Beerqueen

Honestly? I loved winning it and couldn't care less. Ok given the choice between winning ugly and winning prettily - I'd rather win prettily. But given the choice between winning ugly and losing, I'd rather win. And given the choice between the Champions League with Robbie and ..... well, you can guess the rest.

I can see that - but - it was a cup final! And one we'd never competed in let alone won! And it was early on in his tenure - I just don't believe he decided not to priorise it - he just screwed up!

I know lots would compare the two. But in my opinion RDM got the tactics spot on - defend and counter. That's a large part of why we won. That and sheer bloodymindedness. I know you'll think I'm just saying that because it wasn't Benitez but I really feel that Robbie knew what he was doing wherea Benitez didn't.

This just doesn't make sense - we were playing the same number of games whether we won the tournament or not and surely you play to win - it doesn't expend much more energy to do so.

I am relieved to get to the end of the season and find ourselves 3rd and with the Europa League. But I feel it was a fluke - much of the time it was despite rather than because of Benitez's tactics. For instance, last Wednesday, I didn't have too many complaints about his starting line-up and yet when things weren't working I was screaming at him to change things round more, take off Ramires who had a shocker, but nothing. Fair enough to hold back a sub for fresh legs in case of extra time but all three? And that's why I still can't like Benitez - he just cannot change things when Plan A doesn't work. He just carries on - and sometimes by luck it works - like Wednesday, but often it hasn't. Who else would've changed right backs when two goals down? We've ridden our luck this year. We've got a great squad and yes I do feel he's got us the minimum we should've got - but the League cup was there for the taking and the World Club Championship should've been ours too.

Ah! He's a legend! (but must admit I let all commentary wash over me and don't really listen to it - it's better for the blood pressure!)

Hey, did anyone notice that Alex Ferguson is retiring? There was a little mention of it tonight on MOTD. Can't believe I haven't heard more about it. 5-2 and you f**ked it up...

f**k me! Nearly had a heart attack - was just on the Independent site and the headline was "Benitez signs off at Chelsea by clinching third place" but I skim read it and saw "Benitez.....signs.....Chelsea". Don't do that to me!

I'm not even going to read that. Why bother?

I am truly embarrassed to admit I cannot remember the 1998 CWC. I know i must've watched it but I think I had "baby brain" (three children under 7) and it is a complete gap in my memory - I do sort've remember waking up the next day thinking - we won! but can't remember the match at all. Maybe I had a really good night.....

I remember my baby daughter had just learned to walk and when we all punched the air when Robbie scored, she spent the next half an hour walking around the room with her arms in the air! Of course, she's a young woman now (and not very interested in football unfortunately!)

Check out THFC's posts. That's how you go about getting accepted on the forum as an opposition supporter, not making your first post knocking one of our legends and then objecting to us pointing out that losing a semi final 7-0 is a touch more embarrassing.

If we're the minority where is the 234 pages of pro-Rafa thread?

Brilliant! Thanks so much, I missed this on the night - so glad to see it now.

All of what he says (and more) could be said about Chelsea really - young players, check - no major players due to leave, check - money to spend, check. And then you get to the point about the manager.............! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!!

Again, their season was nearly over (by the time it was official) - but appalling that it wasstrongly rumoured before the FA cup final.

Spot on and no real surprises there!

Wasn't sure about the English - hence why I didn't make more of it - pretty impressive for a second language, even to attempt colloquial English! But I just can't agree with you on Benitez - he just can't change things around during a game when required - his substitutions are adequate at best but not game-changing when needed, He got away with it yesterday but I do think the team looked knackered and needed some sort of change and he failed to do it. The fact we won was a bit of a fluke rather than anything tactically he did.

United had won the league and Everton had nothing to play for.

Who's to say that whoever would have replaced him (Moses?) wouldn't have scored a hat-trick?

Does anyone have a photo or video of Brana and Azpi bowing down to Paulo at the end (as mentioned in match thread)?

Fantastic!! Absolutely love the one of Brana and Mata hugging each other!

While Benitez didn't actually use the words "diving" that's how he meant them and the media reported it as such. "As for Drogba, Benítez labelled him a diver in every way possible without using football's taboo word." (The Guardian) And Drog certainly didn't like what he said and interpreted it as being accused of diving "But he has really disappointed me here. His words demonstrate a weakness. A top manager would never go so low to attack a player. Maybe he should concentrate on his own team’s game and if he wants me to stay on my feet, maybe he should tell his defenders to stop hitting me." And when has he stood up for our players this season - everything is neutral at best.

Ah come on, don't hold back, tell us what you really think!