2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[Egil Olsen]

I'm not happy with the development under Benitez. It is difficult to defend reactive football, especially when the results are as they are. But at the same time we have seen many of the same weaknesses under several managers, lack of concentration, aggression, creativity and the players are constantly struggling to control the ball.

I suspect that through several years of poor player recruitment, and frequent replacements of managers, we not only have a poorly balanced squad, but also a lack of a professional winning culture. This takes time to turn around. Such a process will necessarily cause some noise, and some players and other personnel will be dissatisfied.

I understand that people are dissatisfied with Benitez, I am dissatisfied myself, but I try to remind myself what the status is and how it has been. I try to remind myself of the positive things. We got rid of a shaman as medical manager, as well as a DOF who only received a salary from the club and who did very little and an Icelandic horse as head of the scout network, we picked up Gray for almost nothing (perhaps the best buy in PL), Gordon, a player from the academy, has been given playing time and has scored his first goal. The manager has put his foot down for players who are not committed, or who are only concerned with their own statistics. We have just brought in two players, in the right age group, and who both have great pace, stamina and good technique. Types of players that we have deeply missed. So there is something positive.

I'm also thinking about what we have to gain by firing Benitez? Who will come in to do his job? I hear someone mention Kovac, but he is also known to be a confrontational manager and who is accused of playing reactive / boring football. Why take the chance? I really like Graham Potter, but I see no reason why he should take the chance to come to Everton at the moment.

There are no candidates who are realistic or who I am confident will do a much better job than Benitez right now. Therefore, as long as we do not have to press the alarm button, and no really good candidates are available, then I think the safest card is to let Benitez sit out the season. If we see progression, he should be allowed to continue with his project.

 

[Rudolf Hucker]

Problem here is not Rafael it’s the mess he has inherited. Whatever he does is wrong in some peoples eyes and he has been doing it with his hands tied behind his back. As it stands Moshri is giving him support and I thought as fans that’s what we should do . Apparently not !!

Do you actually watch games?

Yes, the squad is full of crocks & losers, but the players we fielded against Palace & Brighton, to name just 2 games, should be good enough to win those games.

They look lost. Like they’ve never met each other. That‘s down to Benitez.

Should never have been appointed & needs to go now.

 

[nsno-chris]

Problem here is not Rafael it’s the mess he has inherited. Whatever he does is wrong in some peoples eyes and he has been doing it with his hands tied behind his back. As it stands Moshri is giving him support and I thought as fans that’s what we should do . Apparently not !!

Who made him play Coleman as a left wingback yesterday, with Digne sitting on the bench??

 

[ToffeeTim]

How do you know? Seriously what proof do you have that the sole issue regarding the state of the club is Benitez?
Comparing against last season when it was under very different circumstances and we are a few players down when most around have improved is not a fair comparison.
Didn't we have one of our worst home records in history last season?

Because I've seen these players get better results and I've not witnessed a worse run of form in my lifetime. I also know there are teams with less at their disposal who are playing better football and getting better results.

The team have never been this poor in my lifetime over a full half season. Thats all we need to know.

 

[Marius57]

Problem here is not Rafael it’s the mess he has inherited. Whatever he does is wrong in some peoples eyes and he has been doing it with his hands tied behind his back. As it stands Moshri is giving him support and I thought as fans that’s what we should do . Apparently not !!

The mess that finished 10th last season with 59 points?

 

[ToffeeTim]

Anyone who supports this manager is clueless, deluded or a red. Take your pick.

 

[dannyboy]

Problem here is not Rafael it’s the mess he has inherited. Whatever he does is wrong in some peoples eyes and he has been doing it with his hands tied behind his back. As it stands Moshri is giving him support and I thought as fans that’s what we should do . Apparently not !!

But this was always going to be the problem. The fact that whether you like it or not some fans were never going to accept Benitez yet we went ahead and appointed him anyway.

Only clubs who are in a complete mess appoint a manager who most of their supporters actively dislike.

 

[Terrarian]

1 win in 12 anywhere else he's already gone.

 

[sageyefc]

definitely not the managers fault we’re worse of in every conceivable way this year, nope not at all. Not his tactics is it, or his formation, he doesn’t chose the players or play them out of position, he doesn’t keep subbing on the human beanbag, he doesn’t coach what was one of the best set piece defensive records last year so it’s one of the worst now.


Always the victim never your fault

 

[nsno-chris]

Anyone who supports this manager is clueless, deluded or a red. Take your pick.

I really wish this would have said “and a prick”

 

[Ghost Rider]

The question I suppose worth asking is what if benitez takes us down? Not literally as he would be sacked before that actually happened at the point of being too late.

I know the chances of it happening are minimal because we can't be worse than the teams below us.

But what if we get to that point? The board doubling down on him for so long despite the results. Wouldn't that destroy the fans link with the club itself given who they are backing?

I know it's fantasy talk because we won't go down but what if we did get to that point? Head under the water esq run in.

 

[APN_EFC]

Who made him play Coleman as a left wingback yesterday, with Digne sitting on the bench??

Even if its true that Digne is not committed, nobody in their right mind can actually play badly on purpose - it's hard to do that as a professional. He can't try to give away goals , possession and generally play out of position, because a) he won't look good for his next move, if he's moving and b) its professional courtesy to Everton and c) anyway he's not been in great form so he's been making the odd mistakes anyway, it's hard to fake. So why he had to suddenly play an odd formation makes no sense.

trying to be positive and support Rafael Benitez but finding it hard.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Problem here is not Rafael it’s the mess he has inherited. Whatever he does is wrong in some peoples eyes and he has been doing it with his hands tied behind his back. As it stands Moshri is giving him support and I thought as fans that’s what we should do . Apparently not !!

Whilst he obviously not the only problem I respectfully disagree that Benitez himself isn’t a problem.

I expect a manager even with limited resources to be able to demonstrate an improvement in organization and to man-manage a squad. I can see no progress in either in the six months he has been here and the latter has got noticeably worse, he’s falling out with multiple players.

 

[brian labone]

I'm not happy with the development under Benitez. It is difficult to defend reactive football, especially when the results are as they are. But at the same time we have seen many of the same weaknesses under several managers, lack of concentration, aggression, creativity and the players are constantly struggling to control the ball.

I suspect that through several years of poor player recruitment, and frequent replacements of managers, we not only have a poorly balanced squad, but also a lack of a professional winning culture. This takes time to turn around. Such a process will necessarily cause some noise, and some players and other personnel will be dissatisfied.

I understand that people are dissatisfied with Benitez, I am dissatisfied myself, but I try to remind myself what the status is and how it has been. I try to remind myself of the positive things. We got rid of a shaman as medical manager, as well as a DOF who only received a salary from the club and who did very little and an Icelandic horse as head of the scout network, we picked up Gray for almost nothing (perhaps the best buy in PL), Gordon, a player from the academy, has been given playing time and has scored his first goal. The manager has put his foot down for players who are not committed, or who are only concerned with their own statistics. We have just brought in two players, in the right age group, and who both have great pace, stamina and good technique. Types of players that we have deeply missed. So there is something positive.

I'm also thinking about what we have to gain by firing Benitez? Who will come in to do his job? I hear someone mention Kovac, but he is also known to be a confrontational manager and who is accused of playing reactive / boring football. Why take the chance? I really like Graham Potter, but I see no reason why he should take the chance to come to Everton at the moment.

There are no candidates who are realistic or who I am confident will do a much better job than Benitez right now. Therefore, as long as we do not have to press the alarm button, and no really good candidates are available, then I think the safest card is to let Benitez sit out the season. If we see progression, he should be allowed to continue with his project.

I appreciate everything you say, the big problem is if we wait to long before sacking him we may well be in the Championship.

 

[nsno-chris]

Even if its true that Digne is not committed, nobody in their right mind can actually play badly on purpose - it's hard to do that as a professional. He can't try to give away goals , possession and generally play out of position, because a) he won't look good for his next move, if he's moving and b) its professional courtesy to Everton and c) anyway he's not been in great form so he's been making the odd mistakes anyway, it's hard to fake. So why he had to suddenly play an odd formation makes no sense.

trying to be positive and support Rafael Benitez but finding it hard.

Says the manager

Because it’s not like he’s ever done this before