THE Benitez thread.....

[tomasjj]

We have to add to it that Kuyt is just not good enough to take on this responsibility any way.

It is all linked.

Sadly, it also seems to me that Kuyt is not good enough for our aspirations.

[Johnny]

I`d give crouch the next six games while benching Kuyt.


Atleast Crouch knows where the goal is.

[einar]

They can be linked, but motivation and confidence are different things.

Confidence often comes from good results/performances.

Motivation needs to mostly come from the manager.

And sometimes people are just born with it.

I think Houllier was more into motivation. And that seem to suit Gerrard better.
But my feeling is that the very best managers simply demand more of their players. ( and have the money to buy them )

[einar]

Sadly, it also seems to me that Kuyt is not good enough for our aspirations.

[kurtangle01]

Sadly, it also seems to me that Kuyt is not good enough for our aspirations.

I think he has a place in the squad but I'll admit he's as prolififc as some of us hoped.

He would work in a set system but playing as part of a front two he doesn't have as good movement as he perhaps should at times. I wouldn't blame him for tonight though because the overall service to him and the team performance in general was really poor.

[tomasjj]

I think he has a place in the squad but I'll admit he's as prolififc as some of us hoped.

He would work in a set system but playing as part of a front two he doesn't have as good movement as he perhaps should at times. I wouldn't blame him for tonight though because the overall service to him and the team performance in general was really poor.

Not blaming him at all for tonight. The service wasn't good enough, and mostly, him and the Crow were too isolated up front. Often they were the only two in the box when the crosses came in.

He is a decent striker, but not first 11 material imo.

[kurtangle01]

Not blaming him at all for tonight. The service wasn't good enough, and mostly, him and the Crow were too isolated up front. Often they were the only two in the box when the crosses came in.

He is a decent striker, but not first 11 material imo.

Perhaps you're right. I just think that with the right partner and the right service he could be a very good player for us. Torres has to be our number one striker, Kuyt Crouch or Voronin could all make the place as his partner up front their if they were given the right chance.

Perhaps Crouch will get a chance on Sunday but one thing's for sure, the performance and service / support to the strikers will have to improve.

[Marky]

I`d give crouch the next six games while benching Kuyt.


Atleast Crouch knows where the goal is.

[brightred]

Sadly, it also seems to me that Kuyt is not good enough for our aspirations.

To me it seems clear that we only have one quality striker.

Big money will have to be spent-David Villa anyone?

[redheart]

7 pages and yet so little constructive discussion.

Sad but not surprising

[Joe King]

Poor purchases
Lack of unity within the camp
Pako goes and this is the form-coincidence?
Boring football
Can't beat mediocre sides- reminds me of that season when we had 3 points of 27 (2002/03)
Tactics overboard
Wrong things said in the press

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

7 pages and yet so little constructive discussion.

Sad but not surprising

It's pretty simple though isn't it?

He'll be judged on results, and at the end of the season.

But at the moment performances, individual and collective - and I include that of the manager - are mediocre to poor.

If it carries on like this, then sack him.

As far as I'm concerned he'll have until the end of the season.

Completely fed up with him though at the mo, especially his footballing ethos, sorry but this defensive mindset of his is starting to grate, as is rotation, weird tactical decisions and substitutions and finally crap players who can't play who he refuses to axe.

[red g]

It's pretty simple though isn't it?

He'll be judged on results, and at the end of the season.

But at the moment performances, individual and collective - and I include that of the manager - are mediocre to poor.

If it carries on like this, then sack him.

As far as I'm concerned he'll have until the end of the season.

Completely fed up with him though at the mo, especially his footballing ethos, sorry but this defensive mindset of his is starting to grate, as is rotation, weird tactical decisions and substitutions and finally crap players who can't play who he refuses to axe.

sums up my feelings completely A manager who has brought us joy deserves better than some people are posting.....he has the spine of our team out. But I am rapidly losing confidence

[thesilverfoxlfc]

THose with a reasonable memory will recall that about 3 months into his first season I declared that Rafa was the Spanish Eric Morecambe.

I stated that he was clueless, we would never win the league under him and that we would be at this point sooner or later.

What say ye now?

I say you know **** all..........

Is the season over......no.??

Has Rafa's time finished with us....no? So how can you say he wont win the title for us?

How is he clueless he's won us trophies and won trophies in Spain and yes he makes mistakes, but clueless is such a stupid word to use


Missing Torres our best striker and Alonso is such a massive blow for us

I hope when they come back he plays our best team week in week out and give it a go.

He's one of the best managers in the world

[Larakin15]

We play ****e, boring, defensive football...dont know whose fault it is (although u have to start with the boss dont u?), but thats what I see when I watch us.