2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[Nymzee]

Let’s pretend we’re in a world for a second where Mina DCL and Siggurdson are all in the 11 (three of our tallest players and best defensive headers of the ball) and in this world Benitez is also playing Godfrey and Holgate at full back like Carlo did because we play Catennacio. Then yes maybe we could do Ancelotti’s set piece defence. We’d probably finish in a similar place because without the James inspired first few games of Ancelotti’s season (not playing that personell or that way) we would have finished middle bottom half which is where we are heading this season.

What on Earth has this got to do with our current discussion about zonal marking??? Are you okay

 

[Saint Domingo]

We finished top half.

When Ancelotti had his brilliant set piece defence which involved putting all of his biggest players on the pitch at the same time, we were not getting points at a rate to put us in the top half. We got there thanks to the wins from the start of the season when we played flying fullbacks which was eventually abandoned to shore up the defence.

 

[Papa Shango]

yeah, one relegation that wasn't his fault, alongside about twenty trophies.

Nine trophies. (which isn't bad but it's not 20).

Unless you want to count charity shields and world club cups which are not real things, they are one off games.

 

[windymiller]

When Ancelotti had his brilliant set piece defence which involved putting all of his biggest players on the pitch at the same time, we were not getting points at a rate to put us in the top half. We got there thanks to the wins from the start of the season when we played flying fullbacks which was eventually abandoned to shore up the defence.

So not middle bottom half then? Whatever that gibberish means.

U OK Hun?

 

[Kev50]

It is true. He did take them down. He failed to keep them up which was what he was brought in to do. Certain managers can do that, others can not. He managed to bring them back up because Newcastle are massive at Championship level and had decent money to spend comparatively to other clubs down there. This is what he is good at.

We are already playing with fire? Are you made of asbestos or something? How can you not see this?

There is no wiggle room with this squad, we cant make many changes, the rot is setting in, he is already alienating himself blaming others (no matter how true or not it is) this can only end badly now.

Sacking him out of spite? We are currently the worst team in the league form wise and look abject. Sometimes you just need to rectify your mistakes quickly.

he didn't; relegate them, they were already in the zone. You can say, 'he failed to save them' but he did NOT relegate them. Relegating them would be him coming in when they were safe, and finishing in the zone. You've called it prematurely. The rot is not setting in. We scored a good goal tonight, the players are trying for him. We've got a major weakness at centre back and up front which is about to be rectified, we have just welcomed back two more key players just this week. the corner is about to be turned, sacking him now would be absolutely crazy.

 

[davek]

He's getting the next few games. I dont think there's any doubt about that now. That's because these players, as limited as they are, are obvioulsy still playing for him.

This can be turned, and I think the owner is going to give the manager every chance to do it.

That derby was always going to be the nadir of the season. It's out the way now and we can turn to Arsenal and get a result and it's a springboard.

 

[Papa Shango]

What on Earth has this got to do with our current discussion about zonal marking??? Are you okay

I do think this whole thing has broke some people irreparably. One or two have sound reasoning, others have just gone mad.

 

[Kev50]

Nine trophies. (which isn't bad but it's not 20).

Unless you want to count charity shields and world club cups which are not real things, they are one off games.

well if they are trophies, I think I'll count them as trophies..

 

[little elfin]

Okay I understand now.
Some people still back him because they think he can bring us back to epl in one season

 

[Papa Shango]

he didn't; relegate them, they were already in the zone. You can say, 'he failed to save them' but he did NOT relegate them. Relegating them would be him coming in when they were safe, and finishing in the zone. You've called it prematurely. The rot is not setting in. We scored a good goal tonight, the players are trying for him. We've got a major weakness at centre back and up front which is about to be rectified, we have just welcomed back two more key players just this week. the corner is about to be turned, sacking him now would be absolutely crazy.

You are mad you.

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

We need to realise that we are one of the worst squads in the league. Pain over

 

[Papa Shango]

well if they are trophies, I think I'll count them as trophies..

So you are cheating to further your point. OK, sounds about right.

 

[Saint Domingo]

What on Earth has this got to do with our current discussion about zonal marking??? Are you okay

You’re just being obtuse now.

Ancelotti’s set piece defence was putting all his biggest players on the pitch at once.

These players aren’t even available to Benitez and even if they were, we were hampered in open play under Ancelotti when we played that line up. We were literally nicking a goal then being dominated by the opposition as we sat in for 90 minutes. People on here hated it but hey we had a good set piece defence because we had a massive team.

Benitez is trying to coach a set piece defence that is commonly used across Europe, it’s not difficult, there’s no rocket science to it, and the players can’t concentrate enough to do it.

 

[Nymzee]

I do think this whole thing has broke some people irreparably. One or two have sound reasoning, others have just gone mad.

Can’t even seem to get a nice sane response out of people at the minute. It’s like they feel personally attacked by a normal footballing question.

 

[Saint Domingo]

So not middle bottom half then? Whatever that gibberish means.

U OK Hun?

I’m not sure you can read