I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
Liverpool sack Rafa Benitez
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[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40455.msg1114384#msg1114384 date=1275833288]
I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
[/quote]
I'm guessing there will be an exodus of Spanish staff then? Good thing the likes of Rush and Kenny are in place. I'd be interested to see who we appoint on the coaching side, assuming a new manager isn't forthcoming. It'd be good to see people like Sami, Didi or Gary Mac back at the club.
I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
[/quote]
I'm guessing there will be an exodus of Spanish staff then? Good thing the likes of Rush and Kenny are in place. I'd be interested to see who we appoint on the coaching side, assuming a new manager isn't forthcoming. It'd be good to see people like Sami, Didi or Gary Mac back at the club.
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40455.msg1114384#msg1114384 date=1275833288]
I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
[/quote]Hes certainly the one who sat Robbie Keane down for 45minutes after one game and told him what he was doing wrong in the game.
That ended well as we all know.
I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
[/quote]Hes certainly the one who sat Robbie Keane down for 45minutes after one game and told him what he was doing wrong in the game.
That ended well as we all know.
Quite.
mark, re the Spanish/S.American connection - could well be overall, but I wonder about Borrell. He'll have been working quite closely with the King at the Academy and it'll be interesting to see where he sees his future, at least in the short term. If he can do for us what he did for Barca, he'd be worth hanging on to.
mark, re the Spanish/S.American connection - could well be overall, but I wonder about Borrell. He'll have been working quite closely with the King at the Academy and it'll be interesting to see where he sees his future, at least in the short term. If he can do for us what he did for Barca, he'd be worth hanging on to.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=40455.msg1114386#msg1114386 date=1275833451]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40455.msg1114384#msg1114384 date=1275833288]
I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
[/quote]Hes certainly the one who sat Robbie Keane down for 45minutes after one game and told him what he was doing wrong in the game.
That ended well as we all know.
[/quote]
Didn't he have a rumoured spat with Gerrard aswell?
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40455.msg1114384#msg1114384 date=1275833288]
I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
[/quote]Hes certainly the one who sat Robbie Keane down for 45minutes after one game and told him what he was doing wrong in the game.
That ended well as we all know.
[/quote]
Didn't he have a rumoured spat with Gerrard aswell?
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114388#msg1114388 date=1275833603]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=40455.msg1114386#msg1114386 date=1275833451]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40455.msg1114384#msg1114384 date=1275833288]
I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
[/quote]Hes certainly the one who sat Robbie Keane down for 45minutes after one game and told him what he was doing wrong in the game.
That ended well as we all know.
[/quote]
Didn't he have a rumoured spat with Gerrard aswell?
[/quote]Yeah. I think Gerrard got dropped for a game.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=40455.msg1114386#msg1114386 date=1275833451]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40455.msg1114384#msg1114384 date=1275833288]
I've seen it mentioned that he was also Rafa's "enforcer", the one who whipped reluctant players into line with Rafa's regimented ideas.
[/quote]Hes certainly the one who sat Robbie Keane down for 45minutes after one game and told him what he was doing wrong in the game.
That ended well as we all know.
[/quote]
Didn't he have a rumoured spat with Gerrard aswell?
[/quote]Yeah. I think Gerrard got dropped for a game.
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114391#msg1114391 date=1275833805]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[/quote]
Depends. Woy defo goes for man marking, but i'm not sure about Van Gaal or whoever.
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[/quote]
Depends. Woy defo goes for man marking, but i'm not sure about Van Gaal or whoever.
I'd love to have the opportunity to fucking sit down for 45 minutes with Pellegroso to discuss his performance against Southampton
'You're fucking shit, and slow, fuck off'
Actually 45 seconds would have fucking done it
'You're fucking shit, and slow, fuck off'
Actually 45 seconds would have fucking done it
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40455.msg1114395#msg1114395 date=1275833897]
I'd love to have the opportunity to fucking sit down for 45 minutes with Pellegroso to discuss his performance against Southampton
'You're fucking shit, and slow, fuck off'
Actually 45 seconds would have fucking done it
[/quote]Was it Southampton? I thought it was charlton.
But yeah it was fucking pathetic.
I'd love to have the opportunity to fucking sit down for 45 minutes with Pellegroso to discuss his performance against Southampton
'You're fucking shit, and slow, fuck off'
Actually 45 seconds would have fucking done it
[/quote]Was it Southampton? I thought it was charlton.
But yeah it was fucking pathetic.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=40455.msg1114398#msg1114398 date=1275834015]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40455.msg1114395#msg1114395 date=1275833897]
I'd love to have the opportunity to fucking sit down for 45 minutes with Pellegroso to discuss his performance against Southampton
'You're fucking shit, and slow, fuck off'
Actually 45 seconds would have fucking done it
[/quote]Was it Southampton? I thought it was charlton.
But yeah it was fucking pathetic.
[/quote]
Yeah, it was the game that sold Crouch to us.
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40455.msg1114395#msg1114395 date=1275833897]
I'd love to have the opportunity to fucking sit down for 45 minutes with Pellegroso to discuss his performance against Southampton
'You're fucking shit, and slow, fuck off'
Actually 45 seconds would have fucking done it
[/quote]Was it Southampton? I thought it was charlton.
But yeah it was fucking pathetic.
[/quote]
Yeah, it was the game that sold Crouch to us.
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114400#msg1114400 date=1275834053]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=40455.msg1114398#msg1114398 date=1275834015]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40455.msg1114395#msg1114395 date=1275833897]
I'd love to have the opportunity to fucking sit down for 45 minutes with Pellegroso to discuss his performance against Southampton
'You're fucking shit, and slow, fuck off'
Actually 45 seconds would have fucking done it
[/quote]Was it Southampton? I thought it was charlton.
But yeah it was fucking pathetic.
[/quote]
Yeah, it was the game that sold Crouch to us.
[/quote]Course it was.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=40455.msg1114398#msg1114398 date=1275834015]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40455.msg1114395#msg1114395 date=1275833897]
I'd love to have the opportunity to fucking sit down for 45 minutes with Pellegroso to discuss his performance against Southampton
'You're fucking shit, and slow, fuck off'
Actually 45 seconds would have fucking done it
[/quote]Was it Southampton? I thought it was charlton.
But yeah it was fucking pathetic.
[/quote]
Yeah, it was the game that sold Crouch to us.
[/quote]Course it was.
mark pretty much summed it up, as the defensive coach we went from only losing two games in whole season and being pretty hard to break down to being an absolute defensive shambolic mess. anytime pelligrini touched liverpool we turned to shite.
bet you rafa doesn't take take pelligrini with him to inter.
bet you rafa doesn't take take pelligrini with him to inter.
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114394#msg1114394 date=1275833873]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114391#msg1114391 date=1275833805]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[/quote]
Depends. Woy defo goes for man marking, but i'm not sure about Van Gaal or whoever.
[/quote]
are u sure. From wiki about Woy:
His early coaching career was closely linked to that of his friend Bob Houghton; they worked together at Maidstone, Stranraer and Bristol City, and they both worked in Swedish football at the same time. The pair are credited with transforming Swedish football, bringing in zonal marking for the first time.
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114391#msg1114391 date=1275833805]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[/quote]
Depends. Woy defo goes for man marking, but i'm not sure about Van Gaal or whoever.
[/quote]
are u sure. From wiki about Woy:
His early coaching career was closely linked to that of his friend Bob Houghton; they worked together at Maidstone, Stranraer and Bristol City, and they both worked in Swedish football at the same time. The pair are credited with transforming Swedish football, bringing in zonal marking for the first time.
[quote author=peekay link=topic=40455.msg1114431#msg1114431 date=1275837921]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114394#msg1114394 date=1275833873]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114391#msg1114391 date=1275833805]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[/quote]
Depends. Woy defo goes for man marking, but i'm not sure about Van Gaal or whoever.
[/quote]
are u sure. From wiki about Woy:
His early coaching career was closely linked to that of his friend Bob Houghton; they worked together at Maidstone, Stranraer and Bristol City, and they both worked in Swedish football at the same time. The pair are credited with transforming Swedish football, bringing in zonal marking for the first time.
[/quote]
It depends how it's used I suppose, he may just use it from open play, or he might just utilise it in a different way from setpieces with a mix of man marking, who knows?
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114394#msg1114394 date=1275833873]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114391#msg1114391 date=1275833805]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[/quote]
Depends. Woy defo goes for man marking, but i'm not sure about Van Gaal or whoever.
[/quote]
are u sure. From wiki about Woy:
His early coaching career was closely linked to that of his friend Bob Houghton; they worked together at Maidstone, Stranraer and Bristol City, and they both worked in Swedish football at the same time. The pair are credited with transforming Swedish football, bringing in zonal marking for the first time.
[/quote]
It depends how it's used I suppose, he may just use it from open play, or he might just utilise it in a different way from setpieces with a mix of man marking, who knows?
[quote author=peekay link=topic=40455.msg1114431#msg1114431 date=1275837921]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114394#msg1114394 date=1275833873]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114391#msg1114391 date=1275833805]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[/quote]
Depends. Woy defo goes for man marking, but i'm not sure about Van Gaal or whoever.
[/quote]
are u sure. From wiki about Woy:
His early coaching career was closely linked to that of his friend Bob Houghton; they worked together at Maidstone, Stranraer and Bristol City, and they both worked in Swedish football at the same time. The pair are credited with transforming Swedish football, bringing in zonal marking for the first time.
[/quote]
I'm basing this on what ive watched in the uefa cup this season mate.
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114394#msg1114394 date=1275833873]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40455.msg1114391#msg1114391 date=1275833805]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=40455.msg1114390#msg1114390 date=1275833753]
Wasn't that the one where he was taken off 'injured' at half time or similar?
[/quote]
Yeah that's the one I was thinking of..
Anyway, does this mean we might see an end to the shit setpiece marking?
[/quote]
Depends. Woy defo goes for man marking, but i'm not sure about Van Gaal or whoever.
[/quote]
are u sure. From wiki about Woy:
His early coaching career was closely linked to that of his friend Bob Houghton; they worked together at Maidstone, Stranraer and Bristol City, and they both worked in Swedish football at the same time. The pair are credited with transforming Swedish football, bringing in zonal marking for the first time.
[/quote]
I'm basing this on what ive watched in the uefa cup this season mate.
All English clubs use zonal marking in open play. It's only in set-pieces that it's an issue.
S
Squiggles
Guest
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114432#msg1114432 date=1275838061]
OUr problem with zonal marking was that we had too many bad players; it worked pretty well before with Rafa
[/quote]
People choose to focus on zonal marking but overlook the fact that we lost our one dominant aerial ball winner in Hyypia, and signed lots of short people, like Insua and Mascherano.
We look much more comfortable in dealing with set-pieces and a bombardment of our box when the greek is playing, and the simple truth is that has nothing to do with defensive systems and everything to do with presence.
OUr problem with zonal marking was that we had too many bad players; it worked pretty well before with Rafa
[/quote]
People choose to focus on zonal marking but overlook the fact that we lost our one dominant aerial ball winner in Hyypia, and signed lots of short people, like Insua and Mascherano.
We look much more comfortable in dealing with set-pieces and a bombardment of our box when the greek is playing, and the simple truth is that has nothing to do with defensive systems and everything to do with presence.
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=40455.msg1114699#msg1114699 date=1275873769]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114432#msg1114432 date=1275838061]
OUr problem with zonal marking was that we had too many bad players; it worked pretty well before with Rafa
[/quote]
Which is almost completely incorrect.
[/quote]
But why is that the case?
A lot of criticism has always been levelled at Rafa for zonal marking; especially from Steve Mcmahon and some others.Pretty much eveytime we lost a game we'd hear someone muttering either about zonal marking or rotation (or both)
BUt there was a time when it did work very well, our defence in 2008 and 2007 was good.There was a season when we lost 2 games to the Mancs' 4; but all the draws put us in 3rd place.So it's more likely an issue of personnel, rather than the system employed.
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114432#msg1114432 date=1275838061]
OUr problem with zonal marking was that we had too many bad players; it worked pretty well before with Rafa
[/quote]
Which is almost completely incorrect.
[/quote]
But why is that the case?
A lot of criticism has always been levelled at Rafa for zonal marking; especially from Steve Mcmahon and some others.Pretty much eveytime we lost a game we'd hear someone muttering either about zonal marking or rotation (or both)
BUt there was a time when it did work very well, our defence in 2008 and 2007 was good.There was a season when we lost 2 games to the Mancs' 4; but all the draws put us in 3rd place.So it's more likely an issue of personnel, rather than the system employed.
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114709#msg1114709 date=1275879701]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=40455.msg1114699#msg1114699 date=1275873769]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114432#msg1114432 date=1275838061]
OUr problem with zonal marking was that we had too many bad players; it worked pretty well before with Rafa
[/quote]
Which is almost completely incorrect.
[/quote]
But why is that the case?
A lot of criticism has always been levelled at Rafa for zonal marking; especially from Steve Mcmahon and some others.Pretty much eveytime we lost a game we'd hear someone muttering either about zonal marking or rotation (or both)
BUt there was a time when it did work very well, our defence in 2008 and 2007 was good.There was a season when we lost 2 games to the Mancs' 4; but all the draws put us in 3rd place.So it's more likely an issue of personnel, rather than the system employed.
[/quote]
Most critics' and 'expert ex-pros' in the press haven't a fucking clue mate, as evidenced by their continual usage of such drivel as "I've never seen a zone score a goal, but I've seen a player wah wah wah" - which is by some distance the most resoundingly stupid fucking thing I've ever heard.
McMahon falls into that category, as does literally Jamie Redknapp, Paul Walsh, etc.
Records showed that for years under Rafa our set-piece defending was the best in the league whilst we were deploying zonal marking (I think thats the point you made anyway). I rememebr reading an interview with Rafa in which he attributed a lot of that success to the tall players we had in the side at that time too - Hyypia, Crouch, Sissoko, etc. I think it's probably safe to say that in the last year under Rafa we were nowhere near as strong with it as the system, probably due to a number of factors - lack of taller players, ever-changing team due to injuries, teams working out how to play against it better, less solid defence, etc etc.
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=40455.msg1114699#msg1114699 date=1275873769]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114432#msg1114432 date=1275838061]
OUr problem with zonal marking was that we had too many bad players; it worked pretty well before with Rafa
[/quote]
Which is almost completely incorrect.
[/quote]
But why is that the case?
A lot of criticism has always been levelled at Rafa for zonal marking; especially from Steve Mcmahon and some others.Pretty much eveytime we lost a game we'd hear someone muttering either about zonal marking or rotation (or both)
BUt there was a time when it did work very well, our defence in 2008 and 2007 was good.There was a season when we lost 2 games to the Mancs' 4; but all the draws put us in 3rd place.So it's more likely an issue of personnel, rather than the system employed.
[/quote]
Most critics' and 'expert ex-pros' in the press haven't a fucking clue mate, as evidenced by their continual usage of such drivel as "I've never seen a zone score a goal, but I've seen a player wah wah wah" - which is by some distance the most resoundingly stupid fucking thing I've ever heard.
McMahon falls into that category, as does literally Jamie Redknapp, Paul Walsh, etc.
Records showed that for years under Rafa our set-piece defending was the best in the league whilst we were deploying zonal marking (I think thats the point you made anyway). I rememebr reading an interview with Rafa in which he attributed a lot of that success to the tall players we had in the side at that time too - Hyypia, Crouch, Sissoko, etc. I think it's probably safe to say that in the last year under Rafa we were nowhere near as strong with it as the system, probably due to a number of factors - lack of taller players, ever-changing team due to injuries, teams working out how to play against it better, less solid defence, etc etc.
[quote author=Glock link=topic=40455.msg1114714#msg1114714 date=1275885264]
Its good that Rafa's gone now and hope Kenny will take enough time to find his replacement. I'm happy and the players are all happy too. They all will come back with a clear state of mind and enthusiasm to do well in the coming new season.
[/quote]
You're so calming, Glocky boy.
Its good that Rafa's gone now and hope Kenny will take enough time to find his replacement. I'm happy and the players are all happy too. They all will come back with a clear state of mind and enthusiasm to do well in the coming new season.
[/quote]
You're so calming, Glocky boy.
[quote author=reuque link=topic=40455.msg1114717#msg1114717 date=1275885607]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=40455.msg1114714#msg1114714 date=1275885264]
Its good that Rafa's gone now and hope Kenny will take enough time to find his replacement. I'm happy and the players are all happy too. They all will come back with a clear state of mind and enthusiasm to do well in the coming new season.
[/quote]
You're so calming, Glocky boy.
[/quote]
Thanks.
[quote author=Glock link=topic=40455.msg1114714#msg1114714 date=1275885264]
Its good that Rafa's gone now and hope Kenny will take enough time to find his replacement. I'm happy and the players are all happy too. They all will come back with a clear state of mind and enthusiasm to do well in the coming new season.
[/quote]
You're so calming, Glocky boy.
[/quote]
Thanks.
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=40455.msg1114713#msg1114713 date=1275883092]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114709#msg1114709 date=1275879701]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=40455.msg1114699#msg1114699 date=1275873769]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114432#msg1114432 date=1275838061]
OUr problem with zonal marking was that we had too many bad players; it worked pretty well before with Rafa
[/quote]
Which is almost completely incorrect.
[/quote]
But why is that the case?
A lot of criticism has always been levelled at Rafa for zonal marking; especially from Steve Mcmahon and some others.Pretty much eveytime we lost a game we'd hear someone muttering either about zonal marking or rotation (or both)
BUt there was a time when it did work very well, our defence in 2008 and 2007 was good.There was a season when we lost 2 games to the Mancs' 4; but all the draws put us in 3rd place.So it's more likely an issue of personnel, rather than the system employed.
[/quote]
Most critics' and 'expert ex-pros' in the press haven't a fucking clue mate, as evidenced by their continual usage of such drivel as "I've never seen a zone score a goal, but I've seen a player wah wah wah" - which is by some distance the most resoundingly stupid fucking thing I've ever heard.
McMahon falls into that category, as does literally Jamie Redknapp, Paul Walsh, etc.
Records showed that for years under Rafa our set-piece defending was the best in the league whilst we were deploying zonal marking (I think thats the point you made anyway). I rememebr reading an interview with Rafa in which he attributed a lot of that success to the tall players we had in the side at that time too - Hyypia, Crouch, Sissoko, etc. I think it's probably safe to say that in the last year under Rafa we were nowhere near as strong with it as the system, probably due to a number of factors - lack of taller players, ever-changing team due to injuries, teams working out how to play against it better, less solid defence, etc etc.
[/quote]
In fairness, that's not too far off what Avvy originally said.
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114709#msg1114709 date=1275879701]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=40455.msg1114699#msg1114699 date=1275873769]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40455.msg1114432#msg1114432 date=1275838061]
OUr problem with zonal marking was that we had too many bad players; it worked pretty well before with Rafa
[/quote]
Which is almost completely incorrect.
[/quote]
But why is that the case?
A lot of criticism has always been levelled at Rafa for zonal marking; especially from Steve Mcmahon and some others.Pretty much eveytime we lost a game we'd hear someone muttering either about zonal marking or rotation (or both)
BUt there was a time when it did work very well, our defence in 2008 and 2007 was good.There was a season when we lost 2 games to the Mancs' 4; but all the draws put us in 3rd place.So it's more likely an issue of personnel, rather than the system employed.
[/quote]
Most critics' and 'expert ex-pros' in the press haven't a fucking clue mate, as evidenced by their continual usage of such drivel as "I've never seen a zone score a goal, but I've seen a player wah wah wah" - which is by some distance the most resoundingly stupid fucking thing I've ever heard.
McMahon falls into that category, as does literally Jamie Redknapp, Paul Walsh, etc.
Records showed that for years under Rafa our set-piece defending was the best in the league whilst we were deploying zonal marking (I think thats the point you made anyway). I rememebr reading an interview with Rafa in which he attributed a lot of that success to the tall players we had in the side at that time too - Hyypia, Crouch, Sissoko, etc. I think it's probably safe to say that in the last year under Rafa we were nowhere near as strong with it as the system, probably due to a number of factors - lack of taller players, ever-changing team due to injuries, teams working out how to play against it better, less solid defence, etc etc.
[/quote]
In fairness, that's not too far off what Avvy originally said.
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