2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[Blue Roo]

Really good start.

Solid 442 that's free to play and not just 'looking' to pass forward.
Puts more intensity into the player receiving the ball
and the support is more switched on.

They played better football the first two but it all seems more about intent.
And today they dialed off the forward intent, when they had upper hand, but never without a forward threat, they played the win out rather than holding on.
With the 442 he seems to have nailed something early on; with he players he's got

Always hated the one up top. its defeatist.

 

[marnie]

What is interesting as well not picking some of the"deadwood" like Gomes, Siggy and Tosun or are they injured?

One of them is injured.. Got hit with a pool ball in a sock.

 

[kenada_blue]

We’d have been 15 yards deeper defensively under Carlo. You’re right that the approach has many similarities but it’s much pacier and aggressive under Benitez. Proactive rather than reactive if you will

If Carlo added 2 new wingers and some pace? Not a chance.

The only arguement would be the quality compared to Rafael.

 

[4737carlin]

Just seen the fan wanting a selfie, top fan that

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

We’d have been 15 yards deeper defensively under Carlo. You’re right that the approach has many similarities but it’s much pacier and aggressive under Benitez. Proactive rather than reactive if you will

I think the work ethic and the personnel on the wings has enabled this tactic. If we moved up the pitch 15 yards last season we would have leaked goals like a cullender.

 

[akkers]

Same here, thought the trajectory was finally on an upward spiral. To be honest, I don't know the teams that Carlo had to work with, across his career, but I do recall a while back, when people were suggesting Mourhino. I think, at the time, it may have been pointed out that Mourhino didn't build sides, he stepped in to ready made teams. Assuming my memory is correct, could that also be said of Carlo? And where does that put Benitez? (genuine Q)

Yes mate, I think there is a bit of a false narrative around the elite level coaches in terms of, if they are that good then they should be able to apply that ability to lesser teams, they should be able to do it at the other end of the spectrum e.g. an Everton rather than a Real Madrid, I don't think it works like that personally and to some extent for example, if you have PSG's squad in that French league, then how adaptive and astute do you have to be to win most games, not so much, champs league arguably different but equally in cup comps its who turns up on the day.

Granted only a few games in but to answer your question, in Benitez I think we are seeing a manager that's suited to having gaps in a team, good areas and weak areas and he knows how to set up accordingly, could be wrong but it seems like there's no "matey matey, pick the favourites despite form" attitude from him and ultimately his CV has to carry weight with the players - horses for courses

 

[Charles Plastusz]

I think the work ethic and the personnel on the wings has enabled this tactic. If we moved up the pitch 15 yards last season we would have leaked goals like a cullender.

Ya that’s a fair point. I certainly know which version i prefer though

 

[Charles Plastusz]

If Carlo added 2 new wingers and some pace? Not a chance.

The only arguement would be the quality compared to Rafael.

Fair point but then again Carlo would possibly have zero interest in Gray or Townsend. You have to have trust and belief in your personnel to be more aggressive, more proactive. Not sure Carlo had either

 

[nsno-chris]

Intrigued to see who @randalthor is

Introduce yourself here mate https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/forums/new-signings.42/

 

[ToffeeDan]

50 plus years of match going and watching some of the s... we've served up over the years.. (Walker, Smith, Fat Sam...) so.. in four games

1. Solved the Coleman enigma whereby Seamie makes great runs into the box and then.. well, best forgotten eh..
2. Pace on either wing - Gray exactly the player I said he would be if he got over his personal nightmares
3. Townsend a steal
4. Doucoure looking every penny the player we bought
5. DCL getting on the end of chances.
6. Iwobi not consigned to a bit part on the wing
7. No slackers 1 to 11. Actually looking like there's a purpose to us when we attack.. not just chucking it forward.
8. Pickford remembering how to be a goalie
9. All this without Godfrey, James and with a scratch bench.
10. Actually looking like a team that wants to win games, wants to go for it with a 1 goal lead and not Moyes it out for 90m and try to win 1-0 or hold onto a 1-1.
11. Holgate - no mistakes eh!!
12. Allan - looking like he wants to lead this team in the midfield battlezone.
13. Tom Davies delivering a killer pass in the Cup tie for Iwobi..

 

[moyeslovechild]

I love that he's keen on shifting James Rodríguez

A more small time manager would have looked at him and maybe been desperate to fit him in considering his status and quality. Rafael knows he isn't what we need so he's shifting him. 'surplus to requirements' i saw him described as in an article on our position on him. And I'm sure he told James that himself . How it should be. I think it's the mentality we need after being played by Carlo the Joker

I'm.not going to start praising him and saying was the right move to get him in until we actually have a good season but I just liked that.

 

[TimHowardsBeardJuice]

When you have a keeper who is top-class in distance and accuracy in downfield kicking, and a big strong target man who may be the best header of the ball in the league, and now a group of energetic mids to chase second balls, you’d be a flippin’ fool not to play some hoofball

 

[akkers]

We’d have been 15 yards deeper defensively under Carlo. You’re right that the approach has many similarities but it’s much pacier and aggressive under Benitez. Proactive rather than reactive if you will

You're right, we would of sweated that win completely under the cosh for the last 25

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

When you have a keeper who is top-class in distance and accuracy in downfield kicking, and a big strong target man who may be the best header of the ball in the league, and now a group of energetic mids to chase second balls, you’d be a flippin’ fool not to play some hoofball

Its not strictly hoof ball its counter attacking but not sitting deep, pressing opponents high up the pitch and forcing mistakes. Chelsea have been very successful adopting this style since the early days of Mourinho. Requires fitness, discipline and we are showing this in our football and its pleasing on the eye too. Creating chances and direct. He may modify it a bit against the top teams but i'm impressed with both the manager and the players. They deserve the plaudits but they've set a bench mark and need to at least keep that now, hopefully improve it.

 

[TimHowardsBeardJuice]

Its not strictly hoof ball its counter attacking but not sitting deep, pressing opponents high up the pitch and forcing mistakes. Chelsea have been very successful adopting this style since the early days of Mourinho. Requires fitness, discipline and we are showing this in our football and its pleasing on the eye too. Creating chances and direct. He may modify it a bit against the top teams but i'm impressed with both the manager and the players. They deserve the plaudits but they've set a bench mark and need to at least keep that now, hopefully improve it.

many times, especially on Brighton’s right, where the Brighton ball carrier got swarmed by 2+ of our guys and harried into coughing it up