Champions League: Chelsea 2 - 0 Fenerbahce (agg 3 - 2)

Dare to Dream, boys and girls, Dare to Dream........

An opportunity to avenge previous results ( please feel free to insert your own obligatory joke about being robbed by Scousers here) and with a better chance now the 2nd leg is at home.

The Bison was back at his rampaging best tonight and he didn't seem too disappointed at the booking...... Perhaps the plan was to get it out of the way and have him fresh for the 2nd leg, rather than walk a tight rope during the 1st leg.

We even seemed to defend quite well tonight, and I think the comparisons with the Boro game are a little unfair. Fener were always going to give it everything they had and the lads coped very well on the whole.

As for Carlo's injury.... why does he always get injured when he gets a chance of a run in the side? Still, Hilario isn't a bad 3rd choice at all and is an excellent shot stopper. (In fact we have won all of the 6 games he has played so far this year, according to the broadcast tonight). Hopefully he will learn to kick soon too!

So get your pockets sewn up, because it's Anfield (and Moscow!)here we come.

What is it about that fucking kop end? Liverpool seem to be able to do anything at that end to get to the CL final - the goal that never was, eidur missing from 1 yard out in the last minute and tonight a penalty despite an obvious lack of any tug on babel. I feel sorry for Wenger as without that decision and if they had got a pen at the emirates they would have sailed through and we would have had a much better chance against them than Liverpool. Arsenal can't stand our long ball football to Drogba but Hyypia and Skrtel seem to like heading the ball for a whole game.

As for how it will go... 1st leg i can't see us scoring in any way. Liverpool will most certainly score early (like every semi-final) and i wouldn't be surprised if its a free kick routine akin to last year (Avram probably hasn't seen that game). Avram will go up there and 'keep it tight' hoping for an own goal as our football at present seems hugely impressive for 6 mins and then it deteriorates into a pile of utter shit over the next 84. It is almost worse if we go up there and score early ourselves as our football will worsen and we will awaken that famous 'Kop' probably resulting in a heavy defeat as unlike Afonso Alves, Benjani or Kezman, Torres will be able to finish the chances we seem to be gifting opponents at the moment against a hapless Hilario running out to miss a cross (remember Everton). 2nd leg seems more optimistic. If we are still in the tie at 0-0 or 1-0 down we'll need to have a two gaol lead as again i don't think we can keep a clean sheet. But hey what is specualtion and if it gets to penalties then fuck that. We are probalby the worst team in the football league at penalties. Our keepers can't save them and only Ballack knows how to take one. Look out for Reina ruining the Bridge in a couple of weeks (he maybe a shit keeper but he does his research for pens unlike our lot).

Back to tonight. Lovely header from the classy Ballack but again we seem to think that scraping by for the next hour at 1-0 and inviting presssure onto ourselves is a worthwhile tactic (thanks Avram for this free flowing attacking football - we haven't hear you say that for ages, how we miss it). Still some problems:

1. GK crisis - Hilario can't kick or judge crosses. If liverpool play crouch and use crosses then we are in the shit.
2. Performance - Why can't we score more than 1 in the first half and why don't we close down shots anymore? Jose wouldn't have accepted letting Daveid or let alone 'Stevie fucking G' shoot without a challenge. Our midfield with Maka, Ballack and Lamps has an average age of 32 and a distinct lack of mobility. We need Mikel against Liverpool just so that he can close down and maybe pass the ball (some of the basics being lost form Maka's game in his old age). Drogba's selfishness. I thought in the first leg he may just have been blinkered but seeing him, Essien and an unmarked Lamps run through on goal and him rejecting a pass only to shoot into the defenders legs made me want to sell him now. Replace him with a younger striker who seems interested (he was nearly asleep in the stands against City) and willing to be a team player.
3. Avram - That should sum it up but his subs are baffling. Switching from a 4-3-3 to a 4-1-3-1-2 was strange with the team not knowing what to do for the next 15 mins. In that time Fenerbahce whould have scored and he got away with it again. We hardly touched the ball and Lamps goal had nothing to do with his tactics. And why does he continue to sub on Belletti whilst leaving Paulo in the stands? Belletti is a pile of shit who is slow, can't tackle or defend and seems to enjoy giving away freekicks. At best he desered a 1/10 tonight. Utter bollocks.
4. Belletti!

Oh well the annual Liverpool tie is coming up and it is the end for some. By then we may have lost the league and if we go out then it is goodbye to Avram (hooray). But there are more scenarios: We could go through to the final and win it (oh shit Avram somehow did it) and we have to sit through the next 3 years of him and i even believe that if we get to Moscow and lose, Roman will keep him, just happy that he will appear in his homeland final and that will be then end of the fans dreams to see hime go. For the next few weeks the fans, Avram or both will lose out. Oh joy!

Blimey Habs....

That's a seriously pessimistic opinion of the next few weeks.

Cheer up buddy.... It could be worse, we could be Scousers!

I think there's been a consistency developing lately, start brightly, get an early goal, then let the opposition come back into it and struggle to close out the game with a nervy final period. Tony, I always read your reports and think you've got it about right, and this one is no exception, particularly Frank's disappearing trick till his late goal, which I'd thought along with some stray touches meant an average game for him. I was only able to watch the match on tv with no sound, so it made for an interesting perspective, no biased commentary, and no (muted) crowd noise. It just looks like the team don't really now each other that well at the moment, the fluidity and cohesion is gone, and DD seems bent on a shoot rather than pass mission.

How the hell can I *not* be looking forward to a champion's league semi-final? I so wish it had been the Arse, a gooner friend has admitted that lately they seem to play their passing game but if they're desperate to win then for the last 10 mins revert to the long ball, but the recent league match at the Bridge was a far better match than I expect either of the semis to be. Still, it'll be a sweet moment if we knock them out.

Well here come the positives:

1. Defence - 3 of the back four seem secure with Ricky, J.T and Cole peaking at the right moment.
2. Home record - Still fucking unbeaten. It may be psychological it maybe something else but our home record will get us through against Liverpool and we could even beat ronaldo and his lot.
3. Lamps - He may have been quiet but he still got a gaol and without him look what happens - Barnsely, Boro...
4. Essien - He must be on drugs. Where has this power come from? Turning into a pretty good right winger, if only he could score more.
5. Ballack - He has seemed tired in the league but with some rotation he can be rested and ready to go for Man Utd and Anfield. He is our best free kick taker by a mile (listen up Drogba) and with JT seemingly marked by two men, is our most threatening header of a ball.
6. Kalou - Still can't find consistency but when he is on form he is one of our most dangerous players. 11 goals and 12 assists - if that's kalouless then i'd like to see him when he improves next year.
7. Pitch - Stuggling a bit now but seems amazing compared to the beach we used to have. Maybe it will benefit our free flowing football! rather than Liverpool whose tactic is to lump it forward to Stevie G and Torres hoping for a goal.
8. Another semi-final - we must be the undisputed no. 1 side in London whatever Arsene says.
9. Pretty flags - i've run out of ideas now.

Anyway pretty good on the whole but we can't stop now. Despite getting this far, there are no prizes for coming second - we all know that but i hope AG and RA do.

I think you're being a bit harsh on Makelele! I thought he played quite well, and certainly better than Lampard. Maka also bailed out Carvalho on at least two occasions when Riccy was caught out.

I thought Lampsy was our worst player (until Belletti came on-that was shocking defending). His passing was off all night, and when it wasn't he was totally invisible! Obviously his goal at the end deserves some credit, but I wasn't impressed by him at all. Still a bit sick maybe?

Mmm.. Agree with Habs..

The future is not bright, and I am not burning with optimism's flames when considering the likely outcomes for the CL or Prem - Everton and Newcastle away on respective current form don't look like wins for us, but, I think that will at least force AG out as an impostor, and I look forward to that, getting a proper coach for a true new era at the club.

Agree with Habs..

More so the first one than the second =)

Ummm...Thierry "The tit" Henry is for sale and we are apparently in business!
LINK

Tony- I agree about Joe. Just like Ballackhas played better with the long hair, Joe's never gonna find his form unless he grows it out. Play Malouda until he grows out those beautiful locks! (I mean what...?)

I have to confess I kept my eye more on Arse than I did on our game after Ballack's goal. The only real thing I saw worth noting was Avram's final substitution: Malouda for Joe. Why? At that point we were 1-0 so either take off Joe for Anelka (and push forward for the 2nd to kill it off) or, more likely, bring on Mikel to shore up the midfield for the last few minutes. What in god's name does Malouda bring at that point?

To Anfield we go.

Saw about 2/3 game after the fact which is just as well because watching it live would have done for me. Agree that Essien was terrific, and for once, I was impressed by Kalou who may turn out to be a really good player, but probably won't. I wish we would play more of Mikel for even he doesn't tackle as badly as Makalele does at the moment, and his distribution is far superior.

We used to turn off under JM too. I think all sides do it - look at Arsenal today who were totally dominating for the first 30 mins. However, we are making something of a habit of it, and once turned off, we have the devil of a job to turn back on. We didn't even snap out of it after the break. One wonders what Grant says to them (or rather does not) to fire them up for the second half. At least, Liverpool are not a dominating side like ManU and Stevie G was totally anonymous until his PK - even more so than Frank. They have one really good player - Torres - and if we can close him down, we have a good chance against them. Of course, Hilario against Crouch does tend to even that up but I guess we'll see, but Cech could wear a mask as well as his helmet so maybe that particular battle may not take place. We really might limp to the CL final, and also the Premiership title which even a week ago I could not have thought possible. Sadly that would probably install AG forever. What the heck. if he can win one of the two, I'll not scream for his removal, though I would not be unhappy if he threw in the towel.

We are in the semi-finals of the CL yet again, so realistically we really can't complain too much about this season though some silverware would be nice.

The last time we had Hilario in defence, we were missing JT and some other players i suppose. If we can continue to have our back 4 intact, i think damage can be reduced alot. I just hope that Carlo can be ready for the Everton game at least.

Spot on post from Habs. It is so odd, and depressing we are in such a good position in the two big competitions, but there is no sense of excitement.
It it because:
a) It's the prospect of another 180 minutes of utter tedium against those screeching thieves.
b) We're all quite honest, and know that we've not been a patch on the 2004/05 and 05/06 teams, so are no way good enough to win either.
c) Knowing that a win in either win mean years of Grant and the club doing a Leeds-like nosedive, so it's just too painful to watch.
d) Checking moss growth on the front lawn is more inspiring than our manager's tactical acumen, so many have gone to do that instead.

As a fan in exile, it's very odd. But reports of such a terrible home atmosphere, in even games like this, show a deep undercurrent of unhappiness and anger. Luca lost the players and got sacked. Grant has done that, and the fans too.

Lol. Amusing match report.

I watched this match and I don't think we were that bad. A bit disjointed and sloppy in passing, true, but I tuned into radio fivelive afterwards and everyone was going on about how Chelsea played like a "team of individuals" tonight and I was just like huh? Did anyone seen Arsenal or Manchester Utd at the weekend, after Bendtner and Shrek's equalisers, they each had ONE player come up and celebrate with them. That would never happen at Chelsea, because the players actually like one another.

The Cudicini injury was poop. WHY oh WHY do Cech and Cudicini always have to get injured together? As you said, Hilario's not actually bad at all, but I just don't feel confident with him in goal.

And oh God, another semi with the Scousers. As if the nation didn't hate us enough, there'll be more people boarding the anti-Chelsea bandwagon after both legs, going on about how "boring" we are, and, if we lose, there'll be more than enough gloats about how "money can't buy success" blah blah blah blah.

Anyway. I'm happy with our result yesterday, and hope Arsenal does us a favour this weekend against ManUre,

Happy with the result, even though the game seemed a bit slow. Sick to death that we've got the Scum again in the semi's but at least we go to Anfield first..change of fortune maybe? (hopefully!). Perhaps it WILL be boring but i can cope with that if we beat them, this has got to be our year..surely!

No-one had a particularly amazing game last night but i think J.T was MOTM.

@ BANGO

Lamps our worst player?! How'd you work that one out?! Ok, he produced a few miss kicks but i seen Joey do the same thing more than once. The fella could't stay vertical all night! (i prefer to blame his boots though, rather than a bad game).Frankie set up the first goal beautifully and flawlessly into Ballack, then did what he does best...got another goal! When you look at it that way, we wouldn't even be IN the semi's without him there last night. Think again..WHO was the worst player?..

Great result Chels xxx

And here's to thrashing the Scum!!

I don't see why there's so much pessimism. We've mastered the art of winning unconvincingly.

Our problem is if we score early we struggle to score again within the 90 minutes. I can relate to that.

I thought Kalou was our best player and was disappointed he got substituted.

Having dug deep for the Everton game I've now got to splash out for another trip to Merseyside.

Extremely pleased with the result. I didn't think we were great but we did the job and that's all that matters. Our passing was poor and we kept giving the ball away needlessly in the second half. Of course, that was partly because of Avram's idiotic tactic of switching to a 4-5-1 formation in the middle of the game.

The good?

I think Carvalho was amazing yesterday. He did not look like he was ever going to get beat. The back three of Cole, Terry and Carvalho look really assuring. And like all of you have said, Essien and Ballack were outstanding yesterday. Ballack's passing in the first half was world class and his goal was so timely and oh so crucial. It help settle us I feel. Essien was a live wire. He never stopped running and created so much. And I actually think Malouda helped us a lot when he came on. And Frank, no matter what we say about him, he will still get us 20 goals a season.

The fact that we're in another semi-final is good enough. Hopefully we'll win this time. And it makes me so happy we beat Fenerbahce after all their trash talking about us. Fucking bastards.

The bad?

1. BELLETTI! He had an absolute horrow show! I think I nearly died of a heart attack with his persistent fouling. Thank god Alex' delivery was uncharacteristically poor.

2. The Toad. Switching to a 4-5-1 totally took the momentum away from us and only left us with one outlet up front, Drogba, who in my opinion, did not have a good game. We just kept hoofing it up field but there was nobody there. We kept losing possesion easily and Fenerbahce looked like they were going to get an equaliser. Idiot.

3. Keeper crisis. I dont understand why we are the only football club on this globe whose goalkeepers keep on getting injured. I mean, Hilario had a good game except for one miskick but still, I dont think he inspires confidence into our defence. On the bright side, at least our defence is intact at the moment. Touch wood.

That's pretty much it.

You know what? I feel sad for Wenger cuz Arsenal should have won that tie but I'm glad we Liverpool won it. It's payback time. The key to this tie is that the second leg is at the Bridge. I mean, I'm sick of us having to go to Shitfield in the second leg in the past years. That's why we've lost those semi-finals, especially last years one in the penalty shootout. It's about time we beat them in the Champions League and get to the final at their expense, not vice versa. And who knows, third time lucky?

Personally, I'm pretty confident bout this tie. I mean, the players will really want to get one back on Liverpool. And I think they will be absolutely up for it. Hopefully the Toad does not screw this up. But as I said, with Avram in charge, I live in hope, not expectation.

Hope we win our upcoming games, especially the tricky one against Everton at Goodison.

KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH

I'm not going to enjoy the next 180 plus mins against Liverpool (unless we win) but surely the law of averages and all that!
As I mentioned earlier perhaps AG's unpredictability in his tactics or lack of, and substitutions, could just throw Rafa. The first leg is the key to this tie, a score draw, or win for us might just do it, when you consider that Liverpool under Senor Tubby have not scored against at the Bridge, can give us some hope.
Of course a penalty shoot out if it comes to that, will have me watching from behind the sofa probably from a neighbours house!

I'll start by saying - Michael Essien is a d*ckhead. What a pointless booking. How petulant.

Performance-wise, same as the others of late. Dull, dull, dross, dull, unispiring, boring, turgid (repeat to fade).

Kalou (I can't believe I'm about to type this) was our best player. He'll be back to normal soon I guess ;-). He was injured, hence coming off, by why on Gods green Earth did AG decide to bring Belletti on at that stage ?? He should have done a straight swap and put Malouda on then, and gone for the second goal, then when the time came for his traditional removal of Joe Cole (seriously, what has Joe done to upset AG that much ??) he should have put Belletti or, in hindsight, anyone else at right back.

To me the right players ended up coming on, but in the wrong order at the wrong time. But maybe that's because I actually have an idea what to do......

I have zero confidence in Hilario. Can't kick, can't punch, he flapped at turning that shot round the post in the second half. The defence will need to perform out of their skin with him behind them (not sure how long Carlo is likely to be out for???).

And so the Scousers again. And another Champions League semi-final. And I'm not excited by it one bit. Being the eternal pessimist, we're going to be the forth best team in the semi finals based on how we're playing. If by some minor act from him upstairs we progress past Liverpool, chances are we'll face Man USA. It would hurt less to lose in the semi's than in the final. IMO we've never been further away from winning it.....

Lamps and JC were tired late in the game and AG had to pull one out...perhaps it was the right decision to take out JC cos Lamps ended up giving us the killer goal...

I was shouting for AG to replace DD with Anelka (as if he could have heard me) 'cos of the latter's selfishness which was putting the team under stress, dont know why DD lasted the whole game, cos he could have cost us the game again with his selfishness...dont think Lamps was fully fit cos he faded into thin air for the major part of the game...was missing when we needed the midfielders to close up space against the marauding turks...

where my ratings differ are:

Essien - 9 (cos he practically carried the team those periods when we went to sleep, he was all over the place and created the 2nd goal)

Drogba - 5 (cos on different occassions he was just plain selfish with the ball when he had players in better positions to pass to)

JT - 8 (cos with the rest of the defence, we were able to shield the keeper from clear 1-on-1 situations)

Lamps - 6 (cos he was virtually anonymous during the match, unlike ballack and he seems to drop his head and shoulders when he loses the ball rather than close up the opponent immediately. Good goal though, cos he could have stamped the ball on the keeper but didnt)

One match at a time...lets just hope the arse would take or share the spoils at old trafford, come this weekend.

Always Blue!

I’ll start by saying - Michael Essien is a d*ckhead. What a pointless booking. How petulant.

@Fifty
I think his booking could well be a blessing in disguise, better it happened now, rather than the second leg of the tie or possibly even the final. As someone else pointed out Stevie Me and Carragher are also on yellows, so a booking for either puts them out for the second leg, so how committed going into the tackles will they be?

Clive,

Maybe. Although he'll probably be replaced by Mikel who wins the 'Worse tackler than Scholes' award, so Essien may replace a suspended Mikel for the second leg I guess.

Riccy tried his best to get sent off with one of his usual kamikaze runs forward, chipping the ball over two players before slightly over-running it and scything the defender down.

Stevie Me and Carragher aren't likely to get booked in the first leg. It would take a referee with sizeable'cajones' to book a home player at Anfield.

Anyone else notice our skipper depart the pitch rather hastily at full-time?? He didn't look too happy for some reason.

Still in two competitions (just). Unlike the Gooners. Seriously, how does that bloke keep his job? Anyone would think that just being 'The Best Young Players in the World TM' was good enough for them. No trophies required.

Stevie Me and Carragher aren’t likely to get booked in the first leg. It would take a referee with sizeable’cajones’ to book a home player at Anfield.

Fifty
I also think that as lucky as Liverpoo are when it comes to the CL, perhaps these two controversial penalty incidents might just work against them. After all UEFA review ref performances and the one picked for our game might not be so generous towards them. And also the other plus is, AG hasn't wound up the powers to be with his remarks before or after games unlike JM, so perhaps just perhaps decisions might just go our way.
Am I clutching at straws? maybe but I'm sure all of us will gratefully accept whatever it takes to beat them.

Tony, think the "we're supposed to be at home" chant was aimed at the manager and players, for sitting back in the second half. Some of the players didn't look that up for it (drogba especially, but Lampard and J Cole also lackadaisical) and Fenerbache were quicker to the ball, though not that dangerous up front. Atmosphere was average, not particularly bad, but not amazing either.

Other interesting chant was when Ballack and Drogba had a tiff about who was going to take a free kick, whole of the Matthew Harding sang "there's only one Michael Ballack". Drogba's the type of player whose sheer vanity may help us win the CL or the PL, but he's difficult to love at times.

Another observation is after belleti came on, everyone seemed baffled about how we were meant to play. After two unsuccessful attempts at an explanation by Avi G (Herbert Lom), I think Steve Clarke or Ten Cate finally told Essien what he was meant to be doing.

I still suspect if we win anything this year it will be down to the sheer bloody-mindedness and will-to-win of the players (including Drogba, but also Ballack, Essien, Lamps, A Cole, Carvallho, Terry, Maka and the rest). Organisationally, unless playing the tried and tested 4-3-3 we really look all over the place - no-one showing for the ball in midfield, etc.

Still, finger's crossed. In a way, I'm glad we've got the mickeys (though sure the rest of the neutral footballing world could have done without it). Hope it doesn't come back to haunt me, but we owe them one.

expect a fewe surprises at OT tonight

Utd can't afford to sit back, even if they rush a half-fit Rio back.
Roma have nothing to lose, and for all their comparative lack of consistency, on the odd occasion they can be very dangerous, even Totti-less. This (and not the first leg) is the game they 're ready to roll their sleeves up for.

I'm pretty confident utd will leak a goal in the first half. Then anything can happen.

I wouldn't be that confident if i was a Barca supporter too.

Remember AG's luck of the Isr-ish :)

He'll get the easiest opponent

We're gonna go through: 1-0 Poo at Anfield; 2-0 us at SB (early goal, crap performance, late Kalou decider)

Jimbo,

"Drogba’s the type of player whose sheer vanity may help us win the CL or the PL, but he’s difficult to love at times."

There was an occassion late in the second half when we broke 3 on 3 and DD was running with the ball. Lampard to the left, and Essien to the right and he chose to try and do it on his own, unsurprisingly losing the ball. He's getting more and more selfish. Almost as if he knows his games in a blue shirt are running out, and he's got to show what we'll miss.

I'm more worried about Riccy's booking tonight than Essien missing the first leg, as Mikel is a more than capable replacement. (Unfortunately, I can't see Avram replacing Maka for him in the first leg. :()

Our defence is getting pretty solid now, as has been pointed out; only our right-back position is up to debate. In my opinion, it should be Ferreira's. However, Riccy is our only centre-back with genuine pace anymore. JT and Alex are fine, but I really don't want to see how they cope against the speed of Fernando Torres, or Ronaldo and Messi in the final.

It's imperative, therefore, that Lord Percy is on his best behaviour from here on in, as I really do not want to watch three hours of dire football just to see us knocked out on penalties to that filth ever again.

What killed us in this competition last year appears to be our same key flaw this year - after going one up, we struggle to deliver the final blow. We should have ended the home leg last season with a two or three-nil lead; we didn't and it ultimately cost us. We've managed to accomplish it against Olympiakos and Fenerbahce - now is our chance to put right three years of previous wrongs in cup competition. I really hope we can do it.

I do not want to see Drogba in Chelsea shirt no more until he is "ready to brake his leg" for the club again

I agree with all the comments about Drogba having a weak game. It was not just that he was selfish, he was also lazy. I counted at least three occasions when players passed the ball into space expecting him to be there, and he had just stopped.

@ Jimbo and Fifty

Yeah, that chant came over clearly on TV. There's obviously no love lost between them and for me Ballack is a much better free kick taker than Drogs, as is Lampard. For me this is Drogba in the shop window stuff. And AG's treatment of Anelka is rubbish - we all know the debate but for me Drogba should be thanked and then sold. and not just him demanding a transfer, put him on the list now and build for the future with Anelka,Villa, Huntelaar and Bentley.

@ Jimbo,

The Herbert Lom comparison is priceless! Can't wait for him to develop a nervous tic and the giggle that goes with it a la Pink Panther...

Again, I cannot understand what Lom's issue with Anelka is. Whenever Nic plays he holds up the ball, terrifies defenders and is totally unselfish PLUS he has a great rapport with the rest of the team. Essien played as though he had a "fuck it" moment and decided to play how he wanted, not as Lom wanted.
His subs, as usual, were hard to fathom and as Fifty said "the right players ended up coming on, but in the wrong order at the wrong time."

I find it hard to criticize our 3rd string keeper - he has always performed decently (just remember last year when Cech & Cudicini were out) and he is THIRD in the hierarchy! Obviously, I would want to have to rely on him but them's the breaks.

And as for playing Liverpool again...there is something wrong with our karma. Can't shake this feeling of dread seeing the semis coming up.

I have come to the conclusion that AG is in fact an unheralded tactical genius. He is so far ahead of his time, that Grand Master Rafa will struggle to decipher the complex mind that is indeed our own Mossad agent.
In addition his deliberate hands off man management policy is a new revolutionary HR strategy designed to accomodate the whims of over paid football players.
Gone is the ethos of teamwork. In, is the new strategy of indivualism & improvisdation, based on the core value of greed. This approach is so contrary to modern day coaching manuals the opposition have failed to counter it. Unless of course the opposition are perennial plodders like Barnsley who have yet to read a Coaching Manual.
Friends, Roman & Chelsea fans hail the Genius of Grant!

Graham - "What the heck. if he can win one of the two, I’ll not scream for his removal, though I would not be unhappy if he threw in the towel."

I never thought of that before. Just maybe that is where this is heading. Win or lose, Grant "voluntarily" steps aside, having "helped out in time of crisis".

Previously I suspected RA would do the volunteering on his behalf, saying "this was my holding pattern all along". But AG throwing in the towel is much tidier, especially if we win something.

I'm still certain he will go, win or lose, because if 40,000 fans at the Bridge can see he's not up to it, RA must be able to.

Graham,

"What the heck. if he can win one of the two, I’ll not scream for his removal, though I would not be unhappy if he threw in the towel."

Interesting one that, although I tend to think if Chelsea win anything this year it will be in spite of AG (maybe more his tactics) and not because of him.

But him 'voluntarily stepping aside' (no doubt with a few million stuffed under the table) is probably the most likely scenario.

Fifty,

Absolutely agree it would be in spite of him. You can't help feel that we've been hanging on by our fingernails and it can't go on, unless player power somehow sees us through. If 40,000 + RA can see it, hopefully Avram can too.

Last night smacked of "I gotta get my sub on *before* they equalise this week" - it was at 57 min (!!). Kalou wasn't injured, seconds before he came off he'd just sprinted down to the far corner chasing a lost cause.

HTC - on your bike too. Bring in Sparky.

guys...
what a heck will we do with goalkeeper?!
how long is cudicini injured.

If we look at things rationally, and take away this "four leaf clover effect" Liverpoo have in the CL, are they a team we should be worrying about? Are they going to worry us on an attacking front, apart from Torres who can be mostly be kept quiet by the top teams perhaps we should look at what Rio and Vidic did to him.
Stevie Me was apparently anonymous again last night as per usual against the top teams, and defensively they're not as solid has they have been in previous years. I don't think any of their current back four would get into our team, even at right back. So as nervous as most of us are with regard yet another possible dumping out at the semi stage, perhaps our boys might want this one a bit more, and spill blood to do it.

The only other alternative is we put up with more high pitched bleating and bragging from our scouser friends about history and class etc etc...

What I hate is that almost nobody seems to think we have a chance against the scum, I recall Clive Tyldsley (Twat) screaming at the top of his voice "ITS LIVERPOOL IN THIS YEARS FINAL OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE" What a tool, There is no team that I hate more than Liverpoo and It would be great to see all the scousers that I know after (If) We knocked them out, The injury to Carlo was a shock, I hope he will be back for Everton, It was a decent performence from some, Despite the Middlesborough like situations that Tony claims we were in, I think that they didnt threaten us too much and we had several great moments/Chances ourselves such as when Joe hit the post, Good game, Praying that the home advantage will count against the scum in the CL!

Jack, Fifty: even when Grant took over from JM, it seemed inconceivable to me that he was destined as the 'permanent' manager. Lack of pedigree for one, and the fact he had a board seat and was stepping down rather than up for another. To find a half-way decent replacement in the middle of the season is well-nigh impossible - basically one is looking at a lot of rejects who have already proven their lack of worth (JM is the exception rather than the rule). Much easier to spend the remainder of the season looking for the right man (this does rather assume some degree of intelligence at the highest levels in the club). Of course, one has to go through the motions of making the deal permanent if only to convince the players. Once a team knows that the manager's life is limited, they tend to go to the dogs - on reflection, a bit like Chels is playing at the moment, though the case of Kevin K at Man City a couple of years ago is a better example.

What a story will be if Grant is to succeed where JM failed 2 times. That will be IRONY and not a funny one. And he’s got every chance of doing that

Afternoon all,

Bit late today - the tedium of work...

Reasonable performance overall which (generally) showed that Fenerbahce were really no better than average. The win ugly / unconvincingly thing is fine, but there is a time rapidly approaching - a week in April when we face two fairly shrewd cookies in Fergie and Benitez - when we'll have to be far better than we have been of late.

The delights of another Liverpool semi await - the lack of baggage between the two managers will be a refreshing change, if nothing else, and it might weigh in our favour; Spanish Tubby fancies himself as a bit of a mind games master (he isn't) but Grant seems to have little concern with what anyone else says on that front. The United game in between the home and away legs poses an interesting conundrum if we're still in the PL hunt (Ten Cate will probably be in goal by then given our keeper luck recently). Who knows - maybe we can do it this time? (Sound of breath not being held)

I'm no fan of Grant, but his motivation for the games will be second to none; you've blagged your way into one of the biggest jobs in world football and have an opportunity to stay there in pretty spectacular fashion. Three games and you could be virtually immortal. And it's our best chance to win it since...

*desperately tries to block the Ranieri / Monaco debacle out of his mind*

The Scum may have history CLIVE...class? They lack that in abundance!! S***head Stevie is always anonymous, unless there's a relatively easy free kick or penalty going, then he'll step up to the marker..just to get his name on the scoresheet, see his own name up in lights and to hear the crowd cheering him on. W****r!! Bit like Horse face at Utd really. Just watch that t**t tonight..i HATE him with a passion!! I wish he'd sod off and die!

@ JIMBO

That's it!!!!!!!!!! I've been saying to friends for ages that A.G reminds me of someone and i couldn't think who it was. Herbert Lom! Ha! Ha! Ha! Absolute classic!!!

@ TONY

Totally agree about Anelka. Why did we buy him just to sit on the bench? He's so talented and is a proven, natural goalscorer, yet isn't being given a chance to prove himself to us. (not that he needs to) I personally would've played him last night and admit to being disappointed not to see him in the starting line-up. AGAIN!! What a shame. I feel so sorry for him..

Jonathan - "Three games and you could be virtually immortal."

You think so? I'm not so sure.

A European Cup is one hell of a tick on a football CV - and would Roman get rid of him after that? Unlikely.

Hi all,
What is your general opinion about AG taking both titles? Stay? Leave?

Lolly, Totally agree about Gerrard, Hes anonymous in most big games, But remember the last time we beat the scum, 2-0 in the cup without him then they are completely useless, Hopefully CC will be back for the game against them and our great (at the moment) Center Backs will be able to silence that Girl Torres!

@ JK

I don't rate Gerro at all, never have done. He's the most over-rated player in the Prem and i get sick to death of hearing how he's the best midfielder in the world. Unless ther's a free kick/penalty up for grabs, you don't hear from him. Watch him when he gets the ball..that's the "key word" there..WHEN..(because he's shite at tackles as well), he gives it straight to the opposition. Useless!! And to think a few seasons ago that there were rumours of him possibly coming to Stamford Bridge!! NO THANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!

I only rate Torres. can't stand him but respect him as a player. As i commented in an earlier article though, i wouldn't be upset if i ever saw him wearing a blue shirt! Or Fabregas for that matter.

For the record, can't stand him either!

@ BLUE FROM THE OTHER SIDE

I STILL and always have thought we will win the prem..albeit by a narrow margin.

NO WAY we'll win the Champs.

Herbert will still be here next season.

This will be our finest hour against the scousers!!

Watch Grant destroy them with his tactical genius and awesome motivational skills.

We will be like arsenal on steroids with all the movement and exciting play yet we will have the stamina of max mosely at an orgy.

0-0 at anfield and 3-1 at the bridge.

@ MUNKEY

Are you on drugs?!!!

Hes joking!

@ JK

You never know with him!!!

Apparently, we've been given permission to sign an emergency goalkeeper..

Well, voluntarily going out at the top has it's attractions ....everybody looks good from the board to the dressing room, and everybody is happy from the board to the dressing room to the fans.

For Avram - it would be a case of quitting while you're ahead and going back to the quiet life before those chickens come home to roost.

We've probably got the best squad in the universe and they're pulling us through, but if it breaks up in the summer RA has got £568m on the line, and he's not stupid.

I think it would take a series of blinding tactical masterstrokes to win over the fans - not seen one yet just plenty of the opposite. But no question, now's the time - Everton (a), Liverpool (a), Man Utd (h), Liverpool (h) in 13 days.

Interesting comments from Joe Cole about the CL,

"We should have won it by now," he claimed. "That's what I believe.

"There's no point splitting hairs over things that have happened in the past but the semi-final against Monaco was particularly disappointing - especially the away leg.

"We got beaten by a side we should have overcome. Then you've got the Liverpool game the following season where we were let down by a dubious goal.

"But, as I said, you can't split hairs about this kind of thing. It's all in the past. I believe we've had a final place taken off us on three occasions.

"But the margins between winning and losing at this level are minimal and we really need to focus on how we perform in each game.

"The way I see it, the Champions League is a work in progress at Chelsea. We haven't won it but our record over the last four years stands up against that of any club in Europe in terms of consistency and getting within spitting distance of the final.

"But no-one remembers semi-finalists or losing finalists. They won't remember dodgy goals at Anfield or bad decisions in Monaco."

Cole admits the semi-final stage has been tough on Chelsea in the past, but he is determined to turn-around the stuck record.

"Losing a semi is much worse than losing a final," he said.

"After the final, it is over. Lose a semi and you have to watch the other two teams in the final.

"It is heartbreaking, but that thought also drives us on to get there."

"We've had a lot of injuries this year so to be in the position we're in, to have this kind of run-in, is a remarkable achievement in itself," he added.

"The players who have missed games are still fresh - you've got Michael Ballack, who missed the first half of the season, Frank missed a lot of football, as has JT and Didier.

"They're big players for us and they're fresh, ready and hungry. I think that will give us an edge."

The upside of yet another coma inducing CL semi against Liverpool rather than a very watchable one against Les Arse, is that they now have only the PL title to play for (Ha! Some hope!), so they're gonna give the Mancs one hell of a game on Sunday!

We could well be going to Wigan on Monday with the very real possibility of going joint top, points wise. Then it's just a simple matter of winning ALL our remaining games. :-)

C'MON YOU GOONERS!

What makes you think that Arsenal will do us a favour on sunday? They have absolutley nothing to play for and just got thrashed by the biggest bunch of overrated scumbags on the face of the earth! I dont see them winning, Saying we have nothing to play for in the CL? We have everything to play for, like JD pointed out the next few games are crucial because if Grant can win them then he could stay (I hope he doesnt but if he wins the CL then whos gonna get rid of him) Also we have the advantage of playing them at home, You must be either
1. High or 2. A Liverscum supporter!

I am living in hope that we might just put together 3 great performances during our Big Week of games. Somehow though I don't see it. It struck me that the turgid nature of a lot of our performances are because the players know little else and there's no-one there to show them a different way. What we appear to be seeing are highly talented group of professionals who are playing on auto-pilot and are not thinking creatively about what could be done. It might be a lack of in depth opponent knowledge, something that Mourinho was famous for. Mourinho was renowned for the high level of detail he would give about opponents, which meant that a group of efficient if not creative players worked to a system that produced a highly efficient team ethos and unit. It's almost Germanic in its simplicity but effectiveness. it just seems to me that a ,lot of our team are playing according to memory and not much else.

I just find it baffling how a shite team like the Scum can keep getting to the final (know they haven't got there yet!) of the CL when they can't keep a definite grip on 4th place in the Premiership! How the hell do they do it?! It's not even like they're any good! You can't honestly watch a full Liverscum match without going to sleep or switching the TV over to watch something more interesting! They're so boring! And predictable.

It's so frustrating how the Champs eludes us, is our Holy Grail, yet them scumbags have been there, done that and nicked the bloody t-shirt! More than once as well!

Their squad is nowhere near as classy as ours, has nowhere near our talent, so WHY and WHERE do we keep going wrong?

That's the $60,000 question.....

i don't believe we can progress past liverpool in a cup tie. fa cup and curling cup, anyone...?
i'm still hoping, nevertheless.

Wow! I see Duck Bill's foot is a lot better for the game against Roma tonight. Wasn't that an amazing stroke of good fortune?!

The lying git! There was never anything wrong with him in the first place!!

Until the second goal went in, the mood in the stadium was pretty ugly last night. Having controlled the game perfectly for 25 minutes or so, we somehow dropped the attacking tempo and stopped trying to get round them, despite their defenders being visibly slow, creaky and weak-tackling. The crowd got more and more antsy, and with about 15 minutes to go everyone around me was convinced Fenerwotsit were going to nick one. Despite their obvious inability to get through our defence, we couldn't keep possession, we were letting them come on to us all the time, and it just felt bad. Hence the "we're supposed to be at home" chants: the team was obviously sitting on a 1-0 lead. In the José days we'd have accepted that, and not worried about it because we knew how hard we were to score against. The 4-4s this season, plus the recent unpleasantnesses whenever a set piece ball is hoofed our way, have made us lose that confidence.

I think it was was a worse performance than people here are saying. I'm usually a Kalou supporter but I don't think he was good last night at all. Frank looked very tired, though he defended with a lot of concentration. Belletti was fantastic when he arrived but since the Carling Cup final he's looked awful (my guess is someone told him to stop getting forward and overlapping so much, and he went into a sulk.) Cashley and Riccy both had terrific games, albeit without being tested much. I didn't think Maka was so bad: his ability to pop up in exactly the right place *all* the time really is quite uncanny, even if he no longer guarantees possession the way he did a couple of seasons ago. But apart from the first 20 minutes we were very stale and slow and predictable in attack.

As for facing Liverpoo again -- I'll just sit there in resignation and hope for the best. It would be fab to beat them, but although we're definitely a better team than they are (as the league shows), they match up well against us: Mascherano and Gerrard are tough and energetic midfielders who can pass, which will make it hard for us to control that area, and I'm afraid Crouch is custom-built to exploit our current "issues" with crosses/corners/free kicks; and Torres is just a bloody good player, alas.

Anyway, it's another 90 (plus grimly plausible extra time) of listening to "Fuuuuuuuuuuck off, Chelsea FC, yer ain't got ner 'is-ter-y" again, oh joy oh joy. Oh yes, and the "we woon it faghve taghmes" one, no doubt we'll get plenty of that too, lucky lucky us. It's like that Sartre play about hell where three people are locked in a room together for ever, bitching and sniping at each other, with no way out. I'm not sure I can stand it.

oh forgot to say -- great report, Tony. And your comment above (57) hits the nail on the head, for me. That's just what it looks like.

@ JK.

I assume you're talking to me?...If so, has it sunk in yet, what an utter fool you just made yourself look?

Where the fuck did I say we have nothing to play for in the CL?

You're gonna have to learn to fully understand what you read before you start flaming people, 'cause you're shit at it!

A fit, aggressive and mobile midfield...thats what we need against liverpool...and we should play to WIN in ANTfield!

Thats why i have my fears with the likes of Lamps and Ballack (both are not fighters, especially Lamps...cant see him going for any crunch tackles or winning many 50-50 balls)

They'll likely play us tight...not giving us time on the ball, a strategy thats always worked well when applied against us cos we dont play the quick-pass, mobile game...To beat them, we may have to play the high tempo game or play the tight midfield game with the intent of fast counter attacking play...

Its a tough call, but very much achievable if we approach the game with the right attitude...Tubby does not fight for away goals like most other managers do...he fights for the away win, and that is what we too must do...anything short may not see us through...

I think we'll do them this time...

Always Blue!

LOLLI, I am equally baffled as to why the scum seem to get lucky in the CL, I think they prefer midweek games because they dont look parituarly match fit in the games ive been watching, How many times have you seen them play well for a few succesive games? I hate them with ALL my strength

ALEX I agree about them not really being "fighters" but I think Ballack can play like that if needed, I feel his understanding with Lamps isnt what I could be, Seeing as how Obi will proberbly play in that one or possibly Claude (Only the big games) Makelele Lamps and Ze German may have to do their fair share of tracking back,

I see that McFergie hasnt played that twat Ronaldo or Rooney, maybe hes taking the game against The Arse seriously after all, KTBFFH

I think the key to the Liverpool game would be controlling the midfield. Should we go with Makalele for his experience or Mikel for his physical attributes and basic ball distributions? Or should we use a diamond and play cat and mouse with Shitpool? My vote goes to Makalele for the first leg. If we need to make a change, we can throw everything including the kitchen sink at Stamford Bridge. Right now, we need to rest alot of players and make sure they are all fit. Getting 6 points next week without any injury is key. Time to rotate and make full use of the squad.

play Ricci, terry, A.cole at 3 back, Ballack on the left, lampard, Obi mikel play as a difensive role, essien and Joe Cole, Kalou and Anelka as a striker.. they'll cause a real treat to liverpool... MOSCOW!! here we come.. rise the blue flags!!!!

This is the team I would play against the scum

Cudicini (If fit)

Ferreira Riccy JT A.Cole

Ballack Obi Mikel John (lol) Super Franky

Joe Cole Drogba Nicolas (Big Club) Anelka

I hope we play the following team:

Cech (our doctors are very good and seeing him in a mask akin to Hannibal Lecter would be hilarious. Watch out for that scouse bastard carragher to elbow him in the face).

Paulo (best right back at club) Ricky JT Cole (these 3 are guarenteed their places)

Mikel (take a risk on his mobility and save maka for at home to protect a lead if we have one)
Lamps Ballack

J Cole Anelka Kalou (Away from home we need pace and at the moment drogba doesn't seem able to pass the ball believing that he has the ability to run down the whole field and score - selfish twat).

At home we'll have essien back and if we are losing 2-1 (most likely we will be) then we can go to a 4-4-2 to chase the game.

I still think that Drogba is our big game player. He tend to score in big games like the CC final and the Arsenal game. Had Grant devised a 4-4-2 featuring both Drogba and Anelka, there would be no problem. I say we leave Anelka on the bench and act according to the situation. If its nessecary to play with 1 more striker, bring on Anelka.

Grant is starting to measure up to jose with every game... I will give grant benefit of the doubt that it will take time before we can get to sexy and dominating football.
i actually dont know how we got this far..and in all fairness when TSO won the title Manutd were in crisis(losing beckham and having many youngsters that still needed to mature)
Well done grant you have coped well with your inherited team and the alterations that you have made...okay only anelka have been good.
Lets stop the the grant bashing cause lets face it the man is doing okay

Who agrees that this goal keeper crisis that we have every year must be resolved in next season. I say buy high potential keeper for the future...loan him out and recall him when we get these injuries again.

lets dare to believe that we can win the double this year

According to Sky Sports News, Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic was at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to watch Didier Drogba and after the game it is believed that he spoke to DDs representatives to register their interest!

I hope this is not true but im almost sure it is

Those advocating dropping Drogba for the Semis have completely lost their marbles.

Selfish twat he may be, however he scores goals in big games, time after time! I too like Anelka, but when he has had the opportunities, he hasn't taken his chances to get on the scoresheet. Games like these are made for an ego the size of DD's!

While I will always what Chelsea to win after spending years wishing it was my team in these positions, but it is actually excruciating to watch the way we play under Grant. It is plainly obvious the manager has no idea and is out of touch when he brings on Belletti who has been playing the worst football of any chelsea for a long time.

If by some change the players manage to beat Loserpool over two legs and Man U at the Bridge in the league then amazingly despite Grant's total ineptitude as a manager, team will be in with a chance of a questionable double. I also agree Steve Clarke looks like is working out is travel plans than considering tactics during the game and I am sure Grant doesn't know what the word tactics actually means.

In my opinion it is a testamount to the professional ability of the current crop of players (Dogba aside) and playing on memory from Jose's tactics that is keeping us in these games and getting the scrappy results.

I will still be happy if we make the final and we beat Man U and stay in the race for the league, but these wins won't feel truly deserved and I won't have that buzz and emotional upwelling of pride for the way we won as a team under Jose.

All said and done lets keep the blue flag flying high !

This could be a stroke of luck!..... Grant may be forced to excuse himself from management duties for the 2nd leg Semi against the 'Mickies'

LINK

Steve Clarke, step right up.

Seriously though, whilst I appreciate the sentiments of everyone involved, it cannot even be considered by the board, to allow our manager to sit out the biggest game of the year.

If the date is so important to Avram, it should have been considered before he accepted the job.

If he screws up the semi finals, it will be a triple onslaught from both the isreali and english media. Last but not least, the Chelsea faithfuls.

@ HABS

I like the look of your team choice, that's who i would've chose. As you say Essien will be back for the 2nd leg. That can only be a good thing. Maybe rotate Anelka for Drogba on the return leg at the Bridge? It's plain to see now that Herbert isn't going to play Didier and Nicky together, so i think rotation between those 2 is the best option.

@ JK

Just seen on Sky Sports News that Real have spoken to Didier's reps. They say they've put in an offer of £20million for him. As you say, i think he'll go too. I so hope he doesn't though, i adore him. I find it unbelievable when you hear/read stories of him being unhappy with us (apparently, if rumours are true, he's NEVER been happy with us!), then when you see him on the pitch and post match talks, it always looks the complete opposite..he seems really settled. I don't know what to believe. £20million though? Will that be too good an offer to refuse?....

Good Article from the official website, re Hilario

LINK

You have to love the line describing Liverpool as 'the weakest team in the competition - The Cardiff of the Champions League'. There would be some seriuos high pitched squeaking going on, if their fans happen to stumble across that line!

Yes you have to love that line from Giles, but how accurate it is! We're playing the fourth best team currently (come on Everton) in the Premier League, so hardly the best team in the country. The only real advantage they have is... they will rest key players between now and the tie, which is the norm for a team that is out of the title race by Xmas, or just after.

How I would love Mr Platini to reduce the CL to the top two qualifying only, and then we only have to put up with Liverpool playing their historic European football in the UEFA Cup, that would nearly be as good as us winning silverware every season.

If Madrid want DD, then let him go.

He has been amazing for us, but approaching 30, it needs to be time for someone younger (Huntelaar, Aguero, whatshisface from Valencia). £20m and bye-bye, thanks very much Didier.

I think the outcome of the 'Big 3TM' or whatever Sky will label our games will depend on our goalkeeper. Sky reported last night that we would be able to make an emergency loan signing, which is all well and good, but who the hell is there good enough ?? We wouldn't be able to have anyone who's played in Europe.

A few days off now until the Wigan game on Sultana TV. Another one I wont be able to watch. Fingers crossed for a miracle Cudicini recovery.

I was joking Lolli but i do beleive that Grant is slowly turning a corner and before i get rediculed - lets just wait and see how this turns out.

If he wants to win over the faithful bridge supporters then he has to beat liverpool - people will then give him time.

I want 4-4-2 but we dont have the wingers for this - only cole is consistant - we need a left winger, a right back and a less selfish big man ala torres to play with anelka (on the pitch clive!!)

I hope DD goes - he has been great but mainly if you are happy to play route one - whilst it gave us many points and made defenses play deep we need a striker who can mix it up and that we dont completely rely on for goals. Villa, the dutch chap, torres are these types, comfy playing in a football capacity but can also change it up to play the ugly stuff when needed. The amount of goals we could have scored if DD actually looked up rather than trying to keep curling it into the top corner isnt funny and invites pressure and causes frustration.

I still believe this will be our finest 180 minutes.

Come on the chels

grant is going to be on the pitch for the second leg. the holocaust memorial day is a normal working day in israel, so it's not a reason to stay at home. the times article about "pressure" on grant, from israel is bollocks. as usual, when he is concerned.

If you think we have problems, go here...

LINK

and laugh your socks off!!!

I thot we got the easiest draw in the quarter finals but i changed my mind after seeing Roma over 2 legs...

Fernabahce would have given manure a far better game than that bunch of jokers did!

Interesting...

LINK

The word 'wanker' immediately springs to mind

A Totti-less Roma is generally a far inferior version. The ghost of Jaap Stam clearly haunted their penalty though.

Don't you love Peter Kenyon - whatever I think of Grant, this is exactly the sort of thing that shouldn't be happening; keep your gob shut baldy, and let the man get on with his job.

Tony,

Many other words also spring to mind.

I've never liked the guy. Attracted to our club by his own greed, motivated now he's here by his own greed, football is the furthest thing from his thoughts.

In that sense, a bit like AG.

JD,

Penalty was a cracker. Seriously, you'd have to try really hard to miss the target that badly.

On the keeper front, Sorenson from Villa wouldn't be all bad. Isaaksson from Man City would.

To be honest, I'd take another eight scrappy 2-0 wins this season. We can worry about entertainment next year. But how unlucky are we having to go into the run-in with our third choice keeper. It's crazy.

Talking about 'playing the right way', check out this cracker from the Times.

Is it a parody?

LINK

The penalty was bad, but I really rate De Rossi. If we didn't already have four million tigerish midfielders I'd put him on our 'to do' list.

# 89. Peter · 10th April · 10:27 AM
I really rate De Rossi

rightfully so. the boy's a Roman version of our maka, but

unlike maka, he wears an even uglier face after an ugly foul
unlike maka, he takes (and usually converts) pens
unlike maka, he's young

Sign the elbow-happy rascal and have Maka teach him how to avoid punishment.

88. Peter · 10th April · 10:26 AM
Is it a parody?

More no than yes, it seems

re link on 88

Its good to see someone keeping a sense of proportion in a media world given to hyperbole at the drop of a hat. (Laugh I thought my trousers would never dry)

I found the following info on the hack who wrote it.

Two points stand out. One is that the award may have gone to his head. The second is why did I laugh at the bit about his table tennis medals (Commonwealth no less)? After all I've never won anything


From The Times 19 March 2008 re: The Sports Journalism Awards

"Matthew Syed won the award for Feature Writer of the Year, for articles including his remarkable interview with Zhuang Zedong, the Chinese table-tennis hero who was exiled after finding himself at the forefront of the Cultural Revolution, and his examination of the sanitising revisionism surrounding Muhammad Ali.

Syed, who also holds three Commonwealth Games gold medals for men's singles table tennis, was praised for producing articles that did not conform to the mainstream. “His highly original, investigative journalism throws much new light on world sport, the major players and the everincreasing involvement of high politics and commerce,” one judge said.

This post made me smile :

"Excellent piece. The results will come in time, to reward the manager's devotion to his ideal. Football should be entertaining, and Arsenal provide entertainment (almost) every time they play."

Too right mate. Sod actual success by winning trophies (like us, ManUSA, Liverpool and Pompey / Cardiff soon), as long as the media tell you you're playing attractive football that's all that matters.

"...and Arsenal provide entertainment (almost) every time they play". They sure do. Just look at Gallas' strop at Birmingham. Priceless.

On the De Rossi front, he'd cost loads, and havent we already spent £12m on JOM to become the next Maka. Essien could play there too. We need Van Der Vaart or Modric more than De Rossi.

Fifty, agreed. I just think De Rossi would be a cracking player to have in the Premiership. But a creative midfielder, a winger and two strikers are the priorities

Are we going to get the Mikel money back now we know we've been diddled by the fraudster in Norway? Should never have paid United - it looked like an admission of guilt.

Arsenal's chief groundsman was seen planting potatoes at the Emirates stadium yesterday.

A spokesman for the Gunners said; "It's so we have something to lift at the end of the season"

c/o Fifty Snr.

JD (86), don't you think that punctures the prospects of immortality?

I wonder why PK says this now - we have a PR blitz simultaneously pushing the Holocaust, then AG saying Chelsea were shit and he's saved us, then PK saying AG hasn't improved the style, then Lampard saying in the Guardian that the results are down to the squad and their togetherness while things off the pitch were out of their control.

Shake all that up, tip it out, and what have you got? Don't know really, but you could argue that it resembles ground preparation for AGs departure.

Somehow i think that theres more to Mikel's abilities. He started off as an offensive midfielder. If we can get him to improve his passing range and be more creative, he can become as cultured as Pirlo. If Mikel can pass and distribute the ball like he used to for the U-17 team a few years back, we dont need Van Der Vaart, Modric or Diego. He's something like a defensive playmaker who sits deep and spray passes. I hope the coaching staff can work on that. Mikel should also take the initiative and show how good his creativity can get.

For me, we need a left/right winger and a right back (Rafinha, Lahm, Bosingwa and Dani Alves). The entire right flank is in a crisis!

Sounds like a typical day at the Chelsea big top of cock-ups, back-stabbing and arse-covering.

I think Mikel is learning the defensive role and will add a more progressive passing range when he's comfortable playing so deep. He has a lot to offer - remember the Cup final where he dominated the United midfield of Scholes and Carrick and caused havoc when he started to move further up the pitch.

He's a completely different sort of player to Maka and there's no point trying to turn him into a carbon copy. The only player comparable to Maka in the Prem is Mascherano; Mikel is more like a better Alonso or Carrick.

I think the main culprit for all these disputes since last season is the continental structure of the management and Roman's inteference. We have 'too many' people to run the club from the first team to the youth academy.

But i believe about 33.333% of all these nonsense will stop if we can get a decent and proven manager who is big enough for Chelsea on paper at least.

#98

Does that mean we will only see him pass like Pirlo until he learns to tackle like Makalele? LOL

# 96. Jang · 10th April · 12:21 PM
For me, we need a right back

Lazio's Behrami is growing up nice. Lazio being in financial doldrums would possibly result in a reasonably low price tag too.

The word ‘wanker’ immediately springs to mind

@Tony
Is that aimed at PK or AG, because as much as I think PK is a devious bastard, he is only RA's mouthpiece at the end of the day. I'll stick up for him here and state he knew all along AG wasn't going to take the club forward, his demeanour on the day of AG'S appointment spoke volumes about what he really thought. He may be a money grabbing mercenary, and who wouldn't be in his position, but he's not stupid.

Bluetone i agree Behrami is a very good prospect.

We need 3 strikers!! If we sell DD then Pizarro and Shev (who looks on his way out) are all we have to play with anelka. We need a big'un and a poacher so we can mix it up depending on the opposition and then a very good youngster although di santos might cover that - i dont know how he is playing for the reserves.

We then require a left winger - j cole is fine on the right and can play either side - so one more as cover is needed although again scott sinclair could take that role.

Right back is the hole - we havent got it right for a while, ferrera, belletti, johnson!

Then, once that is complete we can go for a sexy playmaker to work with lamps or ballack (whoever is on form).

All that is left is a manager then.

I think gobshite (kenyon) needs to get to work now as that is one big list if we are going to battle man u next year. If the rumours are true and Dubai take over then Liverpool will spend and arsenal will be in the market for a few good young players having not won anything for 3 years.

Sidwell, Ben haim, Pizzarro, malouda, wright-phillips, belletti, AG and kalou can all go!!

I think Kalou is going to mature into a very good player. He's showing signs of it this season. Plus, he can play either wing and is a menace as a striker. Anyone see his goal against Nigeria in the AFC?

I'd hang on to Sidwell, Malouda, Belletti and Kalou, and shift Shevchenko. All are good players to have in the squad at the very least. If we can get 10m for SWP take it, we don't need Ben Haim and we should try and trade up on Pizarro and Shevchenko.

Why's Ferreira fallen out of favour again? He's been fine this season.

Re: Ferreira.

Todays gossip column on the BBC site mentions Rangers fans in Lisbon helping with medical treatment as he passed out. I havent seen any other mention of it, but doesn't sound too good.

A lot of the movement in and out this summer will depend on who is in charge. If it's still AG, I can see a lot of people going, and not many coming.

I think Pizarro and Sheva are definites to leave, and maybe DD. I'd honestly give Sinclair a chance, maybe Di Santo, but we definitely need to be in the market for Villa / Huntelaar / Aguero etc - someone of that stature.

Striker has to be priority, then a winger or creative midfielder. And then Philip Lahm at RB.

Jack (97)

It probably does - but this was my main issue with the Mourinho departure; it's the ridiculously poor way in which the club handles things that does us no favours. Kenyon cropping up and making "of course, we need to win the European Cup / we need to play stylishly blah de blah..." statements, stories which hardly help the manager 'appearing' in the press etc. Whoever is in charge, leave the poor f**ker to get on with his job.

JD - maybe the first out the door in the summer should be Simon Greenberg ...

JD - maybe the first out the door in the summer should be Simon Greenberg …

No disagreement from me there. Although the narrative around Chelsea won't be healthy whilst we continue to act like we do and the hacks will feed off it - very little Greenberg (or anyone else) can do in terms of the way we are portrayed in the media all the while Kenyon keeps feeding them the way he does.

I agree with JD. Kenyon appearing to give a speech to the press every now and then only results in belitting the Manager. Why does he do it? Is it to show how much authority he has? Tosser!

There's too many chiefs at Chelsea, not enough Indians..

Definitely get rid of Sick note Sheva..he HAS to be the first one to get the boot. Can't believe how excited AC Milan and their fans are at the prospect of getting him back! They're welcome to the waste of space! Mind you, he did play well for them, getting over 125 goals in the 7 years he was there..he's been totally useless here though...i'll quickly forget him. In fact, i already have!!

Also send Pizarro, Sidwell, (MAYBE) Malouda and TBH packing..not sure about getting rid of SWP, Kalou or Belleti though as some have suggested. SWP and Kalou in particular have each given us sparks of brilliance at times. I believe we should play SWP more but perhaps in midfield to get the best out of him. Give him a break guys! Kalou...i can't say that much bad about him and he scores goals which is what matters. Belleti's had a few bad games recently but should we write everyone off because they have a few bad games?

Those 3 (SWP, Belleti and Kalou) don't get enough playing time to improve their game IMO...

P.S Has anyone seen the story in today's papers about someone hiring "gangsters" in Liverpool(?!) to do a kneecap job on Stevie G?

I'm not guilty....

Which one of you lot is it?!....

Lolli,

You know for a fact that as soon as Sheva pulls on that Milan jersey he'll be banging them in. We all do. He's been absolute bobbins in his time at Chelsea (admittedly, with limited opportunities at times) but he'll soon rediscover his form.

As will Pizarro wherever he goes.

Maybe we should get Eidur back. I'd welcome that as a signing.

Fifty,
judging by Milan, Inter and Roma's performances in this year's CL, that says more about about Serie A than it does about Sheva.

I agree, but there is something so characteristically clumsy about these things that makes it all look orchestrated by the hapless SG (mind you, I suppose he is being forced to work with a nigh on impossible mandate).

Every press conference it used to be the same bollocks - "we played good football" - patently untrue but designed to sever the link with JM. After months of that, they finally realise nobody believes them so they switch to "how far we have come under AG because he took over with the club in a mess". Cover is provided by the sympathetic Holocaust stuff, and PK puts his hands up and says OK, OK the football is crap after all.

It smells a bit like a change of direction is in the offing, and they need to cover their arses if AG actually does the incredible and oversees the winning of a trophy.

#109

Spot on mate. We need a right back as good as Phillip Lahm. I think Dani Alves is overpriced so he's out of the question. I suggest we go for the cheaper alternatives yet can yield almost the same effects:

1) Phillip Lahm
2) Marcio Rafihna
3) Jose Bosingwa
4) Behrami??? The lads just mentioned

Outs: Belletti, TBH - Is worrying that both of them can't defend for defenders
Sidwell, SWP, Malouda (All of them too slow and technically poor)
Maka to retire? (Will give Mikel a chance)
Pizarro, Sheva, Drogba (All of them don't seem interested and Drogba seems to be losing his pace like Sheva did. If we can get 25m then accept the deal)
Avram!

Ins: A right back is a must: Alves, Lahm, Richards (all attacking RBs who can also tackle unlike Belletti)
A more mobile and creative midfield as our average age is getting near 30 now: Van der Vaart, Modric, Bentley
Some pacy wingers to return to the days of robben: ashley young, scott sinclair, samir nasri
We need technically gifted strikers to replace the 3 leaving: benzema, huntelaar, villa, aguero (he's good enough to replace zola)
Dream signing: If RA wants to appease the fans and MIlan don't get Mourinho then why not Kaka. Stranger things have happened (e.g. hiring Avram)
Manager: Anyone with a presence who can make a good sub: Laudrup, Rijkaard, M Hughes

And forgot to mention how we'll have Ivanovic to replace TBH. He'll either be the next Vidic or the next Boulahrouz.

@ HABS

Not the next Vidic, its Carvalho's Clone. =)

I dont see SWP as a chelsea player - he hasnt got the consistency to be at our level - he has tried to knuckle down and get there under both TSO and AG but just hasnt cut it.

Belletti - he is long in the tooth and cant defend, all he can do is shoot!! He has to go - to keep him is pointless - lets be honest if he was that good why did barca let him go!!

Kalou - yes he COULD become good but for me he hasnt made the strides forward that we need. He cant shoot and he isnt that great a crosser so for those reasons i dont see why we should keep him - maybe as a sub but he is not first team calibre.

We should have bought tevez. Di Santos, Anelka, Tevez and one of Villa / Huntelaar / Aguero / Benzema would be great.

Emergency loan keepers: Ben Foster would be a better bet than Sorensen. Maybe Kenyon can use his Man U links to get him.

Also maybe we should take a punt on Mickey Owen. If all we need is a guarenteed finisher i hate to say it but he seems to score wherever he goes, he seems to peaking now for Newcastle just in time for our visit. Oh joy.

Interesting point about Owen, Habs, although you never know when those knees of his are going to give way again. Amazed at the stat about his recent Newcastle form though - scored for 4 games in a row for the first time since 2001 - you forget just how long he's been around for and he's still only 28. Although it would presumably be a Sheva-esque wage packet too.

LINK

I wonder why Lenny is an 'ex' Chelsea player.

Oh, 10 Jagermeisters in a row. Legend. Chanelle and Chantelle from Big Brother ??? Did we let Ashley pick the women ???

Habs,

Could you really see Fergie agreeing to us borrowing a Man U keeper to then keep them at bay in a Champs League final? Didn't think so.

Frank Lampard talks about just getting to the final, and says that the players aren't thinking about 'revenge'. Not so on this board, where everyone is almost as hostile towards Liverpool as they are towards Avram Grant.

Lets just say this. We won fair and square. It wasn't pretty but its better to be here talking about another CL semi-final that to not be here.
Ditto Liverpool, who scored 5 goals against Arsenal over too legs. not bad stuff.

None of Liverpools fans will be complaining that they didn't play Arsenals 'exquisite' football. Little passing triangles get you nowhere. You need to score goals and not concede. Thats football, and Grant is doing a bloody good job.

Lets get behind him and the team. The semi might not have as much free-flowing football as the Mancs-Barca game, but if it has got as much excitement, intrigue and controversy as our previosu semis then once again football will eb the winner.

Lets just hope Chelsea are the winners too.

Munkeyfeet, Kalou has over 12 goals and 13 assists, Selling him would be just about the dumbest thing since replaced The Special One with Avram Grant!

Lets just hope Chelsea are the winners too.

I think everyone wants us to beat the Poo, and to coin that famous supermarket phrase, "Every little helps"

LINK

what happen to ivanovic?? i would loved to see him play alongside terry/riccy/alex instead of ben haim

JK - I wouldnt go that far!!

That is better than i thought in all honesty. I still dont think he is first team calibre right now though! With him on the pitch you dont think to yourself "oh the other team are in trouble now" - i guess my point is that there are better wingers and better forwards out there.


Chelsea
Apps As sub Goals Yellow Red
Total (Club) 42 (13) 11 1 0
League 27 (6) 7 1 0
FA Cup 3 (1) 1 0 0
League Cup 4 (2) 2 0 0
European/Others 8 (4) 1 0 0

He is the same age as ronaldo, 2 years older than messi, 1 year older then Nani.

LAY OFF KALOU - PLEASE!
Kalous IS improving - he's still 22.
Look at SWP and how useless he is on the wings. SWP in some sort of swap deal for Ashley Young - now there's someone who can cross a ball.

KENYON COMMENTS -
PK acknowledging it's true that we are lacking flair. This could easily mean a lot of money for the Toad for the summer, rather than the first signs of dissatisfaction.

MIDFIELD SLOW-
I think the point about our midfield age and lack of mobility, both in winning the ball and in using the ball is spot on.
The Scum will deal with our trio no problem, especially with no Essien.
I'd push SWP into the middle to give us a little more pace and energy to break into the box ahead of markers. Of course Joey through the middle would be even better, but that would mean no right winger.

SHAKY DEFENCE-
Our defence did not look solid at all. There were three or four times where we couldn't deal with balls into the box, letting Fenerbahce have free attempts on goal. BELETTI WAS SHOCKING... AGAIN! He seems to think sticking one boot vaguely in the geberal direction of an oncoming attacker will win the ball. It's incredible. He trots towards the player, or waits, then flicks a boot out. I mean for crying out loud! He's meant to be a DEFENDER!
The frustrating thing is, he has proper quality when he comes forward, unlike most of our players. Stewart Downing completely terrorized him the other day, and we saw it again. Too many veeery poor performaces. He's cost us a few goals this season I'm sure (though he has given us a few, too).

AHSLEY COLE-
Someone mentioned Asley Cole being near to his Arsenal form. He's looked pretty solid on a consistent basis, but his contribution from attacking positions, final pass, cross etc, isn't there. Hopefully he gets that back soon.

GOAL KEEPERS-
Hilario has got to be one of the better second choice keepers around, let alone third. I'd stick with him, whoever we bring in, until Carlo's back. You've got to remember, he was flapping at crosses cos he had Essien and Fereira as his centre backs... against the Crouches and Marcus Bents of the prem.

STRIKERS-
Sheva will go back to Italy and start scoring again, just you watch. He has been hopeless for us, but all Chelsea strikers in recent years have been expected to work more than hard for the team and survive on less than ample support.
Pizarro does offer something different, but his lack of aggression means he's had a hard time. I must be in the 0.something % of fans who think he's been a little unfairly treated.

TRANSFERS-
In my humble opinion, Huntelaar doesn't seem to have the power and pace of even an ageing Drogba.
There seems to be shortage or really top quality strikers who are on form.
If we do have Sheva, Drogba, Pizarro leaving, I'd bring in Roque Santa Cruz.
BUT we have been closely watching Amauri for a while now, and given his performance the other day, he must be top of the list.

Mario Gomez, Rodrigo Palacious the other one we seem to be seriously interested in.

OUT:
1)Malouda - Not fit to lick the boots of Robben or Duff, on current form for us.
2)Sheva - put us all out of our misery
3)Drogba - Will be a huge miss, we need a like for like replacement. Koyode Odejai anyone?
4)Ben Haim - Was playing regular first team for a top 6 premiership team last year. Good enough to be our fourth choice centre back, fourth choice right back and third choice left back, but we have Ivanovic to sit around for that now.
5)SWP - no room for his erratic ball control, shooting, passing and crossing, esp if we try to put him out wide on the right
6)Sidwell - provides some energy and bit that we don't have with Ballack and Lamps, but not upto the level. Maybe as a back-up, but could we not have our youth team boys for that?
7)Pizarro - if there are takers. If not, fine.
8)Beletti - Unles we start using him as a winger.
9)Ballack - He might still have a bit of quality about him, but we don't really need him in there if we are going for a creative midfielder

IN:
2 wingers - Ben Arfa as one (magic feet, but a brain that needs developing)
Ashley Young. Maybe needs to score more often, but he can cross.

2 strikers - BenZema who will cost heavy. Jo (just a personal fav).

1 creative midfielder - I'd have Joey in there personally, otherwise
Van Der Vaart.

1 right back - Well, we're meant to have the genius Arnie, and a lot of other scouts out there scowering the world for talent. They should have found a decent right back by now.

>Munkeyfeet (131)

How many in our frontline have delivered (goals) better than Kalou this season...?
and would you say those who havent measured up to him dont deserve 1st team place too?

@ FIFTY

You're spot on about Sheva scoring goals consistently as soon as he gets back to Milan. As i said, he's scored OVER 125 goals for them in the 7 years he was there and how many for us? Don't know the exact number because it's a novelty to actually see him on a football pitch and not injured! Bet we could count his Chelsea goals on 2 hands..Pratt! Wonder if he'll do at Milan what he does at Chelsea; play a match for maybe 90 minutes then sit out for 4+months injured, come back, play a match, sit out for 6+months injured ad infinitum, yet still manage to somehow participate in the odd golf tournament and boys' night out in between?! Know he's only been here 2 years but IMO he shows no loyalty to Chelsea whatsoever. He's very comfortable to just sit on his arse, keeping the bench warm, raking in £130,00 a week, while also running the club down almost weekly to the foreign press. Slimey git!! I've never taken to him and will be extremely pleased to see the back of him.
You say bring back Eidur?! Now that IS something i would welcome!! I loved him when he was with us. Think we should start a petition..

P.s
Sky sports news have said that " Bruce Buck has refused to comment on whether or not Avram Grant will be Chelsea Manager next season"...

LINK

Get behind The Special Cheater?! I never will!!!

i'm watching getafe playing bayern munich in uefa q-final...unbelievable game. i want laudurp for our next manager! getafe are playing with 10 men and are leading 3:1 in the overtime, after ze germans equalized in 90th minute.

ze germans scored in 115 and 120 minute and they are through. who would know?

Testing WordPress upgrade and comment editing functionality...

Edited.

Contemplating the upcoming semi I can't help but feel troubled as though while walking the uneven pavement of life you can feel the pebble of bad karma lodged in the shoe of fate.

The pebble is that penalty we got at Anfield this season. Is there payback somewhere down the line??? mmmm I wonder.

I don't know the rules covering these things. I just know they even out. Does that mean more outrageous luck for the 'poo in this years CL?

I think I'll have a look in the entrails of a goat.....

Cashif, were would we be without Ballack right now? Abramovich wont buy a new team whatever you post, Ze German has kept us in the CL and EPL without him our midfield is Kalouless!

Im starting to think we should stop buying lots of players every year, They need time to settle and that isnt going to happen if we bring in replacements for them after 1 bad season, Given time im sure that players such as Malouda, Pizarro, Belletti and maybe even SWP will settle, I think Sheva already has like Villa game proves but he still isnt given a real chance

I dont know about you guys but i think Mirko Vucinic will be a decent buy. Cheap and good to use. He has everything but pace. I say he's 75% of a Berbatov and can only improve cause he's still young at the age of 24.

@ CASHIF

I dont think Toady will play SWP in central midfield. He has no balls to make any changes. As i see, Lampard, Ballack and Makalele are the 3 man midfield all the way til the season ends especially in Europe. Between Lampard and Ballack, one of them has to go to accomodate our new playmaker.

Belletti should play right winger for us rather than a right back. Get Rafinha, Bosingwa or Lahm. Dani Alves is too expensive for my liking.

All the great players didnt get where they are by changing clubs every year, I am puzzled as to why we arent giving youth a chance, Hutchinson would be good to have in the squad, He is RB, And why are we always wanting to change our strikers? The only consistent striker we have right now is Didier Drogba and he got where he is now by playing game in game out year after year against the best, The same should be done with Kalou and you will see a big improvement im sure of it

The pebble is that penalty we got at Anfield this season. Is there payback somewhere down the line??? mmmm I wonder.

@Blue Bayou
I think Liverpoo have had as many pebbles in their favour as against this season, but yes I agree with you with regard the uneasy feeling of possible defeat! I know most of their fans still go on about the penalty we had which give us a point, but they have selective memory loss from their game the previous week against Villa. I recall Stevie (I never dive) Gerrard getting a free kick on the edge of the box which he scored which gave them all three points, and of course their recent penalty escape act against the Arse.

I look forward to your reading your goat entrails report, but I fear a lot of goats will die unnecessarily to get any definitive answers.

Seeing Petr Cech on Chelsea TV last night I was surprised how minimal the damage was. I thought 50 stitches would have been enough to repair a wound the length of his face but it's only the lip and chin. The surgeon must have deployed some very fine and tight needlework.

Petr said his only problem is eating. Provided fans don't throw him a Mars bar from the Matthew Harding I think he'll be back by the Liverpool first leg.

Alex - that says it all and is exactly why we are where we are - i do think others will need to be shipped out - pizzarro and shev have to go - DD when fit was the key man up front. Anelka has only just come, we dont play the football he needs just yet so he will get better - he is proven in the prem. Di Santos will be great but he is just a shade too young - should be the number 3 or 4 though to give him exp.

Kalou whilst growing nicely - is he going to become that next ronaldo, kaka, messi!! No is my honest opinion - i am not saying sell him, but for sure have people of a higher worth in there.

JK i agree youth is the way forward but Chels dont have the heritage to suddenly out compete Milan, Barca, Madrid, Ars or Man U. We also dont give our managers time to "try" out the youth as we know you fail one year and you are out. Ars and Man U dont do that, they grow teams and accept a bad year as they are blooding the younger members and allowing them to learn their lessons. I think ars are too soft in this area but better than knee jerk reactions all the time!

We do need wholesale changes if we want to change the way we play - Ars and man U buy technically gifted, quick players, we buy more powerful players. Under TSO it worked but if we are going to play better football and i would rather play like man u than ars, then we need to bring in the next potential superstars!!

Also man u every year will spend a lot - they just make sure they are going to improve the team and arent a pet fave of the owner! They then bring in those that are very special. Yes they make mistakes but they ship them out and move on, we need to do the same.

LINK

Don't mention the unmentionable one! Also from the same website , we are trying to get hold of Canizares as the fill in keeper.

Shame the website is reknowned for talking bollocks..... Both would be nice rumours to come true.

LINK

A story that resembles the excitement of Christmas for me personally (you'll know why when you read it).

I know it's the Sun, but talk of us getting Villa, and no comment on AG staying. What a great start to the day.

EDIT: And I'd just like to say a huge thanks for the introduction of the Edit facility. For people with memories like a sieve (me) it should cut down on how many posts get sumbmitted.

Great work all involved - the best blog keeps getting better.

@ jang

i was thinking the same about vucinic watching the first leg of roma-man utd. he does look like a younger drogba in a way. and did quite well against manutd defence.

# 151. biggs · 11th April · 8:48 AM
i was thinking ....about vucinic ...he does look like a younger drogba ...and did quite well against manutd defence

There's a consistency issue there. his worth is beyond doubt, esp in big games (remember how he ran RMadrid's defence ragged in the 2nd leg). I doubt he can be consistently good over a whole season against the Wigans of this world

I realize i came here only some months ago and just started posting, and i've never taken time to say thanks to Jonathan, Tony, Nick, Mark and all those involved in the running of this blog, and also to show appreciation for the wit, intelligence and passion they put in this.

Being a Chelsea supporter is fantastic. This blog makes it even better

Well said Bluetone - i couldnt agree more.

Well done chaps - the blog is great - so many different opinions but yet v little nastyness - great banter and some brilliant minds!!

then there is Clive .... :)

we've been the only ones posting in the last hour Munk. Spag slackers.... :)

then there is Clive …. :)

Cheeky Git!! ;-)

@Bluetone (153)

Very much appreciated - good to know that others think we do a reasonably decent job...

Don't you get the feeling DD is already gone? He's playing for his Champion's League medal at the moment, not for Chelsea. He's always said he didn't want to be here in the first place, but Jose managed to get the best out of him by making him feel a pivotal part of a family with a big father figure at the head who would stand by him no matter what. That's gone now. He will too, surely.

And doesn't this explain the quietness and good attitude of Anelka, who is taking his lack of opportunity surprisingly well. Surely he's been told that next season and beyond it is all about him leading the line.

By the way, Kalou's stats are second to none among the forwards - in fact, he's the third best in the team overall, if you go by the Times Fink Tank stats, run by Chelsea supporter, Danny Finkelstein. Goals and assists. He's young, at times appears a bit headless, but he's tries stuff and is gaining strength and confidence.

Sidwell. I have a few mates who watch Reading. They say he is the difference between them finishing 7th last season and likely to finish 17th this. Enough said. Keep him as a squad player.

I agree about the midfield. It is a bit slow and predictable. In Lamps, Ballack and Essien we have three world class players, but all similar in what they do. We only really have room for one, alongside a holding player (Obi) and a creative 'hole' player, which I think should be Joe Cole, behind Anelka. That's if we stick with the rigid 433. I don't we will. If Grant is staying, then he has hinted that he has plans already underway for next season, when his team and his system will come into force - having basically got through this with Jose's team and system.

I expect a shift to 4132 ...which means a new right sided attacking player needs to be bought to accommodate Joe moving inside. It is a role Essien might be able to play, though its further up the field than he is used to. So it might look like this: Czech, Feirera, Rikki, JT, Ash - Obi - Essien, Lamps, Kalou - JC, Anelka (Ballack used in Champs Lge and as a supersub)

This new edit facility is bollocks

Sorry - I meant fantastic. Well done Nick!

@FIFTY

How likely is The Sun going to be it right this time?

I know Blue - its the wops hour!! :)

Clive - was just checking you were still there - its gotten a little boring without your wit on here old chap

Jang,

Very unlikely, but seasoned visitors to his blog understand my unhealthy fixation with the bloke from Valencia becoming a Chelsea player. I'm sure he would have a similar impact as Torres has at Liverpool.

Watched the UEFA Cup highlights last night, some bloke from Fiorentina scored two absolute belters. Might be worth having a closer look at him ;-).......

@Danny Broderick

Interesting about Kalou's stats. Tends to support my view of him, which is that although he can be a bit hit or miss, he does try to run at defenders using his pace going into the box - something no defender likes - and he does keep his head up to try to pick a pass at the end of it - witness the chance from which JC hit the woodwork against Fenerbahce.

Part of the problem with the sainted Joe Cole is that he's still too busy doing step-overs and moving laterally to be either picking a good final ball or getting into the box often enough. Come back TSO to remind him what he must and mustn't do, please.

SWP is a write-off - up goes No. 24 on the Subs board and on comes a quick, but headless chicken. Please no more.

Malouda I think people on this board are writing off much too quickly. He should have been brought on when Kalou went off against Fenerbahce. In European football, he holds and passes the ball well, which means retained possession, something we sometimes struggle with. Well actually a lot, and particularly when the (also sainted) Frank is in one of his pass - sometimes without looking - and hope moods. I think we need to find out whether Malouda can adapt to the pace and physicality of Premier League football. Just because Gianfranco did it striaghtaway, doesn't mean we should expect everyone to be able to. I understand for instance Bergkamp didn't in his first season.

What we need then is to replace SWP with a stays fit version of Robben or Duff, who can play on either flank.

@ MUNKEY

I'm intrigued..who are the brilliant minds? You MUST mean me!! LOL

I see you and your partner in crime have been busy at work again all morning!..

Stephen: "What we need then is to replace SWP with a stays fit version of Robben or Duff, who can play on either flank."

Exactly! This would be a sign that JC is moving inside. SWP is hopeless and should go for whatever we can get for him. About £8m would be right. It was all he was ever worth. What we paid represents the greatest sting of all, among many, perpetrated against our naive board in the early days of Roman.

Having said all that. Much of my comments are dependent on Grant staying as manager, something Bruce Buck was reluctant to confirm in the interview posted on on the official club site today. Though spending too much effort trying to analyzing what any of our board members mean from what they say can cause migraine. It might read that his tenure is dependent on winning one of the two trophies up for grabs. But then again, he also suggests we had written the season off back in September and are delighted to be challenging for anything at all.

Thanks for the compliments people. We try our best.

@ Danny B - re Drogba - I hope he does go. Yes, he's been great but he has undoubtedly said some daft things about us and how he feels about us. Also, a bit of me says another year would be Terry Henry syndrome. Everyone can now see that henry should have left Arse after the Euro Big Cup final they lost, but he was misguidedly persuaded to stay. In his heart he knew it was a mistake to stay and his form and commitment suffered in that last year and arguably lost Arse a year of progress - progress that they have shown big time this year. Few would doubt they are on the verge of being a huge threat over the next few years. i would hate us to fall victim to a similar sentimentality over Drogba. Thank him , shake his hand and let him go. Then cement the Villa deal.

For me the news in The Sun and elsewhere about us and Villa gives me goosepimples. Anelka and Villa would be sensational, almost up there with Rooney/Ronaldo/Tevez. If that bit alone comes true then I'm happy.

If the other bit about AG going also comes true then I know that selling my soul to a horned and cloven chap last night actually did work.

@ Stephen

What we need then is to replace SWP with a stays fit version of Robben or Duff, who can play on either flank.

David Bentley for me then

Here we go again - an no apologies for changing my mind

Out:

Drogba, Shevchencko, SWP, Pizzaro, Makalele (retired), Cudicini (coaching role), Grant, Belletti, Malouda (see below)

In:

Villa, Huntelaar, Bentley, Sparky Hughes, Richards, Schmeichel, Downing,

Promoted:

Hutchinson, Sahar, Sinclair, Taylor, Mancienne

Stay of Execution:

Sidwell, Malouda

As if our fixtures haven't been messed with enough!

News today that a "decision has been made by the Premier League and Sky TV" to move our penultimate game of the season against Newcastle BACK 48 hours to May 5th.

What's going on?!

@Tony

In: Villa, Huntelaar, Bentley, Sparky Hughes, Richards, Schmeichel, Downing,

I'd be happy with Bentley; but Downing, I'm sorry - I thought we wanted players of international quality and he's pretty much proven he isn't. As to Schmeichel - I'm confused - is this Kaspar as a 3rd choice or Peter as a goalkeeping coach to show how to catch cross balls, punch and generally clear out and brutalise any defenders who get between you and the ball, something Lolichon (sic) doesn't seem to be doing effectively.

Also on your promoted list, how about Scunthorpe's Player of the Season ?

There's none of our players among the PFA player of the year and the young player's awards nominees. If steven and his brother- torres are included, then why are j.cole and calvaho forgotten.probably cuz they play for chealsea.

# 152. Bluetone · 11th April · 9:05 AM

There’s a consistency issue there. ... I doubt he can be consistently good over a whole season against the Wigans of this world

--

i wouldn't discard him, based on a such presumption. although i only saw him few times, i have a feeling that he'd do good for us.

regarding drogba, croatian media is reporting that gianluca vialli said in gazeto dello sport, that drogba already signed for a milano club with vertical black stripes on their jerseys.(:D) that could be either milan or inter, but the article speculates it's inter, because milan, alegedly, already closed deals with ronaldinho and shevchenko.
LINK

speaking of gazeta dello sport, given the fact it's printed on PINK paper, isn't it strange coincidence that italian footbalers care so much how does their gel-laden hair looks like. and that pipo and simone inzaghi pass for male players...? i'm not sure, but we have italian members here, maybe they could give their 2p's on a subject?

Tony,

Your promoted list needs to include Ryan Bertrand.

By all accounts one of the most in form and consistent players in the Championship since he went on loan. I cant see Bridge being second choice much longer, and Bertrand has the pace and reading of the game to be an able deputy for a season.

I'd also think about Di Santo, and maybe one or two of the youth team kids (Katuka, Stoch etc.)

@ TONY

I still prefer David Silva to Bentley for a few reasons:

1) Sparky wont let him go.
2) Silva is better than Bentley and may not settle for midtable mediocrity with Valencia.
3) Silva can play on both flanks.
4) He's cheaper than Quaresma.

@ FIFTY

I really hope to see players like Kakuta and Stoch deputise for us next season. They are getting too good for the youth team and reserves. Bring on Di Santo too.

the best buy for next season is A PROPER MANAGER.
get rid of this pathetic manager.
The reason chelsea is dpoing so well is due to the players and SC, the rest is there only for the money.

If Avram brings home the Champions League and the Premiership, who are we to say that he hasn't done the job?
He has, admittedly made grave errors in a few matches since taking the reigns from Jose and at times his tactics and substitutions have been infuriating. Thinking back to the Arsenal game however, bringing off Ballack and introducing Anelka was the turning point in the game wasn't it? And our own fans claimed Avram didn't know what he was doing?
On the point that it is down to the players, apart from Anelka we have the same first team as we had under Jose and we're in a great position to claim the Premier League title and the Champions League, something we have never before achieved.
Shall we just give the guy until the end of the season and take it from there?

Sheva is surely all but gone already. Amazing how much fuss there was when José started leaving him out, and how little fuss there's been about his complete disappearance since Xmas. Pizzarro also looks to have no future here (I have a feeling he'll end up either at Portsmouth or Newcastle, they seem to love taking our second-stringers; and I actually think he'll do quite well in a decent Premier League team).

SWP must surely realise that he'll never be first choice. I suspect the club would like to keep him as a squad player but I think he'll insist on a trade. It's clear that Kalou is now ahead of him in the wingers' pecking order, and apparently Malouda is too, and of course he'll never get into central midfield ahead of Essien/Ballack/Frank. Stoch and Sinclair are probably rated higher as wingers than SWP.

I'd stick with Malouda. He's had some horrible games for us, but I've seen him for France a few times and he's clearly a thoroughly competent player, which is more than one can always say for SWP. Remember how useless Drogs was in his first year?

As for the younger ones, what's the point of ditching them, unless (like Diarra) they want to go? Blooding a youngster may be a risk, but hiring a galactico is a risk too (Sheva!), and at least the first option is cheaper. Academy-grown players are more likely to be happier at the club, plus if they've come through together they may function more effectively as a team.

@ Blue Bayou -- if you need to consult a goat's entrails, how about taking Sidwell for an X-ray?

EDIT: wooo, edit function! Thanks again, Nick, JD, Tony et. al.

Maybe we should get a Silva Bentley

@ Stephen

I’d be happy with Bentley; but Downing, I’m sorry - I thought we wanted players of international quality and he’s pretty much proven he isn’t. As to Schmeichel - I’m confused - is this Kaspar as a 3rd choice or Peter as a goalkeeping coach to show how to catch cross balls, punch and generally clear out and brutalise any defenders who get between you and the ball, something Lolichon (sic) doesn’t seem to be doing effectively.

I see Downing as a player who can grow and still fairly young - don't forget what Frank was like at West Ham - quite aa few of us said "Who...why' when we signed him - not all players can be developed from the academy.

Schmeichel - I'd love Peter as the goalkeeping coach , great idea but my point was Kaspar - he was doing well at Citeh, but SGE prefers Hart. Fine, we can take Kaspar as number 2 and leave Hilario as 3 (he's happy there). Carlo can then join Peter as coach and Lollichon can piss off.

@ Fifty - acknowledged - good shout

@ Jang - my agenda was to keep the number of English players to the same level so we don't get caught out like Arsenal, or by future UEFA regs. And I believe bentley has a big future.

At JohnFord - We've all said that AG can't go now, let him see this season out, but he's not got the experience or stature going forward. Christ if kenyon didn't think Ranieri was good enough how can he possibly rate AG?

The awards nominee list is now available.

LINK

172. biggs · 11th April · 1:51 PM
italian members.....could give their 2p’s on a subject?

what subject?
gel? i'm hairless. ask C(heating)R(ascal)7
tan shops? ask lolli :)
pink paper? dodgy management: they had run out of white paper and sales hit a peak with pink. it was pink from then on (how italian is this?)
Juventus originally wore pink: until they had shirts from Notts County
Fiorentina originally wore red and white: the laundry fucked up and they found themselves with purpl-ish shirts

Biggs - LOL are you joining forces with Lolli to say we Itai's only care about our looks!??!

I agree though - i personally hate the Inzaghe's as they spend more time offside than doing anything else.

Basically italy is in so much turmoil with regards to politics - hence the national earnings is reported to be 30% under what it truly is!! If southern italy was its own country it would rank as one of the poorest - northern italy as one of the richest.

Someone steps into power - either they get corrupted or step down (as to not be assassinated)

So do we stage a protest like the french? Do we use the media etc like in the UK? Nope we look elsewhere and develop our love of cars, food, clothes, football (increasingly rugby too) and women!!

Its getting better but now that is our culture it will never stop.

I do wish we had a few more itai's in the team though. Mario Balotelli of Inter should be poached and poached now - shining light for the future.

Gideon Baah of Ghana - essien said he is amazing - he is 20 - should he be promoted as well? Anyone know how he is doing?

Its not pink - i believe the correct term is salmon!!

LINK

is he getting worried?

Agree with Munkey, there should be more Italian pretty boys in our team. I say bring in Cannavaro, Luca Toni, De Rossi and the ULTIMATE pretty boy himself Francesco Totti...would certainly brighten up my otherwise dull Saturday afternoons!! LOL *Wake up Lolli!!!*

That's really shallow of me, sorry!

No seriously, i don't personally think we are in DESPERATE need of anyone new in the squad. Yes, i agree with TONY and have for some time that David Bentley would be a very welcome addition to Chelsea and i think he'd join us in a heartbeat, however, Sparky was in a news conference 2 weeks ago and said there's absolutely no way he'd be leaving Blackburn as he still has 3(?) years left on his current contract. When told that Bentley had stated in an interview that if a big 4 club came to him with an offer in the summer he would leave, Sparky came back with the reply that it's not upto the players when they leave a club, it's upto the Manager and the Directors, so i don't know. I always thought it was the players' choice to leave, buy out their contract if they weren't happy? Then again, could/would Bentley afford to do that? Maybe not. Can see him doing a Berbatov for now, biding his time and in the meanwhile just knuckle down and do what he's paid to do..help Blackburn to the best of his ability.

Maybe Micah Richards? Chelsea have already said "no" to buying him though. Remember when T.S.O put his name forward?

Striker wise IF Didier leaves, Chelsea need someone with the calibre and goalscoring abilities of either;
Messi
Eto'o
Van Nistlerooy
Torres
Miroslav Klose
Most of them are on or have recently signed long term contracts.
Van Nistlerooy would be cool. Think he's just signed a contract until 2010 though, which i suppose rules him out, even though there are rumours he's not a happy bunny at Real Madrid. And he's getting on a bit. Bloody good player mind!!

These are the players I would sign if I was in charge of our transfers, I dont think we need many BUT if we HAD to then I think these would be the best options
For every player that we bring in then somebody has to go who plays a simular role, IN Dani Alves/Rafinha OUT Belletti
Rafael Van Der Vaart OUT Malouda
Bentley OUT SWP Maybe a swap deal plus £?
David Villa/Aguero OUT DD(Hey its inevitable), Sheva (I hear a deal is done for him to return to Milan, As for the youngsters I agree with you Tony, We have loaned Sahar out to one too many championship clubs and if he will shine it will be in the big league, I also think that if we cant get a pricy right back like you all want then lets promote Hutchinson who I think has the potential to be the next JT!

Striker wise IF Didier leaves, Chelsea need someone with the calibre and goalscoring abilities of either;
Messi
Eto’o
Van Nistlerooy
Torres
Miroslav Klose
Most of them are on or have recently signed long term contracts.
Van Nistlerooy would be cool. Think he’s just signed a contract until 2010 though, which i suppose rules him out, even though there are rumours he’s not a happy bunny at Real Madrid. And he’s getting on a bit. Bloody good player mind!!

LOLLI, Messi is in like a 14 year contract at Barca lol, RVN just signed a new deal with Real Madrid and he scored 33 for them last season something tells me they wont let him go, Klose only signed for Bayern last summer, As for Girly Torres dont even get me started, I call them LiverSCUM because I hate their players with a passion, (Stevie Me, Carragher, Stick Man etc), Eto’o on the other hand would be a great signing, He scored like 70 in 100 games for Barca so he is nothing short of very consistent and also he could teach a lot to Kalou, Id be looking at the likes of Villa, Huntelaar maybe even Agbonlahor but I think if theres anyone who can be consistent for us day in day out then its Eto’o

Players like Silva and Aguero are going to cover alot of positions due to the nature of their play. If we get them both, we dont need anymore strikers of playmakers.

Vucinic a chance anyone?

Before i leave for work, how about stealing Veloso and Moutinho from the hand of Fergie. Both are midfield players with the latter being a playmaker. They are quality. Any chance there?

Moutinho doesnt score enough goals for me (like 20 in over 100 games) Simular with Silva, Im not sure, Jang, I watch Vucinic play for Roma reguarly on TV and he is not half as good as you think, even more inconsistent than Robben was!

@JK

I KNOW Messi and Van Nistlerooy both have long term contracts, i say that at the end of my post. What i implied was that we need someone of their calibre and goalscoring abilities, i'm basically saying that IF Didier leaves, whoever takes his place has GOT to be proven to be a big/consistent scorer eg; the 2 mentioned above.

As i said Van Nistlerooy has just signed a contract until 2010, which will end his career at Madrid and as for Messi, even IF he wasn't in a long term contract, there's no way i could see him playing in the Prem..especially if he cries like he does every time he gets injured!! Could you imagine the stick he'd get from English fans for that?! LOL

Torres, i can't stand him but he's a great player. You can't deny that surely? Either way, he looks comfortable in a red shirt and i couldn't see the Scum letting him go..he's the only decent player they've got..and he's practically guaranteed to score almost every game. They'd be way down the bottom half of the Prem without him there.

Perhaps Henry wouldn't be so bad *prepares herself for onset of abuse*.
He's a seasoned pro, proven goalscorer who wants to come back to the Premiership. I personally DON'T think he'd play for anyone else except Arsenal though. He certainly wouldn't sign for Chelsea, knowing the rivalry that exists between the 2. He's always crowing on about how he still loves the club and the fans, so that pretty much rules him out i'd say.

Eto'o would be fab but just don't see him coming to the Prem either. He'll either stay at Barca, where he's trying to coax Didier to go, or go to Real Madrid..

There's no way Villa will come here..

It's all guesswork at the end of the day isn't it? Everyone has their own ideas and personal faves who they'd like to play at the club but it ain't up to us..we ain't buying them! So we'll just have to sit back and wait and see what happens.

I'll be 110% honest..if i had to pick anyone out of all the names mentioned by bloggers, or keep Drogs, Didier would win hands down for me....I'd like to keep him at the Bridge for ever!!!!

Can see a draw between Man Ure and Arsenal tomorrow..2-2

Milan are running an old folk's home or what? They like out of favour and old Brazillians there.

Boredom has got the better of me, so a straw poll, we're only allowed one trophy!
So which one?

I'll go Premiership.

Likewise Clive; if only because the look on the faces of Fergie and Wenger would be absolutely priceless!

Premiership all the effing way

Hmmmm, tricky.

I'll take the CL, for a few reasons:

1) we already won the other one, recently;

2) if we get to the final I ought to be able to get a ticket, so I'd be in the stadium to watch my team lift that trophy (also, I've never been to Russia);

3) we'd be able to laugh hysterically at the Liverpoo fans when they try their "we woon it faghve taghmes" chant, and then sing "Where were you in the Luzhinski?" [or something];

4) greater chance of getting rid of Grant if we win the CL than the Prem, I suspect.

Easy one for me---Premiership of course!

3) great point that and the only one that would entice me to change my vote :-)

4)I would have thought the opposite!!!

For me, it has to be the Champions League trophy. Becoming champions of Europe will boost our reputation through out the world significently. He have done the first step by being a genuine title contender season after season and even won it twice on a trot 2 seasons back. League wise our credentials and reputation are more or less up there unlike Shitpool. Now we need to conqeour Europe to rule the world.

rule the world?

still adapting to the thought of ruling West London

CL - the novelty of it. We've won all the others. And it'll make Roman happy.

CL all the way, Totally agree with LTB

I'm greedy and selfish...I WANT BOTH!!!

Good question though CLIVE..

I'd take the Champions League Clive to be honest with you.
If we were to win the Premier League this season it would be absolutely fantastic and what would make it even sweeter would be seeing the smug smiles wiped from all those United fans' faces but the Champions League is something we have never won and to claim it this season would be sweeter for two reasons.
First of all, if we do go on to Moscow and come back with the title after everybody claiming we couldn't do it under AG the inner feeling of pride in the team would be overwhelming for me.
Secondly, it would mean we would have finally beaten Liverpool and I think that we would all agree it is something we've all been looking forward to for quite some time now!
So Clive, CL for me please!

Premiership for me........ But only after we have knocked out Liverpool as I really couldn't bear any more loses to the Scouse.

Losing in the final of the Champs League would be bad, but just making the final could still be considered as progress.

Interesting to know that World cup winning coach Marcelo Lippi has tipped us for Champions League Glory, LINK

So current voting is five votes each if my maths are correct, and one spoiled ballot paper from Lolli ;-)

Up the Arse!

Up the Arse!

Is that code you want the Premiership over the CL Mark?

@ CLIVE

Sorry!!! I'm a girlie, i CAN'T be expected to choose between the 2..

We have a better chance of the Prem, how's that? Does that count?

Man Ure and Arsenal will draw today guys, can feel it in my water!!!

I'd prefer the Champions League. It would complete the set, look good on the front of the program and web site.

There's always the UEFA Cup missing Mark, don't suppose you fancy a drop back down to fifth for a season do you?!!

I'm getting the same vibes as Lolli on this one too, plus it means that we don't have to particularly cheer on the Manks or the Goons today. Lovely!

Abramovich, are you listening? There's only one trophy missing, we'll win it this year, in Moscow you, walking in a Chelsea wonderland!

Keep the Blue flag flying people!

Just been watching the Sunday Supplement program on Sky Sports and though it was mainly Red team focused (Scouse, Mancs, Gooners) they made an interesting point, or at least Patrick Barclay did, that our DoF role hasn't been filled yet. In PB's view it was because they would put AG back there having recruited an experienced coach to run the team.

Now, and this could be a case of Tony's usual 2+2=5, in a lot of the papers this morning there are reports that human rights activist (sic) Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to sack Sven Goran Eriksson in favour of Scolari as he's unhappy with the fall off in form. I stand to be corrected but wasn't SGE hawked around the gold lined corridors of power at Chelsea by Pini Zahavi, who also happens to be a close friend of Avram Grant? Isn't Pini Zahavi credited with facilitating the takeover of CF by RA? Is it not true the 2 remain very close friends? Didn't Ken Bates once call Zahavi a dickhead publicly and Zahavi responded by describing Bates as a 'revolting character'? That alone makes Zahavi a reasonable judge of character to me as I think much the same of Bates.

So...bear with me.....is it not possible that Pini Zahavi might just facilitate a meeting between SGE and RA and AG with the intention of AG re-occupying his DoF post, and hence retaining the 'ear' of the owner giving him the view from the differing areas of the club, and getting RA to offer SGE a handsome purse of freshly minted guineas to run the first team?

The way things are at the moment I'd accept that, and lets face it life is as weird as that sometimes (I know after a similar weird week at work!)

Just an early-ish Sunday morning thought.......

PL first for me, but CL would also be good.

Anyone else wondering why we'd want to buy Gareth Barry as is rumoured all over the shop? Who does he replace?

Ballack? Not even in the same league?
Lampard? When did GB score 20 goal in ANY season
Essien? Stop it....you're killing me

Hopefully it's just press speculation, but if you read todays BBC gossip pages then we're in for Bentley (alongside Red Scouse FC), Dani Alves, Aguero, Benzema and Barry, and also letting SWP go for £10m which is some financial loss, if not player loss.

Anyone else wondering why we’d want to buy Gareth Barry as is rumoured all over the shop? Who does he replace?

I also saw that, but remain somewhat surprised as to why we would want another midfielder of that ilk. I think we'll have a better idea of who will be coming in, if and when any exodus starts.

@ TONY

That Rumour about Gareth Barry was going around a few month ago if you remember. Apparently, it's to replace Lampsie if he leaves in the summer (which he won't).

As usual, because there's been no contract signed, the usual "Lampard leaving for Barca" boll***s resurfaces..don't know about you but i get sick and tired of hearing it. Besides, O'Neill was in a press conference on Wednesday saying that they'd had no offers of any sort from either Chelsea OR anyone else. Also, it was in the sports pages yesterday that Villa are about to offer Barry a new 4 year contract.

As you say TONY, there's no competition between them and i find it insulting that they'd even think Barry would be anywhere near good enough to fill Lampsie's boots.

No thankyou Gareth....stay where you are, we don't want you here!

@ JOHN F

2-2 today methinx. What are your predictions? I want to see a draw mainly so i can wind up my Pa and Bro when they get back from the game.

Bets on who will be complaining about referee decisions the most..McFergie or Whinger?

Im still in the opinion that Dani Alves could be overrated and overpriced in some ways. No doubt he is quality but even if Toady has a 100m war chest, he has to spend it wisely and not just throw the cash at other people's face. Do some research on players like Rafinha, Lahm and Bosingwa before making the decision on which right back we should take as our first choice next season. We could end up getting robbed by Del Nido for 24m on Alves yet he turns out to be a slightly better version of Belletti (Brazillian fullbacks are dodgy in defending).

I thought Alves was on a pre-arranged deal to go to Barca next season?
He's going to replace Zambrotta isn't he because he wants to go to Milan?

It says so much that just the thought of Sven managing Chelsea cheers me up. There was a time not very long ago when it would have made me want to cry.

The general consensus in the media is that Grant will be moved upstairs this summer. (Lawrenson reckons we're the new Real Madrid in that winning trophies is no guarantee a manager will keep his job. I agree with him, which is a first.) I was actually pleased to hear Kenyon questioning our style of play - he's planting seeds of doubt. And if what Sky Sports reported earlier this week, that Buck refused to say whether Grant would still be manager next season, is accurate then it's looking increasingly likely that Mr Entertainment will be moved behind the scenes soon. Thank fuck.

Rumours have it that Liverpool are in for Modric and we're in for Barry. Eh? Barry is good enough for Liverpool, but not Chelsea. Modric is the one player I hope we sign this summer - I feel the same way about him as Fifty does David Villa.

Premier or Champions League? Champions League for me because it's the only trophy we've yet to win. But to be brutally honest, I don't think we'll win either this season. There, I said it.

Check this out: the ultimate table football.

O-0 at half time, Fingers crossed guys

TG, Id get Barry to play in Maloudas position (If we get rid of him), He could also give Ashley some competition at LB if Bridgey joins the scum

One must always remember never trust or rely upon Arse-anal.

nick, i agree with you about modric. the boy can play, but he also behaves like a pro. no tantrums, no toys outta cram...he keeps on playing. and winning. i think that ten cate has an eye on him, because dinamo zagreb with modric put ajax under ten cate (his last game, i believe) out of champions league qualifications - by winning away in amsterdam in the second leg. i REALLY hope we get to him before anyone else. the kid was supposed to sign for "a big premier league club" this winter, and then his owner(manager) decided that he can get more money in the summer after the EURO.

modric in our team would be great. very creative, fast, defends as well...but, you in england already know that, i'm sure you all saw him play at wembley, back in october. it was a rainy night...:D but here in croatia the sun shone for a week, after that game.

i vote for CL this year. that's the one we haven't got, yet.

Biggs - Did you try to edit your comment, or re-post it?

Edit: I'm trying to work out if the 'Unread Comments' plugin is interfering with the edit function.

nick, the error i got was reffering to "unexpected utf-8 font" or something , and i didn't see the post being posted, and when i deleted those letters it worked ok.

here is the error i get when writing with croatian letters:

WordPress database error: [Illegal mix of collations (latin1_swedish_ci,IMPLICIT) and (utf8_general_ci,COERCIBLE) for operation '=']
SELECT comment_ID FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_post_ID = '1224' AND ( comment_author = 'biggs' OR comment_author_email = 'biggs@net.hr' ) AND comment_content = 'nick, the error i got was reffering to \"unexpected utf-8 font\" or something , and i didn\'t see the post being posted, and when i deleted those letters it worked ok. modriÄ?' LIMIT 1

Biggs - Okay. Thanks for that. Seems WordPress doesn't play well with Croatian chars. Also looks like there are other issues with the database. A recent WordPress upgrade didn't go well as far as the database is concerned, so it looks like I have some repairs to do.

@Nick,
I understand you have removed my last posts from the forum. Well, actually thank you for this as it was really childish of me to respond to some...

Gallas is a wanker

Wenger is a wanker

Adebayor is a wanker

Bendtner is a wanker

Arsenal are wankers

Ronaldo is a tosser

I still don't feel any better!

EDIT (just because I can) Nope, I feel worse!

CL for me, as others said primarily because we've not won it before.

We don't deserve the premiership, and frankly I cant see us beating both Everton and Man Utd though we should beat Wigan tomorrow.

As for the scousers, we're better than them and they are at home for the 1st leg so I think we'll get to the final - I'm pleased Arsenal lost to them because Arsenal are better than Liverpool, and I'll get more pleasure stuffing Gerrard and co. As for the final, it's a one-off and we have to have a chance of beating Man Utd (or Barcelona though I would be surprised if they made it through).

On another note, while I find myself as disappointed as ever when results dont go for us, like Man Utd's victory today - I find that I quickly rationalise it by reminding myself that a) we're not good enough, b) results going against us make it more likely AG gets kicked upstairs at season end, c) I still feel disgusted by the manner that the powers that be behave, especially the manner of TSO's leaving (or for that matter Claudio's as well) - they cheapen the Chelsea brand

As for the football, i would like to see another 45 minutes tomorrow of Anelka and Drogba leading a 4 4 2 in case we need it against Man Utd, Liverpool or in the CL final. Also, I dont understand why Grant has totally dropped Shevchenko since he got injured during the ANC, and why Shevchenko has not had a look-in since January. For the last 2 matches he played in Jan (or was it Dec) he was a relative revelation. Otherwise as long as Riccy, JT, Lamps, Ballack, Joey, Drogba/Anelka start, we should be OK

Disappointed that Man Ure managed to scavenge a win earlier. At best it should've been a draw, Arsenal dominated the first half.
Bendtner was unlucky not to score from either header in the last 10 minutes or so..any other time, he would've got one/both of them!

Van der Saar had his work cut out (again!), avoiding potential goals from Duck Bill and Wesley Clown.
It was a good game though, end to end stuff, just not the result i desperately wanted.

Surely McFergie's luck has got to run out soon?

It'll either be a Chels win at the Bridge or a draw..he won't beat us there...maybe he'll screw up at West Ham? His golden boys don't perform so well against the lower clubs.

@ MARK

Why does Ronaldo get away with just being a tosser in your list?!

I do not know on who else we can rely upon in this situation, but first of all we must beat ManUSA on SB. Even, if they win the PL they must know that we can beat them at SB on any given day.

We have to pray that Blackburn away can help us. A draw will do to make it a winner takes all match on Apr 26.

@lollipop

Ronaldo doesn't get away with anything. Words fully interchangeable as slang for ma*tu^b!tor

LINK

LINK

@ MARK

Read your interpretations;

Definition from dictionary.com;

TOSSER
Noun
Terms of abuse for a mast*****or
Someone who throws lightly (as with the palm upward)

Hmmmm.....would've been easier just to call him a w****r!!!

#220

I feel the same way too on David Silva and Phillip Lahm

@ Z one and only

I totally agree with you about Shevchenko. I have no idea why he hasn't even gotten a chance. I mean before he got injured he had 7 goals in 10 games and now it's not like Drogba and Anelka are in great form. Here's to hoping he gets a run out against Wigan and helps us win.

Yes Z one and only and Luca, I feel that Sheva had been doing a decent job after Villa's draw (4-4) and he got injured. Wonder why he has got no chance and the fact that we've got 5 strikers, why don't make the most out of it?

I'd say save Drogba for Everton and let's see Sheva and Anelka together and bring in some flare...

Earlier in the week AG was talking about the fact that we were a long way behind Utd when he took over from Jose, so I thought I would have a look and see exactly how far behind we were.

From the Official website on the day after the Blackburn home game (Jose's last league game we were on exactly the same points as Utd and only 1 goal worse off in goal difference.

LINK

It really pisses me off the way that history tends to be manipulated to suit the facts by the Stamford Bridge bullshit department, headed up by Simon Greenberg.

Avram deserves credit for holding it all together during what has been a difficult season and many fans would not have expected us to hang in there as well as we have.

However, to say that we have closed the gap is simply rubbish and does not stand up to scrutiny. We have in fact dropped points on our main rival, and the attacking football alluded to, has produced a goal difference that is inferior by almost 20 goals.

Anyway, lets hope that we hang in there again this evening against Wigan, and make the run in as hard for Utd as possible. Come on Avram..... Prove me wrong and overtake Utd over the title run-in.

As for Sheva.... I might be inclined to give him a run tonight as well.

One last opportunity to put himself in the shop window. It might suit everyone if he can bang a couple more goals in.

How about this. Lets not worry about what Man U are going to do. We concentrate on our own games and win the next 2 matches to put pressure on them. We should just go about our job quietly and let them worry about us.

If you put Sheva in a shop window a mannequin would show more movement.

This one's LINK got more chance of scoring

Brilliantly, it looks like we'll rush Cech back from injury and he'll play tonight. And probably get his face all ripped open again and be out for the rest of the season. Why bother against Wigan (with all due respect) ?? Maybe away at Everton, but it should be needless for tonights game (I've probably just cursed us !!!).

On the rumours front, it's getting to that depressing time where there's little football left and the journos make up all sorts of tosh.

Like most of the posters previously, I can't really see why we'd be interested in Barry. O.k, so Capello seems to rate him as his holding midfielder, but we have Essien and Mikel (and maybe still Maka ???) to play there. Is it just because he's left-footed and the rest aren't ???

Not sure we'd pursue Dani Alves, he's not been in anywhere near the same form this year as last. Philip Lahm all the way for me as our new RB.

Modric or Van Der Vaart in midfield, and Villa up front.

So 3 players on the Fifty shopping list, with the possibility of a younger number 2 goalkeeper (although doesn't Rhys Taylor play internationally at youth level anyway - let him have a chance).

Edit : Valenica lost again. Now 14th in Spain. Villa scored (albeit a penalty). Surely we have to put him out of his misery.

Talking of misery, despite the happiness that would surround Shevchenko leaving, AG is apparently 'determined to keep the same squad of players next season'. Whether that means he wouldn't add to it as well is a massive concern.

I really hope we save the cash on Dani Alves for Lahm, Rafinha and Bosingwa. Can see that VDV and Modric could be on their way here but what about wingers? Surely the likes of Ben Arfa and Quaresma are going to be over-priced. A double David package from Valencia looks good and possible. Thats where most of the cash should be splashed on.

If the rumours are to be believed, i tried to put all the pieces together and see what kind of team we have next season based on who we are going to buy and leave:

-----------------------Cech-----------------

Dani Alves-----Carvalho-----Terry-----A.Cole

J.Cole-----Essien-----Van Der Vaart---??????

---------------Villa------Anelka------------

with ?????? being our new winger. If he's right sided, then J.Cole moves to the left. This lineup in a 4-4-2 looks pretty strong eh? If its 4-3-3 then we just need to remove a striker and throw in Ballack. But i think we need to play 4-4-2 since we have really good strikers and to get the best out of them.

We may not nessecarily spend all the 100m. But just Villa and Alves alone will cost us a bomb. Near 50m i reckon. Thats why i think we should look at the other right backs who are cheap, good and avaliable too. Best if Didier changes his mind and stays. We can then spend the money on a top class winger.

Sorry Lollipop, only just read your post on your prediction! Probably doesn't make a difference but I was rooting for a 1 - 1 yesterday, I guess we were both as close as each other! I listened to the match at work and to be honest it seemed as though United were lucky to grab the victory and a draw was the fairest outcome but it's a cruel game isn't it?!
What does this mean for the title now though? A victory tonight and against United at home would mean drawing level on points against United - that's if we equal United's result against Blackburn - can anybody see them dropping points beyond this before the end of the season?
As for the possible future signings, Bentley is one of only a few former Goons who I'd welcome at The Bridge - possibly because he doesn't exude Goonerish tendencies - and a price tag of around £9 million would be fair.
Dani Alves should be available a lot cheaper this Summer given Valencia's predicament and I think he would be a great signing, one because he can defend and two he's fairly creative for a full-back.
Sergio Aguero is, quite frankly, awesome, he played alongside Torres at Atletico and is also a couple of years younger but we would be looking at shelling out around the same kind of money Liverpool did for Torres on this guy, I think at £24 million he would be a great buy.
I think Benzema isn't quite ready yet and although if he does turn out to be - ashe is touted in France - the next Zidane, it could mean breaking our record transfer fee but on the flip side if he flops and this season is a flash in the pan then it's money well saved.
Finally as for Barry, I don't think we need him either, even if Lampard did leave it wouldn't be a like for like swap, we would probably need to be heading to Spain for someone like Silva to recoup the goals we would be losing out on if Lamps leaves.
I'm looking forward to this Summer's spending, however I'm sure I read a while back that Roman claimed he wasn't going to be opening the cheque book this year? Ah well...

* Valencia should be Sevilla! Ooops!

@ John Ford

Dani Alves can defend?

Heres a vid on what Silva can do potentially:

LINK

LAUDRUP FOR MANAGER.

He is a cross between JM and Arsene.
If he comes in we can settle for a rebuilding period.

To be fair I think Barry would be a welcome addition particularly if Lamps was to leave and Post Maka.

He can play in both of those positions capably and would release the Bison for his true positon which is a box to box midfielder. So post Maka, Mikel and Barry could share the holding role and the left midfield position. Now if Lamps signs a multi year extention, then Barry can still come in as our future holding midfileder and share it with Maka at first.

And if Bridgey is pissed off enough (and rightfully so) to move on then all the more need for Barry coming in!!

So all and all I am in favour of it. And if Bently comes then we'll continue to maintain our English presence in the team at a high quality, and keep the depth we need to challange on all fronts and particularly the Premier League.

David Bentley has the potential to become Chelsea's next SWP.

Great form for a side outside the top 4, followed by England call ups.

That's all I'll say........

Silva Silva

Noo matter what the result will be tonight I really can't see ManU slipping up in the dying moments. We might win against them at the Bridge but their better goal difference works just like another win they have in hand. I guess the equaliser Rooney scored against Middlesborough was just enough to make it in the end. That's why I'm settling for the CL. I know that the supporters in England often see the Premiership as the bigger trophy but too be honest.....it means not much outside of England compared to the CL because the Premiership is dominated by 4 teams and the others just fill up the table. The CL is the clash of Europe's best and riches teams even if once again the money floating around in English football creates a bias within the tournament but I see it as a harder achievment than the Premiership.

The CL is the clash of Europe’s best and riches teams even if once again the money floating around in English football creates a bias within the tournament but I see it as a harder achievment than the Premiership.

Sorry Rene but I personally think you're way off the mark with that one. The CL is a cup competition, and not always the best teams win, after all you can realistically get to the final by drawing games and winning penalty shootouts, and that includes the final. So is it harder than any team winning their domestic league? I think you'll find most people on this blog will beg to differ with you.

Spot on CLIVE

As you say, the best team doesn't necessarily get to and/or WIN the finals of any competition.
Results seem to depend more and more on getting penalties lately than actual goals. You only have to look at Man Ure for that. Take yesterday against Arsenal fo instance. Ok..fair enough, it was a definite handball by Gallas which resulted in a pen being given but i've seen a LOT more blatant handballs in the area that have been ignored.
Can see McFergie's lot cramming in a few more pens yet before the end of the season..they'll do anything to hang onto their lead at the top if the Prem. Desperate situations call for desperate measures and all that...

2/3-0 tonight. Chels win xxx

Agree with Fifty about Bentley. As much as I would like to think he'd be a top player for us, there's more than a nagging feeling that he'll end like SWP.

Let's not forget also, SWP scored something like 16 goals the season before we bought him. I don't think Bentley will score as often as we wold expect a Chelsea winger to esp if we use this 4-5-1.

Rene makes the point that the CL has international appeal, which is surely right (who cares about Wigan outside England? Come to that, who cares about Wigan outside Wigan? Or even inside Wigan?) But for all home-grown fans, the Premier League title is the sign of the best team in the country, as Clive says, and it's certainly the best reflection of a team's quality. Luck evens itself out over the course of a League season, but in a cup competition luck can distort things hugely. A cynic/pessimist might point out that we've been very lucky in this season's CL, because we haven't had to play anyone good yet.

Right, off out the door to go and watch us beat Wigan. Dreary 1-0, anyone?

I dunno CASHIF, Bentley's a class player both on the wing and midfield. He's still young yet (22), i can only see him getting better and better with time. He needs a decent team to belong to...erm, that'll be us! LOL
I'd make him my first signing...but can't see Sparky letting talent like that go.

As a potential striker...what are people's thoughts to Mauro Zarate?
His goalscoring ability is excellent. He's young (21), fast on the ball, know he's on loan to Birmingham but that runs out the end of this season, with a view to a permanent place in their squad. I think he'd be wasted there..

Stevie Fucking G: How he is loved by everyone in the Premiership. Commentators and pundits love hime for his all action style, liverpool fans worship him and many think that he is the only world-class english midfielder in the premiership. He is portrayed as the prefect player by everyone apart from us. Without our rose-tinted glasses or england hats on all we see is a man with no tactical awareness, a player who always scores fewer goals than our own Super-Frank and what really annoys me is the fact that he is one of the most regular divers in the premiership. How does no-one see it. I only bring this up because if we are winning at Anfield or the Bridge just wait until he hurls himself over and looks up at the ref with his pleading look (anyone remeber the merseyside derby at Everton where he not only dived for a pen but also asked for hbbert to be red carded - which he was). At half-time, Redknapp remained adamant that Gerrard didn't dive when Brad Friedel rushed out of goal and Gerrard shamelessly hung out a leg. It was an obvious and bad copy of Robert Pires' infamous leg-out trick. Yet it was the second dive by Gerrard, made late on under challenge by Christopher Samba, that was particularly ugly. On this occasion, it was made without any external contact and occurred when the game was already won. As such, it has received scant attention. Yet the fact that the game had already been won meant this wasn't an act of desperation but one of instinct and thus all the worse. The MOTD 2 even called it the most blatent penalty that you'll ever see despite the lack of contact.

For the semi-final clumsy ricky and maka must not get too near him because he is going to go over. I hope when he comes to the bridge we throw as much abuse at him as possible and cheer every touch of the far superior, more successful and more honest SUPER FRANK. At the Emrates some Arsenal mates managed to get a reaction out of him on the touchline by calling him a fucking cheat. Now it is our turn.

This also highlights how highly Liverpool and their fucking history they keep going on about is held above our club's. Do you remember the reputation robben and drogba were given by the press. They may dive but no more than gerrard yet his england shirt and liverpool armband seem to blind people. Well i hope he's ready for the Bridge, because when he arrives i for one can't wait until mikel or essien 'accidentally' breaks his leg with a high challenge. (Throw in that bastard carragher as well - i hope we smash his face in).

KTBFFH

Hey Jang, yeah believe it or not Alves can defend, fair enough not at the same level as some right backs out there although of those other defenders there are very few as good as he is going forward. The mix of his defensive qualities and the fact that he can race forward in our attacks is good enough for me to shell out some cash for the guy. Either way he's probably less likely to be caught in the headlights as often as Belletti! Not that I have a problem with Belletti, for me he can do wrong after his role in Barca beating Arsenal in the CL Final a couple of years back!
As for the title race, we really need Blackburn and - what seems to be our new favourite midfielder - Bentley to grab at least a point off United at the weekend although it is unlikely seen as their season is all but over. If this doesn't happen, I can't see United dropping points in any of their remaining games - excluding us - as they have West Ham at home and Wigan yet to come.
Still, keep the faith hey everybody, who knows, the title could yet still be coming home!

Her, here HABS..couldn't of put it better myself.Did you see the scumbag dive against Arsenal yesterday?..the ref saw through the cheating bastard though..the first time! I HATE him AND Carragher with every bone in my body. It's practically impossible to decide which is the biggest w***er.

Agree. S**t head Steve and my SuperFrank?...no competition whatsoever. Lampsie's outshines him EVERY time, any day of the week/month/year.

Worthy to be England's permanent Captain??? F*** OFF!!!!!!

Now you've wound me up!!!

And that's naughty of you!

Just Google Steven Gerrard hypocrite and then play the You Tube video.

45 minutes of Arse-ache football once again.

Why not have a second centre forward in there?

What an abysmal performance yet again,no passion from either the team or the bench.
JM would have been screaming instructions and possibly taken a player or two off by now.
Can anybody explain to me why JM needed a Director of Football and AG doesn't,because if ever a team has lost it's footballing direction it's us.
Deep down I hope that we're out of contention by the time Manure stroll into town,because to lose the title and our record on the same day would be too much for my poor worn out heart to take.

Keep scratchin your fuckin head.

FUCK.

Season over. ManUre have it now.

Here go off our pl title hopes. I agree with everybody who says we played yet again Arse-Anal football. It does not come as surprise to me I knew it all the way from the moment Avram Grant has become our manager.

It's over.We're winning nothing this year.
AVRAM OUT!

there is no place else i can hide now..but here!

AG you bastard - just for being there scratching your head!

What is wrong? Is he Ranieri or Rafa in disguise? He practically rotated the whole team and we wasted 45 minutes in the first half where we should have scored a few goals and close shop! Is he a noob or what?

1st half boring ...boring..unexciting...boring.... so not sexy ....boring
2nd half avram waves his hands and sexy football appears..
Team played well created exciting football, which scored one and conceded another..
ohh well AG difference between the team that wins the premier league and the one that comes second is not sexy football....its rock hard defense.AG please go look at united defense record so that u can start building there..Mourinho understood this you build from the back forward.
Ag gave it his best...

But dont worry we are still in with a chance of champions league...

Crap again. What the fuck was he saving players for? Everton? It didn't make a lick of difference as we didn't get past Wigan. Has everyone given him the benefit of the doubt now? Can we stop?

We should have started with our best team or at least have Drogba and a defender ready to come on and change things.

disaster. bloody disaster. feel sorry for whoever has to type out a match review.

Guys, it think its getting clearer and clearer that this toad needs to go. Before we go on a trophy-less streak for a few more years. Talk is free. He keep saying about confidence, rivals dropping points blah blah but whats the point when we are not doing our own job. We should have won by 2 or 3 if not for poor finishing. Where was the motivation in the first half?

You know what? SCREW CHELSEA!

Andriy Shevchenko coming on as a sub at the end! LOL!
For the very fact that he agreed to come on...he must be given a standing ovation!

Seriously, how many points have Wigan taken against Top 4 opposition? (0? 1?) in all their time in top flight? crazy!
IF not for his tactical incompetency or watever - i want him out of our Club purely for the negative vibes, bad luck and bad results at the worst possible times (Barnsley, Spuds, Wigan) he brings along with him!

Please I cant wait to get to next season! These things potentially ruin everything for me personally and professionally!

I think we should just loose to Everton. We are not going to win the title anyway. So we can add more pressure to Liverpool who are fighting for that 4th spot while we take it easy and prepare for our last chance of silverware this season. If we loose to Everton, we can prevent Man U from winning it at our ground. If you still have any sense left in you toady, stop fighting this loosing battle.

That sounds like good thinking Jang, which is slightly concerning. Would mean Liverpool would have to play a stronger team in their remaining Premiership games.

I really want us to beat Liverpool and make the final, but at the same time AG is so bad. A loss there means he would be gone. Not sure what I am going to feel as I watch the game.

I am sorry how can a sane man rest Drogba, when he is even there at the ground a few seats behind AG. Unless he is injured that is just stupid. I know it was a late goal, but we should have pushed for a second or locked down properly in a tactical manner. Drogba's presence would have upset that defence.

AG out, I am almost tempted to say we should offer it to Hughes or Moyes, certainly be interesting to give them a full season with a top team. Question is could they inspire confidence and keep our players at the bridge whilst winning the big games. As we have seen any muppet can put a team like Chelsea into a top 2/3 spot.

@BEN

Spot on. Our squad is so strong that the any manager who comes in will be spoilt for options! The manager of Barnsley could get us to Moscow by beating Liverpool yet again! Stop defending Grant. He's had his time and chances after chances. We are running out of games to give him anymore chance. Kenyon, if you are judging a manager by results, please mean what you say.

We still have to finish above Arsenal to avoid playing in the qualifying round of the Champions League.

Still, Grant looked clueless as ever. Drawing at home against relegation fodder with them scoring a last minute goal, who says Chelsea have no history?

@NICK

Spare us the match review. Its irrirating to the eyes when we come on this blog. Thanks alot for a big favour.

Err didn't we used to score the late goals??? Shurley shum mishtake here (scratches head in thoroughly confused manner)

I thought about "just losing to Everton" too to concentrate on the Liverscum match but we can't afford to do that or Arsenal may get 2nd place and that will only exacerbate the whole fucking affair. And to lose to them just to annoy Liverpool is a bit sad; c'mon dudes, we play for Chelsea, we don't play to make it hard for teams we don't like (we're not Tottenham, after all.)

Tonight was shit. I really don't feel like saying any more.

Oh, and I shall never concede that ManUre won the title because they play good football. They won it 'cos Tina's dives conned the refs, everyone bummed Sir Alice and Shrek wasn't caught offside enough.

You almost have to laugh.

Wigan were hopeless, dreadful, abject, at least in our half of the pitch. (They defended well and Kirkland made three amazing saves.) They never looked like scoring. And then with thirty seconds to go, everyone is out of position, suddenly there are three or four Wigan players who have acres of space, all pouring forward. One decent cross, and bang.

So let's see: I can think of Everton, Villa and now Wigan who have snatched two points away from us at the Bridge in the dying seconds of games. Am I forgetting any others?

The funny thing is, we always used to be the ones who scored the late goals.

I came home and found a Spuds-supporting friend here, who pointed out, reasonably enough, that a result like that means we don't deserve to win anything.

There's no point moaning about the selection. It was an obvious chance to rest players. The team we put out should have been enough, and they dominated the game from start to finish. AG even made a decisive (and 100% effective) substitution for once: Joe changed the game the instant the second half started.

The fact is we're just not playing well enough to be Champions. We'll finish second or third, which is as much as most of us could have hoped for this season, and we'll make the semis or final of the CL but won't win it -- which again is probably more than most of us expected. But the team is less than the sum of its parts. Excellent players are ensuring that we're basically doing well, but they look like they're making it up as they go along.

The reason we drew that game is that we didn't kill them off with a second goal. Even though Kirkland was superhuman, and we hit the bar, we should have had them buried long before the end. But I'm not seeing any of the collective organisation and confidence which would translate our superiority into comfortable wins.

This is what pisses me off about the AG bullsh*t. I'm totally prepared to give the guy credit for what we'll end up with this season. 2nd in the League and a decent CL run isn't bad. If you judge a manager by results then you have to say his results have been reasonable: as good as Wenger's, and no one's going to say that Wenger isn't an excellent manager. But.

The fact is that AG came in parroting the party line about José being too "boring" and the need for exciting attacking football. And what's happened? There's certainly no more speed and flair in attack than there was -- in fact there's much less than we had in the 04-05 season -- but the sense of solidity and collective strength has gone.

He can't have it both ways. He can't bleat about a style of football he's trying to introduce, and then offer no evidence of its presence; at the same time, he can't keep making snide remarks about the old regime and then surrender the very qualities (efficiency, defensive competence, "pragmatism") which the same group of players used to boast.

I'm sorry, but forget the results. Judging managers purely on results is absurd. We can argue ourselves blue in the face about whether this has been a good or bad season (is second good enough? is a CL semi or final good enough?) but it won't change the fact that Grant has done *nothing* for the team, and shows no sign of being able to do anything with it.

Grrrrrrr.

If there are any Grant believers left,they might try to argue that the team he picked should have won easily against a poor Wigan team.In that assumption they would be correct.
What they should be finally admitting is that he hasn't a clue tactically and he hasn't the ability to motivate a team who are not playing with any passion or urgency.
Most managers do not stand on the touchline in full view of the cameras and scratch their head,giving the impression that he hasn't a clue what is happening around him.To bring on Sevchenko with about 90 seconds left,shows how clueless he is.
What really worries me is the reaction of RA,will he carry on burying his head in the sand and refuse to admit he's made a mistake or finally realise that AG is simply not good enough to manage our club.Why don't we see endless footage of him looking pissed off as we did when JM was in charge?Does he even go to games anymore?
We should now do what Liverscum have been doing all season and concentrate on The Champions League because the Premiership has now finally gone.
All I can hope is that the many mistakes that have been made this season,mostly off the field,will not be made again.If AG is in charge at the start of next season I really fear that we will descend to mid-table obscurity and what was once a golden period of Chelsea's history will surely fade away into a distant happy memory.

I suppose the small silver lining is that we can now field a reserve team against Man Bloody U in between our turgid borefests against Liverpoo. Might be our reserves against their reserves, in fact. So much for the great showdown.