2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[Dixieslaces]

We were fine when everyone was fit earlier in the season…..

I and others gave credit where its due after some, OK, performances, in all honesty tho, it was spells in a game, not a consistent 90, not fully in control and had times when it could have gone against. The signs were there even with a fit squad that all wasn't right.

Without those results against Burnley etc we would be firmly planted in bottom three. So yes we were OK, we were not solid in of those games.

We all said bring on the so called top 6 and things would be different and here we are.

Yes we have had the injuries to contend with but that needs to be managed at ALL teams and he has shown that isn't his forte.

He set us up wrong last few games, sitting 3-5 yards off against Brentford was bad enough but that midfield set up last night was quite simply abysmal.

We are in trouble, so at what point do you acknowledge that and address it, firmly entrenched in bottom 3 or before it gets there?

Foe me, well before is the answer.

We are a mess and I believe it's beyond him to sort it.

 

[Cool_Blue]

You'd swear Mina was Paulo Maldini.
Benitez didn't even pick him all the time when he was fit.
How many clean sheets have we kept this season, 2 maybe?

This is what makes me laugh, “wait until DCL & Mina are back, we’ll be sound”. You need to make chances for DCL to have an impact. We can hardly get out of our own half.

 

[Papa Shango]

Yep, again, I agree to an extent, however, injuries were to every key player and no squad depth at all means I will reserve judgement until he’s had a fair crack of the whip
I repeat I do not want him as my manager but he is and I will give him the benefit of the doubt

Yeah pretty much the same boat as me but 2 points out of 24 is shocking and enough benefit of the doubt for me.

I find in football that a lot of what you see is what you end up getting, I felt it was a disastrous appointment in the first place and not just the results, but the performances over the past ten or so games have done nothing to change my opinion on that.

I don't hate him (much) I just think he is a terrible fit and it will never work out for him or us here.

 

[Dixieslaces]

@Theoneandonly

I'm just curious, you have been challenged on your connection with Benitez before and as far as I have seen you have never elaborated.

Just a point, however, if you do have a connection please tell him to do one, just in case he isn't getting the message.

And shut the door on your way out too.

 

[Kev The Rat]

If lots of our fans are behind Benitez and think hes the right man then maybe this club isn't for me.

they arent so dont worry about it

 

[catcherintherye]

No one was saying that at 2-1

Well they were. And the game finished 4-1. If you cant see it was another elementary mistake, you're really stupid I'm afraid.

 

[catcherintherye]

Rondon was unanimously praised last night.

No he wasnt. He was poor again. Just slightly less bad than other games.

Hes the worst player weve ever had.

 

[Dixieslaces]

No he wasnt. He was poor again. Just slightly less bad than other games.

Hes the worst player weve ever had.

By some measure too.

 

[catcherintherye]

How do you work that one out when Rafael personally phoned and text Gray, asking him to move to Everton. Its been said that Rafael has been keeping tabs on him for 4 years, wanted to sign him for Newcastle.

Oh look Rafael makes a fantastic signing, we can't give him credit though.

This is completely untrue I'm afraid mate.

Gray was 100% Brands. He was scouting Leverkusen all last season and identified him as a good ball carrier.

The Benitez signings this summer were Lonergan, Begovic, Rondon & Townsend. 3 awful players and one average one. Continuing his woeful record in recruitment.

 

[catcherintherye]

By some measure too.

Imagine thinking anyone got unanimously praised last night. It's a complete insult.

 

[windymiller]

No one was saying that at 2-1

My God man, you are now presenting losing at home at half time as evidence of something positive. The very definition of grasping at straws.

 

[catcherintherye]

So he tapped him up?

He didnt. Brands signed him

 

[windymiller]

We have had, and still have, our best striker and defender out (hence the scoring and defending issue. We will not know until a run with best players fit for a period of time and maybe a couple in. Judging anyone with the squad the way has been is just daft.

So if we lose Mina and DCL to season ending injuries we should just accept relegation?

 

[Milk]

oh, it's the board 100%. Switching managers like socks is a recipe for disaster. The squad is a disjointed mess and there aren't the funds to fix it. But we're in that cycle now and stopping at Rafael is a bad idea. He doesn't have what it takes to rebuild and he's likely to get us relegated.
I think another manager stands a better chance.

Here‘s a thought ….

Allow Benitez to carry on .. we get relegated. Him sacked, a young up and coming manager appointed. Club resets in the Championship

Or drop like Stoke.

Jeez

 

[roy vernon]

ha. And you blame the manager for these gobshites? He's got to sweet talk them as much as he can, and then boot them as far as he can once we get to a proper window

He won’t get a proper window, it’s just as well because he would sign players to suit his Jurassic football and then, when he is sacked, we would have more useless crap, who are no use to a new manager. Giving this manager a window would be reckless.