Mourinho 'keen on Benitez's job'

[Dhav]

a Top 4 Finish Is The Absoloute Minimum Regardless Of Whom The Manager Is

Indeed, but think back to 06 when Arsenal went into the last round of league matches outside the top 4. Imagine they didn't qualify for CL and still lost the CL Final. With a new stadium to pay for and no CL revenue, do you think they would have sacked Wenger?

[Red Chilli]

Dont think that scenario will happen to be honest. I think we'll comfortably finish in top 4.

Wow, I'm not that confident although I'm loathed to admit it. I just think we are incredibly inconsistent. We could challenge for the title, but we could equally have a few Readings and stumble our way along.

The worrying thing for me is that we are deteriorating this season, we get worse and worse. Whether it be boardroom problems, lack of Ayesteran, suboptimal tactical decisions or lack of player confidence, it's clear we're struggling.
Other teams like Citeh are improving.

[Revo]

Indeed, but think back to 06 when Arsenal went into the last round of league matches outside the top 4. Imagine they didn't qualify for CL and still lost the CL Final. With a new stadium to pay for and no CL revenue, do you think they would have sacked Wenger?

no i dont think they would of sacked wenger cos whether we like it or not the heirachy over there is much much better than ours just as that cunt david gill is

[Dhav]

Wow, I'm not that confident although I'm loathed to admit it. I just think we are incredibly inconsistent. We could challenge for the title, but we could equally have a few Readings and stumble our way along.

The worrying thing for me is that we are deteriorating this season, we get worse and worse. Whether it be boardroom problems, lack of Ayesteran, suboptimal tactical decisions or lack of player confidence, it's clear we're struggling.
Other teams like Citeh are improving.

Citeh are improving, but they showed nothing against us. That game proved to me how better we are than them.

I think, as always, we'll be much better in the second half of the season, the team will be more settled, less chopping and changing and we'll be more consistent.

Am I right in thinking Rafa tends to do less rotating in the second half of seasons and plays more settled teams? That's certainly the way I remember the climax to the 2005-6 season when we went on winning streak.

[Dhav]

no i dont think they would of sacked wenger cos whether we like it or not the heirachy over there is much much better than ours just as that cunt david gill is

Agreed. Sad to say but I think they are much better run clubs than ours.

[bigfooty]

This season isn't over, and we're better off at this stage of the season than we ever have been before.

Not true. In 2005-2006 under Rafa we had 44 points after 20 games, compared to 38 points we have now. Things would look a good deal more positive if we even matched that sort of effort and that's without the 75M+ we've spent since. No Torres, Babel, Mascher, Arbeloa etc.

For what it is worth we did subsequently go through a sticky patch but we also ended that season with 9 straight league wins.

[Red Chilli]

Citeh are improving, but they showed nothing against us. That game proved to me how better we are than them.

I think, as always, we'll be much better in the second half of the season, the team will be more settled, less chopping and changing and we'll be more consistent.

Am I right in thinking Rafa tends to do less rotating in the second half of seasons and plays more settled teams? That's certainly the way I remember the climax to the 2005-6 season when we went on winning streak.

He rotated like a bugger in the 2004/5 season-beause we were focussed on the CL.
He didn't have the CL to worry about much in the 2nd half of 2005/6, which may have been the reason for less rotation and better results?
Weirdly I can't remember last season?

[Dhav]

He rotated like a bugger in the 2004/5 season-beause we were focussed on the CL.
He didn't have the CL to worry about much in the 2nd half of 2005/6, which may have been the reason for less rotation and better results?
Weirdly I can't remember last season?

I agree that the CL tends to get in the way and impact on team selection/rotation. Which is probably why he's bought so many squad players in the past instead of going for one or two top quality players, so he can try and juggle the two and hope to get away with it in the league.

[alunevans]

Wenger won the league in his first full season, along with the cup, so I fail to see why we need to give him 10 years a la Wenger.

Is there enough talent in our squad to win the league? Serious question?

not in my view no. we are far too weak on the flanks, and we need someone alongside torres who can feed him. but i do think we've dropped points as a result of some team selections, especially at home.

[Johnny]

I agree that the CL tends to get in the way and impact on team selection/rotation. Which is probably why he's bought so many squad players in the past instead of going for one or two top quality players, so he can try and juggle the two and hope to get away with it in the league.

I hope that someday we`ll be involved in a European super league therefore illiminating destractions like European cups and teams like Wigan.

[vonk]

I'm extremely concerned about the Yanks and their finances. However they have supported Rafa in the summer and we will know for sure what their intentions are in less than a month. If there are no signings then Rafa is a dead man walking. I'm all for giving Rafa time but I'm not sure how much more time he deserves. Winning in 2005 was a dream for all of us, but the League is the bread and butter. It's ok not winning the league in four seasons but not even competing past January is not acceptable. I'm all for giving managers time and money but in every job there has to be obvious progression and I'm still to see where that is. We have better players and a better Academy set up sure, but IMO progression is a higher league position each season or even a longer lasting challenge. Three years later it still hasn't happened. Many of those on here were saying in the summer that Rafa has one more season. Now, half way through this one he suddenly deserves another one. I hope he proves me wrong and that this is a turning point, but we've been pretty underwhelming in the League since he took over. We are way too inconsistent. He will be judged on that League position no matter what else happens.

[Red Chilli]

not in my view no. we are far too weak on the flanks, and we need someone alongside torres who can feed him. but i do think we've dropped points as a result of some team selections, especially at home.

Even if Kewell and Benya-noon played to their potential? You still think we're too weak?

Benayoun reminds me of Houghton, I think he could be a similar player.
Kewell on form is a great left winger but I admit Rafa has been very unlucky with Kewell. You can understand why he keeps faith with him due to the lack of viable alternatives and Kewell being a great player on his day.

[Johnny]

I`d like to see which positions Rafa deems under par and if the yanks will in the next few yrs fill those positions with 18 million pound players just like ManU and Chelsea have done.

[tommyg]

I really ****in hate the fella. And his style of football.

i also hate him. but results dont lie.

[Johnny]

i also hate him. but results dont lie.

Neither does cash.I could manage chelski with 300 million to spend.