The Roberto Di Matteo Thread

[capriccioso 2,545]

He had a 48% winning record with West Brom. That's very good for a team of that stature. Only lost 24 out of 83, as well; hopefully he can translate that to Chelsea losing about 5 per 83.

[francozola 2,040]

I can't judge him at all based on last season's form. After the Napoli game we basically gave up on the league. Our performances in the Prem were hardly much better than under AVB. Take the Spurs home game for example. If we had won that, at that point in time we would have been favourites for 4th. But we didn't turn up that day despite a totally full-strength side playing. After that result it was clear what the priorities were.

I'm glad he's been given a new contract and am looking forward to seeing how he handles his "own" team. Last season had too many external factors so can't really say how much was actually down to him and him completely. His man-management is good though, and he's pragmatic, not naive like AVB was.

EDIT: Also, even though we did indeed have weaker players playing against Arsenal & Liverpool in the league, it's not as if we played the reserves as Spike pointed out. Those players should have been good enough to perform better. I'm not blaming this on RDM but basically it kinda shows what a weak squad we had last season and that many of those fringe players simply did not have the mentality to fight

[Fhaarkas 39]

[Ollie 4,400]

You can't judge him on performances too much last season because he was using the same players that had struggled for 18 months. The thing with him is that he got the squad feeling good again, feeling happy, feeling that they want to play and give their all. He got them winning games and fighting. It wasn't pretty but he got them winning.

The most important thing about a football team is players' morale and relationship with the manager. If everything's hunky-dory behind closed doors, it will show on the pitch. If there are problems 'back stage', again.... it will show.

AVB tried too hard to put his foot down and take control and be 'boss' and it backfired on him. Robbie is true blue, a Chelsea hero and one of the lads who already has their respect. You can have the biggest name in the world but it doesn't beat a good relationship between a manager and his players.

When i saw Robbie and Eddie sitting in the WBA dug-out, i wished they were here. I'm so happy they are now and i hope they can win the Premiership. To see Robbie and Eddie lift the prem would be a dream. I'm really, genuinely so excited for the next couple of years.

[blue_swaggin_96 96]

people say preasure and he had none when he took over from AVB, he had nothing to lose!

i seriously hate this comments, well because we still had a good chance of finishing above 4th, CL was just a dream, but then when we made it to the semi finale and beat barsa, everything changed, we started playing our second string! enough of with being irrelevent!

know lets look @ the napoli win

basically with out " Weakest squard in years " RDM did a great job, he didnt have the hiddink chelsea or the grant chelsea that was far superior!

i would bet my house will be top of the league and have good feeling retain our european glory next season,

RB

RW

GOOD BACK ST. hopefully jovetic!

we'll be the greatest decade

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

GOOD BACK ST. hopefully jovetic!

What about Sturridge?.....

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I understand some people's concerns about this appointment and they have valid points (SeB's post was typically excellent). Yes Robbie has not yet proved to be a world-class manager despite his accomplishments last season, but he surely hasn't proved to an awful manager. I am glad he got the chance to prove that he is good enough to manage Chelsea because I think last season's accomplishments, though may not be due to managerial and tactical brilliance, have justified taking a risk on him and giving him a shot to prove himself.

[blue_swaggin_96 96]

What about Sturridge?.....

lets be honest here, i don't believe he'll thrive here, im not to optimistic about youth players this days, maybe Roman has spoil some chelsea fans, but thas just me.

[Ollie 4,400]

It would've been an embarrassment to sack a manager who won the FA Cup and Champions League. We've been called a lot of things by a lot of people in the past, the way we've let managers come and go but i'm glad Roman has dodged this one. It's only right that Di Matteo gets his spot. He deserves it without doubt. It may have happened by accident but we got our bright young fresh manager and he happens to be a real blue blood. Destiny.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

lets be honest here, i don't believe he'll thrive here, im not to optimistic about youth players this days, maybe Roman has spoil some chelsea fans, but thas just me.

Well that's just wrong. I don't even see what's special about Jovetic. He doesn't look any Better than Sturridge so I would stick with Sturridge. He hasn't had a chance to play as a CF.

[Milan 17,955]

Speaking to The Guardian, the 42-year-old said: "We certainly want to do better in the league.

"Last season was a difficult one and we want to bridge that gap between us and the two Manchester teams and, obviously, continue to do well in the cup competitions.

"I had a wonderful break with my family, it was very enjoyable, but now the work starts. I have to start planning for pre-season."

[The Skipper 20,609]

lets be honest here, i don't believe he'll thrive here, im not to optimistic about youth players this days, maybe Roman has spoil some chelsea fans, but thas just me.

Daniel will surprise you, and many others, if he plays as "back up" to Torres next season.