Tomo

Saying 'Rafa' when talking about players, lineups and tactics will sure take a lot of getting use too.

I think Danny might get more chances under Rafa than we think. Rafa's relationship with Torres come the end was publicly strained, i don't think he will play Torres as much as we fear either.

I have always given new manager's here a chance to prove themself's and despite the bad blood from the past Rafa is no exception.

The one positive Rafa will bring is he rotates more than Robbie.

Didn't Mourinho say he would prefer to manage Liverpool instead of Chelsea back in 2004 for a similar reason? If Rafa delivers the good's, that quote will be forgotten.

What is happening with him? some say he has gone some say he is staying (with Ste) as Chelsea don't want more changes in the backroom staff. I hope he is staying put. I haven't seen a thread with his name in yet if there is feel free to merge this. Personally i think we are seriously missing a trick if we let him go. Managerial stability is a long way off, it's just not going to happen until Roman finds the right man, so maybe Eddie being the new Steve Clarke is the middle ground? He is Chelsea through and through and while he has loyalties to Robbie, if he was offered to stay on i don't think his heart would let him turn the opportunity down. Having Eddie around would certainly help Rafa ease into his role a bit more and with the Spaniard having the dictator personality and keeping his distance from the players on a personal level, Eddie's arm round shoulder approachable personality could be the difference between Rafa doing well and completely losing the dressing room. In short im hoping we keep him on.

Because if Rafa does well here, his reputation is restored and all the big clubs manager-less will be after him.

Im hearing from some Eddie and Steve have been kept on but im hearing from others they haven't, hopefully they have.

Can't believe some of the stuff i am reading, i have never really wanted Benitez at Chelsea but whether we like it or not he is Chelsea manager and we must get behind him, when he walks out of the tunnel on Sunday give him a decent welcome, im not saying create banners and profess our love for him, but give him a good welcome. Yes he may have been Liverpool manager in the past which has led to animosity but did we love Ashley Cole when he was at Arsenal? Frank Lampard when he was at West Ham? You never know Rafa might just surprise us. But whatever happens he deserves what we give every manager as a minimum a chance.

You won't have to worry about the latter, Rafa doesn't do goal celebrations.

Avram won't have Steve Clarke and Ten Cate watching his back this time. If he get's appointed, Eddie will basically be managing while he puts the cones out.

Rafa's problem is not expensive flops, it's when it comes to bargain hunting, he is terrible at eyeing a bargain. Most of his expensive players were good tho Alonso, Mascerano, Torres.

Apparently Eddie Newton has not yet got the sack, maybe he is getting offered to stay on.

Im frustrated, i was frustrated when Mourinho, AVB (at the time) and Carlo left, but i never questioned Roman or his commitment, it's bewildering any one is.

I can't believe Roman is being questioned, the reaction by some on here you would think he was Hicks or Gillett. Roman loves the club, we might not agree with everything he does but he makes decision's to what he thinks we can improve on. Why is he trying to bring Guardiola in? to destroy us? We have an ambitious and dedicated owner who loves the club and is prepared to do whatever it takes to make us successful, we don't know how lucky we are, forget managerial stability that's a bonus, we have got something not many clubs in the world have A STABLE OWNER.

It was the same with Ashley Cole when he was at Arsenal, if Rafa delivers it will all be forgotten, the fickle nature of football fans in a nutshell.

That's not going to help at-all, whatever happens we just need to get behind whatever manager comes in.

I don't like Benitez but lets be honest, he is the best available option right now and he needs to rebuild his reputation and get him back on the managerial horse again.

We really need to stop slagging Roman off. He is an ambitious owner who loves the club he may make decision's we don't agree with but at the end of the day he wants the same thing for this club, success. He changes manager more than the norm yes but as Terminator_X said Arsenal are rich in managerial stability and look where that's got them.

With all the big games last season it was forgotten he didn't score a single league goal in his last two months, his hunger for cold trips to Wigan and Stoke are long gone.

We have had stability in other ways in the club, owner and club captain for example, Arsenal and United throw their captain armband around like confetti and have numerous problems upstairs, is that any worse than changing manager all the time? In Roman as owner and Terry as captain, we have imo had more than enough stability to get us through all the manager changes.

looks like Eddie might actually be staying

Say what you like about Roman's manager method's, but it get result's.

As much as i don't like Benitez, there is no one better available and ready for work right now.

If only we could tempt Hiddink out of his Anzhi role.