Matches - Written by BlueChampion on Sunday, October 7, 2007 21:26 | 1,122 Views | 38 Comments | Add Comment
Bolton 0-1 Chelsea | Not Quite In The ‘Right Way’!
A goal and a win finally! Such is the irony of the day that the goal had to come from Kalou! His skills have finally come to his rescue for him to build that fantastic goal. We should have scored more and were lucky not to concede. Overall, good performance from most of the team. The Reebok stadium continues to be a three-pointer for us.
Once again a typical Chelsea performance where we play well, have numerous shots on goal, score one goal, and defend doggedly while looking for more goals on the break. Avram must be mightily relieved with his first league win for Chelsea. Now he’s won a match apiece in a domestic cup, champions league and premier league. Good for him.
Let me give credit where it’s due. I was impressed with Avram’s team selection on two counts - he dropped Shevchenko and he brought on Belletti for Ben Haim. In such a short period he seems to have realised why certain players were ‘untouchables’. Also he is under the pressure to show people that he thinks on his own in football matters. Anyway, I was happy with the team selection.
We started very clumsily and Bolton took full advantage of the same were all over us for the first ten minutes. Our defence started to appear a little weaker than on paper. I wish this back-four remains unseparated for as many matches as possible. After many matches of hitting the bar, over the bar, his colleagues, the goalkeeper, and every possible thing between himself and the goal, Kalou managed to find the net. You’ve to see the goal more than once to really appreciate Kalou’s skill there. He got a good touch on the ball in an awkward situation and position, and then he positioned himself in a tight angle to beat three bodies for the goal.
Avram surprised me once again by replacing Kalou with Pizarro at the halftime. I’d have brought on Pizarro for Sidwell instead of the goalscorer. That is, expecting Avram going for the kill and putting the match out of Bolton’s reach. In the second half, just like in the Valencia match, we started playing much better. As we started wearing them down Bolton had to make something out of the half chances they got, which they just couldn’t.
In addition to the goal, Kalou played well today. Even before scoring, he created some good chances for Malouda and Joe Cole. Lampard had a decent game today. With some luck he could have scored too. But you could see that his reflexes were not big-match-ready. I’m sure he’d be much much better as he plays on. I thought Malouda played well too. Everytime he got the ball, something was going to happen. Terry was caught napping at times but the back four as a whole played well. Cech made a couple of good saves which included a very close one-on-one from Anelka.
Joe Cole had an excellent match. Typically, while he made some good dribbles, he was at times wayward trying to overdo things. There were two wasted chances - one by Malouda and another by Joe Cole. In either cases, Lampard was right in front of goal, superbly positioned to tap in, but had to see the ball fly over the bar. That’s where I have a problem with Joe Cole because whenever he has a good day with his feet, he invariably goes for glory himself. There are certain things you do and you don’t do based on whether you’re 1-0 up or 0-1 down or drawing level. I’m all for the unleashed version of Joe Cole but I hope he does not lose his discipline and common sense.
What we saw in this match was again the same Chelsea that we saw last season. I did not see a ‘new way’ or ‘right way’. Avram now seems to be happy with the three points:
We deserved to win. We created more chances. It is not easy against Bolton but three points is what mattered. It was very good for the team after we did not start the season so well. We missed many, many players through either injuries or red cards but we dominated the game.
Hey hey! Many, many players through injuries or red cards?! He’s getting into trouble I say. He was only missing Essien and Drogba, and we have replacements for them. It’s not that Lampard had to play second striker or Ashley Cole had to play as the left midfielder. He gotta be little careful with such things.
The big news before this match, was that Roman Abramovich had met with the Chelsea fans and talked to them about Jose’s exit and Avram’s appointment. It’s an interesting story. Read it here. Roman has said:
I love Jose and will always love him because of what he did for Chelsea - but nobody is bigger than the club. I understand that you are upset he has gone but things had not been right for some while and the time was right for a change. I want you to trust me that Avram is the right man and he is a permanent appointment. There will be more additions to the coaching squad but Avram is here to stay. You could see tonight against Valencia we still have a great spirit in our team.
Quite obvious that Roman knows that he has disappointed the whole fan mass by sacking Jose. May be he had that guilt in him and wanted to explain to us somehow. You could see his desparation, when he wants us to acknowledge the team spirit in the Valencia match, which even Drogba recognised but gave all credit to Jose and none to the new man.
We are now 5th in the table. Some kind of recovery you can say. Just when things seem to pick up, we are served with another long, boring international break. By the time we return to the league on Oct-20 at Riverside, I hope we will be in a position to notch another win. Unless we come up with something like ‘10 consecutive wins’, we’re going to find it too difficult to play catch up. More importantly, I wish all things Chelsea remain stable and calm, so that we can resume the campaign in the current spirit.
[tags]Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers, Reebok Stadium, Avram Grant, Roman Abramovich, Sammy Lee, Salomon Kalou, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda, Premier League, Goal, Video, Highlights[/tags]
38 Comments
1. Owonatty
2. cap123
Seemed like cech made some good saves if the commentary’s anything to go by, anyone know how lamps played?
3. Anonymous
good game .. we’re back .. Ashly man of the match:)
4. Michael M
Having played and manged a team, personally I know how difficult is to get a win out of some matches.
I would like to congradulate the men on the win.
5. Gun The Blues
I just can’t understand what BC is expecting.Does he think all of the sudden chelsea style of play will change to the “right way”.
After jose ,in each and every post he talks about giving time to AG and at the same time criticizing him sarcastically.
First Let the oldman get his backroom staff he needs .
According to me any change in style takes time(awefull lot of time ),it has to be cultured pass by pass down to the tee.It is a very slow and painful(losing points) process.There is no quick fix in any kind of managerial changes.
GTB!
I know such changes take lots of time and I written that we should be patient in the transition period, that is if the club can afford one.
The pressure on Avram Grant is put by a certain person called . . Avram Grant. It is AG who keeps talking about the right way and comparing the playing styles and all that. When he sees something I’m not able to see, in the same football match, I say that and ask that. Simple.
I’m ready to give Avram all the time but meanwhile I don’t want Avram to tell us ‘things have changed’ while they have not.
Somewhere I had also made clear that I personally didn’t want anything to change!
My next article (on Avram Grant himself) would make things clear for you!
7. Maysam
we won, but not with a remarkable performance, or what nut roman wants.
Bolton had many chances, big teams don’t miss those chances.
I think We need Wayne Bridge , Ashly is not good at all.
lucky for Grant, we are playing versus weak teams these weeks.
I really like to see Grant versus Arsenal , Liverpool , manchester City or Manchester(We saw).
By the way, Valencia lost 2-1 against Espanyol at home. So,….
I did not watch Chelsea-Bolton but I watched highlights.
8. Maysam
Gun The Blues : what change?
that’s the change :)), what do u expect from Grant to do? he cannot do better than what he did in Israel int. team and Tel Aviv. those changes are what you are seeing.
when you hire Lippi, you want to see something like what he did in Juv ,
When you hire Hiddink , you want to see something like he did in South Korea, Russia.
when you hire jose, you like to see what he did in Porto , Cappello Juv , Tel Cate Ajax,
So , Grant insrael int. team.
9. Maysam
by the way, i forgot to say , Enjoy that ! :))
10. Michael Mariens
It is tough to build a good team with the players you have at your dissposal.
Avram will eventually sell players and build a good squad, which in my estimation takes at least 3-5 years.
Look at the team Rafa inherited in 2004 and the the quality of the squad since then.
This is one weakness in Mouriniho’s armour on not buy players with the future in mind.
We need a manager who can build a good twenty-two on not crying foul when a first-team player is injured.
11. Maysam
@Michael Mariens :
I have a question for you.
1 . Do you think Grant stay in Chelsea for 3 or 5 years ?:)
by the way , Rafa came from a big team like Valencia , Grant comes from … :P :)).
12. Michael Mariens
Chelsea has good first-team players but compared to other teams we have strength in depths.
Look at Arsenal the little money they spent on players.
13. Michael Mariens
@Maysam
Personally I don’t think Avram Grant will stay at Chelsea for the next few years because we won’t win anything.
I have been the first and only supporter on this blog, that have suggested that the next best person after Jose Mouriniho, Frank Rykaard should manage Chelsea.
14. Michael Mariens
It is not difficult to win trophies.
Build a strong first-team,subs and reserves and watch them win matches.
Coaching a football team is not rocket-science.
I have previously coached teams to win tournaments which they entered into and won!
15. Johnarejr
I didn’t catch the game (it probably wasn’t broadcast over here on Fox Soccer Channel anyway). I am glad for the result and I’m still praying for the best.
I did read the article about Roman talking with the fans. I don’t know if I’m buying his side of the story. But, at least he had the nerve to face the fans. Not too many owners who have ticked off the supporters have done this.
Kalou can and perhaps is growing into a reliable striker. Grant has sat Sheva down again (until the 73rd minute). Maybe I can have a bit more faith in him. I’d still rather see someone else as manager. But, he is being allowed a free hand to pick the team he wants. If the team can maintain health, who knows where he may lead Chelsea.
16. Maysam
Gianfranco Zola has rejected an approach to join Chelsea’s coaching staff.
17. jack@blues
ok this is a total expected win but Bolton is not that good team.
i were suposing that we will win 4-0 but only 1-0.it is a total
blunder for me .MU got their 2nd place already but we not even in the top 4.i think ‘AVRAM GRANT’ should quit and abramovich should get a better person like marco van basten or germany’s coach as the new manager.
drogba & shev is not enough for the squad we need a better striker like villa, huntellar,etc.for now chelsea is not in good squad or in good coach.EUROPEAN giants need a total lift as fast as they could if not we can also be declared the worse team in epl.arsenal is in top form no big star in starting 11 now.
18. Gun The Blues
Completely agree with Michael Mariens
Any good squad , a decent enough manager void of mistakes , Bunch of excellent Backroom staff , loads and loads of money (you can’t deny it ) is always a recipe for success.
I keep saying about the backroom staff because i seriously believe those are important link and the difference between a average team and good team.
For instance Pako Ayesterian left and Liverpool are shaky .i don’t think is mere coincidence.
19. Gun The Blues
and i seriously believe that this is what Abromovich is trying to prove.
20. Maysam
jack@blues : Drogba and Sheva are good , those are not our problem .
these are chelsea problems :
1 - Roman Abromovich .
2 - Avram grant.
21. Maysam
Ten Cate confirms talks ,
Ten Cate is good , I hope he comes to chelsea as a coach not assistant.
22. Blue Champion
Jose and Roman had a personal duel, an ego clash and that had nothing to do with Chelsea’s football. His exit has made us weaker. Let’s leave it at that.
23. mgelz85
Any news on Ballack’s fitness, being able to add a healthy Ballack into the mix may make our team that much stronger over the next little while.
24. joeblue
Sidwell had a fantastic match, BC i completely disagree abt him being replaced at half time , he was all over the pitch , and if u watch carefully he stopped at least 10 very good attacks , tackles for the ball , used to get it everytime, his stamina , desire and work rate were very impressive , dint miss Essien at al!!!
25. bluegal
Sidwell had a good match IMO not fantastic like joeblue says.
GTB
Exactly, football in “the right way” doesnt come immediately thats why JM should have been given time to see if he would deliver “attractive football”.
Guys, we are stuck with AG for at least this season cos i dont think Cate would want to be an assistant to a manager like AG.
“But, he is being allowed a free hand to pick the team he wants.”
Johnarejr
I dont think so. It just seems so.
26. Blu REHMAN
Bolton 0-1 Chelsea
Flash backs of JM regime come to light especially when you see this kind of a score line at the Reebok or as a matter of fact anywhere in the world. Good game full of ups & downs, horrific attacks from Bolton & great keeping by Cech, swindly dwindly defensive clearances, good wing plays with no result, delayed passing & one outstanding shot at goal, I was unable to believe my eyes when I saw what I saw, Kalou with so much physical presence and such a neat finish was unbelievable.
Let me go through a little AV bashing & than post my comments about the game:
Avram, this time around made another valiant decision by not playing the AC Milan striker however I do disagree with the way he is playing the defensive line. Below are the shortcomings in the defensive department:
1- Playing different lines of defense every time does not make sense at all. CL fixture did not feature Belleti & than you bring him into the EPL encounter.
2- Ashely Cole is being a pain on the field while getting all games. No competition for his position is being made rather he is making an effort to move Paoulo from right to left.
3- Wayne should be made into a permanent contender for Ashley’s position.
4- What happens to Alex? Benching him not a good option in the long term, I believe he should be played where Maka plays, in an anchor role rather than make him a bench warmer. Move Maka a little forward in place of Sidwell while making Maka & Essien interchangeable.
Lets talk about a little midfield:
Once SWP, Mikel, and Essien become available, what do you do with Maka & Sidwell?? God knows they are in good form & the current formation that AV plays will make them of no great use for long-term interchangeability or use them for different cups? This forces me to talk about t our biggest problem;
Attacking line:
Minus Drogba I feel that we have completely messed up our purchase to date. Our striking capabilities are next to 0 if Drogba is not available. Kalou has flashes of brilliance and a million misses!!! Sheva is completely a piece of meat running around!!! Pizzario hasn’t shown real strength up till now however age does not side with him.
Conclusion:
The Blues need to get some exceptionally good young striker into the line up & stop hoping the Sheva would make good some day, which makes me discuss another issue of having so much faith in his abilities:
1- Sheva makes comments that he has set a target for 20 goals this season even if the blues win or loose. Well quite a self-centered target meaning “pass it to me & I’ll shoot” even if someone is a better position I wont pass.
2- Avram comes out today according to ESPN soccernet supporting the fact that Sheva has a huge role to play at CFC. Now I was wondering that they would get some money out of this lost investment in January.
What happens to my great dream of ending up with a the “right way” of playing ball when its actually the same as before even if Ten Cate or someone else comes into the team it will be difficult to change the PL wining methodology.
The game as a whole was not spectacular, as a whole it was how we played last season & will keep on playing if we don’t have a good striking combo in the middle. If Drogba was there I might be fortunate enough to comment on a 3-0 win. However it was good to hear Roman justifying his actions against JM now kindly Roman call us all up to your private pub & tell us what is the future, hopefully not AV… Parking you with that thought!!!
27. bluegal
“Avram comes out today according to ESPN soccernet supporting the fact that Sheva has a huge role to play at CFC. Now I was wondering that they would get some money out of this lost investment in January.”
Goes to show we are not going to achieve shyte with this man at the helm of affairs.
28. Giridhar
BC the only thing good that AG did with the selection of players was that he did not give Sheva a start. But I saw no reason in him replacing Kaolu with Pizzaro or moluda with Sheva. Unless Roman asked him to. I agree with you in replacing sidwell with Pizarro would have made sense. We seem to be missing lots of midfielders … where are the Essiens, Ballacks, SWPs…. I am still unable to make out what sidwell is?
29. TrueBlueInd
Hi Guys,
Finally a win in the EPL after a long time…The performance however was far from convincing..
The defence still looks very very shaky..has to improve a lot..we are lucky bolton didnt punish us..a stronger team would have certainly hurt us..
Kalou scored a brilliant goal..great strength n skill to score from the position he was in…
Thank God Avarm didnt mention ‘Right way’ in his post match reaction.This was FAR from ‘RIGHT’
Our attack is worrying me..Easily the worst attack among the top 4.
Does Avram have any young strikers in mind to buy in JAN??..I would like to see Aguero or Dos Santos Or Podolski come in..all are young n fast, good Forwards..should definitely add something To Chelsea..The rest of the squad is great..its just a matter of all of them stayin fit.
Sidwell had a great game barring a couple of handballs..Great to See Lampard back..Malouda had a great game..
9 games up in the EPL..thats almost 1/4th of the season..n we have 15 points..Arsenal effectively have 25(If they win the game in hand)…Can we catch up???????..
United are on a great winning spree..n they arent conceding a single goal..
Arsenal are seriously looking like the ‘invincibles’ of 2003-04
Liverpool has the strongest squad in england n they are blowing it..Rafa has to manage the squad a lot better than hes doin now..
Man City is looking good for a top 4 finish this season..Eriksson is doing a great job there
Newcastle,Blackburn Villa are very strong as well..
We have to improve a lotttttttttttt to guarantee a top 4 finish..n hope for a MIRACLE to win the EPL.
Anyway..we’ve won 2 games on the trot..We have to continue winning..maybe another 10 to 15 on the trot n hope Arsenal, United etc slip up in between.
The internationals are here again n lots of our players will be involved..lets hope they come back strong n fit..
Cmon CHELSEA
30. Blu REHMAN
@bluegal
Sad but true!!! too much money spend for a guy who in the last two seasons hasnt even troubled the defence….
31. MourofEssien
Why we made no effort to acquire Quaresma still baffles me. I know why? Roman.
This guy is just incredible. i hope to God he continues to read our sentiments and realise that there is no way his Avram is ever going to win most of us over. Have you guys been following the comments being made about him by the senior players at all? The guy is bad news. Let Roman ascertain that by getting him out of the dug out and training for some weeks and see if we would not perform well without him.
How can a club aiming to be top of the world in a decade have this colourless and unisnpiring character at its helm? If he wants to establish a track record, he should go to a lesser club and prove himself before dreaming to hold down a permanent job at Chelsea. This guy is not even fit to lace the shoes of the Joses and the lippis of this world. if at 52, he has nothing to show, what the heck is Roman expecting him to at this late hour? Or is there some jewish business link that necessitates us having a jew as manager?
The shame is that the boyz have a duty to kill themselves to make us happy and in doing so, this no-gooder will erroneously think that he is the one achieving the glory.
32. True Blue Fusion
@Giridhar n BC
KALOU WAS FEELIN HIS HAMSTRING………..AND ALREADY LIMPIN WHEN HE WAS TAKEN OFF
33. Anonymous
good to see that our boss RA has spoke out after the jose departure.
well we have to admit that departure, we have to move on and keep supporting and give motivation to our players..
come on friends ,thats what jose tought us….
lets do it for HIM
34. zubinj9
the prevous message was from me
35. Siddharth
Some good news about coaching staff - as per bbc, Ajax allow Chelsea to talk with Ten Cate.
I hope he joins Chelsea and equally importantly Steve Clarke does not leave.
Hope for the best.
36. bluegal
“I hope he joins Chelsea and equally importantly Steve Clarke does not leave.”
Amen to that.
37. Guru
I watched Chelsea beat Bolton and I’ve also watched Valencia’s game against Espanyol.
In order to better understand and appreciate the importance of the 3 points we won at Bolton, let me tell you what happened to Valencia after they lost at home to our beloved Chelsea mid last week.
For starters, they were so tired, that only Villa (of the 4 forwards that started against us) had the legs to start the game. That alone tells you how much energy it takes to stay in a game against our boys. Not only that, but in spite of playing at home, Valencia lost the game 1-2…. having a hard time (physically and psychologically) to stay in the game. That is how much Chelsea took out of them!
In contrast to that, Chelsea played away at Bolton, one of the most physical teams in the Premiership, and gets the win!
This is the real context in which this game should be analyzed.
Oh, and Kalou was replaced at half time due to a hamstring strain. It was injury, not tactical move.
38. Bolton 0-1 Chelsea | Not Quite In The ‘Right Way’! | Chelsea
[...] (more…) [...]
Thats a good start, I think. Clean sheet and a goal. A couple of more wins, we get our confindence back. Then we will strart rolling and thinking of a place in the first four or winning the league. it is still realistic. Up blues.
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