The Benitez Thread

[Joe Cool 388]

He made the decision to leave Frank, unused, on the bench. Would like to know, exactly when Frank became nothing more than a fringe player. Did his performance level's suddenly drop? Nope, no more than the rest of the team. So why? David Luiz, for all his commitment, is he really a better offering than JT? I don't think so. TFSW is either pandering to the board or seemingly cutting his nose off, to spite his face. Deliberately

In most big matches we've had lately (Man United away comes to mind), Lampard has been an absolute passenger. He just disappears in so many matches where we've needed him that him and Ramires in pivot the would have been slaughtered even worse yesterday. Despite the fact that Mikel was fucking awful, it made more logical sense to have him on as he's usually better defensively. Now that obviously didn't happen, but I think that was more because of Mikel and his shithouse commitment than anything.

Terry, for me is finished. He's still an absolute legend, don't get me wrong, but every time he's played lately his positioning has been poor and he's been caught out too many times (Rubin, Southampton, Newcastle away). I think, to be honest, that Luiz is definitely the best cb that we have. Maybe JT would have done a better job than Bran (who wouldn't have?), but to be honest, I think Terry would have had a mare yesterday had he started.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

In most big matches we've had lately (Man United away comes to mind), Lampard has been an absolute passenger. He just disappears in so many matches where we've needed him that him and Ramires in pivot the would have been slaughtered even worse yesterday. Despite the fact that Mikel was fucking awful, it made more logical sense to have him on as he's usually better defensively. Now that obviously didn't happen, but I think that was more because of Mikel and his shithouse commitment than anything.

Terry, for me is finished. He's still an absolute legend, don't get me wrong, but every time he's played lately his positioning has been poor and he's been caught out too many times (Rubin, Southampton, Newcastle away). I think, to be honest, that Luiz is definitely the best cb that we have. Maybe JT would have done a better job than Bran (who wouldn't have?), but to be honest, I think Terry would have had a mare yesterday had he started.

Yea definitely agree about Lampard & Terry. Rafa's doing right in leaving these two out of the big games because of the points you've stated. It's just a shame that we don't have cover for their absence, but that alone shouldn't warrant their own inclusion in the squad. I'm sure the board is under no illusion we will need a new centre-back & central midfield player this summer, the only question is if it actually comes to fruition.

[Fulham Broadway 17,306]

FUCK OFF RAFA

[Hutcho 8,443]

We are chasing a game and have the momentum. But players are clearly tiring... (Even run all day Rambo wasn't up and down at the end) Yet for a manager who stresses rotation and tiredness we only make 1 substitution? I Mean even if you just put lampard on for Ivan to try and get a goal. I don't care how old he is, he had more energy than rambo and oscar at the stage. Same with Moses. If we score we may have issues with too many attacking players in extra time, but thats a problem we can worry about them. Even the most adament lampard "haters" would surely see that he is the perfect guy to come on there.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

He cannot manage what is a strong squad well, despite his and the club's propaganda which suggest we'd have been out of all Cups and in mid-table had it not been for him. We win some games in spite of him and his dire team selections, tactics and subs but we've now lost a final and two semi-finals under him and he must accept responsibility for that.

A few tweaks to the squad and a good manager & this group of players would have been challenging for the title and had a couple of trophies in the cabinet already this season. Roll on May

Don't you read the papers ?

He knows what hes doing..

[Buffalo talks Blue 85]

Win or lose, Rafa out!

[robdog 2,084]

I just want to provide some positivity on this thread. We only have to endure a lil' bit longer. Rafa will be gone.

[MHL 47 378]

I just want to provide some positivity on this thread. We only have to endure a lil' bit longer. Rafa will be gone.

Just imagine the nausea those who'll have to endure Sunday's game in person will be feeling!

Seriously, I've never wanted any former manager's gone so much, or so quickly. I was just a bit sick in my mouth just considering Sunday.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

He had nothing to loose by bringing Lamps on...we were loosing! Even 10 minutes might have benn better then nothing.He just seems to go from making good decsions to complete weird and crap ones...theres no balance!

[Changingman_2000 876]

Six Months on, what is the half term report on TFSW? Positive and negative.

Have result's improved?, have performances improved? are we, in general terms, any further forward? Has his appointment had a positive impact in any shape or form?

In my very honest opinion....

No

No

No

No

and

Surprise, surpise

.

.

.

.

.

.

No

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Those very painful six months...

[Jase 43,479]

It's Benitez's 53rd birthday tomorrow or today, depending where you are right now...

[JDY 1,290]

It's Benitez's 53rd birthday tomorrow or today, depending where you are right now...

Expecting a happy birthday Rafa thread

[Kezza 1,965]

I hope the team and staff get together and have a 'celebration' at cobham where roman wheels out a BIG blue box with bow on it. In the box is none other than Jose and in his mouth he has a one way ticket for the fsw back to anfield.

[Jase 43,479]

Don't be surprised if Benitez goes into a 'love-in' mode with Liverpool later this week since we'll be playing them on Sunday. And I remember after Houllier lost to them at Anfield in the 10/11 season, he said if there's one team he doesn't mind losing to, it's Liverpool.