Is Benitez the man?

Another disappointing Liverpool performance gifts the Champions League trophy to a Milan side playing below their best. Milan were admittedly helped enormously by a very lucky goal just before the half-time whistle (with a definite scent of hand ball) but the 'pool were unable to turn their first half dominance into anything significant. Credit to Milan for doing enough to win the trophy and to Maldini for lifting the cup once again at 39. Hard to believe he played on the same side as his coach last night!

The question has to be asked this morning - Is Rafa the man to take Liverpool on next season and beyond? Should he be the custodian of Liverpool's reportedly hefty transfer kitty? Can this season be seen as a success? I felt his team selection last night was very conservative and even though Liverpool did play with some attacking flair in the first half, you have to think they would have had a better chance with two strikers. When Crouch did eventually come on he made a difference and was involved for Kuyt's goal (although was the battling Mascherano the right player to give way for the big man?). I was mystified by the final throw of the dice - bringing Arbeloa on for Finnan. Was this going to turn things around? Tactically Mr Benitez was found wanting on the biggest stage in Europe (but at least they were on the stage)

The ffbanter jury is definitely still out on the Rafa.....

2006/07 Season Chart

The chart of the season certainly makes interesting reading if I was bothered to actually read it rather than just make some superficial comments with a few strained puns. A definite grouping appears amidst the cat-of-9-tails that is the season chart....the top four teams tightly bunched together fighting for supremacy....the mutants and touchies sliding against each other like a pair of randy rabbits...the puppeteers just about holding off the Forests for whom the season end obviously came too soon....and the Testes who must surely be frozen off by now...

Week 39 Scores & Season End

The ff season grinds to a halt like fresh roadkill and the Zlatys are crowned champions thereby crushing the Zlatas hopes of an unprecedented third title in a row. The run-in was as tight as an '80's pair of jeans and I felt it was only proper to break down the average scores to 2 decimal places to show just how hot and sweaty those jeans could be. A mere .47 average score per week difference separates the Zlatys from the Zlatas.....Despite having the highest minimum score and a decent max score, its the Superstars average score of only 35.95 which ultimately defines their season.....The Lads have a disappointing run-in after promising so much only a few weeks ago.....The Drummers manage to hold off the Touchies challenge to claim 5th place but questions have to be asked whether they can break into the so-called "top 4" next season.....The Puppeteers laissez-fair approach to management shows in their league position and indeed were almost caught by the Forests who in recent weeks resembled Eddie Murphy when he discovered his girlfriend was a transsexual by showing an amazing determination not to go down. The Test Icicles must be wondering if there is further to drop....67 points from their closest rival and 246 points from the Zlatys.....If there is one thing I have learned from this season, its that I should have demanded the presence of Benni McCarthy on the players list. I don't want to harp on about Benni's absence, but it did cost the Zlatas and the Touchies at least 15 points in the final week of the season. We may arrange a gang-of-two complaint to the powers that be over this obvious discrimination....

FF Table week 38

smell the sweat, blood and tears as the ff teams round the final corner like greyhounds on the trail of a white, fluffy thing on a string. The title race is still open with less than 40 points separating the top 4 teams and a possible double-header week ahead of us.....serious pride at stake as the touchies close to within a mere 9 points of the drummers.....the puppeteers, forests and icicles interest in the competition perhaps reflected in their remaining subs......

Benitez...Beschmitez

Does Liverpool reaching their second Champions League final in 3 years say, as a very knowledgable soccer pundit puts it, it all? will this team be remembered in the same way as the great 'pool teams of the past? is it enough to organize your team for one competition? or is it shit on a stick as a world cup winner commented last weekend? I am amazed that the 'pool have made their 2nd champions league final in 3 years - its a fantastic achievement. But is Benitez a great coach? is it ok to concede 9 goals to arsenal in getting dumped out of the two domestic cup competitions? is it ok to be 21 points off the pace in the league? I just don't know. As the Economist asks, what is the benefit of the doubt?