2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

You do realise what you are trying to argue with. A plant pot watered down version of benny hill.

 

[roy vernon]

yes, another comeback win. All down to the crowd. Nothing to do with the manager.
Of course.

On this occasion, surprisingly , it was down to the manager. With 15 minutes left he finally admitted that his stubborn belief that a 2 man midfield would eventually work was wrong.

Once we brought on Gomes and went 3 in midfield we looked much more comfortable. It wasn't down to Gomes particularly, it was down to having an extra body in midfield. Its a pity it took him so long to see what everyone else could see.

It also helped the cause last night that Venezuela's star striker was unavailable. If Benitez is to last the course, he needs to heed the lessons of last night.

 

[Nymzee]

Some right memers in here.

 

[toffeeblue9]

Reunite him with Tarkowski instead of the amateurs and crocks he's paired with now.

Ben Mee was his partner at Burnley. Tarkowski and Keane quite literally never played in the same team together barring one brief substitute appearance that Tarkowski made.

 

[CielosGrises]

So, what do we need in January ... and what will Benitez get us (Sean Longstaff).

 

[Kev50]

On this occasion, surprisingly , it was down to the manager. With 15 minutes left he finally admitted that his stubborn belief that a 2 man midfield would eventually work was wrong.

Once we brought on Gomes and went 3 in midfield we looked much more comfortable. It wasn't down to Gomes particularly, it was down to having an extra body in midfield. Its a pity it took him so long to see what everyone else could see.

It also helped the cause last night that Venezuela's star striker was unavailable. If Benitez is to last the course, he needs to heed the lessons of last night.

does he finally admit he got things wrong in all our comeback wins, or was it just last night?

 

[davek]

Ben Mee was his partner at Burnley. Tarkowski and Keane quite literally never played in the same team together barring one brief substitute appearance that Tarkowski made.

Ha Ha ha.

Silly Mee.



I'd still go for Tarkowski though.

...and we have a spare space for a jug head since Brands left.

 

[toffeeblue9]

So, what do we need in January ... and what will Benitez get us (Sean Longstaff).

We need a centre back who can play with Keane as Mina is never fit and neither Godfrey nor Holgate seem capable of playing in a pair.

We need a holding midfielder

The Digne situation has made a left back even more important

They're the three I think are absolutely vital in Jan, whether they are loans or whatever. There's a fair bit more required in the summer too, but you can't fix everything in Jan.

 

[Marius57]

We need a centre back who can play with Keane as Mina is never fit and neither Godfrey nor Holgate seem capable of playing in a pair.

We need a holding midfielder

The Digne situation has made a left back even more important

They're the three I think are absolutely vital in Jan, whether they are loans or whatever. There's a fair bit more required in the summer too, but you can't fix everything in Jan.

And the glaringly obvious right back

 

[Runub]

Also, I knew Mina would break down - why rush him back, seemed like a ludicrous decision.

On the face of it yes. I think it was a case of desperate times call for desperate measures but it backfired unfortunately

 

[toffeeblue9]

And the glaringly obvious right back

Can't see them doing that in Jan, but it'd be nice if I was wrong

 

[roy vernon]

does he finally admit he got things wrong in all our comeback wins, or was it just last night?

Im talking specifically about last night. His other comeback wins came against teams we should never have gone behind to. Eventually our better players prevailed.

Mind you there haven't been too many wins of any description, so, not much to compare with.

 

[jazzy]

no, if we are focussed on where we finish, then position will always trump points at whatever stage we are at. Your points tally can swing wildly from season to season, nobody cares, it's where you finish visavis to your rivals which is what is important.

Why should the same squad as last season do worse than the previous season regardless of new players being brought in.
Surely having a further season together and a new tactical genius as manager means that they will be eve better?

 

[xena]

On this occasion, surprisingly , it was down to the manager. With 15 minutes left he finally admitted that his stubborn belief that a 2 man midfield would eventually work was wrong.

Once we brought on Gomes and went 3 in midfield we looked much more comfortable. It wasn't down to Gomes particularly, it was down to having an extra body in midfield. Its a pity it took him so long to see what everyone else could see.

It also helped the cause last night that Venezuela's star striker was unavailable. If Benitez is to last the course, he needs to heed the lessons of last night.

Agree with this playing 3 in midfield frees up Doucoure always makes a big difference when he gets forward, hopefully that's the way he goes from now on.

 

[toffeeblue9]

Ha Ha ha.

Silly Mee.



I'd still go for Tarkowski though.

...and we have a spare space for a jug head since Brands left.

Nothing against Tarkowski, but think we may need to aim a little lower in terms of what you'd have to spend to get him. Benitez is going to have to pull some really clever ones out of the bag next month.