Chippy

That entertained me as well, I can think of loads of games under numerous managers that have entertained me but I would prefer to be entertained in all the games, as I have said to strangle the life out of a game playing a team like Arsenal or Man U and win it without playing lovely flair football is one thing but to sit on 1-0 against a team wher a hatful is on the Cards is another. people have to face the fact that Roman and Jose could not work together, be it a clash of personalaties or Jose not putting up with interfering, to Roman not likeing Jose's attitude or whatever you like it just couldn't work, Roman is here trying to get the Club to play more entertaining (to some of us) and winning football... you and others dont like his choice of Manager...but its his choice and the man is in charge of our team, he gets my support and if he deserved his chance or if he got it because Roman likes his haircut, he still gets my support while he's here.

Maybe Captain Marval and Sargeant Marva will save the day as the credits roll

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. You Let me down there mate, I didn't think it was tongue in cheek....I actually was more excited at Avrams little Chat than when that other bloke that used to be here..Er whats his name , chucked his old Jacket away...Why did he do that anyway...bloody attention seeker

To be honest Loz that was like a breath of fresh air, not only is he a very handsome man (according to my missus) but he is elequant and forthright, I truely believe this tells us a lot about the tactical genius that is (Marva the Manager) aka Avram Grant. Its no wonder he plays this "I know nothing game" and draws attention from his players giving opposition a force sense of security, he is a master in every sense of the word. did he perchance have a sociology degree or another such doctrate before he turned his talents to the Beautiful game? wheres my Avatar?

a new manager if he is asked to change the style of a team that is already doing well and has been winning things under a great manager before him should under those circumstances (imo) be given a season yes.

we were a couple of minutes from beating everton the other day but like 8 games it never went quite right.

member of the once youv'e given a man a chance get behind him and see what happens Club

Not much to add to this as I feel Grant will probobly silence his critics on his own eventually excepting a couple of points Learning, to me this is not the manager learning to be a manager, it is more learning about his players, their attributes and how he thinks best to play them, which players work best in which systems and which ones really want to perform for him. expectations, My expectations had gone down last season with the contributing factors being, other teams had IMO learned to play against us and were getting better results, other teams had improved and bought some good players for this season whereas our ins and outs had left us with IMO less quality than our first JM season.. I dont agrre with the entertainment part and believe although we entertained on occasions these were few and far between as most of our games were profesional at best, strangling the life out of teams is fine if they are on your level i.e the Arsenals Man UTDS but sitting back on 1-0 against lesser opposition when goals be entertainment to a fair proportion of fans would do wonders for morale and help out should points be level is just not what I prefer to see (again my opinion). Grant would as I have said before not have been my choice but as soon as he was given the Job he became Chelsea Manager, with that he got my support and until he fo an extended period f*cks up and makes me believe he is not up to it, he will get my support. If he starts to look like he is not good enough, I will come out and say he looks like he is not good enough but at this stage he has done nothing wrong. we can all pick holes in any performance, Look at the 3-2 against Everton last term, 2 outstanding individual goals won us that, not the tactics, not the substitutions just two top players with two top strikes and if one of them done the same the other day we would have had 2 more points. if we shut up shop we would have had two more points but how many times have we been all over a team as we were Everton and shut up shop only to think, why didn't we go and score more? I know I have thought it. member of the give a man a chance fan club.

I am prepared to give the man time, I like what he has achieved since he has been in charge, I like his quiet aproach to the press and I am so far enjoying the entertainment, Drogba mouthing off could never have happened under Jose I suppose (Gallas anyone) Drogs is an emotional bloke and he likes to whinge, Players always get unhappy at the way they are treated, Chelsea players have the added we miss Mourinho to bleat about when they feel the need, Jose's work unravelled...his work was being unravelled when teams learned to play against us, UTD were a way ahead of us on points and entertainment last term, even though we ground out in professional style the FA Cup. I dont want to disrespect what was achieved under Jose, he was great but his time is gone, Roman calls the shots and he wants to win things, he will and if Grant cant do it (and I see no evidence to suggest he cant) RA will get someone that will, there are a lot of ready made good managers and there are a lot who if given a chance can be good mangers, we have the latter and I respect his attitude and input so far.

Dorset another well written post but not sure you have quite grasped both ends of the Debate, First and foremost my defence of Avram Grant is not any misguided belief that he is a great manager or that his style of play is anything other than the best he could get out of an Israel National team. my defence of the man is in the fact that having being given the job, he has done well so far and now with the well thought of Cate and Clarke I see no reason it shouldn't get better. I really see no reason to be getting rid of the man when he has done nothing wrong and what would Roman look like if he sacked another man who had had decent results? on the day Jose went I said to my missus "Hiddink will be next" but now with Ten Cate coming in it makes me think that may not be the case as Gus would more likely want to have full say and his own people round him. it has escalated a bit as I find it like a duty to defend Avram (he needs all the friends he can get) and I admit I can only defend him on his actions at Chelsea so far as I never new much about him before. but you have to give the bloke a chance, the fans are not behind him, the players are not all happy and he is trying to change the style of play, not just saying go out and do what you've been doing but trying to change things. its a thankless task as if it go's right its down to good players, wrong or even a bit wrong and he has the scratching head avatar after his name. I dont know anymore than bluenut, jack or yourself if he is ever going to be or get the chance to be a great manager for us but what I do know is I while he is in charge will be wishing him all the best and giving him any credit I think he deserves. We could be sitting here next season with Rijkaard and Ronnie joining up with Ten Cate as an Arsenal fan suggested to me, and then we will have some "big names" but would they get better results than Grant? Cheers

From what I've seen I would be after a striker not to take over the Flops place but more Pizarro, I know he's not getting games but still think he has got something left to offer especially as one of a front two, I think Drogba was a better player when Sheva was in the team (not because shev was so bad ) I have got nothing against Pizarro, I just rate Sheva higher and still think we need a striker, Anelka would be my choice, maybe Huntalaar as he could be the poacher we need on the end of the type of balls Drogs doesn't quite reach. I have faith though in the Marva one as he doesn't say a lot but still waters run deep and he is thinking...all the time. You gotta have faith faith faith

I think that is fair, I agree that Grant should have shut up shop more in the last 10 minutes or so. My beef is with the claim that (and I'm not pointing the finger at you Bluenut) some have that Jose would never have thrown points away like that as he would always be able to change his tactics to suit the occasion. The Boro game last year is a prime example of that not being true. It was a mistake by Grant and he should be criticised for it but that criticism should be fair rather than just used as a 'You're not Jose' stick. I would agree with that and add that if he merits the critisism on this occasion regardless of who the previous manager was, then he merits the Plaudits for the good results we have had in the same way. It has got to be a difficult Job with three men and three sets of ideas coaching a team and who is to say it was not Ten Cate that advised Grant to say what ever he did to Essien and not shut up shop? I am not saying I think thats what happened just that time with the players is what he needs to find his best tactics and with the time he has had so far he has done fine Marva lous in fact

I actually thought BLUENUT2 had a point Possibly, but I just think he agree's with everything you say:roll: Grant's honeymoon is wearing off and game by game we're seeing the 'new Chelsea' unveiled, or should that be the 'old Chelsea' returning? I like the look of the new Chelsea and expect better things, time will tell. I have to admire you confidence in the new manager though. Thanks I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt until they show me they dont deserve it, Grant has not done that nor anything like it, in fact he has done better than I thought he would at this stage. Cheers

Arsenal have played some blinding football this term and fully deserve to be where they are at the moment, ok they have had some mediocre opposition and got on a roll but I take nothing away from them and as I dont expect Chelsea to be top 2 this season I hope they win it, I dont want UTD to win Back to Back titles straight after our own. I know people dont like to praise other teams but credit where its due, Wenger has done wonders with the youngsters he brings through and the football is exciting to watch, time will tell if you can win Trophys and play exciting football

Sorry Loz, yeah I mean smilie (Smilie and Avram dont quite go together well in the same sentance do they?) but who cares? Thanks to Gem in advance if she can sort it, (hope you never meant Moos?) It might not be the most used one on here I fear We already have a Grant smiley............> Oh, I see what your'e saying

Very sober and sensible view, Chippy. I know Jose wasn't perfect but he was as close to perfection as we have ever seen at The Bridge so I forgive him the mistakes, however I disagree about the CL losses - I don't really think losing to Liverfool by a dubious goal and then penalties could be classed as being "outwitted" by Benitez, but we'll agree to disagree on that. Yes the transition has just begun but the players are alrwady there - Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Cole, Carvalho the list goes on and on. I don't really see what Grunt can add to that to improve the squad. Over the next 12 months we will see Grunt's players arrive and a few (or a lot) of our top players leave - transition often leads to discontent and some of our real leaders will move on having felt close to Mourinho and now feeling a little disenchanted. Example - Drogba has again opened his mouth to criticism the fans for having a go at SWP for his poor crossing yesterday. Now I heard disappointment but very little outright criticism of the lad. In Jose's time Drogba would have been advised to keep his mouth shut (as he has promised to do a couple of times already this season but has failed to do!), and Jose himself would have taken the limelight, the attention and the criticism away from the players. Drogba has sain there is something broken in the club and he is right. We don't snipe at each other and criticise the fans if we have a happy house - Jose would have made it his objective to keep everyone happy so they could perform to their best, players and fans alike. Jack We will have to agree to disagree mate as I look on the loss to Liverpool as one of Jose's biggest mistakes, I dont mean the dubious Goal charade but the one where at home we failed to take our chances and away we never looked like creating any and looked like a team sitting 0-2 up and shutting up shop. Lots of other instances but lots of great fightbacks and inspired substitutions to counter with. all in all what I'm saying is judging Grant after the little time he has had, on the mistakes he has made and on the results we have had is far too early and I know that you would never want Chelsea to lose but it does seem like it would make it more comfortable when they do to blame Grant, this is just what it comes across to me like as I would support Atilla the Hun if he was in charge and would be just as upset if we lost under his leadership. Even with little faith in the Manager (although my faith is growing) I want us to win in the same way I always have and if we are doing it with a manager unproven and unliked I will be just as happy as I think you and other doubters will be if it all go's well. what happened here under Jose was a fairytale but without taking anything away from him the team was almost there when he came in, nobody said we won that Ranieri style when we won and nobody seemed to care that Claudio had put a great team together and been a dead man walking while Jose was touted as the next man. Well I liked the Tinkerman and believe we would have won the Title had he stayed, his worst mistakes to me where hanging on to Jimmy too long and not playing Crespo enough and obviously the Monaco farce but he was probobly so wound up about what was happening that he tried ridiculas things in an importent game and got it badly wrong, when you look back at the 1-2 result in the CL against Arsenal and the passion on the guys face the feeling that gave me was almost as good as winning the title the next year (almost ) Jack you know your football, do you really think Roman with his advisors has not thought hard and long about Grants qualifications? about the capabilities of Clarke and Cate? do you think the mans an idiot? He and people he trusts must have faith in the man and thats good enough with the results so far to make me think he's worth y backing. until he's had a season or at least till march I will give him rope enough before I start thinking about him hanging himself. my personal hunch is he will surprise people and once Clark with his undoubted defensive nous Cate with his attacking flair and Grant get enough games and training sessions together so they know what each other wants let alone the players we will see a very good team and a team that will entertain (I admit it, winning is not everything) and still win trophy's. we are never going to agree but I know that if we do get it together and Challenge hard for the title (next season not this) and have a good run in the CL (I would love it to be this and believe its possible) then you will hopefully get right behind the man in charge. Or if it all go's wrong and he has had a fair crack of the whip, I will be Quoting the anagramicly famous A farm Grunt as loud as the next man. I will though give him plenty of time before I do that. cheers

agree with some of that obviously Jack but what you seem to ignore is the transition has just begun and to change a style of play without bringing players in in a short space of time is going to leave room for a few mistakes and things are not going to be straightforward. your belief in Jose is admirable although I could not share it to the degree you do. Jose never got everything right and in fact got quite a bit wrong, outwitted by Benetiz in the Champions league is a pain I will always remember and Jose's tactics were as much to blame for that as Avrams have been in any game so far. Grant is as far as I can see a decent manager and without giving him time we will never know if he will be a good manager. I say give him time but ffs dont expect a great first season, we might do better than we think that way. (affix Avram smilie here)

Sorry Loz, yeah I mean smilie (Smilie and Avram dont quite go together well in the same sentance do they?) but who cares? Thanks to Gem in advance if she can sort it, (hope you never meant Moos?) It might not be the most used one on here I fear

Everton only had the one chance? I recon Grant thought we could keep going forward till the next morning and they wouldn't have scored He got a bit over excited and went for goals, a mistake yes but the guy is learning and he is not gonna get everything right straight away, If Essien running up the field had resulted in a goal we'd have all been happy, If Cahill had not of had the skill to get a shot like he did on target all would have been well. If Drogba had of taken an earlier chance? better to focus on the fact Grant knows a partnership of Haim and Alex is not great and maybe he was thinking Riccy was not badly hurt and could play on? unprofessional maybe but untill he gets to know the players he wont know how badly hurt they are by the look on their faces, Sh*t Drogs could be subbed 6 or 7 times a game for someone breathing on him. we were all over Everton without really being sharp enough up front and thats not too bad for a team in transition. I want a Grant Avatar (Mods help me out here) and trust Bluenut to agree with Bluenut 2? thats all we need another Grant basher

I would think out of the possibilities Anelka could be a great signing, He is a very good player and the Premeirship is not a problem for him, he would be a good aquisition. obviously his temperament has been in question but lately he's been pretty quiet and worth giving the beneit of the doubt to I'D say.

Alright already....thats enough of that

The team played quite well and an opportunist equaliser by a very good player was the difference between 1 point and 3. the manager was not out there defending where Belletti was, he just dealt with the tactics and the team selection which was not too bad. we are as Callista says going through a transition period but a transition period could easily have seen us with worse results than we have had. the Football is getting more entertaining and if the players could take their chances more often (even Drogs) then we would be flying. we dont know whats gonna happen in January and we dont know if Grant is expecting Sheva to step up when Drogba go's off to the ACN, we dont know why he's not getting much game time...there must be a plan. I'm happy so far and still say we are doing every bit as good as we would be if Jose was still in charge, my opinion as we obviously could be better or worse off. Ten Cate has not had 5 minutes with these players, lets give them time.

It would be a tall order under a new regime and that would be the case whoever was in charge but if some of the fringe players buck their games up and we dont rely so heavily on Drogs and Lamps anything is possible. I see no reason we have less chance now than under Jose and look forward to some exiting games

I would welcome that to be honest, Drogs never really looked up for it the other night (who did?) so maybe a rest could help him, anyway he could come off the bench in the second half if Sheva was not looking good. we have to find out if Shev can do it when Drogs is a way so why not let him start Sunday?

Everton are going to test us and I hope the players go into this one with the right frame of mind after the dissapointing performance in Germany. I hope Belletti plays and gets that game forgotten as he is far better than that and dropping him would be madness, we need confidence at the club and he was showing that in bundles before the other night. I think Sweepy should play on the right an Joe on the left, Mickel was class when he came on so deserves a start. my team -------Carlo------- Bell--Riccy--Alex--Wayne -------Essien----------- --Mickel---Lampard Sweep--Drogs--Joey I would like to see Sheva get half an hour if either Drogs is looking off or we are leading.