just

Interesting Sofa. So it appears that Jose CAN assemble a top notch squad and is not simply a Mr Motivator manager. Logically, with all that he has won in the game already, he obviously must have far more to his coaching/management methods than the ability to gee players up and get them to bond as a team. The fact that he built and won so much with a relatively unfashionable club such as Porto, and on a shoestring budget compared to the other big hitters in european football, only makes it all the more impressive. PS. Pauly, I changed my avatar after you changed yours to Mr Grant. The day Jose was sacked.

Get organised then. I'm sure as hell not going to make separate trips for you. Henry, you could have been gracious and given mention to some of my previous successes. "We'll never win anything under Ranieri". "Veron will be an even bigger flop with us than he was with Man U". "I don't believe Kezman has the quality we need" Wrote that last one before he even set foot in the door at SB. To be honest Enrico I'm not too sure what, if any, opinions you have on football. I've never seen you offer much in-depth opinion on any footballing subject. Either here or on the old CSR in your original incarnation - Henry from Singapore. I do remember you saying you didn't rate english football. I do remember you saying you liked Italian football. I do remember you revelling in Zidane's sending off in the WC final. Other than that, not much else. Does beg the question though, if you don't like english football why pretend to follow an english team? At least your two old friends, Pauly and G4, do voice opinions and are prepared to argue them at length, (always at length! You two have waaaaaaaay too much time on your hands). And although I might not agree with them very often, I do respect the fact they are prepared to state their case and debate the finer points of something they believe in. Which you don't do. What you do spend most of your posts doing is intentionally winding up some of the other regulars in a pretty inane, humourless and nasty way. Your choice to follow that path of course, but like I said before, it's always you that ends up looking the wally.

Here you are again Henry! With yet another lame attempt at being funny at somelse's expense. Your schoolboy little digs and antagonisim of other posters is very Brian M esque in style. To be fair to Bri, he could, on occaisions actually write something, (often unintentionally), that was funny. Whereas you, as has been pointed out before, have never written anything with even the slightest comedy value. You have never been able to do humour. I don't know why. Perhaps it's because you are from Singapore and the humour is different. Anyway, in case your mum hasn't told you, the net result is you come across as a bit of a wally. Back to the thread. G4, did Jose inherit his team at Porto or was he the main architect of that UEFA Cup and CL winning side? I don't know, perhaps Sofa Manager could answer that for us?

Threads like this are why these forums are head and shoulders above all the others. Genius Mike, Pure Genius. But why was Ruudi never your ideal Doctor? John Neal was my Pertwee, but Ruud G was the timelord I'll thank for saving the world. PS: Dorset - "Paddy Hasty" Sounds like an Irish porn star!

Vialli. Ruud G was sacked after he had taken us to our first major trophy in 26 years, and when were 2nd in the EPL and in two cup-semi finals. Has that ever happened to any other manager? Luca was succesful. But it was Ruud's team. And we played "sexy football".

I think you're off base on that one Bluenut. I'm 100% certain Ranners wanted Veronimo. Despite his drastic failure at the Theatre of Muppets. Claudio thought Veron could reproduce what he had in Serie A, when he looked the donkey's doo dahs in practically every game. Unfortunately, Ranners hadn't taken into account the huge differences between the two footballing cultures. Most notably the frenetic pace and lack of space associated with an EPL midfield. Hence, (as many people predicted), the Baldy One was again a fish out of water. And an expensive, dismal, laughable misfit once more.

Something must have stung. Tad agressive there Henry/Enrico. Or whatever you want to call yourself.

Lucky you didn't have a great fall Humpty. This is probably gonna be way over your head Henry I know, but sometimes that's how it gets to real supporters. They can get all emotional over something that's important to them. Something they've cared pasionately about for most of their lives. I cried at Wembley in '97 when Wisey and the boys went up the steps to collect that cup after 26 years of nothing. I was with my father, (a lifelong Chelsea supporter), and there were tears in his eyes as well. Imagine that. Two grown men crying. What a pair of tossers eh?

Glad you enjoyed the night Sandnes. You certainly rode your luck at times, (with Drogba up front I feel it would have been a very different result), especially 2nd half but the goal gave you some belief and confidence and your lads worked their socks off. Jose said as much after the match. Fair play to them. As regards to the support, I didn't go to the game, but on the TV your fans sounded pretty vocal. Certainly had a few blonde stunners amongst your lot! Strong possibilty I may be over for the return leg at your place in November. See you then.

Wouldn't call it an exodus, but yes, I do expect one or two to follow him out of the door at the end of the season. And those one or two may well be major, key players. Depends on 4 things IMO. 1. Who takes over from Jose. 2. How the players respect/get on with the new man. 3. Where Jose ends up next. 4. How well we do between now and the end of the season. In respect of no:1, surely Roman, Buck and Kenyon already have a few candidates lined up ?

My father was there to see us win the League in '55, he never thought he'd see us win it again. I certainly never believed I'd see Chelsea win the top title in my lifetime. Your reign saw us have the most succesful period the club has ever known. You truly were the "Special One". Thank you Jose.

I did. At half-time. I was hoping to raise a laugh at what was a pretty grim performance. In my defence there were five jokers who voted for Shev on Saturday!

But he didn't leave there permanently did he? He was also still popping up alongside Terry and around the box. You need to be careful G4 you are moving into conspiracy territory here.

yes it is, however when terry went forward, sheva went deep and stayed deep. it's not the first time he's been put into an area you could only describe as "midfield". He actually drifted out to the left for a bit as well. Again, I don't think Jose instructed him to go out there either. It's just his natural instincts to drift into different positions. Not just for us but also in his time at Milan and for Ukraine.

Cole's ball into the box first few minutes of the 2nd half? You'll not see a better cross than that all season. . I have already said that was a great ball - we will see many balls this season as good as it and probably quite a few better however it was still a cracking ball. But again I say it was nowhere near enough to redeem a dismal performance. Cole wasn't good tonight for sure Loz, (for the whole 90 I don't think anyone was!), but, com'on, you'll not see a more inviting cross. A ball like that into an uncrowded box is a good centre-forward's bread and butter. 8 times of 10 that has to put away. And it wasn't. Beglin said as much on the commentary.

I think I've pointed this out before, but one thing I have noticed with him since he has been here is he doesn't very often try to anticipate. By that I mean to gamble and cut across in front opponents. He seems to wait until a pass is hit. possibly an indication that the day to day coaching features little attacking work? how many times do we have to see him calling for passes, pointing to where he wants the ball only to receive it too late or not at all? it's hardly a surprise IF he's not gambling (and I'm not sure I agree with that) if no understanding with the other players has been built. Yes, but calling for passes whilst standing behind, or level with, a defender. Hence, those balls are invariably cut out. He is not making the initial movement to get across or behind the defender. He's not making the assist easy. Believe me, it makes it a hell of a lot harder to complete the pass when you have to get it around the opponent. Also I don't think he was "dropped deep" as you seem to be infering. In fact with us chasing the points I'm pretty certain JM didn't tell him to go back and play in front of the midfield. If you watch him, it's an area he often likes to drop into.

Cole's ball into the box first few minutes of the 2nd half? You'll not see a better cross than that all season. To be fair Shev had a better 2nd period than the first. He stayed on his feet more for starters. And he can't complain of service in the 2nd 45. Lots of balls into and around the Norwegians box to thrive on. The run and lay off to Kalou was probably his best moment with the ball. But still not enough to get all wet and sticky over. I think I've pointed this out before, but one thing I have noticed with him since he has been here is he doesn't very often try to anticipate. By that I mean to gamble and cut across in front opponents. He seems to wait until a pass is hit.

Loz, I can't believe you really think Sheva has done Ok. I thought he was playing on roller skates for most of that 45. He can only get better 2nd half.

Very poor all round so far. For me, only Cashley and Maka came out of that half with any credit. Still, I'm hopeful things will change. I can understand why people are getting all nostalgic for Robben tonight. Rosenborg are certainly the calibre of opposition he'd be up for.

G4, why do you and Pauly begin many of your posts with.............................. "ha, ha" ? I have a vision in my head of two Alan Partridges discussing football in a motorway Tavelodge.................... Back of the net.

Talk about damned with faint praise!!! He was done from behind, (oh, er!), when jinking away from Bentley in the first 3 minutes. He carried the ball forward wonderfully but often had little to aim for in front of him, (Sheva and Kalou). He played Belletti in for the cross on the goal, he hit a wonderful volleyed, first-time, cross-field pass from the edge of our box to set up a swift counter. All told, (as is usual when he plays), he gave us a tempo and forward momentum that few others give us. Granted towards the end of the match when we were getting desperate he hit a couple of stupid shots when he should have kept possession but, hey, even Frankie is prone to doing that.

Nick, I played football for a very long time with a close friend. A long time ago we both got to play for a bit at a reasonable level. My mate played all his life at right back. Thing was, he was never what I would term a good footballer. Technically he really was quite poor. But boy, was he an athlete. Strong, stamina,(regularly ran half-marathons), 110% concentration and comittment every game. He was also the best man-marker I ever saw at our level. But his over-riding asset was his pace. He was rapid with a capital R. G4 would probably say I am describing Ashley Cole here. And, yes, they were very similar players. However, when my friend reached 31ish his pace disappeared. Literally, or so it appeared at the time, in the space of a few weeks. He just couldn't accelerate anymore. The legs wouldn't do it. He is actually still playing local Saturday afternoon reserve team football at the ripe old age of 47. Fair play to him. But he was never, ever the same player or played at as high a level after he lost that yard of speed. Age catches up with everyone. Some sooner than others. And the effects can be immediate.

OK Pauly. We give in. It's all Mourinho's fault. Just like it was all Ferguson's and Ranieri's fault with Veron.

All absolutely true. I don't see how anyone can question his attitude or comittment either. He is obviously giving his all. That's what makes it so sad. The brain is still in top gear but the body can't get out of second.

Long, long ago, way before Russian billionaires were invented, in a far off place called the old CSR myself, Butch, Loz and I think if memory serves me right, Tea Bar Boy, used to regularly discuss our mutual admiration of Mr Barry and hope that some of the limited funds available at that time be spent to bring him to Stamford Bridge. Gareth Barry has always been a good player. A very good player.