Brentford players feel they can turn up the heat on Benitez
Brentford players believe they can turn up the heat on the under-fire Rafael Benitez in Sunday’s FA Cup replay.
Chelsea’s interim manager remains an unpopular figure among many Blues fans and the League One side are determined to use the tension around Stamford Bridge to their advantage this weekend.
“At any club, when the fans are against the manager, it’s not a good recipe,” said striker Clayton Donaldson.
“If we can go there, try to disrupt their play and get the fans on their backs, that will definitely give us the momentum to try and go forward and push them back.
“This year Chelsea haven’t really had the best home record – probably because the fans are a bit irritated with how the club’s being run at the moment.”
And Donaldson, who has scored 19 goals this season, says those fans have every reason to be annoyed about Roberto Di Matteo’s sacking and the appointment of former Liverpool boss Benitez in his place.
He said: “With the Di Matteo situation, they’re a bit bitter because he got them the European Cup, which they always wanted.
“To actually relieve him of his duties the season after – I think it’s right the fans are disappointed. I would be.
“You can understand why the fans are a little disappointed and I think it’s definitely shown in their form this year.
“Hopefully we can go there, use that to our advantage and get their fans on their players’ backs as soon as possible, which would be good for us.
“The crowd are irritated and if we go there and win, who knows what’s going to happen there. That would be a backpage moment, terrific for us but a disaster for Chelsea.”
Bees goalkeeper Simon Moore is also convinced his team can capitalise on the discontent surrounding Benitez.
The Spaniard was barracked by angry fans as he left the pitch following the draw at Brentford, where Fernando Torres’ equaliser denied the home side a famous victory.
“You could hear after the game their fans screaming at Rafa Benitez. It can only be a good thing for us,” said Moore.
“I think it’s a great time to play them. Things behind the scenes don’t really seem right there at the moment.
“Our gameplan is to go there full of confidence and belief. We genuinely believe we’ve got a chance of winning the game.”
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