2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[ToffeeTim]

I mean in theory. I think he's going to go with Begovic, Kenny, Holgate, Gomes, Iwobi, Rondon and maybe one or two others who aren't in what seems to be our current best XI. The injuries mean it'll be more like the team we put out in the league.

We only have one fit striker and one fit left back and one fit keeper for a start.

We dont have scope to change many players. Gomes Holgate Kenny should start, as should James if fit. Gbamin is out as is Delph so not many options.

After that, we need the bulk of todays side. We have 3 games before the break and need to win the next 2 so that united is a free hit.

 

[kenada_blue]

Yeah well we've gotten to a point where the default position when we score it is Keane's fault and then we have to work backwards and find about 8 other people to blame before we can let him off.

He was awful against Saints and Leeds, okay again Brighton, Mina held his hand against Burnley.

But the heats off him now and pointed at Digne.

But it's standard Mick Kegger. Nothing changes. There's no wonder he got dropped at the end of last season and lost his England place to Mings and Cody.

 

[Toff33Blues99]

Brighton are a decent team mate.

Based on their 16th place last season ?

 

[TheBigIguana]

We only have one fit striker and one fit left back and one fit keeper for a start.

We dont have scope to change many players. Gomes Holgate Kenny should start, as should James if fit. Gbamin is out as is Delph so not many options.

After that, we need the bulk of todays side. We have 3 games before the break and need to win the next 2 so that united is a free hit.

Yeah I get all that.

The point was the injury crisis isn't a big deal because Rafael was just going to rotate anyway. So if we put a weak side out and lose because no one is fit that isn't actually a big deal as it would have happened without the injuries too.

 

[TheBigIguana]

He was awful against Saints and Leeds, okay again Brighton, Mina held his hand against Burnley.

But the heats off him now and pointed at Digne.

I just ignore posts like this. Keane is responsible for his own performance bad and good. Same with literally everyone. Held his hand FFS.

 

[catcherintherye]

Let's give up.
It's like talking to antivaxxers, they're not changing their mind.

Let the cold, harsh reality slowly dawn upon them: Benitez is here because of Usmanov, and until Usmanov changes his mind, he's here to stay.
He will probably be quite succesful compared to the previous managers, so he's odds on to stay here for quite some time.

It's fairly sensible logic.

The reality is though, the majority of the other managers have been sacked. Ancelotti got 59 points and has a CV far beyond the rest (including Benitez) so was insulated.

If he continues to improve us in the 59 points we achieved he will stay. If we go backwards from that point he will probably go. I'm not sure theres much point worrying too much either way.

Given the investment the squad has had, it's not a massively high target- to get into the 60s points wise, and I suspect he will do so.

 

[catcherintherye]

Based on their 16th place last season ?

Partially. I thought they were a lot better than 16th in performances. Theyve got younger players who are improving. Correct me if I'm wrong but if they win tomorrow they are in tbe top 6? They look a tidy team to me mate.

 

[blulouie]

James did not want to play raf said you absolute belter he had a sore leg and a clan matched booked in around the same time

Are you another liar mate ?

Theres a good few on here now.

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

Are you another liar mate ?

Theres a good few on here now.

Prove Benitez wrong then.
Gray posted on instagram friday that he was ready to go. If Hamez does likewise, I might believe somebody is lying (and even then I'm trusting a proven premiership manager above a chronically injured & unmotivated player)

 

[kenada_blue]

I just ignore posts like this. Keane is responsible for his own performance bad and good. Same with literally everyone. Held his hand FFS.

Mina won more headers than anyone in the league that game week against grocks like Woods and Barnes. Keane watched.

 

[blulouie]

Prove Benitez wrong then.

I dont need to .
James hasnt said anything , unless you have seen or heard him .

 

[Toff33Blues99]

Partially. I thought they were a lot better than 16th in performances. Theyve got younger players who are improving. Correct me if I'm wrong but if they win tomorrow they are in tbe top 6? They look a tidy team to me mate.

They were a striker lite last yr and unless I missed one on deadline day they didn't sort it. They pleasing on the eye but ultimately will struggle

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

I dont need to .
James hasnt said anything , unless you have seen or heard him .

If Benitez is lying, he has to respond. His reputation is at stake.
Would you sit back and let Benitez lie about you?

 

[kenada_blue]

It's fairly sensible logic.

The reality is though, the majority of the other managers have been sacked. Ancelotti got 59 points and has a CV far beyond the rest (including Benitez) so was insulated.

If he continues to improve us in the 59 points we achieved he will stay. If we go backwards from that point he will probably go. I'm not sure theres much point worrying too much either way.

Given the investment the squad has had, it's not a massively high target- to get into the 60s points wise, and I suspect he will do so.

My prediction is that we don't hit 59 points but finish higher than 10th with less this season.

 

[catcherintherye]

They were a striker lite last yr and unless I missed one on deadline day they didn't sort it. They pleasing on the eye but ultimately will struggle

Yes that's probably fair. I think they will be a lot better than 16th though.

Ironically Leeds did well last season, but think they will struggle this year.