Topic: Gerrard speaks out about Rafa

[No666]

Found this reassuring having just read the SL post on the Squad, Formations thread which was a bit unsettling, to say the least...

From the official site:

GERRARD: MY BOND WITH RAFA
Paul Hassall 07 December 2008 
  Steven Gerrard has hailed Rafael Benitez as one of the best managers in the world and revealed he has the perfect relationship with the Kop boss. 
The Reds skipper feels the Spaniard's man-management has helped nurture a strong team spirit within the Anfield camp and believes his passion for all-things football has seen him develop into one of the game's most accomplished tacticians.
 
"Rafa is obsessed with football 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Gerrard.
 
"You have to take your hat off to him. He's one of the best managers there is.
 
"Rafa is the type that when you finish a game as man of the match having scored three goals, he won't even mention it. Instead, he'll mention that you never used your left foot at a certain point!
 
"But Rafa does it right. When I need a pat on the back I get it.
 
"I have had lots of 'well dones' from him, but when I need a kick up the backside I get it too.
 
"He can also make me laugh, but you don't see that side of him - or me - from the outside.
 
"We spend a lot of time together on the training ground, travelling to matches and he joins in. We've got a great team spirit here and my relationship with him is perfect."
 
The skipper celebrated 10 years in the Liverpool first-team last month, and while he loves being able to pull on the red shirt every weekend, he admits he still takes any defeat personally.
 
"I love being a Liverpool player, being captain, living the dream," he said. "I wouldn't change it for the world. But sometimes there's that much at stake.
 
"Sometimes you want it so bad you can only really enjoy it when you get the right result.
 
"I've never really thought during a game: 'I'm really enjoying this.'
 
"When it's 0-0 or we're losing it's like: 'Let's get the win and get out of here.'
 
"It's the same for the fans. If they say they enjoy it I bet they only mean at the final whistle when they've got the result.
 
"I take any defeat home with me. I'm not the same person until the next game. Luckily we win a lot or I'd be a nightmare to be with."
 

Click here to enjoy goals, highlights and post-match analysis from Blackburn now››
 

[Rafa Rafael]

Do you know Gerrard's Mum is married o Rafa's best mate?

Rafa was best man at the wedding

FACT

[Kiwi83]

Gerrard=God

[R.A.La]

Do you know Gerrard's Mum is married o Rafa's best mate?

Rafa was best man at the wedding

FACT

Really? Never knew that.

[Rafa Rafael]

u do now

[King Cally]

Proof?

[sabbathfan]

Good stuff. Too much is made in the media and on Sly about him and Rafa not liking each other. They're always implying theres a problem cos he doesnt play at CM for 90minutes a week.

[Rafa Rafael]

I cant provide proof, but it is true

[skidz73]

Do you know Gerrard's Mum is married o Rafa's best mate?

Rafa was best man at the wedding

FACT

So what you're saying is that Rafa's best mate is Gerrard's stepdad! Baaaazzzzing!

[Rafa Rafael]

So what you're saying is that Rafa's best mate is Gerrard's stepdad! Baaaazzzzing!

That is exactly what I am saying

[i_wun_bite]

That is exactly what I am saying

u are seriously joking right?

[Ken-Obi]

But Rafa's relationship with his wife is even better!

[Cruiser]

But Rafa's relationship with his wife is even better!

Who, with Stevie's wife?!

[MagicB8all]

Just to break up the revelations for a second. Isn't it amazing how suceess breeds willingness to make sacrifices and to pull together - would be psychologists take note

[Agger]

Allways wonderful to hear stuff like this which confirms that the atmosphere in the team is splendid.

[Mighty_Red]

Im pretty sure that it has taken a long time for Stevie to take this view of Rafa. As he matures he can now see how Rafa works and how Rafa has improved both the team and Stevie himself and yes success is proof that methods can work. What we need is for more players to buy into this mentality and I think we will be ok

[Manila Kop]

Allways wonderful to hear stuff like this which confirms that the atmosphere in the team is splendid.

And then you hear stuff like this...

I was having a little natter last night with a certain player and he was saying that the players are now getting frustrated with the way Rafa is and his inability to ajust the team to create more in games, the negativity is starting to get at the players now in a very big way.  And the one thing that was reiterated was the substitution situation i.e Keane, Riera apparently this is starting to effect those players as they know from the minute they walk on the field to start a game it wont be long till they are dragged off and they have it in the back off their heads that they will soon be off in a game.

I can see exactly were they are coming from.

It was also said if Babel is given the chance he will show that he is a world class footballer.

Oh well they are back in training today............

[MagicB8all]

Reira's problem(fitness ) is easily solved. Keane's problem well.......

[GeeFJay]

Click here to enjoy goals, highlights and post-match analysis from Blackburn now››
 

Clicky don't work 

[John C]

It's nice to hear that our heroic captain is happy. If anyone deserves a PL medal its SG, I fuckin pray he gets one next May.

[ALANM]

Rafa has made some excellent signings such as Alonso, Reina and Torres. The best two signings though were in summer 2005 when Gerrard and Carra signed new contracts. They are both priceless.

[royhendo]

And then you hear stuff like this...

sounds like keane making excuses for himself to me MK. i thought he had the plums to hack it at this level but now i'm beginning to wonder. haven't been impressed with his mentality in recent weeks at all. 

gerrard's just doing what a good club captain should - he's getting more impressive as a leader these days off the pitch as well as on it.

[rushyman]

 
"It's the same for the fans. If they say they enjoy it I bet they only mean at the final whistle when they've got the result.
 
"

Ha, So true. You bet right stevie

[ashley b]

Rafa is Gerrards stepdad wtf?!

[teganyavo]

so it's true that Rafa is actually Gerrard's dad?

[Garstonite]

Benitez and Gerrard are actually brothers? Really?

[Scoobydoo]

so it's true that Rafa is actually Gerrard's dad?

That is 100% correct.

[gaz_h]

Must be, I mean he read the post properly and everything...

[Cruiser]

so it's true that Rafa is actually Gerrard's dad?

Yup, its true Gerrard is Rafa's dad.

[bradigor]

Gerrard is Neville's Mother.

[ashley b]

Gerrard is Neville's Mother.

and then someone takes it too far

[love:the:game]

Do you know Gerrard's Mum is married o Rafa's best mate?

Rafa was best man at the wedding

FACT

I cant provide proof, but it is true

I wish people'd do their homework before coming out with shit like this. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, but the minute you present something as a FACT then you're taking a leap that you need to be able to back up. It's NOT A FACT unless and until you can prove it.

For the record, Gerrard's mum Julie's married to her long term partner Stephen, who isn't and has never been Rafa's best mate. Nor was Rafa even at their wedding 2 years ago.

Sabbathfan - nice to see you back - can't believe it's been a month already!

[Pheeny]

Benitez and Gerrard are actually brothers? Really?

and twins

[JonnyCigarettes®]

Benitez and Gerrard yesterday.



Probably.

[Harry_Wong]

Benitez and Gerrard yesterday.



Probably.

It must have been a beautiful re-birthing ceremony.

[Ken-Obi]

Who, with Stevie's wife?!

Don't let NOTW or some other rag hear you - they'll publish anything!

[Suspect Package.]

Gerrard=God

So when he scores at some point, he'll rip off his face mask and it'll have been Robbie Fowler all along?

I'll be the first to claim I was never fooled.

[Lebeu]

I cant provide proof, but it is true

Good enough for me...facts don't need any proof...

I wish people'd do their homework before coming out with shit like this. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, but the minute you present something as a FACT then you're taking a leap that you need to be able to back up. It's NOT A FACT unless and until you can prove it.

For the record, Gerrard's mum Julie's married to her long term partner Stephen, who isn't and has never been Rafa's best mate. Nor was Rafa even at their wedding 2 years ago.

Sabbathfan - nice to see you back - can't believe it's been a month already!

...but claims do. 

[the_red_pill]

Im pretty sure that it has taken a long time for Stevie to take this view of Rafa. As he matures he can now see how Rafa works and how Rafa has improved both the team and Stevie himself and yes success is proof that methods can work. What we need is for more players to buy into this mentality and I think we will be ok

Rafa works in mysterious ways. It's called brainwashing