The Benitez Thread

[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 21,751]

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.

[potnoodlecurry 3]

i think as oscar put it only him and luiz were really up for it lucas piazon was very upset that only the brazilians cared. playing against a team that really wanted it plus they had 2 weeks to prepare also Corin are not a bad side and arent a push over.

It wasnt going to be easy.

its too early to judge but I am confident in Rafas abilty just have to wait and see..

[rafafan 10]

6 wins out of 10 matches, 4 clean sheets, 27 goals scored , not a bad start from your interim, amongst all the hostility and 4 weeks 3 days into the job.

Another victory on its way against Everton I am sure

rafa has 8 wins, ( 4 at goodison park.) 3 draws and 3 losses, ( 2 of them 1-0.with it being in the last minute of extra time in the FA Cup) out of 14 matches, so I think he knows how to play them and win.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Udinese fans:

Respect.

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

Udinese fans:

Respect.

TRANSLATE?

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

TRANSLATE?

Need to translate the 'Rafa out' banner on the top ?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Anyone else shocked he's not in the top paid 16 managers in the world: http://sulia.com/football__tweet/f/2be88927-9c7a-4069-b45b-9ae4be71f522/

I guess he wanted the job to return to managing more than the money.