A few personal thoughts on Benitez

[Andy @ Allerton]

We have been 'poor' away in the league this season - but saying that in each and every game - we have created chances and opportunities. Even on Sunday - Again we had a couple of cast iron chances and failed to take them.

 

This aside, I still have a lot of belief in Benitez though - it would be easy for him to give up on his current strategy and look a bit better - to give into the media and the fans and to make things look rosy.

 

But I think he's a braver man than that - and I think quite rightly he won't change his course.

 

Houllier went through something similar - he changed the style and approach because he just knew it wasn't going to be good enough to win the league - had he maintained his approach and kept a steady hand on the tiller - things could have turned out very differently - but in the end - he backed away and gave in to an extent.

 

I think Benitez is in this same position now - there are many that go to the game that can see what he's trying to achieve - what he's trying to change - because as good as he got us - he knows that it's not enough - that we have a way to go and to get there we need to change - we need to get better - but we need to get worse first before we can reap the rewards.

 

In fact, Ferguson had exactly this same thing if you'll recall - he had a decent side - a good side, in fact - but not a great side - he knew they would have to change, to evolve, to take a step up and he forced it through - things went so very, very badly for him that like Houllier and like Benitez and other managers - pressure began to be heaped upon him - if you recall - the fans of Manchester United wanted Ferguson to be well and truly booted into touch - there were protests and banners at the matches to try and get him sacked - but to his credit - Ferguson knew where he was and where he wanted to be - his strength of conviction - and a little luck - got his side to be a great side rather than a good or decent side.

 

I believe that Benitez is going to go through the same thing - but I don't think he'll falter - I think that come hell or high water - he'll maintain his course for good or ill - and will end up with a side that really will challenge for the title - a side that will play well - he's done very well so far at LFC - he's won the FA Cup and the European Cup - and if we give him time then I think he'll deliver that prize we all (including him) want the most.

 

I am more than happy to give the man that time and I still have every belief he knows exactly where we are going and how to get us there.

[Tosh]

Andy, did you start a new course of tablets?

[John am Rhein]

This aside, I still have a lot of belief in Benitez though - it would be easy for him to give up on his current strategy and look a bit better - to give into the media and the fans and to make things look rosy.

 

GH made that mistake, hopefully RB won't.

 

It's no coincidence that Alex Ferguson never did.

[Grimes]

In Rafa we trust. He is the manager. I can not think of anyone other than him I would want in control at LFC at the moment. He will get things right but it will be painfull for us all on and off the pitch.

[Sion]

The only reason he'd falter is because of so many so called fans practically suggesting the sack after a run of bad results, imagine if it carries on.

[Flight]

Great post Andy.

[The Hitman]

Let's hope we get a few top-notch youngsters like Ferguson did.

[Guest HarrowRed]

I believe in rafa

 

Your right GH tried to change as well in the 2002-2003 season when he tried to implement more of an attacking element to our game.

 

You'll see it with most managers, they get in steady the ship implement a tough unit, and then a few seasons in they will try to change to a more attacking team.

 

Do you think that Wenger's Arsenal always played like they do now ??? it took a few years. Slur Alex took a while, when they first won the league they were grinding out results much like Chelsea at the moment.

[Andy @ Allerton]

Let's hope we get a few top-notch youngsters like Ferguson did.

 

Rafa does seem to be investing in younger players of some class - if they can come through the ranks and slot in - then it looks good for the future.

[RP]

Not bad that, Andy.

 

I guess we are at the stage GH was at when we drew at home with Brum - time to go back to what you know (which didn't work for GH) or persevere with what you believe in.

[IgPig]

I think there's a lot of truth in what you are saying, and I also think the transition might be made easier if some of the more established players were playing better. Whether that's down to them not understanding or adapting to change, or just poor form is another argument.

 

I am disappointed as i really thoguht we'd be challenging this season. I still think we'll be top 4, but was hoping for more. I was hoping we'd seen the back of races to qualify for the CL. Maybe we have and things will kick on soon.

Edited October 23, 2006 by Post Kuytal Glow

[Guest Greasy Belcher]

I just hope the insults don't get personal and the slump comes to an end soon. Rafa has a special relationship with the fans of this club even by the fans own incredible standards. I just want the players to realise that right now that have the best manager in the world and he deserves more than the porrige they are serving at the moment. Sleves need to be rolled up, mirrors need to be stared into. cats and poodles need kicking up the arses and bedroom doors need big fuuuck of angry holes punched into them. At the moment there is no pride.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Not bad that, Andy.

 

I guess we are at the stage GH was at when we drew at home with Brum - time to go back to what you know (which didn't work for GH) or persevere with what you believe in.

 

Agree with that. It did actually work eventually for ged once he managed to sort out the defence. Shouldn't have taken him half a season though.

[AE]

Dear Mr Kidnapper,

 

Please can we have our Andy back.

We agree to pay the price of a 1/2 pack of Rolos.

 

Regards

 

S tupid.

 

 

Seriously good post there Andy.

Edited October 23, 2006 by AE

[£440,000]

Guy here yesterday told me that Rafa told him that his aim is to build up the squad as he thinks we can't really compete with Chelsea, so what we have to do is have a stronger squad than United and Arsenal as over the course of a season our strength in depth will tell. As fas as Chelsea goes we just have to patient and be there if they slip up.

 

That explains the use of the squad as it is at the moment, but hopefully Rafa will see soon that he needs to be more consistent with his choice of first team.

 

Before anyone says anything this guy is genuinely a mate of Rafa's.

[Jim Price]

I think he must be as disappointed as anyone with the way players are performing. It is never easy for new players to settle in, even less so when the established players, who he would have banked on building a new team around are unrecognisable from last season.

 

Not nice to see a Liverpool side looking so forlorn and disjointed but in spite of that they have had chances to get something out of these away games and not taken them, this maybe bodes well for less challenging games ahead.

Edited October 23, 2006 by Jim Price

[RP]

Guy here yesterday told me that Rafa told him that his aim is to build up the squad as he thinks we can't really compete with Chelsea, so what we have to do is have a stronger squad than United and Arsenal as over the course of a season our strength in depth will tell. As fas as Chelsea goes we just have to patient and be there if they slip up.

 

That explains the use of the squad as it is at the moment, but hopefully Rafa will see soon that he needs to be more consistent with his choice of first team.

 

Before anyone says anything this guy is genuinely a mate of Rafa's.

 

 

Was he quaffing Cruzcampo whilst chatting to Johann on the mobile and fending off the advances of Penelope?

[£440,000]

Was he quaffing Cruzcampo whilst chatting to Johann on the mobile and fending off the advances of Penelope?

 

No, if Pat would actually show up for games then he could talk to this bloke and get better info out of him than I can.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

good post Andy - but please remember - other forms of punctuation are available - rather than just dashes - have you ever considered a comma?

 

[Andy @ Allerton]

good post Andy - but please remember - other forms of punctuation are available - rather than just dashes - have you ever considered a comma?

 

 

No - Never

 

No more---

[Romario]

Guy here yesterday told me that Rafa told him that his aim is to build up the squad as he thinks we can't really compete with Chelsea, so what we have to do is have a stronger squad than United and Arsenal as over the course of a season our strength in depth will tell. As fas as Chelsea goes we just have to patient and be there if they slip up.

 

That explains the use of the squad as it is at the moment, but hopefully Rafa will see soon that he needs to be more consistent with his choice of first team.

 

Before anyone says anything this guy is genuinely a mate of Rafa's.

Well it's clearly not working. I thought we had a stronger squad than Manu at the start of the season but they swap about and cut and change all over the park and play seamlessly week in week out winning while being poor.

 

I would have thought having a really strong tight first 11 was more important. Then 5-6 players who can do a job when needed was the way to go rather than 25 players most of very good ability but who don't set the world alight.

[Bootle Buck]

I think judging from Rafa's body language yesterday he is being let down by his players and particularly his more experienced ones. He can give them all the direction and tactical guidance but he can't instill the fight in the belly that each and every one of them needs to have and show. I think it is silly to strt questioning Rafa at this stage and start to look at the players who are failing to execute. Too many in my opinion are too pedestrian and only have one facet to their game. We do not have the ability to really go at the top teams and cause them problems. We always seem to be too methodical and predictable and then start resorting to long balls. In contrast Arsenal and Utd can up the tempo when they go behind and Chelsea have the confidence to win games however they play.

[£440,000]

Well it's clearly not working. I thought we had a stronger squad than Manu at the start of the season but they swap about and cut and change all over the park and play seamlessly week in week out winning while being poor.

 

I would have thought having a really strong tight first 11 was more important. Then 5-6 players who can do a job when needed was the way to go rather than 25 players most of very good ability but who don't set the world alight.

 

I'd agree with that. A strong squad shouldn't mean neglecting a main starting eleven. This way our players might be fresher than other clubs' players towards the end of the season, but that's no good if we're playing catch-up from too far behind.

[Romario]

I'd agree with that. A strong squad shouldn't mean neglecting a main starting eleven. This way our players might be fresher than other clubs' players towards the end of the season, but that's no good if we're playing catch-up from too far behind.

My thinking is that if the players have something to actually fight for come the end of the season you'd be surprised how fresh they would feel. Remember our treble year under Ged? We played a crazy amount of games in the last couple of months. I thought the players would run out of steam but obviously no one wanted to miss out on the glory so they all turned up week in week out and gave amazing performances regardless of fatigue as we were on a roll.

 

Right now it seems players can't find their form and I bet players feel alot more tired and feel like giving up with the current results. Nothing more tiring than constantly chasing games and trying to dig out results under pressure I'd imagine. Added to that , most now know it's already over so where does the motivation come from? Especially when the squad is picked on a rotational bases rather than performance. No one takes personal responsability as they are a cog in a wheel rather than an elite group of players fighting to keep their place in a results based team.

 

It's fine being a cog in a well run machine playing bit parts in a winning side as your motivation comes from the simple fact that you don't want to be the one playing when you finally lose as it'll be you that takes the rap but in a losing team that's not the case at all.

Edited October 23, 2006 by Romario

[Guest Scot]

We have been 'poor' away in the league this season - but saying that in each and every game - we have created chances and opportunities. Even on Sunday - Again we had a couple of cast iron chances and failed to take them.

 

This aside, I still have a lot of belief in Benitez though - it would be easy for him to give up on his current strategy and look a bit better - to give into the media and the fans and to make things look rosy.

 

But I think he's a braver man than that - and I think quite rightly he won't change his course.

 

Houllier went through something similar - he changed the style and approach because he just knew it wasn't going to be good enough to win the league - had he maintained his approach and kept a steady hand on the tiller - things could have turned out very differently - but in the end - he backed away and gave in to an extent.

 

I think Benitez is in this same position now - there are many that go to the game that can see what he's trying to achieve - what he's trying to change - because as good as he got us - he knows that it's not enough - that we have a way to go and to get there we need to change - we need to get better - but we need to get worse first before we can reap the rewards.

 

In fact, Ferguson had exactly this same thing if you'll recall - he had a decent side - a good side, in fact - but not a great side - he knew they would have to change, to evolve, to take a step up and he forced it through - things went so very, very badly for him that like Houllier and like Benitez and other managers - pressure began to be heaped upon him - if you recall - the fans of Manchester United wanted Ferguson to be well and truly booted into touch - there were protests and banners at the matches to try and get him sacked - but to his credit - Ferguson knew where he was and where he wanted to be - his strength of conviction - and a little luck - got his side to be a great side rather than a good or decent side.

 

I believe that Benitez is going to go through the same thing - but I don't think he'll falter - I think that come hell or high water - he'll maintain his course for good or ill - and will end up with a side that really will challenge for the title - a side that will play well - he's done very well so far at LFC - he's won the FA Cup and the European Cup - and if we give him time then I think he'll deliver that prize we all (including him) want the most.

 

I am more than happy to give the man that time and I still have every belief he knows exactly where we are going and how to get us there.

 

Good post, I completely agree.