Raph

[ozleeds]

Dont see why Alioski "needed replacing". He was most definitely holding his own, at least in most situations, was a real talisman for the team (and got under the skin of the opposition like no-one else in the squad). Hernandez, maybe, but then your comment about who we replaced him/them with applies.

Look at this Alioski thing. He was offered what they could or wanted to pay he didn't like it and that was it. These things happen some stay and some go he chose the other path.

[ozleeds]

Only seen highlights but he looked the player we all know can be, his last minute effort to run and beat the defender then keeper and lay on a plate for geldhart was sublime.

That whole play for me was the highlight of the season from the crisp header from JG to raph and then going past two players and the calmness of JG was surreal.

[CalverleyBoy]

That whole play for me was the highlight of the season from the crisp header from JG to raph and then going past two players and the calmness of JG was surreal.

Meslier had a big part to play in the winner, nice kick up field to deliver it quickly - he also gets a pat on the back for his late save - as acknowledged by Dallas post match

[WTF11]

Look at this Alioski thing. He was offered what they could or wanted to pay he didn't like it and that was it. These things happen some stay and some go he chose the other path.

And you think it was money better spent in the signing in fee for Firpo plus his salary? Not one in here thinks so, and I suspect our DoF wouldn't do things the same if he had the chance to wind back.

[ozleeds]

And you think it was money better spent in the signing in fee for Firpo plus his salary? Not one in here thinks so, and I suspect our DoF wouldn't do things the same if he had the chance to wind back.

In hindsight no but it it what it is. His gone reminiscing won't bring him back plus no point keeping someone if they want to go.
On the positive we have Costa to come back as valencia don't want him lol what an attack Harrison James raph and costa dropping back to mid bamf Jg Rodrigo to accommodate lol

[WTF11]

In hindsight no but it it what it is. His gone reminiscing won't bring him back plus no point keeping someone if they want to go.
On the positive we have Costa to come back as valencia don't want him lol what an attack Harrison James raph and costa dropping back to mid bamf Jg Rodrigo to accommodate lol

Point being, I don't think he "wanted to go", just wasn't willing to accept what was on the table (which I suspect was a lot less than we eventually shelled out for our new addition). I'll take the comment regarding Costa with the (very) large pinch of salt you meant to be taken.

[ozleeds]

Just get used to it Mr. Orta gave Firpo a 4 years contract on top of Roberts extension God knows how much Costa has I suspect a couple of years. Did anyone see the fake cries from him after our game I mean wtf what an actor needs all the awards available to go with all the other records he secured for us this season?
Like I said it is what it is they made a choice with him I wonder how he is going anyway the club he was leaving us for didn't take up his offer ended up somewhere else was it Turkey?

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

His offer in Saudi Arabia was tax free so to match that we would have been supposedly paying him 55-60k per week which was seemingly thought to be too much. Maybe they were worried about the domino effect.

He took the cash and fair play to him as it is probably he last big contract.

With hindsight we should have rolled the bot out.

[Billyni]

Back to the thread title.
Raph played better yesterday for whatever reason.
Answers on a postcard please....

[BelfastAndy]

He has has his ego stroked and been given a few pats on back to reenergise and motivate him. Fair enough. Hope he keeps it up. He's clearly a game-changer and match winner when firing on all 4 cylinders.