The future of Houllier and McAllister?

[Chris Smith]

Its difficult to see that Moyes would offer us anything that MON didnt.

Benitez or hughes for me.

What could hughes offer that's different then? I'm not advocating Moyes by the way, I'm equally uncertain about both.

If every club took that approach then no manager would ever get a "promotion" to a bigger/more ambitious club. You have to judge them on the job they've done given the circumstances they have worked under.

Moyes has done enough, if he wants it, to earn a crack at a club who will back him more consistently. I'm not saying that he's the right man for the job as I'm genuinely not sure, but there's a certain logic to him moving to Villa Park. I think it is short sighted to assume that because he's hit a wall with Everton the same would happen here.

I think I'd prefer a manager like him who still thinks he has something to prove to one who, it could be argued, has his best years behind him.

[Eigentor]

I think I'd prefer a manager like him who still thinks he has something to prove to one who, it could be argued, has his best years behind him.

It's a difficult distinction, though. Some people suggested that SAF had had his best years behind after the 2001-02 season (when Man Utd finished third), but he has managed to do ok even though he looked "past it" at the time.

The best managers don't tire of winning.

[JJ-AV]

I really want Rafa as manager. He'll have learnt from his time at Liverpool, he's so driven, spends ages on the training field, journalists who know him say he wants to build something, he's the right age, has the right experience in this country and has won shedloads... Big name in Spain so can attract young Spaniards.

My only worry is the criticisms of him in the past (such as he's never been a player so doesn't 'trust' players) and is a bit 'cold' towards players (Benty for example needs an arm around him).

But ultimately he makes teams hardworking, he makes them a team, his midfield is versatile and his forwards score goals. One of my criticisms of O'Neill was his inability to make a 'team', he just had 11 individuals who looked after their on bit. Rafa makes teams fluid.

[OzVilla]

I really want Rafa as manager. He'll have learnt from his time at Liverpool, he's so driven, spends ages on the training field, journalists who know him say he wants to build something, he's the right age, has the right experience in this country and has won shedloads... Big name in Spain so can attract young Spaniards.

My only worry is the criticisms of him in the past (such as he's never been a player so doesn't 'trust' players) and is a bit 'cold' towards players (Benty for example needs an arm around him).

But ultimately he makes teams hardworking, he makes them a team, his midfield is versatile and his forwards score goals. One of my criticisms of O'Neill was his inability to make a 'team', he just had 11 individuals who looked after their on bit. Rafa makes teams fluid.

I'm not cold on the idea of Benitez but you must admit he bought some absolute dross at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA'.  That'd be a worry as although he'll recieve some backling, he'll need to be shrewd in the market if we are to compete for anything approaching a Champions League spot.

Can't agree at all with you over MON not building a 'team' mentality.  The whole side worked as a well drilled unit under MON, it was the style that was hard to watch.

[Concrete John]

I'm not cold on the idea of Benitez but you must admit he bought some absolute dross at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA'.

First up - I'm not a fan of Benitez and don't want him as our manager.

However, I must say that I had similar reservations about Gezza, yet his transfer dealings here have been the (only!) highlight of his tenure!

[JJ-AV]

I really want Rafa as manager. He'll have learnt from his time at Liverpool, he's so driven, spends ages on the training field, journalists who know him say he wants to build something, he's the right age, has the right experience in this country and has won shedloads... Big name in Spain so can attract young Spaniards.

My only worry is the criticisms of him in the past (such as he's never been a player so doesn't 'trust' players) and is a bit 'cold' towards players (Benty for example needs an arm around him).

But ultimately he makes teams hardworking, he makes them a team, his midfield is versatile and his forwards score goals. One of my criticisms of O'Neill was his inability to make a 'team', he just had 11 individuals who looked after their on bit. Rafa makes teams fluid.

I'm not cold on the idea of Benitez but you must admit he bought some absolute dross at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA'.  That'd be a worry as although he'll recieve some backling, he'll need to be shrewd in the market if we are to compete for anything approaching a Champions League spot.

Can't agree at all with you over MON not building a 'team' mentality.  The whole side worked as a well drilled unit under MON, it was the style that was hard to watch.

Was a constant battle with the owners though. He genuinely wanted Simao and Alves but had to get Rieira and Johnson instead.

Johnson was overpriced but he was backed into a corner because Pompey couldn't give them the Crouch money so it was either that or less money to spend and a right back issue.

At the end of the day: Reina, Mascherano, Alonso and Torres are four world class signings. Only Torres was deemed a massive coup at the time of arrival, all made an immediate impact. Agger, Kuyt and Benayoun were absolutely fantastic signings too.

[Greg N'Ash]

Not a fan of FSW's style of football really. My scouse mate thought it was pretty shite as well, though you could say he built a half decent side without really threatening the supremacy of the Mancs and Chelsea. I think Moyes given the same money would have built a similar side and probably more entertaining

[Ger Regan]

If every club took that approach then no manager would ever get a "promotion" to a bigger/more ambitious club. You have to judge them on the job they've done given the circumstances they have worked under.

Moyes has done enough, if he wants it, to earn a crack at a club who will back him more consistently. I'm not saying that he's the right man for the job as I'm genuinely not sure, but there's a certain logic to him moving to Villa Park. I think it is short sighted to assume that because he's hit a wall with Everton the same would happen here.

I think I'd prefer a manager like him who still thinks he has something to prove to one who, it could be argued, has his best years behind him.

I see where you're coming from Chris, but I would argue that someone like Paul Lambert is more deserving of the type of promotion you are talking about, rather than Moyes. Lambert has tangible success to claim in two back-to-back promotions. Moyes has nothing, barring one (I think it's only one) cup final appearance and generally plodding along in the premier league. Granted, there's a case to be made for him doing well under the difficult financial constraints that he finds himself in, but even taking that into account, I'm unconvinced.

[JJ-AV]

Not a fan of FSW's style of football really. My scouse mate thought it was pretty shite as well, though you could say he built a half decent side without really threatening the supremacy of the Mancs and Chelsea. I think Moyes given the same money would have built a similar side and probably more entertaining

But for an Arshavin super-show at Anfield he may have won the league. He was very, very close... And then he was unable to invest further and the heart of his team was ripped out when Alonso left.

[Risso]

I'm not cold on the idea of Benitez but you must admit he bought some absolute dross at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA'.

First up - I'm not a fan of Benitez and don't want him as our manager.

However, I must say that I had similar reservations about Gezza, yet his transfer dealings here have been the (only!) highlight of his tenure!

Well, he bought Bent, and how much that was down to him or the board I would say is open to question.   I couldn't argue that any of his other signings have been particularly inspiring even if we do chlk Bent down as a Houllier masterstroke.

[not3bad]

And then he was unable to invest further and the heart of his team was ripped out when Alonso left.

You mean he let Alonso leave and then couldn't replace him?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Not a fan of FSW's style of football really. My scouse mate thought it was pretty shite as well, though you could say he built a half decent side without really threatening the supremacy of the Mancs and Chelsea. I think Moyes given the same money would have built a similar side and probably more entertaining

But for an Arshavin super-show at Anfield he may have won the league. He was very, very close... And then he was unable to invest further and the heart of his team was ripped out when Alonso left.

It was his choice to let Alonso go. He was ready to sell him the season before to bring in Gareth Barry.

[Merv]

His handling of Alonso, alienating him with the inevitable consequence of the player then leaving, was one of Benitez's biggest mistakes while at Liverpool, IMO.

But in terms of making them a force to challenge Man U and Chelsea - I think he did exactly that. Two CL finals in three years, winning one, and mounting the strongest Liverpool title challenge in 20 years.

[TheSandman]

Among the likeliest candidates/those we're most heavily linked with (Moyes, Hughes and Benitez), I'd prefer the Spaniard. But ideally, I would like us to gamble on an up-and-coming manager, someone like Villas-Boas, Flores or Thomas Tuchel. When it comes to building something (setting up a scouting network, develop the youth programme), it would perhaps be better to have someone with more experience. But I think these tasks should be left to someone who doesn't have to leave his job if the team loses three games on the trot.

I agree with all of that.

I'd even think about including Lambert in the list of contenders.

[garyshawsknee]

Concerning RB has anyone considered the prospect of Zonal marking?

 I think Lambert is gonna be something special,would like to see us get him before someone else does.