2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[BlueToff]

I also look at what tools he has and admit he has been unlucky with injuries to DCL, Mina and many others hence the use of an inadequate squad.
He chased Rondon as a back up striker who was totally unfit, had no money to spend on a better striker, didn't think DCL would be out for 3 months with Sims himself injured and only Dobbin the inexperienced youngster available. Richarlison has also missed out quite a few games. The injury list is a joke and I wouldn't expect anyone to be able to cope. Like I say I will pass proper judgement when all players or most are available and he is allowed to strengthen with money that the previous failed managers had

He has been unlucky with injuries, but he hasn’t adapted.

Carlo was unlucky with injuries. We were the only PL team last season to have every player in the senior squad suffer an injury at one stage of the season. How mad is that? That’s the reason Ancelotti went into dinosaur football mode - go get through that spell. Issue was when we got the players back we couldn’t get out of it, and Ancelotti did fail in that regard.

But the two managers are worlds apart

 

[BlueToff]

Didn't we lose all the games when it was closer to 50% and above

Yeah cause Benitez instructs/demands vertical football, which is fine if you’ve got Calvert-Lewin up top. We haven’t had for 4 months, yet he hasn’t adapted

 

[Kev50]

If you can't see that last night was a well organised counter attacking performance with a patched up squad, then you're clearly not going to shut up until Benitez is sacked. It's exhausting.

yes, best to disregard the posts of anyone finding fault with last night's performance, as it is clear that they don't care about anything other than their loathing of Benitez/ It ceases to be a debate about the qualities of the manager and just becomes a witch hunt.

 

[Nymzee]

We had an insane number of players missing last night so had to play young, hungry, fit players and got a draw at Chelsea.

Earlier in the year, with less players out, we never used them and got spanked by Watford with the Benitez fan club blaming injuries.

Maybe if he'd just not been his archaic self and used them throughout the season to freshen things up we wouldn't have lost 8 of 17.

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

Rafael played the youth card because he had no other cards to play. His intuition is to play
tried and trusted as he might see it or uninterested and unreliable as I see them.

I hope he sees this season as a bust and gives Brainthwaite, Dobbin and others to get quality time on the pitch. I would also include Gbamin who needs loads of game time to get ready for next year.

But my bet is that he reverts to Roldan, Holgate, Iwobi, before the young lads.

If he doesn’t rotate 3 or 4 of these young lads regularly starting or decent playing time off the bench, with our more established players, then he will completely lose any support or goodwill I have left for him. Braithwaite and Gordon starting games. Dobbin, Simms, and Ghamin getting meaningful minutes from the bench. I would also keep Kenny on the bench and Give Godfrey a go at right Back.

 

[Dixieslaces]

We had an insane number of players missing last night so had to play young, hungry, fit players and got a draw at Chelsea.

Earlier in the year, with less players out, we never used them and got spanked by Watford with the Benitez fan club blaming injuries.

Maybe if he'd just not been his archaic self and used them throughout the season to freshen things up we wouldn't have lost 8 of 17.

THIS in Buckets!

You can lead a horse to water and all that but you cant make The RafaBoys see the light!

 

[banno]

Yeah cause Benitez instructs/demands vertical football, which is fine if you’ve got Calvert-Lewin up top. We haven’t had for 4 months, yet he hasn’t adapted

of course mate you are right. Someone should have told Carlo also

 

[banno]

THIS in Buckets!

You can lead a horse to water and all that but you cant make The RafaBoys see the light!

Come on Rafael

 

[Theoneandonly]

Holy moly, only against him because he’s a kopite though right


View attachment 148763

I'm sure we've played more than 13 games.

 

[sageyefc]

I'm sure we've played more than 13 games.

lol

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

We had an insane number of players missing last night so had to play young, hungry, fit players and got a draw at Chelsea.

Earlier in the year, with less players out, we never used them and got spanked by Watford with the Benitez fan club blaming injuries.

Maybe if he'd just not been his archaic self and used them throughout the season to freshen things up we wouldn't have lost 8 of 17.

I totally agree but it cuts both ways if the kids got a spanking he would have got pelters for playing the kids in October. I want to see us win every game regardless of who is at the helm, but I do think he should have took Coleman out of the firing line earlier and he certainly shouldn’t be relying on Delph as back up So he’s missed a trick there. Same goes for Iwobi and Townsend at best bench warmers. Be bold and give these young players a crack . This conundrum has fell in his lap and could save his job. If he concentrates on developing these young players to forfeit a couple of league places as part of a longer term plan then I will cut him some slack. If he reverts to type and continues with the old guard. Even if results improve he won’t get my backing because we need some radical change and some desire on the pitch. Even if it lacks a bit of experience.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

If you can't see that last night was a well organised counter attacking performance with a patched up squad, then you're clearly not going to shut up until Benitez is sacked. It's exhausting.

We were all over the gaff and only for poor finishing from Chelsea the game could have been over after 30 mins.

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

I don't think anyone is suggesting that Simms or Dobbin should start if DCL or Richarlison are fit.

What most are objecting to is Benitez giving game time to Rondon ahead of Simms and Dobbin.

At least giving them a run in the Brentford game when we was one down. Could have given them a run in the derby at 3-1 instead of playing Delph.

 

[Theoneandonly]

It’s all well and good talking to young players but would rather see him actually use them.

Gordon - 15 appearances
Dobbin - 3
Branthwaite - 2
Onyango - 2
Simms - 1

 

[Nymzee]

Gordon - 15 appearances
Dobbin - 3
Branthwaite - 2
Onyango - 2
Simms - 1

Everton 2021/22 - 19 games all comps (~1,710 available mins per player)

Gordon - 818 mins (15 apps) - Outlier.
Dobbin - 29 mins (3 apps)
Branthwaite - 90 mins (1 app)
Onyango - 2 mins (2 apps)
Simms - 62 mins (1 app)

Do not come at me with warped stats I will smite you into the gutter.