The world has turned upside down. chelsea - over 100 years of history Defending Rafa Is that the first time you called him Rafa and not your usual bollox, how does it feel to go back on some of your tightest held beliefs mate ?
I've personally always called him Rafa or Benitez, not been his biggest fan but prepared to give him a chance now he's our manager. What else can you do???
I was astonished as much as the next guy at Rafa's treatment, booing before he has done anything is a disgrace. However, I have had time to think about it from their perspective, if Liverpool appointed Fergie (who has a better CV) would us fans be happy? Certainly not! The only difference is, we would take it out on the owner(s) rather than the manager
I'm not so sure, if it was Fergie I'm sure you'd give him some abuse as well. It's also easier to take it out on your owners (especially say H&G) as they haven't had anywhere near the positive impact or provided the same financial commitment as Roman has to us. Could be argued as being spineless but as they say, don't bite the hand that feeds you!!
I don't know why people think he was finished before he left for Chelsea. I've said before, in the half season he had before he left, he scored 9 goals. Since he has only scored 11 goals in nearly 2 years for the chavs. He just hasn't coped at that horrible club. Anyway, nice to see chelsea - under 10 years of history supporting Rafa.
No need to be so bitchy. I could easily throw around some insults about your club but it's not what this thread is about. He had his moments in that last season (including 2 against us) but overall still didn't look half the player he had before and had an awful world cup prior to that season to. Finished is a strong word but can't see him ever being at that level again that he was in the first 2 seasons in the P.L.
Fergie's good work in the wake of Hillsborough would be highlighted which he rarely gets credit for from our supporters and that would have softened the blow if the scenario had ever happened. We can't choose the owners of our club but we don't suffer fools or cowboys lightly(ask H&G), Chelsea got lucky when RA bought the club, our owners have other sporting 'franchises' and a TV station within their group but it would have been better if they only had our club to focus their time and wealth on.
Which leaves the question if they are in it to win or to sell on early to make a profit for the red sox? who knows.
I got cut off at work on my last post. I wanted to add that all the talk since before Rafa got the job has been about how he could sort Torres out. I think this is him putting the dampeners on it because it might not be possible and he's letting Torres know Rafa's job is to return Chelsea to form before Torres, and he won't risk the former for the latter.
People give us this example alot; but Fergie is a top manager who regularly gets **** players (carrick, fletcher, jones, evans, anderson, etc) together to grind out wins and really gets the winning mentality instilled in a team. Why the hell would I boo him if he came to manage us? He's wouldn't be here to tarnish his name by losing, he'd be trying to win. Really don't understand why any Chelsea fan would attack Rafa. It's just pathetic and makes no sense. He's a good manager who wants to win with the club. Simple. OT: Torres is **** now, doesn't fit into the team and won't be there by the end of this summer. Hasn't got the pace to play off the shoulder, doesn't have the skill to link up with mata/oscar/hazard and just doesn't look interested enough to try improve.
