The Benitez Thread

[Hamilton 2,120]

So, i changed from undecided to Yes..

What a disgrace, let's hope Roman learnt his lesson, with Roberto we defo wouldn't do worse..

[Jase 43,479]

The argument of "who would you bring" simply does not cut. If Roman was really worried with who he is gonna replace with, Robbie would still be here.

The way things are going (basically the fact the players and Rafa have no connection), we can find second tier managers that would do a better job.

Any names to suggest??

No manager would want to come here for 4-5 months and then be replaced by someone else at the end of the season.

[Milan 17,861]

[bushman 2,043]

Now, I read above, players & Rafa have no connection ?

Just curious how does one arrive at such a statement ?

The other posting, Chelsea would have done better under RDM.

May I just ask, how ? Perhaps, parking two buses in front of the box ?

[Joker10 946]

Mourinho managed to squeeze out every ounce of peak left in an aging squad. People say Benitez messed things up at Inter andhile that is true but subsequent managers at Inter - Leonardo, Gasperini, Ranieri - didn't exactly improve their fortunes either.

As I said, on hindsight, it's easy to sit down here and say 'Oh we would have this', 'We would have won that' under RDM. Whether we'll achieve that, we won't know. I opposed the sacking of RDM too but let's not forget the defensive mess we were in then. We are still a mess now under Benitez, but albeit in different areas.

Should be said that Leonardo early days at Inter was better then any manager in Serie A history, he collected 33 points in 13 games which is a Serie A record.

Things did go sour toward the end of the season, but obviously things significantly improved under Leonardo.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

The other posting, Chelsea would have done better under RDM.

May I just ask, how ? Perhaps, parking two buses in front of the box ?

If thats needed why not ?

I guess you didnt even celebrate our CL win because we won it by playing defensively.

Anyways, you probably skipped the first part of the season because our problem wasnt how many we scored but how many we conceded.

[Jase 43,479]

Should be said that Leonardo early days at Inter was better then any manager in Serie A history, he collected 33 points in 13 games which is a Serie A record.

Things did go sour toward the end of the season, but obviously things significantly improved under Leonardo.

It's probably just the new manager effect more than anything else. Worth remembering that Inter were embarrassed at home by Schalke back then, losing 5-2.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Just frustrated with team selections - we're back to being one dimensional!

We need width and pace - I think we also need Isco to give Mata a rest.. Oscar isn't quite cutting it and Mazacar or whatever it is called might work in FM or FIFA - but is absolute shite in real life...

We need to get to the byeline and get balls across, otherwise too easy to defend against

Marin should have started as the only genuine winger - but Benitez obviously doesn't like him! Again another failing from him, tactical genius? SWAP A DEFENDER FOR A DEFENDER TWICE WHEN WE NEED 2 GOALS!!!

Seriously - he should be sacked for that alone!

The bloke has no passion and that's transmitted to the players - we're just a collection of expensive flops at the moment!

It's embarrassing!!!

Hurry up summer - I can't take much more!

SSN also reporting Real players threatened to leave if Mourinho stays!! WTF if he does leave, good luck to them, careful what you wish for, they could have Rafa as manager soon! LOL!

Originally I said give him time, that's gone now - he's useless... Absolute garbage - I know I could do a better job!

[bushman 2,043]

If thats needed why not ?

I guess you didnt even celebrate our CL win because we won it by playing defensively.

Anyways, you probably skipped the first part of the season because our problem wasnt how many we scored but how many we conceded.

I see, you are very disparaging. Joe know it all.

Was I celebrating CL win ? Would you believe I jumped up with joy, then ?

Was I happy with the display, ordered by RDM ? No, I was not.

[J.F. 1,484]

Swap Mourinho for Benitez, that would be best transfer since Drogba and Mata.

[bushman 2,043]

Just frustrated with team selections - we're back to being one dimensional!

We need width and pace - I think we also need Isco to give Mata a rest.. Oscar isn't quite cutting it and Mazacar or whatever it is called might work in FM or FIFA - but is absolute shite in real life...

We need to get to the byeline and get balls across, otherwise too easy to defend against

Marin should have started as the only genuine winger - but Benitez obviously doesn't like him! Again another failing from him, tactical genius? SWAP A DEFENDER FOR A DEFENDER TWICE WHEN WE NEED 2 GOALS!!!

Seriously - he should be sacked for that alone!

The bloke has no passion and that's transmitted to the players - we're just a collection of expensive flops at the moment!

It's embarrassing!!!

Hurry up summer - I can't take much more!

SSN also reporting Real players threatened to leave if Mourinho stays!! WTF if he does leave, good luck to them, careful what you wish for, they could have Rafa as manager soon! LOL!

Originally I said give him time, that's gone now - he's useless... Absolute garbage - I know I could do a better job!

Since you could do better, may I suggest to apply asap ?

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

I see, you are very disparaging. Joe know it all.

Was I celebrating CL win ? Would you believe I jumped up with joy, then ?

Was I happy with the display, ordered by RDM ? No, I was not.

There was no other way, no other display to be ordered. We were without a captain, two incredibly important players and a very useful sub. We had Kalou and Bosingwa on the right side and a pair of centre halves who haven't played a single competitive match in more than a month, one of them even started training just a week before the final. Not to mention the strength of Bayern squad and their individuals.

Having clear that up I hope you finally realized a few things. Robbies tactics and approach to the game were so much underrated in the end.

[Jase 43,479]

Find it funny that under previous managers, when something goes wrong, you have people who blame the manager, players for not performing and taking responsibility and other factors. Now, if anything goes wrong, all the blame is on Benitez and nothing elsewhere...

[bushman 2,043]

There was no other way, no other display to be ordered. We were without a captain, two incredibly important players and a very useful sub. We had Kalou and Bosingwa on the right side and a pair of centre halves who haven't played a single competitive match in more than a month, one of them even started training just a week before the final. Not to mention the strength of Bayern squad and their individuals.

Having clear that up I hope you finally realized a few things. Robbies tactics and approach to the game were so much underrated in the end.

I must say, you sure simplified it. Do you remember against Napoli at Stamford Bridge ? One fine offensive display, then.

RDM tactics were to park the bus against Barca & Bayern, nothing more, nothing else. Somehow, it worked, then.

When he started this season, talented, offensive players were presented to him. What did he do with them ? I know, he overused them & these players were too tired.

I hope I made myself clear here.

[Kojo 4,676]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, we need NEW MIDFIELDERS. Rafa got it all wrong yesterday, Swansea read us like a book, they knew we where just trying to go through the centre, so they heavily marked, and instantly pressured the players such as Hazard and then left Demba Ba as he couldn't do anything what couldn't stem from those type of players.

This is because we have no good DM's, Ramires offers very little going forward, he is a good engine but we still need better. Look at Lampard against Stoke, his passing range was beautiful, but Lampard does that every once in 10 games, if that, we need a consistent passer of the ball. And we don't fucking sign anyone, it's like the board are blind. This is the 3rd season we've lacked a DM and who have we bought? the only midfielder we have bought is Raul Meireles since, are you fucking kidding me?. Meireles has no creativity in him, he was a very average player at just about everything but had a good long shooting range.

And we need a new striker desperately, I've said this before but it's so shameful to see despite spending almost 100 million in the summer we still haven't been able to work out our problems. If you given that money to Newcastle, they would of been fucking challenging for the title (well with buying a new manager out of that money also).

[Kojo 4,676]

Just frustrated with team selections - we're back to being one dimensional!

We need width and pace - I think we also need Isco to give Mata a rest.. Oscar isn't quite cutting it and Mazacar or whatever it is called might work in FM or FIFA - but is absolute shite in real life...

We need to get to the byeline and get balls across, otherwise too easy to defend against

Marin should have started as the only genuine winger - but Benitez obviously doesn't like him! Again another failing from him, tactical genius? SWAP A DEFENDER FOR A DEFENDER TWICE WHEN WE NEED 2 GOALS!!!

Seriously - he should be sacked for that alone!

The bloke has no passion and that's transmitted to the players - we're just a collection of expensive flops at the moment!

It's embarrassing!!!

Hurry up summer - I can't take much more!

SSN also reporting Real players threatened to leave if Mourinho stays!! WTF if he does leave, good luck to them, careful what you wish for, they could have Rafa as manager soon! LOL!

Originally I said give him time, that's gone now - he's useless... Absolute garbage - I know I could do a better job!

The worst part for me about Rafa is not his dodgy tactics or subs, it's that i don't trust him at all. I loved Ancelotti and Di Matteo and i was very confident in AVB at the time, but Rafa i constantly feel the man is doing it on purpose despite how stupid it sounds. If we had to come down from a 2-0 defeat, no way would i believe we could do it, because how could you trust Rafa? even now i still don't feel he gives a damn about the team or club.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Since you could do better, may I suggest to apply asap ?

I wish it was that simple

We only play down the middle - remember Arsenal a few seasons ago? That's us now!!!

Easy to defend against...

Even @Seb must agree the problem is that the opposition sits deep, no space, so our centre backs push on into the small amount of space 'halfway line' - as all players in front are marked, hardly ANY options, so the centre backs either 'dither' and lose the ball or try a crazy pass that gets cut out, or our attacking player cannot control, giving possession to the opposition to counter attack...

That has happened SO many times I want to scream!!! Then Mata / Hazard / Oscar drop deeper and deeper and try tricks in midfield, instead of attacking third, lose possession and opposition counters...

That is why we need to stretch play, use the full width of the pitch, have wingers on the touch line - opens space and pulls the opposition defensive shape.

I know Moses missing hurts, but can anyone seriously say Marin would have been worse than Oscar? I just don't get it... RB is supposed to be a tactical genius, if I can see these problems as a 'developer' - with NO football qualifications, except Sunday league and Uni player. Then why can't he?

It's just a shambles!!! What the fuck they are doing in training only God knows... And I'm not sure I even believe in him anymore....

[SinineUltra 1,170]

Double morale.. It's OK for players -who earn millions- to play shit and disgrace the shirt ,but somehow it all comes down to people blaming the manager. Are you really so naive? Do you think that hiring Mourinho will fix our problems? Mourinho is a man with big ego and more often than not needs huge investments to implement his way of play, a luxury we can't allow ourselves on regular basis due to FFP. I appreciate what he has done but having him as a manager is a short term fix, when time passes we will be back in the same situation, cursing Mourinho for taking this job again and ruining his legacy at Chelsea. Think about that.. The problem is in the squad, we lack depth on paper and width on the pitch.. long term Chelsea players have way too much power and should be sold or disciplined. They have been good to us, but like-wise the club has been good to them. Regardless, they can't cross the line and disrespect a manager, like they have done many times in the past... Moreover if they can't live up to their glory-days and put in sub par performances.

I give credit to Rafa for what he has done to us so far and refuse to show disrespect. Coming from his past, he is a very easy target for people, who can't see beyond their nose tips. This blind hatred towards him is the reason he should not be our manager on permanent basis, nothing to do with his actual managerial abilities. Just hope our next gaffer will last longer in the reign and will be able to 'please' our panel of experts.