Simon Jordan blasts ‘unfathomable’ Rafa Benitez comments after Everton lose 2-1 at Wolves
Simon Jordan has taken issue with comments made by Rafa Benitez on Monday night after Everton lost 2-1 to Wolves at Molineux.
Everton were well beaten in the West Midlands last night as Bruno Lage’s side continually cut through the Blues in the first half, opening up a 2-0 lead at half-time before Alex Iwobi grabbed a second-half consolation.
Speaking on talkSPORT [02/11/21] the morning after, ex-Crystal Palace owner Jordan took exception to the post-match musings of Benitez.
Jordan said: “It’s a really unfathomable and unacceptable answer, if it is indeed an answer or observation, that you’re leaving it on the training ground.
“That’s the lightest form of observation that you can make about a footballer or boxer or any sportsman that they leave it.
“It’s an insult to say to somebody that they’re leaving it in the gym because the worst fighters are the one’s leaving it in the gym i.e. they all look good in training and when they get on the pitch they’re not where they need to be.
“The intensity of a team, the focus of a team, the concentration of a team, the motivation of a team, are absolutely the responsibility of the manager.
“It’s the one thing that he can do for a team, he can’t kick the ball or make players make individual decisions at moments of time. What he can do is focus their minds to the intensity that they bring to bear, that’s his job.”
Rafa’s remit?
As ever in football, the debate has raged as to how much blame should be apportioned to Benitez for last night’s dismal defeat at Molineux.
Everton were awful, particularly in the first half, and there have to be serious questions asked of the Spaniard and how he is training his side to defend from set-pieces, especially at corners.
However, the Spaniard did have to make do without a number of key stars once again, and there’s no accounting for some of the errors made by his players on Monday.
What is he supposed to do about Ben Godfrey’s shocking backpass that led to Wolves’ second goal?
The players need to step up and take some responsibility, but as Jordan alludes to, it is ultimately up to Benitez to get a tune out of his men.
There’s only so long excuses can be made, and the pressure will continue to crank up on him if this current run of defeats continues.
In other Everton news, Jamie Carragher slammed these Blues players on Sky Sports Monday Night Football v Wolves.
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