Martina

1. It seems those who give Benitez credit for this season take us finishing top 4 for granted - the EPL hasn't finished yet as far as I know (and we haven't won any trophy yet). 2. Thin squad, too many matches and tired players - Rafa's favourite excuse. (Benitez is well known for making excuses and never taking responsibility for anything. That's why he feels at home in Liverpool). These players are top athletes. Besides he doesn't play certain players regularly, even though they publicly say they're fit enough (Terry) or capable of decent contribution (Lampard, Ba). Why did he play Torres in Liverpool - he could have rested him and it meant Torres played three matches in a row. There were 7 matches in which both Terry and Lampard started this season - and we haven't lost any of them. 3. Myth about Torres "being back" and giving Rafa credit for that. The last time Torres scored in the EPL was in December 2012. 4. RDM had different issues to deal with - we didn't have Ba at that time and our new signings needed more time to settle down. When Benitez took over they already had some understanding of other Chelsea players and the EPL as such.

With all respect - people often "know" why they do things but that doesn't mean they make sound decisions. Perhaps they just don't know enough and need help. And Benayoun looked exhausted after just 5 minutes on the pitch. We had Terry, Lampard and Ba on the bench, no?

Rafa also featured on today's Heads Gone :-)

For those who enjoy statistics (and perhaps also for those who think he's a huge improvement over RDM) Chelsea's results against the Premier League's best only serve to underline the failed promise of this season So what went wrong? I know you already know what went wrong: crap results versus crap teams. Only one of these disappointing results is on Roberto Di Matteo (the 0-0 draw away to Queens Park Rangers). The rest have all come in the era of the Interim Rafalución. http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/5/9/4314856/chelseas-results-against-the-premier-leagues-best-only-serve-to

Thanks :-)

Benitez is so proud of his "rotation policy" and "resting players". Luiz, Ramires and Torres looked real tired - we had Lampard, Terry and Ba on the bench (they can't possibly be tired since they're hardly playing at all). I seriously begin to think his personal relationships with our players come before tactics.

One of the most important games of this season: Terry, Lampard and Ba on the bench. Torres and Benayoun on the pitch. That's enough for me really. When you look at how the media tend to treat Chelsea managers you'll notice an interesting shift. The way they treated AVB (and I wasn't a fan of his) was bordering on abuse. Even Ancelotti got some of that treatment. Benitez has been left off the hook most of the time - but suddenly all the criticism was aimed at the fans. That's been a pattern for some time now. So what did Benitez do to deserve this absurd sympathy? Why are some people (and media) ready to applaud him for us (potentially) finishing top 4? If finishing top 4 was indeed our main ambition for this season then sacking RDM (when the team was comfortably placed within that margin) and appointing Benitez didn't change anything for the better in that respect. Why applaud him then? We were possible candidates for several trophies when he took over - he hasn't won a single one. Somehow we all settled for being grateful to Benitez for not fucking it up more than he is capable of. But that says more about our expectations than his managerial skills.

Colin Murray: Chelsea faithful are entitled to hate Rafael Benitez Regardless of whether or not Chelsea win the Europa League under the guiding hand of Rafa Benitez, I think a round of applause is in order… for their fans. Quite an interesting article. http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/07/colin-murray-chelsea-faithful-are-entitled-to-hate-rafael-benitez-3715647/

2 points lost. I believe Terry and Lampard would have made a difference in this match.

Rafa manages to throw a victory away once again. No sign of "our defense has improved under Benitez" for me, sorry. And when we need to score a goal he puts Benayoun on - a player who has nothing to play for. Lampard and Ba should have come on. It could have been a job done today :-(

No Terry, no Lampard. Torres up front. I don't have a good feeling about this.

The rumours about SAF leaving might be to our advantage - putting Roman under pressure and increasing Jose's negotiation power. And if Jose does go to Man UTD then it's the end of the dream and we can all move on. If he doesn't come this summer I doubt he ever will. So all in all this is a blessing in disguise. I can't see Moyes getting the position. Too much money at stake for the owners, IMHO.

Rafa will be available :-)

Mourinho 6/4 for Man Utd post Jose Mourinho has been backed in from 20/1 to 6/4 to be the next Manchester United manager amid speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson is considering his position. Borussia Dortmund's highly-rated manager Jurgen Klopp is the third favourite, coming in from 20/1 to 8/1 with some backing, while Ryan Giggs is 20/1 alongside Mike Phelan. Sky Bet Football Trader Chris Spicer said: "We saw a surge of backing for David Moyes to be the next Manchester United manager on Saturday despite no real noises surrounding Ferguson's future but, with a national paper now reporting that an announcement could be made before the end of the week, Mourinho is now attracting the majority of the money. "The 'Special One' looked destined to return to Stamford Bridge, but if the job at Old Trafford became vacant then his head could be turned." http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/8698336/mourinho-6-4-for-man-utd-post

Mourinho 6/4 for Man Utd post Jose Mourinho has been backed in from 20/1 to 6/4 to be the next Manchester United manager amid speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson is considering his position. Borussia Dortmund's highly-rated manager Jurgen Klopp is the third favourite, coming in from 20/1 to 8/1 with some backing, while Ryan Giggs is 20/1 alongside Mike Phelan. Sky Bet Football Trader Chris Spicer said: "We saw a surge of backing for David Moyes to be the next Manchester United manager on Saturday despite no real noises surrounding Ferguson's future but, with a national paper now reporting that an announcement could be made before the end of the week, Mourinho is now attracting the majority of the money. "The 'Special One' looked destined to return to Stamford Bridge, but if the job at Old Trafford became vacant then his head could be turned." http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/8698336/mourinho-6-4-for-man-utd-post

Sir Alex Ferguson must leave Manchester United completely when he decides to retire If Ferguson is to go, it will not be a surprise to his employers. They will have been working at it for some time, identifying potential candidates. He himself will want to be part of the process. Hints of inside thinking has been there in questions raised by senior figures about some of those reckoned in with a chance, about Jose Mourinho’s fondness for politicking or David Moyes’s lack of big-budget experience. Now the talk can no longer be about those who don’t fit, but the one who does. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/10042888/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-must-leave-Manchester-United-completely-when-he-decides-to-retire.html

Worst possible thought: Jose to Manchester, taking Ronaldo with him...

I forced myself to watch it (I don't watch interviews with Rafa on principal - ever. Because no matter what he says I hear "27 000 people"). Now I'm even more convinced than before. That's his typical way - drop an important "fact" and then repeat "I will concentrate on my next match" till people get tired of asking him the same question over and over again. I'm certain the board won't be happy. It's the first time it's coming from a high Chelsea place and it's very, very different from the media spreading rumours about Ikea boxes. It goes against all unspoken rules.

I don't read anything into it at all and I'm not excited one bit. Actually quite the opposite. But since when do current managers talk about future managers?

You're giving him too much credit. He ain't that complicated :-)

I don't really get what he's trying to achieve here - be the messenger of good news? Get in there before Jose? Or does he just want to piss off the board on his way out?

The board won't be happy

I don't think it's Rafa's job to talk about our future manager. Guess it's his own agenda again.

No worries :-). And thanks for your apology, I appreciate it.

There is no need to get personal when someone's opinion differs from yours. So please don't call me "dude" and don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do as Chelsea fan. The rest is your opinion which I respect but won't waste my time responding to.