Time To Reflect

[misschief 24]

Posted this on another forum and haven't been slated for it.........yet.

Rumour has it we were practically on the eve of bankruptcy when Roman stepped in to become our saviour. Cue a spending spree to alert the Premiership to a new era at The Bridge. To the press, a wankfest of ‘Loadsamoney’ headlines, to long time supporters, all a bit surreal as an almost orgasmic squad of players was being put together. The Tinkerman, however, did not fit this new multi-million pound, star-studded image and his days were very publicly numbered. As much as Ranieri had eventually grown on me during his time with us, I have to admit to being one of many who believed his constant tinkering would prevent any real challenge on the title. So, when Mourinho was tipped in the press as next in line to the ever revolving hotseat, it presented somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand, here was this cocky Portugese bloke I’d already taken a disliking to from his Porto departure and yet, even before that infamous interview, there really did seem something special about him. Needless to say, my initial impression was soon as distant from my memory as the dippers last title.

First season under Mourinho couldn’t have gone better. Like a well-oiled machine, it didn’t take us long to find our momentum and it took an equally short space of time before the confidence Jose instilled in the team spread to the supporters. Somehow we just knew we’d win the games. The player’s heads were somehow held a little higher, they were playing with what seemed to be a newfound belief and defensively we were as tight as Wenger in the transfer market. As for TSO, here was a man who was showing us he knew how to win games. If we were deadlocked, his substitutions were inspired, if we were lacklustre in the first half, the impact of his team talk produced the desired effect. Little wonder we were all soon worshipping at the feet of the new messiah.

Second season and the changes in personnel were starting to reflect in our overall game. Not exactly sexy football, but still, Jose knew what he was doing. Subtle changes appeared in that belief too. Oh, we were still winning games, like dogs with bones in fact, just never knew when we were beat - and god help anyone who stood in our way. But it was a different type of belief now. Gone was the euphoria of winning a title most of us never thought we’d see in out lifetimes, to be replaced by expectancy. Short memories indeed.

Third season and it was getting harder to ignore the critics. Naturally we still defended our style of play, after all, it might not have been “edge of your seat” excitement, but it was effective wasn’t it? It was, wasn’t it? Clearly, the games were getting harder to win, irrespective of the opposition, every game became a constant battle - but we‘d fight to the death, be it the opposition, the press or authority. And as for not winning the title, well, it was hardly Jose’s fault our very expensive, but injury ravaged squad had to take on the press, them nasty officials who insisted on doing their jobs and a much improved Utd.

But, the writing was on the wall and following a summer of Chelsea’s usual very public discontent and a few very un-Jose like performances, the inevitable happened. And we mourned - also very publicly! Why oh why had our knight in shining silverware been so cruelly discarded after all he’d done for us? Was the Russian mad? Could he not see the fairytale the rest of us saw? Or did he, like some our critics feel the storyline had run it’s course and the happy ending wasn’t in this particular script?

Mourinho spent more money during his short time than most clubs would know how to spend in a decade - or longer in most cases. He’d already inherited a decent team and yet insisted on stripping it down and bringing in poorer players, but it was working, so why question it? Having spent the odd million or so assembling his squad, we were all terribly confused when the Russian suddenly closed his wallet. An evil plot to get TSO out no doubt. But how could this be so? After all, who else could motivate these heroes to get out there and battle on every week? Stroke of genius at work I say, I mean why use the whole squad (who clearly became bad players the minute they pulled on a Chelsea shirt, tut, tut) when the walking wounded sufficed? At least it excused us not winning the title.

And so the mourning went on while we eagerly awaited the next chapter. Cue Kenyon and Buck with a lovely little narrative about the new leading man who, we were reliably informed, was going to ‘take us to the next level’. So, the scene was set, the curtain raised and the main man takes centre stage - well actually, sat dribbling a little in the corner, but let’s not split hairs. Ok, so he looked like Shrek and had about the same amount of qualifications, but who were we to question Kenyon’s undoubted faith?

Maybe that seems a bit harsh and to be fair, Grant couldn’t have tried to step into a worse pair of shoes if he‘d tried. I mean from day one, we were comparing the iconic charisma, wit, confidence and self assurance of Mourinho to “uhhhh”. The players it seemed were making exactly the same comparisons as stories of planned departures swamped the headlines. But apart from the uncanny likeness to something from Star Wars, what exactly have we got to be unhappy about? Well, we have a manager brought in, not because of his managerial ability, not because he was some undiscovered diamond in Israel’s rough, but because he’s the Russian’s mate. A nodding dog with a vocabulary not much bigger, who mumbles his way through various interviews with insignificant drivel and the odd contradiction. On the touchline, he wanders around , presumed missing from the local nursing home. In fact, he appears to do very little unless you count exchanging the odd forward for a defender here and there (usually when chasing the game), which is usually met with flying boots, looks of confusion from the players and much jeering from the crowd. In short, he’s a charlatan and anyone with an ounce of grey matter can see he is to football what Harold Shipman was to medicine. To date, he’s brought a £15 million pound striker who’d need about the same amount to buy a goal and an unknown, who’s remained unknown to everyone but the physio so far. And 7 months in, does this ‘next level’ appear any nearer? Maybe Mr Kenyon would like to answer that for us?

The fact is, we've struggled to maintain the level we were at, never mind improve on it, mainly because players just aren’t performing under Grant. He clearly doesn’t offer much in the coaching department, his tactics confuse everyone and he isn’t managing the team.

To be fair to him, maybe the downturn even started during Jose’s second season and it was inevitable it’d come back and bite us on the arse eventually, irrespective of who took over. Despite the funds spent, we just haven’t got what we need where it counts. Take Drogba out of the equation and what have we got up front? Same with Joe Cole on the wings, who else have we got with creativity and a consistent end product? Even defensively now, both Terry and Carvalho have been played to within an inch of their lives. We might have got away with playing ugly and winning then, but even the law of averages is catching up with us now. However, having excused Grant the problems he inherited, its fair to say he hasn’t actually done anything about them. As for the players left behind by Mourinho, their poor form isn’t reflected in their attitudes. Definitely a throwback from his predecessor, Grant now finds himself with a group of Jose clones, complete with arrogant disregard for authority.

What we need is someone with something resembling a track record. Someone respected enough in the world of football to give the players a swift kick up their collective arses and remind them of their place. Someone who actually knows their football and is prepared to make wholesale changes to the squad if that’s what it takes. (NB. Tactical knowledge should be requested from all applicants). We simply don’t have that in Grant right now. Like it or not, he’s just never going to fit in at Chelsea. He’ll never be welcomed with open arms by anyone except maybe the opposition. The overwhelming feeling towards Grant from the home crowd isn’t hatred though, it’s apathy - basically he’s insignificant, unimportant and totally uninspiring.

Time to bring on the pantomime dames to tell us another story anyone?

[Elliott 7]

Perhaps the best post this forum has ever seen.

I can't disagree with a single word.

[changingman2000 35]

I've been off this for a couple of weeks now, number of reasons, one of which were three of our "members" here who decided that it would be a splendid idea to inundate me with tiresome emails, as in "old bastard, behind the times, not welcome on this forum or at the Bridge, scottish cunt, blah, blah, blah....apparently I had become the anti christ "remember calling me that? "......" because of my views.

I agree with every word that Misschief has said, every word, not many will be surprised by that but until this clown is dethroned I wont have any peace. Probably goes against the grain for the younger members but shit happens eh.

Oh, and by the way, ..................I know who you are. what comes round goes round eh?!

[Zola25JT26 0]

Perhaps the best post this forum has ever seen.

I can't disagree with a single word.

I could not agree more.

You 100% hit the nail on the head, misschief.

[oxfordblues 299]

pinned mate,a great piece well done.ps i actually liked ranners

[Elliott 7]

I've been off this for a couple of weeks now, number of reasons, one of which were three of our "members" here who decided that it would be a splendid idea to inundate me with tiresome emails, as in "old bastard, behind the times, not welcome on this forum or at the Bridge, scottish cunt, blah, blah, blah....apparently I had become the anti christ "remember calling me that? "......" because of my views.

I agree with every word that Misschief has said, every word, not many will be surprised by that but until this clown is dethroned I wont have any peace. Probably goes against the grain for the younger members but shit happens eh.

Oh, and by the way, ..................I know who you are. what comes round goes round eh?!

If you're behind the times, and being with the times is to harass loyal fans over their opinion, the current times can go fuck themselves.

[Fulham Broadway 16,384]

Nice summary there Mischief, it's easy to forget how we came to be where we are.

As for CM receiving dodgy e mails, you've got to respect the blokes experience and years being Chelsea. Agree with the 'old bastard' bit though.

[DavidEU 2,023]

I've unpinned this, because it doesnt need to be pinned.

Very good article.

[oxfordblues 299]

I've unpinned this, because it doesnt need to be pinned.

Very good article.

your decision,but i read loads this is the best post on here for donkeys.& thought it worthy of a pinning for abit.i even linked it to Chelsea chat as you can see by the page views.

[changingman2000 35]

Nice summary there Mischief, it's easy to forget how we came to be where we are.

As for CM receiving dodgy e mails, you've got to respect the blokes experience and years being Chelsea. Agree with the 'old bastard' bit though.

Takes one to know one "Albert"

[terry26 6]

brilliant article which is impossible to disagree with

[bigbluewillie 1,805]

what can i say misschief, the feelings of every Chelsea supporter.

i'd love the post to be sent to CFC to be pinned in abramovich's office, for him to know how he's fucked our club up.

regards:JBD

[bombayblue™ 55]

hats off to you mate..

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I've been off this for a couple of weeks now, number of reasons, one of which were three of our "members" here who decided that it would be a splendid idea to inundate me with tiresome emails, as in "old bastard, behind the times, not welcome on this forum or at the Bridge, scottish cunt, blah, blah, blah....apparently I had become the anti christ "remember calling me that? "......" because of my views.

I agree with every word that Misschief has said, every word, not many will be surprised by that but until this clown is dethroned I wont have any peace. Probably goes against the grain for the younger members but shit happens eh.

Oh, and by the way, ..................I know who you are. what comes round goes round eh?!

Actually CM, I've 100% with you. I still go to watch games to support the club and the players but until Grant goes I shalln't see the club in the same light. The most decent thing the man could do is walk out at the end of the season so that he and the club are left with some integrity.

[changingman2000 35]

Actually CM, I've 100% with you. I still go to watch games to support the club and the players but until Grant goes I shalln't see the club in the same light. The most decent thing the man could do is walk out at the end of the season so that he and the club are left with some integrity.

Well said young man and thank you. Only thing is, each passing day that wanker remains in position, The clubs integrity decreases big time.

[Steve 10,227]

great post could not argue with one thing, best post on the board

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Well said young man and thank you. Only thing is, each passing day that wanker remains in position, The clubs integrity decreases big time.

Spot on. We've took a step backwards and everyone knows we have. The sooner he leaves the sooner we can prepare for next season and an onslaught on the PL title.

[Fulham Broadway 16,384]

Then theres the CFC censorship. Mourinho and Ranieri arent allowed to be mentioned in any article or programme according to The Times .

They ran a piece about when Mourinho was instigated, all mention of Ranieri had to be removed from official Chelsea publications.

Similarly the club returned the proof copy of the Carling Cup Final programme and demanded all references to Mournho be removed

So it's up to Mischief to write things like this and all hail to Jim and the internet.