Wow! What a season this has been! It’s just been a bookmaker’s delight. This premier league title has been ‘the season nobody wants to win’. Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal – any of these teams could have won this title. They all had the chance to win it and with just 3 matches to go – they all still have the chance to win it, including Arsenal. What a finish to the season!
It was Chelsea’s title to lose, we looked like we lost it. It was Man Utd’s title to lose. Looks like they lost it too. I know we still have some business to do at Old Trafford – Theatre of Screams.
It’s fair to say Chelsea are the favourites for the big showdown next weekend. We are on a great run of results while Man Utd have been dropping points. Most importantly, they had to beat Arsenal and they didn’t. They chose the most inopportune time to lose a match. It’s not just three points. It’s this result that matters. Fergie wouldn’t mind being just 3 points ahead of next weekend. It’s the defeat this weekend that would bother him. With this defeat today, Man Utd have handed over the initiative and momentum to Chelsea.
Chelsea must be rejoicing now, albeit a little quietly. Rightly so. We are playing Man Utd who eliminated us from the champions league in April. And, we are playing them at Old Trafford. And, we don’t yet know who the referee will be. Despite all these factors, we will go to Old Trafford as great favourites. Sir Alex would know this.
Quite possibly, Sir Alex might be happy with a draw. Since they would play at home, it’s natural to think that they would play an attacking game. But I do think from Sir Alex’ point of view, this is a ‘cannot-lose’ match than a ‘must-win’ match. Like I’ve said before, whenever Fergie tries to get a draw, it generally backfires for him. That’s not Man Utd’s natural game. Will be curious to know who he plays, at what formation and with what approach.
From Chelsea’s point of view, needless to say, this will be a MUST-WIN. This means we need to take risks. We should not come back from Old Trafford thinking ‘we could have done this’. We should give it our best shot.
I’ve said it a few times that Carlo is not a great risk-taker. He is very conservative. Among other things, if he had taken some calculated risks, we could have won this title in April. Big managers always take their risks – in match tactics, in team selection, in player rotation. For really good managers, the risks pay off more often than not. Every time a football manager takes a risk, he divides opinions. Some are in favour and some are totally against it – be it fans or players. That shouldn’t matter. What matters is the usefulness of the risks.
Next weekend, Carlo should win the match. If that means he needs to take risks, he should. If that means he should surprise Fergie with team selection or formation, he should. He just needs to do enough win at Old Trafford. If we beat Man Utd next week, we’re No.1 in the table. And that’s the only thing we should care for.
Finally, a note of thanks to Arsenal: Thanks for your effort. My love story with you lasted about 24 hours. Now, go to hell!
Great day to start a great approach to the next great sunday. its time we take the bull by the horn this time around and win the league at our own accord.
it is a league of many surprises and blimey when i thought chelsea had not chance when almost 12 pts behind manu at a point.
the anxiety continues and hope we do another one next sunday over the red devils.
regards
I hate it when I make a sexy post and you make a new entry.
To clear things again, Ramires and Luiz come from a league where you can get away with tackles like that. Vidic had the exact problem, now look at him.
Ramires and Essien are BTB midfielders. Lampard has been playing that role since 08/09 as well but he is more attack minded. The same way he slips up the field unnoticed, he slips back down and puts in an excellent slide. Mikel plays the MR (Makelele Role) and for our 4-3-3 to work we need him and we need him ON FORM. He allows the BTB midfielders to surge farther ahead. It’s simple 4-3-3 mechanics.
We were built with a target man. Someone to come back, link the midfield with attack, use his physicality rather than technical skills and bully his way through defenders while leading the line, Drogba. With Torres, he is an advanced forward. Someone to lead the line but instead of coming back and linking the midfield or using his physicality, he uses his pace and technicality to weave his way through defenders. He requires a talisman unlike the target man who is the talisman.
So in other words. Drogba and Torres CAN work together but they both have to be on form. However, the team will need lots of time to function with the new formation. If we decide to work with a modified 4-3-3, we need to purchase a playmaker in the summer or a very good suggestion here, rotate with Josh.
I for one thought we should loan Josh to Bolton. He will get the exact experience as Jack and Daniel and even some experience in Europe if things go Owen’s way. We also have to options of Benayoun who has past experience of unlocking Torres. Again is the suggestion of buying a playmaker but when I hear that word I always see Josh playing for Manchester United (the new Scholes) or with Jack and Aaron as Fabregas goes to Barcelona (the new Xavi) and us not being able to get UCL football.
Defensively we are the strongest in the league. We have bundles of depth at the back. I suggest loaning Bruma and van Aanholt to Bolton. I am sorry but Owen Coyle works wonders. Maybe we can strike up a partnership with Bolton. Owen will groom our youth and we will take them back and own everyone with them.
What really needs a purchase in the summer is a GK. With Delac the best choice behind Cech we sadly still can’t use him. He is Cech’s replacement and needs time to grow and develop. Delac on loan again please. Put him in a Championship team please.
Borini what a cracker. Loan to Bolton. OMG!
Once the new season starts, everyone will be rejuvenated, something Torres did not get because he was forced back to playing football by Spain and Liverpool. That shows he is still a wonderful player if a team like Spain with the likes of David Villa, Pedro, Navas and Llorente still need Torres. He was never given time to get back to full fitness, mentally and physically. The only reason he scored for Liverpool is because they know how to unlock him and have the players for it. Remember Rafa built Liverpool to work with Torres. He took apart Houlier’s team after the UCL win in 2005 and built his own with the final piece in Torres in 2007.
All that we need now is a simple prayer to Jesus to help us win the Old Trafford match. That match will decide the winner of the league. Remember the Battle of Old Trafford which allowed Arsenal to go undefeated. Well this will be the Battle of Old Trafford 3, the one that decides the title of the most inconsistent league ever.
our destiny is back in our own hands… win your remaining 3 matches my dear chelsea and it would be a worthy season that would not be forgotten anytime soon..
KTBFFH
I think it’s unbelievable that we’ve clawed our way back to within touching distance of the title. Given we were 15 points back recently and given how awful we looked at times this season, it’s nothing short of a miracle.
Let’s talk tactics for next week. First, two no-brainers. We need to play 4-3-3 and Drogs needs to be the center of the attack. We can’t afford another tactical mistake ala the second leg of the CL quarterfinal. As such, Torres needs to start on the bench.
Second, what to do about our full-backs. It’s clear that we need them to provide width in the 4-3-3, but United capitalized on sloppy wing defending in the CL to generate all of their goals. If Cole and Ivanovic venture too far forward, we risk being exposed at the back. My take on this is to start conservative and pin our fullbacks back to deal with Giggs, Nani, etc. Hopefully, we can have success and get ahead by playing through the middle. But if this approach isn’t working we’re going to have to go for broke at some point and have them make raids forward. Like BC has said, a draw won’t do it, we need the win. Go Blues!
Guys Ivanovic got his 10th yellow card today that means he is suspended for the Manchester United game , so i think we should move David Amazing Luiz to the right back position and recall Alex in the center back position.
Not sure how Alex Ferguson took a big risk on Sunday.
He had a conservative game plan. Manchester United lacked their usual flair. They seemed happy to soak-up Arsenal’s pressure.
And just like Harry Redknapp and his cautious approach the day before, it cost him dearly. Sometimes you need to stick with who you are. Especially in the big matches.
Ferigie and Harry didn’t. Now look where they are.
Anyone notice anything about the league table?
Check out the goal difference. United’s lead has been erased. The two teams are totally even!
It’s all to play for, boys!
Exactly my point. Fergie makes this mistake of playing for a draw while he has a better chance of winning the match if they play like they always do. He did that yesterday. He did that a few times against Chelsea in recent times.
I guess he might try to do that next Sunday too. A draw would suit him. But we should take our risks to ensure that their caution superseded by our adventure.
Giggs wasn’t in the traveling squad on Sunday.
I assume Ferguson was resting him for Wednesday’s CL match.
But given United’s comfortable lead over a poor Schalke, I think Giggs will be held out on Wednesday. I think he’ll be in the first X1 for Sunday’s match at Old Trafford.
37 years old and for my money still Manchester United’s most dangerous player. Amazing.
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Folks, let’s get out of the fantasy world.
Our old players don’t have a potential to beat United’s young dynamic players at Old Trafford unless referee helps us.
Iva is not suspended, since we are past 10april
But I still wud prefer luiz at the right flank
Iva can’t cross
And wt luiz at the centre, I wudnt rule out conceding a penalty in the 93rd min
@ Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba the dynamic youngsters and the old guns have only scored one goal in last 4 games
why u think ref helps us,united get a decision/match in there favor
May 1 International Workers Day, should now also be International Day of Joy. Osama Bin Laden is dead. The world is now less evil.
Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba,
You are sounding like the one with an uncensored gravatar and comments.
Fergie has already put pressure on referee
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ferguson-fears-referees-could-hand-the-title-back-to-chelsea-2277729.html
As a Chelsea fan, I wait kneeling with hands clasped and head down in silent but fervent prayer….. not daring to spout tribally-induced rants lest I bring bad luck upon my team come Sunday…….
As a TSO fan, I hope he smashes BarKa …..
Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba,
lol !!!
are you even following our matches?
“our old players” as you refer them are the prime reason we are back within reachable distance of Manchester United.
They have been instrumental in our revival. Drogba has been our orchestrator on many occasions in the recent past.
Anelka’s pass was the reason Torres broke his deadlock.