FairWooney

The premier league is of such a good quality, that our squad can ill afford to be with out so many key players through injury - and to be honest in the last half dozen matches I don't really think it matter who the manager is - results will be difficult to come by in Premiership matches. Beyond our first 15 players the squad is poor and we all know this and it is not of Benitez making. 
The last game it was Mina, Digne, Doucoure and DCL, Gomez and out,  added to Siggy. two or three games back a few more can be added to this list. You can also add to that Godfrey and Richarlison not being match fit.
I not sure its fair to lambast Benitez until he's had a decent run of games with a near full strength squad and had a decent stab at the transfer market. it not like this squad of players has shone for any other manager. 
At the end of the transfer window I was resigned to the fact this season was going to be a sticking plaster and the slow start of a rebuild. Given the number of first team players who have be laid up, this is even more the case.
 

The reporter on this sounds like something off of an old kids programme like Trumpton "go on Dixy, now one right at the camera" "he back heels the ball into the goal, too bad the goal keeper didn't see that"!
Love the training in what looks to be a turtleneck jumper!

He is. And if/when he's fit, I agree.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/2247219

he was invisible  lot of the time but actually when the ball went forward in the air he usually won it.  6 times he won the ball in the air, twice as much as anyone else.
The probably being a not all that quick and not fully fit striker in our team at the moment is we spend very little time around the oppositions box so anyone that's going to get chances has to be quick and sharp getting forward.  Maybe if we actually had possession and were around the box he'd be making more of a nuisance of himself.  That's not his fault but he's also not going to change that and nor are we most likely as that's how we're setting up and it's working!  When DCL comes back in he'll enjoy the quick counter attacks with Gray, Townsend and Doucoure, as will Richarlison.

love the way he plays with such a smile, seems to really be enjoying his football with us.
Works perfectly in our system with his directness, pace and crossing ability.  What's not to love

he was invisible  lot of the time but actually when the ball went forward in the air he usually won it.  6 times he won the ball in the air, twice as much as anyone else.
The probably being a not all that quick and not fully fit striker in our team at the moment is we spend very little time around the oppositions box so anyone that's going to get chances has to be quick and sharp getting forward.  Maybe if we actually had possession and were around the box he'd be making more of a nuisance of himself.  That's not his fault but he's also not going to change that and nor are we most likely as that's how we're setting up and it's working!  When DCL comes back in he'll enjoy the quick counter attacks with Gray, Townsend and Doucoure, as will Richarlison.

I'd agree  the comparison is worthless.
A team of 10 Alan Shearer's or Gary Lineker's for example would probably lose to a team of Doucoure's but they are players who played a particular position and were very good at it.
If you could create such a game then someone like Doucoure would have course be a great player to choose as he can work all over the pitch, tackle, pass and score goals though he is unlikely the best any any one of those things.
--
I see I was quoted twice!
He is a quality player, has a lot of ability but disregarding whatever has gone on between him and Rafa I don't feel his heart has really been in it a lot of the time and his desire to play and succeed is pretty low.  Sadly the World Cup in 2014 was his pinnacle that he's never quite lived up to wherever he's been and his move to Qatar makes it even less likely that he'll play at the next World Cup (though at least his in the right country to go and watch!!).
--
I can't be bothered with the never ending James debate anymore, especially now that he's gone but if I could have a team of players who want to wear the shirt, perform for the club and fans and work hard to give it their best every game versus a team of super starts that can only be bothered when they feel like it i'd go with the former.

I've gone Doucoure but Townsend would be close behind.  Doucoure really is giving so much to the team under Rafa with that bit of extra freedom.  Wins the ball all over, plays some beautiful passes and gets into positions to score as well.
Likewise Townsend is proving a lot of people wrong.  Lovely cross for the first goal, so useful to be able to switch feet and give that in swinger.  The goal was sublime and he made a few similar runs in the game, one that produced a foul and another that he another lovely shot from.  Really dangerous player for us.
Great run and finish from Gray as well though didn't have as much action in the game overall.
Mention for Gomes who came on and did a top job helping us take control in midfield, played it round well and was really composed, shame about his horrendous close range miss and his awful shot from the edge! 😂

I've gone Doucoure but Townsend would be close behind.  Doucoure really is giving so much to the team under Rafa with that bit of extra freedom.  Wins the ball all over, plays some beautiful passes and gets into positions to score as well.
Likewise Townsend is proving a lot of people wrong.  Lovely cross for the first goal, so useful to be able to switch feet and give that in swinger.  The goal was sublime and he made a few similar runs in the game, one that produced a foul and another that he another lovely shot from.  Really dangerous player for us.
Great run and finish from Gray as well though didn't have as much action in the game overall.
Mention for Gomes who came on and did a top job helping us take control in midfield, played it round well and was really composed, shame about his horrendous close range miss and his awful shot from the edge! 😂

he seemed to be ok training this week so hopefully nothings flared up in his injury, bit annoying after i'd just transferred him into my FPL side too!
mostly rage on Twitter at "back 5" hoping our full backs are very much playing up as wing backs and Godfrey can also bring the ball forward too.  Hopefully a masterful move to tactically deal with Burnley.
Interesting to see how Richarlison gets on up top.
Hopefully see a bit of Rondon later on but hopefully not need him desperate for a late goal!!

fuckin hell lads, 3 minutes of training video and we've drawn conclusions on the fitness of our squad!!
Rondon didn't look the most eager trainer, I'd imagine he'll get some game time on Monday but not a massive amount.
James probably happy to have another Spanish speaking South American to joke around with, him and Mina always seem like their having a great crack.

fuckin hell lads, 3 minutes of training video and we've drawn conclusions on the fitness of our squad!!
Rondon didn't look the most eager trainer, I'd imagine he'll get some game time on Monday but not a massive amount.
James probably happy to have another Spanish speaking South American to joke around with, him and Mina always seem like their having a great crack.

I think the difference is Carlo is someone who has always managed top players. He doesn’t need to do a massive amount to direct them on the pitch but he is a good man manager. Players like him and he deals with big player egos.
rafa likes to direct every player on everything they do.  For some I imagine they’d hate it as they want to play with freedom.  I’d imagine James would be like this but for those that really need guidance they’d really benefit from his input.
Iwobi is definitely the kind of player that needs a bit of guidance 

I think the difference is Carlo is someone who has always managed top players. He doesn’t need to do a massive amount to direct them on the pitch but he is a good man manager. Players like him and he deals with big player egos.
rafa likes to direct every player on everything they do.  For some I imagine they’d hate it as they want to play with freedom.  I’d imagine James would be like this but for those that really need guidance they’d really benefit from his input.
Iwobi is definitely the kind of player that needs a bit of guidance 

I think the difference is Carlo is someone who has always managed top players. He doesn’t need to do a massive amount to direct them on the pitch but he is a good man manager. Players like him and he deals with big player egos.
rafa likes to direct every player on everything they do.  For some I imagine they’d hate it as they want to play with freedom.  I’d imagine James would be like this but for those that really need guidance they’d really benefit from his input.
Iwobi is definitely the kind of player that needs a bit of guidance 

I think the difference is Carlo is someone who has always managed top players. He doesn’t need to do a massive amount to direct them on the pitch but he is a good man manager. Players like him and he deals with big player egos.
rafa likes to direct every player on everything they do.  For some I imagine they’d hate it as they want to play with freedom.  I’d imagine James would be like this but for those that really need guidance they’d really benefit from his input.
Iwobi is definitely the kind of player that needs a bit of guidance 

I think the difference is Carlo is someone who has always managed top players. He doesn’t need to do a massive amount to direct them on the pitch but he is a good man manager. Players like him and he deals with big player egos.
rafa likes to direct every player on everything they do.  For some I imagine they’d hate it as they want to play with freedom.  I’d imagine James would be like this but for those that really need guidance they’d really benefit from his input.
Iwobi is definitely the kind of player that needs a bit of guidance 

I think the difference is Carlo is someone who has always managed top players. He doesn’t need to do a massive amount to direct them on the pitch but he is a good man manager. Players like him and he deals with big player egos.
rafa likes to direct every player on everything they do.  For some I imagine they’d hate it as they want to play with freedom.  I’d imagine James would be like this but for those that really need guidance they’d really benefit from his input.
Iwobi is definitely the kind of player that needs a bit of guidance 

Raheem dislikes this.

It’s great to see our central midfield players contributing more around the pitch.
I’ve always thought 2 “holding” or defensive mids is too limiting on a team and players in the top teams offer much more than that.  So it’s good to see us getting more out of our players.

He'll be like a new signing 😐

He'll be like a new signing 😐

Agent's always love a good stir!
Could have been a good signing though not convinced he's any finished article and may have also found himself on the bench with us looking at how the players we have have started the season.
Would have been a useful addition though at a good age and i'm sure if he doesn't get much game time come January and we offload James then i'm sure we'll be back in for him.