What Was The Most Absurd Appointment

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

The Fat Cunt

*don't like calling him Rafa, feels like I'm a Liverpool fan

[MHL 47 378]

I don't disagree with any of that, but I think Roman decided he would put up with it for 6 months. Let's be honest, the short-term thinking of the first decade of Roman's ownership has left us in a bit of shit. The Champions League win papered over a lot of cracks in terms of a dearth of players aged about 25 who we simply never bought in and we've still not replaced Mourinho.

I struggle to believe that Roman wouldn't have known, or been made aware of the depth of ill feeling towards RB. Therefore either he simply didn't care what that meant for a lot of fans or had other motives for bringing him in, Or was extremely poorly advised, as he may have been regarding the comings in and departures. Anyone could see we were short of a Striker and someone in midfield to act as a ball winner and shield for the centre-halves.

The Club World Cup might have bought Rafa a bit of peace (and he's definitely got to beat Leeds) but now his job is simply to get top four and then leave. This last 18 months from AVB's appointment to the JT stuff, and then the Mikel stuff has been pretty awful with some real high spots.

Unfortunately we didn't and unless we become extremely resilient and willing to win the battle first and then let our better footballers do their stuff tomorrow evening, I can see it being nasty tomorrow, with Warlock sending his team of assembled thugs and delightful characters such as Diouf to stick it well and truly up us. Agreed we've managed to create a number of s**t-storms, albeit aided by some creative rule making and sensationalism.

This summer needs to see some real changes and that may include the last remnants of Mourinho's team leaving (even JT). In an ideal world I'd like a clean break at the top of the club and there is an ideal man for that who would help our image but this is complete pie in the sky thinking - Seb Coe.

Personally the best football I've seen was the Robben, Duff team so I'm not so keen to forget the Mourinho era or method, I loved it. Nothing will change much at the top of the club unless Roman has an epiphany and decides that maybe he does need a bit of honest advice and some guidance. We can have a Chairman such as you suggest but his worth is almost worthless unless he is allowed influence (Coe is a true fan too, often see him walking in along past the old Fulham Tup, with his family). My own feeling is the model we've developed is now set and to be fair to Roman has worked in as much as we are successful trophy wise as any club in the country. Problem is all the collateral damage along the way.

Still think that RB was a foolish choice, Roman may have had limited choices but this one is causing divisions that may not simply heal by bringing a new man in next season.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Grant.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I hate to be "that guy" but this doesn't make sense. I mean Grant was always going to be a natural interim after Mourinho left, so it was logical. Scolari too wasn't that far-fetched, he was a very successful coach on the International scene, a World Cup winner. He was great a knock out competitions, which the Champions League was. Of course Rafa's the only one here that is actually absurd, but then you have to remember.. What other coach was actually available when Di Matteo was snaked?

[Tomo 21,751]

The one i actually found most bewildering was Ranieri (are we only counting Roman era)?

We have just replaced a manager who got us CL football for the first time and won us the FA Cup for a manager who relegated Ath.Madrid.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

Simply put.. Rafa, hate him

[The only place to be 11,313]

I struggle to believe that Roman wouldn't have known, or been made aware of the depth of ill feeling towards RB. Therefore either he simply didn't care what that meant for a lot of fans or had other motives for bringing him in, Or was extremely poorly advised, as he may have been regarding the comings in and departures. Anyone could see we were short of a Striker and someone in midfield to act as a ball winner and shield for the centre-halves.

Unfortunately we didn't and unless we become extremely resilient and willing to win the battle first and then let our better footballers do their stuff tomorrow evening, I can see it being nasty tomorrow, with Warlock sending his team of assembled thugs and delightful characters such as Diouf to stick it well and truly up us. Agreed we've managed to create a number of s**t-storms, albeit aided by some creative rule making and sensationalism.

Personally the best football I've seen was the Robben, Duff team so I'm not so keen to forget the Mourinho era or method, I loved it. Nothing will change much at the top of the club unless Roman has an epiphany and decides that maybe he does need a bit of honest advice and some guidance. We can have a Chairman such as you suggest but his worth is almost worthless unless he is allowed influence (Coe is a true fan too, often see him walking in along past the old Fulham Tup, with his family). My own feeling is the model we've developed is now set and to be fair to Roman has worked in as much as we are successful trophy wise as any club in the country. Problem is all the collateral damage along the way.

Still think that RB was a foolish choice, Roman may have had limited choices but this one is causing divisions that may not simply heal by bringing a new man in next season.

Agree with all of that too. I think Roman knew but simply how Rafa was viewed but simply decided to press on with it because he's looking at a much bigger picture. The guy sees us with a top manager (Guardiola) moving towards a more self-sustaining period through the academy and scouting systems, on the way to a new stadium somewhere fairly local and with the club becoming bigger overseas. i think he just decided 'fuck it' and go for a bit of short-term pain.

Not looking forward to the Leeds game because I think you're right about Warnock. Leaving in a few hours for it and I'm going to be sick the whole way up.

Coe is my ideal choice. A man of integrity, beloved by everyone in this country and a bit further abroad and like you say, a proper Chelsea fan. I remember seeing him years ago at the Bridge, usually around the ramp that used to lead into the East Stand (him and Alec Stewart used to hang around there from what I recall), and I think it would help our image enormously. Those days of Duff and Robben were fantastic but the whole club is moving towards something a little different underpinned by better longer-term planning.

[MHL 47 378]

Agree with all of that too. I think Roman knew but simply how Rafa was viewed but simply decided to press on with it because he's looking at a much bigger picture. The guy sees us with a top manager (Guardiola) moving towards a more self-sustaining period through the academy and scouting systems, on the way to a new stadium somewhere fairly local and with the club becoming bigger overseas. i think he just decided 'fuck it' and go for a bit of short-term pain.

Not looking forward to the Leeds game because I think you're right about Warnock. Leaving in a few hours for it and I'm going to be sick the whole way up.

Coe is my ideal choice. A man of integrity, beloved by everyone in this country and a bit further abroad and like you say, a proper Chelsea fan. I remember seeing him years ago at the Bridge, usually around the ramp that used to lead into the East Stand (him and Alec Stewart used to hang around there from what I recall), and I think it would help our image enormously. Those days of Duff and Robben were fantastic but the whole club is moving towards something a little different underpinned by better longer-term planning.

On the way up there myself, just waiting for the coach to leave the bridge. Take it easy, and mind yourself up there, it might get a bit Dooley, if you know what I mean.

[The only place to be 11,313]

On the way up there myself, just waiting for the coach to leave the bridge. Take it easy, and mind yourself up there, it might get a bit Dooley, if you know what I mean.

I'm driving up separately and leaving the shirt at home today. If it wasn't so near Christmas and I didn't need to look so pretty I might brave it.

Plus I'm going up with the old man. If things get hairy he's slower than me.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

I'm driving up separately and leaving the shirt at home today. If it wasn't so near Christmas and I didn't need to look so pretty I might brave it.

Plus I'm going up with the old man. If things get hairy he's slower than me.

On the way up there myself, just waiting for the coach to leave the bridge. Take it easy, and mind yourself up there, it might get a bit Dooley, if you know what I mean.

Give 'em hell lads...well, stay safe at least. It's not just the Leeds supporters that like to fight...I remember this particularly shining Leeds moment.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-22823/Savage-attack-Leeds-players.html

[The only place to be 11,313]

Give 'em hell lads...well, stay safe at least. It's not just the Leeds supporters that like to fight...I remember this particularly shining Leeds moment.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-22823/Savage-attack-Leeds-players.html

Give Woodgate some credit for not injuring himself doing that.

Anyways, off to Elland Road for the first time in over 15 years. COME ON YOU BLUES! :blue scalf: