The Benitez Thread

[Backstreet09 499]

Give Rafa a chance !

[Fulham Broadway 17,306]

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 7,477]

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 7,477]

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

[zolayes 14,489]

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.

what shocked me was how fragile our mentality was ...without JT and Lampard they seemed unable to overcome a set back

[Strike 7,477]

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.

not weaker. but we do lack depth in several areas. midfield and attack is quite evident but in the case of the attacking mids, we haven't used the options available to us. Marin has been fit for about a month now? yet to start a game

[Rmpr 8,977]

what shocked me was how fragile our mentality was ...without JT and Lampard they seemed unable to overcome a set back

That schocked me either! However, if you look at our offensive lineup (Torres, Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Ramires and Mikel), no one has more than 28 years old and only Mikel actually lived the good old years. They dont have any experience...

Tha said, we are still way better than most of the contenders for 3rd and 4th place. I am only worried with Everton and Spurs.

We will buy a DM an ST and Lampard and JT will be back. We can only get better!

not weaker. but we do lack depth in several areas. midfield and attack is quite evident but in the case of the attacking mids, we haven't used the options available to us. Marin has been fit for about a month now? yet to start a game

100%, still good enough for top4.

No one in their sanity thought we really were title contenders, our big start gave us false hopes. We can realistic finish 3rd and win CWC and COC, maybe EL.

[zolayes 14,489]

That schocked me either! However, if you look at our offensive lineup (Torres, Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Ramires and Mikel), no one has more than 28 years old and only Mikel actually lived the good old years. They dont have any experience...

Tha said, we are still way better than most of the contenders for 3rd and 4th place. I am only worried with Everton and Spurs.

We will buy a DM an ST and Lampard and JT will be back. We can only get better!

100%, still good enough for top4.

No one in their sanity thought we really were title contenders, our big start gave us false hopes. We can realistic finish 3rd and win CWC and COC, maybe EL.

agree should still make top 4 but this year PL looked to be there for the taking. I do expect Manure to get better in defence when Vidic returns

[Laylabelle 9,534]

I duno how confident feel about top 4,doesnt help teams who been doing badly Spurs,Liverpool,Arsenal are suddenly in with a fair shot.Okay only January but nice to have a big gap rather then the one we have..see what happens...hopfully be something good

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

When We Will hear Again the " One Step Beyond " At The Bridge?...