alan'82

I'm a tad suprised to hear some of the recent storys regarding Andre clashing with some of the senior squad members. Mostly, because he spent some time here before,working with some of those players he's supposing to be having problems with & under the guidence of one of the best (ever), man managers in the game. Did he not learn nothing from 'The master' of bluster & bullshine about handy man management skills? It's one of those 'strange things' that it could just be the very player who he's (allegedly) had a bust up with,that, because of his goal line clearance, is the reason Andre is still the Chelsea manager today. Strange days.

We can still turn it around,they ain't that fecking good, which was clear for all to see. Mind you,I would be much more confident if J.T. was organising the back four,(which unfortunatly he wont be), so someone in the back four will need to 'man up' a bit and take the responsobilty in his abscence.

I give to Ash,if it wasn't for his goaline clearence, the tie would be over already. Plus, he kept his sh*t together inspite of seeing bossy start in his place,well done Ashley.

I hope,I really hope that IF true,it's for injury/fitness reasons.

I think it was Andre himself who said recently, that after a long discussion with Roman,the season's remaining objectives & expectations had been agreed. I feel at this time,with tonight's game, it would be wise to stop worrying about long term support & concentrate on this season's goals. He wont get the support he expects untill he fufills his side of the bargain,which he agreed to, no owner/chairman,short or long term, will support a losing manager. He now knows the objectives & the assets he has at his disposal,now really is the time to just get on with it & do his best,which is all you can ask really. Now,lets beat these Napoli toss*rs, (or a least,give them a proper game!).

Post #811 vs West Ham (thanks Eddie Mac) makes you forget about the tough times the game was going through at the time, (in the mid eighties). I recomend listening to the stadium announcer in the 24min 50sec part of the clip,it made me laugh & is a reminder of perhaps some of the humour (even if unintentionable) that maybe we've lost a bit from the game nowdays!.

Andre quoted saying; 'These words would be more valuable comming from the top.I cannot keep saying them'. Feck me,give it a rest, there's a bloody game to win!. Doesn't sound like 'full and total' support from Roman to me if I'm honest. Starting to get slightly fed-up with this situation,the club, it's results & the fans are what matters most. It's about time the excutive,the management & the players started to remember this.

I remember watching Colin Lee at the Bridge in the early eighties & the lads in the Shed taking the p*ss about him not wanting to head the ball in case he got his hair dirty!. He took that Newcastle goal well to be honest, but if my memory serves me right, he did look a p*ss poor striker for the most part. Didn't he finish his career at Chelsea playing as a fullback?,a number 2, if i remember correctly?.

Great stuff these clips & memories shared.Thanks for posting them chaps. Watching post #786 vs Ipswich & looking at the tan lines on the Ipswich keepers legs, made me think he must have been on one of those new fangled 'foreign package hoildays'. I thought I was made up if we went to Clacton once in a while!. On a more serious point,that clip was a bit before my time following CFC,but about 10mins in,you can here the Shed singing what sounds like, 'you'll never walk alone'!! . F*ck me!,did I here that right because I belive I've heard it on another clip posted in this thread.Isn't that a dippers song?,why the hell is that being sung down here?. Was it a common chant/song sung at all grounds at that time?,because it does sound kinda odd to here it at the Bridge. Do any of the,(cough) older fellows know the answer to this?.

I have a feeling that the Napoli tie will be a career defining moment not only for Andre, but also for some of Chelsea's squad. Some of the senior players may miss the game(s) due to injury,but play or not, they all have unfinished business with this competition. If they're against AVB, will they allow that to interfere in what is for most, the last chance they have to win it?,I doubt that to be honest. If the game does go badly,then we will know from Roman's reaction just how much he supports Andre. At least we may have the answers to a few questions for a change. Personally,I'm not to fussed about personal issues,I just want the club to do well,so hopefully, we'll kick their arse!. But either way,good or bad,long as we stick together,things will work out ok in the end. Come on Chelsea!.

Just seen Final Destination 5 on dvd. You can't beat a good 'ol gruesome death can you?,just as long as you keep your sense of humor . Mindless pap really,but it beats Eastenders anyday. Mind you,I'm now a touch worried about that 'dream' I had yesterday regarding the p.v.c suit,the inflatable gherkin,the jar of mayonase & busty Juile from 3 doors down.

There's nothing she would like more Gem as a Chelsea fan to look at hunky guys in shorts......err, hang on a sec,what am I saying!,yep,maybe that's not such a good idea!.

What great news,just hope Bobby & family are well at what is a very difficult time for them. The card you made Gem was superb,something you should be proud of,well done . (p.s......... you're not any good at decorating front rooms are you!).

Thanks for your reply Chippy,there's much wisdom in your words. I think for the time being we need to forget about Andre's good & bad points and look at how the club manages itself. I know that Roman has his fingers in many pies so to speak,but since he's become more detached from the day to day running of the club,the more things seam to have deteriated. Any manager,old and wise or new & young,to be able to stand a chance needs to have the final say on all matters related to the squad,end of. Until this matter is resolved,the clubs situation will simply not improve in the long term. There's much to be gratefull to Roman for,but,he needs to get a grip asap, unless he wants to see all his good work undone,(IMO).

Just some questions I'd like to ask if I may regarding the so-called 'dead wood' in our squad,(some of whom won trophies & got to cup finals under a variety of managers). Firstly,what proof is there that Roman is willing (or able) to invest the many millions of pounds it would require to replace 5 or 6 members of the squad with the various players mentioned in the Rumors section?. Secondly,with Andre's comments about De Bryne being a club signing,(& there is doubt about Cahill),how is AVB going to get 'his' type of player if it isn't his decision?.If he can't do this then what chance is there of getting the team set-up to play 'his' way?. Thirdly,the squad needed an injection of qualty at the end of last season,it was a tad overdue,yet with Andre's blessing,this didn't happen,what do you think are the reasons for this.Was it really Andre's decision?. I suspect that some of this so called 'dead-wood' will be here for another season,possibly,a touch longer than Andre.

Firstly,I would like to say,keep Andre the Chelsea manager until the season ends regardless of where the team finishes.Leave any decisions regarding him,the squad & with luck,the excutive, until the dust has settled. The day you worry more about missing out on the 'cash' or 'presteige' of the Champions League rather than actually winning the bloody thing,then maybe that's the time for a re-think. I don't think,in the long term AVB is a suitable manager for CFC,yes there is (long standing) problems with the squad,but teams & managers live or die by getting it right on the pitch & he simply hasn't done that enough. From picking arguments with the press vultures, his fellow managers & then members of his squad, he's shown to me just how underprepaired he is for the great challenge & the pressures it brings, of being the Chelsea manager.I'm still confused by his tactical values in the Wigan (A) match. Don't get confused with the talk of 'transition',there's no need to complicate matters,his main task is to put a team out on the pitch that has a chance of matching their opponents with their tactics/style of play & who are confident in their chances of winning the game. For me,we just haven't done that enough all season & more to the point,I can't see any signs of that approach developing any time in the future. He may well become a great manager in the future,but right here & now,he simply isn't ready & I don't think he will.be untill he's had to face up to some of his frailties. Don't really want Chelsea to be in the firing line while he learns the hard (& best) way from his mistakes.

What with Portsmouth, Redknapp & now Rangers F.C. it seams that the Inland Revenue has finally had enough of football & it's issues with income tax. Rangers will be ok but what about the long term?. Scottish football is poor fair if the truth were told,the days when if you had a Scottish international in your team,you must have been a good side, are long gone. Why not intergrate the Scot Premier League into the League Cup?,seeded if need be. More interest,more t.v. cash & maybe a chance of a competetive match against the 'Gers?.

It's a very good point about the need for paitence made by you chaps above. Something, (young or old) its worth remembering from time to time. It's a bit of a worry though,that from the current crop of young players who won the F.A youth cup,none may feature for the senior side long term.That would be a bit sad to be honest. There's still time however & I hope at some point, some of them get their chance,(for the right reasons) & us supporters remember the lesson of paitence.

He better not go to the spuds after all we haven't done for him, the ungratefull bar steward . I was hopeing to get a 'duke of Hazard' Chelsea shirt,paint a confederate flag on the roof of my ancient Focus & become a 'good ol boy'. Where's Daisy Duke in hotpants when you need her?.............mind you,she probably looks more like uncle Jessie these days.

Blimey,I thought paintball & karting were the team builders tools of choice!. Forget the debate about 4-3-3 against 4-3-2-1,don't worry about playing the youth,just let the owner/manager/players have a tear up every month & the job's a good'un. Honestly,you've gotta laugh at these story's.

I'm not an Avram fan at all to be honest,the question about his managerial qualities will always remain for me untill he builds his own title/cup winning team,rather than take control & steady the ship of one in turmoil. However,his support of Frankie at the time of his mother's death was quality & showed the true statue of the man. Much respect to him for that.

"You're gonna need a bigger boat". Chief Brody to Quint on Jaws. Simple,but brillant.

What do I want from supporting Chelsea?. Only one thing iv'e ever wanted really.......that they try, always,no matter what,to do their very best,no matter how bleak things may appear. Anything else is either a bonus or a pain in the arse!. CFC for life.

I can't help but think,(although I have no proof),if Andre,Jose and Carlo had full & total control of all the player signings (in & out),we would be looking at a very,very different Chelsea squad right now.

I think Chippy mate,you've hit the nail 100% on the head with your post. If Roman can't decide what he want's & how to achieve it,then what chance does AVB have,(or Carlo,Jose etc). He want's to see the young players used more but he still want's to win everything & it's the manager (whoever it is) who gets it in the kneck if it fails,twist or stick,heads or tails,it seams you lose either way. Use the kids?,stick with the older players?,you'd have to be a mind reader to work out what suits RA the most. Unless there's firm direction from the top,what chance does Boas stand?,what chance did Carlo have?. I feel for the good of the club,forget any sackings for now,Roman needs to get a grip & install a proper leadership that can give clear instruction & the right support to the manager for the short & long term benefit of the club/manager & players.