Monday 2 March 2009

What the hell was Rafael Benitez thinking?!

Sport - Football - FA Barclays Premier League - Middlesbrough 2:0 Liverpool

Why did Benayoun start on the bench after his exemplary display againt Real Madrid?!
Why did Benitez put Skrtel right-back, the only position he's an unexperienced dabbler?!
Why does he keep giving El Zhar the start?! And what the hell is Lucas Leiva good for?!
Why did he make so many changes to a side that showed Real Madrid up at the Bernabéu?!
And what are players supposed to bring to the match and team if they are only given the last ten minutes, if that?!

Questions, question, questions, that come up too often with Benitez! Just when you think the players have found their place and form, they get rotated around the pitch, to the bench or not even considered for that. What effect was Keane supposed to have on the team and display if he hardly ever featured in it? The couple of occasions when he found scoring form, he was put back onto the bench or left out completely. It's a joke!

And he's just one example. This tactic may be effective and good for cup competitions where you only play every few weeks, but not in the Premier League where you have to find your strengths and build on them week-in, week-out to establish consistency. Liverpool can't even spell the word!

Just when you think nothing and nobody can beat them, they slump in the most disappointing way. That makes it the more frustrating! It was a switch of roles over the weekend. Liverpool looked like a team fighting relegation, whilst Middlesborough looked strong and dominant.

Obviously, injuries to Torres and Gerrard haven't helped, but that can't be taken as an excuse, especially if you want to call yourselves worthy champions. You can't rely on individual players alone all the time. A good, champion team has to be able to make up for any kind of deficit. For that, depth, quality and desire is needed.

Manchester United have showed this season as they have often over the last couple of decades, they have a strength, depth and quality that is not easy to come by. Even if their display isn't impressive or they have a dip in run, they still get the results they need when it's the most crucial and decisive. Tottenham surprised everyone who expected a thrash in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, how they kept the Red Devils at bay and made it a juicy contest of it, but in the end to no prevail.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Arsenal 1-0 Fulham - 0:0
Aston Villa 2-1 Stoke City - 2:2
Bolton 2-1 Newcastle - 1:0
Chelsea 2-0 Wigan - 2:1
Everton 2-1 West Brom - 2:0
Hull City 1-1 Blackburn - 1:2
Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool - 2:0
West Ham 2-1 Man City - 1:0

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