‘Clinical’ is the right word, or ‘typical’ would suit even better. Chelsea earns a well deserved place in what would the first final of this season. It was not a smooth sailing as such. Everton put up a very spirited display but in the end, that extra bit of quality in Chelsea players won the match. I would have loved to see Arsenal beaten by us in the final once again. Too bad, it has to be Spurs now!
I was extremely happy to see Pizarro not starting. I’m very sure that a correct move by Avram. In the system that we play, and with the abundance of strikers we have, Pizarro has no role but to be on the bench. Once again Chelsea started with a very strong team for this League Cup match. We never disrespect these competitions by fielding weakened teams and today was as best as we could, except that Ballack did not play for some reason.
Anelka, Joe Cole and Malouda is our best foot forward. In defence, Alex, Carvalho, Belletti and Bridge is our best set of players based on form. In the midfield, we played with Makelele, SWP and Sidwell. The only possible weak link in the whole team was Sidwell but he didn’t do that badly.
The first half was pretty dour with both teams unable to create anything worthwhile. Everton played with slower tempo, built their game up and tested us with numerous crosses. Chelsea were playing high tempo and losing possession fairly quickly. The only half decent chance that was created in the first half was that brilliant shot by Anelka that hit the post. Other than that, there was nothing special.
Everton came out and played with some purpose in the second half. Still they were playing with slow tempo as their strategy seemed to be using the crosses instead of cutting through the middle, which would mean they have to encounter the great Makelele. For a period of about 25 minutes in the second half, Everton put Chelsea under tremendous pressure and it looked like we were going to concede in one of the set-pieces. Chelsea were completely men behind ball, while having the counterattack option always open. Almost all Chelsea attacks in the second half were results of deep defending and counterattacking.
I want to mention about two things that I noticed. One was that we looked very very vulnerable in set pieces. If you swapped the two goalkeepers, the score could be something else. We did not test Tim Howard as much as Petr Cech was tested. Cech made some incredible saves to keep us in the game. If Everton had gone 1-0 up, it could have been a different ball game as that scoreline would put them through. The other thing was we defended deep and we did not close down. We allowed them to pass around and saw their crosses fly right, left and centre. Apparently that was to force Everton get closer to us in numbers and counterattack when possible. It was a dangerous ploy which shone only because of a superlative performance by Petr Cech.
Anelka was unlucky not to have scored a goal. Anyway, he looks promising. Many times, we were simply using him as the target man but I saw him in everywhere. I guess it would be lot better if he sticks to the centre where we can get the best out of him. Pizarro played a cameo. If Anelka had that chance that Pizarro squandered, it would have been his debut goal for Chelsea. SWP is again hot and cold – getting back to his ‘final ball syndrome’?
What was not typical was our style of play. Going by Grant’s pre-match promise that we would attack and not sit back, I was hoping for something else and was served with a different dish which still was good enough for my appetite. Defending deep and counterattacking was not what I understood from what he said. At times, it looked like a bottom half team fighting away against the champions. We need not have played with so much fear, that too for Everton! We packed our half leaving only Anelka in the front. I’ve never seen Chelsea play this kind of plain targetman-counterattacking football. With the kind of players we had, we could have done more than just counterattack. Anyway, I’m fine with this win. I don’t demand football of X-type and goals of Y-type. The measure of success and failure sometimes depends on the expectations created.
Finally, let’s talk about the goal. How do you call that? A long ball? Cross? Early Cross? I’ve always believed that over the last few seasons, Chelsea has become a team that is very strong in the air and it’s insane not to take advantage of it. With the way Everton were defending, they would have defended ground passes all day long. Striking through the air turned out to be our trump card that Everton could not deal with. A lovely ball from Malouda and a divine touch and finish from Joe Cole. Sublime moment.
The Chelsea juggernaut makes it to the first final of the season in typical fashion. Despite their crushing win over Arsenal, I don’t see them beating a Chelsea team in a final. Chelsea is a very very difficult team to beat in big matches. I have a feeling that Spurs would be an easier opponent to deal with, than Everton. For some reason, I don’t tend to undermine this cup or any cup. As long as we participate with an intention to win, we should aim for the trophy. To defend the league cup would be fantastic. Look forward to our third consecutive win at the Wembley!
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When your plan for the game is changing with every day that passes, when your injury list is getting longer and longer, when your midfield is totally gone .when your coming to play at Goodison park, you would think all odds are against you
But the best tactical game I sow in a long time gave us the win ,more then that it could have been 3 -1 or 4-1 easy
Even when Everton looked like they dominate some of the time it was very mistaken Chelsea looked so patients like they know exactly what to do , when to go up when to go back and wait for them,
We sow a well managed team very organized with lots of spirit
We could have sting more but 1 is ok
where have the AG haters gone
I disagree that we could have won by 3 or 4. One goal was all we needed and one goal was what we got; efficient and entertaining display. I have absolutely nothing to complain about because everyone played brilliantly today, especially Cech and the defence. Wright-Phillips belongs in the centre, without question. Anelka’s first goal will come almost certainly against Wigan. Joe Cole’s finishing was perfect as always, and Malouda’s cross proved why we bought him.
The best thing to mention is this is the type of display we can pull off with half our squad missing! By the time the final against Tottenham comes along, Drogba, Kalou, Essien, Mikel, Lampard and Terry should all be back. We have plenty of reasons to be optimistic, with a relatively easy CL tie against Olympiakos coming up and the fact that the title is still well within our reach, but the results against the other members of the Big Four at home over the next few months will be absolutely crucial above any others. We need to win those games to assure being there at the end of the season.
The match was wonderful. I can say the best performance so far under AG. Petr Cech worth 100 million pounds. Everyone of the players did well more surprisingly Sidwell. Anelka is world class . Chelsea through to Wembley courtesy of Joe Cole well taken goal, thanks to a beautiful pass from Malouda. I think the stability at the defence is coming back to normal . Up Blues
I believe that Ballack had a minor calf problem. Nothing that should keep him out for any extended period of time, so I expect to see him against Wigan, but he is getting up there in years and as it turns out we didn’t need him today!
Sidwell was tentative but serviceable I thought. Makelele has looked quite formidable since coming back from his ear operation-maybe it was really bothering him earlier this season! Anelka looks class and I’m sure he’ll be on the scoresheet this weekend.
Chris is spot on-things are going quite well at the moment! Into one final with our depleted squad already, plus two winnable fixtures in the league and a very reasonable draw in the CL. I personally love that we’re being overlooked by the majority of the media at the moment! I’m not saying that we can’t deal with pressure or anything, but it’s always nice when there’s none of it! People keep underestimating what we can accomplish, but I see no limit.
Keep the blue flag flying high!
The game wasn’t televised here so can someone fill me in on the following performances:
- Anelka
- Shaun Wright-Phillips
- Steve Sidwell
Also what positives do we have to take from the match.
simply put, we scored one goal from a ‘much-hated’ long pass and managed to defend before and after the lead. it was not a commanding performance. mostly we were playing like birmingham as if they were man utd. 10 men blues defending is something i’ve not seen even during the worst days.
it is an importnat win i agree. i don’t care how we win. i wish avram also recognises the importance of winning instead of the syle of play. he just cant be talking about style of play. this is the same old chelsea, which fears more and being feared less.
Well, I disagree with a few things that you’ve said, BC. I think for one, you’ve given too much credit to Everton’s display. They only really had chances off those two set pieces, and they looked straight from the training ground – very well practised and organised. Other than that, not many good chances as they only had another 1 or 2 shots on target. I’m sure many Evertonians would have seen many displays this year that have been better. I’m not saying they played poorly, it’s just they weren’t that great in a game they had to win.
Chelsea weren’t really putting everybody except Anelka behind the ball. However, as Joe Cole said post match it was a team effort – they defended together and they attacked together. I wouldn’t call our attacks just counter attacks, it’s just that like you said we were playing high tempo so it seemed like counter attacks. I believe we just thought that we needed to kill the tie off before Everton could get into it, which is why in the first half when we had possession we were attacking quickly. You refer to our ‘fear’ of Everton, but I didn’t see that at all. Even Sidwell was confident. Everton didn’t have that much time on the ball, when they did we got a sometimes dubious foul decision so they had another free kick! I saw a very confident and superior perfomance by Chelsea, capped off by a brilliant piece of vision and execution by Malouda and a great finish and show of composure by Joe Cole.
Anyways, we made the final! Woot! And best of all, we have Tottenham. Going by our win over them last week we should cruise. I feel Tottenham will be more offensive and try bring Berbatov and Keane into the game more. However, the pace of our attack will see a hopefully 3-0 triumph. Yes, I’m predicting already!
Last note, Anelka has been so unlucky so far. Hit the bar twice and been stopped by some good defending and goalkeeping. His goals will come soon! His performances have been great so far, it’s hopefully just a matter of time.
Congrats to Grant for not only guiding the team back to the cup and successfully keeping the squad playing together during the transfer window. The lack of the star African players was NOT used as an excuse for failing to reach the cup final. It’s like every two years a certain whining Frenchman in London creates this convienient rational for underachievement of Arsenal. While Grant hasn’t won any silver yet and has made some dumb statements about Chelsea’s performance, I think he has a better attitude than some managers.
Drogba once (more than once) complained about the morale at Chelsea. Well, the transfer window is open and who have we lost? No one. Indeed, we have added a proben striker and a promising young defender. If Chelsea wins the Carling and the Ivorians take the ACN, Drogs just might find things a bit happier at the Bridge.
proven sriker. please forgive the typo.
who was wearing the captain’s armsband? Thanks for the updates BC
I’m posting for the first time from Waterloo, Canada. Big fan of your website, and look forward to debating and cheering on all things Chelsea on this site!
I just hope all this good luck continues with us this season. If you ask me, i’ll say this has been our luckiest season so far. Our squad has been reduced with injury and our clueless manager which i still think doesn’t know what he’s doing.
For God’s sake, HOW WILL A GOOD COACH REPLACE ANELKA WITH BEN HAIM? I don’t see any wisdom in that. That’s still the most ridiculous decision i’ve seen in football. I’m just happy our “talented” players are using their moments of brilliance to win the match. Just like the fans were singing in the stadium the other day, “grant does not know what he is doing.”
It’s a shame Ballack’s missed this match with his injury. With him replacing SWP or Sidwell, we would have been much more attacking–with intent. It seems without Ballack all we do is move about aimlessly and lose the ball far too much. He’s played a brilliant role whenever he’s been on the field, captaining and commanding midfield. We missed him today, that’s for sure.
I agree with you, moyo… I have no idea how Grant’s most bizarre of management dicisions have not caused us to lose time and time again. I guess he must be doing something right. Either that, or Steve Clarke and Henk Ten Cate are absolute magicians.
Who’s to argue the latter isn’t true??
I think Sidwell is the one of those two you mentioned who ought to obviously be replaced by a healthy Ballack. Despite his inconsistencies and his constant teasing of us with hot and cold performances, I have always been a firm believer that SWP can contribute, but what he needs is consistent playing time to build form and build confidence.
What I cannot what for however is the midfield we can play when we have Ballack, Lampard, Essien, and Mikel all back. One has to wonder who will be kept out of that group if we are to stick with the 4-3-3!
Fleet. Mikel would be the one left out. He’s no good compared to Ballack. He is here to foul for us.
as per the report in BBC
“But Avram’s Grant’s Chelsea is similar to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea – tight at the back – and the recipients inside the area, Tim Cahill and Andy Johnson, were kept quiet for most of the match.”
this says it all. I dont mind AG taking useless decisions as long as the core values of dogged defending, solid midfield remain. hope this clearls a lot of confusion regarding to the playing style. This proves that “all style and no substance is a lamp without a flame”.this is my quote and all rights reserved…..ha …ha …ha
Moyo @ 12 – Are you serious? If you say that you do not see any wisdom in that, you are not wise. If you say that is most rediculous decision you have ever seen in football, you have not seen much football! The substitution was made about 92 minutes in. It was simply used to waste time! And that’s what you would do if you were winning both on the night and on aggregate. Don’t give Everton any time for a chance! It’s what any good manager does, Jose did it plenty of times so are you saying he is not a good coach?
Jack @ 15 – Do you watch Mikel play? He is one of the most talented young centre midfielders in the world of football! Of course he’s good, he’s great! It’s going to be a very tough decision for Grant when all 4 are fit and in form. Essien deserves a place because of his all round ability, Ballack deserves a place because of his turn around in form this year, Lampard deserves a place because of his scoring abilities and his constant great form in a Chelsea shirt and Mikel deserves a place because of how he adds stability to the midfield, his creativity and precision. Good luck on that front, AG.
Moyo @12 – please test ur football knowledge, any football manager on the earth would have done that substitution.
and whoever is saying Mikel is not good signing, please check ur eyes, brain & stats. he has been rock solid, his passing ability is wonderful. positioning sense, vision are gr8. please do not slate him just because he does not score goals. how many goals maka has scored? i would play mikel in every possible game, he gives us more time on ball than any other player.
let me admit one thing, even though i dont like AG, i envy Chelsea’s current run in absense of many first team players.
this was AG best game. but if it wasnt for petr cech we could have lost. carvalho was great im happy we won. and what a goal. malouda wasnt the best during the game but that pass and what a goal by JOE COLE. remember this is not our first team and we still won. i cant wait untill every one is fit, and back from the african cup.
CHELSEA 4 LIFE
cech never would have played………. he missed the birth of his baby daughter yesterday hats off to his commitment. congrats petr
Tribal Football is reporting that we have made a 15milion pound big for palermo centre-forward Amauri
kudos to PC, great commitment by him. hope everyone takes a leaf out of his book and imagine how inspired the team will be once JT and FL are back. really great attitude and commitment.
blues for lifeeeeeeeeeee
there is some other trash that liverpool are ready to offer xabi for swp
you guys can say wht you wish but i still think removing Anelka for ben haim was dumb. The Avram grant i know could have even made that substitution in the 20th meaning so no one should say he did that to waste time.
A clinical, disciplined, deadly Chelsea win, right out of the Mouriho handbook (yes I said it!).
I note Grant didn’t say anything about the fact the goal was the result of a LONG BALL to Joe!
You know those long balls that we don’t play anymore – or try not to play so much anymore. Pah Mr Grant! There is a time and a place for long balls in every game stop being silly.
For all his talk about the attacking football we were going to play the game was decided by the very virtues that have made us serial winners over the last three years. We snuffed the life out of Everton as surely as putting a pillow over someone’s face. To the point, pressurising, no frills, one bit of class and the game is dead and we cruised through what I thought would be a far tougher tie.
As long as Avram continues to adhere to what makes Chelsea so formidable and respect how these qualities were brought about then I’m happy. Although obviously he will want to make changes as time goes on to impose his own style on the team but right now that is little in evidence.
The game was not that wonderful frankly, the gulf in class with Everton painfully showed, they missed their ACN players more than we did, Johnson upfront on his own was a bust.
Chelsea are really motoring now, they have been as Grant said consistent over these last months in churning out results, nothing continually stellar or atrocious, it’s always just been enough. Grant can talk all he likes about our new style football but what I’m seeing at the moment is a team moving up through the gears as it often has during the long race into the final half of the season, just as it did under Mourinho. When this team smell blood there is little that can stop them and we will be utterly remorseless chasing MU and Arse to the death and I say that whether it was Grant or anyone else at the helm, it’s what makes us the force we are.
When Chelsea play like they did against Everton, with that kind of deadly, clinical precision they are almost impossible to beat.
Everton tried but they just did not have the ideas up front where it mattered.
As for the subs, Grant had little to do really as Chelsea controlled the game even when under pressure, the late late subs were obviously to time waste, how people can be confused about this I don’t know! All managers will do that and Grant used his head.
So congrats to Grant for continuing to steer the ship onwards and upwards but that still doesn’t make me an avid Avram fan in case any one like Israeli jumps to conclusions! The team are playing as they know and Grant tinkers little with what worked so well before, on our day we can beat anyone and we have the winning spirit to crush anyone and that was there long before Grant honed into view as John Terry alluded to in his Sky Sports interview.
The fact he has maintained that spirit and tenactiy is a credit to him obviously but I’m not doing cartwheels yet over his managerial nous – I need to see more of him under tougher conditions than Everton yesterday and eventually (next season) with more of his own hand picked players.
So it’s Spurs then and that should be interesting, Avram has the first chance of a bit of silverware and whatever he might say to the contrary I think he desparately wants it to start proving a point to everyone.
Which is fair enough and I don’t begrudge him that but I just wish he’d be a bit more honest about it and come clean that he wants it.
A cup is a cup you don’t treat any competition with disdain in my book – look at Arsenal.
Moyo @24-
So what you’re saying is that he could have possibly taken Anelka off in the 20th minute, which makes him a bad manager somehow even though he didn’t? I can say with no exaggeration that that is literally the worst argument I have ever heard in my entire life.
Dear Bella
It’s always nice to read your posts and improve my English
It doesn’t mean I agree with you about all but at list you’re writing is very nice.
And you can agree with me that it’s much nicer to discus games after winnings and not losses.
Calling Maluda’s assist to JC a long ball means you don’t understand the difference playing passes that goes from one player to his mate or just sending long balls to an area hopping that one of your mates will do something with that ball, knowing you I am sure you know the deference very well, so please wait when there will be other goals made from long balls to make your point. I am sure there will be.
Yesterday goal was one excellent pass that was meant exactly to the player who got it (JC)
And if you sow the game and the dynamic of it you would understand that getting this balls from our defiance as fast as we can up front and sting Everton was yesterdays game strategy ,we done it few times and we could have scored more.
I was trying to hear and read AG post match interviews before writing here and I heard the man say he is very exited about going to the final , he also said that this finial is not the most important one , and I’m sure you agree with him .
Moyo
I totally agree with you that AG was dumb to take Anelka off after 20 minutes
I hope you agree with me that Ballack was our best player last night
ballack didnt even play mate, what are you talking about? :S
those who see last night’s goal as a long ball effort they don’t have an iota of knowledge of football…it was a superb floating aerial pass over the defense…it dropped right at Joe Cole’s foot…he just had to control it and slot it into the onion net….there was no need of Drogbaish muscular overpowering of defenders….pure class, in both delivery as well as receiving and finish…
@Moyo
Come off it. That was nothing more than a tactical substitution that any manager would have made. Any rubbish about “the AG I know” taking him off is useless. Anelka played 92 minutes, if AG wanted him off after 20, he would have been. Don’t be so daft.
@ israeli. what are u smoking. haha anelka diddnt come off after 20 min and ballack diddnt play. haha did you know this was a chelsea fan blog, not a avram grant blog.
to every one, read the article with makelele on chelseafc.com it was good.
i am glad we WON
pizarro played…..
and missed 2 goals in 8 min.
sad, isn’t it ?
blufan nr:1
where is your sence of humer
i was teasing Moyo
roll up and look at what moyo said and you might understend my joke
Dear Israeli
Your English seems just fine.
Regarding the assist by Malouda, seems a lot of arguments going around about “long balls” and what constitutes a long ball. Calling it a long ball was not correct in this instance upon reflection. I was not implying it was a ball “hoofed” upfield to no one in particular – clearly that was not the case.
It was a precise pass to Joe but it was certainly not a ball passed along the ground and it did achieve what a long ball can do during a game – cut out the opposition and get straight to goal. Avram seemed to suggest a week or so back that we are going to be doing much more intricate passing along the ground and less aerial assaults as this was the new Chelsea way, I just thought it amusing we won the game using a method which did not involve trying to walk the ball into the back of the net a la Arsenal.
Personally I feel long balls in whatever shape or form they may come in can be of great use depending upon the opposition and type of players you have on the pitch – they don’t have to be aimless punts upfield born out of desparation.
As for the Everton crowd I was not that impressed, we soon killed off the atmosphere with our suffocation of the game. I did not hear much of Avram’s interview other than he demanded Chelsea get some respect for what they have achieved so far over the last few months, seems Mourinho demanded the same thing a few years back when we were winning the league but he didn’t get that from the media really and I don’t think Avram will either somehow for different reasons. I agree the Carling Cup is not THE trophy he wants to win – the premier league/CL are the biggies but a trophy is still something important to aim for and for Grant I think it is something he NEEDS more than he lets on in order to show to the players and media that he is not some flash in the pan here and he can win things – the players will therefore believe in him more I feel.
If he wins the Carling Cup it will not change my views about him per se for me he still has much to prove – I still want to wait and see how things go over a longer period but I think he knows how vital it would be to seen pictured alongside some silverware – he could compare himself favourably with what Mourinho achieved in his first season.
And that is no bad thing.
Dear Bella
Aren’t we polite?
You where straggling definening the long balls theory, but I agree and said it before that long ball can be used when you really have lesser options, I am sure when our midfield will be back on full stringent we will see much more passes and less long balls unless they are like yesterdays, when you tire your opponent with short passes and when you have a brake you kill him with a long one.
I understand you totally when you say you need a longer time before you judge AG
But it would be fair if it was 2 ways, I mean that until that period of time you need don’t be so negative. I think 20 some wins out of 27 games its pretty nice.
I totally agree AG and the team NEEDS this carling cup, in this case AG might even gain some respect from Bella
As for my self I cant wait and plans on being there next month
OK guys a WIN. I havent watch the game, just ordered the DVD, so I can voice
my opinion later on, the DVD should be here tomorow.
However speaking with some of my chelsea mates, which some went to Liverpool to watch the match, they common cooments were that Chelsea played typically like “before” JM style, grind them, tired them, we ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THEM style of game.
But as I said I didnt watch the game so I will give my opinion after the DVD.
About Isralei well one cannot expect anything else, but praise fot the “clown” that manages Chelsea. I only read his(AG) comments before the match, saying that Carling cup is not his MAIN objective, however he fielded the strongest team at his disposal.
This tells me, that either he was shit scared that Everton ( a very very mediocre team, whether you agree or not) or he was playing the “outfield” mind-games so peculiar to REALLY successful managers, i.e. SAF, AW, JM, in order to be at the same level, LOL the man just confirms my opinion of him. Managed to come to Chelsea, as a director of football, 3 months he was there, enough to learn from a MASTER, most probably he was there undermining JM work, on his “chats” with the owner.
Got his chance, and like anybody else, dont change what is working (JM work), however the owner wants sexy, attacking football, so lets start a campaign, saying that Chelsea no longer plays “long balls”, that it is a different style of football, more sexy constantly attacking football, that Chelsea is no longer playing like “BEFORE” or the “PAST” and what we all see is that the style and the manner that players take to the games is exactly the same way as “BEFORE” and the same style as the “PAST”.
So israeli I told you once and gonna repeat, if you real know him, or if you are him lol, tell him to opena “SALT BEEF SANDWICH BAR” because all these wins that Chelsea has had so far 90% of the credit goes to the class of the players, and 10% to Steve Clarck, yes that leaves the “clown” just as the microphone.
also as OI said before if I have the chance to manage Brazil team in the world cup I RISK being world champion, and at least i played football unlike AG that must have played billiards.
My case rests here, but after watching the game I may have another good word for our messiah AG.
Before i go, Carlimng Cup is in the pocket, can you see Spuds doing anything?
Poor spuds another mediocre team, apart from a couple of players.
just another thing to cement my opinion.
When AG said that Carling Cup was not Chelsea priority.
How come the players didnt know that? They played with an attitude like if they did not want to lose.
Either AG again “DOESNT KNOW WHAT IS DOING” or the players as really professionals use the method instilled in them by JM, never give up, be professionals.
Anyway going for tea now , pity I cant invite AG he would love me to bits.
Well I try not to be too negative about Avram Israeli – TRY is the operative word but often fail I admit it!
I don’t dislike him or think his record to date is not worthy of being congratulated but I just can’t find the stomach to overtly praise him for seemingly changing little of what was already in place.
It’s sensible what he’s doing of course because too much change too soon would cause terrible upheaval for the squad but that said if he is happy to sit on what he’s been handed then I can’t really applaud him for doing that to an excessive degree – I hope you see my point. He has done nothing so far that proves to me he has that “special” (if you’ll pardon the pun) ingredient that is the difference between a good manager and a great one. So he seems so far to be the former but because what he inherited in terms of squad, backroom staff, facilities an excellent set up I wonder if part of the reason he seems good right now is because of that inheritance and if he had taken over a lesser team in chaos (Spurs) would he be doing quite so well there? We will never know obviously so I guess it’s pretty pointless me musing on the subject.
I think the fact Grant gets on with the owner helps immeasurably, Mourinho looked a tired and worn down individual by the time he left and I think a lot of that had to do with all the strife going on behind the scenes, I think he probably felt at the end he was being got at on all sides be it the truth or not. Grant has none of those issues to deal with and as Alex Ferguson said recently if you have the board behind you 100% that can make all the difference in the world.
Being a steady, strong, safe, low key pair of hands at the wheel is good but he needs to be doing something more than that to get me out of my seat in admiration.
And yes we are being polite aren’t we! Better than shouting each other down as some like to do if they don’t happen to agree with someone’s opinions, which kind of defeats the object of exchanging contrasting viewpoints from what I can see.
Any way I shall brush up on the definition of long ball since you’ve taken me to task on that one and roll on Wigan at the weekend!
used2gonwatchcfc – Of course the Carling is not his priority. He knows and understands that Chelsea is a big club and would rather winning the Premier League and/or Champions League any day of the year. However, winning the Carling is still a good feat and that’s why a strong team is fielded with positive tactics, and also why the players give full effort.
AG must concentrate on winning at least something this season, he has a good crack at at least the Carling, FA and the CL .
I admit that AG is not my favourite coach in this world but all in all, he’s done good and even better than he himself must have thought at first BUT and it’s a big BUT he’s gonna hafta keep this level up for another 2 seasons .. and I sincerely hope that he doesnt have a beakdown … he looks to be made of sterner stuff than I imagined.
But then again Chelsea is my team , GO GO GO !
And JM is my favourite Chelsea coach …..
AG…….. he’s winning
But AG is not entertaining me……. enough……….
The reason why people are even asking if Malouda’s pass was a longball is because of Avram Grant. We all know it was not a long ball. We all know Chelsea has NEVER played longball. Grant’s unintelligent comments about long ball – “we don’t play longballs, we NOW play short passes” is what brought up this argument, me thinks.
Obviously, Grant referred to some of those Drogba goals as longballs (my 3-yr old niece can understand that). Then he said we pass from defence to midfield and midfield to attack, along the ground etc. as if it never happened before his appointment!!
I wish we score more goals by long passes, so that Grant stops his ignorant comments. Frankly guys, Chelsea has not changed one bit. Same players, same playing style, same methods, same results, no difference at all.
Big credit to Steve Clarke and Ten Cate. It can’t be Grant because, with this poor comments, I realise he is not capable of anything. In fact, he exposes himself so badly when he tries to do his mind games (against ex-managers, not rival managers lol!).
Roll on Steve & Ten!!! KTBFFH!
LOL that’s a great point Ashton, AG has said nothing that would bring on the wrath / response of SAF or Monsieir Venga for that matter.
used2gonwatchcfc
If only you promise AG to be a regular in his new “SALT BEEF SANDWICH BAR” I think he will consider it.
As you say you never watched the game but still you have bunch of stupidities to sheer with us about.
By the way you are a simple arrogant saying we will win the carling cup easy
luckily this kind of arrogates is out of the Chelsea dressing room ,other wise they wouldn’t be able to show this spirit game after game
Thinking the way you do could be a disaster for any team.
But because you’re so rude I will only summit up saying that you really fit
“No brain no pain”
@ israeli
LOL LOL, what I like about you is your intelligent comments LOL LOL
Listen “Where ignorance reside stupidity usuall prevails” and fits your cap wonderfully.
The only reason you defend AG is either you are him or because he is an Israli.
I now watched the DVD, it is so different from being there.
I did not see a fantastic, sexy, short pass, constant attack type of football, in fact the goal, one could argue came from a “long ball” a precise kick from about 40/45 metres hardly can say is a short pass, the ball was not even close to the ground.
Yes a solid performance, but a performance very solid in the defence, brilliant Carvalho, and if Everton didnt resort to the typical british type of football, a lot of heart less head, they may had disturbed Cech earlier on.
Better than the performance was the result, yes Chelsea deserved to win, in my opinion they always deserve, but I am not yet convinced about your friend AG.
In fact I still think is a plonker, trying to get the credit when you all know that is a management team (steve clarck, ten cate and ag) with Steve, most probably, motivating the players with the same method that he learnt from JM.
Israeli open your eyes I understand that he is from your country but do not advertise your stupidity, or lack of football knowledge, liste man, stupidity has never been a virtue, so does like AG keep humble.
So far so good results wise, now I will insist the Carling Cup is in the pocket, can not see Spuds beating Chelsea, they may have had a flash of what to expect once Juande Ramos manages to pass his style into the players, spuds reminded me a lot of Sevilla, when they played against Assnall.
Anyway little israeli, you a brilliant commentator, lets hope that Steve Clarck can also give commentaries after the games, see if he mentions the “long balls”.
About being a regular of the “SALT BEEF SANDWICH BAR” if he as good a cook as he is a motivator I will PASS>
Now I feel sorry for Wigan, damn it another victim lol
@Nubskeh
We all know that CC is not the priority, but for him to say that is silly
SAF and AW say that but they field weaker teams, but AG said that and then players is strongest squad.
another example that he “DOESNT KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING” but we can say “SAYING” as well.
used2gonwatchcfc
Arguing with you is pretty useless but I only enjoy bringing your stupidity and arrogance and rudeness to new levels
The logic of yours that with such a full s a manager the team keeps on winning
Give the credit to whom you wish but give us a brake and give AG 1%
90% for the players – I am ok with that
9 % for Clarck and ten Cate
And 1% for AG
After all and I quote you “you all know that is a management team (Steve clarck, ten cate and ag)
You put ton of facts or things you believe to be facts but you never deafened your theory’s or imaginary fact
As you told us you are a football player so you can understand that a team dose not needs a manager
Your post contains about 60% rudeness and you imply all kind of things that I am sure you’re raises as well.
hmmmmmm I am dealing here with a teenager?
Guys , I want to thanks you for jokes that you write here
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Ben Haim and Anelka
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Lamps is saying AG has basically changed nothing , whatcha guys think of that ?
JoseHoliday – Anyone who knows to analyse football in depth, would know that grant has not brought in anything except his calm. He is just cashing in on a brilliant predecessor. even if Grant was not there, we would have been where we are. So, Lamps is right and you’re right too!
Yeah, thats an interesting point, so why didnt they play like that for Jose before he got fired ( I know I know, its luck, right)? All Lamps said is that Grant didn’t tinker with the system too much, which would be idiotic in the middle of a season. But he did say there were some changes (Grant is more personal 1 on 1 type of person etc), and in the end the results speak for themselves, good or bad. If Chelsea starts losing right now Grant is at fault, but at the moment he’s doing fine. And everyone seems to just remember Jose’s glory years, and not the struggles he had towards the end.
@ Rob – When Roman was just the owner and Jose was the manager, we were flying high. We were a major force in Europe. Our best rivalry was not in England (there was no match for us in England) rather it was against Barcelona. When Roman, the owner also wanted to be the manager of the team, that’s when the problem started.
1. The players were massive admirers of Jose (some even considered him to a father/mentor)
2. The players knew that Jose was under huge pressure and his days were counted (from Sep 06)
3. This uncertainty affected Jose and the players very badly
4. Despite all this Chelsea fell short of only 6 points off the best Man Utd performance in many seasons
See what’s happening to Liverpool now. They are in shambles. By the end of the season, they would fall short by 20 – 25 points than the champions. And with an even worse relationship with the owner, Chelsea was in all competitions until May, won two, lost in SF in one, came runner-up with a 6-point gap.
Jose Mourinho was/is/will be a genius. We made a big mistake by unsettling him and sacking him. He is our history and glory. Let’s not taint his name anymore. Let’s only discuss what we have now and leave him alone.
JM would not accept to be a Roman’s puppet unlike Avram Grant , that is quite happy at being one.
Roman kew and knows that AG is not up to the job, hence the reason he gave a better contract to steve Clarck ( so he could countinue the JM’s method and brought in ten Cate as a tactician, and left AG as the face man.
Roman knows he is just the front man, for the other 2.
I wouldnt be surprised if in the summer Roman would employ Riskyard and make him join ten Cate , as they were in Barcelona before.
If you read FL interview it is clear that AG did nothing to change the style and methods of the system, enough proof that all that talking of sexy, attacking, short passes football was another atempt to discredit JM.
AG knows as the players do as well he is infinetely inferior to JM, so tries to start a propaganda of discreting JM, btw I think he must have been told by the RA or someone at the board to stop it, and as a good yes man, he did, I havent heard any indirect jibes at JM anymore.
BTW anyone heard the comments between John Motson and Lawrenson today in the BBC during the match V Wigan?? even the press are aware of AG position.
Wigan v Chelsea another good example of relentless attacking football from Chelsea, since Chelsea plays the same at home as away I fear when they start meeting better opposition, lets see.
Wigan is a really really poor outfit, good Lord Bruce has a lot to do for them to stay in EPL.