When was the last time we won five games in a roll.? This season we wldwl No doubt it was the time of Rafa Benitez we: wwwww. If we are twenty or more points behind the champion how are we going to challenge next season.?
Our first team is a long way of Rafas first team when he was here at the moment. Just got to be patient with the team and keep faith with what Kenny is building.
Rafa's team: Reina Arbeloa - Carragher - Hyypia - Aurelio Mascherano - Alonso Kuyt - Gerrard - Reira Torres Subs: Agger, Insua, Lucas, Babel, Benayoun Was fantastic, shame we didn't have a second string.
Looking back I think most fans never really realized how good the team was at the time. Ah well, Maybe in a season or two we'll be back closer to a team just as strong
What a spine of a team though Reina - Hyypia - Masch - Gerrard - Torres You couldn't really ask for more
Carragher was in the prime of his career under Rafa so he was a strong part of that spine as was Alonso too. Reina RB - Carragher - Hyypia - LB Mascherano - Alonso RW - Gerrard - LW Torres Thats seven players of top quality at the time making a very strong spine. Shame Rafa couldn't convinced Rick Parry and David Moores to splash a bit of cash on that much needed winger!
It was definately a fantastic team of players however it was only the first team that was strong and I remembered we were lacking in squad depth. Looking at the current team, the squad strength is strong but the first team is lacking. Overally - Rafa took a few years to build that team. He didn't just go out and buy Alonso, Mascherano, Torres, Agger etc in one go. It takes time. Not all of his transfers paid off either, just like Kenny who has found success with Suarez, Enrique and Bellamy and found a few duds.
But if people remember a season or two prior to that strong first team, we had a very good squad but the first team wasn't as good. With H&G arriving, Rafa sold off fringe/squad players to buy better first team players and it swung the opposite way. Hence my comment of: Hence the 'greatest midfield in the world' song! [video=youtube;ayivhplxuwM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayivhplxuwM[/video]
We are not so far off that now. --------------------Reina---------------------- ---rb-------Skrtel--------Agger--------lb---- ----------Lucas------------Gerrard----------- -----RW---------Suarez-------------LW------ ------------------Striker---------------------- And we have some quality full backs.
Six rather than seven players but IMO the two centre backs are not as good now as they were then. Gerrard is older too.
