Headlines NEWS
The Liverpool Way
Published by WattagoalbyRiise on March 8, 2008
2008/10 Official Liverpool FC merchandise in stock now - home shirts from £25.49 - order now for Christmas delivery - Black & Gold European training tops just £24.99
Rafa Benitez has been here for four seasons now, and has experienced the highs and the lows of managing in the Premier League, and in Europe. He has continuously come under fire from various sections of the media, and pundits, and certain fans who are too quick to believe what the media say, and who are too slow to formulate their own opinion.
It seems that rotation and Rafa go hand in hand. Newspapers are quick to conjure up an image of the Spaniard as some compulsive rotator, who doesn’t know his best team. Well perhaps that is the case, but if we were winning, no one would care. Sir Alex Ferguson, that media darling, rotated his Manchester United squad the most last season, and ended up walking away with the title. Not a sound was made.
Another area in which Rafa continues to be abused for is his style of play, and what makes it so good in Europe. I would have thought that the answer was quite simple. It is because it is an European style of football. I implore you not to take any notice of half-arsed pundits like Alan Shearer, and whoever happens to be commentating on Radio 5Live when Liverpool are playing, because quite frankly, they are part of the problem with English football these days.
How you can say that Rafa’s continental brand isn’t right for English football is beyond me. This continental brand is precisely what pundits like themselves say that Fabio Capello should be playing, and indeed, we will see it more often now that England have a proper manager in charge.
Going back into the annals of footballing tactics, a large part of the modern day tactics emerged from the Total Football style used by the Hungarians, and the Dutch once upon a time. Since then, the different nations have gone their separate ways. The South Americans have a game based on flair, and skill, giving rise to players like Ronaldo, Messi, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Tevez, need I say more?
The English take pride in the pace, and aggressive nature of their game. The ball spends a lot of time with a birds-eye-view of the pitch, and the tackles fly in everywhere. There is usually a big-man-little-man combination upfront, and the defenders are tall, clumsy lads who hoof it into oblivion. I should know – Im one of them. The Italians focused on the defensive aspect, with the two banks of four that have become the staple defensive tactic. They along with the Spanish developed the style of football that focuses on technical ability.
The possession play, that Anfield crowds have come to expect under Rafa. Passing it back to the keeper, and passing it along the back four, and waiting for others to get into space. That is what Rafa’s football is all about. Its about patience. That is why Liverpool appear to struggle against the ‘smaller,’ teams.
It always makes me smile when the crowd get restless when its still 0-0 inside the hour mark. The continental style is perfectly suited for that. Its about wearing the opposition down, and dragging opposing players out of position, in order to supply that final killer pass that would split the defence. The spectators might get restless, but the team is doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing. Yes they do get caught on the counter-attack, like Liverpool have, but then in turn, benefit from the qualities of regaining possession. Indeed, how often have Liverpool broken through the stern, and sometimes lucky defences of the likes of Fulham, Middlesbrough, West Ham etc.., later on in the match, after a great deal of ‘huff and puff’?
So now we are back to the argument if this brand of football is effective in English football. Well, we certainly know that it is effective against English football. For years now, European opposition has had the beating of English teams in the Champions League, and the UEFA Cup. Only relatively recently have Liverpool emerged with one of the worlds greatest exponent of European football, Manchester United with a team displaying all the hallmarks of that famous Total Football system, Chelsea backed by a never-ending transfer kitty, and a shrewd manager, and Arsenal who are making full use of Wenger’s, and Liam Brady’s fantastic development of some of Europe’s finest young prospects. English football are starting to do well in the Champions League, but the team has continued to fail under the likes of Sven, and Steve McLaren. It is only now that the public should take notice of Fabio Capello’s tactics, as he employs the continental style. Unfortunately, I do not think so.
Many England fans were pleased with his first match against Switzerland, but complain that we took too long to break them down. Sound familiar? Hello! This is Fabio Cappello’s way of playing – it wins matches, as well as encouraging the team to play on the floor, and pass it around. You cannot admire Fabio Cappello for using this as England maanger, and then chastise Rafa for using it in the Premier League. They are the same thing. Benitez and Cappello are showing the way forward for English football.
A way of playing that will enable them to give the likes of Italy, and Spain a match. People say that they want England to play like Brazil and Argentina, but this will never be the case. England have to think realistically. They have to base their game on technical ability, instead of skill and flair. This will turn them into what Italy, Spain, and France are like today. I personally think that England will beat France when they come up against them in their next friendly.
So back to my initial topic of Rafa’s style of play. Some Liverpool fans will want him to change his ways, to suit the English game. Im not talking about rotation, because Sir Alex has shown that it could work rather well – or well enough to win the Premier League, which is good enough for me. You cannot start bleating on about the need to modernise English football, and then go on about Rafa’s lack of comprehension of the English game. The English game is sick, and Rafa’s game is the cure.
(1 votes)
Loading ...234
One
'El Nino' Torres Merchandise Range Now In Stock!
‘The English game is sick, and Rafa’s game is the cure’
ohh I liked this phrase!! so if it honest, not all stated I’ve understood, and probably, not that has understood all, has understood correctly, but devil take it, you open eyes to many sceptics and ‘pundits’ and the food for mind, at least for me allows so much.. I Know, words of one man don’t mean anything.. But I am glad. That I have opportunity to read such ideas.
Thanks Watta!!