The fact is that Benitez is distracted by Alex Ferguson and focussing on him and not on his own team. Benitez HAS let Ferguson (or the pressure) get to him and that can only be to Man U's benefit and Liverpool's detriment.
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Rafael Benitez
- Thread starter clapham_gull
- Start date
R. Slicker
Well-known member
- Jan 1, 2009
- 4,498
How is this a fact? In my view Benitez has just out fergied fergie by doing this before uniteds game against Chelsea. To suggest that Liverpool will now become rubbish because ferguson has made Benitez lose focus is ridiculous.
Benitez is talking about the opposition and not focussing on his team in a Friday press briefing before a match - he has been distracted by the opposition. QED.
There is a good analysis of Benitez performance by a sports psychologist in today's Telegraph that says much the same thing.
There is a good analysis of Benitez performance by a sports psychologist in today's Telegraph that says much the same thing.
Cairnsinho
New member
- Jul 14, 2003
- 24
A 'leading' Golf Psychologist. Highly comparable disciplines.
Benitez has been sitting on this since November so it's hardly a spontaneous outburst.
Seasider78
Well-known member
- Nov 14, 2004
- 6,055
Many will take the view that Ferguson has got under Benitez skin in order to cause this outburst.
I actually think this was a smart move by Benitez as its a high profile manager drawing attention to Ferguson record of speaking out without punishment ahead of Uniteds biggest game of the season.
If Chelsea win sunday I would not be suprised to see Ferguson lose his cool and end up with a touchline ban
I actually think this was a smart move by Benitez as its a high profile manager drawing attention to Ferguson record of speaking out without punishment ahead of Uniteds biggest game of the season.
If Chelsea win sunday I would not be suprised to see Ferguson lose his cool and end up with a touchline ban
Simon Morgan
New member
As if Fergie's not going to say anything back! Kind of weakens the assumption that Fergie is sitting back 'with a glass of wine' and loving it. What's there to love about being exposed for what you are? Ferguson has been very effective at winding his opponents up over the years, but I cannot believe people respect it. It's slimy, niggly and I don't like it one bit, rather like diving. Reading Benitez's quotes, it doesn't sound like he was going red in the face with rage, it seemed like a calm , constructive account on what he had seen. Over the xmas holidays, I heard Graham Poll on the radio suggesting that Ferguson could almost pick and choose the referees for utd games. The man who reffed them in last year's FA cup defeat to Pompey has never reffed them since. I don't believe that people can have such high regard for a man who has such a degree of control over the footballing authorities. Makes me f***ing sick when us mere mortals sometimes have rotten luck and bad refereeing decisions, but if Ronaldo tumbles over unprovoked in front of the Stretford End, there will only be one outcome. For me, it all links back to Ferguson.
NMH
Banned
Do you honestly believe that Benitez is now going to be pacing the dressing room seething about what Ferguson says?
Nah, it might have flipped Keegan's lid, but just because it worked on him doesn't mean it's "genius" now. Better wait until the end of the season to see if anything 'worked'.
All the same, if I were a manager I'd be more than happy if Ferguson tried mind-gaming me - it would probably mean he saw me and my team as a threat to his 'greatest team in the world'! That would be rattling him more than me.
NMH
Banned
If anything, what Benitez has said might make Ferguson have to sit on his hands a bit more, and steer clear of hounding refs., so Ferguson only gave Benitez that excuse to say what he thought. Personally I don't believe that ANY manager chewing at the ears of a top ref and linesmen is going to make them think "ooh I'd best give (e.g. Sir Alex Ferguson) a few decisions to placate him".