The Benitez Thread

[Strike 7,250]

Lol hard-working wingers = negative. It's like saying Rafa is only playing Moses out wide to be negative.

Kuyt scores more goals than your average winger, the main difference is he never neglected the other aspects of the game and worked hard for the team.

And Mourinho is known to be negative, you will notice i didn't even mention Chelsea, i mainly said at Madrid and Inter.

inter - 82 points and 75 goals in the 09-10 on the way to the treble. using Milito, Balotelli and Eto'o in attack. in the CL, of course he had to be negative. he had a Inter team of Muntari, Cambiasso etc in midfield working their socks off to supply for Sneijder, Eto'o etc. can't say he was negative there. he won the treble and Benitez inherited the team and did squat.

Madrid - he's playing negative football in Madrid? maybe against Barca but nowhere else. they were attacking with a good tempo against even Bayern last season.

[rafafan 10]

Ancelotti isn't the best tactically although he can have his moment's, he had this one tactic (this was before Torres arrived and changed the dynamic) where every now and again he use to swerve the opposition by sticking Drogba on the bench and it worked every time.

When thing's go well under Carlo they go ridiculously good, like our run in for the double when we scored for fun, although i do agree that tactically he can be found wanting at times case in point our two CL exit's under his management but he did produce some great tactical displays too.

Hiddink tactically i would say is right up there with Rafa and Jose, when he came up against Rafa he beat him fairly comfortably and i would think he would give Jose a good run for his money too (shame we are never likely to see the Dutchman and Portuguese go head to head).

I do like what i see of Rafa with us so far if im honest (bar the Corinthains fuck up) although my worry is his man management, i remember when Benayoun joined us he said he had to leave because of the way Rafa treated him, even tho it was likely he would get sacked he couldn't risk it not happening. Im not sure how our players will react if he tries similar here.

Hello mate, you scored 2 Invanovich set piece goals at anfield to win the tie, but at the bridge I remember it was 4-4 with you guys 2-0 down at half time and we totally dominating.

The game changed when Anelka crossed and Reina let the ball spill from his hands, for you to score the first .

Hiddink is a great coach I am not denying that, but he has not achieved anything apart from chelsea anywhere else , ( psv not included) he did not do much at Valencia or real Madrid before, but yes he is a good coach,not sure whether he can outiwt some of the elite coaches of today on a long term project, but yes he is a great manager, so is capello, so is ancelloti, but I think he may struggle to bring success to a club which is not at the top of the pyramid e.g a valencia, or liverpool.

He is a brilliant man manager for sure.

Regarding benayoun, his best 18 months in football was under Benitez, he aint achieved nothing since he left, and rafa did make him the player he was during that period, otherwise why would Chelsea than Arsenal sign him, why not when he was at west Ham.

The thing is mate footballers are fickle bunch, we hear mourinho is a players best friend, but how comes he has lost most of the dressing room at Madrid, what happened at Chelsea ?

A coach has to caoch and manage the team and club in its interest not of some players.

[Sheva. 5,373]

inter - 82 points and 75 goals in the 09-10 on the way to the treble. using Milito, Balotelli and Eto'o in attack. in the CL, of course he had to be negative. he had a Inter team of Muntari, Cambiasso etc in midfield working their socks off to supply for Sneijder, Eto'o etc. can't say he was negative there. he won the treble and Benitez inherited the team and did squat.

Madrid - he's playing negative football in Madrid? maybe against Barca but nowhere else. they were attacking with a good tempo against even Bayern last season.

Actually they were negative against Bayern, for 20 minutes in the 2nd leg they attacked - but after they scored they defended for the rest of the game.

First leg they were defensive and hardly looked threatening going forward, i remember reading a lot of criticism for the way he set them up that game.

And in La liga, they're much better than all but one team, so it's no surprise that is the only game they play defensive.

Anyway there's really no point arguing about this, everyone knows about Mourinho and his defensive tactics in the big games.

[Tomo 21,733]

Mourinho team's know how to defend, their is a difference between that and being defensive.

Like with us when we needed to we were out of the blocks smashing teams (like against Norwich) but when we went to Bolton and faced Big Sam's in your face football we could cope with that too.

All the teams who get credited for playing good football get battered against sides like that, coincidence?

[Sheva. 5,373]

Mourinho team's know how to defend, their is a difference between that and being defensive.

There is no difference. Of course you don't expect them to be defensive against lesser teams, but in the big games his teams are dirty, physical and negative.

I don't have a problem with this, because it works for him, but i just don't know how someone can say Mourinho is not defensive, but other managers are.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Hello mate, the only way you can compare is to look at their resumes and clubs they been at and achieved what.

, Ancelloti has 2 league titles and 2 European cups, but he had been at Milan for 9 seasons who were dominant and rich enough at the time, and including Chelsea, while Hiddink outside Holland has not achieved much , and International football is not the same as club football, but they are great managers and achieved things at Chelsea, but let Rafa prove that to you, he as good as them if not better, in my opinion he can do better, although his side is younger and new.

Ancelotti is not a great tactician if he was he still be here, I am sure you already know, he had a very powerful Chelsea team at its peak cycle same with Hiddink, they all great coaches, the difference between the elite coaches very minimal, but interms of tactics I think Mourinho and Rafa are probably the best 2 in the world, these guys are made from the same cloth, they think football is a chess and obsessive about strategy, thats why games between those 2 are so tense and decide by mistakes.iddinks best foreign coaching stint was the 6 months at Chelsea with a brillaint Chelsea team.

H

LMAO

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Here are some managers who can be viewed as better or just as good as your so beloved coach:

Guus Hiddink

Some achievements: PSV - 6 Eredivise, 4 Dutch Cup and 1 UEFA European Cup; Chelsea - 1 FA Cup and UCL Semifinal (vs Barcelona); Netherlands - 1998 FIFA World Cup Semifinal (vs Brazil); South Korea - 2002 FIFA World Cup Semifinal (vs Germany); Russia - 2008 UEFA Euro Semifinal; Anzi - Currently 1st at Russian Premiere League.

He has only failed at Real Madrid, but all of his other works have been outstanding!

Hiddink is one of the most complete managers, he was excellent at clubs and national teams.

Carlo Ancelotti

Some achievements: Parma - 1998 UCL Qualification by Serie A; Milan - 1 Serie A, 1 Copa Italia, 2 UEFA Champions League and 1 CWC; Chelsea - 1 EPL and 1 FA Cup; PSG - Just wait...

He has shined in Italy playing beautiful football, that is more than difficult. He gave Chelsea its very first double, also playing great football.

He is a very classy manager and will have much more to do in France.

Jose Mourinho

Some achievements: Porto - 2 Liga Portuguesa, 1 Taça de Portugal, 1 UEFA Cup and 1 UEFA Champions League; Chelsea - 2 EPL (back-to-back), 1 FA Cup and 2 League Cup; Inter - 2 Serie A, 1 Copa da Italia and 1 UEFA Champions League; Real Madrid - 1 La Liga and 1 Copa del Rey.

Jose never had one bad spell at any of his clubs. Even if he gets sacked from Real Madrid, he will leave them in a much better position than when he first arrived.

He is arguably the best coach of the modern era!

Alex Fergunson

Some achievements: Alberdeen - 3 Scotish Premier Divison, 4 Scotish Cup and 1 UEFA Winner`s Cup; ManUtd - 12 EPL, 5 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 2 UEFA Champions League and 2 CWC.

I absolutely hate this mother fucking cunt. If I meet him in person I might even punch him. However, you cant deny he is the most successful manager of the 90s and 00s. Maybe even the best manager in British history.

Pep Guardiola

Some achievements: Barcelona B - 1 Terceira Divison; Barcelona - 3 La Liga, 2 Copa del Rey, 2 UEFA Champions League and 2 CWC.

He was part of one of the best football teams to have ever existed and (as much as some people dont want to see) he did a fenomenal job. Barcelona`s movement and possession immensily increased once he took over. He is a tactical genius and is only begining.

I personally dont like his style, but no one can deny he is a hell of a manager. Maybe not for every team, but definetly a great coach.

Vicente del Bosque

Some achievements: Real Madrid - 2 La Liga, 2 UEFA Champions League and 1 CWC; Spain - 1 UEFA Euro and 1 FIFA World Cup.

I agree that his job at Spain is a bit protocolar, but at least he showed he can cope with the clash in the dressing room. His spell at RM was superb though, they had as a trouble team as they do now and he isnt having the same problems Mourinho is having.

Joachim Low

Some achievements: Stuttgart - 1 DFB Pokal; Germany - 2006 FIFA World Cup Semifinal, 2008 UEFA Euro Final, 2010 FIFA World Cup Semifinal and 2012 UEFA Euro Semifinal.

He is also a young manager and his time at Germany has been great, despite the lack of trophies.

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Rafael Benitez is a very good manager and his time at Valencia and Liverpool does prove that. However, I think he is too one dimensional to be considered one of the best managers out there. He has never thrived with a different set of players, formation and style of play. It is always the same way of coaching, with the same qualities and weakness. His time with a winner suqad at Inter is to be taken into evaluation. He either gets it right or the team is doomed, there is not much variation or second plan.

Why he didnt get any offer from a big club for nearly 2 years? I wonder why so many owners and president are really that stupid to let such an amazing manager on the market. He did say so many times in his interview that he was waiting for the right job, I guess an interim 7 month spell at a club he hates is an excellent oportunity.

Again, still a good manager. Just cant be placed into the top2, laughable.

FSW!

[Blue Gino 377]

Benitez has done many great things like rotating the squad, experimenting Luiz at midfield, letting people know that Marin and Piazon are real players, not cardboard cut outs on the bench, etc. His main job was to get Torres reborn and so far it looks great. I'm sure he has no say in transfers which is the norm at Chelsea but he's been exceptional at tweaking things to get the best out of what he has. Getting the defense more compact, having midfielders track back. Maybe when January rolls around Roman actually listens to the manager and provides him with what he needs.

[Strike 7,250]

Benitez has done many great things like rotating the squad, experimenting Luiz at midfield, letting people know that Marin and Piazon are real players, not cardboard cut outs on the bench, etc. His main job was to get Torres reborn and so far it looks great. I'm sure he has no say in transfers which is the norm at Chelsea but he's been exceptional at tweaking things to get the best out of what he has. Getting the defense more compact, having midfielders track back. Maybe when January rolls around Roman actually listens to the manager and provides him with what he needs.

Lmao! the only time he really rotated was for the Leeds tie. rest of the games it's just been the same squad with the same setup also, as someone already mentioned, we went behind in the CWC final and he made 3 like-for-like changes. no backup tactic. no flexibility in his system . and btw Piazon played under RDM as well. started the LC tie vs United. and as for Marin. only 1 start for the club in a League Cup tie against Championship opposition and was removed after 50 mins.

also, about Luiz in midfield. It's been coming. Mikel and Ramires' suspension, Oriol and Lamps' injury meant the move was necessary. rafa deserves little credit for that but you definitely can't hail him for a move necessitated rather than decided.

tbf, Benitez is growing on me. the team is responding to him. playing better football as well but i won't get my hopes up. it was a great win on Sunday but it was an under 21 Villa team playing a 3 man defence. they looked like headless chicken in the second half. he will deliver top 4 finish and then i hope we try and get in a world class manager like Pep or Jose. Benitez should be given an extension only if we don't get those 2

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

He's done a good job so far.When the club does part ways with him,Rafa won't be unemployed for long like last time as top clubs will be interested in his services.

[Cosmin 2,484]

Taking away all of his credit as a manager just because we don't like him as a man seems a little unfair to me.

Rafa has done good so far. Not perfect, but good.

And, to be honest, I think he's a very good manager for the Premier League and he is a decent solution on long-term in case Mou doesn't come back soon.

[potnoodlecurry 3]

Hi I think Rafa is a quality manager and I support the team and regardless of the previous history I want Us to win and win ruthless. I follwed Rafa alot from his time at valencia and he is a very talented manager. He definelty over achieved with his squad at LFC.

Rafa isnt known to be a man manager okay he is more of a dictator he is ruthless and if it means getting results he will...trust me you dont win 2 la ligas and get to 2 champions league finals and come 2nd to a man utd team that had rooney, ronaldo and tevez; if your not good at what you do

I do think we will do well this season and to be honest with FFP rules coming in long term we cant afford to be spending as we used to... we need to start buying clever so im not sure if big cheque book managers will do well, i certainly dont want pep he is a disaster waiting to happen...

I really rate jurgen klopp but he is very very similar to rafa .... im not entirely sure if Jose will come back to us as man city are waiting...

[Rmpr 8,977]

Benitez has done many great things like rotating the squad, experimenting Luiz at midfield, letting people know that Marin and Piazon are real players, not cardboard cut outs on the bench, etc. His main job was to get Torres reborn and so far it looks great. I'm sure he has no say in transfers which is the norm at Chelsea but he's been exceptional at tweaking things to get the best out of what he has. Getting the defense more compact, having midfielders track back. Maybe when January rolls around Roman actually listens to the manager and provides him with what he needs.

Taking away all of his credit as a manager just because we don't like him as a man seems a little unfair to me.

Rafa has done good so far. Not perfect, but good.

And, to be honest, I think he's a very good manager for the Premier League and he is a decent solution on long-term in case Mou doesn't come back soon.

I dont see how some can rate Rafa Benitez`s little time time with Chelsea as great!

He had 5 great victories against average to bad teams (se did RDM), one decent draw against ManCity and 3 horrible games (the most important ones) against Fulham, West Ham and Corinthians. If that translate into a great job, Jose Mourinho`s spell at Real Madrid is a fucking exceptional one...

I know it isnt just results and trophies (but they are indeed the ultimate rating tool) and Rafa has improved some players (Torres, Hazard and Luiz), has given a decent look to our defense and we are much more mobile and organised. It finally seems players know their role and what they have to do on the pitch.

However, to say that FAT SPANISH WAITER is doing an excellent job at Chelsea is a bit of a joke.

[potnoodlecurry 3]

Have you seen Jose's squad.... i think even avram could win silverwear with that.

its way too early to say Rafa will do well at CFC but I think he will as he is talented and if he can get a good striker in Jan and a defensive midfielder - we'll do well -

we will win trofeeees

[rafafan 10]

I think Rafa has said in many interviews he wanted to join a top club that can compete instantly at the highest level with resources, he wanted success now and not having to fight for it like he did at valencia and Liverpool, thats why he has taken his time to find the right club, not because he was not getting offers.

The truth is, only chelsea, manchester utd, man city, barcelona, real madrid,bayern munich , juventus, are clubs in europe that can compete instantly and have funds at their disposal, and how many of those jobs have been available in the last 18 months apart from chelsea.

It is also worth noting that clubs that are of good sizes like Atletico madrid, Valencia, he rejected, and also PSG anounced Benitez was there new manager through Al Jazeera, which rafa rejected at the time, they than appointed Ancelloti a week later.

The only job he would have taken without significant major resources was the 1 at Liverpool after Dalglish but obviously our american owners were not prepared to get another fans favourite after Kenny as it would be difficult for them , only they know why.

I believe rafa will prove his worth at Chelsea, and you can see for yourself why he is lauded by LFC and Valencia fans, its a shame for you guys that you out of the CL, otherwise you would have gone very, very , close to retaining it, , also watch out for his substitutions, he has a magic touch with them when he is on form, think about hazard at leeds, and piazon, ramires, oscar against villa, but more crucial ones when games are tight, plus he is the only coach in the world that I have seen can change formations 3-4 times per game or player positions to suit circumstances, you will start noticing them gradually once he is settled with the squad. Happy Xmas everyone.

[Tomo 21,733]

dont see how some can rate Rafa Benitez`s little time time with Chelsea as great!

He had 5 great victories against average to bad teams (se did RDM), one decent draw against ManCity and 3 horrible games (the most important ones) against Fulham, West Ham and Corinthians. If that translate into a great job, Jose Mourinho`s spell at Real Madrid is a fucking exceptional one...

These average to bad teams still need to be beaten.

Villa may not be much but do they lose 8-0 every week? Do Sunderland (despite their terrible form) go 3-0 down at the SOL very often? Did anyone in the group stage hit Nord for 6 other than us?.

Barring the CWC final i don't actually think he has done much wrong, i don't even blame him for West Ham because this team are not equipped do deal with Allardyce's football, i have already wrote off Stoke away as a defeat for the same reason.

[Rmpr 8,977]

These average to bad teams still need to be beaten.

Villa may not be much but do they lose 8-0 every week? Do Sunderland (despite their terrible form) go 3-0 down at the SOL very often? Did anyone in the group stage hit Nord for 6 other than us?

Barring the CWC final i don't actually think he has done much wrong, i don't even blame him for West Ham because this team are not equipped do deal with Allardyce's football, i have already wrote off Stoke away as a defeat for the same reason.

Yes, they need to be beaten, but it does not take a brilliant manager to do so.

I am not taking away the fact he is improving our team, making them fight for 90min and he is a much better coach than RDM (at least he knows what he is doing and knows how to give clear orders). However, you cant deny he has the biggest fault for what happened in Corinthians game. He did nothing when everyone saw we lost midfield in the second half, he was gorssly outclassed by Tite, not starting with a DM against a physical team is asking for trouble. Also, the way he couldnt react when West Ham entered the second half with full desire is at least questionable.

To tell me Rafa is doing a good job, I can agree. But to say he is a top2 manager and he is outstanding for our future because of some decent results are laughable. Benitez has still a lot to prove and people are wrongly jumping of his bandwagon just because we trashed pub teams...

[potnoodlecurry 3]

Hi i really like this forum , a lot of sensible and knowledgable fans here, not sure whats going on with another cfc forum TSE ??? seemed to house some shall we say garbage

[Joker10 946]

I also can't agree with the view that "Rafa is doing a good/excellent job." Mainly because of what happened in Japan, as i said before CWC was his biggest challenge as Chelsea manager and he failed. For that reason i think it would be unreasonable to say he is doing a good job. He has time to change that opinion obviously in the next couple months.