First game at home since the special one was moved on and the atmosphere is surprisingly positive. Drogba starts which is a major (good) surprise but there's no Essien or SWP due to injury.
The opening 15mins echos the positive tone with lots of movement but sadly very few clear cut chances. The problem is that there's no end product. Sheva still looks way off the pace and Drogba is clearly not match fit. Kalou is our best player and is the main supply line for the few early chances. By the way, what is it about us and set pieces; free kicks from distance look like a pantomime farce and corners rarely beat the first man. It gets a bit better for the last 10 minutes but the half ends with Keller not having made a save. Lots of effort, lots of mistakes and not much quality. I wonder what Grant is like with half time hair dryers because we need more quality in the second half.
Second half starts with Alex on for Terry (hurt early in the first half) and gets worse when Kalou has a certain goal miraculously saved by Keller in the first minute. Things peter out after that initial flurry of excitement and on 54mins Grant at least shows he's not afraid to do the right thing (or afraid of big Roman) as he drags off the hapless Sheva and sends on Pizzaro. Kalhou misses again with a free header on the hour and its starting to look like its not going to be our day. I can't recall so many wasted set pieces of passages of clear possession.
Last quarter and Fulham are feeling confident. They throw on two forwards - Kamera and Bouazza as Drogba is sent off for a crazy high challenge that results in a second bookable offence. Two reds in two league games and now the home record is in seriously doubt. In response, Malouda comes on for Ashley Cole as Chelsea go to 3 at the back. Avram Grant clearly wants the win - brave or reckless - you decide. However, its Fulham that have the best of the remaining time and have two clear chances on 90 minutes to take all three points but the Blues hold out for a draw.
The home record is intact but the boo's ring out at Stamford Bridge and no one can feel confident about a trip to Valencia.
Saturday, 29 September 2007
Thursday, 27 September 2007
One step at a time
Hull 0 - Chelsea 4
Many will say it was only Hull City but it was a banana skin waiting to be slipped up on and one that the pre Jose Blues might well have struggled with. So it was nice to see the post Jose Blues dispatch Hull and knock in a few goals to boot.
It wasn't the most flowing performance and not the the sexy football that Roman seems to be after but a good team performance and with some notable individuals - Scott Sinclair's first goal for the senior team stands out amongst them all.
A nice post match touch from Avram Grant when asked why Roman wasn't at the game .... "when he's here you say he picks the team and when not here - you ask why; I think he missed a very good game" .... all delivered with a rare smile.
Onwards now to a tricky home derby against Fulham and an unerring sense that maybe our invincible home record might be in doubt - I hope not.
Come on you blues
Many will say it was only Hull City but it was a banana skin waiting to be slipped up on and one that the pre Jose Blues might well have struggled with. So it was nice to see the post Jose Blues dispatch Hull and knock in a few goals to boot.
It wasn't the most flowing performance and not the the sexy football that Roman seems to be after but a good team performance and with some notable individuals - Scott Sinclair's first goal for the senior team stands out amongst them all.
A nice post match touch from Avram Grant when asked why Roman wasn't at the game .... "when he's here you say he picks the team and when not here - you ask why; I think he missed a very good game" .... all delivered with a rare smile.
Onwards now to a tricky home derby against Fulham and an unerring sense that maybe our invincible home record might be in doubt - I hope not.
Come on you blues
Monday, 24 September 2007
... between love & hate; respect & pity
Man Utd 2 - Chelsea 0
The result was almost irrelevant, though 11 against 11 and a decent bit of time keeping might have at least made it a contest. What was needed was a display and by and large we got one. We were never going to just roll over and there were some positives from the game however what is clear is that the post Jose era is going to be tough on Avram Grant who already has the demeanour of 'dead man walkin'.
It actually doesn't matter that the personnel in the Chelsea dressing room haven't changed. At this level its all about mentality and Jose had the winning mentality. Sure he was arrogant and his comments were often poorly chosen but things were black and white - you either loved him (and us) or hated him (and us). The football was not THAT dull - to a fan, winning is never dull - but the style question became a stick to whip us with.
Winning ultimately breeds respect, even if it doesn't come in the short term. Could Arsenal really be where they are now if it wasn't for the "1-0 to the Arsenal" days of George Graham and co ?. Would people respect Man U if they hadn't won so many premier league titles ?
We have sacked a winner and as fans are now the object of pity in many quarters. I heard Henry Winter saying that he felt sorry for Chelsea fans who had got used to "visiting great stadia and picking up trophies over the last 4 years".
I / We don't want anyones pity. I want my Chelsea back.
The result was almost irrelevant, though 11 against 11 and a decent bit of time keeping might have at least made it a contest. What was needed was a display and by and large we got one. We were never going to just roll over and there were some positives from the game however what is clear is that the post Jose era is going to be tough on Avram Grant who already has the demeanour of 'dead man walkin'.
It actually doesn't matter that the personnel in the Chelsea dressing room haven't changed. At this level its all about mentality and Jose had the winning mentality. Sure he was arrogant and his comments were often poorly chosen but things were black and white - you either loved him (and us) or hated him (and us). The football was not THAT dull - to a fan, winning is never dull - but the style question became a stick to whip us with.
Winning ultimately breeds respect, even if it doesn't come in the short term. Could Arsenal really be where they are now if it wasn't for the "1-0 to the Arsenal" days of George Graham and co ?. Would people respect Man U if they hadn't won so many premier league titles ?
We have sacked a winner and as fans are now the object of pity in many quarters. I heard Henry Winter saying that he felt sorry for Chelsea fans who had got used to "visiting great stadia and picking up trophies over the last 4 years".
I / We don't want anyones pity. I want my Chelsea back.
Friday, 21 September 2007
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Say it aint so Jo-se, say it aint so...
The ability for my beloved blues to implode never ceases to amaze me. OK so we were rubbish on Tuesday and haven't had the best start to the season but in the last 3 years ...
Back to back Premiership Champions
Runners up last year
FA cup winners
League Cup twice
Champions league semi finals twice
.... hardly sacking material but make no bones about it this was not "mutual consent", this was "last straw" time from great uncle Roman and he sacked the most successful manager we've had in the last 50 years.
Jose was not to everyone's taste but I thought he was great for Chelsea and great for the Premiership. It will be dull without him.
Many thanks Jose, not just for the success but for ALL the memories
Updated 21/09 - if you want more then read Jonahthan Dyers great tribute over at http://www.chelseablog.com/
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
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