Chelsea vs Bolton | 11-May-08 @ 15:00 UK | Blue Champions

Chelsea vs Bolton | 11-May-08 @ 15:00 UK - [BlueChampion]

Sat, May 10, 2008

1,687 Views

D-day. The best we can do is to notch a win through a goal from open play, free kick, dodgy penalty, offside finish, own goal, whatever. In the process of getting this all important win, let’s keep hoping and praying that Wigan can pull off a point.

News is that FA has arranged for two sets of medals, trophies and celebration materials. One at the Bridge and one at the JJB. The thing is, even the Press would be prepared with two sets of news stories to be published. One on the Chelsea resilience and Avram Grant’s ‘magic’. Another one on the mighty red devils and how SAF’s boys are the best in Europe. No matter what happens on Sunday, Chelsea fans can be proud. JM’s ‘chin up’ gesture comes to mind.

Sir Alex would be under more pressure than Grant. Even if Chelsea does not win the title, Grant has certainly over-achieved. Whereas Sir Alex might have thought that his tenth title was safe but to his shock, it could go either way on the last day.

Some good news for the Blues from FA as Grant gets the MOTM. There’s no doubt that Chelsea were the best Premier league team in April. That’s why Avram Grant has won the ‘Manager of the Month’. The award goes to the manager of the best team of the month. So that’s indisputable.

After all, if there is one bright spot or one reason why we’re still in the race, that’s the spirited performances in the month of April. Having followed Chelsea all season, the resurgence in April actually looked out of place. We have one of the best, matured and experienced squads in Europe. So these April exploits must not have surprised me. But if you compare how we were playing until the Arsenal match at the Bridge and later, there is some distinctive change. Until March, we were an ‘also-ran’ at best and now we could win the title. There is a visible upsurge in the players’ spirit, desire and belief. Some part of it must have contributed by Arsenal’s collapse. Still there is some unexplained portion.

Some of you might call this ‘luck’, some might credit our players, few (based on the polls with BC readers) might give it to Grant and even to our faltering rivals. What cannot be disputed is the fact that we were the best team of the month and hence the manager gets the award. Is it a great coincidence that Chelsea plays well when the Didier Drogba is in form? He has made difference, alongwith Ballack, in April.

Meanwhile, Joe Cole has been adjudged the Chelsea FC player of the year. This season, the ‘player of the year/season’ for Chelsea has been a misnomer. Joe Cole played well, but not well enough to merit the award. Lack of genuine contenders meant Joe Cole winning the award.

Back to this match. Grant questions Wigan’s commitment while Sir Alex says that Bolton players have been partying all week. I don’t think Bolton or Wigan can play a major role on Sunday. Both Chelsea and Man Utd are too strong for their Sunday opponents, considering the magnitude of the occasion and the relative desire and enthusiasm. Playing Bolton in this all-important match is a good omen I guess. It is against them we won our title in 2004-05. Optimistic scores: Chelsea 3-0 Bolton. Wigan 1-1 Man Utd. Realistic scores: Chelsea 2-0 Bolton. Wigan 0-3 Man Utd.

This is your last chance. What’s your guess?

Who will be the CHAMPIONS?

Chelsea (68%, 80 Votes)
Man Utd (32%, 38 Votes)

Total Voters: 118

Loading …

C’mon Wigan you can do it . . . I mean c’mon Chelsea just do it! Keep The Blue Flag Flying High!

Written By BlueChampion

48 Responses For This Post. Add Your Comments Here!

Did I tell you all this whole post was done from my mobile phone. The post, the image, the poll - everything! I’m still travelling but Nokia N95 8GB lived up to its reputation :-)

Just heard in the local sports tv channel that Chelsea bought Bosingwa from Porto for
20 million euros.

One of the best RB in the world

Thats really interesting BC, on a mobile phone. To be realistic, bothe chelsea and manutd will win this last match tomorrow, I think it is a good thing to us finish the season level on points with manutd. it shows we have a stronger team with more experience and maturity than Manutd, upon on all the difficulties we passed through starting back from September and we are still going to level on point with with manutd if we both win tomorrow.

I am only thinking about the champions league. I just cant wait till then.

Blues Cheers

my team :

—————–Cech—————
—Essien—Terry—Alex—-Cole—-
————–Mikel——————
——–Lampard——Ballack———
—J.Cole——————-Malouda–
————–Drogba—————–

@BC,

The teams Jersey Pictures whouls be Chelsea and Bolton not Manutd

just heard that Hleb left assnal for inter

chelsea 2-0 bolton and wigan 1-1 manu.We are Champion.

some reliable portuguese tabloid says that we have signed long-term manutd target boswinga

cech is targeted by some european club

@9 it is barcelona
valdes is in the transfer list puit there by Guardiola
but is not the 40 MM euros mentioned, or could also be that Cech’s agent is trying to improve Cech’s salary.

@ Owo

That was intentional. That was from the title perspective. It is certainly Chelsea vs Man Utd, right?

We need one large slice of luck for the last time. An own goal from Ronaldo and an own goal from Stelios (still plays for Bolton?) would do.

I just don’t see Wigan nicking a point off Manchester United. If it was in our hands, I wouldn’t think for a millisecond we’d lose it, but it’s not…
All we need is a bit more luck from Avram.

German Fan - i feel alves is lot better than bosingwa. Forget signing players, let’s sign Rijkaad NOW.

we signed Bosingwa!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is a legend in the making.

Many sources are reporting we have signed Bosingwa, the Porto and Portugal right back… can anyone confirm this, and whether it’s a good player or not?

BC you suppose to be on hols stop blogging

Arthur believe me Bosingwa is a hell of a player,arguably as good if not better than Alves, but careful the guy is very temperamental and needs constant attention and support, otherwise he goes into pieces , and Jesualdo Ferreira, BTW the mentor/professor of JM when JM was studying sports sciences @ UNI, is a specialist at recovering players with talent, hence that when Jesualdo left Boavista to go to {Pprto he took Bosingwa with him. In Portugal, and I watch their matches everyweek I still prefer Miguel or Paulo Ferreira, but when on top form.
Well going to speak to a friend of mine in Italy he is a investigative journalist for a well known sports paper, he will be telling more things.
I knew Hleb had signed for Inter last night, and the papers still going on as if he is going to stay with Arsenal.

How is it that we always get players linked to ManU? Doubt Rijkaard will be coming to the Bridge; Avram has had a good season.

I think Chelsea and ManU will win Last match,and MANU will be crowned champion’s (haa..only through goal difference).So just like last year’s FA Cup final, we will take revenge in Champion’s league Final….. We will be champion’s of Europe.

@14. Arthur

Yes I agree with you entirelly chelsea should stop buying players now , and the money used to bring any top player should be given to Avram to pay his P45.
Have you guys noticed how “confident” and “assured” the guy speaks now , only after he had won a few games with the top teams? Another thing that strikes with Avram he goes for already stabilishe world known players, a calculated risk, after all they all have proved themselves as the best or near the best, what a contrast to JM, he used to buy players and then mold them and make them worlbeaterd and winners.
Just a remark no malice intended.

8. chelseaforever

it is not a tabloid it is a proper caily sports paper.

I still believe that Wigan will nick a point off Manure tomorrow just as they did at the bridge when we needed to win so badly.

Belleti must not be offloaded. He should be shifted forward to add to Joey on the attacking right flank. Bel is a bundle of sheer talent- great control, great run, great crosses and nice dribbling- I think he will surpass SWP and run Joey close if given the opportunity.

BC, you want to know the real unexplained dimension- It is the resurgence of the real Essien in April. Drogs did resurrect but his performances were still inconsistent- Essien’s resurgence in these last weeks is what really accounts for the sudden surge- essien is the real soul of this team-

http://www.fotolog.com/joecole_10
ey entren fanaticos de chelsea extranjeros o ingleses
vamos chelseaaaaa
la formacion de chelsea tendria qe ser esta
————————Cech————————
Ferreira—–Carvalho———-Terry———.A Cole
————————Essien———————-
————-Ballak————-Lampard————-
———Joe Cole———————-Kalou——–
————————Drogba———————-

los titulares porque la final es el 21 de este mes

I’m just back from my holidays. Just in time for the build up for the big match. With every passing hour, I have this feeling that Man Utd might collapse under pressure. If they had to play Wigan any time before, you can easily put your money on a 4-0 result but playing on the last day, knowing that Chelsea might pip them for title, it could lot different.

There’s so much news about Grant’s questioning of Wigan’s commitment. He had done that earlier against West ham too. When West Ham played us, we beat them 4-0 but their commitment was not under scrutiny. When they played Man Utd, Grant doubted their integrity by saying he does not doubt their integrity.

Again now, Grant is questioning Wigan. I think that’s really bad. We are only making things worse by these things. No way Wigan are going to get fired by Grant’s comments and turn it against Man Utd. Instead Steve Bruce can be rather irritated by Grant’s questioning of his integrity and turn things against us. He may not want to try too hard to beat Man Utd, not because he loves them or he loves Fergie but just because he may not want to see Grant (who questioned Bruce’s integrity) as the winner of the premier league.

This is what he says:

(suggestion of Wigan rolling over . . ) has been insulting to me. I believe the Premier League is the most honest of any league. What would I say to my players? ‘Roll over, don’t train tomorrow and on Sunday let Man U win’?

Apparently, Wigan has done double the training that they normally do. Don’t think they’d roll over. Might even fancy them to nick a point. In all this, we must remember that even we need to win.

What do ya say?

I don’t think Chelsea can win the Premier League this time around, We’ve played good enough but this time its heading to Old Trafford, We might beat Bolton but Wigan?, No I don’t think they can get anything out of this game against Manchester United. Best thing we can do is beat Bolton which we failed to do last season at this point of time.

My Predictions- Chelsea 2-0 Bolton
Wigan 1-2 Manchester United

I think Man Utd will score the 1st 2 goals in the 1st half and then Alex would sub his players and Wigan may get a late consolation goal towards the End

For Chelsea match, We’ll score a goal in either Halves

BC and Mour you’ve hinted at Essien and Drogba being key to the resurgence, but what about Ballack?? Ballack has by far been the best performer since his comeback from injury…
Remember all the games where Chelsea were horrendous before the Arsenal game? It was rare to say that Ballack had a bad game; he was the best performer nearly every game!

Belletti won goal of the year, the 35 yarder vs Tottenham, but for me, “simple” though it may have been, Ballack’s net-bursting rocket of a penalty to beat Manure has to be the moment that brought me the most joy this season, followed closely by his tremendous looping header that made Van Der Sar look short.

The old Ballack is back!

Bolton have nothing to play for. Bolton should have lesser motivation than Wigan for the final day match. Reason being, Wigan is playing at home and Bolton is playing away. We should finish the match by half time and wait for what happens at Wigan. Belletti’s goal was great but I don’t think it was the goal of the season. It was a mighty long range finish but there were better goals than that one this season.

i agree with you adonis. it was essien as much as anyone, whose form propelled chelsea in the later stages.

Adonis - In the post I mentioned that ‘Drogba and Ballack’ were the ones who made the difference in the last few weeks. Of course Essien played a very important role. He was fantastic since March but I still believe that Drogba and Ballack put us where we are right now.

This is Avram Grant talking about motivation:

It depends on the opponents - sometimes big games are easier, because the players are in high motivation. From the bottom it is more difficult motivation, tactically it is different but not so much because we have our game and don’t want to change so much.

that pretty much sums up my logic. against smaller opponents we win with our superior squad quality. against bigger opponents our players are in ‘high motivation’. the manager needs to come into play only when the opponents have a trick or two up their sleeves. but even then the manager may do nothing and then say ‘this is football’. easy job!

why do you still question grants tactical ability? its quite understood from the majority of the season that he is tactically inept but he is not here for tactics. Thats job of clarke and cate. He is just here to bring luck which we were always devoid of. He has done a good job in bringing luck and he will be judged by the board on this only.
trust in his luck and anything can happen tonight!!!

forget Ballacks,Drogbas….only Essien is main reason behind our revival..

Do we have the telecast in India? Fukin liverpoo and manure have more fan following..so we might not get our game?

Wigan have the worst pitch in the premiership, and they drew with Arsenal & Chelsea so I dont believe all hope is lost. Signing a RB is definitely a good idea. We were brilliant in April & I think Essien & Ballack deserve the majority of the credit, team for Bolton
Cech
Cole-Terry-Carvalho-Ferreira
Essien-Ballack-Lampard
Kalou-Drogba-Cole

Wouldnt be surprised if Avram went for Maka, but the above is what I would play.

chelsea 2-0 Bolton
wigan 1-1 man unt

Cech
Ferreira-Terry-Alex-Cole
Ballack-Essien-Lampard
Kalou -Drogba - Anelka

chelsea will win, man u will lose

My team for the last Premiership match at the Bridge this season - and possibly Drogs “The Goal Machine”’s last match in London

CECH
BELLETTI-JT(c)-ALEX-ASHLEY
ESSI-BALLACK-LAMPS
JOEY-DROGS-KALOU

Subs in 2nd half: MALOUDA (KALOU). If we are winning: OBI (LAMPS), MAKA (JOEY). If we are losing: SHEVA (BELLETTI) and change to 4-4-2 with ESSI @ RB or SWP (ESSI) & play 3-4-3 (Joey, Drogs & Sheva in attack).

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Bolton
[Kalou, Drogs]

I’m off to the Bridge now…Come on you Chels!

Maybe a win for both Man Utd and Chelsea. But if “Mr. Luck” is visiting JJB again, it will help SNUB the luck-Off from Man Utd and help Chelsea win the Premiere League again or he will just come to Stamford Bridge and help Chelsea win BIG and just for the boost of the Champions League final.

Emotional Prediction:
Wigan 1 - Man Utd 0, Chelsea 4 - Bolton 0

Realistic Prediction:
Wigan 1 - Man Utd 3, Chelsea 4 - Bolton 0

The old ballack is back definitely and i am mighty glad. i remember how we bemoaned his absence at the beginning of the season when lamp was down with injury. for me, it shows one thing- it takes time to settle in the premiership. Good reason why we should be in no hurry to offload, belleti, malouda in particular. if Drogs goes, I will prefer Etoo to berbatov

i think for this moment chelsea is a best team in the world and i think so chelsea would bee the champion of the england and in champions league i think the teatle is reserved for the team of chelsea of course because they are more best of man.utd.
muli-peja@hotmail.com
see ya.

Guys… any updates? on the telecast front in India? ESPN? Star Sports?
BC..

Terry is seriously injured….this does not look good…we’re not playing with our top centre-backs and no CBs on the bench either…

Please don’t tell me our hard work all season will be in vain due to injuries to Riccy and John….

chelsea 0 - bolton 0

wigan 0 - man u 1 c.ron penalty

we were so close…

huhuhuhu

chelsea 1 - bolton 1

wigan 0 - man u 2

2nd goal, bramble really open the space for giggs. but what can we expect from bramble =)

well played wigan and bolton..

Haha, rentboys. Did I hear someone say playoffs ?

Blue Champions - Chelsea Fan Blog

Chelsea vs Bolton | 11-May-08 @ 15:00 UK - [BlueChampion]

48 Responses For This Post. Add Your Comments Here!

Your Thoughts Here!

Meta

Links

Categories

Archives

Blog Stuff