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Fish & Chip Shots: The Fall of Rafa
Everyone’s favorite Spaniard is on a very slippery slope right now, says Goal.com’s Shane Evans.
Mar 9, 2010 12:53:00 PM
By Shane Evans
I feel like I’ve written this column about three times already. “Oh no, our man Rafa has really done it this time.” Or “look out, Liverpool fans...Rafa’s gonna jump ship.” A few months ago, we were certain his time was done at Anfield.
Then he fixed things. Liverpool started playing well again. Went on a little run and were back in the thick of it. All was well. Most importantly, I stopped talking about him, which was a huge weight off my mind.
And now this. A 1-0 loss to Wigan Athletic.
Nothing against Roberto Martinez and his players. He has a great bunch who are youthful and talented. Lots of promise there and avoiding relegation should be an achievable goal.
Beating Liverpool should not have been.
Who wants to guess at the last time this result happened? For those who aren’t keeping up the result I’m speaking of is Wigan taking all three points from Liverpool in the Premier League. Any guesses? Never, that’s when. Wigan have never beaten Liverpool. Until Monday, that is.
In a performance that can be best described as impotent, Liverpool completely bottled it against a Wigan side who were determined and resolute in defense. Again, not to belittle the performance of Martinez’ side, but I’d be hard-pressed to think of a match this season when the favored team (heavily favored, I might add) played so poorly.
From their finishing (which from the scoreline you can tell there was no such thing) to their movement to even the simplest of midfield passes and supply they were just awful. You’d have thought that after a first half of blown chances and giveaways Rafa would have changed things up a bit. You know, altered his tactics.
Nope. Not to be. He had Fernando Torres doing his best ‘awkward only child’ impression on the top of the pitch, while Dirk Kuyt continued to master his ‘chicken with its head cut off’ bit. And we can’t forget Mr. Steven Gerrard who did more complaining than Peter in “Office Space.”
Just a shambolic performance all the way around. In many cases, you can blame the players. They don’t score goals, teams don’t win. For the sake of this column, I’m arguing that it’s Rafa’s fault. Plain. And. Simple.
As a manager, you have to adapt. You can’t just assume that because you have greater talent than the other team that you’ll be able to win the match. It doesn’t work that way. You have to be fluid and able to change things up if what you were doing previously wasn’t working. This is coming from my years of managerial experience as well. I’ve won trophies, you know.
Seriously, how shortsighted can you be as the head coach of one of the biggest clubs in the land and still keep a striker up top by himself. It doesn’t work with Torres, which means it certainly wouldn’t work with Kuyt or Ngog.
Time after time, Rafa installs this system and it never goes anywhere. This isn’t Spain. Wigan could pull it off because they need to spend most matches defending. For a big club like Liverpool they should be taking the game to them, not just knocking it long hoping Torres can make something happen.
Losing a match like this is just unacceptable. To not even get on the scoresheet is incomprehensible. My only guess is that the Reds have seen how stiff the competition is for fourth and just decided to pack it in for the season and let someone else have it for a change. That or it’s the owners, right? I mean where else can I point fingers? Yeah, definitely Alan Hansen’s fault...he talks to much. The weather, yeah, that damn snow and stuff really messed up our game. Their season has become laughable.
Fear not Liverpool faithful. The summer isn’t far off. Rafa will be gone, as will Torres, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel, and Albert Riera. Hicks and Gillett won’t be, though. It’s totally fine because you’ll get to start anew by building around Stevie G once more. It’ll work this time for real. We’ll catch those damn Mancunians one of these days, eh lads?
Pickled Onions
Thank goodness I didn’t decide to use that match in “The Full English” last week. What a disaster that would have been. I can see it now: “Yeah, Liverpool can definitely put at least four past Wigan. Here we go Reds!”
In the matches that I did pick, I did a pretty decent job. I had Everton knocking off Hull, which wasn’t that much of a stretch. I had 4-0, it went 5-1. Works for me.
The second match had me hoping Gio Zola could top Bolton. Wasn’t the case as the Hammers fell 2-1. Another pretty sloppy match. The last of the set was Arsenal-Burnley, which was won by the Gooners in their favorite oh-so-dramatic fashion. Should have been 4-0 at the half, in other words.
Overall: 39-23
Nearing 40 wins for the season out of just over 60. Two out of three ain’t bad, people. I’m pegging my season total at 54 wins. Mark that down.
Mushy Peas
More Champions League this week. Guess I should make some picks as it is relevant and newsy, which in essence is what Mushy Peas is about. Mushy Peas = relevant news. That was for all you n00bs out there.
So to Michel’s grand tourney...things aren’t looking great for our boys from the Old Blighty. Liverpool have been out of it for months now, with Arsenal and Chelsea about to join them. Not how they usually do it in the Premier League. In fact, that’s one of my proudest facts to state to EPL-haters…why do our teams always go so far in the Champions League then?
This year, I could be in danger of having to find a new stat to look up. If you’re name isn’t Manchester United and you’re in the EPL, you’re down on aggregate against two tricky sides. Not good, really.
I think Arsenal can pull it out, even without Cesc in the middle. Chelsea I’m not so sure. Porto are terrible in England and Arsenal have the firepower to make things happen. Inter are a bit trickier and will give Chelsea some troubles next week in their trip to Stamford Bridge.
In short, I’ve got United and Arsenal going through, but Chelsea left licking their wounds. Wounds that could end up being Carlo’s head if Mr. Abramovich’s track record is anything to go by. Never put it past him.
Last thing to discuss: GOLDEN BALLS. Back to Old Trafford on Wednesday and I’m brimming with excitement. Kind of funny that he still is an LA Galaxy player. When was the last time anyone referred to him as such? Anyway, should be a nice welcome back for him in the match, if he plays.
The Fixins’
The ‘Fredo Corleone Award For Selling Out Your Family’ of the Week
Nicklas Bendtner, Arsenal: Someone had to pay him off, right? He was missing on purpose, surely. For those who missed the match, Bendtner had no less than five of those so aptly-named, ‘guilt-edged’ chances. None of them went in. The boy can play, we all know that, but how long before Arsene just gives up hope on the lanky Dane? Also, who remembers a little ‘Counterattack’ I did a while back about Arsenal and their title chances? I made a comment about Bendtner being worthless and got poo-pooed for it. Where were all you folks on Saturday? Burn. Shane 1, Delusional Arsenal fans 0.
Tweet of the Week: @Strider805
“@shanEvans true, i sometimes wonder if theo picked the right sport. he looks lost as much as landykakes sometimes does. great moments though”
Ten points for who my friend Silviano is referencing. Clue: He plays for Arsenal. Second clue: His shirt number is 2x7.
Player of the Week: Landon Donovan, Everton
There it is, folks. Landon Donovan is your player of the week after his glittering substitute’s performance against Hull on Sunday. Send off match? Probably. What a great move it was for him to go there. I knew it would be. I said so. I did...really. He comes home a hero after scoring a brilliant goal, setting up another and just being his overall scary good self.
(Not) Rotten Egg of the Week: Portsmouth
Since I already ragged on Rafa and Bendtner, I had to find someone else to complain about. Unfortunately I was out of ideas, so I figured I’ll talk about Portsmouth and how they aren’t in the crapper for once. They’re actually in the FA Cup semi-finals. Who’da thunk it? I’m proud of you Avram. That or you just scare the bejesus out of me.
Gaffe of the Week: Boaz Myhill & Richard Garcia, Hull City
Was a nice own goal, wasn’t it? Arteta puts a narrow cross into the box that Myhill attempted to tip over the net. Totally whiffed at his attempted and the ball happened to land squarely on the face of Garcia on the goalline. I won’t say he tried to head it in, but it looked pretty similar to that motion. Was just funny to watch. He looked so surprised that the ball was actually going to hit him, when he really should have been expecting it. I lol’ed. Big time.
Goal of the Week: Paul Scholes, Manchester United
Wasn’t a nice goal really, not like some that I’ve seen of his, but I really just take every chance I can get to say “Ginger Ninja.” He’s certainly that. Oh, it was his 100th in the Premier League you say? It was indeed, folks. Not a number to toy around with. Quite an accomplishment for the lad. Here’s 10 of his best.
Game of the Week: Everton 5-1 Hull City
Was Everton really that good or is Hull just really that terrible? Could be both. Still was an entertaining match from a neutral’s perspective. Lots of goals, lots of Phil Brown’s fake tan and of course Englishmen cheering, “USA! USA! USA!” Will be a while before we hear that again, me thinks...
Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com. His feature, "Fish & Chip Shots" appears weekly. Contact Shane at shane.evans@goal.com with questions, comments and concerns, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/shanEvans or join the TFE/FCS Facebook fan page!
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
Then he fixed things. Liverpool started playing well again. Went on a little run and were back in the thick of it. All was well. Most importantly, I stopped talking about him, which was a huge weight off my mind.
And now this. A 1-0 loss to Wigan Athletic.
Nothing against Roberto Martinez and his players. He has a great bunch who are youthful and talented. Lots of promise there and avoiding relegation should be an achievable goal.
Beating Liverpool should not have been.
Who wants to guess at the last time this result happened? For those who aren’t keeping up the result I’m speaking of is Wigan taking all three points from Liverpool in the Premier League. Any guesses? Never, that’s when. Wigan have never beaten Liverpool. Until Monday, that is.
In a performance that can be best described as impotent, Liverpool completely bottled it against a Wigan side who were determined and resolute in defense. Again, not to belittle the performance of Martinez’ side, but I’d be hard-pressed to think of a match this season when the favored team (heavily favored, I might add) played so poorly.
From their finishing (which from the scoreline you can tell there was no such thing) to their movement to even the simplest of midfield passes and supply they were just awful. You’d have thought that after a first half of blown chances and giveaways Rafa would have changed things up a bit. You know, altered his tactics.
Nope. Not to be. He had Fernando Torres doing his best ‘awkward only child’ impression on the top of the pitch, while Dirk Kuyt continued to master his ‘chicken with its head cut off’ bit. And we can’t forget Mr. Steven Gerrard who did more complaining than Peter in “Office Space.”
Just a shambolic performance all the way around. In many cases, you can blame the players. They don’t score goals, teams don’t win. For the sake of this column, I’m arguing that it’s Rafa’s fault. Plain. And. Simple.
As a manager, you have to adapt. You can’t just assume that because you have greater talent than the other team that you’ll be able to win the match. It doesn’t work that way. You have to be fluid and able to change things up if what you were doing previously wasn’t working. This is coming from my years of managerial experience as well. I’ve won trophies, you know.
Seriously, how shortsighted can you be as the head coach of one of the biggest clubs in the land and still keep a striker up top by himself. It doesn’t work with Torres, which means it certainly wouldn’t work with Kuyt or Ngog.
Time after time, Rafa installs this system and it never goes anywhere. This isn’t Spain. Wigan could pull it off because they need to spend most matches defending. For a big club like Liverpool they should be taking the game to them, not just knocking it long hoping Torres can make something happen.
Losing a match like this is just unacceptable. To not even get on the scoresheet is incomprehensible. My only guess is that the Reds have seen how stiff the competition is for fourth and just decided to pack it in for the season and let someone else have it for a change. That or it’s the owners, right? I mean where else can I point fingers? Yeah, definitely Alan Hansen’s fault...he talks to much. The weather, yeah, that damn snow and stuff really messed up our game. Their season has become laughable.
Fear not Liverpool faithful. The summer isn’t far off. Rafa will be gone, as will Torres, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel, and Albert Riera. Hicks and Gillett won’t be, though. It’s totally fine because you’ll get to start anew by building around Stevie G once more. It’ll work this time for real. We’ll catch those damn Mancunians one of these days, eh lads?
Pickled Onions
Thank goodness I didn’t decide to use that match in “The Full English” last week. What a disaster that would have been. I can see it now: “Yeah, Liverpool can definitely put at least four past Wigan. Here we go Reds!”
In the matches that I did pick, I did a pretty decent job. I had Everton knocking off Hull, which wasn’t that much of a stretch. I had 4-0, it went 5-1. Works for me.
The second match had me hoping Gio Zola could top Bolton. Wasn’t the case as the Hammers fell 2-1. Another pretty sloppy match. The last of the set was Arsenal-Burnley, which was won by the Gooners in their favorite oh-so-dramatic fashion. Should have been 4-0 at the half, in other words.
Overall: 39-23
Nearing 40 wins for the season out of just over 60. Two out of three ain’t bad, people. I’m pegging my season total at 54 wins. Mark that down.
Mushy Peas
More Champions League this week. Guess I should make some picks as it is relevant and newsy, which in essence is what Mushy Peas is about. Mushy Peas = relevant news. That was for all you n00bs out there.
So to Michel’s grand tourney...things aren’t looking great for our boys from the Old Blighty. Liverpool have been out of it for months now, with Arsenal and Chelsea about to join them. Not how they usually do it in the Premier League. In fact, that’s one of my proudest facts to state to EPL-haters…why do our teams always go so far in the Champions League then?
This year, I could be in danger of having to find a new stat to look up. If you’re name isn’t Manchester United and you’re in the EPL, you’re down on aggregate against two tricky sides. Not good, really.
I think Arsenal can pull it out, even without Cesc in the middle. Chelsea I’m not so sure. Porto are terrible in England and Arsenal have the firepower to make things happen. Inter are a bit trickier and will give Chelsea some troubles next week in their trip to Stamford Bridge.
In short, I’ve got United and Arsenal going through, but Chelsea left licking their wounds. Wounds that could end up being Carlo’s head if Mr. Abramovich’s track record is anything to go by. Never put it past him.
Last thing to discuss: GOLDEN BALLS. Back to Old Trafford on Wednesday and I’m brimming with excitement. Kind of funny that he still is an LA Galaxy player. When was the last time anyone referred to him as such? Anyway, should be a nice welcome back for him in the match, if he plays.
The Fixins’
The ‘Fredo Corleone Award For Selling Out Your Family’ of the Week
Nicklas Bendtner, Arsenal: Someone had to pay him off, right? He was missing on purpose, surely. For those who missed the match, Bendtner had no less than five of those so aptly-named, ‘guilt-edged’ chances. None of them went in. The boy can play, we all know that, but how long before Arsene just gives up hope on the lanky Dane? Also, who remembers a little ‘Counterattack’ I did a while back about Arsenal and their title chances? I made a comment about Bendtner being worthless and got poo-pooed for it. Where were all you folks on Saturday? Burn. Shane 1, Delusional Arsenal fans 0.
Tweet of the Week: @Strider805
“@shanEvans true, i sometimes wonder if theo picked the right sport. he looks lost as much as landykakes sometimes does. great moments though”
Ten points for who my friend Silviano is referencing. Clue: He plays for Arsenal. Second clue: His shirt number is 2x7.
Player of the Week: Landon Donovan, Everton
There it is, folks. Landon Donovan is your player of the week after his glittering substitute’s performance against Hull on Sunday. Send off match? Probably. What a great move it was for him to go there. I knew it would be. I said so. I did...really. He comes home a hero after scoring a brilliant goal, setting up another and just being his overall scary good self.
(Not) Rotten Egg of the Week: Portsmouth
Since I already ragged on Rafa and Bendtner, I had to find someone else to complain about. Unfortunately I was out of ideas, so I figured I’ll talk about Portsmouth and how they aren’t in the crapper for once. They’re actually in the FA Cup semi-finals. Who’da thunk it? I’m proud of you Avram. That or you just scare the bejesus out of me.
Gaffe of the Week: Boaz Myhill & Richard Garcia, Hull City
Was a nice own goal, wasn’t it? Arteta puts a narrow cross into the box that Myhill attempted to tip over the net. Totally whiffed at his attempted and the ball happened to land squarely on the face of Garcia on the goalline. I won’t say he tried to head it in, but it looked pretty similar to that motion. Was just funny to watch. He looked so surprised that the ball was actually going to hit him, when he really should have been expecting it. I lol’ed. Big time.
Goal of the Week: Paul Scholes, Manchester United
Wasn’t a nice goal really, not like some that I’ve seen of his, but I really just take every chance I can get to say “Ginger Ninja.” He’s certainly that. Oh, it was his 100th in the Premier League you say? It was indeed, folks. Not a number to toy around with. Quite an accomplishment for the lad. Here’s 10 of his best.
Game of the Week: Everton 5-1 Hull City
Was Everton really that good or is Hull just really that terrible? Could be both. Still was an entertaining match from a neutral’s perspective. Lots of goals, lots of Phil Brown’s fake tan and of course Englishmen cheering, “USA! USA! USA!” Will be a while before we hear that again, me thinks...
Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com. His feature, "Fish & Chip Shots" appears weekly. Contact Shane at shane.evans@goal.com with questions, comments and concerns, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/shanEvans or join the TFE/FCS Facebook fan page!
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
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