Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

[Fulham Broadway 16,862]

This bloke has it nailed, sadly seems so true

http://www.chelseafcblog.com/2013/02/24/premier-league-manchester-city-2-0-chelsea-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire/

[Changingman_2000 876]

This bloke has it nailed, sadly seems so true

http://www.chelseafcblog.com/2013/02/24/premier-league-manchester-city-2-0-chelsea-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire/

Brilliant read, and I agree with every word (aside from the fact that he doesn't despise the Fat one - I most certainly do). He has put it from our point of view, the fans, and its hard to argue with any of it. Roman's time may well be up, what he has done with TFSW was just appalling and showed a complete lack of respect for the fans. Buck and Gourlay are scum of the very highest order and as for TFSW, he is delusional, dysfunctional and a complete fucking ponce.

[Fulham Broadway 16,862]

Brilliant read, and I agree with every word (aside from the fact that he doesn't despise the Fat one - I most certainly do). He has put it from our point of view, the fans, and its hard to argue with any of it. Roman's time may well be up, what he has done with TFSW was just appalling and showed a complete lack of respect for the fans. Buck and Gourlay are scum of the very highest order and as for TFSW, he is delusional, dysfunctional and a complete fucking ponce.

Yup first and foremost get rid of lard arse - and its good the author sees the deeper malaise-a complete lack of 'football' people higher up the chain. We all know top level football is now a business, but the Barcas, Yerniteds etc have people that know about the game as well as marketing

[English Freak 456]

The Di Matteo sacking still makes no sense. He helps Chelsea win the UCL...but just because he's not first choice manager according to the board...at the first sign of a slump in form, he pays the price.

Honestly, what do the board want? Like instant success Or you get the sack? No decent manager would want to join Chelsea if they have to keep worrying about the sack as soon as we start drawing/loosing 5-6 games in a row

[bushman 2,043]

I doubt Roman is looking for customers only.

After all, he spent close to one billion for Chelsea. Is he surrounded by idiots ? I believe, he is.

Many people know dick about him. Any hearsay is just not good enough to judge Roman, I feel.

[Fulham Broadway 16,862]

The Di Matteo sacking still makes no sense. He helps Chelsea win the UCL...but just because he's not first choice manager according to the board...at the first sign of a slump in form, he pays the price.

Honestly, what do the board want? Like instant success Or you get the sack? No decent manager would want to join Chelsea if they have to keep worrying about the sack as soon as we start drawing/loosing 5-6 games in a row

..and how petty is it to remove the massive Champions League Winning team photo at the Bridge and replace it with Di Matteo airbrushed out ??

[The only place to be 11,313]

This bloke has it nailed, sadly seems so true

http://www.chelseafcblog.com/2013/02/24/premier-league-manchester-city-2-0-chelsea-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire/

Last week our youth team beat Barca's 2-0 away.

Lukaku scored two goals and looked every inch the beat we thought we'd signed.

Courtois is arguably the top young goalkeeper in world football.

De Bruyne looked comfortable against the team we faced in last season's CL Final (which we won btw).

Chalobah continues to impress at Watford.

Hazard, Oscar and Mata are three of the most skillful players we've ever had.

Now I understand why the author of that piece might feel the way he does, but it is a kneejerk reaction and nothing more. Football supporters tend to live in the moment because we're emotional beasts and we love the club, and there's no doubt that we're in a bad spot right now but the future is definitely bright.

But when this person says this

Then replace Emenalo with Hiddink.

Then in the summer recruit Mourinho to come back and rebuild the fortress and restore our former formidable reputation.

Then sack Gourlay and employ a proper CEO who knows the football business. As in knows football. And also knows business. That Peter Kenyon chap seemed to know a bit about both.

Then Roman, walk away. Sell the club. Move away from everything Chelsea. I trust you to sell to the right people but your time is done. You’ve used us to gain the respectability you crave. It’s time to move on and let new money, new ideas and new visions to set the club’s strategy. Yes, Roman, strategy. All top ‘businesses’ have it. Lots of top clubs have it. Even Arsenal have it. You don’t though, and whilst you don’t then neither does the club outside of building the brand and attracting revenue.

Then you have to ask 'what the fuck? He doesn't say why we should sack these people or what exactly they've done wrong. It's pathetic.

But not as pathetic as calling for Roman to leave. This is where the author goes from 'normal fan despairing' to 'spoilt child trying to walk this club off a cliff'. Roman's tenure has been erratic at times, but its been working towards something bigger than this club ever dreamt of being just 10 years ago. He's made mistakes, but he's not made the same ones and he's trying to give the fans what they want (stability in the managerial position, a younger squad, sustainable success).

Yes we're struggling but some people need perspective.

[coolhead23 1,146]

a very good read ... the author has really a gift of playing with his words... agree to most of it.

But Roman to sell the club? Honestly how many us were supporting Chelsea in the pre-Roman era? He has really taken this club to heights which no one expected. I agree his idea or rather the board's idea is all like the instant noodles but we cant overwrite the fact what he has done.
Yes there is a immediate shift needed in the personals who advising Roman or are a part of the club's advisory committee at this point of time. We can just hope and pray that it happens at the earliest.

[bushman 2,043]

The author is totally clueless about Roman.

Where was Chelsea before Roman came ? I know. Middle of the pack club. Under Roman the club won something Chelsea fans have not seen before. That´s the fact.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I think it's a piss-poor piece of prose if I'm being honest.

You can't take a subject like Roman's reign as owner and fail to acknowledge what is being built for the future. If you don't want to give a judgment on that then don't choose a pun-laden title like 'The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire'.

If you must persist with that then you have to acknowledge that Rome wasn't built in a day, but our own Roman tried very hard to do that and suffered the inevitable failure less than a decade later. What's reassuring about him is that he's shown signs of trying to rectify his mistakes which is why there is hope for the future. The narrative of Chelsea doesn't begin in 2003 and end in 2013.

Also, calling Roman a devil and then asking him to leave so invariably leads to the old idiom of 'better the devil you know' that one can't fail to notice the lack of self-awareness of the author. Like I said I can understand where he's coming from but the conclusions he reaches are so clueless that they have little real value. It's at best a hit piece, if it wasn't so poorly researched.

[bushman 2,043]

Only an idiot would want Roman to leave. We all should admire him for being so generous with his money.

As for Chelsea future, just look at all those young talented players Roman already bought in recent years.

Chelsea´s future is bright in my opinion.

[English Freak 456]

Only an idiot would want Roman to leave. We all should admire him for being so generous with his money.

As for Chelsea future, just look at all those young talented players Roman already bought in recent years.

Chelsea´s future is bright in my opinion.

Yep it's bright if we bring in the right manager...

We need a manager that can help bridge the gap between our talented U-21 team and our first team squad..

I just hope the board makes the right call..(whether it's José, Moyes or someone else)...and then gives the manager at least 2 seasons to settle in at the club.

[Steve 10,227]

For those who don’t know they’ve already replaced the team photo outside Stamford Bridge of the Champions League winners with a new one where Robbie Di Matteo has been airbrushed out.

Makes me sick.

[Hutcho 8,443]

I think it's a piss-poor piece of prose if I'm being honest.

You can't take a subject like Roman's reign as owner and fail to acknowledge what is being built for the future. If you don't want to give a judgment on that then don't choose a pun-laden title like 'The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire'.

If you must persist with that then you have to acknowledge that Rome wasn't built in a day, but our own Roman tried very hard to do that and suffered the inevitable failure less than a decade later. What's reassuring about him is that he's shown signs of trying to rectify his mistakes which is why there is hope for the future. The narrative of Chelsea doesn't begin in 2003 and end in 2013.

Also, calling Roman a devil and then asking him to leave so invariably leads to the old idiom of 'better the devil you know' that one can't fail to notice the lack of self-awareness of the author. Like I said I can understand where he's coming from but the conclusions he reaches are so clueless that they have little real value. It's at best a hit piece, if it wasn't so poorly researched.

I kind of agree tbh. I did think the article was a good read, but one thing that is forgotten is that supporters memories are often short, and if we sack benitez, bring in a good manager and the players start playing for the club, and putting in good performances, that feeling and atmosphere will return. I get his point, and things seem doom and gloom now. But in 6 months time it is quite likely a lot of those feelings could have subsided. Get rid of Rafa, and torres, draw a line under it. Bring in a respected manager. Ideally Jose, but moyes or anyone who is not rafa would be appreciated, then we will start to see a period of "rise".

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Makes me sick.

True?

[bushman 2,043]

Yep it's bright if we bring in the right manager...

We need a manager that can help bridge the gap between our talented U-21 team and our first team squad..

I just hope the board makes the right call..(whether it's José, Moyes or someone else)...and then gives the manager at least 2 seasons to settle in at the club.

Well, soon Rafa leaves & we all will see who comes next.

I also believe, Chelsea needs better management too. I do not agree with some of those loans.

Just one thing I´d like to know. Is it true someone airbrushed Di M picture ?

No wonder Chelsea is one of the most hated clubs around. it´s fucking sick.

[Fulham Broadway 16,862]

Doesnt matter if we get a good manager -the problem lies deeper than that -if hes popular he'll be sacked anyway

[Hutcho 8,443]

I thought someone said that rumour wasn't true?

If they did, then its so fucking stupid.