The Benitez Thread

[Kinol 337]

Benitez comments on the game:

Rafael Benitez felt a Chelsea goal in either half could have made a huge difference to Wednesday night's game, but was left frustrated as we suffered a second consecutive home defeat.

We fell behind shortly before half-time when Branislav Ivanovic was dispossessed by Jonathan De Guzman, who squared for Michu to fire home, and despite applying plenty of pressure in the second half we were unable to break through, and Danny Graham doubled the visitors' advantage in injury time after intercepting a backpass. Even after that, substitute Demba Ba had the ball in the Swansea net but the goal was ruled out by a marginal offside decision.

Speaking after the game, Benitez was quick to point out the chances that we created against a dogged away side.

On the performance

'The team was doing really well. We had a lot of chances and could have scored two or three in the first half, one or two in the second. We made two mistakes and paid for them. The team was attacking, had plenty of possession and creating the chances we had to against a good team and made two mistakes, and conceded two goals.

'The way we played, the control we had, for me, is what we have to do. We have to be more clinical in front of goal and take these chances but we were doing a lot of these things really well.

'The question is that the team was creating chances, Mata, Ramires, David Luiz. We had 23 attempts and a lot of clear attempts.

'If you analyse the second half again, David Luiz or Demba Ba, we could have scored a goal and were in control. We were doing a lot of good things but in football you have to take your chances.

'If we played this game 10 times maybe we would win nine of them.'

On Ivanovic and his two errors

'I can see any player making mistakes. It's not a big issue. Ivanovic was trying to do his best and the team was creating chances. It's something that can happen, and the main thing is we have to carry on and try again.

'Obviously they have a great advantage but we have to go there, try and score a goal and we will be in the game.'

On Ba's two late incidents

'Watching the replay the goal was level, and so a goal. The penalty, the yellow card, we can talk about. It was not a yellow card but the penalty depends on the vision of the referee.'

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup was pleased with the outcome of the game and his side's defensive display, but knows the tie is not over yet.

'To win at the European champions of last season is very, very special,' he said.

'We try to have the ball and in most of the games we have the ball more than our opponent, but it would be unrealistic to come here and have the ball. We knew we had to make a very good performance without the ball.

'They had a lot of possession, but I can only count two or three real chances in 90 minutes. That shows we did a very good game.

'This game is only the first half of the two, but obviously I am delighted with the result. Our two goals were two mistakes by great players, but that shows nobody is perfect. Still, we had to score the goals and it's not easy. The finish from Michu was clinical.'

The only way he could gain some respect for me right now was if he would go out and straight out say "Torres is shit". He didnt so my toughts about him are still the same...

[22mek22 133]

I hate him more than you all.

But, does anyone think he will actually be sacked before the end of the season?

[Fulham Broadway 17,305]

Yep, absolutely, Take nothing away from Swansea, They deserved the win. Laurdup has done a fantastic job, great team to watch and deserves every accolade going. Fantastic effort.

Michael Laudrup, now there's a thought. Then again, I'd rather dig Ian Porterfield up than have to tolerate that Spanish Cunt.

Hahaha or Bobby Cambell. What do you reckon on our chances at Swansea CM ?

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

I hate him more than you all.

But, does anyone think he will actually be sacked before the end of the season?

I don't think he will tbh.

[Changingman_2000 876]

I hate him more than you all.

But, does anyone think he will actually be sacked before the end of the season?

I hope he's sacked by the time I finish my Scotch

[Changingman_2000 876]

Hahaha or Bobby Cambell. What do you reckon on our chances at Swansea CM ?

Two chances mate, Slim and none (and slim has just left town)

[CHOULO19 24,332]

WTF is with managers always making a change so late in the game?! His timing in making is substitution is arguably even worse than RDM's! Against QPR, we hardly looked like scoring and he brought on Mata in the 73rd minute. Only 17 minutes to make a difference. Today, we need a goal and Ba to come on. What did Benitez do? He brought him on in the 80th minute! How on earth does he expect him to make a full impact with just 10 minutes left?! Heck, even the first change came after the 70th minute!!

I think this is what I miss most about Mourinho, he had the balls to make changes when needed. AVB was similar, as well.

[Fulham Broadway 17,305]

Rafa quote afterwards ''Were Chelsea more dangerous in the last 10 minutes with Ba than in the previous 80 with Torres?''. "No, I don't think so."

Oh well another nail in his coffin , but the board should pay for their shambolic handling of appointments and sackings, instead of which they ream Romans arse and are Teflon

[22mek22 133]

I hope he's sacked by the time I finish my Scotch

My friend, I hope he is sacked before I finish crying

[Kinol 337]

I think this is what I miss most about Mourinho, he had the balls to make changes when needed. AVB was similar, as well.

Yeah, right now i just want a manager with some balls. Mourinho would never let us, the fans, go trough all this shit with Torres.

[Changingman_2000 876]

Rafa quote afterwards ''Were Chelsea more dangerous in the last 10 minutes with Ba than in the previous 80 with Torres?''. "No, I don't think so."

Oh well another nail in his coffin , but the board should pay for their shambolic handling of appointments and sackings, instead of which they ream Romans arse and are Teflon

As long as Roman is lumping into their accounts each month they will do what they do best, sit on their hands and do/say fuck all. I would fucking swing for Buck and Gourlay right now. Cunts

[chrismada9 1,948]

I don't like Rafa, but this isn't really his fault.. Is it?

No it isn't his fault, you're right! All he's done is rotate the squad.. and one good thing he has done is help Torres come good again, in some way.. (not completely, but you get the jist).. he certainly wasn't any decent in the Swansea game though!

.. I think a lot of supporters hold so much of a grudge on Benitez just because he managed Liverpool and because he said negative things about Chelsea during his time there! Some people just need to accept that he's our manager and move on! Yes I hate Rafa and I want RDM back, but none of us on this forum run the club. It's up to our board to make the decisions (which always seem to be shit ones anyway)..

.. even so, Rafa is only here until the end of the season anyway .. hopefully this summer, either Jose will come home, or we'll get Guardiola!

[Fulham Broadway 17,305]

RYANAIR ROUTES AIRPORTCODES PRICE PER PERS ONE WAY

LDN-MADRID........................LGW-MAD.......................£45.56

Can we have a whip round for Fat Cunt and Ladyboy. We need about £135 as Fat Cunt needs two seats

[Changingman_2000 876]

RYANAIR ROUTES AIRPORTCODES PRICE PER PERS ONE WAY

LDN-MADRID........................LGW-MAD.......................£45.56

Can we have a whip round for Fat Cunt and Ladyboy. We need about £135 as Fat Cunt needs two seats

hahaha If he promises it's one way I'll carry the cunt there myself. May need to stop a couple of times mind.

[Jype 6,398]

But, does anyone think he will actually be sacked before the end of the season?

No, but he sure as hell should be.