2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[Nymzee]

I like how when Carlo was here anything 10th and below was unacceptable but under Benitez, with the same squad, it's fine and to be expected if we finish bottom half. Why does he get such leeway if he's so good of a manager?

 

[MikeH72]

I like how when Carlo was here anything 10th and below was unacceptable but under Benitez, with the same squad, it's fine and to be expected if we finish bottom half. Why does he get such leeway if he's so good of a manager?

Who’s said that, what have I missed?

 

[PaddyJames]

I like how when Carlo was here anything 10th and below was unacceptable but under Benitez, with the same squad, it's fine and to be expected if we finish bottom half. Why does he get such leeway if he's so good of a manager?

Who has said that? I'm not calling you a liar I'd just like to know who

 

[Nymzee]

Who’s said that, what have I missed?

Who do you think.

Its not wise to have lofty expectations this season due to a lack of investment in the summer and the managers first season of rebuilding the squad.

Rome wasn't built in a day - 7th should be the aim but 8th-12th is perfectly acceptable until we get to the stage where an injury to Richarlison/Gray/Doucoure/Allan/Digne/Coleman doesn't leave us up the creek without a paddle.

Our squad depth is shocking.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

Who do you think.

Of course its acceptable to finish 8th-12th - unless you think sacking managers every 12 months unless they qualify for Europe is the way forward?

Obviously we have to see progress but to be demanding 7th+ or its the managers head when we've finished 7th once in the last 5 years is folly.

 

[Nymzee]

Of course its acceptable to finish 8th-12th - unless you think sacking managers every 12 months unless they qualify for Europe is the way forward?

Obviously we have to see progress but to be demanding 7th+ or its the managers head when we've finished 7th once in the last 5 years is folly.

Was 12th acceptable season before last?

 

[Lapeno77]

I like how when Carlo was here anything 10th and below was unacceptable but under Benitez, with the same squad, it's fine and to be expected if we finish bottom half. Why does he get such leeway if he's so good of a manager?

Its the reality of comparing a thoroughbred winner with a PE teacher.

 

[Carloblues]

Not at all mate - certain players suit certain systems and James doesn't suit ours whatsoever.

James replaces Townsend and he doesnt help Coleman out which has been vital at times this season.

James replaces Gray and we dont have the constant threat on the counter attack with Grays raw pace.

James also means Doucoure needs to babysit him defensively and can not burst forward like he has been doing to great effect this season.

He's a luxury player at present in the Ozil mould.

Not having that all, how can we know he doesn't suit the system if he's never played in said system.

We've also changed it up a few times already this season ( notably when we've went behind )

I just cannot fathom how people thinking preferring Townsend because he runs back and helps Coleman more is a reasonable debate.

Any decent manager works around that.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

Was 12th acceptable season before last?

It must have been as Carlo still had a job last season and would have still had one this season after finishing 10th.

People can talk about agendas but we all know any manager other than Benitez and Alladyce would be given much more support by the fanbase after spending just £1.5m in the summer window.

If people dont like the manager thats fair enough but lets not pretend that the anti Benitez crowd dont have an axe to grind. Its up to the more rational supporters to ensure the manager is given support when its warranted.

 

[Nymzee]

It must have been as Carlo still had a job last season and would have still had one this season after finishing 10th.

People can talk about agendas but we all know any manager other than Benitez and Alladyce would be given much more support by the fanbase after spending just £1.5m in the summer window.

If people dont like the manager thats fair enough but lets not pretend that the anti Benitez crowd dont have an axe to grind. Its upto the more rational supporters to ensure the manager is given support when its warranted.

I'm asking you, as a fan, was 12th acceptable under Carlo in 2019/20?

 

[tommye]

1. They finished 1x place below us in the table last season

But you've spent the last 2 months telling us how shockingly bad we were last season.

So, they were worse.
Do you agree?

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

Of course its acceptable to finish 8th-12th - unless you think sacking managers every 12 months unless they qualify for Europe is the way forward?

Obviously we have to see progress but to be demanding 7th+ or its the managers head when we've finished 7th once in the last 5 years is folly.

It's progres we need. Progress. As long as we better ourselves, I'm content.
He'll get us there, he's no Sam Allardyce, like @messymascot is insinuating.

 

[LeeCarsley]

I like how when Carlo was here anything 10th and below was unacceptable but under Benitez, with the same squad, it's fine and to be expected if we finish bottom half. Why does he get such leeway if he's so good of a manager?

I'm not giving him any leeway, if he preforms worse than Ancelotti I cannot see him keeping his position, however sick I am of the managerial carousel

 

[ForeverBlue92]

But you've spent the last 2 months telling us how shockingly bad we were last season.

So, they were worse.
Do you agree?

We're both very similar strength sides therefore playing away from home with 4 first team players out and a LB chucking balls into his own net we were always losing that game.

Put that game at Goodison park under the lights, DCL, Richarlison, Pickford & Coleman fit with Villa without Ings, Bailey, Cash & Martinez and we likely win that game.

Average teams are your Newcastles of the league not Villa's, West Ham's etc who are all credible sides fighting for europe these days.

Rational fans can see that whereas others just want to have a pop at the manager whenever we aint steam rolling teams with half our team out with injury.

 

[tommye]

We're both very similar strength sides therefore playing away from home with 4 first team players out and a LB chucking balls into his own net we were always losing that game.

Put that game at Goodison park under the lights, DCL, Richarlison, Pickford & Coleman fit with Villa without Ings, Bailey, Cash & Martinez and we likely win that game.

Average teams are your Newcastles of the league not Villa's, West Ham's etc who are all credible sides fighting for europe these days.

But you keep saying how bad we were under Ancelotti and how great we are/we're gonna be under your new pig idol.

So you can't say we were crap but Villa are above average when they finished below us.