Premier League: Everton 0 - 1 Chelsea

The shot of Grant having a wee nap on the sideline just about summed up the match (and the competence of the manager). Mind you, I was struggling to keep my eyes open too!

@ TONY

Very good review that relays my thoughts entirely.

Bad collective performance from the boys earlier..it's what we've got used to of late but not what any of us expect from Chelsea FC..EVER.

We're used to being spoiled with fancy football, everyone (secretly) envying us because of how bloody brilliant we were, due to our flawless skills on the pitch and a feeling of "teamwork". Everybody hated us...and we loved it, THRIVED on it. We didn't give a toss who hated us because at the end of the day, we were getting the results that we wanted, we were Prem leaders, we were the mighty, unstoppable, famous CFC!!

Now, post T.S.O, we're just a shadow, empty shell of our former self and it's breaking my heart.

A team that looks as though it's an effort to get out of bed to turn up for the game..(John Wayne saddlebags under J.T's eyes anyone?)
And a Manager who's got a permanently confused expression plastered across his face..

They've just been reading out the post match interview on Sky Sports TV that was posted on the article before this one, (where Herbert was giving one word answers) sat pi****g themselves at him,,and in retrospect..us. It's really p****d me off..disrespecful a***holes!!

NOTE TO HERBERT AND TENKO;
Pro Plus is rather good at keeping you awake...you pair of Tits!!!!!

If Man U win at Blackburn then a win at The Bridge does give them the title. Regardless of whether Grant deserves that, it isn't something I want to see...

@ GROY

Agree totally. To not only lose out on the title but lose the unbeaten home record to that bunch of knobs would be the biggest kick in the teeth of all..

i dont agree wit ur analysis i think mikel aside 4rm essien deserves credit, he plyed realy well in terms of bringin d ball forward and defending. Aside frm than not such a good game. I think we need to work on the technicality of our team, our fluency was not there.

I have already had my say on the previous blog as I couldn't wait for this review... so I wont repeat myself too much...

Bollocks, crap, shite, boring, apathetic, error ridden, laughable, a joke... maybe the players or coaches didn't like working on Thursday but surely both teams could have done a little better. The only light spot was the commentators comments on Mr Grumpy sleeping on the job !!

Then to read that press conference transcript really made my day... if it wasn't so embarrasing for the club (players and fans alike) it would actually be quite funny. I can see that be replayed endlessly and becoming the subject of many a comedians act !

Ah well, weekend off for the boys while they contemplate how they are going to minimise the damage against Liverpoo and Man U next week. I just cannot bear the thought of losing to Liverpool again in the semi's and losing our home record to Man U. Surely the players will raise their game enough to avoid these dire outcomes.... ?

And surely the hierarchy will finally sack this buffoon for complete incompetence...having Steve Clarke step in as caretaker manager will be much better than anymore of this utter crap from Mr Grumpy.

Oh BTW KTBFFH !

I think you've been too hard on Shaun--he's been out of the side for weeks and we shouldn't forget all the good he did in a central role in January. It wouldn't surprise me to see him gone in the summer but I think it would be a damn shame.

How many goals does he have to score before Avram (or any other manager we might have next year) realizes we should deploy Essien in an attacking role?

Up the chels.

Stowe

Sorry mate, don't agree. Shaunie needs to move on, firstly for his own career as I think he can be a star in a mid-table team, but patently isn't good enough at Chelsea. Sceondly we need to free up some room in the squad for a winger/ forward capable of crossing the ball and shooting, both of which he struggles with.

Tony

Disagree on Kalou... I think he will come into his own next year and I think he should actually be given a chance to lead the line ahead of the ineffective (hopefully temporarily) Anelka. He shows enough promise to persevere with and unlike others, is able to keep his mouth closed and just do the job he is paid for.

I have had an idea - Jose annointed himself as the "The Special One" or TSO using the same acronym we should annoint Mr Grumpy... how about...

The stupid one
The sour one
The stunned one
The shite one...anymore ?

As you can see the quality of our football of late has left me with nothing else than either to be negative and cynical or have fun. I have chosen the latter for the sake of my health.

While I always want Chelsea to win, if we do win the league or CL then it won't feel right and I am sure the players will feel the same. Cant see them celebrating with The Stupid One if a miracle was to occur and we blundered into winning the league or the CL - or god forbid - we did the double. I can just hear the chorus of boos and whinges from every other fan and reporter on the planet !

KTBFFH

More humour...I googled Avram Grant to see what interesting hits I would get. Here is a selection from the first page of hits...

From a Wikipedia entry "Grant, as is also the case with another coach from Petah Tikva, current Israel coach Dror Kashtan, is considered one of the most successful Israeli coaches. He has a reputation of a lucky winner in Israel, which caused the invention of the frequently used humour term 'Hatachat shel Avram'. This means 'Avram's arse', a reference to the allegedly large amount of luck Grant enjoyed during the 2006 World Cup campaign".... Yes and he has a big arse too !

Australian FourFourTwo website "Grant has similar qualities to Mourinho, who made his name as a successful coach with Porto on a relatively shoestring budget and with no real playing career of which to speak.".... Similar qualities my arse !

Syndey Morning Herald on 9th April - "This is the first news they told me, that is was Liverpool in the semi-finals," Grant said. "The one thing I always wanted to know is the future. I don't know the future but we will do our best to be in the final."... Your future is back to your office as far away from the football playing side as possible !

Same article - "I feel good because our target was to be in the semi-final of the Champions League and we did it," he said. - Jose would never have aimed so low !

This one is a laugh ...! LINK

The opening line in a TimesOnline article on March 23 - "He won’t have heard of him, but Avram Grant - or Average Grant, as his players call him - is earning a reputation as the footballing equivalent of cricket’s Graeme Hick." - Would not surprise me if this is what the players do call him !

The Telegraph on 7th April - "There is no rant in Grant, merely a habitual shrug that many seasoned judges interpret as the mark of a ditherer. However, when asked whether Chelsea might now be in a better position had he been manager from the start, rather than taking over from Mourinho in early autumn, his initial reluctance to answer gave way to a pointed response. "It's a fact," he said, "that we lost a lot of points at the beginning and needed to chase after other teams." There is runt in Grunt though ! and the cheek of the man to attack Jose in this way...!

And finally... from Soccernet on Avram's appointment - "The club is delighted that in Avram we have an experienced man who can come in at a difficult time," said the club. - Experienced yeeh right ! "The statement added: "In Steve we have a Chelsea man and he will be a crucial part of the management team going forward." - Not for much longer I fear.

All very interesting.

KTBFFH

Some healthy disagreements people!

@ Canco - Mikel got 6/10....in game crying out for someone to show something special he did OK and I like him very much, but when dross like this is at hand he could and should step up to the plate and grab the game by the horns. Having said that so should every other player.

@ Stowe - read it again - I'm merely stating that SWP has had enough goes. Even a decent run in the team didn't make that much difference to his consistency. If we keep him it'll be as a squad player, whereas elsewhere as Greenlight says, he may well resurrect a career on a downward slope. He's a nice lad and I wish him well, but I fear that will have to be elsewhere UNLESS a new coach comes in and turns him around. One thing for sure is Grant is not capable of doing that.

@ Greenlight - I like Kalou but last night he was shite, just as he was against Wigan and numerous other teams. Skill..yes..football intelligence...no. When he gets both he'll be lethal. Work in progress for me.

As for the press conference...Chelsea announced this week that they would not be undertaking any dialogue with the media in protest at the fixture change, hence no players speaking after the game, and Fat Controllers bizarre conference. In fact I used to wish Jose would do the same and just give yes/no answers to the press rabble so in this case I agree with Grants and the clubs stance. Contractual obligation met but with a contempt (most of) the media deserve. One side affect of this of course is they will now mercilessly slaughter him at every chance, and whereas I think Jose, like Ferg and Weng would shrug that off, I don't think Grant is strong enough. As I said..the beginning of the end maybe?

Tony

Completely agree with the point about the Media.

Since they twist and contrive everything that is said at each press conference anyway, why not just say nothing and make them earn their money writing fairytales.

I'm sure Avram felt more than a little silly, but even if he could of said something, what the fuck do they expect him to say to the question, "Do you think you are still in the title race?" when we are 2 points behind Utd, and playing them next.

As you say 'Contractual obligation met but with a contempt (most of) the media deserve'.

I have to admit I dozed off for 15 mins during the second half last night, even though I was watching in glorious high definition. I was just as non plussed about the match as AG, what the f**k is happening to this club?

On a more positive note or negative depending on you're view, how is Phil Neville a premiership footballer and even more astounding and England International? the guy has to be one the worst players I've seen in recent years.

It must take his brain a huge ammount of effort just for him to stand upright and put one leg in front of the other and walk.

Great review.

I'm just so glad we got the three points. Thats what mattered today. But I have to say, our performance was absolutely pathetic. I thought first half, we were really good, without really troubling Tim Howard. He passed the ball really well but just lacked that final ball. Second half was really bad. We kept giving the ball away and our passing lacked cohesion. It was bad.

Most boring game of the season? It would probably be in the running. But the fact that we could win a game with our only shot on target is amazing, in a very bizarre way.

Our defending was excellent today. Carvalho was amazing. Really amazing. Terry was too. And someone please teach Ferreira how to throw-in to a Chelsea player? It's really annoying. Essien never stopped running and his passing was excellent. Lets hope he continues in this vein until the end of the season.

Conclusion? Glad we got the three points. I still think we're in this title race although I'm not to gung ho about our chances. But you know what? I think there is a high possibility Man Utd will slip on Saturday. Hopefully that is...

Oh yeah, how could I forget? The best thing about this game was Avram's post match interview.

Michael Ballack? “Injured.” What’s his problem? “Ask the doctor.” He’s not here Avram. “Well call him then.”

It was absolutely hillarious. Loved it. The best post match interview he's given yet. Hahaha

KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH

Clive I was the same - the tv looked good, the sound was just right, shame the players let it all down!!

Anyway pop an email - the more educated the better to pat.nevin@chelseafc.com - Tony - your written skills are second to none - fancy letting him know our worries?

Last night was a win. i dont have much else to say as from now on i am only going to talk in positives. oh the support was great - well done chaps and our very own mark for making the effort. ummm .... yeah thats it.

Do some of you not sleep?

Read it all, He sounds like he knows his time is up

A deserved win Avram?


Yes

What in particular pleased you about this performance?

I am pleased.

What in particular pleased you?

[A long pause] I don't know.

Is it a relief to win here?

Yes.

You seem lost for words by the performance. Are you more satisfied with the performance or the victory?

Both.

You seem distracted. Do you have a problem?

No problem.

Is there an issue?

No. I am ok. I have nothing to say.

Do you have a message for the Chelsea fans?

Do you represent the Chelsea fans?

They [the fans] must believe you are still in the title race, do you have a message for them?

No message.

Does this result mean you are back in it now?

I don't know.

How many steps have you climbed to undertake this press conference?

I don't know.

You seem less voluble than usual. Is it because of Sky TV moving the game to a Thursday?

Maybe it's because of you. I don't know. I am ok.

You are saying that you don't know if you are still in the title race?

No.

Is it easier to say nothing Avram?

I don't know what to answer. It is a good question. I don't know what to answer.

Is this because of Sky?

No. Sky is ok. I enjoy watching them.

Is it a protest against newspapers?

No. Why?

Why else would you come in and refuse to answer our questions?

I answer every question.

You are two points behind Manchester United and you don't know if you are still in the title race?

No.

Have you told the players that you don't know if you are back in the title race?

What I tell the players is something else. You want me to tell you what I say to the players?

We just want you to answer the question really. Are you in the title race?

I don't know.

Would you not like to gain some positive publicity for the result rather than this bizarre silence?

I'm sorry. You can write whatever you want and I can answer what I want.

Do you feel under pressure to deliver a trophy. Is that the reason for the monosyllabic answers?

No.

Are you upset? Do you feel you have been misrepresented?

Maybe I am upset because it is a bad season.

Did Michael Essien faint?

He had some problems, but he is ok.

Michael Ballack?

Injured.

What's his problem?

Ask the doctor.

He's not here Avram.

We'll call him then.

Have you ever played the yes/no game Avram?

[Grant gets up and leaves.]

@Greenlight
Not often I post to disagree on here but surely the clubs dispute is with Sky and not the hacks?? It wasn't the journalists that changed the games date.
All he has done with this shameful interview is give the hacks more ammo to laugh at him!!


At this moment in time we are becoming a laughing stock. Other clubs are looking at us and where, once, they were terrified of coming to the Bridge, now they think they can actually get a win! Other fans must be peeing themselves with laughter at what is going on. As far as I am concerned, even the debacle at Liverpoo is not as bad as what is going on here.
I have not felt so low since the Monaco games. I notice that prat Kenyon has been very quiet in recent weeks. After all, he is the clown that bought the Hunny Monster in

I'm about to be controversial.

IMO, there is no way, based on what I saw last night, that Joe Cole deserves a 7. Unless we are marking out of 1000. He was appalling. Only just worse than Kalou (who wont be a corner / free kick taker as long as there's a hole in his arse). He kept trying little flicks that were so bad they not only didn't go to Chelsea players, they didn't go to Everton ones either. He had a mini-paddy just before he went off. I rate him loads, but last night he had a stinker. The subs were just about right, but I'd have taken Kalou off (seriously, must have been the only person in Goodison who couldn't see his Chelsea team-mates in technicolour yellow - maybe confusing them with stewards. Give the ball to the Blues to be safe eh ????), and moved SWP to the front 3.

Why is it so impossible for a team (supposedly) as good as ours to have anyone who can take a corner / free-kick / even just cross a ball (last night made me realise how much RVDV would be an asset). It's almost laughable.

I thought with Everton missing Osman, Arteta and Cahill our midfield would be fine, but we still struggled. Not sure where Ballack was, Average probably deciding he needs 5 days rest before the shit-storm against Liverpool.

Overall, a(nother) bobbins performance, save for the usual one or two Chelsea players who have to drag it out of the mire. Why Sky insist on trying to make out AG's doing a good job (when he's not) is a mystery. O.K, so we havent lost a league game in 2008, and we're only 2 points behind ManUSA, but I'll still never accept he's done anything to get us there. It's the players all the way.

From the farcical press conference, I think some of it has been reported inaccurately.

The journo didn't ask "Have you ever played the yes/no game Avram?".

He actually said "Have you ever played the game Avram?"......

austin - going by the format i assume its peter.kenyon@chelseafc.com - tell him yourself!

True Blue Joe - that interview doesnt scream of him leaving - to me it screams of bonding. We all know Alan Sugar used to have bets on what he would say in the Interviews and beckham said "you know" over and over - i reckon he had a bet with the lads about how he would answer.

I was in stitches when he did the interview - it was for me the only positive thing after the result

I don't know what's true and isn't anymore, this is like following some sort of political soap opera.

LINK

Loved the interview. Just about the first time Grant's done something that showed he isn't a toady lickspittle arsesucker.

I listened on the radio. Nice measured analysis for half the game, ranting, incoherent stupidity whenever Alan Grant was on the mike. What a cock.

Heehee, totally agreed about Phil Neville for ugly. I kept saying "ugh" every time I saw him. Charming, I know.

We didn't play that well but at the same time, I don't think we played as badly as The Guardian's MBM report was making us sound like.

Michael Essien was terrific. The one-two that led to his goal was sublime. And I really aplaud his dedication, to keep playing, even after he was injured.

Everton will not get 4th place. I was biting my nails throughout that they may sneak a last-minute equaliser like the one they stole at the Bridge, but they offered very little going forward apart from a decent free-kick.

And Avram Toad's as clueless as ever. I read an interview post-Wigan match where he claimed to have "brought us forward" since TSO's departure. My arse. I just want to throw something in that man's toad-like face.

In any case, I'm 18 today so I'll take the result as a nice pressie from the lads.

In any case, I’m 18 today so I’ll take the result as a nice pressie from the lads.

That's the trouble with youth it's wasted on the young. ;-)

Happy birthday Emma, hope you have an enjoyable day.

Happy birthday Emma!

LINK

Rock on!

Tony - Joe Cole 7/10? What for? Being able to tie his own laces? You must be taking the piss. He was just about our worst player last night. How many times in the first half did he get in a good position and play an absolutely dreadful cross? In the second half he continually ran in to good positions and gave the ball away. He could have no complaints about being subbed off, even by Malouda.

Happy 18th, Emma ............ have fun celebrating

@ Austin

I tend to agree with Monkeyfeet. The club said they would do no press, and the interview is Avram's way of giving the press nothing. Personally I, or the club, probably couldn't give a toss whether we area laughing stock or not. The reality for all those opposing fans filling message boards with comments about how we love Sky's money, is that we are the one club that frankly could tell them to stick their money up their arse!

@ Fifty

Agree.... Cole was rubbish and , for once deserved to be dragged. Then again, he had no-one to link with and so it isn't surprising.

@ Emma

Have a great birthday, Emma

Apparently Avram is going to have a rather uncomfortable morning on Sunday.

The NOTW have been sitting on a story for a while, and are thinking of unleashing it this weekend...

Oooh, I love this sort of rumour.

He's not implicated in the Paul Jewell scandal is he? I've barely got those images out of my head and the idea of Avram in suspenders is likely to make me vomit.

Anthony,

I'm scared to ask, but how do you know ?? If you've got contacts (in the industry, not lenses) can we just supply fabricated stories to them daily / weekly / monthly until RA sees sense and boots him out ??

Knowing the NOTW, their 'revelation' will either be :

a) His missus drinks her own urine or,
b) He is indeed a non-footballing educated mole in the camp, planted as part of some two-bob cable channel reality show to see how someone with absolutely zero tactical and managerial abilities would get on.

Neither of which would be a revelation to any of us.

the idea of Avram in suspenders is likely to make me vomit.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! MAKE IT STOP!

Moving on. Job done, I suppose. Not sure about interview - he's on a hiding to nothing with the media anyway as they (like we) have generally made up their minds about him. But he just doesn't have the charisma or the chutzpah to pull that kind of thing off - reminded me a bit of watching the Richard Madeley / Ali G impression. So close to being genuinely funny for the sheer audacity of it, but just ended up being something you watched from behind your hand crying "Noooooooooooooooooo...."

I suppose we should go through the routine of saying "Come on Blackburn" in a half-hearted, we don't really believe it sort of way...

Happy Birthday Emma - only 18 yet far more intelligent and mature than most of us on here (and I include myself in that...)

Re: That interview. A very curious situation. Grant gave an affable interview to BBC radio (see the BBC website) answering all the questions and in seemingly good humour, so whatever Chelsea said about co-operating with the media it seems to be selective.

Who knows, maybe AG wants to deflect the heat from the players ahead of a return to Self Pity Shitty City on Tuesday.

No, the fact my shoes are now all wet would indicate that theory doesn't hold water.

@TG

Good report. Not sure the defence was really that tight as Everton's attacking effort was like a virgin boy in a dark bordello, lots of probing around but little chance of actually getting it in.

Still a win is a win

- he’s on a hiding to nothing with the media anyway as they (like we) have generally made up their minds about him.

I suppose the media have only themselves to blame having to put up with his lack of charisma. After all they certainly didn't help Jose's cause by some of the bile they wrote that partially contributed to his fallout with RA and eventual downfall.

@ Fifty and Eth

I knew the JC mark would be testy for some. My reasoning he is he ran into good positions and tried to play intelligent balls into spaces for others to be in or run in to.......For me it was the numpty attitude of the players on the park that was the issue and less him. It reminded me of Zola and Sutton - Zola would spot the space and play the ball in, but Sutton's pea sized brain would make a decison about 10 minutes later to run into that space. This was a frequent occurence until Sutton left. If I'd been JC I'd have thrown a paddy as well, but at the lack of response, movement and initiative from my team mates.

We'll agree to disagree on that point - the beauty of being fans.

I'm far more interested in the alleged NOTW revelations - the thought of AG naked, or wearing anything less than an all black outfit of generous proportions works better on bowel movement than a bucket of prunes topped with shredded rhubarb.

I detest the tabs, but if this is career threatening for AG as our coach then they might be staking the first step on the road to redemption.

C'mon you tabs!

Happy birthday Emma, congratulations on surviving most of adolescence.

The thing about AG's attempt to give the media the cold shoulder is that he just made himself look like a mumbling sulky halfwit. At least José carried off his ridiculous strops with some panache.

And having spent the whole season smarming up to the media wretches, he's now made enemies of the whole pack of them.

I really don't think he's tough enough (let alone talented enough) to be manager of a top club. We all like to see someone stick two fingers up at the hacks, but for him, personally, this was a really stupid time to do it, and he did it embarrassingly badly. Certainly not the kind of thing the players will rally behind. Falling apart at cruch time, Average?

Avram in suspenders?! LOL I've just spat my coffee everywhere, got i dribbling down through my nostrils!! What a thought..let's go all the way and wrap a feather boa around his neck as well...not too tight though!! Ha!

Whether it was "contractual obligation" or not that was the reason for Herbert's silence, you can't blame the guy for keeping his mouth shut. They can't wait to slate him at any opportunity given the chance..
However, i have to agree with AUSTIN SOLARI, it has to a degree given them ammo to rip him apart with...i'm not particularly fond of Herbert, don't wish to see him dead either but the way Sky Sports TV were pi****g themselves at him last night, quoting him in his interview has STILL got me hot under the collar.
Tossers!
Loved the reverting to "ask the doctor/i'm not a doctor" quotes though..creases me up every time..classic!!

STILL in with a chance guys..only 2 points and Man Ure always seem to struggle with Blackburn, so fingers and toes crossead.

Happy 18th birthday EMMA, have a fantastic day
I remember my 18th like it was yesterday..hang on..it was only yesterday!! x

Yeah, I can't wait till my eighteenth. It's gonna be massive.

@ PETER
LOL!!

The thing is, were it anyone else from the club I'd be mortified and doing my best to defend him from the slating my mates etc. would give.

As its Average Grunt, all I can do is try to imagine the worst thing the paper could have uncovered, and pray to God he gets the boot because of it.

But beyond 'making a mess' on Romans table in a board meeting while wearing said suspenders, I'm not sure anything would drive RA to get rid immediately.

Normally I'm a nice person, honest. No, really......

I can't wait till the 18th either. That Par 5 17th is a right bugger, so the par 3 to finish is a doddle.

I'll get my coat.

I remember my 18th, but only just. There was a woman running the country, as I recall.

Not Queen Victoria, before anyone starts...

Don't remember anything about my 18th, i was extremely tipsy..funny how you can forget things that only happened 1 day ago isn't it?

Grant has not been great but if he is above Whenger and Ben-i-toes then that is as good as last term out...

He needs a little respect for this attempt...agreed he is slow to mind but if he is slow to mind and out-wits Wenger...that makes wenger really damn. He lacks pedigree and seems to be learning on the job.

His interview is however brilliant in view that even as many out here are forgetting how sky tried to screw us over by pulling matches close to each other and we are not seeing the predicament we were faced with in choosing players for these matches...

If we win the league I will hope he stays! Yes I hope he stays and many of you step out... With his reaction at the goal in the 92 minute shows he has a lot of heart for chelsea unlike some Chelsea players...I am not mentioning...

His interview is however brilliant in view that even as many out here are forgetting how sky tried to screw us over by pulling matches close to each other

It would have been even more brilliant had he actually been speaking to Sky at the time, but unfortunately he wasn't.

Avram in suspenders?! LOL I’ve just spat my coffee everywhere, got i dribbling down through my nostrils!! What a thought..let’s go all the way and wrap a feather boa around his neck as well…not too tight though!! Ha!

@Lolli
The thought of AG cross dressing has certainly put me off my lunch, so no laughing matter. But the thought of you wearing them along with some fully fashioned seamed stockings, and some sexy high heels is another matter! ;-)

OK! I'll go put some Bromide in my tea and go lay down in a dark room.

@ CLIVE

My word!!!! Have you really just said that?!
Anything for you though Clive x LOL

My word!!!! Have you really just said that?!

@Lolli
No it wasn't me but my evil twin brother, well it would be if I had one!

@ CLIVE

You are SOOOOOOOO naughty!!!!

But i like you!

Here we go, all Jerry Springer again.

Two females on the blog turn 18 and suddenly it's testosterone over-load.

It's got to be better than the enchanting visions of Avram that have been conjured up on here recently!

@ FIFTY

18? i wish!! i'm 35 sweets x

Probably too old for Clive now!! LOL

@ 29. Anthony · 10:43 AM · 18th April

LOL LOL yeah NOTW it will explosive, it is not only NOTW, the sun and the mirror are after him.
It is common knowledge in football circles.
Cant wait.

@ Footy player - even more intriguing is who you are and what your footie contacts are :-) Any clues?

For the first time since I was 18 (28 long fucking years ago) I might be reading the NOTW alongside The Observer this Sunday.

Not that I read The Observer at 18 of course. At that age reading was restricted to
1.) Bar tariffs
2.) Signals given by women (utterly confusing)
3.) Signals from blokes who thought you were moving in on their patch/woman
4.) Bus timetables
5.) The Sun/NOTW or The Daily Mirror if desperate. The Daily Mail was for housewives then, way before it decided to appeal to Little Englanders.
6.) Matchday programmes
7.) Viz
8.) Lager levels in the glass
9.) Fag packets (pre health warning)
10.) Porn (in magazines made of paper)

@ Lolli - 35 huh? In the right demographic for blokes in their early to mid 40's then?

ESPECIALLY you Tony!!! x

I always have a sneaky peak at the Screws while I'm out getting in the croissants, hence my awareness of Jewell's jewels.

I've even stopped buying the Obs. Too much like a New Labour/Arsenal fanzine - Paul Wilson is boring and predictable, Amy Lawrence is a joke even among Gooners and Will Buckley doesn't have a chin.

Hi all! been in Las Vegas for a week and while the weather is hot and blue skies there is almost no coverage of anything from Home here. Anyway, though I dont want grant as a manager as you all know I must highlight something (and i suppose it could be taken as a defence but it is not simply because of how he has justified his position from the start and his colusion in getting rid of JM.) BUT, as somoene pointed out to me, Roman Abromovivh is worth about 15 billion. There is also a chief executive and a chairman and other directors at the club including others associated with CFC who are close to the board. So, who gave Grant the job? That's right? Roman et all. So if we have lost that " we are going to be the best and beat the rest" attitude that JM has about every other club whose fault is that? Let's be really honest here because I see very few posts actaully having a go or blaming Abromovich. But we all know as much as we may hate to admit it (because of course he has all the money and what he has done for the club including originally bringing in JM)that IT WAS ROMAN who has got us to this stage with an inept manager, the biggest players no longer wanting to come here, nobody fearing us anymore, playing or at least trying to play the already discredited circus football that wins nothing and leaks more goals than a sieve. After all, if Roman gave me 3 million a year, would I really care what any of you or anybody else thinks? OF course not! And neither would anybody on here! So, maybe we should somehow be trying as much to let Roman know what we think of his decisions as much as we do about Grant no?

Sorry Lolli,

When you said :

"Happy 18th birthday EMMA, have a fantastic day
I remember my 18th like it was yesterday..hang on..it was only yesterday!! x"

I kind of read it that you were 18 yesterday.

It's Friday, I've been to the pub, forgive me.

@Peter - The Obs is heading the wrong way, but the illustrious Mr Dyer makes the odd appearance now and then.

I thought the first half was bad, but then we got to watch the second.

Truly Dreadful.

Joe Cole had a very poor game, worse than most. He seemed out of sorts after putting in all the effort against Wigan.

Seeing stories that Kenyon & co are backing Grant with hefty funds to take Chelsea forward etc.
Are these stories true, anyone?

@ FIFTY

Not at all..no offence taken by that whatsoever. Been to the pub? Hope you had a drink (or 2) for me?!


@ FOOTY PLAYER

Who are you? I'm intrigued..

@ Dio

I commmented on the Wigan match report that it's more Roman's role than AG's that has me worried in the sense that AG is willing to be a puppet/proxy whereas TSO politely said fuck off when Roman offered input on team matters. Roman should finance - not direct team selection/tactics. Roman has every right to want shexy football but must let someone else with the ability and experience to attempt to create it.

Re News of the Screws - you have to read one of the red top comics on Sunday, 'tis the rules. And I like to think that the occasional Chelseablog corner of the Observer raises the tone of said organ a little... :-)

clive, you dirty boy, brilliant!

lolli, 18 hmmmm are we dividing our ages by 2?

the more I think about the I/v the more I want grant to stay. we could phone in requesting the style. imagine grant, tonight matthew I will be vicky pollard.

so avram were you pleased?

its football yeah, but no but yeah but shuutup. its football right and anyway roman told kenyon that lamps is a total slag and gave essien the clap.

that's gotta be worth losing all competitions for!

Hold on guys. Kenyon is backing Average Grunt? Is this true and can we believe him? Or its just some mind games to keep him going until the season ends? Damn, looks like bad news...

Kenyon dint mean it that way, did he? Im starting to get confused and worried. For awhile, i thought Bruce Buck was saying the right thing. Seriously Kenyon has short term memory. He said that Chelsea judges the manager by results. So on what basis should we keep Toady?

Am i right to be worried. Or Kenyon could be talking thrash again.

Following on from Barnsley it was time to enjoy another freebie train courtesy of Chelsea, this time to Everton.

After the Wigan draw and receiving my itinerary from Thomas Cook which scheduled my return journey departing at 11pm to arrive in Paddington nearly six hours later at 4:37am I had decided not to go. After all, the tickets were free so it wasn’t costing me anything. Unfortunately I made the mistake of pinning the match tickets to the notice board by my desk and my unease at missing the game kept gnawing away. A couple of hours before departure I crumbled and extravagantly booked a hotel and a return journey at a more amenable time the following morning. Let’s be honest, is there anything better than riding a Virgin fast for three hours on a Friday morning.

This was my first visit to the city of Liverpool. My expectations were firmly set by the songs sung by the Matthew Harding crew so as I stepped of the train I placed my wallet in my trouser pocket and wrapped my hand tightly around it. Venturing out onto the street I was alert, like a coiled spring, ready to jump the rats and avoid the pick pockets. Surprisingly it was like that at all. The buildings looked civilised, the streets were clean and everyone friendly.

I avoided the free coach to the ground, checked in to the hotel and then got driven to the ground by a friendly Evertonian cabbie. We enjoyed each others banter. I gave him a decent tip and, like old buddies, we shook hands as I departed his cab.

Goodison Park is one notch up the ladder from Fratton Park and a reminder of bygone days. As I took my seat the kid in the row in front looked nervously at the wooden floor boards and asked me if the stand was safe!

The match has been reported excellently above by Tony. The away support was excellent and spent most of the time bouncing up and down causing the wooden floor to vibrate and rumble. Stewards were pre-occupied with trying to get 3,000 fans to sit and were extremely distracting by standing in front of us trying to perform their duties. Several fans screamed at the stewards to sit down and stop obstructing the view because we’d all paid good money to see the game.

After the game I wished all the fans an enjoyable journey through the night as I sauntered off to the comfort of my hotel room.

And finally the journey home this morning. Initially it was a struggle to enter the first tunnel before I rode my Virgin home.

Mark, you are Sid James and we salute you for it...

Thanks. I'm working on a new venture with Avram titled "Carry on up the table"

If his recent performance is anything to go by, it'll be a silent classic...

Great job Tony, but I will put in the good the post mach interview – just gem :)))!

@ True Blue Joe, if you look at it not too seriously this is the best interview EVER - Hilarious :))) made my day! Why should he talk to them, when they going to write against us anyway. Even the Arsenal and MU fans are saying well done Av for the way you treat the f...ers.

Well serious now, there is been talk about Kaka, Messi, Bojan, Van and so on coming to the club in the summer.

To me is like buying Steinway Royal for the beginner pianist....
Hope we get Gus!

Just what the heck is going on?

Is he staying or going?

Driving me insane

To be honest, i kind of more excited about which players are coming this summer than who is replacing Toady. Toady is to go, dont get me wrong. The papers and press have been quite contradicting in recent weeks just like Buck and Kenyon. One refuses to comment on his future while the other just backed him for some 'reasons' good or bad. Maybe its just to settle things down alittle. I dont know. Lets wait and see how things unfold.

Cant want for a summer of mad transfers.

Has Grant completely lost his marbles?

Is there a video of his everton interview anywhere..that you folks know of?

It seems to have got to the stage where no-one really knows what is going on at the club and I for one am quite enjoying it actually!
Just watching Avram squirm around on the bench and shrug every question off is quite amusing, after all if you don't laugh you'll cry right?
I, like many of you on this forum am really looking forward to the Summer and the transfer window. I'm not sure who we are going to bring in just yet, I don't think anybody is, I mean after all, apparently the Modric deal was supposed to have been done and dusted a couple of months back, now it seems that he will be heading to Liverpool instead this Summer!
I'd like to see Dani Alves, Xavi, Villa and Modric sign over the coming months. If we manage to land two out of these four I will be a more than happy man.
Keep the blue flag flying high people!

For all you who say that Avram's attack on the press was a good thing then think again. It wasn't well calcualted, his grunts didn't make sense and the only reason it was funny was because we were laughing AT him and his stupidity rather than with him. He isn't Jose in any way (and don't we know it) but i think he is starting to believe his own hype which is only coming from Kenyon, Buck and RA since all us fans know that he is a 'manager' with no skills, ability, passion, tactics...the list goes on, oh and no qualifications. But by appearing obtuse in the press conference it didn't look arrogant, confident or calculated as like Jose's hilarious weekly conferences, all Avram looked like was clumsy, unintelligent and confused.

Why was he attacking the press? Was he confused as to the unfair rescheduling of the match to a thursday night and decided to avoid all media instead of just Sky (well it wouldn't be the first time he has been confused - Avram has a continued puzzled look when on the touchline and has a strange penchant for scratching his head whenever the opposition scores)? Or maybe it was him fighting back against what he perceives to be unfair criticism. Well if it was this then he was wrong on so many fronts. The press have not laid into him as cruelly as they could of as yet and by picking a fight with the press, what did he think would happen? Did he hope the press would suddenly start writing great positive articles about Avram's record? Instead all Avram's protest did was to bring out more negative comments. There has also never been unfair criticism of Avram. The press in my opinion have treated him favourably and didn't want to stick the knife in because they saw him as a friendly bumbling idiot like Boris Johnson. But unlike Boris he was never educated to the highest possible standard in his field (Boris went to Cambridge and i know some of you will say that people in football should never be educated at Oxbridge but those in charge at Chelsea should have knowledge up to the very best standard in the world like Jose had) and unlike Boris his bumbling character is not an act. The press have only written negative articles when they needed to be written (Cup Final, Barnsley, Olympiakos, Fenerbahce, Liverpool, Arsenal away, Wigan, Tottenham away...) and why does Avram think that's unfair? Who is exempt from criticism in football? Well no-one is but Avram plainly thinks that he is.

Avram's protest may have been pre-planned but it was not caluclated. He doesn't have the style or confidence to pull it off like Jose or even Rafa. I think he is deluded into thinking of himself as Chelsea's permanent manager, but he should wake up and accept the fact that he simply isn't good enough at anything.

Avram's main criticisms of the press is that they attack him unfairly becuase it was Jose's team that lost all the points which would have seen us at the top, and that he is still running Jose's side. He even backs this up with his statistics which show our unbeaten record of 18 games and only 3 defeats this year. But statistics can show anything whilst proving nothing. So what, that we're unbeaten for that long and only lost a few times. We have fewer points, goals, clean sheets, wins than under Jose's first season, so what does it matter that we've only lost 3 times if we draw so many fucking games. And the fact that he blames Jose for losing the points that would have seen us top is a disgrace. Why under Avram have we drawn more games than at any point under Jose? Who was it that cost us games with HIS decisions against Spurs at the Lane, Everton at home, Wigan at home... and two trophies by choosing the most confused looking Chelsea team in the cup final and by not being able to motivate a side to beat Barnsley? Well if you haven't guessed it yet, it was Avram. Under Jose we had a man who would always go for the win, if we happened to lose then so what because with his courage and tactical nous we won more than we lost and just for you Avram, his attacking footabll brought us more points than you have and more trophies than you can even name. So the press have been entirely fair and with your performance on Thursday all you have done is given them the green light to absoultely tear you apart. They will finally expose you as a joke of a man who can't manage a pub team let alone Chelsea who are looking to be the best team in the world. You can't motivate, you can't coach, you don't have enough staff (or friends in the game), you can't substitute, you can't inspire, you can't change a game and now you have proved that you can't deal with pressure. It was you who said that if we win our two games this week we would be the ones pressurising Utd, but after Utd somehow came back from a poor performance to beat a far superior Arsenal side (used to be our speciality under Jose - now we like to concede goals)the pressure was on. We had to beat Wigan but we couldn't because of the side you picked. Why rest players? 8 games left and if we didn't beat Wigan then the Everton game would have been meaningless. You have finally brought out the truth and now we all see how incompetent you really are. The press are going to destroy you and i can't wait because your downfall has ironically been secured by your antics instead of fan's pressure.

KTBFFH (Laudrup and Zola you can't arrive soon enough)

I wonder what RA thinks of this latest humiliation,does he really want to make us a laughing stock?

I can't believe he's happy to see us become a joke.

Does he really believe Grant can attract anything other than past their prime football mercenaries?

Why else would any other footballer want to sign for Grant?

Does RA think that if Grant wins The Champion's League,every Chelsea fan will welcome him with open arms?

How long will this charde go on before someone has the guts to own up and admit that Grant is ruining this club?

Is it a coincedence that Anelka is now playing worse than he was at Bolton?

Can't anyone in the boardroom see that we're still challenging for two trophies in spite of Grant and not because of him?

Why did JM need a Director of Football and Grant doesn't?

If by some miracle,we actually win a trophy and Grant keeps his job,how many Chelsea fans will celebrate the fact that he will be here again next season?

Does anyone think that Grant was told to act like a total idiot?

Will Grant's press confrence improve our chances of becoming "A Global Brand Name"and help us attract fans from all over the world?

Even though not winning a trophy would hurt like hell and would cause endless grief from Liversum and Manure fans,I feel it's the only realistic hope that we have to see Grant removed and a real football coach replace him.

Habs -'Why was he attacking the press? '

He wasn't attacking the press. He just didn't want to give them anything.

'The press have only written negative articles when they needed to be written'

Sorry mate, that's rubbish. I don't recall the last time a positive article was written about Chelsea in anyone of the 10 Daily UK papers. Most articles view us as the devil incarnate doing everything we can to destroy football.

Mark

Did you check you still had 5 fingers when you shook hands with the cabbie? Never let your guard down mate!

Dio

As much as I agree that Roman hired the manager, pissing him off would serve no purpose at all. If he leaves, Avram will be the only manager in world football we will be able to afford the wages for!

Hmmmm

Just ran thru the posts from the wigan match and this one...cant say i'm surprised by the comments posted by the 'regulars'

>Munkeyfeet
Sure you were disappointed by YOUR team's VICTORY @ goodison park!
saw your post/mail (no 169) to pat nevin and couldnt help but wonder whats going through your head...You cant claim to be a genuine fan and be praying that your team loses out in the final 2 competitions they stand to win anything from this season, just because you dont like the manager. Do you have any regards/feelings for the fans who troop to the stadia to watch and support the team? or for the players who toil in our shirts, or dont you ask yourself how they'd feel if per chance they read your comments here? perhaps you want to demotivate the players and have 11 Maloudas on the field just cos you want AG out

>Tony
Lovely article but your bias showed again in the ratings especially on Kalou and JC...JC's had some wonderful run of games recently but yesterday was woeful for him by any standards!...possible that fatigue is setting in (and by extension, may explain why AG wanted to rest him in the wigan match, knowing that we'd need him against looserpool)...Kalou was good especially in the 1st half, just that SWP (amongst others) wasted some sweet passes that would have buried the game in the half
Kalou is the 3rd highest goal scorer in the team (higher than JC) i think...and if one of the major +s or crteria for Lamps staying in the team is his goals ratio, then by this same measure i think Kalou is not being fairly treated by some of you guys here.

Good to see that some true blues went to goodison to cheer the team and i'm also glad to notice that the 'petition' is yet to ride in 'thousands' cos i think it would bring unwarranted pressure and distraction to the team if it gathers the momentum you guys desire (as if they dont have enough distractions already)

I hope and pray we do the double this season, its tough but not impossible... then we can take stock and prepare properly for next season. I say prepare properly cos names of managers have been brandied here and some can not work with the current crop of players at the club except an overhaul is done eg the likes of Rijkard...Even Eriksson, beaten roundly by the 'hapless' AG is being proposed as manager by some and i wonder the why.

I'd like to see AG start with the same team against the scousers, with Ballacks or Lamps coming in for Essien and Alex for JT if he's unfit. If we approach the match as if there's no 2nd leg (ie with the intention to win outright), we'll win the tie...

>Emma
Hope you had a wonderful day, and a pleasant memorable evening to go with it...18 is a special one.

Always Blue!

So Greenlight you don't remember how 3 of the national papers ran a very positive story about Avram's quiet and down to earth nature after Avram invited 5 of them around for dinner? You don't remember how positive all the papers were after we beat Man City 6-0 or Rosenborg 4-0. They have been positive when it has been justified but the fact is that there is little to write positively about an Avram team. We play worse football than under Jose, have fewer exciting performances (the press praised us for fighting unitl the last minute to gain the win like a 3-2 against everton or 3-2 against wigan or a 1-0 against watford all in the 93 minute last year) and without the same charisma as Jose they don't have anything positive to say about him off the field. The press search in vain for something positive to write but find nothing - our performances are worsening by the game and there have been 0 exciting fightbacks or last minute winners under Avram. And why should the press always put a positive spin on it. They only present the facts and if there has been an anti-Avram agenda then it is wholly justified. The press by their own admission miss Jose and so do we.

He may not have fought the press on thursday but he certainly antagonised them and now the knives are out and only now will you see the anti-Avram stories come out. Jose was able to use negative press and pressure to build up a siege mentality and thereby stregthen the team ethic whereas today Avram crumbles. Just accept it Greenlight the press are right, we are playing shit football and are run by a shit manager. So maybe now you will be right about a lack of positive chelsea stories in the future but this is only because of Avram's antics. There were pro Chelsea stories throughout this season but you just couldn't rememeber them.

No Habs

I remember Avram inviting them around for dinner and telling them what to write, because the articles in all of the papers were pretty much the same. That article was a PR stunt from the club (exactly the same as last night was)designed to teach the fans about Avram. It did not 'sell' Chelsea in any way.

We were expected to trounce Rosenberg and so any praise there was tempered with, 'yeah but they were playing a bunch of Norwegian amateurs, having first spent 200 million'.

The one time we did get praise was for the win against Man City (you are right, I did forget that one), and that praise was deserved.

I think you misunderstand me. I am not a fan of Avram, I don't think he is upto the job, but I do think that he was simply carrying out a previously explained position that he wouldn't talk to the press.

Its the natural instinct of a fan to want Grant out.

I can't bring myself to want us to lose, despite telling myself I should, but:

a) Chelsea lose = Grant out = A proper manager to build the future
b) Chelsea win = Grant stays = A future under an imposter who doesn't deserve his position or command the respect of his players, and a future with no hope of seeing all the promising work done this far being built on.

A real fan thinking logically SHOULD be hoping for option B, but the deeply ingrained love for your club won't let you do that.

>Habs

Where have you been all this while?
The press and media have never been pro-chelsea....from JM's era to date thay'v treated the club with comtempt and disdain...dont see anything new they'd do now that will be a deviation from the past

I'm not talking about the past Alex and why should they ever be pro anyone? They represent the facts where columnists represent the opinions (just see David Mellor, a chelsea fan, continually criticising Chelsea's football and Avram's ineptitude). I'm talking about the press' representation of Avram's reign which he has obviously taken offence to. All i'm saying is that Avram should have nothing to complain about. The press have given him a honeymoon period and have been waiting to criticise him. He has now given them that chance. I agree that under Jose they may have jumped on the bandwagon that only money bought us success but ironically that criticism spurred us on under Jose but under Avram any criticism whether dealt fairly or unfairly (justified for the losses which were dire under AG), it seems Avram takes it personally which is wrong and is further evidence of his inexperience and naivity. And for you to say where have i been all this time! I'm just a realist under AG's reign and i don't have my blue coloured glasses on. The press are not out to get us because they have nothing to rage controversy against. Under Jose they didn't like our success which was unprecedented for any new manager. Which manager has EVER come into the league and won 6 trophies in 3 years and i didn't hear Jose complaining in his first season that he was still running Ranieri's team. So Alex you should open your eyes. Under Avram the press have been right to crticise some matches because our football has been poor and it seems you have been taken in by Avram'a spin that the press are against us. Can you seriously deny the fact that our football at present deserves to win nothing. I for one will encourage the team 100% but that is for the team. Avram doesn't deserve and won't be getting any of my support for turning this club from a machine capable of brushing everyone aside to a slow, limping and boeing group of individuals with no guidance or direction.

@ Cashif

I'm not yet convinced that more wins under Grant would save him his job.

I believe that he'll be out this summer regardless. He is too disliked by the fans and the players. Roman can see it. He's a very intelligent man. Chelsea FC's ultimate goal is world domination. Grant can't do it. Has he swayed any neutrals Chelsea's way?

We'll get a new manager, just remain patient.

@ CRJEN ROBBEN

But dint Kenyon just backed him saying that he's here to stay?

I agree completely with HABS (No 84)

As Chelsea fans, of course it's natural to want our club to do well, regardless of who is Manager. However, i don't see Herbert leaving any time soon. As JANG says, PK has just backed him to stay..ok that doesn't necessarily mean anything (didn't he say there were no problems with T.S.O) but almost EVERYONE you hear on the TV or read about in the press, carps on about how well he's done compared to Jose.

There's bigger pro's than con's on his side at the moment. We are still in the Champs (not for long, mind!) and still in with a chance of winning the Prem. A few people here have said that they want us to lose against Man Ure next week to get rid of him? Really? Well, i am no fan of A.G as i've said in the past but there's no way in hell i want my boys to lose to that bunch of a***holes! Lose the Prem AND our unbeaten home record in our own backyard to that f*****g lot?! No thankyou!! Imagine what everyone in the press would say about that? And it wouldn't be Herbert they'd be slating either..

So, in reality..as i see it...we'd have lost ALL competitions,( a couple of them very embarrassingly) plus lost our home record AND still have an incompetent (in our eyes guys, no one else thinks so don't forget) Captain at the helm of our quickly sinking ship..I'm not sure i want that for Chelsea..
If RA is gonna give him the heave ho, he'll do it in his own time, regardless of what we want or say about him..
Besides, i've had next Saturday booked off work for months so i can go to watch the game and i don't want to see us lose!!
I for one will be totally shocked if they boot him out of the door at the end of the season..personally i think there's more chance of me becoming Prime Minister!

Roman may be an intelligent man as you say CRJEN, but given his record, there is no indication that he makes his mind up very quickly. Or rather, he seems to let things slide for a long time before he then suddenly decides. This was the case with Jose. He obviously fell out with him last winter, but waited until the beginning of this season to hold the talks that led to the break. This followed a bad start by our recent standards, so there were exacerbating circumstances. Poor results and no real improvement in football style. My guess is that he has a lot of business to attend to running his global empire and football is only a part of that. He delegates the running of the club to Buck and Kenyon, on the whole. So these guys don't know any more than us what way Roman is going to turn when he arrives at his desk with Chelsea FC on the agenda. That's why they stick to the script all the time, saying nothing but appearing to support whoever is manager. Roman sanctioned Grant's 4-year contract during a spell of good results. But losses in the Cups and a failure to win either the Prem or the Champs Lge may change his mind. Grant is hardly going to demand a huge pay-off from his friend and the man who promoted him beyond his station. So it will be a straight forward affair.

The big worry is this argument that keeps cropping up that Grant has not had a chance yet with his own team. That his failings - the style of football, the dodgy results in key games (Arsenal remains the exception rather than the rule) - are down to inheriting a squad built by Jose to play in Jose's image. That's what may tip the balance in favour of Grant getting his 100K and a squad re-vamp. This will mean Steve Clarke, the last remaining link top Jose, leaving too I expect. Alternatively, if Arnesen's influence is as big as some say, then there will be a counter-argument about the need to grab a big name coach with winning credentials while one is available. This would probably mean Frank Rijkaard coming in, as he seems at the end of his time at Barcelona. Or Hiddinck, though he has Euro 2008 to negotiate with Russia in the way of an immediate move. He is obviously liked by Roman though and is supposed to be building the Russian team and its football infrastructure in general. So maybe he is already occupied with long-term work in another part of the empire. You've got tolve Hiddink though. Anyone who has this to say about Arsene Wenger, after a Champs Lge match with PSV (who Hiddink then managed): "I don't usually get involved but I have to say something about Wenger's behaviour. He was complaining to the fourth official all the time and asking for help. His team showed a surprising lack of discipline. They are an experienced side with World Cup and European experience but some of them lost their temper and it affected the result."

>Habs
The press have been using cliches like: 'boring football' and 'grinding out results' looooong before AG came on board. One of the major grouses they had with chelsea during JM's era was that despite the huge funds (hundreds of millions of pounds) invested in the club by RA, the club still played DRAB FOOTBALL! and was often grinding out results against percieved lower opposition or have you forgotten so soon?

Lets not pretend to forget the perspective the press placed us then, (along with the fact that JM was percieved as being arrogant). These in my mind formed the strong force that put the wedge between RA and JM.

I said it before and will say it again, JM's performance was on the decline when you compare his later seasons to his earlier ones...i stand to be corrected but i think he had his worst start ever at the beginning of this season before he left. For all you care and project, he may not have fared better than AG in this season's PL...recall the run-in last season when we were giving manure the chase?....we were drawing matches too instead of winning them to close the gap on manure (an example was the bolton match at the bridge), it was frustrating...It only tells you that pressure at this stage is not easy to manage.

Same thing happens this season and we all scream like its the 1st time we'v experienced such...

Some may bring in the issue of injuries as the cause of JM's poor run for last season, but i think AG has had his fair share too when players were injured and some core players were off to the ACN...

He's not the best of managers and does not have any of the charisma we'v all gotten used to, but the stats dont lie...results so far suggests that he has fared better than whinger and tubby...

Funny, on this blog during JM's time we were more concerned about our results, stats and position than anything the press said...under AG the opposite seems the case!

I'll root for blackburn today...many things can still happen!

Always Blue!

The only reason why Jose experienced a decline was because of Roman. Whenever Jose was given the backing (season 1 and 2) he brought us league titles. He was able to buy who he wanted (Drogba, Ricky, Essien, Paulo, A Cole) and whenever he made the decisions over buys then he brought us success. Then in season 3 what happens? He has sheva thrust upon him and because of the 30m price tag he was forced to play him. We cahnge our shape, no wingers and we end up winning 'only' two cups (which is two more than Avram will win this season). Then coming in to season 4 what happens? RA is in a sulk with Jose who is getting all the praise and RA decides to buy no-one. Jose wanted Alves RA delivers Belletti. Jose wanted Alexandre Pato, RA delivers Pizarro. RA gives him Sidwell, yet another free whilst Utd buy Nani, Tevez and Anderson and Liverpool buy Torres. 26m for Torres would have been a bargain for us as would have 15m for pato but we spend nothing on Pizarro. The one buy Jose chose (Malouda) was actually playing well under Jose and has become shit since Avram. It sums up a lethargy under Avram where none of the players give a shit.

All of them are waiting until the summer to decide their futures. If Avram stays expect Lamps, Drogba and others to leave as they don't want to waste their final years of their career winning nothing. The team is running itself at the moment and that is only good enough to get us so far. When we need some guidance, inspiration or motivation there is nothing to be found on the sidelines. Lamps will sign a new contract immediately if he saw a Laudrup or Rijkaard leading the side, but if not expect him to be wearing the colours of Barcelona next year. Avram talks of buying Messi and Kaka, but money doesn't buy you everything. Why would Messi choose to come to us and have to play every week on autopilot. We will end up replacing Lampard with Diego (A step down from a world class player to an A- player) and Drogba with Anelka. Anelka hasn't scored as many goals at Chelsea than at Bolton. THis just shows how he is being used wrongly. And who does the coaching and the tactics? That genius Avram who decided to introduce attacking football to the club. Jose left because of his relationship with RA and Avram got the job because of his friendship with RA. THat is the most pathetic reason to employ a 'manager'. I can't yet call him that until he passes his exams (how embarrassing is that - we simply have a man off the street who happens to know RA running our club. Why isn't Peter Kenyon our manager. He knows RA and also has a lack of the required qualifications). If jose was given 100m last summer then he would have won the treble or even the quad because he would have known who to buy and how to coach them. If Avram is playing football manager at the moment he's not playing it very well. He doesn't know how to coach the players. Thrusting Van der Vaart, Modric, Aguero, Benzema on him would be a waste. We would end up second again and in the semi-finals again. Our team are expected to win everything because our squad is good enough yet Avram has fucked it up with his leadership.

You say Jose wouldn't have done better than Avram this season. My arse! He knew how to use Malouda, he knew how to close out a game, he knew how to turn a loss into a win (Reading away saw a double substitution at half time and we score twice and win) and his tactics would have given us more points and more trophies than Avram has brought us:
Carling Cup - Jose would never have picked that side and would have won it. With your penchant for stats Alex how about this one. Jose NEVER lost a final in his managerial career. So i think we would have beaten spurs.
FA Cup - Chelsea had never lost to lower league opposition under Jose and we would have beaten BArnsley. Then after thaat who could see Jose fucking it up against WBA or Cardiff?
League - Jose would have had us top simple as that. Jose once said that conceding 3 or 4 goals in a game is an embarrassment and if his side had conceded 4 in training they would all be dropped. So what has happened this year. We conced 4 to Villa at home and lose two points, 4 away to Spurs and lose two more points and get sloppy at the end of games. Under Jose we were the fittest side in the world, running for 120 minutes if it required and scoring endless late goals. How many crucial late goals did we score under Jose (Everton away, Wigan away, Watford away, Barca away, Valencia away...) whereas now we concede late goals (Everton home, Villa home, Wigan home, Spurs away...). Under Jose we would be top of the league as we would never drop so many points so you are wrong Alex.

You also state how the press have been critical of Chelsea for ages. They have been critical of our football ever since RA arrived. But under Jose we used that criticism as a positive and it stregthened the bond of our side. This siege mentality and outrageousness of Jose took the pressure off the side and brought us 6 trophies. Now this criticism gets to Avram, he crumbles and suddenly the headlines seem to affect the side.

'Funny, on this blog during JM’s time we were more concerned about our results, stats and position than anything the press said…under AG the opposite seems the case!'
Well under Jose our results and stats were world class. New records for fewest goals scored, most clean sheets, most points, first foreign manager to win back to back league titles in his first two seasons... We didn't care about the press because it didn't affect us. Now the fans still don't care about the press because their criticism has been merited. Criticism for Jose's side was because of jealousy at our success and money, now the criticism is because of our performances and our manager. Who can say that isn't fair? We have fewer points, goals, wins, clean sheets and trophies than in Jose's first year and our football is even worse. And that criticism has gotten to Avram. We are turning into a laughing stock because of Avram off the pitch and on it we are on a downward slope. Avram has ruined us and it has nothing to do with the press. The press had nothing to do with Jose's so called decline (still one two cups) it was RA and his attitude. The spin the club put on it that it was because of our negative football and that we needed to move forward was bullshit. Our football has declined and we are moving backwards. Avram needs to go for the sake of the club and for all you blaming the press for our problems, open your eyes. Tell me what criticism has been wrong this season? Criticism used to stregthen us now it seems to ruin us and there is one guy to balme for that - Avram.

KTBFFH

@ Lolli -- I'm going to disagree with you (yikes, I might be hounded off the blog for having the temerity...). I think we have a decent chance of being shot of Average by the beginning of next season. The noises coming from the suits are nothing more than suitspeak: he has our full support, he has a contract and we fully expect him to fulfil it, we're already planning for next season ... that's all just the usual drivel served up by boardroom types in these situations. They're certainly not going to say anything that might give fuel to rumours at this stage of the season, when we still have a chance at the Champions League.

Behind the scenes, though, I suspect the suits will have noticed a few things:

-- the fans have not warmed to Average, *despite* the fact that we're looking very likely to finish second, which is better than anyone expected;

-- there's no sign that the players are keen to play for him; on the contrary there are a lot of whisperings (and in TBH's case an actual shout) about how they all signed up to play for José and aren't happy with the change;

-- the press has turned on him, and created an assumption that his job is at risk;

-- Average has failed 100% to deliver any suggestion of the exciting attacking football which is clearly the party line.

Now, if I were the suits (which God forfend), I'd be thinking: Man U are spending big, Arse will get better as their team matures and their squad strengthens, we need to keep up. We have the money, we have the players, and *at the moment* we still have the reputation as one of the better teams in Europe -- but if we fall behind now it's going to be hard to catch up again. So, it won't be enough to look at the manager and say, results have been pretty good and he deserves a chance with his own players for a whole season. Instead you have to say: do we have a manager who is definitely a success, whom people take seriously, whom we can trust to be a leader for the next few years? Does he match the club's profile? Does he have national and international respect?

And then I think the suits will say to each other: this guy is perceived as a lame duck, by the fans, the press, and perhaps by the players too, *even though* he has done pretty well in terms of results. And I don't think they'll risk sticking with him.

Of course, this all changes if by some miracle we win a trophy. It would be absolutely flippin' typical of Chelsea to sour my pleasure in giving Man U a massive kick in the bum by accompanying what would be our sweetest ever trophy with a guarantee of Average's job security...

But I'm afraid I agree with Nick: it's not going to happen.

Habs -- I suspect you're right that Frank and maybe some other players are waiting to see who will be manager next season before deciding whether to stay at the club. What'll happen when José gets his next job? He'll be on the phone the next day to Drogs, Frank, Riccy, Essien. And I know what I'd do if I were them.

avram is the cause of his criticism. He promised good entertaining football as well as scoring lot of goals. i remember he once said 4-3 is better than 1-0. He started comparing himself with jose and the press simply took over from him.He is supposed to get the best out of sheva but hardly use him. And he shouldnt be complaining about the squad he inherited, since he was part of the board (as the director of football)that refused to buy the needed players in jan and summer. Afterall he's RA friend, why cant he tell him the truth.

Although he had injuries too, but his situation is better than last season cuz of the addition of some players - alex, malouda, benhaim etc who no matter how poor they are, the are still better than none. we've not had a c.defence of a.cole and essien this season. Avram had his full squad to choose from at the cc final and FA q.final, but made wrong selections.A number of key players were still battling with injuries at this time of last season. couldnt even get enough subt. for FA cup final. And some of them carried the injuries into this season.There was ACN during the Back- Back too.

Well said, Habs.

"Avram doesn’t deserve and won’t be getting any of my support for turning this club from a machine capable of brushing everyone aside to a slow, limping and boeing group of individuals with no guidance or direction".

@ LTB

Of course it's suitspeak that all is well at Chelsea, as we've said before, exactly the same was said when T.S.O was with us...and i agree with you that behind the scenes MUST be a different story, it's impossible not to be.

Unless they're completely oblivious to the outside world, they're BOUND to of noticed the way the press/TV take the piss out of Herbert and how the fans feel about him..i mean, we've let them know at football matches often enough!

As for the exciting football that he promised..even Herbert's finally come round to the fact that it's results/wins that matter..i know that's what i care more about..winning.

He may not be respected by us but he is definitely respected in the football community. I haven't read 1 bad article or heard 1 bad comment about him from any previous/current football Manager. Have you read the article on him by Terry Vegetables in today's Sun newspaper? He can't suck up to him enough. I read it while i was on my lunch break at work. As i said this morning, they ALL mention his results and compare them to T.S.O's..in fact Vegetables calls us "fickle". He says that when the Chels play badly, we call for Herbert's head, when they play well, he's fantastic..and to a degree i suppose he's right.
He also mentions that Liverscum and Arsenal have done nowhere near as well as us, yet you don't hear their fans calling for Tubby and Whinger's resignation.

I certainly don't think R.A or PK presume Herbert is a lame duck either. As you mention, he's done very well in terms of results..and we're still in the Champs and have a good shot at the Prem, the 2 biggest competitions..and i honestly believe that whether we win both/1/none of them, he will stay..don't forget he signed a 4 year contract at £4million a year..

As for the players, if there is a mass exodus, i don't think any of the suits will be particularly bothered, hence the £80-£100million kitty. After all, NO-ONE is irreplaceable right? In ANY job..
Therefore, regardless of how much we complain..it won't matter a jot. They will do what they want/have to...we don't matter, our opinions don't matter.

Who are we anyway? All we do is pay our hard earned money to the club we love week in week out and genuinely want the best for it..because we actually give a s**t!!
But, hey!...who cares right??

Is Avram showing signs that he's uncomfortable? Lets see it this way. If he knows that he has the backing of the board 100%, why will he want to bite back at the media?

We know that if Grant stays, he will more or less be backed in the market with astronomical amounts of money. At least 2 or 3 world class quality players i hope. But if Toady is being replaced, will the new manager get the same backing in the market too? Well i hope so. For the moment, theres too much unrest and confusion where the fate of season lies in the next 3 games.

Shall we put this issue aside for now and get through the next 4 weeks before we finalise and conclude everything? We still have some hopes and something to play for afer all.

Lets support the team (excluding Avram) for now until the season is really over. Our final hopes are hanging on a thin thread. Rather than worrying about boardroom issues, we should be worrying about Ballack and Drogba who are injured at this moment in time.

But no matter what, we have to sack Toady come end of the season. At the moment, the situation seems evenly poised as no one knows what's going to happen. But there are signs that the pressure is really going hard on him and before we know, our dreams may come true. If we win the CL, we are glorious. If we sack Toady, we are salvaged. If we loose everything and still keep Grant, we still have a potential 100m war chest. Doesnt this look like a win win situation?

The last line was meant to be a joke...

@ JANG

I agree babe. It's no good to just keep on going over and over the same subject. As you say, we're still in 2 comps and i think we have as much chance as Man Ure for winning one of them..and after the hard work that a select few have done this season, it would take a harder person than me to not want to win anything.

All i care about is winning our games...that doesn't make me a "traitor to the cause" in any way. I love Chelsea AND the boys with all my heart and love it when they do well..i just want to see them do their best for the club AND us..if that makes me a bad person, then so be it.

Chelsea FC 's future decisions/plans are NOT in our hands, however much we'd like them to be.

We have already created a pressure cooker enviornment along with the press. We have done what we could. At least the WHOLE WORLD knows that Chelsea fans dont like their current manager. We made our displeasure and dissapointment known to everyone. What are the chances of Roman not knowing that we are unhappy? Now that we have created this atmosphere for Toady to work in, we have forced the issue to our limits without going overboard. The rest is up to Roman and the footballing gods.

Im not really expecting Rovers and Sparky to do us much of a favour so im going to bed.

Roman as a typicall good Russian will be extremelly stubborn
besides the only way to get Toady out is if the fans vote with their feet
and pockets.
If SB gets audiences of less than 30K then RA will think twice.
R Madrid fans did that with Capello and he was gone though he won La Liga.

I love Roque Santa Cruz!

me too!!

Come on, Blackburn warriors, keep it up.


And Santa Cruz replaceing Drog cant be too bad an isea, surely?

nervous few minutes, Blackburn looking a little ragged. Too many red shirts going forward.

Best we can hope for is a draw, unless Sparky makes a change

Someone wind up the pig Rooney, lets see the red.

FUCKING HELL!

Surviving

Friedel is top class.

Friedel is bloody brilliant.

How many hours will be added according to Sir Alex's watch?!

Arse.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Be glad guys. We actually or rather Toady, got away with a criminal result against Wigan. United always looked like scoring and were putting heavy pressure on the Rovers defence. Just look at what how many chances Blackburn created compared to those of Man U? Be glad...

thats the difference ...chelsea's draw happened at the death and went against and ManUre's draw at the death (which they pulled away) did always helped them..........so all the 4-0 victory for manure were only as good as when the other team gets red card and when manu easily get penanly or offside goals......

But this doesnt change the FACT that we played really badly whole year....WE NEED CHANGE.

TYPICAL, They slip up AFTER us, If we had just beaten Spuds and Pigan then we would be top of the league for gods sake, We dont deserve second place anyway though and GRANT MUST GO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!

Big changes must be made
Grant OUT Laudrup and Zola IN
Drogba OUT Santa Cruz IN
Malouda OUT Van Der Vaart IN
Belletti OUT Micah Richards IN

How cruel are untied and that bastard fergie? Now with a draw they have raised our hopes after we had all accepted defeat in the league and concentrated on the CL. A draw is the worst possible result for us. A win would have sealed the title for them and a defeat would have put the title in our own hands. A draw though makes us think that if only they can draw against West Ham or Wigan then the title is ours. But how are we firstly going to beat them, then rely on Avram not to screw it up against a resurgent Newcastle and a piss poor Bolton? As for next week Rafa seems up to his old mind games tricks. Hasn't he noticed that Avram doesn't understand mind games? Avram is just a lump with all the psychological prowess of Phil Neville. Rafa is saying that Stevie fucking G that diver, is a doubt for next week. Expect to see him on Tuesday in full flight as he runs into Mikel and falls over for a pen at the fucking Kop End. I also see that his diving craze has spread from Gerrard to Rooney. How desperate must they have been at Blackburn?

Now we should look ahead to the future:
1. New manager is a must - If we let Laudrup go to Barca then it will be the biggest mistake since being outbid for Cristiano Ronaldo by Manu U in 2003. Zola will also be free in the summer. We MUST sign him up.
2. New players - I think all of us have settled on who should definitely go: Belletti, TBH, Sidwell, Malouda, Sheva, Pizarro. The ones probably leaving: Bridge, Maka (retire), SWP and the maybes waiting until Avram is confirmed as leaving or staying: Lamps, Ricky, Drogba.
As for those in: Richards/Alves (RB), Lahm (LB), Bentley (AMC), Modric/Van der Vaart (Creative player), Ashley Young (winger), Aguero (New Zola), Villa/Benzema (CF). We should also promote Kakuta, Di Santo, Sinclair.

With this plan on the table we'll final have the leadership and flair we have been lacking for the past 9 months from Laudrup and Zola and a new younger, more creative team.

KTBFFH - The future looks bright (without Avram)

The future looks orange, but that TOAD is always in black, so what do you expect?
Wait to see AG claiming the credit if chelsea gets agood result against Liver.
The man is like the country he comes from, a pariah country/person.

Ha Ha i was waiting to see how long it would take to say: 'the future looks orange.' Well the future looks grey at the moment. We are all unsure over what's happening next. Are we going to win everything or nothing (probably nothing). Is Avram going to stay or go (if he stays then it's time i disconnected my sky box to avoid looking at his ugly mug). Are the players going to stay or go (as said above there's going to be a mass clearout). Is Lamps going to sign a new contract (yes - without Avram). Are we going to get Laudrup and/or Zola (hopefully). Will they be given the expected 100m warchest (probably not). Are we finally going to beat liverpool in a semi final (oh how i hope so if only to see the look on carragher and that diver gerrard's faces. I've kind of warmed to rafa now and his funny press conferences, well certainly more than i have warmed to Avram). Will we beat man u only to lose it with a draw against newcastle or even worse on goal difference (i think that's what's going to happen and it will fianlly vindicate all of us who have been saying that Avram certainly hasn't brought more attacking football otherwise we couldn't be 20+ goals behind them)? If we win the CL will Avram stay (oh fuck he might). There are many questions to be answered and all the positive answers seem to stem from Avram fucking off. It may only be a hope at present but in 6 games (if we get to the final) we'll finally see whether RA has the balls to admit he made a mistake and sack him, replace him with Laudrup and Zola or even better bring back you know who...

We're 3 points back and 18 goals adrift in goal difference. I propose we beat United 10-nil next week, thereby taking the lead in goal difference. I'm thinking 3 from Drogs, 3 from Anelka, 2 from Joe, a penalty from Frank and a 90th minute screamer from Essien. Problem solved.

Also, I really don't think Santa Cruz is the answer. Losing Drogs is going to suck and we really need someone proven. I'm not convinced.

Well done Blackburn, not a win but still points dropped for Man Ure. The Chels have just got to make sure they keep their act together and WIN all remaining games...that may not be enough yet, but here's hoping...

I'm still both optimistic and confident that the Prem will be Blue..

Apparently Stevie s***head will be out of the Champs game with a neck injury for trying to score too many headers in practice!!! Yeah, ok, whatever! See you there then Steve no doubt..it's not him we have to be concerned about anyways, it's Torres..

Frankie may be missing for the game..
Does anyone know how Essien is btw? I believe he's suffering with exhaustion?..

Gomez or Huntelaar, Who would you take to replace DD?

@ STOWE

I agree..if Didier doesn't want to stay, he should be FORCED to!! LOL

Ankur 'thats the difference …chelsea’s draw happened at the death and went against and ManUre’s draw at the death '

Absolutely right. The sign of Champions is to get points when you shouldn't and the sign of also-rans is to drop points when you shouldn't. Utd have come from being behind on 4-5 occasions in the last couple of months to get points, and we have dropped points at the death 4-5 times.

Still, it does make next Saturday night fixture meaningful again! If only that we have the home record and the opportunity to lose the title on goal difference to play for!

>Habs (no.90)
1) I'd rather play 4-4 with Villa at home (AG) than lose 2-0 away (JM), so conceeding 3 or 4 goals in itself is not the issue!
2) You blame JM's poor start in the league on the fact that RA did not help his quest to fortify the squad in the summer compared to manure and the scousers, but still went on to say that JM would have been topping the same league by now...this is inconsistent my friend. If you believe the squad wasnt strong enough and thats why JM (who had managed them for 3 years +) had a poor start after 7 matches, why do you expect so much from AG who did not even have the benefit of a pre-season training with the same team?
3) You keep talking about Malouda...the guy is not a consumate professional, otherwise he can not be producing below par performances consistently all season (whether motivated by AG or not)...little wonder 98% of those playing the buy/sell game have recommended that we sell him
4) If JM was the infallible manager you paint him to be, then surely, he should have won us 4 trophies in each of his 3 years with us, meaning that charlton would not have beaten us at the bridge in the carling cup 2 yrs ago and we would not have lost out to newcastle and liverpool in FA cup and CL matches

You threw up scenarios of what would happen if AG stays in the summer, different people have painted different scenarios too, so i'll take yours to be just another conjecture...Summer is around the corner and i'll just wait and see how things pan out...

Yes, AG is not the world's greatest manager, infact he is a nobody when we look at qualifications and pedigree...but he has tried thus far and that is a fact!

>Lolli (No 95)
That post got me laffing...nice one!

Always Blue!

@119. True Blue Joe · 10:22 PM · 19th April
To replace DD I would take the TOAD out of management
if the toad goes it will be the best acquisition that chelsea could deliver
since the signing of JM.
Sometimes to cure cancers the best way is surgery, inthe case of chelsea the cancer was implanted well befor last september, but if surgery is required ( and the supporters could demand it, by boycotting the gates receipts and merchandising) maybe the surgeon RA, could realise the best solution is to send the virus/bacteria to its place.
send the medieval thinking football manager back to his desert cave, with his Happoel of something dont recall it now.
No season ticket for next year and no merchandise in this port. period.

Now I am going to translate this in f****** yiedish and going to the jew
chat room, they love me there.

MARCO, Of course we all want the toad gone as soon as possible however we cant be sure this is going to happen, from what I have been hearing Kenyon says that Grunt signed a 4 year contract and Its Kenyons goal for him to see out that contract, I know that near enough all of us would be in despair if AG was still in charge next season, RA and PK are making us seem like a club with no ambition hell we only looked interested in the CL since the departure of TSO, We can try and show our displease with the current situation of our club by no buying season tickets or not going to games etc but the reality is AG is Romans friend and Kenyon is RAs puppet and unless we have a totally unsucessfull season (and we have been so far) or Grant admits hes not good enough (highly unlikely) then we will be stuck with this unproven guy next season aswell, I see that many of you are pointing out that Capello was ousted by Real Madrid because the fans werent happy with him but thats La Liga and Real Madrid, over there they like "Sexy Football" and want to rule the world of football, We have been known not to play "Good Football" and RA proberbly doesnt think this would change under say Laudrup, Also we dont even look like we want to win the league or any other competition other than the UCL, Kenyon has made us look like a club with no ambition and surely unless Average Grunt is gone then most of our star players will want to move on at the end ofthe season, I hope im wrong and he leaves regardless of what he achieves (So far nothing) If not then I wont buy next years kit or go to any games

@ 125. True Blue Joe · 12:53 AM · 20th April
I know TBJ
but PK after all MUST toe the line if he wants to get his millions/pa the same like Buck, he must buck his line as well.
after all they have to toe the lien, the owner is used to people that OBEYS, period, you do not anf even if you are EXTREMELLY successful like JM, the door is showne, as k JM.
Now PK know st at the toad is a friend, you know those kind of friends that if have plenty of money they stick to you like leeches? so typical of my faith, thats the prob.
PK and the buck are not going to jeoperdise their income, so whatever PK and da Buck says the supporters couldnt care less, but unfortunetely we have to swallow, hence the only way to get opur opinions heard is to vote with your pockets, (no season tickets) and merchandise (no online buys) like I am doing.
Yes RA is rich he has put in £500KK, but after all the receipts is what to certain extent keeps the club going, and I am not prepared to pay my ticket ot merchandise to subsidise the TOAD salary and for that matter ten cate another plonker that has never achieved anything on his own.
Dpoes that make me a nice b0i?

sorry for the typos long day lol

Wow that was a good response Alex:
1. It's really useful that you've compared one result at home (4-4) to one result away (2-0 defeat to Villa). Ok then let's continue that theme. I'd rather win the carling cup final, i'd rather win the fa cup final, i'd rather draw 1-1 at the emirates with 10 men and having to play scott sinclair due to our injuries, i'd rather draw 1-1 at old trafford instead of lose 2-0, i'd rather have beaten wigan at home 3-0 than draw 1-1. I'd rather have Jose's 'functional' football over Avram's crap anyday. Jose's football brought us more trophies, goals, points and clean sheets than avram's 'exciting' football. Why is it a good thing to throw away leads under Avram rather than secure late victories under Jose. No true fan gives a shit about an exciting 4-4 at home to Vila or away at spurs because those stupid tactics and substitutions in those games have cost us the title. When has jose in his career ever conceeded 4 in a game let alone twice in a season. After the 4-4 at home to Villa, Avram proclaims that it'll never happen again yet he somehow contrives to make it happen again. So your first point is irrelevant.
2. I was actually referring to your so called general decline in Jose's performances from years 1 and 2 to his 3rd season. If he had been given the backing we would not have lost out on great players and we would have won even more. It is also not inconsistent to say that despite a poor start Jose would have had us top of the league. The team has been running itself and Avram has contributed nothing to the team. Jose's poor start was 3 wins, 3 draws and a defeat to Villa. One of those draws was away to Liverpool and 1 was at home to Blackburn with a disallowed goal which was onside. That should never have been enough to sack a manager over and as i said before if or should i say when Jose got over the blip, in the same games he would achieved better results than Avram. It is as simple as that. What has Avram done that Jose couldn't have? Lose to Barnsley, lose a cup final, draw important games, play less attractive football, lose team spirit, score fewer goals...the list goes on. Jose would never have lost points in the last minute to so many sides. And you ask why expect so much from Avram. Well it is becuase he is in charge of one of the best teams in the world and you don't need a pre-season to affect the team if you were a good enough manager. How has Steve Bruce done so well without a pre-season? Anyway Avram doesn't even handle training sessions so what is pre-season going to do? The very least i expect is two trophies after Jose brought us 6 in 3 years. So when Avram fails to deliver us two he should fuck off home whilst the club admit what a mistake they've made.
3. I bring up the example of Malouda to highlight the drastic decline we've experienced under Avram. Against Birmingham and Liverpool he was perhaps our best player. He was creative and put in 100% effort (the very least we expect from players). Now he doesn't look as if he cares and does not affect a game in any way. I wonder why. It's because he and many others couldn't give a shit about trying their hardest for Avram. Jose made them play their best with his man-mangement whilst Avram brings out the worst in players. Jose's coaches made Cech the best Gk in the world whilst Avram's addition of Christophe Lollichon has made Cech into a great shot stopper but poor at crosses. Drogba became the best striker in the world under Jose and now he is just saving himself for next year's move. You don't seem to be able to grasp that players do not try anymore under Avram. They are running on Autopilot and Malouda is the prime example of this. If you saw him under Jose you would see what a good player he can be when he cares.
4. When have i ever said Jose was infallible? I am simply highlighting the yawning chasm in quality between him and Avram. We won back to back league titles, our first in 50 years, the carling cup twice and the fa cup. These are the facts and under Avram we will win nothing. This year's league title will be one by one of the lowest points totals in years showing a distinct lack of quality and or consistency. Under Jose we won it with 95 points. Jose did get it wrong sometimes but losing to newcastle with 9 men was not his fault and being beaten at liverpool by a fake goal and on penalties is just bad luck. If Avram beats liverpool on talent then fair play to him but that'll never happen in a month of sundays. The players will be responsible if we get through and not him. It is plainly obvious to everyone in Europe that Jose has already become a GREAT manager and he is only 45. For all the experience Avram goes on about he has won nothing in his 55 years because he is simply shit at everything in life on and off the pitch. He is rubbish at anything to do with football and when dealing wiht media he gets even worse. I don't understand why you feel the need to stick up for him whilst downplaying the achievements of the greatest manager we've ever had.

I have painted a lot of scenarios for the future because that is what true chelsea fans want, some hope that things will improve. If we just accept that whatever the board does is final then nothing will cahnge. Our displeasure will get through and Avram will go. If you are not willing to support the growing movement to force Avram out then fine. You just stay quiet and accept that we will be a middle of the road side looking for 4th every season. Our moans and groans at every match will amke a difference just as our support for Jose kept him here for 3 years after it looked like he would be gone after just two. So in the end all true fans will get their wish and see Avram fuck off from ruining our club.

@122. alex · 12:19 AM · 20th April
Yes AG has tried and so far things are turning good, not better as he claims, but ok.
But then again with the squad he has with the player's mentality, spirit, and winning attitude that he has inherit even you would do the same or better.
Lets face it if I manage Brazil team for a few months I may become a world champion, it is no brainer, the same in chelsea, after all you havent heard yet an interview form any player in chelsea saying the achievement this year is due to the TOAD, have you? the nearest was lampard interview where he says AG knows alot about football, well if you read enough you will know a lot about football too, there are plenty of football books. You can know alot about football, but to manage you need different qualities, not in the TOAD's baggage, the man is useless as 90% of the chelsea supporters know, how come in every live match I have been the fans call JM name, to the most smiles of the players, lol.
What amazes me most about the TOAD, is that apart from the beginning where he tried to denigrate JM's work and achievements, tried to convince the press and the fans that chelsea was pratcing a better type of football, etc etc you know what i mean, suddendly when he realised it did not work, this imbecile, changed tune, now it is JM's squad, but he always saif he was happy with the attitude of the players. Bullsh*t now player or staff is happy with him, just tolerant as their need the salary,period.
HABS believe me this guy is like a cancer typical of his kind, if left unchecked it will spread like summer wild fires.
It takes one (RA) to understand another(AG).

another topic
he even tried to compare his achievements in israel league with the premiership,
now if this is not proof of his utopian believes you tell me what it is?
Anyway gone for the weekend back on wed.
you guys have a good w/e.

Tonight i simply wonder why people like Alex and Jose Musumba are even sticking up for him? Our criticism is more than justified and if he doesn't leave soon then the criticism will start getting personal. I wouldn't want to see that but what true chelsea fans want is for him to go and for a real manager to be installed. Is that too much to ask? For a club trying to rule the world we have a man in charge who until last week wasn't even allowed to travel on our pre-season tour and lest we forget he isn't even properly qualified. He is a joke and he must leave now otherwise if we somehow stumble onto success in the CL Avram and his supporters like Alex might sway RA into keeping him. That must never happen and we must force him out.

I fear that the passion is no longer there, Proberbly only JT thinks we can win the EPL, RA just wants the CL maybe then he will make us suffer with the toad in charge for a hell of a long time (Oh god no), I will not fund this morons salary (AG) I hope we get a new manager, I cant wait if we do but if we dont then what the hell is going on? Has it became Kenyons aim to make us suffer with Grant

"A great player and a great person, for me the player of the year in England and maybe in Europe because of the influence he has on the team,” Grant said of Gerrard.

“He is a nice guy, a positive guy and he is an example for many people. Unfortunately he plays against me not with me, but he is still my favourite player.”

"I'm not surprised about him playing up with [Fernando] Torres. In that position he probably feels more free.

“He has the quality to play in any position. But he is not my player. If you can bring him to me, I will be happy!"

Grant on guess who Steven Shittard

LINK

Wonder if there is any truth in this rumour in the Mail?

Essien would be a big loss to the side, even though his form has been patchy this year.

Also, the News of The Screws rumour, related to the fact that Hiddink's Russia contract comes to an end after Euro 2008, and although he has the option for a 2 year extension, Roman is currently refusing to finance it! Quite like the idea of Hiddink, as he did well with the Aussies, however, not sure if he comes close to 'The Special One' when it comes to the psychology of football.

Well lets forget TSO, he won't be back, but Hiddink, has got a decent CV, and his a proper manager not like the toad.
Apparently in TNOW is mentioned toady would leave Chelsea with a pay package of £5KK, it is the bset thing for him, I honestly couldnt see any proper, decent manager listening to him in any matters of football.

@ TRUE BLUE JOE

Can't believe that! I must be walking around blind to not notice what a footballing God Stevie S***head is!! Wish i knew what the fascination with him was..can't figure it out for the life of me....he's shite at best!!
Herbert must be the only person in Chelsea who wants to see the knob at Stamford Bridge!!!

Am i the only person who's not convinced by Hiddink?
IF RA is gonna buy us a new Manager, why can't it be someone who isn't already in his close circle of friends?!!!

According to Reuters/CNN/ESPN, Hiddink signed the 2-year extension on March 24. Somebody's not telling the truth.

I can't believe RA pays AG 2.5m a year, because if he does he's a bigger mug than the footballing world has ever taken him for.

I do think Hiddink would be one of the best man for the job though, and he is mates with RA and his inner circle, Lollipop.

Among other things, remember how his PSV slaughtered Milan in that CL semi, yet somehow lost it?

@ JACK

I'm STILL not convinced....i'd feel better about Frank Rijkaard coming to Stamford Bridge more than him personally..

More rumours of Chelsea chasing Berbatov this morning..

Don't matter who we buy unles we get rid of Grunt first.

Senior players revolt.
LINK

@ CASHIF

Did you notice the statement at the bottom of your link? Exactly what i was saying yesterday..NOBODY in professional circles, be it Managers, pundits etc has got a bad word to say about him..taking his results so far into account.

Just been reading about Essien wanting out in the summer.
Apparently, reports reckon that Real Madrid's sporting director was at the Fener game and had a meeting with PK and Essien's agents. They're willing to offer Robinho and Royston Drenthe in return for him..

I hear what you're saying there, Lolli, but other than when it comes to England managers and everyone is high on patriotism, no one in professional circles really goes about slagging off professional a profesional manager unless what he has done is truly shocking.

The season has not been shockingly bad - in fact, overall, results have gone well for him so far, wether that be down to him or the players or Steve Clarke.

BUT I will say I have heard on plenty of occasions, less direct criticism. ie. He came in saying he'd deliver attacking football, and nothing has changed...

Like a lot of others here have been saying, we're running on the momentum that was created by the previous management and once that stops, with Clarkey and a buch of senior players leaving, we'll see 'Grant's team'. Then, when we see a true reflection of Grant and not JM's left-overs, you'll have everyone (apart from managers who normally avoid criticizing fellow managers) sticking the knife in.

Do we really want to wait for that though?

Essien is a far better player than his performances for us would suggest.
He can cause havoc if he's not restricted to the defensive roles we tie him down with.

I wouldn't mind having Robinho, but Drenthe would be another SWP.

@Alex

I have been reading down what you have been saying. Your arguments and explanations are spot on and it is a pity that what you are trying to do is not being heard.

You have stated many times out on this blog that Avram is not a top notch coach...but still recognize that he is doing way better than Whinger and Benitoz. Fact as the league is being read.

For someone to comeout and fail to realize that Avram has done us a great deal of good this season baffles me. The question would be is it the dislike of the coach or the fact that many have placed him at Mourinho's departure????

Should we win the league then it will be down to the players...and if we fail it will be on Avram's head...toss! Many of the players at chelsea are not motivated enough to play for Avram...probably many are thinking like some on this blog. It is quick to misinterprete a happening but very hard to recogonize when you are wrong.

True Avram lost us the Carling cup aided by poor display by John Terry (I will be back on this topic soon), We fell out of the FA Cup thanks to Avram and closely supported by Cudicini. How we can fail to see these things beats me...

Alex mentioned that Mourinho's club performance was falling each year...Fact statistics do not lie. I would be quick to say it was his failure to change tactics other teams were learning his "long" ball game or probably the league was becoming more difficult to play in. I say that the quality of players is going down...

Cech - Not the same after that injury
Ashley - Plays better now than under JM
Carlvalho - No Change still impressive
Terry - Horrible this season, average last and pretty good in the first two JM
Ferreira - Still Average
Joe Cole - Going back to his bad days...was pretty brilliant in the last season we won the league
SWP - Should be sold
Ballack - Better than under JM
Makelele - Still the rock
Mikel - improving always
Essien - ACN affected him but he is now back
Lampard -
Drogba - Should let him go..."something is broken at the club???"
Malouda - Why on earth did JM buy this player????
Kalou - on the rise
Shevy - "Gone with the wind"

Why JM allowed to have the following - your guess is as good as mine...
Pizzaro
Sidwell
Ben Haim

So Alex I understand where you are coming from and do respect your arguments...

JM was tactically better not disputed but he is NOT CHELSEA!!!!

Keep the Blue Flag Flying!!!!

I would be quick to say it was his failure to change tactics other teams were learning his “long” ball game

A statement so staggering in its stupidity, short-sightedness and general ignorance that it tops anything you've said before, Jose. Remarkable achievement, even for you.

Lollipop - I prefer Hiddink because he may be the safest pair of hands in these circumstances. He can do it ugly (eg with Australia - they were practically a rugby team), or with style (eg PSV). I'm not sure Rijkaard is that flexible, and I think you need it in England. But as far as`I'm aware, Hiddink isn't available, so it may be a`moot point.

Sell Essien? I would absolutely murder the person who thought of that or have intentions of that.

Lollipop - regarding pundits and Grant, have a look at Graham Taylor in this one:

LINK

I think he hits the nail on the head, and I think, reading between the lines, this is the view held by an awful lot of the pundits.

Wow isn't it nice to have that blind observer of football who has been swayed by Avram's spin, Jose Musumba back! Let's look at yours and Alex's points and demolish them because none of us can see in any way shape or form how Avram is anything but shit:
1. 'For someone to comeout and fail to realize that Avram has done us a great deal of good this season baffles me.' What baffles us is either how thick you are or how blind you are. Either way you are wrong. We realise how much damage Avram has done to this club. He firstly forced his way in as director of football because of his links to RA and then when he wormed his way into the job he has ruined the club. He has cost us two cups. As simple as that. He has ruined the team spirit and bond which Jose built up over 3 years. He has worsened our style of football. And he has mad eplayers unhappy. Drogba doesn't gove a shit anymore and why are you pariasing Steven Gerrard over Lampard who is your own player. Jose's constant praising of Lamps as the best midfielder in the world got lampard 2nd place in the european player of the year. Where has Gerrard ever come in that. Avram is a liability who is slowly ruining us. Having a word in RA's ear is only making things worse and he is slowly focing people out of the club.
2. 'Should we win the league then it will be down to the players…and if we fail it will be on Avram’s head…toss!' Well that kind of sums it up perfectly. You and Alex plainly can't see the fact that he is not affecting the team in any positive manner. The team is running on Autopilot with no inspiration or motivation from the bench. The team are good enough to get us to second but no further. We need the tactical nous of a real manager to make us winners. The fact is we won't win the league and our failures are down to Avram. As you say he cost us the Carling Cup final with his team selection, he cost us the FA Cup with his team selection, he cost us points at home to Villa with his tactics, he cost us points away at Spurs with his tactics, he cost us points at home to Wigan with his team selection...the list goes on. His tactical ineptitude and sheer lack of passion are the traits of a baffoon who lucked his way into a job at one of the best sides in the world. He inherited one of the best teams in the world and the team are doing it themselves. If you want evidence for this then i will spell it out plainly just for you and Alex. Remember extra time in the cup final. We're at 1-1, playing cluelessly (thanks to Anelka on the wing and no Joe Cole) and we see JT taking the team talk. If that isn't proof that the manager has no input on the team then i don't know what is.
3. 'Alex mentioned that Mourinho’s club performance was falling each year…Fact statistics do not lie. I would be quick to say it was his failure to change tactics other teams were learning his “long” ball game or probably the league was becoming more difficult to play in. I say that the quality of players is going down' Yet more blind stupidity from Jose Musumba. I think you are the only one to see that Jose wasn't able to change tactics. I mean was it just a coincidence that he was regarded as the best user of substitutes the league has ever seen or was it that he was able to switch from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 with Drogba and Crespo to win us back to back league titles that shows his lack of tactical versatility? And you say we were playing long ball football. Well with our two wingers we won 2 league titles and in our 3rd season our diamond brought us 2 cups. Who cares about long ball football when it brings you success. I don't hear you complaining about Avram's tactic of hoofing the ball forward against Arsenal to get a win. You also say that the elague was becoming more difficult to play in. Well that was because Jose came in and raised the standard needed to win this league. This season the lague will be won with one of the lowest points totals in years. Coincidence, i think not as under Jose we set record after record including the highest points total of 95 ever to win the league. And as you say 'stats don't lie.' So let's point some out for you. More wins, goals, clean sheets, points, and trophies in ANY of Jose's seasons you wish to compare to this idiot's campaign. So thanks for agreeing with us how stats show how much of an idiot Avram is.
3. You say the quality of players is going down. Well that was caused by RA sulking and not giving him the backing he required. Jose didn't ask for free transfers did he? He asked for Dani Alves yet RA bought Belletti, he asked for Alexandre Pato yet RA bought Pizarro, he didn't even want Sidwell. If RA had given him the same backing as in Jose's first two seasons we would be champions.
Cech - You say he's getting worse and that is because of Avram's decision to hire Christophe Lollichon. Whose fault is that then. I guess we'll blame it on Jose to keep you happy.
A Cole - Plays better now becuase he isn't injured anymore you idiot. If he was as injured as last year then Bridge would have played another 35 games like he did last year under Jose.
Carvalho - No change. Wow that's praise enough for a player Jose made into a world class defender by coaching him for 5 years.
JT - He was world class under Jose and would run through brick walls for him. I think we should give him a break for having a broken foot and damaged ankle for 4 months this season. After all he's the one delivering the team talks as we saw in the cup final.
Ferreira - Average as you put it. Well Jose made him a 7/10 player as he put it. He would never dip below that and wold never cost us games, unlike Belletti that player RA brought to our club. Thanks a lot.
Joe Cole - Going back to his bad old days because Jose isn't there to tell him to track back. Jose made him the player that he is today and that's the end of it. Without Jose, Cole would still be the showboat we saw at West Ham.
SWP - I remember how his best football has come in CM. Now who was it that had the insight to put him there? I think it was Avram, oh no wait a minute it wasn't because Avram is the sought of guy who thinks Anelka is a winger.
Ballack - Better now because he has had a year to settle in. Nothing to do with Avram.
Maka - Still the rock. Now who made him the best DM in the world. Oh yeah it was Jose again. He must be pretty good this Jose.
Mikel - Still improving. It seems to me that it was Jose who bought this guy and made him that good. Wow yet another one in the Jose camp. Avram's not doing too well at this point. How many players as he improved? Um...
Lamps - I guess you're too embarrassed to comment after your pitifull criticism of him leaving the Wigan game to care for his seriously ill mum. Wow you certainly have class don't you Jose. Well true fans see him as the heartbeat of the side, the only midfielder in the world to score 20 goals for 4 consecutive seasons and wihtout him look what happens: Barnsley, Wigan, Fenerbahce. And who made him that good? Oh yes it was Jose's training and constant praise and not Avram's admiration of Steven Gerrard in the press. Still 0 in Avram's column. Not doing too well is he Jose?
Drogba - Shows what happens when you replace a world class manager with a baffoon. If we replace Avram with a proper manager like Laudrup or Rijkaard then he will stay. If not then expect him to start the exodus. It just shows what happens to a team with no leadership from the top. And not to forget. Who turned him into the best striker in the world last year. Um... I think it's one more to Mourinho.
Malouda - Why did Jose buy Malouda you ask. Well look at his performances under Jose and compare them to under Avram. Under Jose he was one of our most creative players who was willing to give his all (remember first game of the season Musumba when he ran rings around Birmingham). Now he just can't be arsed. You can put that down to Avram.
Kalou - It was Jose again who saw his talent, bought him and improved. Yet another point to Mourinho. I think it's about 9 (Mourinho) to 0 (Avram) in terms of player improvement.
Sheva - Now who was it that thrusted this has been onto Jose?Oh yes and it was RA. Now just to confirm how good a manger Mourinho was, Sheva scored 15 (yes it was that many) goals for Jose and 4 for Avram. I think that proves who can get the best out of players. The score has now rised to 10 (mourinho) to 0 (Avram).
As for the frees - Well Jose didn't want them. Simple as that. It's not as if Avram has improved them.

'JM was tactically better not disputed but he is NOT CHELSEA!!!!' Well that's a great point isn't it guys. Let's all congratulate Musumba on his great insight. I think we should look at what he perceives to be 'Chelsea' and what we do. Before Jose what had we won? Um..it looks pretty bare to me. And then he arrives and brought us back to back league titles. His flamboyance, arrogance and controversy created a siege mentality and subsequent winning mentality Chelsea have NEVER had and what did that bring - well only 6 trophies. So i think we sould all agree with Musumba. Go back to the classic Ranieri Chelsea days of underachievement and disappointment where finishing in the top four is an achievement to cry about. Jose was the change we all needed and look waht has happened since (I think it's two cups lost for Avram this year, so well done Avram. You're clearly the 'Chelsea' Musumba has been longing for).

'Keep the Blue Flag Flying!!!!' You can't even say the chant right. It's Keep the Blue Flag Flying HIGH you baffoon. I think you are as stupid as Avram because your comments certainly provide us with that conclusion. Avram and you should just go. You're both as blind and inept as each other.

KTBFFH (Remember that's Keep the Blue Flag Flying HIGH in case you forgot Musumba).

After reading today's papers, i just want 2 things:

1) Essien and Ballack to stay. In fact i want all those players who can still contribute to the team to stay including Didier.

2) Grunt irritates me more and more every single day. I fear that i may not live to see us lift the European Cup. Kick him out! Roll and drag him out of nessecary.

I am not totally convinced by GH but we dont have many options really, Rijkaard may have a decent CV but watching Barca this year has shown me that he doesnt have the winning mentality that a Chelsea manager needs, Barca dont even seem to care about La Liga anymore they have accepted being second to Real Madrid, If I was in RAs position then I would do what many of you are hoping happens in the summer, Bring in Zola and Laudrup but then what happens to HTC?

TBJ - who cares what happens to HTC?

I dont, But do you think RA will get rid of him after less than 1 season?

LOLLIPOP, I heard that Mijatovic (RM Sporting director) was there for DD, Anyways im confident they arent after Essien they have Fernando Gago and Mahamadou Diarra in central defensive midfield and they are re-signing De La Red and Granero next year both of which are CDM players, However I would take Robinho any day of the week but we MUST keep Essien no matter how much is offered

Firstly the cheap shots at Ag regarding his looks, dress sense, country of origin and religion just are a load of nasty crap and not relevant.

Constructive critisism of his coaching skills are fine but should be made at the end of the season - why create negative vibes

My gut feeling about a lot of the players are that they are influenced by the press and the fact that AG isn't no great Churcillian leader. They get paid a bleedin fortune to play not to bleet like spoiled children - some of their performances this season have been utter crap - forget the manager, where's their pride and passion. If the stories are true( which I reckon most are not) and a lot of them are whinging then I wouldn't want to keep them for next season - you don't bloody well whinge whilst your still in battle - not professional!

Another bit of wisdom that you lot seem to spout all the time is that our sucsesses are due to the players and our failures are due to AG. Sorry don't buy it - AG's made some real bloomers - but he's also got us to where we are against all the odds - injuries, lousy start to season, some super egos amongst the players and the special one syndrome amongst the fans , and the press who just hate us, whoever the manager is and want us to fail .....

and talking about the fans - there are loads of fans who think that credit should be given when credit is due - but are too bloody yellow to say so publicaly and are overpowered by the "popular", and frankly disingenious anti Grant feeling. Pathetic whinging!!!!

At the end of the day I am not sure that Grant should stay with Chelsea - but you won't hear me going on and on about his looks or his lack of "big" personality. Give the guy some respect - he deserves it. By the way, those in the know - coaches and other managers give the guy a lot of credit - maybe they understand a bit more than a bunch of fans!!!!

At the end of the day we all look like a bunch of idiots crapping on our manager whilst 3 points off Man U and in semis of CL. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This afternoon I went to see the film In Bruges. Well not in Bruges, obviously, but in Uxbridge. I won't spoil the story in case you go and see it but it's about two hit men, one old and flabby that could have been played by Avram and one young and lean, with thick black hair, that could have been played by the special one.

In one excellent scene the two hit men were discussing their fate after death;

Old hit man "Purgatory is where you go if it's undecided whether you've been good or bad"

Young hit man "You mean if you've been really great you go to heaven, if you've been really shit you go to hell and if you've been neither you go to purgatory .... like Tottenham"

TOMMYBLUE, I havent questioned his looks, origin, dress sense or religion, Wae have every right to criticise him, Hes thrown several games away eg Wigan, Spuds (TWICE) and Aston Villa these things happened because of Grants bad decisions such as leaving Joe Cole on the bench for the CC final and leaving no defenders or defensive midfielders on the bench for the game against Wigan, Granted hes kept us second in the league and we are still in the CL, BUT we have faced Fenerbarnsley and Olympiakos who are two of the weakest teams in the Champions League, As far as the league goes under TSO WE were the team to score in the last few minutes, Can you remember Jose throwing the lead away 4 times in 1 game at home? I dont think so, Grant has also gave us the LOWEST amount of confidence possible, Saying e thinks Gerrard is the best player in the world, OOOHHH YEAH thats really gonna give Lamps and co more confidence in facing the scum knowing that he thinks that their player(s) are better than ours and he is meant to be coaching us, bloody hell you wouldnt think so, I agree totally with Habs and everybody who says that if we win the league then it was be because of the players and the players ALONE, Grant is not worthy of even being involved with Chelsea football club, Why doesnt he just go and join Senor Tubbys coaching staff at Shitfield, KTBFFH and lets hope Grant goes and never comes back

True blue joe - you just prove my point!

Are you Peter Kenyon in disguise?

no I am AGs wife!!!!!!lol!!!!!

nah I am just a longtime fan who has seen it all and likes fair play - no shooting ourselves in the foot

nah I am just a longtime fan who has seen it all and likes fair play - no shooting ourselves in the foot

You've obviously forgotten our reign under Master Bates then!

It proves how little he knows about football. Yep--Stevie Me is the best in the world and best in the league. Not Ronaldo, not Torres. Yep, Gerrard, clearly. And what a great signing he'd be...all we need is another central midfielder. Maybe we can field a whole team of 11 central midfielders next year.

Ah!!! old Kenny boy
now what has he got to do with the price of fish?

@Tommyblue
The point is you say about us shooting ourselves in the foot and fair play, didn't Ken Bates make a sport out of it at Chelsea. We all remember how his ego got in the way of common sense too many times.

@ tommyblue

I agree, looks, dress sense and religion don't make a blind bit of difference. Let's face it most coaches don't exactly cut an elegant figure in the fashion stakes, and to be honest, a blind, one legged Muslim who wears a sparkly mini-dress can coach the team providing they have the right qualifications, leadership skills, and coaching ability. But the world of football isn't exactly brimming with great Israeli coaches is it?

And then you say that those in the know respect Avram Grant. Of course evry other coach will say that, they can't say anything else publicly without getting a disrepute charge. It does seem that the popular word is a lot of them hadn't heard of him. Be honest, Fergie , Wenger and Tubby were rubbing their hands with glee when JM left. I respect AG as a person, in fact I bear him no ill, I just happen to think, like a large number of Chelsea fans and followers, and it seems the players, that he is not the man to lead us to a new era. To come onto what I think is a great website and call us disingenuous for criticising Grant is somewhat disingenuous of you. The £790 I pay for my season ticket, on top of the £400-500 spent per year in the megastore, alongside the 37 years of support through thin and anorexic footballing times gives me the precise RIGHT to criticise any aspect of the club I see fit. I hated Ken Bates from day one, despite his saving the club. Detestable, loathsome man that he was he didn't deter me from supporting CHELSEA, the club I love. That's what makes me a true fan , exercising my vocal and written voice to put my opinions across and not just being some evangelical, blue-glasses tinted lackey who follows and believes everything the club hierarchy through Slimeball Greenberg spin out. And despite the current situation I'll be there wanting us to win every bloody game, fingers crossed that we get a new coach next year and AG happily trundles off to the DoF role he first had.

If you really believe in Grant, Tommyblue, then I fear you are the delusional one and maybe you should ask yourself the question

"Maybe it is just me then?"

@ TRUE BLUE JOE

Read the article in today's Daily Mail online about Real's sporting director speaking to PK at the Fener game. I was also under the original impression that he was there to watch Didier..never know, could be a double signing?

@ JACK (no 146)

Rijkaard has won the league twice AND the Champs in 2006 in the 5(?) years he's been at Barca...that's hardly an achievement to be sniffed at! He certainly wouldn't be a worse choice than Hiddink IMO

LOLLIPOP, If Essien went to RM then they would have 4 international CDM players, I just dont see that happening, You shouldnt believe everything the papers say

Clive - my point exactly - Kenny did us no favours - but where is the comparision with the nastiness some of our fans are showing towards our manager, who as far as i know is doing his best to get us the glory we all want

Tony - don't be so sensitive - great blog, some great analysis - a lot of it really well put and a great read - it's got nothing to do with what is going on between some fans and Grant And sorry but IMHO a lot of the crap he gets is disingenious - not just on here.

I also spend a bloody kings ransom on Chelsea - which also gives me the right to see things differently from you - no offense mate

For me the jury is still out on Grant- but for heavens sake read back on the last 6 months of blog - too much venom!!

TRUE BLUE JOE

I don't believe everything i read in the papers sweetie, was just highlighting what was being wrote, that's all..

@ TommyBlue

"My gut feeling about a lot of the players are that they are influenced by the press and the fact that AG isn’t no great Churcillian leader. They get paid a bleedin fortune to play not to bleet like spoiled children - some of their performances this season have been utter crap - forget the manager, where’s their pride and passion. If the stories are true( which I reckon most are not) and a lot of them are whinging then I wouldn’t want to keep them for next season - you don’t bloody well whinge whilst your still in battle - not professional!"

Yes, the players get a fortune, but does that exclude them from the right to speak their mind? If I didn't like my new boss, I'd be looking elsewhere for employment, especially if the main reason was I didn't think he/she was going to do anything to improve my career. Why are footballers different to anyone else who earns a salary? Does £150k a week make you a 'yes-man automaton'. Get a grip!

Maybe I am a little over sensitive, but I genuinely believe that the people who air their views here have a passion, and although I find some views a bit much I appreciate their right to state them. Most of the time I let them ride as it's so easy to lose time just arguing, but in your case I just felt there was sufficient to come back on. Being a long time fan is hard work sometimes, I agree on that.

On the other point about the stories being true. I think most of the press are rubbish, Kevin McCarra, Henry Winter, Shaun Custis, Martin Samuel and Oliver Holt aside, but most of Fleet Street are onto the rumours and everyone knows all clubs have their moles. I've no doubt some are bullshit print shift stories, but the 'no smoke without fire' phrase lingers long as well. I think Drogba's "something is very broken at Chelsea' statement is something that might seem quite prophetic over the summer.

On a separate note I spent the day at Petersfield Town FC watching the Chelsea Old Boys throw away a 4-1 lead to draw 4-4, winning on sudden death penalties. At least one of those scenarios is all too familiar this year! Great to see John Bumstead, Trevor Aylott, Ian Britton, Keith Dublin (former young Chelsea Player of the year..what happened to him then?), Paul Canoville (our first black player), Clive Wilson, Steve Finnieston, Garry Stanley, Colin Pates, Graham Wilkins, Ken Monkou, Gareth Hall and a certain Clive Walker (MoTM) . Didn't recognise one player who didn't have name on his shirt, and another who surname was Stride...can't remember a Chelsea player of that name.....so if anyone knows who he his it'd certainly stop bugging me!

@ TONY

OOOOO...i do like it when you get angry..will you marry me?!

Tony - don't want to turn this into a ping pong match - but re the players - if they are unhappy they can talk to the manager - not to the press. Drogba ,TBH and others have behaved badly - period

They want to leave - fine - we need some fresh blood anyway

was it David Stride - 74 - 78 seasons?

Lollipop - he's too old for you - probably more like my age LOL!!!!

TOMMYBLUE

How old are you?

lolli - you don't ask a girl her age!

let's just say you are as old as you feel!

TOMMYBLUE

Awwwwww.....purrrleasse?

Lolli......

Awwwwwwww noooooooooo!!!

TOMMYBLUE

Boooo!!! Spoilsport!!!

Hey we girls should stay together - there aren't enough of us on here!

LOL

You're MAD you are!!!!!

oh so true!

Quit the banter..we'll be getting shouted at otherwise!!!

@ Tommy Blue - Yep, That must be him, funny though I don't recall him at all.

@ Lolli - now there's an offer you don't get every day :-)

@ TONY

Mmmwwwahhhh!!

After watching MOTD2 i think we should also buy Ashley Young as well as Bentley for this summers overhaul. He looked pretty good.

I know that Scousers are touchy and paranoid, but surely a casual remark at luch cannot be seen as an attempt to "tap up".

Tapping up involves clandestine approaches to players behind the backs of their current employers, a la Ashley Cole, not some remark sandwiched between the cheese and bikkies and the coffee.

LINK

Tony's post above says everything I'd want to say on the subject of our right to have an opinion about Avram Grant and everything else about the politics of Chelsea. People like us were here when we were really shit. And I mean really, really shit. We didn't climb aboard when we looked like we could win titles. But I go a slight step further in terms of having a personal animosity towards our current manager. I wish Grant a good life - considering his family history, I wish him a very good life. But I can't help feeling that he must have had a hand in Jose's departure and his own promotion to first team manager. I really am over Jose, believe me, but the stink over the transfer of leadership remains. Grant had Roman's ear. He influenced him and must have promoted himself as an able replacement. So all the abuse he gets he invites on his own head. Now, if the team nicks the Premiership and the Champs Lge or either of those trophies I'll give him his due credit for ably managing Jose's squad through a tough season. In fact I'll give him that credit whatever. But he's done it by letting the players draw on the strengths Jose installed here. And under our old boss, with that extra few percent of focus and commitment he'd have brought, we'd probably be looking at at trophy in the cabinet already, an FA CUp final to look forward to and a Premiership lead. How much more confident would we be feeling about beating the Scousers this time? As henry Winter accurately summed it up in the Telegraph after the Wigan game last week: "Chelsea are a good club, with a strong squad, loyal fans, a generous owner and exceptional training facilities but they lack a first-class manager."

Agree Danny B

Your post is a very fair and accurate assessment of how I, as a long standing (30 year) Chelsea fan, feel about the situation.

I feel well qualified to be able to cut through the bullshit spouted from the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, having watched the good, the bad and the ugly at Chelsea over that time. I don't think Grant is a complete disaster as a manager and he certainly exhibits considerably more tact and diplomacy than JM ever did.

It is simply that he is MOST DEFINITELY NOT the best manager that we, as one of the top 4 clubs in Europe, should be looking to employ to take us from top 4, to Europe's no. 1 club.

Surely nobody.... not Alex.... Not Jose Musumba..... Not anyone in possession of all their marbles, can disagree with that.

Im not thinking too much about board matters for the moment. I just hope that we can get out of Anfield alive with a score draw at least tommorow.

That's the spirit Jang.... As it happens, I think we might finally bury the Liverpool hoodoo over the next couple of weeks.

No Essien tommorow. Lampard and Ballack a doubt. Mash is gonna eat our midfielders alive. How do we play? Damn we need Drogba too.

Benfica have made a shock move for Chelsea boss Avram Grant. The Sun says Grant's agent Pini Zahavi met with Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira last Wednesday and discussed the possibility of Grant taking over.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is expected to give Grant a £5million pay-off and announce his exit in the summer by ‘mutual agreement'.

----

PLEASE GOD LET THIS BE TRUE!

DannyB's post spot on - and I think sums up the feelings of about 80 per cent of Chelsea fans. I certainly don't personally know any supporters who take the silly Alex/Jose Musumba view that Avram is wonderful and all the problems are down to the players.

PLEASE GOD LET THIS BE TRUE!

I was just checking the date - not April 1... good...

My agent has just advised me about this news item LINK

If you wish to make a response to this post please contact my agent because I can't deal directly with the public.

I do Mark - I shall get my people to contact your people.

I wonder if Lampard's mood will affect the team's performance.

Come on Peter,

That's as likely as Mr Unmentionable from Valencia joining us in the summer in a swap deal for Pizarro and Sidwell (they lost 5 - 1 last night - just 2 points above the relegation zone now).

Pini Zahavi seems to be the agent of everyone at Chelsea, and everyone linked to Chelsea. The guy must be an octopus to have that many fingers in different pies.

From an earlier greenlight post on the Wigan game

"THE PRESS

According to my man, believe what you read in The Sun (yes, The Sun!!) as they get so much right including stuff that goes on behind closed doors that they must have a mole in the Chelsea set-up"

Please, please...never before have I so wanted The Sun to be right, although even for Benfica this seems a bizarre move. Perhaps our overseas friends don't get the undercurrent of dislike for Grant that us fans make so obvious.

"Perhaps our overseas friends don’t get the undercurrent of dislike for Grant that us fans make so obvious"

Perhaps they dont get coverage of Premier League games either. That can only be the reason anyone would want him as manager.

Unless, in a similar arrangement with RA paying Hiddinks salary for the Russian national side, he's told Benfica he'll pay AG's wages........

ALEX - The comment about losing both was merely a hypothetical statement to accentuate the fact we want him gone. Of course I do not hope that Chelsea will lose both - that is of course ridiculous.

As someone who holds a season ticket and travels to a fair number of away games incl 2 so far in this year champs league I do not go thinking hmmmmm lets hope we lose this one - I love wasting my money but hey Avram might get sacked now.

I get your point but you took what I wrote just a touch too literally - I understand your frustrations from your posts but nit picking mine won’t rectify it!

Is there any hope? Seems a few good omen at play!!!

LINK

Hey ... Mad Rafa says Average is a good manager ... the table says Average is a good manager ... perhaps our new best friends at Benfica are happy with what they see? And remember, Atletico Madrid wanted Chris Coleman, so anything's possible.

Is there a benficablog.com where we can go and plant stories about how great Average is?

Can't type any more as I need *both* hands to keep clutching at this straw.

I wont get my hopes up. Tomorrow this story will probably be rubbished by all parties concerned, or some other peice of 'news' will confirm Grant is staying...

ASHLEY YOUNG - I've been throwing in Young's name whenever we all get carried away and start building our fantasy teams on here. He puts a lot of quality ball into the box, though he does have the beast John Carew and other big lads to make best use of his efforts.

What I like is that he can use both feet if he needs to. Hopefully he scores a few more before the end of the season - plus, he'll only get better.

There is no news on the Benfica move in the intenational press, besides this must be a joke, the man doesnt even speak portuguese, with his football nous the toad may think Benfica plays in singapore.

www.slbenfica.pt

Fat Rafa has confirmed that Stevie Shittard will play tommorow, Lying tubby bastard, Lamps is back in training lets hope Ze German will play too

@ Tony Glover (No. 183) Not surprised you've forgotten David Stride. He only played in probably our most miserable season in top division [1978-79] that most of us have tried to delete from memory. We finished bottom with 20 points (only 2 points for a win then) and exited both cups at first attempt (FA Cup to ManUre too). The one glimmer of joy in entire season was the one they always put in the programme when Sam Allardyce comes to The Bridge coming back from 0-3 against Bolton to win 4-3 with an Allardyce own goal in stoppage time. We really had something to complain about in those days.....

Hmmm...
It appears some good omen may be on our side!!

LINK

Carefree...

If Benfica want AG then they want an idiot but PLEASE GOD JUST GET HIM OUT OF SB!

If, as has been metioned on this blog several times, Roman is enamoured of all things Dutch when it comes to football, I hope his list doesn't extend this far.....Roman look what happens when you lose the dressing room.....

LINK

And an interesting point from one of the bloggers

'Koeman isn't the problem, but he has exacerbated it. Without getting too deep into national stereotypes, maybe the bluntness typical of the Dutch (remember Louis van Gaal at Barcelona? or Cruyff?) was not exactly what was needed - but the clean-out needs to start further up.'

I think he could add HTK to the list.

@ JD and Habs

Stupidity is a state of mind.

Tell me you geniuses...would you celebrate with the team and the rest of us if Chelsea took the Champions League for the first time under Avram Grant?

Looks like Laudrup or bust LINK

Any predictions for tomorrow night? I know Grant is shocking but i have this little feeling in my bones that we will all be jumping up and down on weds (in a good way) and very excited and optimistic about the following weds!!

Overall head-to-heads

Liverpool and Chelsea have had 150 major competitive meetings; Liverpool lead by 58 wins to 44, with 28 draws.

They have met 18 times since the start of the 2004-05 season, when Rafael Benitez took over as Liverpool manager. The Reds have won five, drawn five and lost eight.

This season, they drew 1-1 in the Premier League at Anfield; Fernando Torres gave the Merseysiders a half-time lead, but Frank Lampard equalised from the penalty spot.

Then, under Avram Grant, the Blues won the Carling Cup quarter-final 2-0 at Stamford Bridge with goals from Lampard and Andriy Shevchenko. The league fixture on 19 February in West London was a goalless draw.

European head-to-heads

This is the fourth successive season in which Liverpool and Chelsea have met in the Champions League. There have been only three goals in the six previous fixtures, with Liverpool winning 1-0 on two occasions and Chelsea by the same score once.

This is also the third Champions League semi-final between the two teams. Liverpool have progressed to the final from each of the previous two.

Liverpool have played an English club at Anfield on seven previous occasions, losing just once (to Leeds in the 1970-71 Fairs Cup semi-final); Chelsea have won two of their five European away matches against English opposition - both defeats came at Anfield. Liverpool is the only English club to have knocked Chelsea out of Europe, and they have done it twice.

LINK

MUNKEY 1-1, Ballack will open the scoring and then they will be gifted a penalty which Stevie Shittard will score much to the delight to the fans of Liverscum, Like many of you I have a good feeling, BTW Valencia are now just 3 points above the drop zone in La Liga, A move for Silva is looking more likely by the minute

True Blue - i like your thinking - i think we might sneak a win you know. I have this feeling about 2-0 but with grunt in charge he will probably make some silly sub and they will get one back in the final 10 mins.

@TRUE BLUE JOE

I hope so. But i wont be that easy. Will Valencia sell both Silva and Villa at the same time to us? I think we may have to fork out loads and loads of cash for 2 of their best players. Maybe we can only choose 1 in the end. But i will take Silva.

As long as we dont loose, i will be happy. Any scoreline except 0-0 and loosing by more than 2 goals. I did take 3-2 back to the Bridge.

@JD

Sorry for putting you in the same class as Habs...

I reacted to your responses before I had the chance to see the quality of debate Habs was bringing to the "discussion".

@Habs

A debate is two sided. I do not have to like you nor your arguments to be civil.

You said

"‘Keep the Blue Flag Flying!!!!’ You can’t even say the chant right. It’s Keep the Blue Flag Flying HIGH you baffoon. I think you are as stupid as Avram because your comments certainly provide us with that conclusion. Avram and you should just go. You’re both as blind and inept as each other.

KTBFFH (Remember that’s Keep the Blue Flag Flying HIGH in case you forgot Musumba)."

With comments like this I thought I had stumbbled across an Arsenal website.

I do not despise Jose Mourinho's achievements for Chelsea...the question is that are you able to recogonize when Avram does so for the club you imply to "love".

If you had taken some time to read my write-up, well without being quick to judge...I did state that Avram lacks the tactics that Mourinho had...must have slipped your "eagle eyes" and it is true that Jose Mourinho's performance declined season after season.

If you could please tell me why Jose Mourinho's performance declined as objective as possible.

KTBFFH

Stop wasting time debating Jose, Habs, Alex and whoever it may be. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Im sure deep down in everyone's heart, Average is rubbish. Its clear and evident that he's not the man to take us forward as we have seen in key matches this season. We can scream and complain all we want but at the end of the day, its down to Roman to wield the axe, not us here. What we should do now is to cheer on our team tommorow and hope Roman makes the right decision. I trust him that he knows whats good for the club so i really hope that Grunt gets his ass rolling out of SW6 this summer. We have to trust Roman. My mate has this wierd theory that buying big with top quality purchases this summer can actualy cover up SOME OF Toady's flaws tactically as a top level manager LOL.

For now, lets turn our attention to the match and Anfield tommorow.

We have all the time in the world this summer to decide on the Toady's position as manager. He's job may rest on tommorow's game. No one knows. He may leave and grant all of our wishes or stay and waste 100 precious million pounds and give us nightmares every night. With some miracles, we may end up with something good and no one knows. Please guys, just for the next 3 games, put on your Chelsea jerseys and get behind the boys in blue.

KTBFFH!

Well you lecturing me on class that's rich Musumba isn't it. Was it you who was complaining at Lampard for leaving the Wigan match to care for his seriuosly ill mother or did i get you mixed up with another Jose Musumba. And as i have said many a time, i'll support the players as much as any true fan but Avram - not a chance. He deserves nothing from the chelsea fans and i'm still baffled as to what you think he has brought to the club. Please enlighten us on what you perceive to be his positive contributions. Because all the rest of us see is a baffoon.
And it didn't slip my eyes that you said Avram lacks the tactics that Mourinho had because that is the biggest understatement of the century. It's like me saying i lack the money of Roman Abramovich. It is not even worth responding to and my last comment may have been a low blow but you deserve for implying Jose's lack of tactical versatility. As EVERYONE else on here recognises he was the most versatile manager in the world and i beg you to find someone else who agrees with your points of view. You may not have to agree with us but when 99% of us are saying you are wrong, it's a fair bet that you're wrong. It still baffles me as to how one person can be as blind when judging the merits of Jose compared to Avram as you.

KTBFFH (for the rest of you)

There is no way on earth Benfica want Grant, this I can tell you. It is a story Kenyon and RA probably are putting around to big up the Big one!! LOL!! Read the Story of Benfica's owner and Benfica's history!! It is a complete lie! The depth's the CFC public relations machine will get up to against their own fans yet when Jose asked for back up against UEFA and the press here in the UK he got virtually none in three years.!! We all remember! i'm getting sick of the Chelsea board and Owner as much as Grant. Maybe they will all take a plane somewhere in bad weather.......the most hypocitical board in thre Prem, bunch of Bastards all of them.

Im still with the hypothesis that Roman has made a mistake but his ego doesnt allow him to either rectify it or admit it. Its that simple. Jose lost his job over their clash of egos. Fine. What the fans demand now is correction and progression. I want and hope to see that this summer.

Wonder if there will be a sale on soon.


"Valencia have sacked manager Roland Koeman despite the club having won the Copa del Rey earlier in the month".

Jose - the reason why most people react badly to you is because on the whole you talk gibberish, then entrench yourself in an utterly ridiculous position trying to justify it. Stop doing that and you might get more sense in response.

>Habs
I'm surprised you kept it short this time, cos you strike me like one who would use 20 words in place of 1, to explain the same thing! For a while I even thot JD, TG et al pay per word for every post made here (and that i was being swindled or something)

You argued on Malouda when i said he's not a consumate professional, your words:(no 129) "If you saw him under Jose you would see what a good player he can be when he cares." but hear yourself earlier (no 115) "New players - I think all of us have settled on who should definitely go: Belletti, TBH, Sidwell, Malouda, Sheva, Pizarro."... If you think better than a 4 year old and REALLY believe he's good, wouldn't you have suggested that he be retained till we get another manager?

Top 2 EPL stats, for the records:
2004/5
Chelsea W(29) D(8) L(1) GF(72) GA(15) GD(57) PTS(95)
Arsenal W(25) D(8) L(5) GF(87) GA(36) GD(51) PTS(83)

2005/6
Chelsea W(29) D(4) L(5) GF(72) GA(22) GD(50) PTS(91)
Manure W(25) D(8) L(5) GF(72) GA(34) GD(38) PTS(83)

2006/7
Manure W(28) D(5) L(5) GF(83) GA(27) GD(56) PTS(89)
Chelsea W(24) D(11) L(3) GF(64) GA(24) GD(40) PTS(83)

Going by the trend, we could have ended up with about 75-78 points this season

Not counting the 3 consecutive draws in the yuletide period, the team ended the last 5 matches of 2006/7 season with draws (these were critical, important matches that would have given us the title for the 3rd consecutive time) if JM was truly the magician/god you painted him to be.

JM trimmed his squad size just before the start of 2006/7 season and that backfired when injuries hit the team...his 'untouchables' approach to team selection weakened the team and made it difficult for 'touchables' to fill voids in the team during crisis...

If you were to project into this season using antecedents, after 13 points from 1st 7 matches {compared to 16 (06/07) and 21 (05/06) from same no. of matches} coupled with the results from last season, you might be forgiven if you thot JM's losing the plot!

The league got tougher and teams wisened up to JM’s tactics hence the decline in results. Very good manager, the best Chelsea ever had , I agree…but he truly MAY not have fared better than AG this season (except perhaps in the FA cup), the stats above say so!

Always Blue!

Alex....

Habs
I’m surprised you kept it short this time, cos you strike me like one who would use 20 words in place of 1, to explain the same thing! For a while I even thot JD, TG et al pay per word for every post made here (and that i was being swindled or something)

Funny, I have to admit, I sometimes skip over the longer posts too!

'Going by the trend, we could have ended up with about 75-78 points this season'

Ridiculous argument, and I don't agree. The end of season games are never a fair reflection as the league was lost 2-3 games before the season ended from memory.

I was just wondering what you all think of this article here: LINK it seems like all the doomsday talk of every player hating Grant might not be true.

Luca

I don't think there is much evidence that the players dislike Avram. The more likely scenario is that some ( Drogba, Ben Haim) thought very highly of Mourinho and they are simply comparing the two.

However, I think there is a big difference between liking the bloke, and believing that he will be able to enhance their careers and enable them to win trophies. Some will want to move on, because they feel that Chelsea are no longer able to compete with the very best under Avram. The next week will go a long way to help them determine whether they are right or wrong.

JT's words truly do not conform with various posturings and vile rumours being peddled on this blog by those who claim to be in the know here...

I'm sure very soon some people here would tie it to part of the Board's PR scam to hoodwink the fans and media...

Spin doctors! we are waiting...

Interestingly, this was the first official public comment from JT or any other senior player for a long time - if my memory serves me correct. With Jose we were treated to regular comments from the senior players which speaks volumes for the way the players are feeling right now.

I certainly believe the players generally like Mr Grumpy as a person, there just doesn't seem to be any enthusiasm or real team spirit or tellingly - respect for him as a manager. JT's comments were designed more for the team - a call to arms for this one off battle with Liverpool for the right to be the first Chelsea team to reach the CL final.

I know some on this blog have tried to counter the many anti grant posts, to those posters I say this....

Would you say Grant is the best manager Chelsea can have right now (forgetting Jose) ? I think not... any one of Laudrup, rykaard, hiddink or whoever else has been linked (yes even Sven) have on paper much better credentials to manage a big club such as Chelsea are aiming to be. Of course we won't know if any of the above would actually do a better job until they are given a chance.

Can you say AG is a match for Ferguson, Wenger, Ramos, Benitez and realistically any of the other 15 managers in the Prem (i.e. the likes of Redknap, Hughes, Bruce etc) ? I also think not he doesnt have the right persona for a top manager nor does he have the right level of experience.

What I do feel to be true is AG was given the job because RA did not like the way Jose was hogging the limelight and Jose didn't like the interference. So dummy's were well and truely spat and Jose left. The club knew they couldn't get a real top notch manager mid season, so clearly for me AG's appointment is short term to see out this season.

During the summer the first announcement will be a replacement for AG, he will move back up stairs and out of the limelight where he belongs (I mean that sincerely) and thus with a new 'top name' manager in place the club can begin rebuilding for the post 'Jose era'. This will start with securing Frank's future at the club. Drogba will probably still go although even he may rethink (after taking his holiday) once he sees who has been brought in as the new manager.

No manager is perfect and Jose certainly wasn't - he made many mistakes, but what this club needs is a leader who inspires, motivates, encourages, teaches and most of commands the respect of his players and coaching group. Jose did that in spades and we need a new leader who can take what Jose started and improve it ... simple !

We simply do not have that with AG and not surprisingly because his appointment was not for the long term and I am sure the players know this.

One more thing my prediction for the 1st leg is a 1 nil win to Chelsea... Yes for some strange reason I have this feeling we will win the first leg and go through to the final.

That has got to be worth watching and cheering no matter what sour face or strange antics AG manages to come up with on the touchline and in the press room !

KTBFFH

@ PTG

Mmm.. I haven't decided whether to get up at 4.30 which in previous years wasn't an issue, I'd sit there in anticipation as the strains of the Champions League theme came out of the tv, missing a game would have been unthinkable. It's just not the same at the moment, and I'm hoping that changes. I'm ready for the true new era to begin.

You know, I really think we have chance of reaching the final this year. I mean, think about the players. Terry's interview just showed how much he and the team want to avenge our past defeats to Liverpool. And I know they will go out fighting at Anfield. The only thing than can stop us from reaching the final is Avram's lineups and his tactics, but ahh, screw him.

Everybody's writing us off but I think that's an advantage. I mean, the last three seasons, we have been one of the favourites for the Champions League but we did not even make it to the final. You write us off at your peril.

One thing Chelsea cannot afford to do is to go to Anfield thinking that a 0-0 draw is good enough. Sorry, but it isnt. We have to score an away goal and at least, keep the deficit, if there will be any, to one goal. But I think we can do more than that. We have no reason to fear Liverpool. We've had good results at Anfield in the past and we can do it again.

Lets hope for the best. I'm confident of a good result in this leg, solely based on the players determination. Hopefully.....

KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH

I agree that alot of pundits are writting us off including Phil Thompson. He thinks its gonna be a north-west derby in Moscow. I hope he will choke on his own words with an epic Catalan-London final on the cards.

'I agree that alot of pundits are writting us off including Phil Thompson. He thinks its gonna be a north-west derby in Moscow. I hope he will choke on his own words with an epic Catalan-London final on the cards.'

I have a funny feeling you could be right Jang.

I just had a peak at a few of the scouse websites..... They are a bit too cocky, and I don't think I saw one message suggesting that they will lose tonight.

To quote a man 'I would luv it if we beat em' tonight and get revenge, not only for those thqat are still playing for Chelsea, but also for those players and staff (JM, Duffer, Robben, Eidur, even Gallas etc) that were robbed by the theiving scum over the last 2 years.

It's about time we nicked the wheels off their European Bandwagon!

Fire up, people....... This season could still be our most successful yet! (yes, yes, I know.... I can't believe I am saying it either!)

'I just had a peak at a few of the scouse websites….. They are a bit too cocky, and I don’t think I saw one message suggesting that they will lose tonight.'

Over-confidence could be their downfall, and a London-Catalan final would be my choice.

Come on Chels. Nows the time to unleash all your fury. We have come a long way to reach this stage and challanging for the double. Please do your best and dont let your hardwork and efforts go down the drain.

Somehow i think tonight's result will affect the game this weekend. We have to do well and go into the game in the right frame of mind mentally. As long as we dont give ourselves a mountain to climb after the first leg, im optimistic.

Jose Musumba

"Stupidity is a state of mind.

Tell me you geniuses…would you celebrate with the team and the rest of us if Chelsea took the Champions League for the first time under Avram Grant?"

Yeah, I'd celebrate winning the Champions League with Average Grunt in charge.

However, as I've said a few times recently, if we win anything this season it will be in spite of him being in charge and not because of him, and I stick by it.

Quite simply he's not the right man for the job. Given 'X' years I'm sure he may be able to do a reasonable job, but none of the top players in the World will be thinking 'God I wish I played for him, he's a managerial genius'. It doesnt take Einstein to work out that if us, ManUSA, Liverpool and Arsenal are in for the same player (and, shock horror, money isn't what they're interested in), no-one in their right mind would pick playing under him before the other 3. Probably everyone on this blog included.

Tonight, dull 1 - 1 all the way. Us taking the lead with a Kalou-less deflected cross creeping over the line in the first half, then AG making a few bizarre substitutions and us trying to sit on the lead for the second half, and eventually conceding from a needless free-kick given away by one of the usual suspects (Riccy / Maka / JOM).

mmmm some interesting posts

at the end of the day most of you are saying thst regardless of results AG must go cos he just doesn't have the "pedegree" for the likes of our team - fair enough point I suppose.......

but what if your all get your wish and Mr "notspecial" gets the push and we get a king manager - all the pedegree in the world, a star, a press conferance dream, a real talker - fantastic leader - and the results are crap. It has happened before - it can again - God forbid - won't you feel stupid?

so I know I am in a minority but regardless of the result tonight I hope AG stays - there is something about his style of under the radar that I like. Don't under estimate him - he's not as dumb as he looks!!!!!

Fifty, it seems like you have seen the game already, so not point watching it tonight, is it? :) (do not forget to put your bet on that)....
Oh wait... what about we win 3-1 there?
OK, I must be mad :)))

@Alex

JT’s words truly do not conform with various posturings and vile rumours being peddled on this blog by those who claim to be in the know here…

You do talk some arrant nonsense, Alex. As club captain, is JT really likely to come out the day before the most important game of the season and pronounce Grant the biggest clown he's ever played under?

Tommyblue, they do not hate Avram – just his black shirts. Here is where all starts and ends for some of the boys here

Whats all this commotion about? have I missed something?
explain JD, ty

Oh christ, yes, we really do want Avram out because of the content of his wardrobe Jiko. And in fact I'd like him driven from the club and back from whence he came because his earlobes are slightly too big and he also has some quite unsightly cheek jowls.

Imposters among us!

Fifty - to add to your points - we dont want pay cheque players anymore - we need those who believe in our club and where we are going. Those that when the chips are down will fight and not just think - fuck it i earn £100,000 a week so its not my problem, i know i will play golf!!

Scenario - Hmmm I am one of the best prospects in the game - Fergie, Wenger, Benitez, Mourinho, Schuster, Rikaard or AVRAM!!!

Spot the odd one out!!

I think if we by miracle get a result tonight, its going to wipe that smile off those fans and pundit's faces.

Not many people apart from Chelsea fans are giving us a chance. WE ARE BRING WRITTEN OFF ALREADY! Hope lads do me proud. The pride of my fanhood at stake.

250. Jang · 11:36 AM · 22nd April
I think if we by miracle get a result tonight, its going to wipe that smile off those fans and pundit’s faces.


Jang, i dont think it takes a miracle.
Unless by "miracle" you mean not fucking up teamsheet, formation, strategy and tactics completely. Which could well be a point in case with AG at the helm.

Would be funny if AG despite his “wardrobe” and bone structure manages to do what TSO could not. Then again if he fails is not a shame because TSO failed there as well …
Only teasing JD :)

Unlike the last few games I am actually very excited about the game tomorrow and looking forward to getting up at 4:30 to watch it. Despite all our 'misgivings' on AG and his influence (if you can call it that) on the performance of the team, I feel the players who run out onto Anfield will be so fired up that tomorrows game will be a cracker.

I originally predicted 1 Nil to Chelsea, however I reckon there will be more goals this time as Liverpool may for the first time believe they are the better team and thus might just play some more expansive football, thus leaving more space for our players to exploit.

I could of course be cmpletely wrong but do not be too surprised if we win and by 2 clear goals (0-2, 1-3, 2-4 !).

Or am I just dreaming...

"Avram Grant must learn from his predecessor’s errors if Chelsea are to reverse the curse of Luis Garcia"
1.Don’t insult Liverpool
Mourinho famously believed that big matches could be won in the pre-match press conference, though when attempting to stare down Liverpool he seemed to bite off more than he could chew. In insulting the club’s tradition by labelling them a cup team last season he provoked a ferocious response, as well as inspiring Benítez to greater deeds by claiming that he should have been dismissed, conjuring up an image of a cocky child who is repeatedly stung after stirring a hornets’ nest.

Full story: LINK

Go Chelsea!

I actually think we have a good chance of pulling it off over the two legs; the fact that Grant doesn't seem to suffer the 'Benitez blindness' that always gripped Jose in one-off games might help us. Rafa has been chuntering away with his stock Chelsea related nonsense and there hasn't been much by way of response, which may well get his goat slightly.

All that said, despite the ridiculous levels of hype about the competition nowadays, it is still a KO cup and you have to take your chances when they arise. We've had quite a favourable run thus far, we have the second leg at the Bridge and if everyone stays fit and the gods of football don't kick us in the arse as they have previously, this is arguably the best chance we've had since the Ranieri / Monaco debacle. I just hope that we at least do ourselves justice.

Aside of anything else, our f**k awful luck in this poxy competition has to change at some point. Doesn't it?

For the next week, I really would like us to beat Liverpool and Man-u even if we dont win the prem and CL. Regardless of Grant. I just really want to rub Benitez 's nose in the fact he wins nothing this year. I bet he will be pushed out if he fails. I know the Liverpool fans are ready to jump on him and then that's the end. i've asked it before and even Fergie's commented on it. How can a team give up on their own league by Christmas and come so far behind the leaders every year and be allowed to compete in supposedly the highest competition of all which should really be for teams who have fought it out to the end.? It just is'nt fair and why does'nt UEFA do something about it.? Actually it's a disgrace. This is why I believe if this continues, how long can it be that this competition can be called Champions of Europe? I understand Platini's reasons for wanting the 3rd and 4th team to compete for the right to play in the CL. He probably sees what's happening especially with teams like Liverpool. After all, not one single Proffesional in the game be it manager or player thought that they were anywhere near Chelsea when they won it or were deserved winners. If it were not for the fact they were playing us tnt, i would'nt care if it were the final, I would'nt watch them and I wont either if they get through because it will not be about Champions but also rans getting an underseved chance at glory and that is plainly wrong. It makes me sick and I really hope we fuck them up tonight and end their dream, if nothing else. I absolutley hate them and Benitez and the liverpool sucking media too. Come on guys, for god's sake if nothing else, PLEASE KICK LIVERPOOL OUT!!!!!!

Jiko, you miss the point of winding up the opposition. The whole point is to get them to play with hearts rather than heads. Never worked against Liverpool in the CL because they still sat back every game, however Barcelona at the Bridge the first time - JM had their eyes popping when they ran out!

I haven't had much good to say about RA lately, but somehow he has managed to get JM to deliver the verbals at arm's length from Portugal this time round. Jose has Chelsea in his blood, no mistake!

@ PTG [254]

I wish I shared your excitement and hope your intuition is correct. Most people seem to think a 1-1 draw and I tend to feel that too. I think they will come out both guns blazing trying to get an early goal then sit and hit on the counter. I've decided to watch it but nothing worse than going to work pissed off so I'm hoping irrespective of the result that it's a stirring performance from the team. It will be as they say 'half-time' at the end but whatever happens tomorrow morning I'm more excited about the return leg at the Bridge at the moment.. oh well, off to bed then =)

Come on you Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuueesssss!!!!!!!

1) We cannot give ourselves a mountain to climb.
2) We have to make sure that the tie is not dead, or at least to be decided at the Bridge.
3) Dont put matters in their hands. We have to take control of it.

I'm no doubt in a minority, but I'm just not excited by tonight at all. It's not that I'm nervous about Liverpool, far from it, just that I'm in a weird couldn't-really-care sort of mood.

For me, is has dull written all over it and, regardless, as David #259 points out, it'll be 'half time' after 90 minutes. Neither team will have an insurmountable lead after tonight.

We haven't played attractive, flowing football since the Ice Age (maybe) and Liverpool, with the albatross of being at home first leg hanging round their neck, won't come out all guns blazing for fear of conceding the dreaded away goal.

I sincerely hope to be proved wrong in the morning, but to me it's about as appealling as waking up next to Amy Winehouse. Which is in no way appealling.

@ JD (256) -- you can probably argue the luck thing either way. On that extraordinary night at the Bridge when Ronaldinho scored the most astonishing goal I've ever witnessed in the flesh, we were pretty lucky that neither ref nor linesmen saw Riccy's little (ahem) "intervention" when JT scored his header ... On the "ghost goal" incident I'm afraid I have to admit that if the goal's not awarded it's a penalty and red card for Petr, so again maybe we weren't so unlucky there ... And this season we've been very very lucky that Valencia turned out to be utter poo, that we got drawn against very weak teams in the first two knockout rounds, and that we beat one of them despite playing embarrassingly badly for long stretches.

Where I *would* hope the luck evens out is on the Liverpoo side. Considering that they've been a pretty gimpy team for a number of years, it's ridiculous how fortunate they've been in the CL. Mainly their luck seems to come from the fact that every good team they come up against suddenly starts playing badly: Barca last year, Inter this year, Juve in the year they fluked the thing. (It must be luck rather than master strategising from Mad Rafa -- otherwise how come he can't do the same in the league?) Plus they win the penalties, etc etc.

Incidentally, can we please (pre-emptively) stop the nonsense about Average "doing what José could not"? What exactly would that be? Winning games of football against Liverpoo? (4-1, anyone?) Getting to the final of the CL? (Porto, anyone?) If you mean "defeating Liverpoo over two legs in the semi-final of the Champions' League", well, isn't it possible that this is perhaps an *ever so slightly* narrow definition of what makes a great manager? Average also masterminded a 6-0 home defeat of Man Citeh -- José never did that!! Hah!! Proof!!

@LTB
With regard the luck thing, whatever good fortune we had a against Barca in the home leg it was only returning the favour for the luck they had with the Drogs sending off in the first leg. As far as the ghost goal or whatever anyone wants to call it and the supposed penalty and red card that would have followed had it not gone in. It has been replayed again to today to spice up the meeting tonight, and I know it was mentioned at the time, but having watched it again why wasn't it a free kick to us? Baros's foot was up at chest height when he was going for the ball, and the European refs are meant to be so strict on any foot raised, it was little baffling to say the least.

LTB - know what you mean, we did have a little bit of luck that night against Barca (although we were blighted with our fair share of bad luck against them with sendings off etc.)

Nerves starting to jangle somewhat...

@Fifty, I too am in the minority. Never have I cared less about such an important game. History tells us it is likely to be a dull affair, as it has that Grant wins lots of games except those that matter. Benitez seems to know what he is doing in the CL and I cannot see Grunt out thinking Tubby. I don't even think it will come down to penalties. Our defence is nowhere near as tight as it was under Jose. Set pieces will let us down and Torres will turn JT inside out. Sorry. I will be there Sat and Wed next week to witness Grunt's final fuck ups.

You can probably sense that I really have had enough. 15 years I have been going to the Bridge and I cannot recall feeling this glum and apathetic.

Jack, this is not my point, it is just a quote. If you read the whole article you will see it makes sense. Some good points there :)

LIMETREEBOWER – I DO NOT CARE HOW MANY TIMES JOSE WON CC AND WITH WHAT CLUB. WHAT I CARE IS HE COULD NOT WIN IT FOR US. EVEN HE TRIED 2 TIMES. (PLAY SAME WAY BOTH TIMES)
AS A RESULT OF THAT, MOST OF THE CHELSEA FANS DO NOT BELIVE WE CAN DO IT NOW.
HOPE THE BOYS COULD TURN THAT AROUND TONIGHT.
I AM SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT THEY CAN.

@JD

After seeing your response to Alex's presentation sorry but you have to join Habs.

I hope this blog would permit us to see the person behind the debates. Many have argued that Avram looks like an idiot...I wonder whether you honestly think looks have anything to do with winning games or that you look any better...

That aside

@Fifty

Fair from you. At least I know one Avram HATER will be sharing in the joy of HIS achievements. This gobe about players winning matches is utter NONSENSE...

The players are put through drills by whom?
The players are chosen by whom?
The players play according to whose insturctions?

If you knew even an ounce of any thing about being a professional footballer then you would know who is boss at any club...I will not debate this as debating this is plain silly...Avram is in control whether you want it or NOT and hey none of us is...all we do is look on from the side and offer our "silly" thoughts on what we want...

Many of us have failed to remember where we all started from...we were bloody playing awful stuff in the second division...Where has Avram taken us? Well not won anything but he is still in contention for the Champions League and wait just a second...pushing for the Premier league as well (I have to add that this is something Jose Mourinho failed to do last season...Please do not mention players etc etc...He bought us "toss" and thought because Roman had the quid he would continue spilling it...Of course he also spotted some good talent in the likes of Essien...

To all that are wondering what Avram could do above Mourinho...Now there is a thought...If Avram won us the First Chelsea Champions Cup probably some out there would just shut it...

I am justifying what JD????

Jose - the reason why most people react badly to you is because on the whole you talk gibberish, then entrench yourself in an utterly ridiculous position trying to justify it. Stop doing that and you might get more sense in response.

I think Alex has presented facts but none of you is wishing to try and think beyond your love for the Jose Mourinho to realize that we are actually doing better than many gave us...

Some people have even stated that Avram has failed to square off with Wenger...Now that is a laugh...People come on facts are facts...
Avram Wenger 1:1 in the league
Avram Benitez 1:0 in all cups (2 draws and a 1 Chelsea win)and standings are:

1. Alex Ferguson
2. Avram Grant
3. Wenger Arsene
4. Benitez

I stand to be corrected but I think many Chelsea so called fans on this blog are routing for a loss so Avram can leave...

One thing that Jose Mourinho left with the team and myself as a chelsea fan is to hate the taste of losing...to anyone

but I will only fight what is worth fighting for...

Come on Chelsea
Come on Chelsea
COme on Chelsea
Come on Chelsea
Come on Chelsea

We need all the support tonight. Its not over until its really over. Throw Grunt aside. We need to back behind our boys in blue. We should be supporting the lads right now as we still stand a real chance of silverware, not writing long debate articles.

Jose,

I'll answer them in order :

1) The players are put through drills by whom?

Steve Clarke and Hank Top Cat who, as coaches, perform their coaching drills.

2) The players are chosen by whom?

Average Grunt

3) The players play according to whose insturctions?

Primarily Steve Clarke and Hank Top Cat again, added in with a bit of JT or whoever else as captain. Average Grunt has all the motivational ability of a tropical disease.

"This gobe about players winning matches is utter NONSENSE…"

Quite right, for it was none other than Average Grunt who scored the winner at Goodison last week. He brought himself on in place of Anelka didn't he ?

"If you knew even an ounce of any thing about being a professional footballer then you would know who is boss at any club..."

Far be it for me to come across as sceptical, but I didn't have you down as one of the players Jose. Not sure why.

I play football. I dont need to be a professional to know whether or not the bloke in charge of my team is the right person for the job. I'm entitled to my opinions about whether or not I think he can or can't do a good job, as are you in your defence of him.

I'm not a 'hater' as you put it. I don't hate him. I don't know him enough to hate him. I just know I dont want his as manager of Chelsea.

@Fifty

If you have Chelsea TV then do please watch his pre-liverpool brief

Jose, Its LiverPOO

FIFTY AND KARL

Come on boys - tonight we will turn the corner - 3-1 or 2-0 to the chels.

Positive attitude.

Come on chels

@Jose

I hope this blog would permit us to see the person behind the debates. Many have argued that Avram looks like an idiot…I wonder whether you honestly think looks have anything to do with winning games or that you look any better…

Are you actually asking this seriously, Jose? Please tell me you're not?

And what was inaccurate about my response to Alex? Do you seriously think JT is likely to say anything other than "We're behind the manager" in a press conference, even if he wanted to?

But none of you is wishing to try and think beyond your love for the Jose Mourinho

Please, just change the record - you are seriously too fucking dull for life itself.

I have a strangely good feeling about todays game, BUT If we get an advantage eg 1-0 lead with 10 mins to go then like most of you im expecting Average Grunt to screw it up with a dodgy sub, Joe Cole MUST play the whole match, We all know that we have to keep it tight but im hoping that the boys arent playing for a draw, Imagine if we won 1 or 2 nil (very unlikely) but even 1-0 would leave them needing a 2-0 at SB, Lets hope we WIN, Hopefully the CL will be BLUE, KTBFFH

@ Fifty

Quite right, for it was none other than Average Grunt who scored the winner at Goodison last week. He brought himself on in place of Anelka didn’t he ?

Let me try and explain the above this way....

You are sitting at a table in a lovely restaurant you have placed you meal order and here comes a waitress looking lovely with your order...oops there is a fly in your soup...whom do you call for?

Now you move to this next restaurant and you have a glorious meal and after paying the bill if you courteous enough you will say" compliments to the chef"

Poor little waitress what does she get...

This is what you are playing at...

You have managed to portray anarchy in the Chelsea squad by allocating credit erroneously. How better are you from the press that printed what they did about the unrest in our squad...I wonder...

Avram just hopes to earn a little respect for keeping us respectable in the league and in Europe...

I DO NOT like Avram and I think he is very slow at thought but I respect everything he is doing for us in view of the circumstances... He has not even had a complete season and yet you are judging him...

@Jang

I understand your concern but I have endured so much insult it is time to become STUPID eh JD and Habs is that not what am meant to be???? It is time these silly Avram unfounded runts came to an end...

You are crying for untested coaches...Laudrup and Zola how different are these from Avram Grant in terms of coaching credentials...Oh wait Avram has taken Chelsea to the semi-final of the Champions league and the other two Chelsea players have not...

Come on Chelsea Come on Avram Come on Chelsea Come on Avram

I think the fact that Liverpool are EVERYONE favourites and the fact they are full of confidence could play well in our hands this time.
1-3 CAME FIRST TO MIND, BUT WILL SETLE FOR 1-2 :)
GO ON CHELS

I also have the same feeling TBJ we'll get a good result (win) tonight!!!
Although a score draw will do nicely for us as well.

The pattern of two favourable results followed by a bad one is still firmly in tact since the Cup Final. Who would have thought we'd drop points at home to Wigan FFS!!! Had we won it would have been the third positive result in a row and just did not happen, did it?!!??!!
Unfortunately this also could mean not beating ManUre at home on Saturday :-(.

And for the record if we do get passed LiverPOO (TBJ) and onto Moscow, if you are honest, it will not be Grant doing what Mourinho couldn't so as this year we are at HOME for the second leg which makes a ton of difference.

>JD

If there's rumpus in camp as you'v portrayed (for how long now?), JT would not have been elaborate and emphatic in his choice of words, he's smart enough to play the evasive game and use vague words or phrases...Except if you want to tell me our captain is one who thinks/believes in one thing and tells us another!

Anyway, i'll take his words anyday, rather than the rotten spin you and some of your guys throw here daily to serve your selfish agenda...funny how your 'clique' have deemed it fit be blind to JT's comments, not the same elaborate attention you guys dish out in the search for, and propagation of negative news is it?

WISDOM demands that we all wait and support the team till the end of the season when we'll get ENOUGH FACTS to pass a verdict {and support = standing behind your team (management and players) and not causing unnecessary distractions in the team}

For all you know or care, some of us deemed to be 'pro AG' may scream the loudest for his removal at the end of the season, but that would only be based on conclusive facts/results!

>Jose
Thanks...always nice to know that some amongst us lot here still see things from the other perspective

Always Blue!

One of my work colleagues has one of those calenders that has a pithy aphorism for every day of the week.

You may find this week's offerings useful. Make of them what you will.

Monday's

'The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success.'

Tuesday's

'Love others as you would have them love you'

Wednesday

'Laugh at as many scousers as possible when you're 3-0 up from the first leg'

Thursday

'Keep laughing at as many scousers as possible when you're 3-0 up from the first leg'



This is of course a hostage to fortune and I will deeply regret sending it..but I have to keep my spirits up

Alex,

I'd respond to your latest ramblings, but I'm laughing so hard I've just ruptured a fucking kidney. Your selective misrepresentation of what I've said on here over the last few months is pathetic, attention seeking shit which frankly makes you a thick, objectionable **** of the first water.

I'm off to support my football team.