts," he said. "I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start.

"During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett.

"He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things.

"How can you talk about the Respect campaign and yet criticise the referee every single week?

"We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff. They are always going man-to-man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking.

"All managers need to know is that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees - and nothing happens.

"We need to know that I am talking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week.

"To complain and to always have an advantage is not fair."

Benitez also heavily criticised Ferguson's complaints over supposed favouritism over fixtures.

"Two years ago we had a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything," said the Reds boss.

"Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage.

"At Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, but they were not complaining then.

"If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field, there are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures.

"One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know.

"Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United.

"Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple."


Lost the plot or a quality comeback against Fergie?

User avatar
cmonurz
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 12384
Joined: 21 Apr 2004 22:50
Location: Nob nob nob nob nob nob

Re: Ranting Rafa

by cmonurz » 09 Jan 2009 16:15

As always with Rafa, I think that's a slightly less than eloquent rant, delivered politely, it being Benitez's style, which translated means 'we're top, you're not, and I'm feeling the pressure a bit'. Not that feeling the pressure is a bad thing.

Tbf, it's pretty much all fact.

User avatar
FiNeRaIn
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 6231
Joined: 22 Jul 2004 17:44
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Ranting Rafa

by FiNeRaIn » 09 Jan 2009 16:42

Its fact and i'd be suprised if united have a decent response to that.

Expect them to say " we're not being dran into mind games" bla bla, rather than actually speak upon the clearly stated facts about fergies rants at referees.

User avatar
soggy biscuit
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 8524
Joined: 04 Nov 2004 20:29
Location: BURNING VARIOUS NATIONAL FLAGS

Re: Ranting Rafa

by soggy biscuit » 09 Jan 2009 16:50

Lost the plot or a quality comeback against Fergie?[/quote]

Most definately the latter.

Scylla
Member
Posts: 308
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 17:37

Re: Ranting Rafa

by Scylla » 09 Jan 2009 17:06

If Liverpool win at Stoke he's a genius, if they don't and Man U beat Chelsea...


User avatar
Baines
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 1310
Joined: 23 Mar 2007 19:26

Re: Ranting Rafa

by Baines » 09 Jan 2009 17:38

I think that the last line is rather well-judged and saves it from being too much of a rant.

papereyes
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 6027
Joined: 14 Apr 2004 18:41
Location: “The mother of idiots is always pregnant”- Italian proverb

Re: Ranting Rafa

by papereyes » 09 Jan 2009 18:21

How can I put ROFL or LOL into 'mind games'?

User avatar
The whole year inn
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 2474
Joined: 14 Apr 2004 16:49
Location: Fred West >>>> Brendan Rodgers

Re: Ranting Rafa

by The whole year inn » 09 Jan 2009 19:11

Can't see anything that is incorrect in his 'rant'

Spot on IMO

User avatar
Royal Rother
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 22109
Joined: 13 Apr 2004 23:22
Location: The handsome bald fella with the blue eyes

Re: Ranting Rafa

by Royal Rother » 09 Jan 2009 19:13

Quality rant but I suspect Ferguson will be smiling to himself at the fact that Benitez has, albeit temporarily, taken his eyes off the foot-ball.


Victor Meldrew
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 6716
Joined: 12 Apr 2005 19:22
Location: South Coast

Re: Ranting Rafa

by Victor Meldrew » 09 Jan 2009 22:42

Royal Rother Quality rant but I suspect Ferguson will be smiling to himself at the fact that Benitez has, albeit temporarily, taken his eyes off the foot-ball.


I think this "mind games" business is rather overstated since the classic Keegan/Fergie times.
The main thing for Liverpool is that the players keep their eyes on the ball ,not the manager as he won't be out there with his boots on.
Actually Fergie saying that he doesn't think Liverpool are good enough to win the title could act as a spur to those players-hopefully that is what happens and Fergie can have egg on his face with backfiring mind games.

wickedwhispers

Re: Ranting Rafa

by wickedwhispers » 10 Jan 2009 00:37

Fergy will win this battle of wits again.

bishbosh92
Member
Posts: 385
Joined: 22 May 2008 15:05
Location: Bracknell

Re: Ranting Rafa

by bishbosh92 » 10 Jan 2009 00:39

Everything rafa said was true!

fergie moans bout any possible thing doesnt just get on with life, i oxf*rd hope united dont win the prem this year!

DelBoyRodders
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 294
Joined: 15 Apr 2004 14:15
Location: There's none so blind as them that won't listen.

Re: Ranting Rafa

by DelBoyRodders » 10 Jan 2009 09:32

Well said Rafa.

Fergie is a oxf*rd.


User avatar
ShrewsandRoyals
Member
Posts: 140
Joined: 17 May 2004 08:49
Location: Royal Leamington Spa

Re: Ranting Rafa

by ShrewsandRoyals » 10 Jan 2009 09:36

If any manager other than Fergie had gesticulated at the Reading fans in the way he did, they would have been charged by the FA.

Man Utd scream blue murder at any hint of a club sniffing around their players, yet they seem to be able to unsettle as many players as they want. Their seeming "encouragement" of players to join them is not limited to senior or youth players either, and I find it somewhat disturbing that the new requirements for "home grown players" will lead to a greater number of 10-13 year olds being dragged into this.

User avatar
Rex
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 5910
Joined: 15 Feb 2008 21:00
Location: Well this thread has been a rousing success.

Re: Ranting Rafa

by Rex » 10 Jan 2009 10:18

I really think all of this is laughable. Master tacticians and psychological warfare going on. It always happens - conspiracy theories flying around, favouritism, fixtures being fixed, refs playing for the opposing team. Does any of this really serve the purpose it is intended for. I think it just fills column inches, makes for a good autobiography.

User avatar
soggy biscuit
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 8524
Joined: 04 Nov 2004 20:29
Location: BURNING VARIOUS NATIONAL FLAGS

Re: Ranting Rafa

by soggy biscuit » 10 Jan 2009 10:21


Kitsondinho
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 6009
Joined: 25 Feb 2005 23:19
Location: at a cricket ground somewhere around the country........

Re: Ranting Rafa

by Kitsondinho » 10 Jan 2009 10:37

SSN reporting that Rafa will be investigated for the comments.........wonder if that would have happened the other way around?

User avatar
jocombes
Member
Posts: 75
Joined: 28 Feb 2008 18:26
Location: Far away

Re: Ranting Rafa

by jocombes » 10 Jan 2009 10:40

Rafa has every right to rip into SirAlex!!!! Sir Alex breaks the rules, speaking to referees at half time and having go and still he doesn't get punished by the FA. Graham Poll agrees with Rafa so SirAlex is outnumbered!!!

Sir Alex Ferguson gets away with murder

Kitsondinho
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 6009
Joined: 25 Feb 2005 23:19
Location: at a cricket ground somewhere around the country........

Re: Ranting Rafa

by Kitsondinho » 10 Jan 2009 10:45


User avatar
FiNeRaIn
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 6231
Joined: 22 Jul 2004 17:44
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Ranting Rafa

by FiNeRaIn » 10 Jan 2009 12:03

Kitsondinho SSN reporting that Rafa will be investigated for the comments.........wonder if that would have happened the other way around?


Typical FA, don't like to be criticised so punish people for critisiscing them, its like a facist regime, honestly.
The FA- run by Sadam Hussein.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 203 guests

It is currently 16 May 2025 09:12