Premier League: Wigan Athletic 0 - 2 Chelsea

Agree with everything nick apart from drogs being in the bad section, yes he should be there for his judas comments on his dvd but also he should be there for an awful preformance yesterday, he looked disinterested and didnt want to get or keep the ball, worst preformance from him in a long long time and his yellow card was pathectic, grant should have picked up on his mood yesterday and played sheva r kalou upfront lets just hope he gets his act 2gether for Tuesday,
K.T.B.F.F.H

Lack of managing history? He's been managing teams since he was 18, that's for 35 years now. The only reason he's not better known is that Israeli teams don't have the financial muscle to compete with European top teams, so Israeli managers simply have a hard time breaking into international spotlight. That doesn't mean they're neccesarily poor in managing (as you can see with Chelsea right now).

Is it still too early to play Pizzaro more often? An unhappy player should warm the bench for a couple of matches, ANC is coming near and we still aren't playing Sheva (though I don't want to see him play) neither Pizarro. When exactly are AG is planning to try another combinations instead of Drog-Kalou?
I really HATE to see Drog on the bench but some discipline is REALLY needed here.

Blue Will Always Be The Color

Lack of history managing at the top level. You must admit that going from managing in Israel for many years to managing one of the top clubs in Europe is quite a step up.

The fact that he spent so long managing in Israel is the reason why so many are still sceptical.

Can we praise the performance of our team Chelsea without taking a dig at Jose please..... Don't be like the biased-hatred-stupid-bloddy s***t press that knows nothing about Chelsea or football for that matter who keep slagging on our former manager as if he is the worst enemy of the universe. And just because some fans love and still support him that doesn't mean that they are living in the past, or trying to be like the scousers or even being unloyal to the club. Of course Chelsea is no. 1 and I will always support my Chelsea but some of the comments from the fans,the pundits, the commentators and especially the "football experts" on those football programmes on TV are just so way of the mark, so incorrect and very far from the truth.

A good weekend all round really.

Drogba didn't really look fit to me (certainly after the knock on the knee) and as far as his comments on the dvd are concerned, I actually find it refreshing that he is prepared to actually tell the truth and say how he feels.

The press managed to create a hysterical headline out of it, but all he really said was that at the time of his move,he felt disgusted with himself for taking the big pay check, when he was so happy at Marsaille. I'm sureif you asked him last season or the year before how he felt, his response would have been very different.

He is an emotional guy, and apart from the first year at Chelsea, he has always given 100%. His comments for me, actually go a long way to explaining why he seemed so poor during that first year at the Bridge.

Greenlight,
you are suggesting that Drog made his comments right after he signed with the blues, if this is the case, it's allright. On the other hand, if these comments are recently made then there is a big question mark for his staying at the end of the season.
Let's hope you are right and he changed his mind

Up The Chels

There's no problem with Drogba telling his own version of how he felt. The problem is that you can't take it.

I say, get rid of you - problem solved.

if the dvd has been released now, very possibly the interview dates back some months. and it may well be that he's on about the disgust of earning too much which would make for a different proposition altogether.
"when i signed for chelsea" doesn't necessarily mean that "signing for chelsea " was the cause of disgust. Press have a nasty habit of making things appear the way they like.

Grant is doing his job with a minimum of
fuss and has clearly got all the players on the same game plan. Grant does not
appear to be playing favorites - unlike JM - and that is a successful approach.
Under Grant (and co-coaches) Chelsea have the opportunity to "play" their way to success as opposed to "grind" their way.

Chelsea under Mourinho have never played the way they play now! Never! Therefore, I don't see any difficulty in giving credit where due... Grant, ten Cate, Clark and not lastly... Abramovich!

Here is the thing though (I wouldn't be "Guru" if I didn't see it well before the rest of the crowd gets it) - considering that Grant got the same group of players (that Jose had) to get great results while playing with style (meaning, neutrals, not only fans, would enjoy Chelsea's games) would lead one to believe that TSO is a bit over-rated.

To be honest, I don't feel that strongly about Drogba and his apparent dislike of Chelsea. He has always given 100% and I think he always will.

What does concern me is that if he continues to speak poorly of the club certain sections of Chelsea's support will turn against him. Any drop in form will be used as an excuse to get on his back. If there's a repeat of the idiotic booing that he endured in his first season, there's little chance of him staying beyond the current campaign.

Of course he should be able to say what he likes, but in reality that's not a sensible approach. All football clubs have their loutish supporters who seem to take great pleasure out of abusing players; it's best not to give those "fans" any excuse, though some don't seem to need an excuse.

Spot on Nick......

If Chelsea fans continue to support DD and show that he is wanted at Chelsea, he will stay.

If we don't, I have no doubt that he will move on.

in spite of your harsh response Squiddy I would agree with you!

yes I can't seem to take DD's statements easily because of one thing: this player has done hell of a lot for Chelsea(both team and fans) and the idea of him leaving at the end of the season scares the hell out of me, so any sign of him being uncomfortable should be dealt with.

I know I may sound contradicting here when suggesting he should warm the bench but the timing which these statements are being made is very critical (starting with the departure of JM and so far) and Nick pointed out that some fans may turn against him and go booing him, now what good could come out of that?

sometimes severity is mercy, that's all I was trying to say here.

still want to get rid of me Squiddy? :)

If being displeased with chelsea by DD means he can score 30 goals then I hope he really gets very displeased with us...

Oh and have we started singing the Avram song yet????

Manure and Airline are just but three points away and to imagine some poor souls had written us off...

Na Na Na Na
Avram Avram
Wont quit this

Na Na Na Na
Avram Avram
Wont quit that

More of the same in this month the next and the next till May...

I do despair sometimes at the so called "facts" that are written on this blog, we never did this... we never did that.
Some people have the attention span and memory of a goldfish!
We're doing fine at the moment and winning our games which should be the minimum requirement expected considering the quality of players we have.
Matt Le Tissier summed up the Wigan game as he was watching it live on Sky on Soccer Saturday. He saw no difference to the old Chelsea, they were comfortable in the first half took their foot of the gas in the second and did a very good containment job.

Our 6-0 thrashing of City was great, that's something we all seem to agree on but we played pretty expansive and entertaining football in the first season under JM and most of the second.
Lets remind people of some of the results during that time..... in no particular order

Chelsea 4-0 Blackburn
West Brom 1-4 Chelsea
Fulham 1-4 Chelsea
Charlton 0-4 Chelsea
Man Utd 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea 3-0 Man Utd
Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona
Chelsea 5-1 Bolton
Chelsea 4-0 Norwich
Chelsea 4-1 West Ham
Liverpool 1-4 Chelsea

These are just a few games that stick out for me in those couple of seasons. If AG produces these results in the coming months and wins us "trophies" then I, like all Chelsea fans will be, (to state that classic cliche) "over the moon"

And I'm sure all us so called cynics will be lining up to congratulate and praise AG

A great result and the good run continues. Just 3 points adrift and maybe even back in with a sniff of the title. To be honest I'd never have thought this could happen and it's still very early days.

Is anyone else sick to the back of the wank-fest going on in the press and on Sky Sports about the Manure/Airline game? It was OK as games go, but according to some it was the best game to grace the Pl for years...which is utter bollocks. It does however support my conspiracy theory that all the press and TV ever wanted was the restoration of the Sir RedNose and Professor Arsehole teams duopoly. Has anyone else noticed how much barrel scraping is now going on when they report negatives about us? Christ, they're even trying to stir us up about DD and comments on how he FELT at some time, in THE PAST, when he signed for us.

Unfortunately the brainless majority who read The Sun or visit Football365 will no doubt take this as gospel as if The Pope himself had declared it.

Definitely agree with SWP being MOTM.

I was pleased by his performance, but also by his attitude. He's been left out of past squads, but I think it shows his mentality and desire to succeed at the club that when his chance comes along, he's ready to grasp it.

We've had a few players who I think would just sulk in that position, so kudos to him for embracing his opportunity.

As for DD, I think whatever this DVD is (and I dont really care) the comments probably eminate from the same time as the ones in FranceFootball magazine. I doubt he's made them again - if he has he's clearly the most indecisive man ever.

Glad Lamps is back to his old, goal-scoring self, but the impending ACN scares me - Drogs is our only real goal threat up front, and Sheva and Pizarro aren't getting the chances to show what it'll be like without him. Maybe because we've got one or two irons in the fire with regards to January purchases ???

Let's hope it continues mid-week. 3 points in Germany and we're all but qualified.

I'm a bit of a newbie on here but have been lurking enjoying this fantastric blog for a while.

Anyway onwards & forwards, a couple of observations;

Firstly SWP did not even look up before slotting in the pass for Lampards goal. Given SWP's wayward history of the final ball either he has been developing his telepathic powers or he got lucky. That aside, as pointed out earlier by a previous poster, he has a great attitude but world class player, no.

Secondly DD. He is a rare footballer with both intelligence and a conscious, as shown by his personl efforts to stop the civil war ravaging the Ivory Coast. With his commuting to Milan it is difficult to see him staying beyond this season but he certainly should not be criticised for being blunt and honest. In fact football in general would be better off if more individuals were like DD and spoke their mind.

The Drogba issue is a tricky one.

It’s a bit like finding out your wife has been shagging someone else although you subsequently discover it was before you were married, albeit just 20 minutes before the ceremony took place. Last weeks little indiscretion she was caught shagging someone else but hey, you still love her and she is a good cook, so you take her back. Still, if it happens again, I’m not sure I can turn a blind eye forever!

As for the game it was a great atmosphere in the Chelsea end. Slightly disappointed with the second half because I was hoping to see a little more action down our end. The JJB is a bit soul-less and in fact the whole town is a bit of a wasteland.

I like the way some of us are comparing Mourinho to Grant... I do not see the need to other than for statistical reasons.

The fact is that Mourinho found us on our way up giving us a helping hand while Avram has found us at the top and hoping to keep us there.

I beg that we concentrate on now remember the past but long for a better future. I hope that is not a bad thought.

No one in their right mind would ever think that Mourinho did not do us proud...he built history in 2 days (seasons) but a time had come for him to leave.

I know we are playing great stuff whatever anyone maybe saying. In the scores placed there could you please include the 6-0 against Man City because it looks good... Man City has been a thorn in our flesh in the last three seasons even taking a few points off us. But 6-0 now with an even better squad makes one appreciate the effort.

Boro is another team that has been a headache for us, 2-0 out on their own turf, Wigan another game where we had to scrap through to earn a win...2-0 by first half. What I find amusing is that the reporters are eager to report how bad the other teams were and not how well we played. Frankly I like it that way because they will definately have another excuse when we sneak through and win the league.

I am not going to appeal to chelsea fans out there to fall in love with Grant (well with his looks who would) but does anyone realise that we are no longer being branded bad for football, 1-0 score liners, etc etc...I love the peace and quiet that Grant brings and if this is accompanied with winning with style so be it!

I remain one in love with Chelsea who ever is at the reins.... as long as it retains our pride, winning ways and respect!

Looking forward to a quick qualification, thwarting of Loserpool FC in the Carling Cup, as well as the same for Airline fc on the 15th December 2007. A return of favours to Manure Fc in our rematch the bridge will also be good!

Come on Chelsea Come on Chelsea Come on Chelsea

Berkshire Blue - While I agree with you that SWP's final ball is often dreadful, on this occasion he did take a look to see where Lampard was. It's not very clear, but the camera angle from behind the goal in this video shows it. I too wondered if he looked and double-checked on Sunday's MotD.

Again, I agree. Drogba's always struck me as being a decent sort off the pitch. Problem is, some of the fans aren't as decent as he is. That said, there does seem to be an inevitability to his leaving, so we should just enjoy him for the remainder of the season.

I also love the fact that we no longer hoof the ball up field...

Not a dig at JM just stating my preferance...don't we all?

I'm all for this winning form, and I believe Grant and his group have a lot to do with it but to win any kind of silverware we have to beat big teams. I will be excited to see this kind of football against Man Utd or Arsenal, I just wouldn't count in it.

"The fact that he spent so long managing in Israel is the reason why so many are still sceptical."

Well, managers are not born with top club experience. They can struggle in the lower levels and never breakthrough. In order for a manager to get a history in top European clubs there has to be one top European club that will be willing to appoint a manager without a history in top European clubs. I can certainly understand you preferring Chelsea getting a proven coach rather than taking a plunge to the unknown. But that's behind us now. I understand your scepticism but I hope you will give Grant a fair chance, and if he succeeds, give him credit for it. You can't deny he's not doing a bad job at the moment.

about JM i think he had over stayed and his ego was now too big for comfort. With grant lets wait and see he seems to have sorted out lampard and SWP they are back to playing desent footy at least. DD is fine he is not going nothing but a healthy expression of o0nes feelings he should avoid the publicity tho

Another good performance and convincing win, two excellent goals, another clean sheet and faith starts to build. I agree with Nick's original comment that it's still hard to see AG as being the sole catalyst for these recent performances and results but as long as it continues I think it's natural that he will be respected as a part of that success.

The quotes I read about the Drogba dvd suggested it was his realisation that he'd been seduced by the money into leaving Marseille when his heart was with them, that shows that it wasn't the fact that it was Chelsea that he'd be moving to, and was disgusted with, rather that he saw his own 'corruption' if you like. A sensitive soul with dual heart-on-sleeve and foot-in-mouth syndrome, it'll be sad when he does eventually go, he's scored some spectacular and important goals for the club, I feel this could be his last season but hope not.

Well done Shaun Wright-Phillips... Now can you please put in a quality ball like that in the next game and not after another ten?

No, Don't answer, Of course you can't...

Loving the wife analogy Mark...

Regarding, as one of the broadsheets points out, "A man with blood on his hands", it is easier to pick up the reigns of a team you have been spying on for two years studying with all the time on the world while doing nothing elswhere as Harry Rednap noted, "I don't know what he does" when at Portsmouth, and then taking over, keeping THE SAME 4 3 3 formation Jose used in the first two years to win the league, and start winning with the talent on display once the players had cooled down after the loss of their manager. I would like Grant to play Sheva with Drogba and Ballack with Lampard as Jose was forced to as we all now know, and see what we win and how we play!!! Just look at the weekends headlines about the so called big game that all the media seemed to hanker back for, old rednose and Wenger! "Just like old days", one commentator summed it up! Does anyone here honestly believe a man like Grant could have turned up, bullied the top two to make way for another club, turned the Chelsea name into the force it is today and won 2 back to back prem's while challenging for Europe while sticking two fingers up at UEFA quite rightly for their Barcelona bias in Europe? WAKE UP and smell the coffee people! Grant IS NOT and WILL NEVER BE Jose Mourihno even if we win the Prem or the Champions. To all you who have not read any history, read about JM's own path to the top and how he was crowned as the best mangager in the world by FIFA stats,! before 42 years old! Without Roman's money he won Europe twice!! and has not lost a home league game for over 5 years!! How old is Grant? Where is your licence? is what we should shout from the Matthew Harding Stand. I'd like to sing something else but would probbaly get booted out by Roman's little pet's!! Let's wait until the crunch games come in December to February in all competitions! Unfortunatley, I know many of you will be feeling the same as me, when the tough games really come soon, we need a manager who can make his players believe they are the best in the world and they WILL be the best, not let's have a good game of football so long as "We are playing good football" as Grant keeps emphasizing. That's why, I dont like this person in the least, he is constantly sniping back to Mourinho after every game in the typical back stabbing way he snaked his way to the managers job or have some of you not noticed that his comments yet?

Drogba is not going anywhere! He has 3 years left on his contract, hence nobody can buy him on the cheap.
He is almost 30, therefore by the time he can buy out the remainder of his contract (or go for less money), he'll find out that 32-33 year old strikers are not a hot commodity!
Look, I said it before, Drogba is just an emotional goof and one will be ill advised trying to make too much of what he says.
Chelsea didn't buy him because he's got a PhD in science but because he has one in football! He's doing the talking on the pitch almost every time he plays and that's fine by me...
C'mon Drog, tell us how disgusted you were and bang another 30 goals for us this season!
Go, Chelsea!

Yes Dio, I agree with you about how Grant keep sniping back to JM after every game. I have realised that from the beginning. I just don't understand why he keep doing that. He already have the backing from the owner, great help from Henk and Steve Clarke and of course inherit one of the best squad in the world!!! For me his job is so easy because JM have done all the hard work.Now Jose Musumba, hold your horses. I'm not trying to stir up the argument about whatever job that AG has done here. I'm just giving my opinion. I know that it's not easy to make all these superstars players and Steve Sidwell play together as a team. But that is what JM had successfully achived when he was at Chelsea. So the team spirit in the camp is The Special One's legacy.

I wouldn't say Grant is sniping at TSO. This is to portray us as playing 'good/exciting football' in the media. If he keeps repeating it and the papers keep printing it the red top readers will also change their opinions on Chelsea. It's part of changing the image of the club. I couldn't give a flying fcuk; but for the sake of younger minded more media led oposition/young and prospective new fans this'll work.

It may also work with RA! It's a common marketting ploy, look at bush and his constant 'war on terror' look at Blair with 'education, education, education'!

People will perceive something as good if you tell them enough.

K/T/B/F/F/H

Dio...
I see your point on the veiled remarks from AG....i want to believe it will be played down soon ('playing in a better way' was the reason adduced for JM leaving)...probably why he keeps harping on that aspect...

Lets all pull in the same direction....the guys in the team are trying hard enough, they need our support....Lets oblige them, cos we alll stand to benefit more, when the boys are really motivated by us to play...

Always Blue!

I think that CheBeef is right.... RA's main 'beef' (scuse the pun) with Jose was that he wanted Chelsea to be liked and his comments in the media were causing Chelsea to be loathed. Nobody ever questioned his ability to manage the side.

Grant has been charged with changing Chelsea's image more than anything else, and if he repeats the 'beautiful football' line often enough, the muppets will start to believe it.

I agree with Clive's earlier comments about the performance being quite Mourinho-esque. The game was won by half-time, and then the team shut up and sat back.

Also, did anyone else see how thoroughly pissed-off Stevie Clarke has looked lately? Anyone else noticed that he seems to have been stripped of his dealings with the press (I don't remember the last time he made a comment)? I read somewhere that the purported new contract has not materialised and in my opinion, I doubt if he will be around past Xmas.

I also totally agree with Dio. I confess I was and I stil am a big admirer of TSO’s work in Chelsea. I’m also very pleased that Chelsea is continuing it’s path of success even with out TSO. To honestly compare the influence of both in Chelsea is still too early. Let’s give AG more time. But one can already compare the career of both managers, as Dio did, and here TSO is clearly the winner. I also think, AG is profiting from a very well maintained and oiled Ferrari he received from TSO. It’s easy to find such a fine team, with such a great spirit, and than build upon that.

I'd like to think that the performance drop in the 2nd half was because we were leaving something in reserve for the Schalke game...

I'm sure that had Wigan by some freak of chance, actually put one past us, we'd have moved up another gear and monstered 'em.

What a goal from Belleti though, eh?

"I know that it’s not easy to make all these superstars players and Steve Sidwell play together as a team."

Well played Fariza.

I honestly don't know what to make of Avram. The shame I felt when he walked out on the pitch at Old Trafford has faded and, I have to admit, it's hard for me to dislike him. I think the influence of Ten Cate has been immense and he seems to have the same sort of no nonsense attitude TSO (long live the King) had. Three points back and I'm having to remind myself its too early to start asking myself whether we could be back in with a shout for the league. To lose Steve Clarke, though, as some on here have suggested would be a huge blow and I hope he stays. We need someone who's Chelsea through and through on that bench.

Glad to see SWP in the side, hope he keeps his place at Shalke. As always, Blue is the color...

Stowe - please can you and others stop referring to TSO as the King.

Osgood is the King of Stamford Bridge.

In may ways TSO is our Princess Diana - people will be crying over him for years, although I can't fathom out why.

Mark -
"In may ways TSO is our Princess Diana - people will be crying over him for years, although I can’t fathom out why."

A good likeness to the feeling of Diana's passing. BUT, you can't understand why the fans were turned crazy by his exit??? Firstly he gave Chelsea a taste of real success in his first and second season by pushing in to the top two making it a top three! Giving our players a 'winners mentality'.
Secondly he did it with such huge personality and arrogance. I never saw or heard Brian Clough but i struggle to imagine he was as pig headed as TSO.
Thirdly he attracted extra fans (even rival supporters) to admire him and hang on every word he said.

I think some people on here and people out 'there' as well forgot that Chelsea were previous to Mourinho nothing more then a decent domestic side, always so close but yet so far. Obviously Roman has had a big say in matters with an initial bottomless pit of money. Lets see how Avram Gtrant does by May before we start singing his praises.

The proof is in the pudding.

K/T/B/F/F/H

Ah yes, the great Brian Clough.

I'd have to rate Clough higher than TSO.

1. He was genuinely funny, whereas TSO mostly attracted comment by being offensive
2. He won the league and European cups with teams with low resources
3. Instructed his teams to play the right way. If you committed fouls or argued with the ref you were out the team/club. TSO actively encourages the harrasment of officials.

I agree it's too early to rate Avram yet. Personally I feel I owe more to RA than TSO and I feel more comfortable with the club now that TSO has departed.

what worries me is come january /feb the depature of didier drogba kalou solomon michael essien john obimikel all of whom represent a big share of the chelsea starting line up regular backbone leaves for the african cup of nations, we are left with a very average team.(anyone having to fill didiers shoes has an enormous task)

this may be the turning point in Grants managerial tactics and will truly test his guts. after inheritng JM Team, he may as a prerequisite have to sign new players but with the advent of signing we may have to loose some points ,just as with sheva and ballack last season or man u at the start of the season.players have to adapt...
ALL SAID I HOPE GRANT CAN MAKE OUR PLAYERS BETTER PENALTY TAKERS its part of the so called" attractive football"
IT WOULD BE SO ASHAMING, OF A REAPEATED HAPPENING (AGAINST LIVERPOOL AND AGAINST MAN U)HARDLY ANY PLAYER WOULD PUT THE BALL BEHIND THE KEEPER FROM THE PENALTY STOP.(THIS WAS ONE OF JOSES GREATEST FAILURE I.E HAVING TO WIN A PENALTY SHOOT OUT(CHARLTON LIVERPOOL MANU))we have alot of competitions that can be decided on penalties with the exception of EPL
NB
i firmly believe carlo is better at penalties than cech

i firmly believe that petr is better at every other aspect of goalkeeping than carlo.

Disappointed that Scott Sinclair's been loaned to QPR for a month.

With Kalou and DD off in January, I'd like to have seen him given a chance, and he'd be better testing himself in the Premier League before then, than playing in the Championship then coming back.

Dickson - We'll miss DD and Essien (both irreplaceable) a hell of a lot more than Kalou and Mikel (instantly replaceable in my eyes). As I see it, we've got Sheva and Pizarro fighting it out to play the lone role, and SWP, Malouda, Cole (and Sinclair ???) to occupy the 2 wide roles. Then Makelele in the holding role, and Lamps with either Ballack or Sidwell I guess. Not sure I'd describe that as 'very average'.

Maybe the chance for some of the other loanees to return ??? Jimmy Smith, Ben Sahar etc.

Good to see Ballack back in traning. He'll be important during January/February.

As January comes we must bring in a couple of decent loan signing's of our own to get us through the loss of the African contingent during the Cup of Nations.
With two massive games against Liverpool and Tottenham during this period - and the possibility of a two-legged League Cup Semi-Final - cover for Drogba and Essien is vital if the players are to remain fit throughout this busy period.
I don't know if anybody has any suggestions as to who these could possibly be seen as none of the top teams in England and possibly Spain, Italy etc will be willing to let their second string join us but I honestly don't believe that the likes of Sidwell - who quite blatantly was brought in as cover for this tournament - are up to the task of guiding us into a strong end to the season.
On another point though, I agree with you Dickinson on your last point Carlo's record against penalties is superb but would you bring him in just for a cup game on that basis?

I know it's only halftime but I have two words to describe our performance so far.... Pub team!

Bloody hope we improve in the next 45 mins

Yep... Pub Team that has drunk too much Carlsberg!