Chelsea 1-0 QPR | No one scored, but we win!
Better not to go to the details. We progress to the next round. Pizarro made a weak shot from just outside the box, which it the woodwork, only to rebound and wobble to the net. Avoidable match.
I did not see the match. So, I’ve made up with what I heard from my mates. Chelsea started with a 4-2-3-1 (ooh! new formation!): Hilario; Ferreira, Ben-Haim, Alex, A Cole (c); Sidwell, Mikel; Wright-Phillips (J Cole 78), Pizarro (Ballack 71), Sinclair; Kalou.
Official Chelsea website claims that we played 4-2-3-1 which was a strange formation to play against QPR at home. With both Mikel and Sidwell, it was hardly an attacking formation. Though I had Mikel and Kalou in my XI too, at hindsight, I thought we should have kept the ACN players in the bench to measure how we can perform without them. They could have been in the bench to change the game later on, if need be. I was even more puzzled at the role Drogba had to play. What’s the logic in Drogba playing in this match for 30 minutes? Okay, at least I could put in a nice colourful picture of him. Very photogenic!
Avram said this after the game:
It was a typical cup game. We did our job which is important for me and we are in the next round. Queens Park rangers tactically were very good, very clever, and closed the space very well. It was a game like we expected, we held the ball most of the time and they tried to score from set pieces. We scored one goal, and created more chances, what’s important is we are in the next round. I don’t think so, it’s a game that we all the time held the ball. It was a game I expected, they came here in the cup and defended well but we won and that’s what’s important, to do your job.
Is winning, ‘doing your job’ Avram? Wasn’t it winning in style ‘unlike before’? I did not make it up. That’s what I heard from you day before yesterday. Anyway, we will wait for the next match to know what’s your latest definition of ‘job’.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uM-XQENhz4[/video]
Personally, I’d be happy with what has happened. A win, scrappy or otherwise, is more than enough for such cup games, if you don’t have any other agenda or if your job description does not say anything else. We will know tomorrow afternoon on our next round opponent. No transfer traffic in about a week so far! Still refreshing websites!
horrible game. one of the worst ive seen. we did not deserve to win but did not deserve to lose either. what’s avram gonna say about this performance. this was certainly not money’s worth. i’ve hardly been so disappointed at the bridge.
well , we did not have a playmaker. you should not expect more.
chelsea should buy robben again.
Chelsea doesn’t need Robben, and won’t buy him. Can someone please write about the formation/players we used??
Couldn’t help chuckling when I read Grant’s comments after the game on the site that said we had done the job and that was the most important thing.
Sorry Avram what was that? Just done enough to get through?
But what about all the attacking, positive, attractive football that we are now playing? The statements from you that winning is not the only thing now its HOW WE WIN that matters.
Do me a favour Avram – SHUT UP.
It could have been worse. Everton fans certainly aren’t happy. But, the score line should have been way better than 1-0 over QPR. Chelsea has not played up to their ability since whipping Man City. On a world class team, everyone should be capable of being a playmaker against a squad so far below them.
Robben? No. What’s wrong with Chelsea is more than just the lack of Robben. There is a lack of spirit and drive. Only because the team is so talented (and Gooner and United slip ups) have Chelsea been able to have a chance at the title. Someone or something has to inspire this team soon or else they will have a heck of a time staying in the top four.
BlueBlood58 ……. u suck my friend…
would you please finish to write this post ??
we want to know formation…
how well everybody play….
(N)
Well i just cant take it anymore, come on Bella, when he says we are playing attacking football, u guys hav a dig at him, when he says we done the job, and doesnt mention anything about pritty football, now u have a go at him for not sayin those things. i know most of u wont accept him unless he wins few trophies, well thats upto u guys, i am not gonna deny that. but when we dont play well, hes to blame, i read some wer before on one of the posts, that even with out a manager chelsea will play, then y on earth r they not playing.
According to many Grant hasnt done anything apart from picking the players, thats the impressoion i get, and he hasnt bot any new players so far whose playing, so hes litrally picking up the great Joses players and if they are good enough for the club y cant they produce the goods on the filed. and dont start with, you need inspiration from manager lalala, becos chelsea will play with out a manager.
Hilario, paulo, alex, TBH, AC, SWP, SId, Mikel, JC, SK,CP all these players are bot by Jose, atleast with his consent apart from alex. and we played with a 4-4-2 formation, if chelsea can manage with out a manager y ant they playing. y ant they playing beautiful football.
I am not sayin grant is genious or hes the one for chelsea, If you hav been following chelsea for past 3 or 4 yrs then probably you wudnt understand, but it takes time for a change in style.
Every time Grant opens his mouth, you guys just start to pick all the negetives, which is not fare at all. IF you want me to pick one by one the utter nonsense the great Jose used to say, i could assure u guys i would beat any of u on this blog on that when compared to Grants comments. said that i would never argue on the fact that Jose is a great manager, and thanks a million to him for getting us all those trophies, but its totally wrong to pin some one down for eveything they say.
Most of the fans here(in the world) are supporting Chelsea after Roman era, previously we all know that Chelsea was pretty much of today’s Spurs/Blackburn/Everton kind. Ever since Jose started setting the pace in his first season in style, we were everywhere pretty much No.1: on the pitch, off the pitch, media, fastest fan base growing, no of trophies, etc… In addition with his unique personality, his way of handling the media, sense of humor, we Chelsea fans started loving Jose like anything from the day-1 he took over Chelsea.
I also agree that more than Jose we owe a lot to Roman for making Chelsea one of the top Euro guns. But since last December I kinda lost respect on Roman, he invited all his business VIPs during last Christmas period but unfortunately we drew all the 3 matches and didn’t entertain them. Since then he started disliking Jose like anything (Of course, he would ve ashamed in front of those VIPs), ‘n’ blocked even a crap 2m defender signing during the last winter market. From then on we all know it’s a matter of “when” José gonna to leave Chelsea, honestly I was expecting José to quit Chelsea during the last summer, but was bit surprised for his stay though I knew he will not stay more than a year.
But on 20th Sep 2007 midnight after hearing Jose resigned his job, almost all Chelsea fans were simply been horrified ‘n’ humiliated. I kinda literally cried :( Still we all know that it’s good for both Jose’s future ‘n’ Chelsea. But he stayed those 3 colorful years in our hearts, not a single day has been passed without reading or hearing something about Jose (and of course Chelsea) in the past 3 years. That is the kinda affection we having towards Jose.
We, most of the fans, still in that shock and slowly recovering from that. But A Grant keeps on having digs towards our beloved José whenever he speaks to the media which is simply quite embarrassing ‘n’ pissing. Now a days, I can even accept a Chelsea defeat but not the digs some-one pointing towards our legendry manager. Whenever we trying to forgot Jose, these digs keep on rendering the past glory and keeping Jose always in our hearts. So I think in this forum the fans digs towards A Grant are quite acceptable when you compare those of A Grant’s towards Jose.
Despite all this Chelsea is our club, and we should be supporting our Manager as well, perhaps he might not be good enough. In addition, if you don’t have faith in A Grant then atleast try to have faith in Clark and Tencate. I think once or twice we can talk about Jose or Grant but now a days in every thread’s every post the matter is only about Jose or Avram. Nobody is even saying how we played, what should have been improved, what went wrong, etc…
Now a days BC s article are also very much biased. I understand he is also die-hard fan of Jose like me, but I personally feel he is the one should create a very positive environment and lead this forum towards the good of Chelsea or else this wonderful Chelsea blog would certainly loose its unique value since the rival fans would simply be laughing about this blog after reading the threads and comments, if the trend continues. Instead it should be forum where it can even attract the rival fans for good reasons. Sorry if I have hurted anyone; I love you Jose and Chelsea ‘n’ respect all the Chelsea fans!
i think y are 100 percent right roman…
i literarelly cried when he resigned.
but live goes on….
and everybody has their unique skills…
but i am always going to be appreciate for ppl. that make my life better:)
i am still waiting for the rest of the post !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ 9 – Roman Empire
I appreciate your concern. The reason why I may not be able to spread the ‘feel-good’ effect around this place is that I don’t feel good. This being the situation, I cannot fake my feelings. Until this date Avram has not convinced me that he is the best man for this job. When I’m all for forgetting Jose and moving forward, it is invariably Avram who makes some digs and makes me write about him and Jose.
And don’t even worry about rival fans reading our blog and laughing and all that. Every club goes through such phases. You should have read the Arsenal blogs last season and Man Utd blogs the season before.
Oh and it seems BlueBlood58 is missing in action!
@ chelsea should buy robben again. ,
do u watch the games ?
Avram strikes again!!!!!
I’m having so much fun listening to the old bloke i hardly find time to analyze our matches anymore(lol)!!!
O well when there are no reasons you people dig them out !
I haven’t heard any comment from AG in which he compare himself to JM or
in which he is trying to undermined his achievements.
All that AG is saying is that he wants to play different football,attacking football.
You people in your own mind translate it as if he undermine JM,because you in your mind know what kind of football JM played and is known for.
Instead of appreciating what he wants to do and understand the difficulty in achieving it with the current level of players he has , you see it as an attack on your GOD. This is sickening.
And to you Bella,after our exchange of comments in which you have promissed to change your view on the matter and give the guy a break,you are back to your un rational reasoning.Something inside you will not let go and you can not controll it.
You contradict yourself back and force,yet you keep on going reasoning it out .
The guy addmits when his team is not playing well ,he is not dumb.But he is also saying that he takes the win ,deservedly or not.But by saying that he is not making it to be the center of his aims.He knows he is in the midst of a process which takes time,yet he wants to remain in the contention to win trophies as well.
Yes ,he is normal.What do you want him to say?
AG is the new manager ,for good or for bad.If he is unsuccesful RA will replace him ,no questions ask.But as long as RA has a trust that AG can fulfill his vision for a new Chelsea,than he will do what ever it takes to help him achieve it.This is what matter : the owner vision.
So either you trust the owner or not.I guess you don’t have much of a choice here.This owner took Chelsea to where it is now,not anyone else.It boils down to this simple fact.So if you trusted him in the good time ,trust him in the bad time.He is doing what is good for Chelsea and what he wants to be his and the club legacy- formidable club with a style !
So that any young player will see Chelsea as his dream come true.Right now and in spite of the greatness of JM this is not the case.It is the RA money which attract,not the club legacy.
Apparently,winning trophies is not the only paramenter that build legacy,not as RA sees it.
Mr. What A Joke (such a coward!)
RA did not sack JM for the way he handled the team (not club as you say!). It was simply because of their ego clashes, that’s it. Generally, rich and influential people want to have yes men around them. JM will not be anyone’s yes man.
there is nothing wrong in slating avram. when he wins by more than one goal, he says we are playing attacking and beautiful football. when he wins by a lucky own goal, suddenly winning has become more important for him.
he takes digs at JM. it very very clear. anyone with an IQ of 10 should be able to see that. i loved JM but there is chelsea even after JM. But why should avram disparage JM, just to show his worth? No manager does that. Look at Curbishley, Allardyce, Benitez, JM himself – nobody does this!
what do you mean by the current level of players? he has one of the best squads possible! to have about 7 to 8 first choices starting a match is what normally all teams get? did avram ever have to play anyone out of position? does any give any credit to JM for unearthing hilario and making him ready for the big stage? if you say that the level of our players is low, what will you say about the level of our manager???
Mr. What a Joke, please have a name and then get some logic and reasoning.
very pathetic and boring match…..glad we made it thru when 4 premeirship teams were beaten by lower division clubs….wished aston villa won against man utd…when are the afircan players leaving?the ACN is starting is 4 days time….is didier fully fit?
You only confirm my argument – can’t you see it?
“Ego clash…. ”
” Generally rich and influential…… ”
” JM will not be anyone’s yes man……. “”
“Mr. What A Joke (such a coward!)”
Isn’t all of the above showing who you are MIKE ?
“…….suddenly winning has become more important for him.”
(When was winning not important for him ?)
“anyone with an IQ of 10 should be able to see that”.
(Too bad you stopped here.If you wouldn’t have ,you would find that anyone with above this level would see something else)
“…… he has one of the best squads possible! to have about 7 to 8 first choices starting a match ”
Most of these players which are 2nd rated players (some who cost fortune):
SWP,PIZARO,TBH,KALOU,MIKEL,MALUDA,ALEX,BALETI,PERIERA,
BRIDGE.,SIDWEL…….
Add to them :
Makalele – on the way out
Lampard- down the hill
Terry – read Lampard
You are left with :
Essien,Drogoba,JC
Only chance is : Balack and Cheva (if he continues as in the last 2/3 games he played) and new skilled players.
” if you say that the level of our players is low, what will you say about the level of our manager??? ”
I say – HE IS DOING JUST FINE – don’t you?
YEAH!!! Drogba is back!!!![Glad too that Ballack is back too]
Sorry guys been off for a while but I could not help seeing the comments by the Jester on 2nd rate players…
SWP,PIZARO,TBH,KALOU,MIKEL,MALUDA,ALEX,BALETI,PERIERA,
BRIDGE.,….
all first teamers ; club and country…
what a joke, what a jester…
all first teamers? since when?
SWP——-a joke for both club and country
Pizarro—–playing for a country like Peru helps…..lol
Tal Ben Haim——-the same case as Pizarro
Kalou and Mikel——-decent players, overrated
Malouda———-whos he???
Alex———-regular for Brazil?? since when??
Beletti———are u serious?? heres a fact for u….he hasant played for Brazil since 2005…….lol
Ferreira——-he is s*@#, and it aint a secret
Bridge——–not a first teamer for his club let alone country
Sidwell——–first teamer only at Reading………lol
great buys, cost us fortunes……….amazing transfers dude…….lol
oh and Bella………perhaps next time Avram wld just sit mum during the press confrences cuz he dosent want to offend dear old Jose…….or maybe u can mail him the stuff he shld say like———’thank u my dear demi-god Jose, without u i m nothing, even right now u r guiding the team, i aint doing nothing, i wld be forever obliged for ur godly presence and the wonderful fables of ur sucess will encourage me and the team to please you wherever u are………amen’
maybe this wld finally make u ppl happy…………….
hello all
they are all very good players. most of the players can improve or show their best under the right managers.
SWP – very good talent, only himself to blame
Pizarro – free transfer; he is a good player if you use him well
Tal – free transfer; he is a good player if you use him well
Kalou and Mikel – Brilliant players with fantastic talent. they are the future. Superb fins by JM and also superb nurturing and developing into big stage.
Malouda – Fantastic player. Top class winger.
Alex – Very good versatile centre back
Belletti – Very effective right back. rich experience and talent.
Ferreira – top right back, not in the best of form of late.
Bridge – the best English left back.
Sidwell – a good back up player.
if grant cannot produce the goods with such a good team, that shows how much he knows. for god’s sakes don’t put any blame on the players or their quality. JM has been particlarly smart with his transfers. he is a genius even in transfer market!!! especially kalou and mikel will be brilliant players. even the signings of malouda, hilario and belletti are brilliant.
we have one of the best squads in england. even in the last seasons, we came second only by 6 points – the team should not so bad, after all!!
mate joeblue if you think you have good sense of humour, please realise that you’re funny for all wrong reasons.
you can write this your GOD avram grant – “dear avram backstabber grant! you bootiful fooootball ehh is ehh verry very ehh nice ehh good ehh”
please do your worship of your GOD avram outside this blog.
lol mike lol ehh you mimicked ehh avram backstabber grant ehh very well there ehh!
If those players are to be considered 2nd rate players , then nothing can be done to help the situation. absolutely no gain in pursuing discourse on this.
i m not like u……..i dont need to worship anybody, Grant has his own faults but right now he is playing with a half fit squad with Jose styled players, and what he is doing is the best ANY manager can do, so first improve ur own english dude and then poke fun at others…………….
@MIKE … well mate, i dont know who you are, or who Joeblue is in person, but as someone who visits this blog regularly, your sense of humour is as bad as Joeblues, so pleasee,, i dont think this is JOse BLog, is it ?
and at ur comment 23
SWP – very good talent, only himself to blame(so please dont blame grant for that,)
Pizarro – free transfer; he is a good player if you use him well(i watched the game aginst QPR)
Tal – free transfer; he is a good player if you use him well
Kalou and Mikel – Brilliant players with fantastic talent. they are the future. Superb fins by JM and also superb nurturing and developing into big stage.
Malouda – Fantastic player. Top class winger.
Alex – Very good versatile centre back
Belletti – Very effective right back. rich experience and talent.
Ferreira – top right back, not in the best of form of late.
Bridge – the best English left back.
Sidwell – a good back up player.
I will clearly say again my point that I made earlier which seems to have confused cetain posters on here who have labelled me irrational and misinformed.
What Avram Grant said yesterday before this game as reported in a newspaper:
“Yes, the target is to win trophies. But what’s most important for me is the way to the trophy. But I want to do it in the right way.
“The way to win them is very important for me.
“What we’ve done up to now shows that better than anything I can say.
“Okay, so those magic words ‘three points’ are very important, but just as important is how we do it.”
Note his comment that what we have done UP TO NOW SHOWS THAT BETTER THAN ANYTHING I CAN SAY.
So would you not take this to mean that according to Grant we are now playing much more attractive, attacking football and that it is not just the way we win matches that is important now but the way we win them? And what’s more we have been showing this on the pitch since his appointment?
However, it seems poor Avram gets confused about what his mandate is because after the Newcastle game he said:
“This is the kind of luck I want when we play sh*t,”
And what did everyone see today in this game and in just about every game give or take since he took over?
Anything really that different from what went before? Well for me the answer is no, I’ve seen little different in our approach to winning games.
So given that Grant has this mandate and has now told us repeatedly and quite clearly that this new style football is already clearly apparent more than mere words can say (although sadly he never sticks to this and keeps telling us non stop) should we not then look at what we see on the pitch and also what Grant says after each game about how much better our football is and ask ourselves – is this man being accurate in his comments?
And what did Grant say after this match?
“they came here in the cup and defended well but we’ve won and that’s what’s important”
But hang on a minute, let me get this straight, aren’t we meant to be more about just winning? Just 3 points? Not playing like sh*t and still winning?
According to Avram yesterday we were but then after the Newcastle game it was okay to win but play badly and then after the QPR game it was okay to just get the job done and win again playing poorly.
So which is it Joe Blue? And What A Joke? You obviously can tell me what Avram really means then and why there is this apparent contradiction with what he says he is giving us and what we actually get?
Seems as BC says that his description of his requirements for the club change from day to day not just week to week.
Once Grant stops with this ridiculous hypocrisy I’ll be perfectly happy thank you.
What a Joke:
“Apparently,winning trophies is not the only paramenter that build legacy,not as RA sees it.”
Yes clearly you are right on this point, hence the change in manager, but why then can’t Avram Grant see that he is fooling no one then by repeatedly saying he wants one thing and doing another on the pitch!
Answer me that please rather than issuing your rather inflammatory statements about my confused state of mind and inability to grasp the facts.
I grasp Mr Grants “facts” very well thank you they are clearly stated after just about every game in predictable fashion, there is only one problem with what he says – they are patently misleading statements and so ironic given the mandate of attractive football now demanded by Roman.
It is his new mandate after all and like all politicians – and Grant is certainly that – he needs to be judged on it accordingly and that’s what I’m doing simple as that.
And please Joe Blue to avoid this thread degrading any further with your accusation that I think Jose is some kind of demi-God simply because I point this out discrepency. Perhaps you can stick to focusing on the facts to do with the argument in question and not allude to some divine status for a man who was just that – a man, an ordinary human being with faults just like anyone else.
I find it offensive when someone alludes to a God like status to any one.
I don’t believe I have ever alluded to Mourinho being a God just like I have never thought of Grant as being the devil incarnate but presumably you can find the statement where I do suggest that can’t you?
I’m just pointing something out which you don’t happen to agree with but I fail to see why being overly sarcastic in your last point is a suitable response.
@MIKE … well mate, i dont know who you are, or who Joeblue is in person, but as someone who visits this blog regularly, your sense of humour is as bad as Joeblues, so pleasee,, i dont think this is JOse BLog, is it ?
and at ur comment 23
SWP – very good talent, only himself to blame(so please dont blame grant for that,)
Pizarro – free transfer; he is a good player if you use him well
Tal – free transfer; he is a good player if you use him well
Kalou and Mikel – Brilliant players with fantastic talent. they are the future. Superb fins by JM and also superb nurturing and developing into big stage.
Malouda – Fantastic player. Top class winger.
Alex – Very good versatile centre back
Belletti – Very effective right back. rich experience and talent.
Ferreira – top right back, not in the best of form of late.
Bridge – the best English left back.
Sidwell – a good back up player.
Well mate let me tell u somthing, regarding all ur players mentioned above,
SWP was brilliant when we was at Mancity, becos he was the main player at city at that time and every thing goes through him, he came to chelsea, iwould say he completely lost it, lost his confidence and somtimes his crosses are worse than my mates who play in the park.
Pizzaro, i agree hes a good player.
TBH- very average, hes only bolton class(no disrespect to bolton), no wer to be in a chelsea team, with the likes of ricky, JT and alex.
KAlou and mikel, top players, but how much did we have to pay for mikel, esp to man utd. for a youngster ??
Malouda- hes good when he played for lyon and hes still a very good player, but i doubt very much if he got much left in his legs. the pace of PL seems too much for him.
Alex- i rate him highlyy, and if i remember well, Jose didnt want Alex.
Belletti- top class
Paulo- average right back.
Bridge- “the best english left back ??? then y was he sent on loan for a season or two and y did Jose tap ashley cole from arsenal ?? ” i agree with u hes a top left back.
And as u said if the team is so full of good players, and if grant is not doin anything, y cant the players just play, someone mentioned here, grant didnt hav to play any one out of position, then y isnt the players performing in thier right position. and Jose wasnt that genius in trasfer market, he has spent a fortune on players and some of them has been total disaaster. so pls don go there with his genuis. i thot Jose signed the top left back in the country ashely cole, what happened to him ?? is it bridge now ?
Let me give u a small advice my son if u like it or not, making fun of people isnt a very good habbit to have. the better u learn fast good for u.
ohk…………lol no need to get so hyper abt it bella………..didnt mean it in a derogatory sense (god, whatever happened to the good ol’ humour??)
anyways all i mean is that instead of going into deep surgeries of his statements, just sit back and let the guy do his stuff, its not that he has no faults of his own, but i can perfectly remember comments by Jose which were so derogatory and low grade that one felt like punching him in the face and show him reality………why the hell are we comparing the two?? one is past the other is the present, even i agree that he is not good enugh to be a long term replacement but that does not make me go bonkers and scrutinize the way he talks,sits , speaks english or whatever, let him have his space!!
He has got a half fit squad(incld the players gone for ACN), he is playing second rate players, (yes they are second rate cuz they cant get into the startn lineup of any other big club anywhere), who are moreover Jose’s buys, what more can one expect of him?? hes gettin results, one way or the other, yes if this had been his team, set up by him, players bought by him, then i too wld thrash him, but cmn in at such a big club, with no past glories to point at, in a bad situation(lets face it we were going only downhill then), still he has got us this far……….lets just discuss football on this blog for now, there is no sense in babbling abt something that is past and dusted…………….
I’m not sure what everyone understands by the meaning first teamers but Grant was playing people during this match that when fit would normally play pretty regularly for our FIRST TEAM and have done so for the course of this season under both Mourinho and Grant.
SWP, Pizarro, Mikel, Ballack, Drogba, Kalou, Belletti, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole.
Alex whilst more a back up has often played this year due to injuries to our back line and so has Ferreira. They are both I would suggest more trusted that TBH.
QPR by the way are 35 places below us in the combined league tables.
If you can seriously tell me that the team we played today was really our second string team made up almost entirely of squad players and reserves I would suggest you are being very economical with the truth.
The first team players not making an appearance were Cech, Riccy, JT and Lamps.
Obviously certain players will get used as subs or make late appearances – Pizarro often gets subbed on late. Sheva I would actually wonder if Grant even considers him a first team player!
But people are over egging the pudding suggesting many of the players above are squad players. Yes some are (Sidwell, TBH, Hilario, Sidwell) but most of them are not.
Obviously things will change when the ANC is on in terms of quality on the pitch.
And I appreciate your post Roman Empire I enjoyed reading it and note your comments about supporting Grant but it’s hard when he talks as he does (for me any way). Regarding your last point though, remember this is BC’s blog and it is their hard work in setting it up so everyone here can contribute. Therefore they should have the right to state their views accordingly first and foremost, it’s not as if you are not allowed to disagree by the look of many posters today they do just that!
Any way we are through to the next round, does anyone know when the draw is on and the day we would play by any chance?
And is it true that the Spurs game has been put back to Saturday rather than Monday?
okay CFC (do you know that you have an unabusable name?!). thanks for the compliments and apologies for my behaviour. i go back to your statement:
And as u said if the team is so full of good players, and if grant is not doin anything, y cant the players just play, someone mentioned here, grant didnt hav to play any one out of position, then y isnt the players performing in thier right position
team is full of good players but they are not playing as they should be because, it is the duty and responsibility of the manager to get the best out of the players’ abilities and potential. grant is not able to get the best out of the players individually and collectively. our team continues to play like they used to, without any extra motivation and inspiration from the manager. That’s my point.
Okay Joe Blue, fair enough, we will call it a draw then in our quarrel as there can never be a winner!
Mourinho is the past of course and Grant is the future – for however long Roman wants it to be that way. Four years apparently but I shall take that with a pinch of salt. Managers don’t seem to last very long these days even with a long term contract.
I like your picture of Drogba that you’ve used on your thread BC but it’s such a shame he is off soon, what a player he is and we shall surely miss him.
Lets hope by then we will have Anelka, or Berbatov to help out poor old Sheva and Pizarro.
Bella the draw is tomorrow (monday) afternoon. yes, the spurs match is moved back to saturday 3 pm KO.
hahahah mike, i enjoy reading ur comments, but u know we dont have to agree on everything, but thanks anyways for ur response, keep ur comments coming and have a good day.
Well if its moved back to saturday as Mike said, then it might be too much for the players, 3 games in a week, i think Mikel is held back from ACup till the everton game, nigerian FA has given a green signal for yakubu and yobo for that one game as well, which could be trouble.
At Joe, Malouda is a world class player. French player of the year, Ligue 1 player of the year and played in the final of world cup 2006. So get your facts right .
Stoke 0-0 N’Castle .
I wonder how Big Sam sleeps , he is under a big pressure.
@ BELLA (29)
I will answer you Bella,though Joeblue did a good job doing just that.
“Yes clearly you are right on this point, hence the change in manager, but why then can’t Avram Grant see that he is fooling no one then by repeatedly saying he wants one thing and doing another on the pitch!”
Well, with all due respect, why do you think he is trying to fool anyone?
Isn’t this reflect more about your state of mind rather than the true reality?
Can’t you simply understand that when one expresses his opinion on what he does he ain’t necessarily trying to convince you or anyone to beleive in it?
In his mind and his eyes things are changing.Not as he would like it to be ,not consistently and not in every game.But that is his view and he is entitle to express it same as you are.Or I miss something here?
And contrary to you I do see a change,not a drastic change but a change none the less.I see the eagerness to attack,to move forward.I see the defenders joining in more often.I see Mikel trying to build rather than hold.I see Cheva moving everywhere on the filed creating chances to himslef and others.I see Balack creating and JC given the opportunity to express himself(for good and for bad).
This is not enough and I am sure he will not settled
for that and hopefully we will see some new guys joining the team soon.
You need to understand that changing the players state of mind is not an easy task.These players where used to JM defensive style.The more encouragment they will get from their new manager the more confidence they will have in changing their old style.
Did it ever occur to you that maybe ,but maybe ,his statements are more to the players ears rather than to yours?
Maybe it is his way to enhance their confidence in what they are trying to do ?
However ,as much as he will try ,with the current players it will be a difficult if not impossible task.
Simply because many of these 1st choice players are 2nd rated players.Most of these players suits an average EPL team not any of the top teams in Europ.
What gives Chelsea a slight edge is players like
Essien ,Drogoba JC & Ballack of late.
I have seen today Arsenal and Liverpool. In both games the lower division team was by far the better team. Liverpool is lucky to stay alive.
Does this reflect in any way on the two EPL managers?
JOE BLUE IS A JOKE :)
are u the jushhh boy….???
who lives in america … and thread a guy ??? that cold jussh sick people ???
if you are not that person then do not pay attention to what i said previously.
SWP——-a joke for both club and country
(HE IS A DECENT PLAYER..I REALLY LIKE TO WATCH MATCHES WHEN HE PLAYS.)
Pizarro—–playing for a country like Peru helps…..lol
(YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT PERU IS ????? I THROW OUT SOME NAMES FOR YOU
FARFAN,SOLANO,GUERRERO,VARGAS,AND THERE ANOTHER 49 PLAYERS PLAYING AROUND THE WORLD.
AS FAR AS I KNOW PERU IS THE 4TH COUNTRY IN SOUTH AMERICA THAT EXPORT -PLAYERS TO THE WORLD BEFORE BRAZIL,ARGENTINA,URUGUAY.
Tal Ben Haim——-the same case as Pizarro
THIS GUY IS PRETTY DECENT… HE GOT HIS SKILLS…HE IS NOT AFRAID TO GET HURT.
Kalou and Mikel——-decent players, overrated
OVERATED MY BALLS….THEY ARE YOUNG TALENTED PLAYERS….
Malouda———-whos he???
HE IS A FRENCH GUY….WHO IS A FRAUD….I HAVE TO ADMITTED.
Alex———-regular for Brazil?? since when??
IN THE COPA AMERICA CUP HE PLAYED ALL THE GAMES…IDIOT
Beletti———are u serious?? heres a fact for u….he hasant played for Brazil
since 2005…….lol
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PLAYERS THERE IS IN BRAZIL…THEY CAN CHANGE…
PLAYERS AS I CHANGE WOMAN.
Ferreira——-he is s*@#, and it aint a secret
Bridge——–not a first teamer for his club let alone country
Sidwell——–first teamer only at Reading………lol
I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THESE 3 PLAYERS…BUT THEY ARE COOL…THEY GOT GOOD SKILLS…
AND REMEMBER BIT…(joeblue) THEY PLAYERS WERE BROUGHT BY MAURHINO….
SO HE KNEW WHAT USED HE WAS GOING TO GIVE THIS PLAYERS….
IF YOU LIVE IN AMERICA JOEBLUE YOU BETTER SHUP UP…..
BECAUSE YOU DON’T GO TO THE STADIUM OR YOU DON’T LIVE THERE….
WHAT YOU WATCH ON TV. IS DIFFERENTE OF WHAT THEY DO ON THE FIELD.
POOR GUY…
DON’T THINK YOU ARE FUNNY./…. BECAUSE …YOU OFFEND PEOPLE…AND THAT’S NOT NICE….
SALUD
THE ONLY SECOND RATE PLAYERS THAT I SEE….
ARE THOSE WHO PLAYER HERE IN AMERICA…
FROM THE MLS….
I WILL BE UR ENEMY NUMBER ONE JOEPINK…. U BETTER RESPECT UR MATES…
I LIVE IN AMERICA….SO I SEE THAT SAME CRAPP U SEE ON TV.
Right just managed to read most bloggers:
@Bella
I agree entirelly with Bella analysis, she heard and read what I heard and read the AV digs at JM, without ever mentining JM’s name but using the word “NOW” nad in the “PAST” or “BEFORE”. So any of the bloggers that accused her of misinterperting AV comments need a ear’s check or a better understanding of the english language.
So well done Bella I enjoy your comments.
@WHAT A JOKE
Regarding your comment on 15, I think noone sees JM as God, as you mentioned. Simply that AG should stop having digs at JM or at the past and trying to convince anyone, and I believe in here he is trying to convince RA, that a change has happenned and that Chelsea is now playing a more attacking footbal etc etc, sheer rubbish, that what the team is playing.
Well I could add a few more bloggers in my comments however better just express my own view on AG rein.
Don’t forget that when JM arrived at Chelsea he inherit a team with Ranieri players, and only brought a few more players but specially 2 (Carvalho and Ferreira) european champions then he add a few more like Tiago, etc etc.
He needed to GEL the old players with the new in record time in order to be a
contender for the title, that has eluded Chelsea for 50 years!!!! .
I recall on MoTD on BBC1 the pundits being in awe how quickly JM managed to gel the players in order to make a team.
Now to the blogger that claims that JM type of play is defensive, well is it defensive to win most games, to win 6 troffies in the space of 2 1/2 to 3 years? to instill in the opposition the fear of meeting Chelsea? guys just look at the odds when JM was the manager, at the bookies and compare them now with AG at the helm. What is so defensive about to try and win games by usinf the midfield players and jusat to attack when the probabilities are in your favour? Thats JM style, it was in Benfica, it was when he took a provincial clube in Portugal (Uniao de Leiria) the equivalent of a Bolton or Fulham and took them to 3rd in that league befor he went to Porto and that is common knowledge. Besides is it defensive when he made a team that anyone of the players in his selected team could score goals, whether defense, midfield or attackers? ask carvalho, JTerry and FLampard how many goals they scored.
How defensive is to start any game with a winning motivation, and a WILL to play for your manager, attitudes that I havent seen since his departure?
Another point: Since his arrival when did he EVER mention Ranieri or the PAST or BEFORE him? He couldnt care less he was/is sure of his ability, confidence in his method of making his team play, the problem with his departure was not so much his style of play wether defensive or attacking, was a matter of DIGNITY he was not prepared to be a “YES MAN ” to RA thats all, look at the amount of polayers were bought without his consent? RA is a very successful businessman no one disputes this, God knows how he reached there, but going by a decomentary I watched in BBC2 about 2 years ago……, thats the reason he left, why do you guys think he played Sheva so many times in the beginning? because he was told not because Sheva is what he was, he knew pretty well that Sheva is in decline, he has played better the last 2 games but still he misses more opportunities that he converts, in his prime they would be easy not now he misses a couple of metres on his run, enough said.
Had RA bought the players he wanted to buy last January that he needed because of the amount of injuries he ahd, just like now, I think, however debateable, that maybe the championship would go to the last wire.
Regarding the past comments that AV usde to teel when interviewd by the press, was not addressed to the players like “WHAT A JOKE” tries to imply, they were addressed to RA, his boss, not even AG believed them, apart from the match against ManCity that I am still baffled how on earth did Sven got that wrong, BTW his biggest defeat in his CV, as i was saying apart from that game i never saw anothr match , and i go to them all, where that attitude of the players are the same as was before. Now although you have a squad with plenty of internationals, players are not stupid they still look at the manager and expect to be led and motivated, but they also know who are winners and losers, and they all know how AG got the job, not on merit but on meeting with the boss and most problably undermining JM’s work and trying to convince RA that he could do better, even JM knew his days were counted after December 06/January 07 when he was told there were no money to buy new players, he, and I am telling you now that it was not by MUTUAL agreement that he left Chelsea, otherwise how come that in order to receive the golden handshake he was not supposed to managed another PL team? rA knows pretty well that he would have a competitor in the team that he would manage, pity he didnt accept the Tottenham post.
So “WHAT A JOKE and CFC” open your eyes and do not criticise Bella only because she interpreted AG comments very well and she may not be a “YES LADY”.
Period
I t is a slow drop , but a sure drop
Thanks Mike for the info on the Spurs move and the draw.
Thanks WAJ for your response, I have to admit I don’t believe myself that is why Avram says the things he does (to bolster the players self confidence in what he is trying to do).
But we shall agree to disagree like I have with Joe Blue!
And used2gonwatchcfc thanks very much for your comments and analysis of the situation, glad I’m not the only one who has noticed the sheer irony of it all.
And you’re right I’m no “yes lady”.
May be when these new players come in WAJ we can see if there are any real changes in our play and attitude – I know you have already seen some which is fair enough that’s your view. For me, jury is still waaaay out on the matter – but then I guess you have grasped that from my comments.
Liverpool were dire against Luton and I think Benitez could well be out the door come the summer. But then Benitez in my view has NEVER grasped how to mount a credible challenge in the league – he’s a cup man pure and simple.
Arsenal did what they were supposed to do as did MU and Chelsea (eventually) in these cup ties but Liverpool if they are not careful will drop out of the top 4 and get eaten alive by the likes of Everton, Man City and Villa.
Benitez had better start looking over his shoulder NOT forwards.
@ 6 and @44.
Agree with you guys. I haven’t seen the fire in the players since JM left. The players just don’t seem to be interested in playing for Mr. Grant. I asked this before and I repeat, would Drogba have gone for that surgery at the time if JM had been the Boss. Would Lampard have limped off for 4weeks.
There ARE PLUSES with Mr. Grant however. Sheva stopped shivering. I don’t think Joe Cole is better though, I think he has gone back to the pre JM period.
and why is there always a quarrel when Joeblue steps into this blog
Joeblue, bravo.
Just keep it up, mate.
When I have time I will join you.
Cheers to everybody and everything lol
Wigan in the 4th round of the Cup
Well I must say, at least AV brought us luck, QPR, Olympiakos and now Wigan LOL
Cant see wigan cause an upset
He’s bought us luck alright 50, luck for us and more importantly luck for himself at critical moments when the chips look down for him.
If he carries on that way he could win us the quadruple!
Truly confusing comments by Grant. I want an agenda put out by him that says, I want to play with style, or I want to win. There’s been no sure thing. When we play with fluidity, he brags about his new system and style, when we win scrappily, we did our job. How confusing!
He might have gotten us luck with the draws, guys, but look at our injury list!!!
where is tomorrow’s post…for everton’s game?
they might be richer, but we have the wayyyyyy better team!