Chelsea Sack Andre Villas-Boas

[RX8 40]

In Football The Winning is the one with Goals not with more % of posession...

[CHOULO19 24,332]

W

Well his lineup was illogical and rational, far from getting his tactics spot on in that category

Of course you have every right to criticize AVB but I am a firm believer that the manager knows the players much better than the fans do. Cole was not started because he was not 100% fit while Lamps seems to be leading the revolution against Andre. Essien has not played full 90mins since returning, the manager obviously thought that he could not keep up with the pace of such game.

You have to realize that Andre is in a position where some players don't want him at the club and unfortunately for him, the ones who do believe in him include Bosingwa and Meirieles.

[Blue Armour 4,289]

It seems to me that avb is in a no win situation. The 'big names' apparently are giving him a rough ride so he has to turn to the players who believe in his project ie bos and raul. I know I'd rather start with players I thought would give me 100% over ones who make it clear they wont. Problem is those players aint exactly our top operators right now. You have to admire the guy for sticking to his principles, would have been very easy to just cave in and play the old guard as usual in their usual way in an attempt to keep everyone onside whilst under ever increasing media pressure

That's what I expect as well, but can you look at Meireles performances over the past month and say he's giving 100%? Compare this performance with his earlier ones this season. Whenever he gave away the ball away yesterday he hardly made an attempt to get it back, and his tackles were half-hearted attempts. I don't want to even talk about his involvement in build-up play.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

You have to realize that Andre is in a position where some players don't want him at the club and unfortunately for him, the ones who do believe in him include Bosingwa and Meirieles.

Indeed. Cole surprised me because he comes across as quite humble. I thought his issue was regarding fitness, I hope it still is.

But you're right, and we didn't play bad last night. It was an open game where we also created and threatened. I am not so disillusioned by André as everyone else is, I still think we have a bright future ahead with him.

[bluezola 7]

If he had his "tactics spot on" we would have saw essien ramires and a romeu midfield

That would have been the midfield I would have played. Hard running, tough tackling and aggressive when hunting the ball. A midfield to stamp authority and break up Napoli play.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

What about Meireles and Bosingwa then, are they performing..............I think not.

AVB has shown himself to be egotistical............why else play out of form and ineffective players, surely not for the benefit of the team.

I won't comment on the Cole one, I believe it was a fitness thing, but who knows.

As for Meireles, well for me it was about a. Essien doesn't have the legs at the moment & Lampard's attitude in recent games has been dire. The game was restless and for all of of Meireles' poor qualities he did keep up with pace of the game. I don't even think that was a game costing decision. The game wasn't won/lost in the middle of the park.

Egotistical? I don't think so. I see a man who's forcing needed changes into the squad and excluding those who aren't happy with those changes. So he should. Would we not expect the same of Mourinho, Hiddink et al. Managers shouldn't adapt to players, players should adapt to managers.

[Santiago. 1,500]

Of course you have every right to criticize AVB but I am a firm believer that the manager knows the players much better than the fans do. Cole was not started because he was not 100% fit while Lamps seems to be leading the revolution against Andre. Essien has not played full 90mins since returning, the manager obviously thought that he could not keep up with the pace of such game.

You have to realize that Andre is in a position where some players don't want him at the club and unfortunately for him, the ones who do believe in him include Bosingwa and Meirieles.

Essien, Romeu, Ramires

Essien's power could have been a great component, then subbed off for Mikel.

Romeu stabilizing the midfield.

Ramires's energy leading the counter attack

His lineup was illogical, what comes into play is something we can't possibly know, either biased thinking in picking the Portuguese or proving a point to the Senior Players, until further proven, his starting tactics cost us. Pulled Drogba to the side, "Hey Didier, go win this for us." Something to provide motivation or anything to pump the team up, and it was shown last night in the second half, just not the right players on the field that could have been. Hoping and praying he looks into the squad for the away leg as i still have hope

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

With all the tactical geniuses we have in here it should actually be quite easy to recruit the next manager. The answer to all your managerial problems lie within here Roman

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Essien, Romeu, Ramires

Essien's power could have been a great component, then subbed off for Mikel.

Romeu stabilizing the midfield.

Ramires's energy leading the counter attack

His lineup was illogical, what comes into play is something we can't possibly know, either biased thinking in picking the Portuguese or proving a point to the Senior Players, until further proven, his starting tactics cost us. Pulled Drogba to the side, "Hey Didier, go win this for us." Something to provide motivation or anything to pump the team up, and it was shown last night in the second half, just not the right players on the field that could have been. Hoping and praying he looks into the squad for the away leg as i still have hope

I got something to pump the Drogs of war:

[Justin_3d 1,140]

With all the tactical geniuses we have in here it should actually be quite easy to recruit the next manager. The answer to all your managerial problems lie within here Roman

:goodpost:

[Santiago. 1,500]

With all the tactical geniuses we have in here it should actually be quite easy to recruit the next manager. The answer to all your managerial problems lie within here Roman

Who the fuck claimed AVB should be sacked?

[Tomo 21,733]

The players 'revolting' against him should be sacked immediately but we all know that won't happen.

[eldo 868]

Malouda starting made sense. Afterall most of members here want Mata to be played in the middle.

[communicate 2,703]

This myth that Guardiola is just a lucky passenger on the Barca steamtrain is annoying.

Under Rijkard Barca had just finished 3rd, TEN points behind Villareal and nearly 20 behind Madrid, they had over-egotistical and/or past it players (sound familar?) like Thuram, Zambrotta, Deco, Ronaldinho and Eto'o, he put all 5 up for transfer, 4 left Eto'o only saved himself by a change of attitude but even he was gone the summer after.

Also when Pep took over, Iniesta, Xavi and Messi were obvious talent's but nowhere near the world beating level they are today and what makes Pep extra special is he never stands still.

1st season he wins the treble but still goes straight out in the market for Ibra and Maxwell aswell as promoting Pedro.

2nd season, another league title, does he settle for that? no straight in the market and gets Villa and Mascerano in.

3rd season, 3rd league title in a row do what does he do? sign Sanchez, Cesc and promote Thiago.

Pep has won Barca more titles than the 10 years previous to his takeover where they won 2 Ronaldinho inspired titles.

Pep is just as important to Barca as Messi, if not more.

Good post, it's not just about his signing. If you have watched barca for the past 3 years, he always try to make his team better

- Moving messi from right to center so that he can be more influential

- Against team that try to press them like Madrid, he put alexis to play as poacher so that Barca has more direct option in attack

- In the second-half against madrid, he moved puyol to the right and alves to winger and Barca made a comeback

It's true barca has a fantastic squad but guardiola is a very good manager

[Henrique 9,133]

If Rafa ever becomes Chelsea manager I will seriously worry about my mental state. Surely the Chelsea board cannot be that stupid?

Shocking that 47.42% think Chelsea will be better off with Rafa.

I need a lie down.

To be fair, I do believe we would be in a better moment If Rafa was the manager, but he is not the right man for a long term project.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Here seems to be the reason the starting eleven was chosen vs Napoli. Don't know how credible but where there's smoke theirs fire.

http://www.emirates247.com/sports/football/chelsea-s-avb-commits-managerial-suicide-2012-02-22-1.444412

[warnie_666 1,081]

This Player Power should STOP. The players know they can have their way from past experience. NOW THIS SHOULD STOP. THEY SHOULD BE KICKED OUT!! I dont care if its Lampard, Drogba, Terry or Cole. I am fed up of these seniors who keep questioning Managers like Scolari, AVB, Carlo, etc

[mnmontero 78]

At this point sacking AVB will only bring more uncertainty and more tactical problems. As stated as everyone before me, the players are the ones that are having problems with the system, they are the ones that do whatever they want on the field what can Villas Boa do? Does he play? NO. He is the manager he is a tactician and a orator. Yes he screams, kicks and jumps when on the field as a normal player. But he does it from a box (and he is not a goalkeeper), if players some players are not responding to this is their fault.

Chelsea is tainted, and sadly it is tainted by their own legends. They have a hierarchy, Drogba, Cole, Lampart, Terry they are in power right now because without a regular manager they have taken the charge of the father figure, of course Abramovic is the grandpa with all the money, but they act selfishly. I think I'm jumping too hard by the next statement I'm going to make and I will get some hate out of it but is how I feel.

In my opinion Lampard one of our most beloved legends is killing us from inside, he underperforms and I can bet he is screwing with the other players brains, this is a guy with a 3 digit IQ he is not dumb and he knows from past experience that he is a agent of influence in the dressing room. I'm very sure that he has something to do with the recent reports of arguments between players and manager. Sadly manipulation is a very strong tool.

I just hope this period we are going through passes by before the end of the season I would be heart broken if we don't classify to the Champions League. The best option right now to Lampard would be to retire and seek his managing career I can see him become one of the greatest managers.