Premier League - Written by BlueChampion on Friday, December 29, 2006 4:31 | 2,230 Views | 33 Comments | Add Comment
Chelsea vs Fulham: 30-Dec-2006: Bring back the ‘fear factor’!
Should be no worries!
Now the morale is down. If not yet for the team, atleast for many of the fans, me for sure! We are trailing in the Premiership by only four points, we topped a difficult champions league group, we are in Carling cup semi-finals and in the third round of the FA cup. Not too bad. On the whole, with the absence of the first and second choice goalkeepers, we have done very well indeed. So, why is my morale down? Few months back, had you told me that Reading might get a 2-2 draw at the Bridge, I would have laughed it off. Now these things have become absolutely possible.
What worries now is not the results and points but the manner in which we get them, I would take an 1-0 win over a 3-2 win any day. Our excellent defensive records of the past seasons have gone. Now even the new boys of the Premiership can come to the Bridge and go back with 2 goals and a point. The important contributor to Chelsea’s success in the recent seasons has been the ‘fear factor’. Over the last few matches this is slowly fading away.
Drogba also realises this fact:
It is something we have to think about. We cannot give the other teams the belief that they can score, that they can win. Last season, and also two years ago, we were very strong when we scored one goal and they other teams could not think about coming back into the game
The match against Fulham at the Stamford Bridge is a new year gift to Chelsea. No disrespect to Fulham, but if their away form is any indication, they are in for a beating. Their only away win of this season was more than three months back and they have been shipping two goals for every goal they score away. But, this is a derby. Emotions can run high. Motivation levels can be different. In any damn case, we should wrap this up.
We should go for a high-scoring-clean-sheeter. To take full advantage of Fulham’s current form, we should opt for 4-3-3 and play Drogba with Robben and Kalou on either wings. I’m not sure if Robben is fit to play, I just hope. I wish both Ballack and Makelele are rested. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you might have noticed that for quite some time, I have been dropping Ballack from my team. That’s the reason why a poll was also introduced in this blog to know who do you want to be dropped - Sheva or Ballack or both or neither. Below are the results of the most-voted poll of this blog so far:
Until a fortnight back, most of the voters wanted to drop neither and even in the rest, only 13% were gunning for Ballack. Now, there seems to be a widespread anti-Ballack wave, which I support anyway. Ballack is a great player, a big match player, has been a champion all along his career. He has captained his club and country, he has been the through the best and worst of times. Like in the Sheva case, I have complete trust that Ballack will come good but I would not want him to play now as we have to play only our best possible eleven to pip Man Utd. Going by the half season’s performance, I would not pick Ballack.
We won the corresponding game of the last season from a Lampard double. The below is the video of the second goal which is a beautilfully set up goal involving 5-6 players and cleaned up by Lampard.
[youtube]UMyDlgsh-8I[/youtube]
Good news is that John Terry has undergone a successful back surgery and will be back in weeks and not months and Sir Alex’s time to utilise his bench has come and he would start using more from the bench now. May be, we can see some upsets, as long as Ronaldo does not come in for 20 mins and scores a double!!
For the confidence of the Chelsea defence, we need to come out with a clean sheet. That will take care of the game. By our track record in this season, we are the only team, yes only team, to have scored in all Premiership matches. That’s why I feel, a clean sheet would surely get us 3 points.
[tags] Chelsea, Fulham, Derby, Stamford Bridge, Drogba, Lampard, Premiership [/tags]
33 Comments
1. ashton
2. Johnarejr
Offensively, I think your squad is dangerous. Robben is very quick and creative. A fine complement to Drogba. Essien belongs in the center mid. I just hope and pray the defense doesn’t let us down again.
3. shaneil
i think the main problem of the chelsea team losing matches against such teams like reading,middlesbrough etc. is our weak centre defence and ofcourse the loss of john terry and petr cech and also j.cole.
4. Siddharth
The only person who can help us right now is Boularouz.
He needs to step up his game and perform better. Even half of what JT performs is acceptable. He should commit less mistakes.
I don’t think buying any defender will help rigthnow. Yes, we do need one or two central defenders, but even if we buy them they will take some time to settle. And most importantly, we should not let the gap open up, for that we need to win both the matches in EPL. About cup matches, we don;t have to worry about it.
If we loose points in next couple of matches, it will be hard for us even after JT, J Cole and Robben comes in.
5. blueblood58
BC. Have to disappoint you. Boulahrouz is suspended for the Fulham game and Robben is injured with hamstring trouble. I suspect Ferreira will start in the centre of defence, although I would like to see Jose take a gamble and bring in Adrian Pettigrew from the reserves. Remember I watch the reserves play alot and I know that Pettigrew won’t let us down. He his big, strong and a very good defender.
6. Anonymous
maybe its about time JM gives the reserves players a chance to play (although i highly doubt JM will use any). i heard the training/coaching system JM used in the first team is also applied to the reserves (correct me if im wrong). minimize the mistakes and we’ll sure to win this derby.
7. blueblood58
The coaching system is the same throughout the club.
8. roman
Well,
If West Ham had to ditch Tevez and Mascherano and go with with the supposedly weaker original squad ,maybe we need to do that for a while with ballack.
It\’s not like I\’m bashing him for not scoring or anything. It\’s just that he looks lost ,tired and unmotivated.And that gives the opposition confidence.
His time to fit in will come , of course . But that time is definitely NOT NOW.
We got Geremi,Diarra,Mikel,Makalele,Essien and Lampard who can hold the midfield and more. And I think G johnson could be called back from portsmouth and there\’s alex the brazilian on loan too.
So we ain\’t exactly a lame duck team.
Ballack\’s gotta know that sticking together as a team is also knowing when to step aside and give the others a chance too.
He can always get back in the second half of a game and if it changes the situation,so much for the better.
And this oh-my-god-we\’re-gonna-lose-the-title mentality stuff is what we gotta get rid of .
Yes ManUre are on a good run, but did u notice that giggs ,scholes,neville,and saha,Heize seem to be slowing down a bit ?
They are not super this season just consistent. And also lucky, no major injuries… yet. And Sir Alex has been sheperding his resources very carefully .
But everyone\’s got their own set of problems .
Maybe the \” untouchable\” thing is giving us a headache ,
But Sir A\’s got to use his
\”unreliables \” such as Wes Brown and O\’shea now too.
But the title, it\’s a long way off. We will not capitulate just cause they\’re 4 points ahead.
Sir A\’s saying that the goal difference is like more points between us and them is not psycho-warfare directed against chelsea . I think it\’s to keep spirits up in his camp.
They still fear us , they know we can overhaul them. They are afraid we are gonna rise soon soon ,fast and hard and peak at the most inopportune time for them.
I for one would like ManUre to feel complacent. U know what would happen then.
Of course , their fans are gloating and feeling a million now.
But aren\’t they watching chelsea\’s matches too? Course they are
U should\’ve seen their faces blacken when Everton went down against us .
It had a direct impact on their game that followed.\” Oh goody Chelsea\’s losing , Oh shit they won again . Hey we needed those extra points as a cushion , man. \” To cover/cushion their own frailties.
When we drew against reading. I knew they were gonna win. Why ? There was a real feel good factor for them in our draw. And that carried them.
So it\’s like we influence them and not vice versa. .
They know we are not your ordinary contenders but THE champions.
There is fear that we will put our house into order very soon.
Keep the faith
&
A Happy New Year
everyone \’specially Blue Champion
Roman
9. giridhar
with Robben and Boulahrouz will be available for this match, I dont think JM will go for 4-3-3. It will still be the same as we had seen with Reading. However, I hope to see Makalele back soon…
10. Anonymous
I lost any respect for Jose Mourinho
Don’t expect him to drop Ballack
Don’t think he is capable of a beautiful flowing game
He is stubborn conservative concentrated on results and clean sheets and now he has lost his concentration.
His days at the Bridge are coming to an end.
Give him his money and sack him.
Blue is the colour.
11. Jumbo
has anyone heard anything about Ben Sahar - is he good enough to step up to the 1st team?
12. blueblood58
Giridhar. Not too sure what you are trying to say in your first sentence. So lets clear it up. Robben and Boulahrouz will NOT play against Fulham.
Jumbo
Ben Sahar is a 17yr old Israeli Youth International who joined Chelsea last summer. He has played for both the Academy team and the reserve team and has scored SIX goals.
Ben is being comsidered for the Macclesfield cup-tie next week, but I think it is too early for him to be given the responsibility in the Premiership.
Lastly Anonymous, just remain Anonymous LOL LOL
13. Anonymous
hey bb58 hows Nuno Morais as a defender??does this portugese have it to graduate to first team???
14. prat
the above question is from me…
15. Siddharth
Boularouz WAS suspended for Reading.
Am i right or wrong?
16. blueblood58
Nuno Morais is a member of the first team squad and has the number 33. He is a defensive midfielder and as we have lots of midfield players he isnt likely to get a game especially tomorrow.
With regard to Boulahrouz Siddarth, he was told that he wasnt going to start against Reading and subsequently stormed out of the dressing room area. Boulahrouz IS suspended tomorrow.
17. abdullah
I am soo looking forward to the game…….i hope the players are too. I want them to shut up all the critics and stop worrying all their fans. I wish to see a demolishing 6-0 ( i wish ) in which we really do bring back our “fear factor” so that we declare our true strength. I am not satisfied with the performance chelsea is giving lately because i know that they can do better. One question….mourinho policy as i see it is that when a player fails to perform well he drops him whoever he is like he has been doin to sheva but why not ballack….ballack has not done anything speacial i see putting in concederation the number of games he’s played. I mean if robben or SWP or kalou take his place they would all do better than what hes managed to do. My wish for next game is a large chelsea clean sheet win and a surprising loss for man u ( hopefully). GO CHELSEA the premiership is yours
18. Blueblood58
Good news guys
I am watching Chelsea TV at the moment and they have just shown a report about JT who was seen running YES RUNNING at Cobham this morning. The club doctor, Dr Bryan English told Chelsea TV that the surgeon had told him that JT could be used ‘without restriction’ for the next 24-72 hours, so do not be surprised if JT is back for the Villa game on Tuesday, providing he has no setbacks
COME ON CHELSEA
19. Anonymous
Ben Sahar should play against maccasfield. he is a great young talent and if he comes good with a goal or a great performance, that’ll be great news!
20. drogba11
you’re right. we have lost that fear factor. nowadays no team is scared of chelsea as much as they fear man utd. we should start winning by good margins to bring back this terror we created in the last two seasons.
21. Blueblood58
About 4-6 weeks ago Chelsea played a behind closed doors friendly against Crystal Palace. Chelsea won 3-1 and two of the goals were scored by Ben Sahar. The other was scored by The Shev. Your forward line against Macclesfield could be Sahar and The Shev????? At worst Ben could be on the bench!!
COME ON CHELSEA
22. blue champion
Hey BB58. Yes I realised later that Khalid wont play. Ashley might play in centre letting Wayne take up the left back role.
And Roman, thanks for your special new year wishes.
I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.
23. blue champion
24. roman
Can anyone in Asia tell me if the Chelsea game tonight is gonna be on espn or star TV or wherever else. At what time HK or India or whatever standard time too. In the middle of the jungle so my info is screwed up . Please ………………… !!!!
25. roman
Gotta find a TV too. Internet is only connection to outside world . That is also slow as hell . HELP !
26. joeblue
Roman, the match will be delayed , not live, u can watch it at 11 PM IST or 1 Am Hong kong time on ESPN !!!!
27. joeblue
Hope CFC win and bring back the fear factor and Roman this Alex u talked abt , is he the awesome PSV defender???
Please post back!!!!
A happy and prosperous new year to all!!!!!!
Joeblue
28. roman
Joeblue ,
Alex Rodrigo dias da costa is Yes , awsome ,at least he was ( in my eyes)about a few months ago when I last saw a PSV game (remember I am not an expert) Ha Ha Ha
BC and BB58 probably know more about the fellow than me .
But they say he’s gotta be one of the best defenders around these days .Good free kicker too. saw oneof his FK’s on the Utube 3 months back . But can’t judge by one kick.
On loan so probably can’t come over all at once.. He is the ” Tank” He’s also broken into the Brazil team . And voila ! he speaks portugese. so he should have no problem with the manager language -wise.
Ha Ha Ha and it’s funny how all of the psv guys get nicknames like Boularouz the Cannibal, Kezman and Robbin etc.
Anyways it’s great the JT is up and running ,great morale boost.
And we win tonight .
Oh Joeblue
I found out from a local newspaper that the game is on star sports at around 8:30 IST. Anyways thanks mate , will be watching it delayed or live .
Roman
29. Anonymous
If Chelsea loses any points in the next 5 games in EPL , RA should sack Jose at the end of the season.
30. blue champion
Sacking Jose out of question. What is expected of José - not a treble every season! José has already over-achieved Roman’s expectations.
By the way, looks like 4-4-2 today. Ballack starts, no Robben, Paulo in centre defence and Maka plays too. Sheva, SWP, Morais, Hedman in the bench.
31. joeblue
Hey BC whats ur take on Alex of PSV and can we recall him this jan???
32. Chels
I personally think that Chelsea would excel EVEN MORE with one of the Man. U players such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney. We have lost oput FEAR FACTOR, but probably might be brought back with the help of some of the Man. U PLayers.
33. blue champion
PSV is so impressed with Alex that they want to sign him for good. He will be a good inclusion. He has not been too keen to come back and play for us.
we are still the most feared team in the premier league. dont judge us by the last few matches. manu are playing better but we are the most feared yet. and yes, ballack should not play. i would play sheva in place of swp in your team
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