2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[TheBigIguana]

This is what inspired me to say a two man midfield is fireable.

 

[Colonel Getafe]

We're underperforming but not to the extent many in this thread think we are.

Look at the squad and tell me thats a squad capable of more than 10th-12th - its not.

So 14th/15th isnt great but 18 games in im not at panic stations yet like many are.

If come game 38 we are still 15th then fair enough I can see the argument of parting ways and using the summer to bring someone in - but mid season? Daft idea imo.

I wonder if the Brighton fans or Wolves fans would have looked at their squad and said "YUP! We're an 8th/9th placed side at the half way point, no doubt!". No chance! That's competant coaching from modern managers who have a tactical plan.

We're a team that slumped to the depths of 10th in the second half of last season, yet one of the most decorated managers around -one we are told is a master tactian/coach/manager- has us in 15th with 1 league win in effectively a third of the season, yet we're supposed to shrug our shoulders and say no biggie?!?!

 

[TheBigIguana]

The last two league goals we've conceded from corners - Palace and Brighton - had nothing to do with 'the people' though. Because on both occasions each of those teams had 2 players on the back post in 5 yards of space

The Brighton one gets cleared by DCL

 

[matty1878]

i mean i know this forum is for debates

etc. but to debate this feller? it shouldn’t even be debated - just get out

 

[TheBigIguana]

Yeah but we don't create many chances that someone like DCL actually gets his goals from.

And the last time I checked DCL isn't really someone who creates something out of nothing for himself

I wasn't on about him as a striker.

 

[anton66]

‘Who we could attract?’

Well, President Of Ukraine might be available soon mate but apart from him, we’d struggle to get *anyone*. The level of unreal on this thread is amazing even by Everton standards. We’re not Bayern Munich.

We’re dishing out about £10M a year on manager but yes you’re right who would want that.

 

[USABlue]

Carlo leaving was a disaster

 

[wainy]

We will see the owners nerve in 5 games time. If we are sitting on 22 points after 24/25 games he needs to decide what he wants from his investment. That stadium will be a waste if we are playing Blackpool on a Tuesday night for 12th in the championship.

 

[Saint Domingo]

He's our best header of the ball and clears lots of set plays. It does matter.

In fact I'd say 4 of our 5 beat heading players have missed extended time. Digne is Rafael's fault but still. The replacements are not at the same level.

Huge difference between Ancelotti’s set piece defence of Holgate Keane Mina Godfrey Docuoure Siggurdson DCL Richarlison (8 tall players all good in the air)

And

Keane, other CB (not Mina), Docuoure (when fit), Rondon

we’re giving away a lot of height and aerial ability to what we had last season.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

I don’t care if it was only 5, there’s no possibility one of them wasn’t a better choice

The fact of the matter is that Big Dunc is a better option.

 

[Neiler]

He's our best header of the ball and clears lots of set plays. It does matter.

In fact I'd say 4 of our 5 beat heading players have missed extended time. Digne is Rafael's fault but still. The replacements are not at the same level.

Nah mate, I disagree with that, we’ve been here before under Silva same frailty, same players, same method. The whole point of zonal marking is the quick reaction to the breakdown and foundation for the counter, you want your no 9 more advanced to contribute to the break, not in a scrummage on our own six yard box.

Besides it’s not a system developed around our players, this manager had played it everywhere it’s his system fitting the players rather than vice versa.

The evidence is all there in my opinion. Dogma and intrangiance and it’s not working, nor has it with the same players historically.

 

[emir]

Whatever the result, it's obvious to see........... He is a dead man walking.

Ralph Hassenhutl was a dead man walking when Soton lost 8-0 to Leicester and then look what happened after.

 

[Colonel Getafe]

I’m simply asking whether he gets fired for winning. Seems like you’re saying yes. Carry on lad ?

No he wont get fired for beating the 19th placed side from the 2nd divison after 120 minutes who've won 6 league games in 24, in a competition our majority shareholder doesn't really care about; if that's what you are legitimately asking.

He MIGHT get fired for the whole 1 league win in 12 games/3 months, 19 points from 18 games, worse record than Walker, slumping closer and closer to the relegation spots week by week, zero sign on improvement, zero ability to defend set pieces, zero tactical plan, players regressing etc etc. Ya know, that kind of thing...

 

[TheBigIguana]

Huge difference between Ancelotti’s set piece defence of Holgate Keane Mina Godfrey Docuoure Siggurdson DCL Richarlison (8 tall players all good in the air)

And

Keane, other CB (not Mina), Docuoure (when fit), Rondon

we’re giving away a lot of height and aerial ability to what we had last season.

Yeah this is exactly what I'm saying. It isn't good enough but on this particular area I'm willing to give Rafael a little leeway because we really don't have players fit to do the job.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Nah mate, I disagree with that, we’ve been here before under Silva same frailty, same players, same method. The whole point of zonal marking is the quick reaction to the breakdown and foundation for the counter, you want your no 9 more advanced to contribute to the break, not in a scrummage on our own six yard box.

Besides it’s not a system developed around our players, this manager had played it everywhere it’s his system fitting the players rather than vice versa.

The evidence is al, there in my opinion.

But we were really good last year?