Rafa Watch

[Vermilion]

I'd call that making excuses for the manager.

Makes a nice change for it not to be our manager anyway.

We have become a club of excuses these last couple of years.

[Rich]

Im fully behind the BR and really hope he does well, as I dont want us to change manager again as we've had way too much instability over the past 3 seasons. But if you asked me for a straight choice between Rafa and Rodgers, its not even close. Rafa beats him hands down.

Spot on.

[Shaggy]

Yep. No doubt about it.

Rodgers *might* go on to prove himself a good manager - when Rafa was 39 he was at Extremadura. But it was a monumental risk going for someone who's achieved so little over a man with such a stellar CV.

[Rich]

One factor which, as fans, we might not have considered is the likely gulf in wages between Rodgers and Rafa.

No doubt Rodgers is a cheaper manager than Rafa - which might have had a small influence on things.

[-V-]

This "benching" thing is mad too, it's only ever Rafa who gets pelters for it.

Ferguson has had a different CM pairing for 7 games on the trot, he 'rotates' more than Rafa ever did, often leaves out Rooney or another big name. City regularly 'bench' Silva, Tevez, Nasri etc. No-one says anything.

Rafa does it - "HE'S DROPPED MATA!!!!!!!1", "MATA BENCHED!!!!". It's really weird. Bugged the **** out of me when he was here, now I can just laugh about it.

Mate there's no harm in rotating if you get 3 points or if your on a good run. But when its only your second game and everyone is giving you abuse you don't rest your best player. Before the game it looked like a huge mistake and so it proved so. Chelsea fans are pissed off because was such an easy game to get 3 points and Im pissed off because he blew my coupon.

**** decision by Rafa

[Shaggy]

Chelsea fans had been claiming Mata had looked tired for the last few games, in fact some of Benitez's most vocal critics reckon he was right to rest Mata. It's normal, I really don't get it.

[wiw]

I hope Rafa manages to win their last CL game and Juve lose. Chelsea fans might change their ****ing tune when Rafa starts handing European teams their arses to them. Obviously if they could lose in a dramatic final that would be great

[Neil Young]

Obviously they're wrong about Rafa - he's the best manager they've had since Mourinho.

But part of me feels they have the right to be wrong. Everyone thought (and many still think) we were mad to be so negative about Bronto but really, they had no right. We hated everything about him, it was visceral, and I'm sure our view wasn't balanced.

Their view of Beintez is clearly unbalanced, even unhinged but if the fans are the true guardians of a club's traditions, then I think we have to respect that stupidity and irrationality is their prerogative.

Rafa deserves better. But then he deserved better in his final season with us too.

[magicalbarnes]

Yep. No doubt about it.

Rodgers *might* go on to prove himself a good manager - when Rafa was 39 he was at Extremadura. But it was a monumental risk going for someone who's achieved so little over a man with such a stellar CV.

IF BR had a bad season at LFC and it was quite obvious it wasn't going to work, and IF Rafa had an excellent season at Chelsea. Do you reckon Ayre or the owners would swallow their pride and go back in for Rafa?

[magicalbarnes]

Obviously they're wrong about Rafa - he's the best manager they've had since Mourinho.

But part of me feels they have the right to be wrong. Everyone thought (and many still think) we were mad to be so negative about Bronto but really, they had no right. We hated everything about him, it was visceral, and I'm sure our view wasn't balanced.

Their view of Beintez is clearly unbalanced, even unhinged but if the fans are the true guardians of a club's traditions, then I think we have to respect that stupidity and irrationality is their prerogative.

Rafa deserves better. But then he deserved better in his final season with us too.

You hit the nail on the head there. Way too many fans (and loads on this site too) & 'experts' in the media were calling for Rafa's head in that final season. I guess practically everyne changed the tune after seeing the dross served up by Bodge & Kenny.

[Kenneth]

Unless we're relegated then BR will be in charge next season. And possibly still if we were relegated. So no.

[Tee]

I honestly don't get all this hoping Rafa wins. Rafa win = Chelsea win. **** them, and to be quite frank I could not care less about Rafa now he is Chelsea Manager. I want them to lose, be out of the league, be out of the CL and basically to implode.

[baitman]

...but if the fans are the true guardians of a club's traditions, then I think we have to respect that stupidity and irrationality is their prerogative.

[magicalbarnes]

Unless we're relegated then BR will be in charge next season. And possibly still if we were relegated. So no.

17th place would keep him in a job?

[Nicey]

He called out Ferguson.

Who is truly a ... seriously what a nasty vindictive smug ****** that man is