a two-fer ... Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is being kept informed about Pepe Reina's ongoing contract situation at Napoli in the hope the 34-year-old former Liverpool goalkeeper could still end up moving to St James' Park.
To be fair, he was credited with getting our defenders to understand Rafa's zonal marking system on the training pitch, which paid huge dividends in the longer term. On the football pitch, though, I'm not sure I've ever seen a slower player.
They are referring to Pellegrino as a student of Rafa The thing about Benitez he is a footballing nut, obsessed with all the intricacies and minor details almost like a game of chess .....I dunno how he'll fair at the saints but it will be a mission to top 8 position IMO
Top 6 is not a realistic goal given the fact they will sell more of their best players including VVD? In the freak year, Liverpool finished 8th and the difference between 4th-6th was 3 points
I didn't say it was realistic. 1. Liverpool 2. Chelsea 3. Man City 4. Spurs 5. Arsenal 6. Soton Mourinho sacked in November after 4-5-4 start.
Arbeloa is retiring. I always liked him, recall when he kept Messi totally wrapped up at Anfield. http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40390991
Actually, I think Rafa had the funniest line ever when he said he could not speak much now, because "I must go to the hospital now to check on Robben. I think he is in the hospital." after he got Reina sent off.
Fabio Borini’s 16 league goals in five years have earned him a £5.3m, £35,000-a-week move to Milan from Sunderland, pending medical.
he did? LOL. news to me. we spent years getting mixed up between zonal and man-marking. given our piss-poor record vs corners and free kicks I don't think we've figured it out even now.
well, I use it often enough, don't I?? Anyway, just meant that Slovenia is small, and beautiful and with lots of little towns and villages..... I wouldn't mind living there......
Actually, Sam - from what I recall we weren't too bad at flouncing corners under early-mid period rafa .... ever since him it's been heart in mouth time....