MHL 47

Terry was proved not guilty in a court of law, the highest court in the country - No 'baggage' at all for me. Do you seriously believe his image has been effected by a kangeroo court the FA convened because they had to find him guilty of something to appease the FA's desire to be seen as being hard on racism and all the Chelsea and JT hating media plus the other clubs fans, many of the latter being far more guilty of racially aggravated language and meaning than Terry would have ever been. I'm playing devil's advocate now and to quote you perhaps Terry 'didn't mean it like that'. Would the MLS take JT? How about PSG? A German club? The only one who might not are other English clubs and that's more about tribalism than it would be about racism. Anyway back to the point it's what you write that gets seen, not the meaning - do you see what I mean.

Look, there's a couple of pre-requisites that you need to have in your locker before you can be considered, namely: Can you completely avoid responsibility for footballing decisions you have had a part in?Have you never held a similar job at a top level club prior to potentially getting the start with CFCIf the answer to both these questions is YES then you've got the same potential the current two incumbants had, i.e. you're almost there. Oh one last criteria to fulfill: Make sure you've never kicked a football with a top level team or in fact worked with a top quality football manager for any period ps....... Sam Allerdyce is not a top quality football manager, I know his team gave us a 3-1 hiding with our new manager in place, but that's just not enough

1. Get a job (you don't deserve) as Technical Director at CFC 2. Get a job (you don't deserve) as Director of Football Operations at CFC 3. Call yourself a football manager, be out of work for two years and doing nothing, Get job at CFC, be appointed by TD, blame everyone else when things go tits-up, get the 18months money for 6 months 'work' - Easy Dollar

You said 'baggage', that by inferance would include other supposed incidents, would it not On the other matters, do you know what he said, how it was said. Just using your 'rules'. Point is we all do this at times. Have at thee.

This must be like the comment regarding 'baggage' you made about John Terry then, clearly none of know the detail on this either, unfair to comment or pass judgement? - touche

No, you do well. Perhaps now you see why I need the £10m pesos.

You called a view of mine 'absurd' on the basis that Billionaires aren't naive, I qualified that view and gave a perfectly reasonable 'view' of how they can be, I don't know the detail of his personal life and don't want to either, however I think it's a reasonable view and one supported by a number of sources of information at the time. "Disrespectful" - Get over yourself, you think he's beyond critisism in all this? If his head can be turned by one thing, it can be turned by another, what was given was an example. I don't know him and unless he's your Dad I guess you don't either. He seems to act like a fan (and good on him) and if he is, perhaps he'll act like one i.e. sometimes taking decisions with a passion and heart rather than his head. I personally think Roman has been poorly advised by people already mentioned and people who haven't generally been mentioned. Grant had far to much influence with Roman and maybe still has. If I'm correct your view is that you seem to think the new people he has with him are better than the last set, I disagree, we're in crisis, f**k me they bring in a manager who was never, ever going to work (and believe me I'm not a person who thought Di Matteo was the long term answer and sings his name every game), if they can't get that simple decision right, and that is who not to bring in, because he'll never be accepted and the anti-feelings about him are so strong it'll make it impossible for the fella, even if he was the messiah. The results since Emenalo have been generally poor, the worst league form since Roman bought the club. He's the technical director and he takes his share of the blame - fair enough? 3 managers sacked since his appointment into that role, he'd have some part in appointing them? Once in his timeframe is perhaps unlucky, twice is suspect, three times shows that you really shouldn't be doing that part of your job because you're not very good at it. You have a view (I think) that the future of the club is the youth and that that development is going swimmingly well and part of that is down to him. I've a diametrically opposed view to that and I think he's an imposter of the worst kind. We'll have to wait and see how it turns out.

£30 for last night. Same for FA Cup and Capital One Cup. So to be fair, the club have kept the prices at a lower level, perhaps they need to do more? Let's U18's in for £10, U16's £5 with an adult? I'm not completely sure but the cheapest ticket for a game against a Wigan or Southampton is around the £45 mark, this rises for games against the supposed better teams i.e. Man Utd/City, Arsenal, S***s, L'pool and the London derbies. However you can pay upwards of £80 for some seats at some games. My season tickets are about £700 each and that covers the 19 home PL games only.

I am a home and an away season ticket holder (I say that only to show the basis for my views), I can tell you from experience that 'atmospheres' for home supporters have dulled at almost every PL ground I've been to. There are exceptions Stoke used to make a good noise, they've gone quieter now they've been in the PL a few seasons now. Swansea has been probably the best this and last season, we'll see if the same happens to them. Never, ever believe the hyperbole around the atmospheres at grounds like Anfield, Newcastle, Man Utd - They're quieter than us most of the time. Then factor in the TV companies tend to put their mikes near away fans because they generally make more noise and it hypes the atmosphere to the TV viewers. It's the dynamic, more 'visitors' and less supporters I'm afraid and additionally with us the whole scenario with TFSW and the people who appointed him. Having said that we barely get a squeak of noise from the West Stand, a little more from the East with the MH and half to three-quarters of the Shed (which isn't the biggest of stands anyway) making most of the noise. As to the EL, I wasn't going until Tuesday night, I had decided not to give the club any more of my money than I was already committed to due to TFSW factor, however I thought it had the chance to be a good game and it was. On reflection I perhaps was being a bit 'snobbish' and I will probably go again. I'd urge others who have the chance to go, to attend, it was sad to see only 28'000 there. If we do get to Amsterdam there'll be plenty wanting tickets who hadn't gone to EL games - Slightly Hypocritical?

@Theonlyplacetobe & @bushman I know a few very wealthy men who are naive and foolish, they might not be naive with their profession and what made them rich in the first place. However when it comes to a passion they've wasted, been taken for millions. If you read my post you'll see that it was qualified. How would you class the billion or so it cost Roman because he fancied a new model/maiden at home - so you see a Billionaire and his money can be quite easily parted. As can his judgement be flawed by a 'pretty young thing'. As have countless others. We're his football version of a 'pretty young thing'. Football mis-management came from Roman. He clearly has believed the things preached to him about being able to run a club with the know-nothings, who needed a get rich quick scheme and recognised Roman as being able to fund their futures. I'd like to respond in greater detail but I've a game to go to, maybe later.

I'll just say that he wouldn't be the first person at Chelsea to have things that perhaps he should be consulted with on, to be by passed, and it's my understanding that's exactly what occurred. And again it's my understanding that Roman may well have trusted him, however the situation has changed, largely down to his prominent role in the appointment of the second least successful Manager (during Roman's tenure) and in fact he was on 'duty' when the least successful Manager was appointed. Doesn't make good reading for Emenalo those last two bits.Interesting view here: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/michael-emenalo-must-take-responsibility-1735980 Too much faith and too high a level of importance is put into 'philosophies' or 'vogues'. Sports science is a part of success, but players and tactics win matches and if you fail to have the right players and tactics you'll lose matches. The science bit provides small parts of competitive advantage. He might be able to present a good case and be a good politician, and sometimes bullshit baffles brains but only for so long. Another case of over-promotion or a person who makes a small part of the machine being given power beyond his capability. I'd absolutely back Bruce Buck, he has a legal background and advises Roman from legal and regulatory perspectives and as far as I can see has little to do with footballing matters, that's why I'd keep him. He also, in the past has drawn the short-straw when having to face the fans, probably because he says he is and the other board members are not and baulk when faced with doing it. If you're blaming Kenyon for the malaise now, you're on the wrong horse. He left because of the in-fighting and power struggles, as far as I can ascertain he wanted Jose to remain for the very purpose of stability. Maybe so regards years of mismanagement, however when you change you expect certain things and Emenalo will have disappointed. What I expect is unimportant, what Roman and the Board expects is a whole different matter, do you think they expect us struggling for fourth, out of the CL in the group stages, losing two-legged semi's to Swansea, getting hammered by A. Madrid, losing to Corinthians, having no better a style of football now than we had in 2004/5? That's Emenalo's baby there, along with the managers of course. What system is that? I cannot see it. You're right Neil Bath and the coaches seem to be doing good jobs at their age group levels. The stated aim of the acadamy was to produce one player a season into the first-team squad, failed and failed during Emenalo's time here. How long does he need? In two major roles at the club he's now had 5 seasons. If a 5-year plan has produced almost zip, then we've the wrong man. We've not neglected players, they've not been good enough! Again I've stated the fact that we've developed Jack Cork as a regular PL first team squad member and no others for any PL side during the last 5-6 seasons and brought Ryan Bertrand into the squad here, in no way can that be classed as success. He's had his time for me, we'll pay close to £18m for Lukaku, under Emenalo's watch and he didn't have the faintest idea of how to use him or what to do with him until others became involved, exactly the same was happening with Piazon. There are too many instances of Emenalo failing - He's a dud, a fraud and a political mover just like the guy who got him appointed to the club in the first place. He's in it to make a good few quid out of Roman's football naivety/desire to prove you can run a football club this way. Cut our losses with him and get some quality in there. the key is that the Boss has to recognise his way of doing things has failed and he has to change his own mindset. If that doesn't change, we'll be where we are right now consistently and the Boss will be paying for it. That's fine until he gets pissed off completely and calls it a day. Sometimes better the one you know, with their faults than the ones you don't know. I think that Roman is a football fan (an extremely rich one) with the ultimate hobby tool, our club and he's made mistakes. They are forgiveable of course, in my mind anyway, but he needs to learn from them.

Yes, absolutely. PS - Just make sure the package with the £10m arrives the day before the vote! :eyebrows:

I'm not saying it's morally correct, however it's what occurs and unless you become President Bushman of the Developed World you'll not be able to do much about it.

Maybe Emenalo believes he has the final sanction, these deals were done without Emenalo's involvement. He may, have ticked a box, but he did not sanction any deal. Especially the Lukaku one.

The answer to the last sentence is in most medium/large businesses in the world. At Boardroom/Director level you can be an abject failure and walk/be pushed out with large severence packages, never mind if it's just a case that your face doesn't fit or even if you've upset a couple of overhyped club/national 'treasures'. I've seen it countless times, there's a certain level that you reach where it really doesn't matter whether you're good at what you do or not, if you have to go you'll go with a big lump of money. It's only the medium level managers and below that get the minimum or nothing.

Emenalo's position is becoming increasing isolated and I'm not sure whether your opinion is based on information/knowledge from inside the club or is a personal opinion. There will probably be more than just Benitez going at the end of the season, someone else will be made accountable for the appointment and the way we've performed since it. Let's be generous and say that the appointment hasn't had a galvanising effect. Gourlay's too cute to accept responsibility and that leaves Forde and Emenalo, there's only one person that'll be taking the hit and that'll be the man who Benitez said was dealing with him during his appointment. The true gauge of performance is always the league and since ME coming to his current position our finishing place in the leagues got worse. We might get lucky this season, with Arsenal and L'pool performing even worse. However they've not invested to the degree we have. He's been a failure in the role and he's had since 2007/8 to know the club, he's had two years in the role and we've been poor by our own recent high standards - That in itself is enough. Where's the improvement? The youth teams done well, the U21's have been mediocre but given the level of youth players in that set up and the constant change that goes on that is understandable. I watch enough non-first team football to know that there's no consistent system in place throughout the levels/teams at the club, isn't that one of his stated goals. Continuity of approach would be great, getting the right man in the role is the key as well as his ability to work with whichever manager we have is just as key. Anyway and bottom line, my monies on him not being around much longer, where's yours?

No, we won't agree. As regards the loans, that information is solid. Eddie has a line of reporting past Emenalo. The rest of my reply I'll put in the thread suggested earlier.

In any argument (I'll use your play on words), the more justifiable points made against rhetoric and suggestion, certainly in my view adds more weight and has a better chance of being more valid. So, yes it's better to have more reasonably argued points. Begiristain, against I'd stated his history and learning process plus his proven success. Gullit and Vialli had the experience of playing at the highest level and working with the best coaches of their day. Mr Emenalo did not and has not.Nefarious is fair in my view, brought in by the yes man Grant to be his yes man and a set of loyal eyes and ears. Posed no threat because he had even less experience than Grant. Notts County for parts of a season and a minor league in Africa, I played in the 1st round of the FA Cup once, that almost makes me as qualified as him! Now I'd agree the term football people can mean different things to different people, let's just say he lacks the experience and gravitas to hold such an elevated position at such a prestigious club. An example of a non-footballer who you could class as a football person is a chap who I've also used as an example of someone who would improve us, namely David Dein. You keep spuriously raising SAF and Wenger, I've said in the past where would he get a job in any of the top four sides in the major European Leagues, you wouldn't answer because you know the answer. I've also said neither of them would allow him at those clubs (in my opinion) because he lacks the skills necessary. We have a head of youth recruitment and development, Get a decent DofF in, someone who will pose no threat to the Manager and who is there for continuity purposes, in fact define the role that way Continuity Director. Firstly Emenalo won't have nothing to do with Jose's appointment, if it happens, It'll be done whether he approves or not. There's only one to four people who'll be involved at the club in that appointment. If he survives it, he'll put up with it because it'll be Romans way or the highway for him. Benitez dealt with Emenalo during his appointment, direct quotes from Benitez. Benitez didn't even meet or talk to Roman until after his appointment. You'll also probably know that Emenalo is becoming increasingly isolated at Cobham.Of those four players you mention, three of them were full internationals, hardly pulled rabbits out of the hat there! With respect we've not got a first team game yet out of three of the four, so declaring them a success as yet is at best a little bit presumptuous on your behalf. Courtois loaned out before he got the job, Chalobah's loan was sorted by Eddie Newton, as was Lukaku. De Bruyne's deal was part of the transfer deal demanded by Bruge. Is Josh a better player now than he was a season and a bit ago? In my opinion, no. Therefore he's gone backwards, if his development is slower than others fair enough. Continual improvement is part of development, he's not improved. If we got the right man we'd have a path for continuity, we've not got the right men. The more I think about it, the more there's a case for ripping it up and starting again. Here's a proper Board - Dein, Kenyon, Hiddink, Buck, Roman plus Tenenbaum (he just goes with Roman everywhere anyway).

You say tomato, I say tomato. The case made against him uses more facts than the case you make for him. Nefarious appointment by Grant in the first instance, gained appointment without any proven success in any similar role at even the level below ours. He's been here since 2007/8, again his successes are notable by their absence, which you've in the most parts not commented on. Why was he sacked? Did he dare to question the value of the non-contributors? Were the acquisitions made latterly in Jose's reign no his. If Ben Haim, Sidwell et al were bought for me, without proper consultation, I'd question it too. The sooner Emenalo goes the better, Forde too - non contributors the pair. Football people in, with ideas and who's dependence on Roman for their own wealth doesn't mean they are simply yes men, and they prevent stupid decisions such as sacking Jose in the first place. No aspersions cast, simply a question asking you if you have any insight, that we don't. That may explain you position further. However a common tactic of people loosing an argument is to cry foul, hopefully that's not what you're doing. Unifying presence you say, Emenalo you suggest. He has done nothing to command respect of the footballing side of the club and there's enough out there to suggest he's at best viewed with disdain, at worst mistrusted and held in disregard by the players and coaches. SAF and Wenger wouldn't have him around in any responsible footballing role because he's a know nothing. You wouldn't take me up on a friendly wager and I think we probably know why.I tell you what we need right now, that's someone to bring this fragmented and broken club back together. It's broken because of Roman and his advisors poor decisions, I'm not dumb enough to suggest we bin our owner, but he needs to understand why we're where we are now and begin to correct mistakes. He's almost got to start again and that's why Jose is an ideal choice, most players and mot fans will immediately back him. I'm no fussed much about whether he stays 3 or more seasons, just enough time to build a squad, a style and as long as he understands the foundation he builds is sustainable. If he stays longer great, if he doesn't so be it. As for recruitment processes - I'll say it again no high degree of skill or acumen is required to recruit Hazard, Mata, Oscar, they're known quantities. If we were getting players through the system into regular first team play since Emenalo had control I'd agree, short answer is we haven't. Arguably our brightest talent - Josh, has gone backwards. Chalobah was here before Emenalo got control, I'd credit the coaches more than him for development. He can't go quick enough for me, Jose or no Jose.

As demonstrated previously, his over promotion beyond his abilities, his gaining of the role in a nefarious way.If he been seen as a success then so would we, at the moment at a board and management level we're a public laughing stock and its becoming more justified. Let's see now, if it were a choice a Technical Director who's no proven record of any success of any kind or arguably the most talented manager in the world - it's such a no-brainier it doesn't warrant discussion. Very often you seem to defend him beyond what I'd say is reasonable, why? Do you have personal knowledge of his role, if so, if you'd explain it in detail we'd maybe begin to understand what he does. With what's in the public domain and from a few things said to me by an employee at the club, it's a 'white elephant' of a role and appointment.

The disaster isn't having a top player earning a top salary, the disaster is having ordinary players such as Yossi Benayoun earning £90+ grand a week, Steve Sidwell on £60+ grand, Ben Haim on the same. If you want the best you pay top money, the key there is picking top quality because the level of investment over the contract period is so high. We've bought previously outstanding players past their prime, if Torres was banging in 25 goals a season we'd not mention his salary. No one moans about Mata's salary, if I were him I'd be moaning my balls off at being paid over a million quid a year less than Benayoun

Good player, seems injury prone and it'll cost a fortune to get him = too large a risk at the moment. He would need to get a season or two under his belt without major injuries/breaks before you could justify the likely size of the fee. There's also lots said of some of his off the field activities, so again possibly more added risk. A good view to take is to see that if the money and responsibility for spending it were your own would you still do the deal, in this case I wouldn't.

Credit to the Interim for doing what most could see needing to be done, i.e. occupy Carrick and Cleverley with a central attacking presence i.e. Ramires. Moses was having a 'mare and the Hazard switch was obvious, Hazard appeared to have a role that offered him licence to roam, wheras Moses appeared more shackled. Mata switched to a more central role when the switch was made. If that was down to the Interim then that's the first time a real 'impact' has been made by substitutions and a tactical change. Having said all of that, the score's still about 10-2 to the opposition and he's a way to go to levelling up the scores. Lest we forget the worst Chelsea perfomance in years last Thursday.

That's true, we sent him out there and he still lost us a troffee!

He's in effing Japan if he truly thinks that.............................or is that I wish he was in Japan?