Benitez 3949

"Lescor"

I was watching will bells on mate.

How do you know? Do you know what was said to the players, what messages went on to the pitch? Do you know if the players carried out his instructions -- instructions which may have been designed to negate the need to change personnel at that point? It was unusual to concede 3 in the first half -- and individual mistakes were also to blame, not just tactical deployment. Bold change for changes sake just to show the punters that you're "concerned" and "doing something", is not the way to win football matches.

Besides, supposing you're right about his performance in that final; name me one manager who hasn't made an error of judgement in an important game. Take his career record in it's entirety. You don't win the Spanish League title with an "unfashionable" side like Valencia if you're a bad manager.

Great idea. Lets sack the manger and get someone else in. Let him get rid of half the squad, get his own men in (of course, that'll take while as we're not flush with money). Then give him maybe.. 18 months.. let him win a trophy if he's able with an unsettled and work-in-progress team, devoid of the players he really needs.. then wait for a few bad results, f*** him off, and start all over again. Yup, forget tactics, that's long term strategy at it's finest.