X, Peter - Tonight's Game Highlights Roy's Problems

[Paul Marin]

Paul ask yourself this , if Rafa was at the Helm this season would we be fighting a relegation battle ? Consider the transfers ((in & out )) Roy made this season , would you really trust him with funds to build a squad ? Is he on par with Rafa as it relates to tactical acumen ? When you put the factors of tactical acumen (relegation ) and tranfers over the summer , what time are you giving Roy to achieve what ?

I give Roy until Christmas. If he is in striking distance of a top 4 place then you have to give him the season and money in January. If not, then I agree, he has to go. As far as comparing him to Rafa - there is no comparison. Rafa is a more accomplished manager by far.

However, when I called for Rafa's departure (I know you still vex wid mi fi dat), I was thinking the board would have been looking for a Rijkaard, a Hiddink or even Scolari...not "a Roy". I bet if Martin O'Neil had left Villa sooner, he would have been the man. I was actually expecting them to give King Kenny the work, but I am glad they didn't. Failure would have tarnished his illustrious service to the club.

You asked if I trust Roy to build a squad. At this moment, I have to give him the benefit of the doubt. He didn't have a lot of money to spend in the summer, and Masch's departure (plus the distraction of the ownership battle) has had a very disruptive effect on the squad's performance in the early part of the season, so Rafa may well have been in the same predicament, though I doubt it.

You also criticise his signings. Based on the disclosed numbers, you realise that Roy spent net -£3,200,000 losing Riera and Masch, but getting Mierles, Poulsen, Konchesky and Cole (Free). If you throw the Benayoun business in there, he had a net -£9,200,000. In those terms, it is hard to be critical as it is not like you could throw a stone out there and find another Masch jus' like so.

When I fire up my crystal ball, I don't see Roy here at the end of the season. I think that NESV will do what real businessmen do and start scouring the landscape to line up a new manager. They will also do their homework on signings. They are not about to "trust" the signings to the manager alone; otherwise, they would not have brought in Comolli.

Regardless, it will be interesting. I am holding my breath, but I am optimisitic, with, or without Roy, as it is now NESV's time.

YNWA.

[Tilla]

Torres is special. Second time I have seen him score a goal like his second goal today. Happy to see him finding his form again, only sorry it had to be against Chelsea.

Good win Liverpool!

[Peter R]

Thanks... I got home in the 50th minute and almost had a heart attack when I saw the score... of course I was riveted for the next 44 minutes . I'm now watching the replay about to start on Sportsmax.

[Tilla]

Only sorry he did not sign with Chelsea when he had the chance. As our good friend Courtney would always say, form is temporary, class is permanent.

[Sir X]

Who are these waste of space undervalued players that Hodgson spoke of , are they the same ones that just hammered Chel$ki ?

Different pool I saw , yesterday , seemed to play a bit up high and defended like champions.