Rafael Benitez

[Guest]

I'm sure it was something to do with Rafa recognised that Wolves' gameplan was high pressing up the field, so the instruction to Mbemba for this game was to use a diagonal ball, but Mbemba repeatedly attempted short passes into midfield which kept getting picked off.

[summerof69]

Rafa wanted him to pass long balls out to the wingers to by pass a the flooded midfield areas, which he ignored.

[madras]

I never knew that. Think it's a tad simplistic to say that's why he's been left out since as it's not as if the wingers were in loads of space so centre halves hoofing long diagonals isn't really a good plan. Surely even if they are instruction players still play whatever they feel is the best option.

 

I could understand if he was wandering out of position or he kept giving the ball away which it didn't seem like.

[Raconteur]

I never knew that. Think it's a tad simplistic to say that's why he's been left out since as it's not as if the wingers were in loads of space so centre halves hoofing long diagonals isn't really a good plan. Surely even if they are instruction players still play whatever they feel is the best option.

 

I could understand if he was wandering out of position or he kept giving the ball away which it didn't seem like.

 

That was my point - Rafa doesn't tolerate players not doing exactly what he wants them to do. There's no wiggle room with regards to "he thought the short pass was a good option there". And the fact is that Rafa blames Mbemba for the midfield giving the ball away in that game, because even though his passes went to feet, they went to players who then turned it over and, in Rafa's plan, they should never have had it in the first place.

 

This was reported a few weeks ago, pretty sure in The Chronicle. It fits with what we know about Rafa, it fits with what we saw in that game. Rafa had a plan, Mbemba didn't follow it, we lost, Mbemba doesn't play again.

[Heron]

I am a firm believer that the players should stick to what they're told like. Then it's no one's fault but the managers if it goes wrong...

[Ronaldo]

I never knew that. Think it's a tad simplistic to say that's why he's been left out since as it's not as if the wingers were in loads of space so centre halves hoofing long diagonals isn't really a good plan. Surely even if they are instruction players still play whatever they feel is the best option.

 

I could understand if he was wandering out of position or he kept giving the ball away which it didn't seem like.

 

That was my point - Rafa doesn't tolerate players not doing exactly what he wants them to do. There's no wiggle room with regards to "he thought the short pass was a good option there". And the fact is that Rafa blames Mbemba for the midfield giving the ball away in that game, because even though his passes went to feet, they went to players who then turned it over and, in Rafa's plan, they should never have had it in the first place.

 

This was reported a few weeks ago, pretty sure in The Chronicle. It fits with what we know about Rafa, it fits with what we saw in that game. Rafa had a plan, Mbemba didn't follow it, we lost, Mbemba doesn't play again.

 

Probably compounded by the fact Mbemba was fucking useless all round that day, to be fair. And the fact he's simply not Rafa's type of CB.

[Guest neesy111]

I am a firm believer that the players should stick to what they're told like. Then it's no one's fault but the managers if it goes wrong...

 

Easier said than done.

[Heron]

I am a firm believer that the players should stick to what they're told like. Then it's no one's fault but the managers if it goes wrong...

 

Easier said than done.

Obviously players will have varying ability and thus capability to complete desired tasks but aside from that they should be doing their utmost to do as they're told.

[Darth Crooks]

I am a firm believer that the players should stick to what they're told like. Then it's no one's fault but the managers if it goes wrong...

 

Pardew can get fucked though. Helps if your coach actually has more brain power than your average plankton.

[shintonsghost]

 

 

:love:

[Heron]

I am a firm believer that the players should stick to what they're told like. Then it's no one's fault but the managers if it goes wrong...

 

Pardew can get fucked though. Helps if your coach actually has more brain power than your average plankton.

[mrmojorisin75]

i need a WIN RAFA WIN t-shirt like the rocky t-shirt

[Kasper]

I never knew that. Think it's a tad simplistic to say that's why he's been left out since as it's not as if the wingers were in loads of space so centre halves hoofing long diagonals isn't really a good plan. Surely even if they are instruction players still play whatever they feel is the best option.

 

I could understand if he was wandering out of position or he kept giving the ball away which it didn't seem like.

 

That was my point - Rafa doesn't tolerate players not doing exactly what he wants them to do. There's no wiggle room with regards to "he thought the short pass was a good option there". And the fact is that Rafa blames Mbemba for the midfield giving the ball away in that game, because even though his passes went to feet, they went to players who then turned it over and, in Rafa's plan, they should never have had it in the first place.

 

This was reported a few weeks ago, pretty sure in The Chronicle. It fits with what we know about Rafa, it fits with what we saw in that game. Rafa had a plan, Mbemba didn't follow it, we lost, Mbemba doesn't play again.

 

There's just no way in hell a manager that successful sees the game like that. It's a game of decisions based on the model you've been taught. Based being the key word.  Fair enough if you ignore the plan for large periods of the game and don't make the pass when its there but to say there's no wiggle room is crazy.

[thomas]

I never knew that. Think it's a tad simplistic to say that's why he's been left out since as it's not as if the wingers were in loads of space so centre halves hoofing long diagonals isn't really a good plan. Surely even if they are instruction players still play whatever they feel is the best option.

 

I could understand if he was wandering out of position or he kept giving the ball away which it didn't seem like.

 

That was my point - Rafa doesn't tolerate players not doing exactly what he wants them to do. There's no wiggle room with regards to "he thought the short pass was a good option there". And the fact is that Rafa blames Mbemba for the midfield giving the ball away in that game, because even though his passes went to feet, they went to players who then turned it over and, in Rafa's plan, they should never have had it in the first place.

 

This was reported a few weeks ago, pretty sure in The Chronicle. It fits with what we know about Rafa, it fits with what we saw in that game. Rafa had a plan, Mbemba didn't follow it, we lost, Mbemba doesn't play again.

There's just no way in hell a manager that successful sees the game like that. It's a game of decisions based on the model you've been taught. Based being the key word.  Fair enough if you ignore the plan for large periods of the game and don't make the pass when its there but to say there's no wiggle room is crazy.

Don't ex-players all say similar as well - it's a very strict and disciplined approach from rafa and he's not afraid to drop someone who takes liberties. Saying there's absolutely no wiggle room though is probably a bit far but there's no question the margins are very fine with what he'll tolerate.

[Guest]

It wouldn't surprise me if it was just intended to be a game or two out by the way, like he's done with other players this season, but Clark came in and made the shirt his own.

[wacko]

Don't ex-players all say similar as well - it's a very strict and disciplined approach from rafa and he's not afraid to drop someone who takes liberties. Saying there's absolutely no wiggle room though is probably a bit far but there's no question the margins are very fine with what he'll tolerate.

 

Certainly, that's precisely the reason Bellamy gave for leaving LFC. Rafa keeps the team on very tight reins unless they're down with only a few minutes to go. Gotta keep that shape.

 

[The College Dropout]

Don't ex-players all say similar as well - it's a very strict and disciplined approach from rafa and he's not afraid to drop someone who takes liberties. Saying there's absolutely no wiggle room though is probably a bit far but there's no question the margins are very fine with what he'll tolerate.

 

Certainly, that's precisely the reason Bellamy gave for leaving LFC. Rafa keeps the team on very tight reins unless they're down with only a few minutes to go. Gotta keep that shape.

 

"A lot of Rafa’s tactical work was very, very good. He was impressively astute and I learned a lot from him in that area. But he could not come to terms with the idea that some players need an element of freedom and that we express ourselves on the pitch in different ways. He was very rigid.

 

But there was no scope for spontaneity. None. He distrusted that. Of all the managers I have worked with, he trusted his players the least. That’s just how he was. There was not much enjoyment. There were no small-sided games or anything like that.

 

Everything was tactical with timed drills and routines." - Bellamy.

 

Gerrard isn't as fond of Rafa as you would expect. I think it's largely because Gerrard is very much an individual type of player. Spontaneous.

[Yorkie]

We've craved a manager that will, amongst other things, pin players to the floor and demand respect. I can handle this approach for now; we can deal with mindsets of flamboyant footballers once he's got us into the top 6.

[Minhosa]

We've craved a manager that will, amongst other things, pin players to the floor and demand respect. I can handle this approach for now; we can deal with mindsets of flamboyant footballers once he's got us into the top 6.

 

Totally agree. It's about time we had someone who demands respect and the players have a healthy respect for/fear of.

 

Couldn't give a shite if they like his methods tbqh.

[Ronaldo]

We've craved a manager that will, amongst other things, pin players to the floor and demand respect. I can handle this approach for now; we can deal with mindsets of flamboyant footballers once he's got us into the top 6.

 

We'll seldom see flamboyant footballers at NUFC under Rafa, like.

 

If I remember rightly Bellamy's main gripe with Benitez was the fact he made him train for less speed and more endurance, which, as he saw it, completely negated his natural game. That and the fact he basically told him to find a new club on the plane home from their Champions League final defeat.

[Foluwashola]

We've craved a manager that will, amongst other things, pin players to the floor and demand respect. I can handle this approach for now; we can deal with mindsets of flamboyant footballers once he's got us into the top 6.

 

We'll seldom see flamboyant footballers at NUFC under Rafa, like.

 

If I remember rightly Bellamy's main gripe with Benitez was the fact he made him train for less speed and more endurance, which, as he saw it, completely negated his natural game. That and the fact he basically told him to find a new club on the plane home from their Champions League final defeat.

 

Horrible little charvers like Bellamy disliking his methods can only be a good thing.

 

We might not be playing Keegan-esque football, but winning football is enjoyable football for me like. Always will be.

[Ronaldo]

Agree with that. When you see us lose consecutive home games 0-3 and 0-6 you stop caring about the means. Fwiw Bellamy didn't dislike his methods. He actually said if he ever became a manager, Rafa's approach would be his template.

 

His autocratic, one-size approach was just obviously unsuited to a pretty unique and difficult player like Bellamy who needed someone with Bobby's flexible people skills to get the best out of him, that's all.

[Benwell Lad]

I heard that Mbemba's problem stemmed from his inability to speak decent English and probably more to the point not bothering his arse to do much about it. It came to a head with the manager and he hasn't really featured since.

[Figures 1-0 Football]

Rafa Benitez wins football matches and brings success. That's good enough for me.

 

I've said it once before but I think his standard of football will be very successful in the PL next year, especially away from home.

 

Couldn't give a toss if he gets rid of the likes of Mbemba if they're not pulling their weight or listening to him. The reason we've been in this mess is because we've had managers who have allowed players to dictate what happens and amble around like a pot of piss.

[TheDonis]

Agree with that. When you see us lose consecutive home games 0-3 and 0-6 you stop caring about the means. Fwiw Bellamy didn't dislike his methods. He actually said if he ever became a manager, Rafa's approach would be his template.

 

His autocratic, one-size approach was just obviously unsuited to a pretty unique and difficult player like Bellamy who needed someone with Bobby's flexible people skills to get the best out of him, that's all.

 

I think Rafa's changed a bit now though. I think as he's grown older and more experienced he's become a more avuncular, even father-like figure rather than the cold, aloof technocrat many spoke of. If he has learned to deal with players better, that is good news for you. He can and does fall out with players and can be brutal with it. See Xabi Alonso, which pretty much cost him his job with us in the end. I'm sure he learned from that just as he's learns from every mistake he makes.

 

Last week was a Rafa masterclass. Though he speaks otherwise, he definitely had Tuesday and Saturday in mind before your game v Bristol City. You can bet training for a few weeks also had those matches in mind. Rafa would never admit it but occasionally his eyes goes on bigger games, his player's naturally follows, and there follows the weird result. We lost to Boro then beat Real Madrid in the same week... I do wonder whether the repetition of the next game, the next game is as much for his own benefit as the teams.

 

I can't think of a better manager at setting a team up for a must win match.  It's his forte. It's why I always think he'd make a great international coach. But he'd hate it because he'd got piss bored in between.