The week at Chelsea (and in football generally because there isn’t much Chelsea ‘bad’ to write about, which is nice)
Sunday, 28 September 08, 05:53 PM · Comments (44)
Another week, another snappy title. Busy weekend, so we’ll get straight down to business and say that it’s been…
A good week for:
Jose Bosingwa. The sight of a Chelsea full-back charging towards the opposition’s 18 yard box and whipping inch-perfect crosses in is still something of a novelty; seeing one scoring goals isn’t exactly an everyday occurrence either. The Bos (for want of a better nickname) has been one of our most consistent performers this season, impressing both the fans and Scolari with his Cafu-esque act on the right flank. He started out as a midfielder until another bloke called Jose, formerly of this parish, persuaded him that his talents would be better employed elsewhere. Nice one, Jose (both of you).
Anticipation. With October just around the corner, it’s not all dark nights, Strictly Come Dancing and even crapper weather than usual. A glance at the fixture list for the next month is mouth-watering – the magnificently named CFR Cluj and Luciano Spalletti’s AS Roma in the Champions League, with the small matter of the second and third placed teams in the Premier League, Rafa’s Liverpool and Martin O’Neill’s extremely impressive Villa side both due at the Bridge. Arriving in November in a similar position to where we are now would do very nicely, thanks.
Frank Lampard. Attracting plaudits again after another excellent week. The sublime pass for Bosingwa’s goal gave just a small hint that he and Deco have been comparing notes; exceptional stuff.
Geovanni. Cracking goal, son. We might just be thanking you for that come next May.
And a bad week for:
Rob Styles. As decisions go, there are Darwin Award winners embedded into cliff faces that have displayed better judgement than Styles did for yesterday’s penalty shocker up at Old Trafford. His refusal to face a Match of the Day interviewer is a perfect illustration as to why the FA’s “Respect the Ref” campaign is looking as comprehensively screwed as Bambi Woods in “Debbie Does Dallas” (so I’m told). No stranger to the art of the cock-up (see our game at Anfield last season), Styles will surely be making a phone call to Mark Halsey in the next day or two for tips on the best route to Chester.
Arsenal. From the emergence of some more terribly gifted children from the Arsene Wenger Center For Kids Who Play Football Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too, to yesterday’s careless capitulation to the mighty Hull, the highs and lows of the Gooners’ week can be summarised by the late and rather great Paul Newman. Arsene could do better than look to this short exchange between Newman’s (recently defeated) Fast Eddie Felson and Bert Gordon (George C. Scott) from “The Hustler” to see where his problems lie:
“So I got talent. So what beat me?”
“Character.”
All the prodigious 16 year olds and team building memos in the world can’t make up for the obvious lack of that particular quality up at the Emirates right now.
Newcastle. You couldn’t get more black and white comedy if you spent a month watching Buster Keaton movies; I have a Sunderland supporting mate who needs an oxygen mask at the mere mention of his Tyneside rivals. Odds of 4-1 currently available on the men from St. James’ Park playing in the Championship next season – in the current tough financial climate, that looks a safer investment bet than Bradford & Bingley shares. Maybe Mike Ashley should get his wife to introduce him to the fans at the next home game – it seems to have worked wonders for Gordon Brown.
Injuries. At the time of writing, I’m unsure as to the extent of the knock that removed Kalou from the action against Stoke, but with Deco and Carvalho out, along with long-term absentee Michael Essien, no more please.
Men of the week:
Jose Bosingwa. And Paul Newman.
Final thoughts:
An important win against Stoke – our two nearest challengers in the league have emerged with precisely one point between them from their encounters with Tony Pulis’s men – not our best performance, but it will do nicely for the time being.
Elsewhere, Burnley will visit the Bridge in the next round of the Fizzy Cup after our impressive victory over Portsmouth in midweek (that’s eight goals this season already with at least one more game to go); all is generally right in the world and frankly, Big Phil is doing a far better job than I – and I suspect many others – imagined he would. As you were, Mr. Scolari. Oh, and welcome aboard, Miniero.
I’m off to the legendary Oktoberfest in Munich to consume a litre or two of the local brew. Enjoy the week, folks.
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44 Comments · Add yours
The first full month of the new season sees us sitting at the top of the leagure with health GD and 6 point lead over Man USA. We are playing some excellent football at times under Scolari and it should only get better as long as there are no more injuries until we get back some of the currently injured players.
Its a joy to see Ashley and Jose flying down the wings at every opportunity and our central midfield so strong. Lampard has been fantastic and worth every penny.
The only notes of caution are JT's form (which is patchy at best) and we haven't had a top striker either on form or fit. However despite these 'niggles' we are still scoring an average of 2.5 goals per game over the first 8 fixtures which is an excellent return for the team. We have also only concede 3 goals which is title winning form.
I hope Deco and Riccie are back soon and Kalou is not badly injured and Essien can make a late appearance around April time !
KTBFFH
Well...I am satisfied. Scolari is a nice man and a good manager...i was wrong about him.
BUT...i think that about transfers he knows as much I know about cricket...ok Deco is ok, but cammon...Its like we dont have youth team and reserve team...we should give a chance to some youth, not to buy Mineiro, who , I don't know if he is any better than the young Blues !
Anyway...we need to sell Drogba and Anelka in January and buy some 23-25 year old striker.THATS it.They are useless.Drogba cannot give anything new and he is overused and Anelka is just not trying hard.
,,Any player who is here for themselves not for the team will leave the club''
Excuse me if I missquoted Scolari-but I think only naive people think that Frank stayed because the love for the club. Even Mourinho said that Frank stayed- for money AND BECAUSE of his wife. He is not anymore in good form and is aging.Ok, against Bordeaux,Portsmouth, Stoke he was great. But against Man U? Not really...Can he play excellent against excellent teams?However, he has a 5 years contract and doesn't give ashit. Thats my final word on him.I won't bug you with this anymore.
John Obi MIkel-great.Deco-too bad he got injured. Terry-not in a good form. Bosingwa and A.Cole-wonderful. Ballack and Lampard- I guess ok. Joe COle-dunno. Cech-normal .Drogba-blah. ANelka-double blah.Kalou-good.
All we are asking...is give Di SANTO a chanceee
Everything is ticking over nicely, albeit a few injuries to some key players but we appear to be coping. A tricky game against Villa on Sunday which I will be attending, they must be quite high on confidence with their form, and the four goals they banged past us last season. As entertaining as it was for the neutral, I would like to point out that I and everyone else on this blog are not, so a one nil scoreline to us will do nicely.
On a more sombre note which perhaps most people have overlooked for our season ahead, I have one wish... not the quadruple (although it would be nice) but the hope that we don't play Liverpool more than our allocted two fixtures this season!
Jonathan - bit surprised you've put the Arse and Newcastle under the bad? With your trip to Munich a bit of shardenfreude comes to mind.
Things are going well for us so the the only way to make it even better is to have things going wrong for others. Obviously Spurs demise is fun and I'm starting to think that maybe we have had some lucky escapes. Oneday Ramos seems to be proving that wearing a smart coat and having swarthy Mediterranean looks doesn't make you a better manager than Avram. Modric may turn out ok but currently he looks lightweight and, after watching bits of Wigan v City Robinho doesn't look that great when the Premiership style tackles start flying about. A bit more shardenfreude is enjoyed with Citeh and if they don't qualify for the Champions League this season the Arabs will be kicking their camels.
To cap it all Inter lost to AC and had 2 players sent off. Thankfully I don't have to listen to a winging Jose in a post match interview who probably claimed some conspiracy theory or made some false allegation against the ref in attempt to ruin his career.
Happy days.
@4. Mark25 - Have to agree that much as I'm still grateful to TSO for what he achieved with us I'm not sorry he's now doing his ranting and raving act elsewhere while our management leave that sort of tactic to Old PurpleNose and just get on calmly with winning games - at least until His Bigness takes a swing at someone..
Just been catching up with the previous blogs since Saturday and Lolli's description of attending the Stoke game [@44 on the Portsmouth blog]sent me on a Hovis advert-like reverie of "t' workers streaming out of t' factory gates at lunchtime Saturday heading straight to t' local match still in their work clothes" - although since it was a woman and her Mum rather than the horny-handed sons of toil she was describing it rather broke the cliche - as did our more testosterone-filled bloggers who quickly homed in on the image of a woman in uniform and took the reverie in an entirely different direction :-)
Hope you're feeling better today, Lolli.
Morning JD, I'm assuming this was written before the Pompey/Spuds game......
A bad week for Spurs. Yes, they beat the Geordie Dreamers midweek, but watching that game was like watching two senile old bed wetters try to gum each other to death. Yesterdays performance at Pompey was one of the funniest things I've seen this season. Watching Wendy sitting bemused next to Gus Poyet was like watching Lord Blackadder trying to teach Baldrick to count. Each throw of the Ramos dice is looking more and more like the act of a desperate and homesick man looking for a pay off to take him back to Spain and pay off the mortgage on his no doubt sizeable estate. I love it.
A bad week for Mike Riley - simply because he must wake up every morning, look in the mirror and sigh with sadness at the fact that he is still a pedantic, officious c**t.
A bad week for Sparky. Defeat to a club once sponsored by Skint records playing in a ground most pub teams would reject, followed by defeat to a physical but committed Wigan side. One can't help think that Steve 'Pugnose' Bruce has, with far less money, got a better eye for the type of player required for the Premiership than our old mate Sparky.
Mark - you've second guessed Mourinho quite wrongly on how he reacted after the game; the odd gripe but actually quite gracious in general and very complimentary to both sets of fans and how respectful they were. Amusing how the media over here have continued their narrative about him; the only story of note that really made the presswas the Catania director wanting to "smack him in the mouth" - the reality is that he's actually winning quite a few friends over there too - gets some stick in the press, of course, but to hear someone like Arrigo Sacchi, an AC Milan legend praising him for the impact he's had on Serie A a couple of days before the derby game, is pretty unusual to say the least. But then again, why let the facts get in the way of a good preconceived idea... ;-)
Morning TG - yes, all done pre Pompey v Spurs. Another cause for a good chuckle last night... lord only knows what they are doing up there; 70 million odd on players and they look utterly hopeless. Given that Ramos was something of a rising star in Spain, he's probably having serious regrets about tying his flag to the mast of this particular listing boat.
I've not included Sparky - I reckon every week that he can keep himself in the job up there at the moment is a good one for him!
@7. KaiserJonny_II - oh no, please don't spoil my bad memories :-)
Let's not forget everyone in England thought he was a breath of fresh air in the beginning, the press and even Wenger, but it soon changed into a pungent stench.
'But then again, why let the facts get in the way of a good preconceived idea...'
Mark, haven't you learnt your lesson? Slagging off Mourinho got us six months of Grant. Every time you bring up your hatred of our most successful manager, it reminds us of what you and your ilk got foisted on us last season. Thanks for that.
There is that too...
No argument on the point that Jose pizzed a few people off; but in context, the vast majority of managers here clearly liked and got on well with him and the rest (media, public) thought he was a bit of a curio and only really got the hump when he started winning. A lot. Same applies to Wenger, who can also be a fairly graceless loser when he puts his mind to it.
Mourinho was exactly what we needed at the time.
But now we've moved on.
Perhaps Mark should as well?
I've just seen a very funny video on Youtube. I won't post a link because it's extreme political incorrectness and bad language might offend. It's another 'Downfall' parody involving Newcastle United. The line about McClaren had me in stitches.
Just search for
Mike Ashley Sells Newcastle Utd
on Youtube if you're remotely interested.
"Same applies to Wenger, who can also be a fairly graceless loser when he puts his mind to it."
JD, if you weren't aware, everyones favourite kidnapper of child footballers was named Number 1 bad loser in yesterdays Observer sport supplement. And you know that was written well before Phil Browns team gave them what for on Saturday.
I'll shock you with this next statement, but I'm OPTIMISTIC that we'll get another 3 Champs League points on Wednesday. I think Cluj's win in Rome was just one of those things, and a machine-like 4-3-3 demolition of Transylvania's finest is on the cards.
But, returning to normal pessimistic service, next Sunday will be a huge test against probably the most 'honest' side in the league. I like Villa, I like O'Neill. They dont have any reason to dis-like them (well, maybe the ruining of my Boxing Day last year, but that's it). We should have too much for them, but I get the feeling more and more that the players know that record's there and it's as if we've got everything to lose, and the visiting team - whoever they are - have absolutely nothing to lose.
@ 5. BLUEBOYDAVE
I'm a lot better today thanks, after spending most of yesterday in bed due to a spinning, pounding head & wall-to-wall vomiting..(sorry guys!)..i seriously didn't know what planet i was on yesterday and knew as soon as i opened my eyes that i was gonna have a very bad day..
I was back to work as usual this morning but have been suffering with the shakes all day, but at least i'm not throwing up any more!!
Shouldn't and can't mix my drinks, so i don't know why i did it really..think it was because i was on such a buzz on saturday that i didn't want it to end. Well, that's my excuse anyways..and i'm sticking to it!!
Thanks Dave x
Hi all,
does anybody know the best internet website where you can see all or most of the prem, serie A, la Liga legally even if you have to pay for it?. I have seen www.free-football.tv and it looks good but is it real you can get all these matches for just 7.99 a year????? Those chinese psp and others just dont seem to work and it's all hit and miss even if they are free so i am happy to pay if it means proper quality legally on line when they say it is...
thanks in advance
The best by far is tvandsportstreams.tv
US$10ish a month, but well worth it for reliable good quality streams. You can even record the streams pretty easily if you know what you're doing.
Out here in the states I use it even when the games are on TV...I sync up the Blighty commentary and half time / post match stuff with the TV picture.
'livefootydoctor serv' google it.
three or four results down. Will need to have sopcast installed, but with a good connection, should be no problem
And it's free (voluntary giving).
Gilardinhoooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Lolli... dare I say you are getting too old for 'a big night out' without suffering the next day. Take me for example I had 5 pints on Friday night (Kilkenny) and suffered badly the next day and was late for the Grand Final BBQ at my girlfriends place... The older you get the longer and more severe the hangover...
chelsea is the most consistent english team so far this season and im glad its so
I see he of the Purple Nose is now refusing to speak to the press again, claiming they misquoted him over his comments about our Chelsea side being too old earlier in the season.
It looks like we might have the silly old fart worried.....
Or should that read "Silly Auld Fart".....SAF....
Sir Angry Fukwit is more applicable me thinks...
Oh dear.
Just read that Joe Cole hasn't recovered from his hip injury and isn't travelling to Romania.
So we only have two wide players - Malouda and Kalou - neither of which are wholly consistent at the best of times.
With Sinclair STILL ineligible for the Champions League, we're looking very short of options all of a sudden. No doubt Anelka will be dumped out wide, and then ridiculed for not playing well in a position that's clearly not his.
Although I thought Malouda and Kalou both played well at Stoke and Joe hasn't hit top form yet
@ Fiftee......
Give me Kalou over Anelka anyday, regardless of the position.
@Dio 15. I've had no problems with SopCast so far this season. Like Cashif, I get links to matches from LINK and LINK
As for paying for streams, I've never had any luck. A lot of people are being ripped off.
There are no "legal" ways to stream Premier League games in the UK. I can't imagine it will remain this way for much longer; after all, the Net is becoming an integral part in people's lives.
Sky stream Champions League games online, but it's expensive if you're not a subscriber - £5 a match last season.
@Fiftee 23. I agree with Mark, Joe hasn't hit top form this season, and he won't be missed against the likes of Cluj (famous last words). I've been impressed with Kalou this season, although he's still wasteful in front of goal. There were rumours last week that Barca want to sign him in the January transfer window for £6m.
I see Stoch has travelled to Romania. I'd love to see him given an opportunity if we're cruising in the second half.
My point (although clearly not, well, clear) on Joe was more a reflection on the lack of wide options we have, than me missing him. I agree he's been inconsistent at best - more a case of if Malouda or Kalou get injured or are poor, we'll be left sticking the proverbial square peg in a round hole.
Strange that Carlo is playing for the stiffs tongiht, and that we've taken Hilario.
No mention that CC has been injured - I wonder if TSSO just prefers Hilario.
I guess Di Santo has travelled as he's part of the 1st team squad, I'd like to see him given more chances. I'd say the same about Sinclair, but the piss-poor reasoning behind him being ineligible for selection is UEFA political twaddle at it's pure, unadulerated best.
@27. Fiftee - It would seem that Carlo has dropped down the pecking order - Hilario has been on the subs bench for all our games so far, apart from Spurs for some reason when CC made it. Can't say it's a decision their relative performances over the years when called on would justify?
It's another example of Scolari's bias towards anything Portugese or Brazilian. We all know that Hilario is by far and away the 3rd best keeper at the club and that Carlo should always be our no.2. But he seems to be phasing him out. Maybe it's because he's planning for the future when Carlo retires/leaves. I'd like to see Rhys Taylor be given a chance.
As for Sinclair. It's strange that he doesn't count as one of our youth team players who we can include under the quota of local players, in order to keep Platini happy.
I don't really think there is much to choose between Carlo and Hilario anymore.
Hilario has now been called on a number of times, and has never let the side down, whilst when given the opportunity Carlo seems to have injured himself almost immediately. Coincidence or unfortunate accidents maybe, or perhaps Carlo isn't keeping himself as fit as he could.
Tonight's game is going to be very interesting after Cluj's surprise win at Roma. I still believe we shall have far too much experience and class and will win comfortably as Scolari will have the team well prepared and will not take the win for granted.
According to the preview on BBC website LINK Kalou is fit again which is excellent news. He remains my pick for "most improved" player for this season.. although Malouda is starting to come into that category as well..which is great for team balance.
I like the spello in this article "world gootball"... !
KTBFFH
For those like me who knew nothing about Cluj... this review on BBC paints an interesting picture. They were in the third division a few years ago and were then taken over by local businessman. Strong portugese influence due to being a feeder club for Benfica !
LINK
I don't know anything about Cluj either..i've heard of them but that's as far as it went..Uncle Phil has been on SSN this morning saying he wouldn't be overly shocked if they beat Chelsea tonight, so they must be a dark horse where football is concerned..He also says not to expect too much from Drogs also, as he's still not 100% fit..
Man Usa and Arsenal have won their respective games, so i'm hoping for a 2-0 win..
Good luck Chels xx
I'm doing the review and here's my thoughts thus far
Arse-gravy bollocks with not one single Chelsea player doing a single thing of any worth. Fucking crap is too good a description for what I've seen so far. Can't pass, can't tackle, can't hold the ball and not ONE single shot on target.....or even off target to my recollection.
I hope Popeye punches a bit of sense into them.
0-0 Half time.
Cluj have looked quite good on the break and pretty decent overall. We haven't given them any problems so far.
They look more likely to score TBH.
Hopefully things pick up in the second half.
An absolutely awful performance. No ideas, no chances and yet another injury. It reminded me of the bad old Avram days!
We looked worse than Spurs. Our 'best' football was when Cech started to hoof it long. That sums up how bad we were.
Seeing Terry moved into midfield and Mikel put at CB showed how a pairing of JT and Alex will always suffer against any form of pace, like Agbonlahor and Young this weekend.
Alex was at his cumbersome worse, Mikel couldn't pass the ball, Ballack couldn't run, Anelka missed yet another chance and even Lamps looked poor tonight. I expect that Scolari's honeymoon period will be ended once we read the papers tommorrow.
*tomorrow
is it me or have the big games eluded us? A draw against Tottenham who are as we know really bad and well bottom of the league!! A draw against Man-u when we needed to win for a real psychological boost and notice of intention and both at the bridge and now tnt against Cluj who? A champions league game lets be honest we should have won......too early yet but all of a sudden all this talk of four cups looks far, far away, to me at least, hopefully i am wrong and will be happy to be very wrong but mmmm some questions are rising!
Update on Didier:
Right knee ligament damage with a possible fracture according to 5live.
Our squad is looking very thin. A new striker in January is a certainty as Didier looks to have another serious injury. We're now relying on Anelka!
By the way, thanks to all for the help with the online footie! Sopcast and myp2p works a treat!
Scolari says that JT, Alex, A Cole all have injuries.
The review has been sent to Nick. It's hard to be that positive about tonight, bt my biggest fear is that Didier may be facing a career decision.....or the club may do it for him.
people often have selective memory. its hard to figure out that joe is the chelsea player with most GOALS club + country i dont know if a player should be judged by a single game ..but i think he is pretty consistent.furthermore top drog hasnt even scored .and no midfielder has outscored him this season. joe is one player who creates something from nothing and one of the few chelsea players whom u can pass the ball when marked and will manage to create space.