Is it all going a bit Scolari

[Uno]

Recently in my opinion things have gone down hill for us. Certain players seem disheartend or not interested others appear not ready for the games. It may just be a small dip but it is a dip at the time of season that we really cant afford to be in a loss of form. Recently it has reminded me of last season when Big Phil was running out of ideas and the players looked lost at times. I for one am not a fan of Ancelotti, I think he is over rated but as a Chelsea fan i was willing to give him a chance. I know people will say "we are top of the league" BUT i think we are only there because united have been so poor this season and liverpool have been a joke and arsenal have been..... well arsenal. I think if he still had Jose in charge or even Hiddink then we would be 10 points in front right now, not just 1. Am i the only one who is a little concerned about the run in to the end of the season?

[Zola]

Our injuries are taking its toll now, we REALLY miss Essien.

We need to get rid of Ballack and Mikel, invest in some dynamic midfielers and wingers.

The squad look out of ideas.

I really didnt like Carlo's decision to take off Carvalho against city on saturay and replacing him with only sturridge. Yes we need to chase the game and if it paid off I would be delighted.

As you say, Utd have slipped up just as much as us...but the league is tougher, all the top 4 have gotten worse, and the rest in the league look stronger because of this.

I will judge him at the end of the season. He has shown tactical soundness with changing formations now an again, but I fear with Spurs away, Utd away and Liverpool away, our seasons wheels have alreay come off...we have the hardest run in compared to our rivals.

Realisically I think the best we can hope for this year is the FA cup.

I hope I am wrong though, and is so much more. We deserve it.

[The Brit]

can we please stop mentioning scolari every time we have a bad result...yes we have problems, but they're different to the brazilian...it's now a lazy comparison to make...eg last season we were great away and sh*te at home, that has been reversed this season...scolari was cr*p against the big teams, this year we're struggling against the average sides etc...besides he was already gone this time last year...what is similar is we are missing essien big time...the midfield is too slow and lacking spark at the moment...the trio of lamps, mikel and ballack on saturday must rank as one of the slowest in the League

Edited March 2, 2010 by The Brit

[Chippy]

Lets not forget we didn't win the title in Mourinhos last season either, the few additions to the squad since his departure have not made up for the players we had then ageing and with that in mind we have a weaker squas now, add the injuries in and that it is Ancelottis first season here without having brought any players with him and maybe we can view it with a bit of perspective.

Every time Essien is out for a spell the team suffers and losing the best LB around while having distractions from the media attention that is willing us to implode and I think Carlo is doing ok.

If we don't keep a Manager here for a run of a few seasons I just don't know how we are going to improve.

Don't get me wrong, I have questioned a few of his decisions, his team selection and tactics but I have done that with every manager we've had in my lifetime, I don't keep imagining other managers would have done anything better.

[ethicalstrategy]

I really didnt like Carlo's decision to take off Carvalho against city on saturay and replacing him with only sturridge. Yes we need to chase the game and if it paid off I would be delighted.

He didn't. He took Joe Cole off and replaced him with Sturridge. He replaced Carvalho with Kalou.

[TheWestwayWonder]

If we don't keep a Manager here for a run of a few seasons I just don't know how we are going to improve.

Don't get me wrong, I have questioned a few of his decisions, his team selection and tactics but I have done that with every manager we've had in my lifetime, I don't keep imagining other managers would have done anything better.

Lets get everyone back, and see what happens.

Losing Essien, I think, is probably the most noticeable possible injury next to Drogba because he robs our midfield of so much spark and vitality. This was the first game without Cech, Cole/Zhirky and Essien. Once we get a proper LB back, and our starting goalkeeper and midfield dynamo, things will look very different.

[Zola]

He didn't. He took Joe Cole off and replaced him with Sturridge. He replaced Carvalho with Kalou.

Mix up there, still not a great decision..essentially the same..

[Mod]

This was the first game without Cech, Cole/Zhirky and Essien. Once we get a proper LB back, and our starting goalkeeper and midfield dynamo, things will look very different.

The trouble is Westway, it needs to be now. I don't know if we can claim enough points before that happens.

[BlueBeard]

If we don't keep a Manager here for a run of a few seasons I just don't know how we are going to improve

I think that depends entirely on who the manager is at the time. I shudder to think what might have happened if we'd given Danny Blanchflower or W*nky Scolari a few seasons

Don't get me wrong, I have questioned a few of his decisions, his team selection and tactics but I have done that with every manager we've had in my lifetime, I don't keep imagining other managers would have done anything better.

We've had 21 managers since you and I have been following Chelsea, Chris, and there's only four that I really wanted to stay, five if you count Hiddink. Have a look at the list, it's pretty horrendous when you see all those names lumped together...

I've used a colour code to define my ratings, based on the manager towards the end of his reign at the Bridge: -

blue: should have stayed

orange: average

red: out out out!!!

* only temporary manager briefly

Tommy Docherty, Dave Sexton, Ron Suart*, Eddie McCreadie, Ken Shellito, Danny Blanchflower, Geoff Hurst, Johnny Neal, John Hollins, Bobby Campbell, Ian Porterfield, David Webb, Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Filipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti

[Tim W]

Bruma can play left-back, we could also call Bertrand or van Aanholt back. Kakuta could be given a proper go to liven up the midfield. The way our "old experienced players" have performed recently we might as well give a couple of youngsters a go. Especially, as expressed in another thread by others, we are realistically only looking at 2nd or possibly 3rd.

[Uno]

I quite liked Luca in charge.

[bluevale2]

We've had 21 managers since you and I have been following Chelsea, Chris, and there's only four that I really wanted to stay, five if you count Hiddink. Have a look at the list, it's pretty horrendous when you see all those names lumped together...

I've used a colour code to define my ratings, based on the manager towards the end of his reign at the Bridge: -

blue: should have stayed

orange: average

red: out out out!!!

* only temporary manager briefly

Tommy Docherty, Dave Sexton, Ron Suart*, Eddie McCreadie, Ken Shellito, Danny Blanchflower, Geoff Hurst, Johnny Neal, John Hollins, Bobby Campbell, Ian Porterfield, David Webb, Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Filipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti

I agree with all your choices BB apart from Mourinho and Ancelotti (now he's here. I would have preferred Hiddink to stay) Ancelotti needs time to bring in his own players, because we all know that he has inherited an ageing side, and build his own team. We can then judge him on his merits.

[Alex]

i think chelsea fans need to get over this attitude of "we've lost a game and drawn a couple.....not good enough, lets sack the manager". We are starting to get a reputation like real madrid.

Carlo has Cech, essien, bos, yuri, ballack, ash cole out injured. Its not his fault Terry's head is not on football at the minute, nor is it his fault that he has deco, ballac and anelka who are ending their careers and struggling to keep their form going.

Why cant we stick with Carlo for some time, let him build his own team and see where we are.

[dkw]

i think chelsea fans need to get over this attitude of "we've lost a game and drawn a couple.....not good enough, lets sack the manager". We are starting to get a reputation like real madrid.

Carlo has Cech, essien, bos, yuri, ballack, ash cole out injured. Its not his fault Terry's head is not on football at the minute, nor is it his fault that he has deco, ballac and anelka who are ending their careers and struggling to keep their form going.

Why cant we stick with Carlo for some time, let him build his own team and see where we are.

stop being sensible, we need to win every game 10-0 or get rid and try another manager. i wont be happy until we have at least 7 managers a year, changing every time we dont win by at least 5 clear goals.

[BlueBeard]

stop being sensible, we need to win every game 10-0 or get rid and try another manager. i wont be happy until we have at least 7 managers a year, changing every time we dont win by at least 5 clear goals.

Exactly! At last you're beginning to see things my way, dickeywoo! Now isn't it time you put on your cloth cap, stuck your ferrets down your trousers, and took your whippets down t'pub? :D

[rahul]

The most worrying part about Carlo is that we've been pants for the most part of last month, our midfield has been slow as a snail yet he still doesn't give a single youngster a chance. He's too afraid to try something new. Mourinho took some brave decisions in his time, sometime bordering insanity, and that is why he was a real winner. Unfortunately, we can't say the same about Carlo.

[Gilvorak]

Kneejerk at it's best.

Under Scolari we weren't able to create a clear-cut chance for an entire 90 minutes ffs. Our only real problem this season is our defence. Just when Cech was finding his 04-06 form he goes & gets injured. :D

[bjd]

Kneejerk at it's best.

Under Scolari we weren't able to create a clear-cut chance for an entire 90 minutes ffs. Our only real problem this season is our defence. Just when Cech was finding his 04-06 form he goes & gets injured. :D

Not really accurate imo.

If we are being honest we have had problems in all areas of the pitch this season. Cech certainly did find some form, but lets not forget that it wasnt so long ago he was pretty much costing us a goal a game.

Right now the defence is all over the place and we need to try and get it as solid and settled as we can. Hopefully Zhirkov is back soon, and id get Alex in there right now and keep him there until the end of the season.

And then we have the midfield. Too old, too slow and too Mikel. The sooner Essien gets back and adds some dynamisn the better.

Attacking wise Drogba has been fine of course but Anelka has suffered a few dips and suffers when playing wide, its also unfair to ask this of Sturridge (esp on the right!) and not one player we have tried has been successful in the hole.

[dkw]

Exactly! At last you're beginning to see things my way, dickeywoo! Now isn't it time you put on your cloth cap, stuck your ferrets down your trousers, and took your whippets down t'pub? :D

only once you go to the wine bar for a shandy in your pearly king outfit... :D

[Nibs]

nor is it his fault that he has deco, ballac and anelka who are ending their careers and struggling to keep their form going.

What IS his fault though is keep on selecting the same players despite poor form.

I'm not calling for Ancelotti's head and I don't expect us to win every game. What I do expect though is to see the coach reacting when things aren't going well and at the moment I don't see him doing that.

[MHL_blue]

What I do expect though is to see the coach reacting when things aren't going well and at the moment I don't see him doing that.

I couldn't have said it better myself. By all means, I want Ancelotti to stay with us and build a sustainable winning team. But he needs to react when we trail and are about to loose our heads. Put JT on the bench until he can get his head around to focus on football. Put Alex in for Carvalho, we need a thight defence and we need disipline. Cech isn't the same as 2004/2005 season, I think we all can agree on that, but then again the defence in front of him was waterproof so he got more help. Now we defend poorly, especially on setpieces and leave Cech too much exposed at the back.

[Gilvorak]

I couldn't have said it better myself. By all means, I want Ancelotti to stay with us and build a sustainable winning team. But he needs to react when we trail and are about to loose our heads. Put JT on the bench until he can get his head around to focus on football. Put Alex in for Carvalho, we need a thight defence and we need disipline. Cech isn't the same as 2004/2005 season, I think we all can agree on that, but then again the defence in front of him was waterproof so he got more help. Now we defend poorly, especially on setpieces and leave Cech too much exposed at the back.

So both JT & Carvalho on the bench. Who's our CB partnership then?

Ancelotti has been fine this season. I only wish in the summer we get rid of some of the passengers in the squad & give more of a chance to our younger players. Not saying we should a Wenger with out team but we've been wasting the most talented player in the squad this entire year ffs.

Against Stoke I'd like to see a 4-3-2-1

Hilario

Ivanovic Carvalho JT Paulo

Mikel

Coley Lampard

Kakuta Malouda

Drogba

Edited March 3, 2010 by Gilvorak

[MHL_blue]

So both JT & Carvalho on the bench. Who's our CB partnership then?

Sorry, got a bit carried away there..

[Chippy]

The most worrying part about Carlo is that we've been pants for the most part of last month, our midfield has been slow as a snail yet he still doesn't give a single youngster a chance. He's too afraid to try something new. Mourinho took some brave decisions in his time, sometime bordering insanity, and that is why he was a real winner. Unfortunately, we can't say the same about Carlo.

No manager in the last few years has been any more likely than Carlo to use youngsters when he has established internationals fit and that includes Mourinho, in fact I think out of memory Carlo has given more youngsters chances and included more in the squad than any of the others since Roman arrived.

Putting myself in his position (reading this thread shows the fans views) and seeing the fate of previous managers I would be fearing for my Job too much to include a Matic over a Ballack or a Kakuta over a Cole.

We've played some superb football at times this season and have looked in some games better than we ever did under Mourinho, we have done that with pretty much the same players but older versions who have done it before and maybe lost a bit of hunger.

we have beaten Arsenal home and away, and Pool and UTD at home, lost twice to City who on the first occasion played to a strict gameplan and done well, the second game we looked at sixes and sevens after controlling the first 40 minutes but had a rarely used back up keeper, a winger at left back and after going 2-1 down to some sloppy defending we had a player who had just come on sent off for someone falling over in front of him.

With hindsight and no idea of the outcome except that it couldn't have been a lot worse it would be easy to say what players shoyuld have been subbed on and off Saturday but Carlo is the man with his Job on the line who has watched these players in training and has the best idea who would do a job on the day.

Managers have been sacked here for having bad runs too many times, Grant was slaughtered for anything from his lack of experience to his Missus drinking habits, Scolari was hailed as being tough when he came..slaughtered for being too old and friendly when we lost a few, and now an experienced man who has been good elswhere is having his first season in the EPL without having brought any players with him.

I hope Roman has learned a lesson and can look at UTD and rememberhow good their manager was in his first couple of seasons.

Edited March 3, 2010 by Chippy

[Nibs]

No manager in the last few years has been any more likely than Carlo to use youngsters when he has established internationals fit and that includes Mourinho, in fact I think out of memory Carlo has given more youngsters chances and included more in the squad than any of the others since Roman arrived.

Good Post Chippy.

That first bit though, fair enough Carlo has included more youngsters in the squad than anyone else, but what's the point if they stay on the bench or get 5 minutes at the end of the game? A while back we had a little taste of Kakuta and Borini and they've seen no playing time since - what does that do to their confidence?

Who knows what goes on behind the scenes and how often Ancelotti sits down with Roman and Buck and / or the board? I can understand Carlo playing it safe and sticking to tried and tested interrnational players IF he has been told in no uncertain terms that we must win trophies and finish top 4. If that's the case, we will probably never move on as a club. But I'm hoping that Roman and co understand that the time has come (at the end of this season) to re-think and to start playing some youngsters and any signings we make need to be well under 30. NOT sweeping changes all in one go, but at least a big change to the squad and a few changes to our usual (and oh so tired looking) starting 11. Not saying we should have 5-6 years of transition like Wenger but the pressure should be off the coach next season to let him do what needs to be done on the full understanding that if we don't win anything it doesn't mean he gets the sack - as long as we can see some kind of improvement.