I've got real concerns about the team's reation/understanding of Rafa's instructions during a game. I was in the family section with my boy yesterday, really close to the dug-outs and you could see/hear Rafa shouting and giving instructions to the team. I noticed that when the players did bother looking over, they didn't seem to have a clue what he was going on about. It can't be a language barrier (Rafa does speak English and we've had a few different foreign managers over the years!), but it appeared like there was a total mis-communication between the coaching staff & players. I'm not sure whether Rafa is trying to over-complicate things, but there didn't look like there was any cohesion. I remember 1 particular instance where Brentford had a throw near their bench, when they were shooting towards their own fans, and Rafa was yelling across to Cole about where to stand for the throw-in. Cole and Terry were looking over, trying to work out what Rafa wanted, but there was nothing working between them. Benetiz was moving his hands faster than that twat John McCririck and two of our most experienced defenders didn't have a clue where he wanted them to be. If they are confused when the opposition has a throw-in on the half-way line, what chance have we got on any other aspect of the game. Unfortunately, I normally only get to around 6-9 games a season, and this is the first one I've been to with Rafa in charge. Any season ticket holders / regulars noticed the same issues & confusion?
Drogs, I'm with you on that one - but that won't happen for the next couple of months. I'm just at a loss with what he is doing
In all seriousness he was the only expertenced bloke around when RA goofed and got rid of Robbie! I'm keeping a lid on it and see how we stand in May!
Got a feeling it will be 3rd in the EPL and nothing else. Good enough to qualify for Champions League next season and stop any players wanting to leave and hopefully able to attract a quality manager who will last longer than me with a picture of Kelly Brook
All pictures of RDM in our CL removed from outside the ground. Benitez is being used as a scapegoat (as much as I hate the c**t). There will come a time where people point the finger at the board and RA.
DL - agree with this one. I hate Rafa with almost as much feeling as I love Chelsea, but the Board have so much to answer to here. Roman's money has enabled us to get to a really good place (in terms of trophies & competitiveness), but as a solid manageable long-term proposition - we're just not there. Until someone is allowed to manage/coach the team for the long-term, no-one in their right mind would risk bringing through the youngsters or taking any risks when they'll get fired in the morning on the back of a bad result. There are so many "yes-men" around RA who are so stuck up his arse that no-one is prepared to tell him when he is wrong.
if we do not lure jose back i have a horrible feeling that rafa is going to do enough to get him self a contract, simply because there will be no one else available who is worth taking a gamble on
It might be worth (if you're a betting man) sticking a couple of quid on Hiddink at 40/1. Apparently he'll be leaving Anzi at the end of the season. I do fear for what you said though.
Real fans with soon come disenfranchised. I've said it all along the Premier League is the graveyard of Football clubs. Clubs are losing their identity, it's happened at Arsenal, it's happening at Chelsea and its happening at West Ham/QPR. Go to the Championship and Leeds, Forest, Wolves and Cardiff. Man Utd are different because they are a franchise so they'll always attract enough gloryhunters to go to games (so long as they're at the top where Sky need them to be). At the rate we are going, all football clubs will be soulless and have no sense of identity/reflection of community. When that day happens its R.I.P Football because customers will eventually get bored of the product, they will find something else especially as the younger generation continue to be ignored/priced out.
Agreed that FSW is being used as a scapegoat, but as for pointing the finger, we can't argue the fact that RA only has the best interests of the club at heart, even if his actions are naive. Same can't be said of the board however and one does get the distinct impression they care more about satisfying Roman's whims rather than what they might otherwise believe to best for the club. What RA needs to do is to surround himself with those who worry about the club more than displeasing him, and have enough BALLS to stay true to those belief. The current board fails this acid test on both counts and need to exit stage left.
And therein lies the problem. They have stuck their snouts in the Abramovich trough, and will keep them there until someone turns them into bacon. That said , you really have to question RAs' sanity. Most of his behaviour and decision making has been totally crazy, especially his assessment of players. Don't really believe he enjoys pissing money away, but he sure seems incapable of stopping. Someone like Hiddink in an administrative role would be a bloody good start.
It looks like JT has now gone public on the "Keep Lamps" campaign, which can only be a good thing! I personally think the only reason Lamps hasn't been signed up for another year or two is simply because RA doesnt like being told what to do! If we and the press had kept mum, he'd already have been put on a 2 year extension!
blue - I hope you're not suggesting that we try a reverse psychology approach and bring out some "keep Rafa forever" posters? I really don't think I could bring myself to do that. Going back to my original question to those that go to most of the games - are you noticing a level of confusion between the coahing team & players?
