Why we lose out every single window.

[ghostrider]

I think you know why.

Because he hasn't signed an extension?
That means very little as it stands, because transfers can change all of that...not to mention his mammoth wage on offer.

In a way there's more to suggest he's staying for longer than getting on his bike.

[HughieG]

Because he hasn't signed an extension?
That means very little as it stands, because transfers can change all of that...not to mention his mammoth wage on offer.

In a way there's more to suggest he's staying for longer than getting on his bike.

I think he's experienced enough in terms of broken promises transfer-wise to not extend his contract. Hope I'm wrong.

[ghostrider]

I think he's experienced enough in terms of broken promises transfer-wise to not extend his contract. Hope I'm wrong.

I actually don't see any reason why he wouldn't, to be fair.
We could argue as to why he's still here at all or as to why he didn't just walk away when people said he only had enough money left and so little time, so went in for Joselu....etc.

The reality is, where else can he go in England and get the wage he's on and have big transfer fees to play with?

Liverpool are catered for.
Man City, likewise.
Man Utd have Mourinho.
@rsenal could have moved in for him but didn't. Why not?
Chelsea likewise but didn't. Why not?
Tottenham are catered for.
Top 6 sorted out.

So who else can afford his wages?

West ham?
Everton?

Anyone else realistically?

Apart from Newcastle that is?

He hasn't been dealt a bad hand when you think about it Hughie.
It just seems that he has because Newcastle United, the sleeping giant with expectations, has not (it appears) handed him the required funds of which none of us know what that is...except that somehow he was short changed on a striker for which none of us know who...or the other 3 after that until Joselu sprung up. Because, apparently Joselu was 5th choice so I keep seeing some people type.

It appears that he was backed from his coming. Paid handsomely with (most likely) a massive bonus for keeping us up, yet still stayed and was given massive transfer funds to build a squad in his own image.

He did that and was then given more money to add to it but naturally not in the gungho way to do anything other than cement us back into the premier league grind. Which was achieved also, regardless of whether people want to call it all down to simple Rafa genius with a lengthy season long contingency plan for his get out of jail free excuses if it all went Pete Tong.

It nearly did but it was rescued with some clever/lucky loan additions....yet, it takes more than one person to oversee it all from top to bottom.

The man has limited options, because most clubs will not pay those wages and most clubs will not hand him large transfer funds...so what makes him feel any need to walk away from a contract at the best club in the world?

He's started so he'll have to finish. There's nowhere else for him to go with the football he plays that could command those fees.

[ex_pat_magpie]

When was he given Quote "given massive transfer funds to build a squad in his own image." end quote Whilst in the Premiership?

[HughieG]

I actually don't see any reason why he wouldn't, to be fair.
We could argue as to why he's still here at all or as to why he didn't just walk away when people said he only had enough money left and so little time, so went in for Joselu....etc.

The reality is, where else can he go in England and get the wage he's on and have big transfer fees to play with?

Liverpool are catered for.
Man City, likewise.
Man Utd have Mourinho.
@rsenal could have moved in for him but didn't. Why not?
Chelsea likewise but didn't. Why not?
Tottenham are catered for.
Top 6 sorted out.

So who else can afford his wages?

West ham?
Everton?

Anyone else realistically?

Apart from Newcastle that is?

He hasn't been dealt a bad hand when you think about it Hughie.
It just seems that he has because Newcastle United, the sleeping giant with expectations, has not (it appears) handed him the required funds of which none of us know what that is...except that somehow he was short changed on a striker for which none of us know who...or the other 3 after that until Joselu sprung up. Because, apparently Joselu was 5th choice so I keep seeing some people type.

It appears that he was backed from his coming. Paid handsomely with (most likely) a massive bonus for keeping us up, yet still stayed and was given massive transfer funds to build a squad in his own image.

He did that and was then given more money to add to it but naturally not in the gungho way to do anything other than cement us back into the premier league grind. Which was achieved also, regardless of whether people want to call it all down to simple Rafa genius with a lengthy season long contingency plan for his get out of jail free excuses if it all went Pete Tong.

It nearly did but it was rescued with some clever/lucky loan additions....yet, it takes more than one person to oversee it all from top to bottom.

The man has limited options, because most clubs will not pay those wages and most clubs will not hand him large transfer funds...so what makes him feel any need to walk away from a contract at the best club in the world?

He's started so he'll have to finish. There's nowhere else for him to go with the football he plays that could command those fees.

I'm not sure I agree with most of that, but you make some decent points. I'm with you that he's probably not desired by the Top 6. He was definitely desired by West Ham though, and they are now paying their manager 10mil a year - 6mil more than what we're paying Rafa. Also, you seem to blame him solely for our activities in the transfer market which is madness knowing our history. We are not bringing players in man - do you think the manager is happy with that???

[ghostrider]

When was he given Quote "given massive transfer funds to build a squad in his own image." end quote Whilst in the Premiership?

Nope. In the championship was where he had his first chance to build from, along with the expensive quality he already had, of which he trimmed down.
Plenty of money to get what he wanted.

[ghostrider]

I'm not sure I agree with most of that, but you make some decent points. I'm with you that he's probably not desired by the Top 6. He was definitely desired by West Ham though, and they are now paying their manager 10mil a year - 6mil more than what we're paying Rafa.

West Ham are in a great hurry to go into oblivion. They're a money no object club until there's no money. A crazy bunch of people running it into the ground and once they sink, they're sunk. In my speculative opinion, of course.

Also, you seem to blame him solely for our activities in the transfer market which is madness knowing our history.

Nope, I don't blame him solely, but I do blame him for a lot of buys that he simply refused to use. It made no sense at all when you consider the aim was to hit the ground running and cement our place on a strong foundation.
He bought a lot of players that he rarely used and had some that he refused to use, yet kept and loaning out his buys, which left him little for the one or two positions we all knew was more pressing. Striker being one of the main one's in terms of actually being bought for that requirement and not for an all round grafting show with the word forward as merely a loose attachment, in Joselu.

He had the money but spent it wrongly, just as much as Ashley and co faltered in their own way.

We are not bringing players in man - do you think the manager is happy with that???

But we are bringing in players. What we aren't doing is bringing them in early and are not willing to pay over the odds for players...which I absolutely agree with...I really do.

Rafa's being paid well and his managerial/coaching prowess should be on show to identify quality at affordable and sustainable prices, rather than a simple walkaround off the peg choosing of known quality at unsustainable wages and fees, with potential long term contractual suffering for the club and its ability to move forward.

[pboromag]

It just occurred to me that we will actually lose Rafa at the end of the coming season

No we won't
Rafa is a mercenary

He came here for the money
He stayed for the money

And no one has bettered Ashley's wage he pays him or thinks he is worth paying ash the money it would cost to take Rafa away

Unfortunately we are stuck with him

[ex_pat_magpie]

Nope. In the championship was where he had his first chance to build from, along with the expensive quality he already had, of which he trimmed down.
Plenty of money to get what he wanted.

Your own words Quote "It appears that he was backed from his coming. Paid handsomely with (most likely) a massive bonus for keeping us up, yet still stayed and was given massive transfer funds to build a squad in his own image."

Kept us up THEN stayed Then was given a massive sum. After he kept us up and then stayed as we were then in the Prem, he was not given massive transfer funds.

Just read your own words in the order they are.

[HughieG]

West Ham are in a great hurry to go into oblivion. They're a money no object club until there's no money. A crazy bunch of people running it into the ground and once they sink, they're sunk. In my speculative opinion, of course.

Nope, I don't blame him solely, but I do blame him for a lot of buys that he simply refused to use. It made no sense at all when you consider the aim was to hit the ground running and cement our place on a strong foundation.
He bought a lot of players that he rarely used and had some that he refused to use, yet kept and loaning out his buys, which left him little for the one or two positions we all knew was more pressing. Striker being one of the main one's in terms of actually being bought for that requirement and not for an all round grafting show with the word forward as merely a loose attachment, in Joselu.

He had the money but spent it wrongly, just as much as Ashley and co faltered in their own way.


But we are bringing in players. What we aren't doing is bringing them in early and are not willing to pay over the odds for players...which I absolutely agree with...I really do.

Rafa's being paid well and his managerial/coaching prowess should be on show to identify quality at affordable and sustainable prices, rather than a simple walkaround off the peg choosing of known quality at unsustainable wages and fees, with potential long term contractual suffering for the club and its ability to move forward.

Well he's not signing the contract he's been offered now, so he's not just here for the money it would seem. That would be the easy answer, but it's not that simple is it? He's ambitious like any other manager. Our owner is not as ambitious as other owners.

It seems to me that Rafa's critics are suggesting that he is demanding the world. He talked in great phrases about Yeung and I was happy enough with that signing. I think we need to be a lot more ambitious when it comes to signing a striker, but it's not a bad signing IMO. Rafa seems to feel the same way. He wants to build on what he already has, and for that he needs cash and a bit of ambition - but nothing remotely close to what many other clubs are spending. And I'm not demanding that either.