Peeking Duck?

can we please have a non of the above option or an N/A option for those who feel the team played poorly enough to not warrant a MOM?

Quick question Chippy, how often did Jose's team give up jammy set piece goals?

Facts: 1. We were 2 points off the pace when Grant took over. We are now 8 points off the pace (7 if Arsenal don't win tonight) 2. We are 8 points off our total from this same date a year ago with a bigger squad (although similar numbers of injuries) 3. We will not win the league this year and will have to scrap for a top 4 spot. (might also take us out of top CL seeds) 4. We have 4 more years of this to look forward to (Unless Roman has seen enough to warrant an extension already) Happy Christmas! Peek

Those being PSG, Man City, Fenerbahce, and Bolton? Am I missing one?

Maybe he's coming to play for one of the top managers in the world?

It's those type of remarks that are totally unfounded. Especially when we all know he's actually a crepe!

Dear Lord Chippy...bit tetchy about this are we? Whether the article were your words or not is immaterial - no one is having a go at you personally. Just as you use this forum to express your opinions, your original text or not, I am free to use this forum for the same. If that bothers you speak to Loz and maybe he'll ban anyone that doesn't subscribe to your point of view. Also, might I suggest decaf? There are now several brands available just as good as the real thing! all the best, Peek

Finding myself in total agreement with Callista more and more regarding Grant. Calli, your rebuttals to Chippy were spot on and I hope people here read it all. Same goes for the post Jack pasted from CFC net. Simple post that outlines it all in a very neat and succinct fashion. The Grant supporters can moan that some are not backing the club by not backing Grant, but I argue the opposite. We ARE backing the club by not backing Grant. The real problem, as I've stated so many times before, is not the sacking of Mourinho, although I was unhappy about it at the time. The real problem is not bringing in a legitimate manager - and THAT is why the wheels will truly come off this summer when we are forced to sell many of the best players int he world. It will be interesting to hear their side of the story once they're freed from the schackles of the Politburo media management team.

If that's true we are well and truly fecked :(

I have to admit that comparison was a bit tongue in cheek - my point being that I am prepared to judge Grant on how he performs in the job whereas for others just the plain fact that he isn't Jose is enough for him to be slated. The problem is not so much how the supporters don't rate him or accept him. The problem is clearly the players do not rate him, accept him, or believe he will help their careers or bring them silverware in any way, shape or form. If one single senior player were to come out after a match and sing Avram's praises it would give me hope. Instead, they purposefully dance around mentioning his name and instead mention Clark or even Ten Cate if any of the management are to be mentioned at all. Yes, there have been a couple of well orchestrated press releases backing Grant from JT and Ricky, but it's so tranparent it's a non-starter. Results or not - if the players rate him and back him(really back him) then I will, too. But if our star players realise there's something rotten in Denmark and jump ship this summer, then I will never forgive him. How many world class players will want to come here if Drogba or Frank leaves? Malouda was not French player of the year for nothing. He's not Sheva MKII and suddenly become pants. He's still a gifted player when he has a reason to play - remember him skinning Rio in the Community Shield? Joe Cole can't be arsed to track back past halfway line, SWP is looking more lost then ever before (and that takes some doing), even Essien appears disinterested and uncommitted. I guess the best analogy is in the old war movies where the grunts slogging it out in the mud refuse to respond to the officer fresh from war college and doing everything by the book. They know listening to him will get them killed. Instead, they prefer to be lead by a sergeant who has been through it all before and will lead them out the other side. The point is, there are a few good sergeants out there and we don't have to have the kid from Sandhurst. dear me...such a shame because it's all so unecessary

Very well put Callista. I think the current situation is not irretrieveable, but it will take years rather than months to overcome the appontment af AG as permanent first team manager. I would love to be wrong - hopefully I will be.

This is a recurring theme on this site and I couldn't disagree more vehemently. Half, if not most, of that Fulham team on Saturday wouldn't get a place in our reserves, let a lone a place on the bench with our first XI. Fulham can only dream about players of the quality we have on our bench. P

Don't believe the article said anything about racist chanting. There was some mention in Buck's notes of "fan postings" that "could be" construed as anti-semitic or racist. P

If we need Frank, Essien, and Ricky plus a fully fit and in form Drogs to compete with the likes of Fulham, after spending so much on the squad, then we're doomed. The whole idea of the spending layout was to ensure that when key players were missing we would have enough quality for matches like yesterday. The logic that "Grant just needs more time" is the same logic that "Sheva just needs a bit of confidence". Sheva gets a lucky goal against a European minnow and is afforded 10 more starts based on being in form. Grant gets a 4-0 result against HULL and suddenly everyone is talking like we're the new Barcelona. Sorry, but Grant doesn't need more time, nor does Sheva, nor does Kalou, nor does SWP. More importantly, I believe we'll be out of all competitions before the Ordinary One is given the heave. PS - I consider voicing my displeasure at the recent turn of events as part of my duty supporting the club. If you (implied) can't see we are in total meltdown then nothing I say is going to help you see the light.

^^the voice of reason

...and the winner is...The Moos! for Understatement of the Year

Hence the problem with lurking as I thought "Mein Fuhrer" was Loz' name, too

Sheva is past it, period. He has NO pace and, what's worse, he has no strength. He is easily muscled off the ball by slightest of touches from second rate Premeirship defenders. He is done and it has nothing to do with lack of effort, his body simply can not do what his mind wants. He has already had too many chances to prove his worth and if it were some unknown English player we'd have been calling for his head long ago. The same can be said of SWP. He's had well more than enough chances to prove himself at Chelsea. He's simply not good enough as he can not control a ball to save his life. (Note:I acknowledge his brief run of acceptable form during pre-season and the first couple games this season). A brick wall has better touch than Shaun. Did I want him to succeed at Chelsea? Probably more than any other player aside from Joe Cole, yes. But it isn't happening for him and we need to move on. At least Kalou, who is equally hapless, is slightly younger and so might improve over time. We are currently in the deep end of the poo pond with no one around to throw us a line. Hang on, things will get much worse before they get better - call it the optimist in me. P

Is there anyway to nominate Jack's post in thread (collectively) as Post of the Year? Gullit4 may disagree, but I think Jack has hit the nail ont he head. I am with you Jack - whatever needs to happen to see Grant off and see Mr Abramovich learn a valuable lesson. Only then will be back on the right track, and until such time we are just a veneer of a club. I will gladly eat my words if Grant turns out to be Capello MkII, but that's like saying "What if Napoleon had a B-52?" P

Not happy at all - on several levels. Firstly, most of the team played with a Ranieri-esque defeatist attitude. Yes, the sending off was ridiculous, but the selection of Ben Haim could in no way be based on merit. The pen he gave away was a clear pen every single time. So what if Saha took swan dive, Ben Haim shouldn't have stuck a leg out at him to begin with. Tha is intself is enough to lose the game for us, with or without red cards. So no, I'm not happy, and I won't be until we're rid of Grant and Roman receives a lesson in how not manage a club - the sooner that happens the better. I also don't care what it takes, if it's 10 consecutive losses in a row or having Hull turn us over 6-0. Why? Because this club will never recover until we're rid of Grant and Roman understands you leave the football to the experts. If there ever was a case of the ends justifying the means, this is it. P

Thanks for posting that, saved me the time. Especially this bit: And if we're turned over by Hull, in addition to whatever we receive on Sunday, then we've nothing to fear - Avram is here!

am I the ony one that sees most of our team needing two touches (or more) to control a ball? THAT is why our only option is to keep hoofing it up to drogs or to continue putting in crosses to players that will never get on the end of them - even if those crosses are cr*p! I am truly dreading Sunday. Is there a scared smiley?

We have sold all our players with touch except Joe, who unfortunately through injury, has lost more than a yard of pace. I can't count the number of times I see the ball bounce 3 yards away when it's played to feet. Our only option tonight was crossing from deep and the goal from that was largely due to the opponent's mistakes. We will qualify 2nd from this group. be drawn against a really good team and go out at the first hurdle. My opinion. May be wrong, but it will take a turnaround of epic proportions for any other result. Oh dear, forgot about the Mancs on Sunday! This might get ugly :( grrr

If i might come up with another metaphor: he has a stupid manager? Jose made him slow as a snail and weak as my gran? Ok, if it's Jose's fault that Sheva has lost all the physical skills requisite to be a striker (notice the omission of the term 'top class') then please can you explain what, exactly, Mourinho did to rob Sheva of his natural pace and strength? Was it the pre-season training in the US, or perhaps too strenuous a programme at Cobham? Not disagreeing with you, just like to know why you think Jose is responsible for Sheva's declining physical attributes. P

am I the only one not as angry with the linesman as I am Sheva's T H R E E point blank fluffs? Sorry to say, and I know it's not entirely his fault, but I sincerely hope that's the last we see of Sheva. Would much rather Sinclair or someone else be given a chance. P