Rafa is annoyed that he was left out of the EL squad. This appeared on his personal website. 'They could at least have consulted me on this' Rafael comments after being excluded for the first European League games up till December. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp decided not to enlist Rafael because of his injury and expected recovery time of 6 to 8 weeks. The decision subscribes the earlier statements made by Redknapp that he finds the Premier League of more importance than the EL-games. Not expecting Rafael to be fit again so soon Redknapp can now count on an eager player for the game against Liverpool. Rafael on the other hand doesn't want to go in-depth on the situation. Rafael: 'I still think it's a peculiar situation. Spurs could at least have consulted me. Anyway it's up to the point of no return. I will be focusing on the game against Liverpool. I'm pretty convinced I will be fit by then thanks to Dick van Toorn.' I'm pretty sure he would have been told, if he wasn't somebody stuffed up royally.
He loves playing his football and is certainly committed to the cause. Maybe too committed as he wants to play every game regardless of fitness. I heard he was carrying an injury for the most part of last season. It'd probably do him well to rest it for another 4 days. We want him to be on top of his game for Sunday.
He and Friedel seem to be the only first teamers to have been excluded. Weird decision to be honest, even though there was never much intention to play the likes of Rafa, Bale, Modric and co in the group stages, I still would have thought having him in the squad as a precaution would have been ideal. Especially if he does pick up a few more injuries and needs some match fitness.
Knowing 'Arry, communication isn't really an issue. Rafa was probably informed about this whilst also being told about all possible transfer targets in the January window and names of all unhappy players who wanted to leave in the summer. He probably also discussed all players that aren't pulling their weight and might be sold. Unless he exclusively releases this information to the papers...
Stop talking to the press and start talking to your players, 'Arry! Don't like Rafa making it public either, mind.
Presumably Friedel and van der Vaart have been excluded so that we could include fringe players, like Falque and Dos Santos. Probably a sensible decision, given the sheer number of games that could be involved if we progress in all competitions. Very stupid not to consult the player involved, though and it reminds me of the similar incident that we had with Sandro last season. He only found out that he wasn't in the Champions League squad for the early rounds when he turned up for a flight and was sent back to the training ground. Ludicrous.
I know that I'm probably out of date, and a little old fashioned on this. But the traditional way was always that the manager picked the team, or the squad, and then TOLD or informed the players. Consultation was not really an issue.
It doesn't seem to have been explained to him at all though, NSIS. Surely having a quick sit down with him and telling him that we didn't want to risk him because he was too important to our league campaign wouldn't have hurt, would it? He may have actually been bolstered by the news, rather than seeing his nose put out of joint, as it appears to be.
No. I can't disagree that the player should be informed before any public announcement was made. What I meant was, in times past, this was not a matter for discussion, or consultation, as seems to be the fashion nowadays.
What is the issue? Harry is basically saying that VdV is so important to him the he doesn't want to risk him in what Harry sees as a second rate tournament. It is a compliment in a roundabout sort of way.
I agree Deedub, but it should have been put to the player like that. He's a temperamental person and it would have been better to take that into account.
Love the desire to play for us, and you will play the latter more important EL stages, but Rafa, ur a bit of a sicknote, we need you for Liverpool.
VDV's fitness can't see him through a Premier League season in isolation, let alone the countless matches it takes to advance in the EL. If he laid off the pancakes and got his head down, he might have a chance of playing more games.
Having watched Harry on SSN, I don't know what VDV's wobbling on about, his first diagnosis was 6/8 weeks, that would have seen him miss 4 of the 6 group games. What 'would' have been his first game is the one away in Russia, one HR said would be one he's doubts he'll send key players out to anyway, leaving one group game. Waste of a squad place based on the original prognosis imo.
