BlueLyon

This for sure also splited our chances of getting Pep eventualy. Who would join club with knowing he will be sacked after few bad games? This Rafa is not as good as he was 5yrs ago, but I'll give him the chance.

Well it was first good game in a while, but Rafa will probably fix him.

Hell he proved you all doubters that he can play well.

He is just walking around instead of running and trying to get in proper position!!! His decission making is Joke too. But at least he shot on goal...

Yup your right, but overall, I still expected more from Mata who should be our leader now but is playing very frustrating. Maybe he is just too young to lead us yet. We need either Lamps or someone like Derossi to lead the midfield.

Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva,...small players, but with huge BALANCE. As long Mata and Hazard dont 'gain' some balance, they wont be good against better teams. Is it realy just me that cant watch that any stringer opponent (or even not so stronger) bullies them every time? They cant produce anything, Mata should dictate the game, be playmaker, but he is only trying to pass and nothing else. Hazard has no speed dribbling, creating chances or shooting. Where is the guy from Lille? Im harsh, I understand they all have bad games, but it was fifth game in row that they havent show anything that would be pushing our team forward in difficult situations.

The reason we didnt concede goal is because whole team played more defensive. We might take step forward in defence, but we also made two steps backwards in attack. From Rafa, I simply dont expect nice football. Today match was boring, we didnt try to score at all. We played on draw, while we are third, and we played at home. Wtf? We should try to win, not to keep clean sheet. 2:1 or 3:2 would be better than draw 0:0... All the long balls again, no creativity, Hazard, Mata and Oscar cant hold on ball...depressing realy... Silva is small too, but he can easily pass our strong defenders, while Hazard or Mata always fall on ground instead of dribble past opponent. This wont work...Too much lightweight midfield. Torres was bad again, I dont see any motivation or determination in our team either. Like our players would be playing summer friendly cup and no one gives a shit, as long they get the money...

So, we are playing defensive again. Fucking brilliant. 1 single shot on target, Hazard and Mata were invisible, Oscar tried something, but nothing special from whole team. Like headless chicken...This team is so fucked up, our magial trio is nothing but failure recent games unfortunely...

Chill guys, Torres will start scoring for fun, we wont even need new striker.

I would prefer Cavani, Fernandinho/Hernanes and Agger, but unlikely...

Danny and Romeu were great under Avb and invisible under Rdm, while Bertrand got more chances, as well Mikel,... With new manager, one of current players will go downhill, while one will get better. Its not like Oscar will be that guy, but its possibly. And with passing; well sure you cant take that from players nature, but could be change in style. Instead of quick passing, we might turn into counter attacking football with lot of long balls. But its all guessing, we should see first results by tomorrow. And definately most important fact is tha Torres will now be our the best player

So this is likely to happen now; 1.) our defence will react better, we should have stronger defending. Not sure if we will concede less, but definately opponents will have less shots on our goal. 2.) as with every manager, some players will suit him more, some less. And way around, some players will be more happy with Rafa, some less. That will lead to the point that some young players we have, will play better, but some worse. I fear that Oscar will have trouble now... 3.) formation for now (and first 11) wont be changed (maybe after couple of games). But opponents will still have more difficulties what style we will play as Rafa can rotate more. 4.) More players will get the chance, but one-two probably wont play under Rafa, or very limited. 5.) Our style wont be as offensive and 'fancy'. More importance will be on organisation and defending, as well as efficiency. But fancy short passing wont be seen here anymore, or only on rare ocassions. 6.) Long balls, crossing, stronger possitioning, more movement, tactical awarness will increase. 7.) subs will be more reasonable. 8.) Torres will play lot. 9.) There will be one player (possibly in midfield) that Rafa will trust most and every action will go through him. 10.) Could see one player that will majorly underperform, despite great play so far. I fear it will be Oscar, who might be droped from first 11, and replaced with Moses, as he offers some strenght. Mata will stay as he is team playmaker and Hazard as he is too 'expensive' to seat on bench. 11.) Mikel, Luiz will face restriced play. No more runs, dribbling etc. Or they will be dropped from team. There we go, and about city game; I think we could win because Mancini has no clue how we will play. Either we will beat them tacticaly or Rafa's plan wont work and we will be destroyed.

Completely forgot about him... Yes, he could play there, but we shall see.

Apparently Pep is ready to take brazil job...

Fuck off board if you sell Cole. Seriously! Even if we get Baines, Nacho or whever, Ash is 10times better then them.

Two strikers. Cavani as front line leader and aerial threat. Jovetic as rotation, if Cavani is injured, banned or tired. - CM (Xabi Alonso esque) I have no idea who might that be, but should be at least 27yrs old to add some experience to the midfield. Or a young, but very talented and mature one to grow with the team. - CB Again, someone who is mature enough to stay focused every game and is consistent. Papadopoulos, Benatia, Subotic or Hummels - Winger We dont have pure winger and someone like Bale or Alexis Sanchez would be great. Even James would be fine, but he is not typical winger. - Back up GK Someone to replace Turnbull and Hilario. Cheap, proven, experienced and ready to be backup without complaining. - LB IF Cole leaves, we need that too. Alex Sandro, Nacho Monreal, Felipe Luis,...

Cant wait till he starts playing. In top form, he would be great player here.

Not sure, but I think he will stick to RM as long he is in form. Besides he would be too old for us (30yrs) and defo its not long term investment. We need someone of his esque, but younger. I realy dont know who might that be...

m130£?! Cavani, Falcao and James? In winter? Yeah right...new transfer market, old big spending story...

Rafa will put him in place. Clowning around is over.

As I said he is too expensive and good to be sub. Besides, he wouldnt offer anything different...

So you say he will be back?

Seriously, where is Ibra?

What a fantastic talent is James. Would love to see him, but first, let us fix the formation, starting eleven and subs and then see what we realy need. In current case, James would be only a sub (or play ahead of Mazacar) and he is to expensive and talented to be just that..

Ok, lets give the man a chance. He will try hard for us to play best and afterall, you dont find such 'classy' manager in so short time. Guardiola was never an option now, maybe he will never come (cuz he could face axe from Roman too and lose reputation). We should see more formations, taking easy games with all seriousness (based on Rafa's experience). As spanish manager, he will probably understand with Mata and Torres (and Azpi) very good and take max of all our young talents. What will change is our game style. Defence will be much stronger and we should win more games, but there will probably be no fancy football or short passing like Tiki-taka. I guess we will play on either possesion with quick play or counter attacks. He will probably pick strong team, so maybe we wont see Oscar, Mata and Hazard play together anymore...Moses will play more and possiby Romeu. Wait couple of months till february (when he will be able to buy what he (we) needs) and then judge him. Good luck!