The Benitez Thread

[The only place to be 11,313]

This isn't a dig at Roman Abramovich though. It's a representation of the fans just showing dissatisfaction at what's happened to a Chelsea legend. There's no doubt that Roman is a Chelsea fan, spending over £1bn and continuing to invest into the squad shows it. It's the board that advises him that's the problem, after all he is a football fan and his board should be man enough to be able to separate his decisions from the point of view as a fan to a footballing man.

The boos aren't about having a go at Roman, some aren't even that Rafa is in charge. It's a message that due to some major decisions over the last 9 years have severely impacted Chelsea's reputation. We're the laughing stock of most top clubs because of how they're running the club. Yes we can boast an impressive trophy cabinet to counter that, but there's simply more to football than shiny trophies..

Again, I disagree. The majority of the boos that I've heard have been directed at Rafa and are related to him specifically.

When you say it's the board that advises him that's the problem, who specifically are you pointing the finger at? See I've heard this in the past and maybe we should start naming names - rather than blaming everyone on the board let's get specific. Who do you blame and why?

[Tomo 21,733]

The boos aren't about having a go at Roman, some aren't even that Rafa is in charge. It's a message that due to some major decisions over the last 9 years have severely impacted Chelsea's reputation. We're the laughing stock of most top clubs because of how they're running the club. Yes we can boast an impressive trophy cabinet to counter that, but there's simply more to football than shiny trophies..

Then those people are idiots for falling into a media trap. Many clubs have changed manager's as many times as us since 2003, some more, Real Madrid and Inter Milan for example. The sooner Ferguson retires and Wenger fucks off the better then the media and this country in general can move with the times and get in touch with the rest of Europe.

They make out Roman is a bad guy for changing manager's and having a say in transfer's, not it's not bad or undermiming the manager it's modern football and it's the way most European clubs operate infact Spurs operate in the exact same way, Harry publicly admitted the arrival of Van Der Vaart has absolutely nothing to do with him.

[Tomo 21,733]

But I will point out one thing about the way this club treated Robbie Di Matteo. They gave him a job at a top European club when his last run as a manager ended in him getting sacked by West Brom and he couldn't even get the job at Birmingham City. They then entrusted the club to him, and he paid us back many times over. But let's not pretend that this club is disrespectful of our history.

Roman is a fan first and foremost. Remember who the first player he tried to sign was and then tell me he doesn't treat the fans well.

Agreed some of the knee jerk reaction's for cringeworthy, why did Robbie get the job in the first place after AVB sacking? i bet the fact he was a club legend already in the first place had something to do with Roman's thought process and it was probably his legend status that got him a stay of execution after Munich.

We see it all the time the kneejerk reactions after manager sacking's. Carlo Ancelotti sacked fans were slagging off Roman/the club only to backtrack a month later and treat them like the second coming off christ when they bring the (at the time) brightest young managerial property in Europe.

Then AVB himself get's sacked, fans have a go at the board again, blame Lampard some even resorting to calling him scum for the perceived part he had to play, only for the same fans to backtrack 2 months later when Lampard himself plays a huge part in winning us our first ever CL.

Now RDM gets sacked it's similar bolax again, with the backtracking that will start if we win the CWC and if Rafa pulls any form of success, the same fans who wanted Roman out will be back kissing his arse, only to disown him again next time a manger leaves, some just never ever learn.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Then those people are idiots for falling into a media trap.

The media is the sneaky little cunt in the playground who goes up to the big kid and says 'that guy over there said you smell', and then watches in glee as he goes and gives him a dead arm.

The first few questions in his press conference were about comments he apparently made, and then the focus at the first match was on a few pretty shitty looking banners and print-outs that were anti-Rafa. Yes he got booed, but a lot of fans needed to get it out of their system.

The few fans still chanting against him at Sunderland when we were 3-0 up really have to have a look in the mirror.

[Fulham Broadway 16,832]

The role of managers is way, way overrated.

Still, counting the days, counting the days......I want us to do well, but I'm ignoring him and counting down to when the esteemed waiter leaves

[The only place to be 11,313]

The role of managers is way, way overrated.

Could not disagree more. Having the right manager at the right time is invaluable.

[underdrog 18]

The role of managers is way, way overrated. Still, counting the days, counting the days......I want us to do well, but I'm ignoring him and counting down to when the esteemed waiter leaves

give it a rest.

[Rambo 1,729]

I get the Di Matteo chants and I'm all for that but people want Rafa out mainly because of his history with Liverpool. People are quick to forget that this a business after all.

[Fulham Broadway 16,832]

give it a rest.

No.

[Backstreet09 499]

Give Rafa a chance !

[Fulham Broadway 16,832]

Could not disagree more. Having the right manager at the right time is invaluable

Could not disagree more. Having the right manager at the right time is valuable

[Styles 9,790]

i believe we should readjust our season objectives. secure Top 3 finish and try winning the Europa League/FA Cup/CWC

Rebuilding is best left to the summer where we install a better manager - Pep or Jose preferably

What objectives did we have when we began the season with the smallest squad in the league, lacking bodies in midfield and with a terrible striker guaranteed to start every game? With the way the squad was mismanaged over the summer it's clear the board didn't want to compete this season. If they did they are insane and/or braindead.

Top 4 is the minimum and I think we're going to struggle to even achieve that.

[Strike 7,217]

What objectives did we have when we began the season with the smallest squad in the league, lacking bodies in midfield and with a terrible striker guaranteed to start every game? With the way the squad was mismanaged over the summer it's clear the board didn't want to compete this season. If they did they are insane and/or braindead.

Top 4 is the minimum and I think we're going to struggle to even achieve that.

title aspirations grew when hazard started tearing up defences and then mata got into form. the win against spurs was the peak of our RDM team but one loss aided by Clattenburg ruined the team's momentum. players should be blamed as they never recovered from that loss.

at one point i believed that top 3 was a minimum and we would be challenging for the title. now - top 4 - priority

[Styles 9,790]

title aspirations grew when hazard started tearing up defences and then mata got into form. the win against spurs was the peak of our RDM team but one loss aided by Clattenburg ruined the team's momentum. players should be blamed as they never recovered from that loss.

at one point i believed that top 3 was a minimum and we would be challenging for the title. now - top 4 - priority

Our first 6-8 weeks of the season was strong because we have some very talented players and they were fresh. But it was ALWAYS going to come crashing down because you can't play every 3 days with the same players. It's impossible. Look at the joke that was the Carling Cup game against Man Utd. Mata played a 120 minutes while Ferguson could rest almost his entire first team. That game showed why Man Utd will challenge for everything while we'll struggle for 4th. Our squad is WEAK.

[zolayes 14,489]

What objectives did we have when we began the season with the smallest squad in the league, lacking bodies in midfield and with a terrible striker guaranteed to start every game? With the way the squad was mismanaged over the summer it's clear the board didn't want to compete this season. If they did they are insane and/or braindead.

Top 4 is the minimum and I think we're going to struggle to even achieve that.

You have stated the situation perfectly :blue scalf:

[Rmpr 8,977]

Our first 6-8 weeks of the season was strong because we have some very talented players and they were fresh. But it was ALWAYS going to come crashing down because you can't play every 3 days with the same players. It's impossible. Look at the joke that was the Carling Cup game against Man Utd. Mata played a 120 minutes while Ferguson could rest almost his entire first team. That game showed why Man Utd will challenge for everything while we'll struggle for 4th. Our squad is WEAK.

BIG OVERREACTION!

Are we weaker than Arsenal, Spurs, Everton, Liverpool, West Brom and NewCastle?

The objective always was to finish top4, win 1-2 cups and make a decent run in the champions league. Now, it is to finish top4, win CWC, COC and Europa League.

[Madmax 9,219]

Our first 6-8 weeks of the season was strong because we have some very talented players and they were fresh. But it was ALWAYS going to come crashing down because you can't play every 3 days with the same players. It's impossible. Look at the joke that was the Carling Cup game against Man Utd. Mata played a 120 minutes while Ferguson could rest almost his entire first team. That game showed why Man Utd will challenge for everything while we'll struggle for 4th. Our squad is WEAK.

I wouldn't say our squad is weak but it's evident there's nothing in reserve. No depth to speak of in key areas of the pitch (centre mid, centre forward), compounded by the reluctance to play one or two of those who could make a tangible difference (Sturridge, Marin) and the injuries/suspensions for Terry and Lampard. Whoever decided it would be prudent to head into a 60+ game season with zero cover in midfield (getting rid of Essien + Meireles, a 34 yo Lampard and Mikel with his ACoN commitments) needs to have their head checked.

Also, the fact that we failed so staggeringly to pick up the pieces post Man U reveals a distinct lack of leadership qualities among the squad. Take Cole and Ivan out of that side and there's hardly anyone with more than 3 years worth Premiership experience.

[Strike 7,217]

I wouldn't say our squad is weak but it's evident there's nothing in reserve. No depth to speak of in key areas of the pitch (centre mid, centre forward), compounded by the reluctance to play one or two of those who could make a tangible difference (Sturridge, Marin) and the injuries/suspensions for Terry and Lampard. Whoever decided it would be prudent to head into a 60+ game season with zero cover in midfield (getting rid of Essien + Meireles, a 34 yo Lampard and Mikel with his ACoN commitments) needs to have their head checked.

Also, the fact that we failed so staggeringly to pick up the pieces post Man U reveals a distinct lack of leadership qualities among the squad. Take Cole and Ivan out of that side and there's hardly anyone with more than 3 years worth Premiership experience.

the depth in midfield is shot to it's knees now with Romeu's injury. I hope we can get a cover in January or a bargain deal for someone who can distribute the ball well rather than just tackle and keep possession. the midfield is already without Mikel and will lose him for the African Cup of Nations. Worst case scenario in our search for midfield cover - get McEachran back in the squad

as for the team, lampard and terry returning now and we should see us go on a run in the next few games. all easy on paper - except Everton away. hopefully we are safely nestled in 3rd position come January