The Benitez Thread

[The only place to be 11,313]

Why would Pep join us when so many more attractive jobs are certain to be offered him.

Because it would be a totally clean slate. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can make big changes and in a lot of ways it would ease the pressure on the manager coming in.

If he goes to United, he's following the greatest British manager of all time. If he goes to City, he could be following the guy who won two league titles in a row. If he comes to Chelsea, the only way is up yet he has lots of young talent who play football the right way and a decent amount of money to spend.

[zolayes 14,489]

Because it would be a totally clean slate. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can make big changes and in a lot of ways it would ease the pressure on the manager coming in.

If he goes to United, he's following the greatest British manager of all time. If he goes to City, he could be following the guy who won two league titles in a row. If he comes to Chelsea, the only way is up yet he has lots of young talent who play football the right way and a decent amount of money to spend.

and a megalomaniac as his boss ...with his spies watching every move

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

I feel for the likes of Oscar & Mata. Young players, being brought into a team that they're told is trying to evolve into an exciting, attacking unit.

Now all of a sudden they've got this out-of-touch, authoritarian obsessed with planning and tactics to the point where he fails to see what's actually happening on the pitch in front of his own eyes, He has changed the way we play from the outset & is playing them out of position or dropping them completely; even when they are out there, the ball's going over their heads and then straight back over again. It's a fcking shambles.

[The only place to be 11,313]

and a megalomaniac as his boss ...with his spies watching every move

Honestly I think a lot of that is media bs. He isn't perfect, but he's one of the better owners in world football.

Let's not forget that he has only owned a club for 10 years. He's still learning the best way to go about it and that will obviously involve a few missteps but he has been rather successful too. Now he's trying to do it properly by becoming somewhat self-sufficient but he needs the right manager for that. He tried with AVB and that didn't work, so he sacked him (and we won the Champions League). The next person he identified was Guadiola but he wasn't available so he had to go with Robbie. But Robbie didn't work out (Champions League exit, Community Shield, Super Cup) so he decided he needed an interim manager.

That doesn't make him a megalomaniac in my opinion - it makes him human. He's made mistakes, but he's also done a shit load of good for this club and the right manager will get his support.

[HRiver 1,512]

No shit, Benitez. This is why I was always against the idea of dropping Lampard, Terry and co. so quickly. The fans became so obsessed with the new signings and they started to completely disregard our true leaders, and this really hurt me, and I knew from the beginning that things wouldn't work as perfectly as most were expecting.

Look what's happening to Arsenal, they don't have a leader either. They had one last year but he's gone now, and now they're shit. They don't have a leader within the team and if you don't have one you're screwed. The same is happening to us. Don't forget that it was the old guard that led to a historic triumph last season, despite the fact that everybody was writting them off, and I'm pretty sure that they're still more than capable of leading this team.

They're not finished yet, especially not Terry. And we shouldn't be expecting magic from Lamps anymore, because as some have pointed out his presence on the pitch alone would be a massive boost for the team and the younger players, and he's undoubtedly still the best finisher in the team. I for one can't wait for their return.

[diskoviolente 425]

Now they are thinking about bringing Avram Grant back, apparently. In an assistant position or technical director. Anyway, sensitive by the board again if they go through with that.

[Manuf 1,448]

I know, that's why i gave a sarcastic answer lol.

fucking Brits with their superior use of sarcasm didn't catch that one

[Jase 43,479]

Sky Sports News ‏@SkySportsNews

Chelsea say there is no truth in reports Avram Grant is returning to the club. #SSN

[henlin007 12]

Torres needs to have his chin surgically removed from his chest.

With Terry back and Lampard, a win is most likely with these two than any other scenario, but what a sad state of affairs , and complete lack of planning, or any pretence of direction by the board, when the morale and leadership on the pitch is left to two of the old guard. Its almost as if Buck and co resented Drogba, Lampard and Terry because they command respect from the fans. The board should hang their heads in shame at any lack of foresight to replace leaders on the pitch and for being stupid 'yesmen' which appears to be nothing more than mercenary panderings to a weak minded vain owner

lll

Drogba's playing skill was honestly going too quickly. Probably would be great in the locker room and during half-time meetings, Frankly, he's better than torres, but still not on par with any strike we should have signed or would panic sign--especially given his wages. Lampard can play deeper, pass the ball, and take long shots, while Terry is still not too old. Strikers however need the pace and reflexes of youth most of all, not even counting other traits that disappear with age. Besides Drogba left on a good note. He could still boss the set-pieces I guess, but the dynamic, instant runs when the ball's being passed around the final third would be a new weak spot for him. This is not even factoring in the injury risk of a player his age with the requirements of his position. How quickly would he tear a ligament with Skrtel, Colo, Agger, or, god forbid, Vidic or Kompany tackling him hard.

I do agree with your genera assessment. Essien is still playable after his injury, and Raul Meireles could be brilliant. Both are young enough to be competitive for a few more years and old enough to offer guidance. We should have replaced Essien, at least, immediately after his injury if we were going to take him off the team.

[chelsea blue 615]

Now they are thinking about bringing Avram Grant back, apparently. In an assistant position or technical director. Anyway, sensitive by the board again if they go through with that.

1. 
   1224: BBC Sports
   FOOTBALL
   Chelsea says there is no truth in reports that Avram Grant is returning to the club.
   Thank god for that Benitez and Grant together
   

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

:cry:

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

lll

Drogba's playing skill was honestly going too quickly. Probably would be great in the locker room and during half-time meetings, Frankly, he's better than torres, but still not on par with any strike we should have signed or would panic sign--especially given his wages. Lampard can play deeper, pass the ball, and take long shots, while Terry is still not too old. Strikers however need the pace and reflexes of youth most of all, not even counting other traits that disappear with age. Besides Drogba left on a good note. He could still boss the set-pieces I guess, but the dynamic, instant runs when the ball's being passed around the final third would be a new weak spot for him. This is not even factoring in the injury risk of a player his age with the requirements of his position. How quickly would he tear a ligament with Skrtel, Colo, Agger, or, god forbid, Vidic or Kompany tackling him hard.

I do agree with your genera assessment. Essien is still playable after his injury, and Raul Meireles could be brilliant. Both are young enough to be competitive for a few more years and old enough to offer guidance. We should have replaced Essien, at least, immediately after his injury if we were going to take him off the team.

Probably right to offload Meireles, with the midfielders that came in

[Jase 43,479]

Probably right to offload Meireles, with the midfielders that came in

Right now, we could use someone like him in the double pivot. Our current midfielders are a bunch of softies and hardly looked combative enough!

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

Right now, we could use someone like him in the double pivot. Our current midfielders are a bunch of softies and hardly looked combative enough!

It takes a working class lad like Terry, who learnt his craft on the Hackney marshes, ridiculed by the press, to motivate and cajole skilful players into the mindset to actually win the game

Its a shame that players can be ''worth'' so much yet dont have the balls and psychological steel to take a game by the scruff of the neck, and need to be motivated to realise its primarily about sticking the ball in the back of the fucking onion bag

[zolayes 14,489]

fucking Brits with their superior use of sarcasm didn't catch that one

sarcasm is the lowest form of wit ....well after scouse humour of course oh and Bruce Forsyth