It is no secret that my concerns with Rafa Benitez and his decisions run deep. I am especially concerned with his inability to capitalise on the strengths of strikers that have come to Anfield on his watch. The only exception is Torres. Every other striker has had a sharp drop in performance over their prior seasons with other clubs. Consider:
Player___________Full Season Immediately Before Rafa__________Best Season Under Rafa
Crouch___________12 (Southampton)____________________________9
Voronin__________ 10(Herta Berlin)_____________________________5
Morientes)________10(RM/Monaco) _____________________________5
Keane____________15(Spurs)________________________ __________5(so far)
Bellamy__________13(West Ham)_______________________________7
Fowler___________10(Man City)_________________________________5
Kuyt_____________22(Feyenoord)____________________ ___________12
The data get even more interesting when you look at the performance of players at new clubs when they leave Rafa - Sinama, Morientes, Crouch, Bellamy all performed better in immediate next seasons (actual output or run rate) at their new clubs than their best seasons at Anfield under Rafa.
I personally think that there is something about Rafa's system (including his ineptness at boosting their confidence) that destroys strikers (at least in his tenure at Anfield) which makes Robbie Keane's departure that more frustrating. This is because Keane's output (5 goals in 19 appearances - not complete games) was better than any other player in the squad except Torres and Gerrard.
So to me, the decision to let him go is perplexing at best, but I think Keane (unlike Liverpool) is better off for it. This decision will come back to haunt Rafa on the last day of the season when Robbie returns to Anfield; God help us if we need to win that game, but I suspect Rafa will have lost the title to the scum long before then. If not, and Keane is instrumental in a draw or a tie that loses the title, then Rafa can kiss the goodwill of the fans goodbye. And that will go doubly so for this particular fan.
YNWA.
Player___________Full Season Immediately Before Rafa__________Best Season Under Rafa
Crouch___________12 (Southampton)____________________________9
Voronin__________ 10(Herta Berlin)_____________________________5
Morientes)________10(RM/Monaco) _____________________________5
Keane____________15(Spurs)________________________ __________5(so far)
Bellamy__________13(West Ham)_______________________________7
Fowler___________10(Man City)_________________________________5
Kuyt_____________22(Feyenoord)____________________ ___________12
The data get even more interesting when you look at the performance of players at new clubs when they leave Rafa - Sinama, Morientes, Crouch, Bellamy all performed better in immediate next seasons (actual output or run rate) at their new clubs than their best seasons at Anfield under Rafa.
I personally think that there is something about Rafa's system (including his ineptness at boosting their confidence) that destroys strikers (at least in his tenure at Anfield) which makes Robbie Keane's departure that more frustrating. This is because Keane's output (5 goals in 19 appearances - not complete games) was better than any other player in the squad except Torres and Gerrard.
So to me, the decision to let him go is perplexing at best, but I think Keane (unlike Liverpool) is better off for it. This decision will come back to haunt Rafa on the last day of the season when Robbie returns to Anfield; God help us if we need to win that game, but I suspect Rafa will have lost the title to the scum long before then. If not, and Keane is instrumental in a draw or a tie that loses the title, then Rafa can kiss the goodwill of the fans goodbye. And that will go doubly so for this particular fan.
YNWA.
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