Rafael Benitez

[clapham_gull]

You have to admire Alex Ferguson - seems to able to wind up other managers effortlessly.

Reminds me of when Keegan lost the plot quite famously.

Whether Benitez has a point or not, who have to admire the old Scot, he's the master of psychological warfare.

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Benitez lays into rival Ferguson

 

[Basil Fawlty]

I thought Benitez said some very good points, but nothing will compare to what happen to King Kev when he totally lost it on Monday Night Football. Now that was pure entertainment, I would love it, absolutely love it if he beat them on Saturday.

 

[Hiney]

Ferguson is an absolute GENIUS at this stuff

 

[clapham_gull]

Ferguson is an absolute GENIUS at this stuff

Which was the point I was trying to make, irrespective of whether he made valid points or not.

Benitez had apparently prepared his rant on a piece of paper before hand

Ferguson will be pissing himself tonight.

 

[chez]

Winding people up is quite easy when you're the biggest c unt of a manager in the world though isn't it.

Never plays by the rules, thinks they dont apply to him AND he's scottish.

 

[Beach Hut]

Winding people up is quite easy when you're the biggest c unt of a manager in the world though isn't it.

Never plays by the rules, thinks they dont apply to him AND he's scottish.

And you forgot the most succesful British Club Manager ever except perhaps Shankly or Paisley

 

[clapham_gull]

Winding people up is quite easy when you're the biggest c unt of a manager in the world though isn't it.

Never plays by the rules, thinks they dont apply to him AND he's scottish.

Winding people up like that isn't easy - but some very intelligent managers have fallen for it over the years.

 

[Hiney]

Which was the point I was trying to make, irrespective of whether he made valid points or not.

Benitez had apparently prepared his rant on a piece of paper before hand

Ferguson will be pissing himself tonight.

Exactly.

And they all fall for it EVERY SINGLE time.

Love him or loath him, Ferguson will be sitting back tonight with a glass of wine, LOVING IT.

 

[DJ Leon]

What? Ferguson is not trying to wind the other managers up, he's trying to gain an unfair advantage by seeking to influence referees and decision makers in the game. he's done it consistently and blatantly for years. it's about time someone said what a load of A-grade bollocks it is. Go Rafa.

All this talk about 'mind games' is ridiculous.

 

[clapham_gull]

All this talk about 'mind games' is ridiculous.

Although Benitez himself acknowledges it as that, yet he's fallen for it.

He was responding to a question asking him about Ferguson comments about Liverpool being under pressure. Winding up other managers is EXACTLY what Ferguson is about and he's very very good at it.

Ferguson is a master at this, another manager has ended up ranting to the press after a single comment from the scot. He even went to the press conference with all the points written down..

He obviously wanting to "let off steam", well who got him all steamed up in the first place.

 

[DJ Leon]

Although Benitez himself acknowledges it as that, yet he's fallen for it.

He was responding to a question asking him about Ferguson comments about Liverpool being under pressure. Winding up other managers is EXACTLY what Ferguson is about and he's very very good at it.

Ferguson is a master at this, another manager has ended up ranting to the press after a single comment from the scot. He even went to the press conference with all the points written down..

He obviously wanting to "let off steam", well who got him all steamed up in the first place.

Benitez is making a serious point though, he's not ranting about what Ferguson has said about Liverpool particularly, he's saying that it's about time Ferguson was brought to task for his attempts to influence referees and decision makers (in this case Ferguson's comments about fixtures were what he was mainly talking about). He's right. This isn't an 'I'd love it' moment in any way whatsoever (not that I think that meant anything anyway - I mean Kevin Keegan is always on the verge of tears!). Ferguson is a great manager, but he's a bully and an expert of the underhand tactic. Him and his team are treated differently from everyone else, yet still he seeks a further unfair advantage. The fact that someone has finally said that it isn't acceptable has nothing to do with mind games, it's called calling it as it is.

Of course for those that buy this mind game shite, what happens now will only cement their beliefs about Ferguson's 'genius' for getting to rival managers. Liverpool won't win the title. But then again they never were. Man United are a better team. It's all just bollocks.

 

[DJ Leon]

And I don't think Ferguson will be remotely pleased by this outburst. He's been attacked openly for the first time on much of this stuff (how has it taken so long?!) and others will be less inclined to keep quiet from now on. This could be the end of the protective bubble he's operated in all these years. The idea that he's happy with this is ludicrous, he'll be facing up to the fact that his actions are going to be scrutinised a lot more fairly from now on.

 

[clapham_gull]

Benitez is making a serious point though, he's not ranting about what Ferguson has said about Liverpool particularly, he's saying that it's about time Ferguson was brought to task for his attempts to influence referees and decision makers (in this case Ferguson's comments about fixtures were what he was mainly talking about). He's right. This isn't an 'I'd love it' moment in any way whatsoever (not that I think that meant anything anyway - I mean Kevin Keegan is always on the verge of tears!). Ferguson is a great manager, but he's a bully and an expert of the underhand tactic. Him and his team are treated differently from everyone else, yet still he seeks a further unfair advantage. The fact that someone has finally said that it isn't acceptable has nothing to do with mind games, it's called calling it as it is.

Of course for those that buy this mind game shite, what happens now will only cement their beliefs about Ferguson's 'genius' for getting to rival managers. Liverpool won't win the title. But then again they never were. Man United are a better team. It's all just bollocks.

I said it reminded of that moment, whether it had the same effect is irrelevant. It's just another example of a another manager falling for Ferguson's games.

Not sure anyone (including myself) is saying Benitez hasn't got a point, but he's been rattled. Rattled enough to come to a press conference with a prepared attack on Ferguson, knowing full well that he would asked about Ferguson's comments about Liverpool.

Whatever he thinks privately,whether he as a point, he would hardly have come out with all this discussion on fixtures in the middle of a routine press conference.

All he's ended up doing is turning his press conference into a discussion about Manchester United and having it reported as such. At the end of the interview he's even given the impression that his job isn't 100%.


Ferguson 1 - Benitez 0

 

[DJ Leon]

I said it reminded of that moment, whether it had the same effect is irrelevant. It's just another example of a another manager falling for Ferguson's games.

Not sure anyone (including myself) is saying Benitez hasn't got a point, but he's been rattled. Rattled enough to come to a press conference with a prepared attack on Ferguson, knowing full well that he would asked about Ferguson's comments about Liverpool.

Whatever he thinks privately,whether he as a point, he would hardly have come out with all this discussion on fixtures in the middle of a routine press conference.

All he's ended up doing is turning his press conference into a discussion about Manchester United and having it reported as such. At the end of the interview he's even given the impression that his job isn't 100%.


Ferguson 1 - Benitez 0

Oh come on. So any time ANYONE wants to attack Ferguson for his blatant attempts to influence football officials it's a mark of his genius at mind games. Rubbish. Yes, the conference was all about Manchester United, but that was the point. How often does Ferguson talk about his own team as oppose to the opposition, the referee, the FA etc.

And what affect will it have anyway. Liverpool going to lose to Stoke this weekend? Probably not. I'd bet anything Liverpool don't win the title, but that has nothing to do with 'mind games'.

Out of interest if I joined the company you work for, doing the same job on the same salary and then went about trying to get better pay, conditions and work terms than you (successfully perhaps and by constantly complaining and lobbying). When you complained about it would it be a sign of my genius at getting you rattled? And presumably you then wouldn't be any good at your job, what with being rattled......you get my point no doubt (even if you don't agree).

 

[clapham_gull]

Oh come on. So any time ANYONE wants to attack Ferguson for his blatant attempts to influence football officials it's a mark of his genius at mind games. Rubbish. Yes, the conference was all about Manchester United, but that was the point. How often does Ferguson talk about his own team as oppose to the opposition, the referee, the FA etc.

And what affect will it have anyway. Liverpool going to lose to Stoke this weekend? Probably not. I'd bet anything Liverpool don't win the title, but that has nothing to do with 'mind games'.

Out of interest if I joined the company you work for, doing the same job on the same salary and then went about trying to get better pay, conditions and work terms than you (successfully perhaps and by constantly complaining and lobbying). When you complained about it would it be a sign of my genius at getting you rattled? And presumably you then wouldn't be any good at your job, what with being rattled......you get my point no doubt (even if you don't agree).

The point is that why did the Liverpool manager go into a press conference with a prepared attack on his rival. Bit odd don't you think ?

He knew that he would have to response to a question about pressure, and lets it look the pressure it getting to him. Maybe not better to simply smile and ask for the next question ?

As for second point about work (especially in the industry I work in), I'm long in the tooth to know that people operate like that constantly. Part of the game about enhancing your own position is letting your rivals make themselves look stupid. Much easier.

You've proved my point - Ferguson has got away with it again. Of course Benitez has a point, but the Premier League are hardly going to investigate Ferguson on the basis of the comments of a rival manager. If anything investigate him for suggesting that another manager/teams gets preference.

Ferguson will be pissing himself.

He's very media savvy, and has the upper hand with his dealings with them. Doesn't even talk to the BBC anymore. Other media organisations know not to criticise him because they worry about getting the same treatment. That strikes me as someone very much in control of situation - doesn't it you ?

 

[DJ Leon]

The point is that why did the Liverpool manager go into a press conference with a prepared attack on his rival. Bit odd don't you think ?

As for second point about work (especially in the industry I work in), I'm long in the tooth to know that people operate like that constantly. Part of the game about enhancing your own position and letting your "enemies" bring themselves look stupid. Much easier.

You've proved the point - Ferguson has got away with again. Of course Benitez has a point, but the Premier League are hardly going to investigate Ferguson on the basis of the comments of a rival manager. If anything investigate him for suggesting that another manager/teams gets preference.

Ferguson will be pissing himself.

I didn't say they'd investigate him, just that the affect will be more scrutiny on Ferguson when he makes more of his comments about fixtures (or refs or whatever). That would be why Benitiez has done it now, not because Ferguson said something about Liverpool being under pressure. If you actually believe in this mind games bullshit, then you could even argue that Benitez is on top here. People are talking about Ferguson's behaviour as much as they're talking about his rant. Oh and ManU play Chelsea on Sunday. Interesting timing, huh?

 

[clapham_gull]

I didn't say they'd investigate him, just that the affect will be more scrutiny on Ferguson when he makes more of his comments about fixtures (or refs or whatever). That would be why Benitiez has done it now, not because Ferguson said something about Liverpool being under pressure. If you actually believe in this mind games bullshit, then you could even argue that Benitez is on top here. People are talking about Ferguson's behaviour as much as they're talking about his rant. Oh and ManU play Chelsea on Sunday. Interesting timing, huh?

Didn't say you did and sorry can't agree - Fergusons' been doing this for years.

You don't go along to a press conference with a piece of paper in your pocket with some prepared facts unless you've been rattled. That's odd behaivour.

If that's Benitez way of playing Fergusons game, he's been made to look a little stupid.

So people are talking about Man United "getting preference" - do you think Ferguson cares about that ? Job done, I'd be thinking.

 

[DJ Leon]

Didn't say you did and sorry can't agree - Fergusons' been doing this for years.

You don't go along to a press conference with a piece of paper in your pocket with some prepared facts unless you've been rattled. That's odd behaivour.

If that's Benitez way of playing Fergusons game, he's been made to look a little stupid.

So people are talking about Man United "getting preference" - do you think Ferguson cares about that ? Job done, I'd be thinking.

OK, we're not going to agree here. Just wish I could moan and unduly try to influence things I shouldn't and then be described as brilliant when people complain.

Can't see what the bringing of notes has to do with it. It was a pre-meditated attack - we know that.

Just one question though - if this is mind games from Ferguson, what has he achieved? What will the affect be?

 

[One True BHA]

Why anyone says Benitez seems rattled from Ferguson's 'mind games' is beyond me, it seemed to me a perfectly calm list of facts about the Man United manager who is trying under handed tactics simply because his team are not the best in England so far this year.

 

[Jesus Gul]

no, he's lost it

loon