The Benitez Thread

[Muzchap 8,966]

I think people are only disappointed because of the "false dawn" that the beginning of the season heralded. Let's be fair, after finishing sixth last season did anyone really expect us to win the title this season? We may all say yes, but that is merely the optimism of the football fan. Most of us we merely hoping to compete with the Manchester clubs, which we really haven't, although finishing six points behind the champions of the previous season does indicate some improvement. Standards have dropped and have been dropping since the second year of the Ancelotti era. We have postponed this period of transition for so long; it was inevitable that a big star such as Drogba leading would be the ultimate catalyst for it.

But when you consider the new spine of our team (in terms of players who have featured the most here this season) - Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Torres - these players have only been here for at most two full seasons with the club. With the likes of Cole, Terry and Lampard all now becoming bit-part players rather than the first names on the team-sheet, such transition without the management of a serious big-name boss was always going to work out in a not-quite desirable fashion.

People may be disappointed because we have fought in eight competitions this season - we have lost three finals (the Community Shield, Club World Cup and the Supercup) and reached the last four of two other cup competitions. That really isn't good enough; thankfully we may be able to make amends to some extent on Wednesday. But when you consider that this season may have been somewhat sacrificed in order to plan for the future, the additions of Hazard, Azpi and Oscar, and the true emergence of Mata, mean that this season won't have been for nothing.

You need time to build a new team. Look at Ferguson's United team - he has periods of dominance with one squad for two/three seasons, fades away for a season or two before returning with a squad with an all-new core. For instance the 10/11 season was all about van der Saar, Ferdinand, Vidic and Rooney, and before that the 07/08 campaign relied so heavily on the Rooney-Tevez-Ronaldo partnership. Now his team is based around de Gea, Jones, Evans and van Persie. The core of his team is constantly changing but with a constant squad in the periphery, if you will. That makes for a constantly-successful team, and that is what we are trying to do. We are replacing the old Cech-Terry-Lampard-Drogba core with (eventually) Courtois-Luiz-Hazard/Mata.

You have to be patient in the short-term to reap the long-term benefits.

Great post our early season form showed a little too much promise.

We have played what 70+ games this season - ridiculous

Also encouraging has been the loans of Lukaku, Chalobah, Piazon and Essien... Essien looks like a half decent potential backup for Azpi, freeing up Ivanovic to remain in the centre, where he needs to focus on becoming a beast again.

The potential addition of Rooney is very interesting and I hope it happens

All in all a good ish year 7.5/10

[Yeboii 1,844]

He has improved Luiz, Hazards defensive play and Ramires we have to give him that.

I agree, Hazard has gotten so much better, but its not hard when you have a diamond like Hazard.

[Magic Lamps 11,677]

Let's see how the season ends before rating Rafa's achievements. 3rd place would be a good deal better than 4th cos it would spare us those annoying qualification matches. Also EL victory is a must, ending this season without a title would be a huge disappointment and we (hopefully) seldom get the chance to win that competition.

[Strike 7,272]

It seems to me your football IQ is not much, then.

He could have played Yossi too.

Sometimes, folks like you should listen to others too. Tune in Chelsea TV when you finished, come back to comment.

That just shows how little you expect from Rafa. He does something completely ordinary like putting Luiz in midfield after going down to 10 men and you're praising it like it's tacitical ingenuity

[bushman 2,043]

That just shows how little you expect from Rafa. He does something completely ordinary like putting Luiz in midfield after going down to 10 men and you're praising it like it's tacitical ingenuity

No, all I am saying Rafa made a good choice for once, That´s all folks!

[Martina 210]

And this is why I can't stand him:

Angry Chelsea are considering making a complaint after Aston Villa fans abused John Terry as he was carried off.

The injured skipper is now a big doubt for Wednesday’s Europa League final in Amsterdam against Benfica.

Blues boss Rafa Benitez will wait for the results of a scan before making any final decisions.

But he fears the centre-half will miss his second European final in a year — after being suspended for last season’s Champions League triumph in Munich.

Terry suffered a serious ankle injury in a 78th-minute challenge with Villa defender Nathan Baker.

And it is understood Chelsea were disgusted with the behaviour of the Villa fans, who cheered as Terry was carried off the pitch on a stretcher and chanted “Racist, racist” at the former England captain. (note: I believe they were also chanting "Die, die")

Benitez said: “I didn’t hear what the fans were singing when Terry was going off. I concentrate on my job and don’t listen to the crowd.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4924067/John-Terry-abused-by-Aston-Villa-fans-Chelsea-consider-action.html#ixzz2T9zsKEHd

[SinineUltra 1,170]

And this is why I can't stand him:

Angry Chelsea are considering making a complaint after Aston Villa fans abused John Terry as he was carried off.

The injured skipper is now a big doubt for Wednesday’s Europa League final in Amsterdam against Benfica.

Blues boss Rafa Benitez will wait for the results of a scan before making any final decisions.

But he fears the centre-half will miss his second European final in a year — after being suspended for last season’s Champions League triumph in Munich.

Terry suffered a serious ankle injury in a 78th-minute challenge with Villa defender Nathan Baker.

And it is understood Chelsea were disgusted with the behaviour of the Villa fans, who cheered as Terry was carried off the pitch on a stretcher and chanted “Racist, racist” at the former England captain. (note: I believe they were also chanting "Die, die")

Benitez said: “I didn’t hear what the fans were singing when Terry was going off. I concentrate on my job and don’t listen to the crowd.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4924067/John-Terry-abused-by-Aston-Villa-fans-Chelsea-consider-action.html#ixzz2T9zsKEHd

What did he say so wrong? Another excuse to throw stones at him?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

At the start of the season I "expected" a top three finish, to win a Cup competition as well as one of the Supercups. We missed out on the latter, but we reached three "finals", which is an achievement. We also reached two Cup semi-finals, and are in the final of a third. So we can still reach two out of these three realistic objectives. That isn't too bad for my money.

We may even win a trophy this season, but the emergence of Mata/Oscar/Hazard/Azpi is a success in itself. I am genuinely excited for the future of this club, as we are finally investing in the long-term.

I think, in four/five years time, we will look on the 12/13 season as a watershed moment. The UCL and FA Cup last season was the swansong for the Old Guard. I may be wrong. but I feel this is a turning point in our immediate future (over the next six years or so).

[Ronaldo 28]

Chelsea did as expected...... Only thing I can think of they failed in was the.club world cup.....

[Laylabelle 9,396]

Bit of a meeeeeeh season mainly I think cause we were in so many comps and won nothing and the amount of games no doubt effected out league postion etc but hey ho we got into the Champions League.If we finish with that and Europa be very happy....if finish top 3rd/4th without Europa..considering the mess we have been in at times this season still be happy!!!Ups and downs etc but we arent a team in the bottom fighting for survial etc so could be worse

[Jase 43,479]

Tancredi Palmeri ‏@tancredipalmeri

Benitez has been contacted by Napoli for next season, according to Sky Italy

Di Matteo and Bielsa would be the other options for Napoli in case there wouldn't be any agreement with Benitez, according to Sky Italy

[Rmpr 8,977]

CAN WE HAVE A COUNTDOWN CLOCK FOR BENITEZ AFTER OUR LAST GAME AGAINST EVERTON?

[robdog 2,084]

Not sure if anyone posted this article here. An article that points out FACTUAL FAILURES of the FSW.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Not sure if anyone posted this article here. An article that points out FACTUAL FAILURES of the FSW.

Great find

[robdog 2,084]

Great find

I found it on The Shed End That site is a bit more anti-rafa than this site

[Muzchap 8,966]

I found it on http://www.theshedend.com That site is a bit more anti-rafa than this site

Heh - I'm nt bothered by him anymore - CL is what we needed and what we got... He's off soon and I'm happy...

We have a great squad for next season and a couple of key acquisitions - we could be challenging again

No point in going over old ground and being miserable, good luck to whatever poor club he goes to next - no fans deserve this idiot in charge.... Well maybe QPR

[robdog 2,084]

Heh - I'm nt bothered by him anymore - CL is what we needed and what we got... He's off soon and I'm happy...

We have a great squad for next season and a couple of key acquisitions - we could be challenging again

No point in going over old ground and being miserable, good luck to whatever poor club he goes to next - no fans deserve this idiot in charge.... Well maybe QPR

qpha will be keeping Uncle 'arry Man City might go after FSW though

[Jase 43,479]

Not sure if anyone posted this article here. An article that points out FACTUAL FAILURES of the FSW.

On the other hand, Metro also had an article on why Benitez have been a success though I don't think 'resounding' is a right word to describe his success..

http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/12/seven-reasons-rafa-benitez-has-been-a-resounding-success-at-chelsea-3756242/

Regarding his his failures here, I kinda disagree with this point made.

Defensive shambles

At times this season, it has been painful to watch Chelsea’s defence attempt to carry out their jobs. Too many times when the Blues have been in front, the back line has dropped deeper and deeper, inviting wave upon wave of attacks – often resulting in lost points. Whether this has been because they have lacked a leader in the regular absence of captain John Terry or whether the personnel Benitez has been selecting have not been up to the task is up for debate. But they have certainly not been the solid back-line of recent years and it has cost them time and again.

Even though we are still conceding silly and pathetic goals under Benitez, the defence generally have been much more solid under him than it was with RDM. Back then under the latter, we were a mess and total shambolic defensively - the team was disorganized, all over the place, players not tracking back, out of shape. Now under Benitez, we don't generally see that anymore and most of the goals we conceded is a result of poor basic individual errors as opposed to entire team's poor defending earlier on in the season.