2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[livinginhope]

We were fighting for a CL place with only a few weeks to go. The collapse under Ancelotti was unacceptable and may well have been because of either his matey approach or head being turned. I've said since he came that I think Benitez can get this squad into Europe and I still think he can. It's up to him to deliver now.

"If he can keep the results coming in all blues would give him a pat on the back come the end of the season. At that point though progress has to be a European places finis. " Your words not mine stop trying to wriggle out of what you said i.e. "Progress has to be a European place"

 

[Street end man]

"Because we only know that there's gonna be a show when the Everton boys are there"

Benitez has made me sing these words again with belief rather than mumble them all embarrassed knowing it's a lie

 

[AndyC]

Gratifying to see the Everton family coming together after being in turmoil for a spell.

I think there will still be a few who won't accept him Dave but, I'll be honest, he's winning me around with the way he's turned this squad into having some self belief.

 

[Twinkletoes123]

What’s evident to me is he’s making everyone on the pitch better, they now work as a team, not a bunch of individuals.

 

[gonetomorrow]

I didn’t want Everton to appoint Benitez as manager, I didn’t want a washed up has been managing our bunch of lack lustre wasters. I didn’t see any benefit in bringing in Gray and Townsend. That tells you all you need to know about my knowledge of football.
I still don’t think we have become a top 4 side, but we have become a side who try to win matches, a side who want to dig in and help each other. Given the squad we have we are doing very well at the moment, long may it continue.
On another note, how well is Baningime doing at Hearts, young player taking the chance he has been given.

He's doing great and helped his team move to the top of the league today.

 

[sportset]

Just think we are improving (early days as I said in August) but he was my choice, so am hopeful we will continue to progress!

 

[davek]

I think there will still be a few who won't accept him Dave but, I'll be honest, he's winning me around with the way he's turned this squad into having some self belief.

The only doubt I have about him is if the owners dont keep their end of the bargain and leave him without cash to reconstruct this team the way he wants it and the speed he wants it at. That could have him unhappy and creating waves in the media for them.

He is so obviously strategically way ahead of all but the very best managers in this league.

 

[Shibbywiggles]

First game in years I’ve not been able to watch live but after seeing the line ups and particularly the difference in benches I said I’d absolutely take a spawny draw.
Sounds like we gave them a game, fought for everything and nearly nicked it in the end.
Very impressed with his start in results, performances, signings and the way he handles himself in conferences. Exceeded my expectations tenfold.

 

[Dixieslaces]

Once again, credit where its due, we look like a team, we look hungry, we also look like we WANT to win, lost the fear etc, so fair play Mr Benitez, whatever it is you are doing keep doing it.

That equaliser had me bouncing, a joy to watch, clinical, pace, fantastic forward movement, vision and a quality finish, this is the Everton we all want.

I am softening ?

 

[Neiler]

Viva La Resistance!

Stay Strong Freedom Fighters!

 

[Egil Olsen]

No one is wrong yet, and no one is right. It's early days.

What some have been wrong about all along is whether Benitez is a good coach or not. He is a fantastic coach, and breathes football. But even fantastic coaches can get bad results, and even the best will be fired at some point. Sometimes club and manager do not fit together. That's how football works.

What I have no doubt about is that Benitez will work tirelessly to make the players better, incorporate a work ethic that puts the team first, and always be willing to develop, and that we will always be well organized. Whether he succeeds or not is too early to say anything about, but we have at least had a very good start.

 

[joebocop]

That was just an exceptional result and performance given the difference in the squads at the moment. To have Gordon and rondon starting with options like Davies and dobbin on the bench. To them being able to bring on Ronaldo, Pogba and Sancho.

But it's not that we were just difficult to beat we gave them a good game and looked pretty threatening throughout. If Davies hadn't had that brain fart at the end, no United fan would have said that it was an unjust result that we took home the 3 points.

Gray, Doucoure, Allan, Mina and Townsend are having fantastic seasons so far.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

what a strange person you are!!!

Thanks mate. To have someone of your calibre identify me as different is reassuring.

 

[Saint Domingo]

2 points per game in a period where the fitness of the squad has been a mess is very good indeed.

Would be nice if the player conditioning, medical department, and recruitment, could now pull their act together and get DCL Richarlison Iwobi Gbamin Delph Coleman in the squad and keep them there, and give him a right back and central midfielder in January.

Creating that many chances at United without three of our main attacking players is something not many of our former managers would have been able to manage.

 

[Saint Domingo]

That was just an exceptional result and performance given the difference in the squads at the moment. To have Gordon and rondon starting with options like Davies and dobbin on the bench. To them being able to bring on Ronaldo, Pogba and Sancho.

But it's not that we were just difficult to beat we gave them a good game and looked pretty threatening throughout. If Davies hadn't had that brain fart at the end, no United fan would have said that it was an unjust result that we took home the 3 points.

Gray, Doucoure, Allan, Mina and Townsend are having fantastic seasons so far.

Yeah it’s nice to see players playing well for longer than one week without getting injured or losing form completely. Allan finally looks consistent, Docuoure isn’t chasing shadows in the wrong position, Mina is looking fit and consistent, Gray and Townsend hitting the same levels every week. So good to see.

Now if he can just sort Digne out and weave DCL and Richarlison I’m in their best form then we’ll be cooking on gas.