Not at all mate. I agree with much of what you're saying and being optimistic I hope we pull everything together, I just have my doubts.

 

 

Our fans aren't plastic and we've certainly got history. That's always annoyed me because whilst it might not have been as 'glorious' as other clubs' history, it's our history and it's still pretty unique.

 

The rich man's plaything is what worries me though. When you look at someone like Matthew Harding, here was a guy who knew what Chelsea was and wanted to make something bigger but retaining those unique characteristics (the guy was also a bit of a visionary and could see which way the winds were blowing in the early-90s, massive loss). I don't know if Roman is that, or if we were simply a moderately big club with potential on probably the most expensive piece of real estate in the football leagues. 

 

I don't trust the guy as much as others and that's for a few reasons, chiefly the club lying to us and trying to pinch/steal the freehold of the Bridge. I think his wealth means we aren't run like other clubs because, for better or worse, he is a big investor (or sugar daddy).

 

 

 

That's the problem though. A club should reflect the community who makes it what it is shouldn't it? JT, Frank and Ashley were people we could recognise ourselves in weren't they?

 

If you lose that then I think you lose anything uniquely Chelsea because those are the people who represent us and our values aren't they? Otherwise what's the difference between Chelsea and Man City? What makes us unique and not just a soulless franchise who happen to play at Stamford Bridge? That's my concern.

You imply Frank and Ashley came up through the ranks, rather than being bought in. Yes, they are Londoners, but they weren't produced by our youth set up, but that didn't stop them becoming Chelsea greats. Their contribution added to what makes the club what it is, just like Osgood and Bentley did in their day. So did Drogba, Cech, Zola.....

You imply Frank and Ashley came up through the ranks, rather than being bought in. 

 

 

I didn't mean to imply that. I said they reflect the community which I think they do. They were one of us at the end of the day, London lads. I'm not saying Drogs and Cech weren't massive guys for us and legends, but I believe you need that English core at the end of the day. 

 

We're an English club, or at least supposed to be. Today there's one Englishman in the 18 (and yes I'm aware of us being the first team at Southampton etc.) and one Academy product. It's the same chap and for me that is pretty disgraceful considering our resources.

 

I know not everyone cares about that, some might even call me old-fashioned or a little-Englander, but there's something special about seeing a lad come up through the ranks to make it here. They're the special ones in my opinion.

 

Roman might not get that and to be honest, why would a Russian who had no connection to the club before 2003 have one? 

Are club direction a cover band?

ShedEnder

If Chelsea are not a proper club tell me who the hell is????

Your hate for the board is so great (we all know it's bitterness because of Jose's sacking), that you will say anything to belittle the status of this club.

"Rich man's playing, no identity, no soul, not a proper club", you really go to town on this club using derogatory phrases coined by jealous rivals looking up at our success over the years.

We tried to be a proper club last summer. We won the league and although we didn't really improve the squad, we kept hold of our best assets to push at the top again. The lack of investment created a clear path to give youth a chance but no, you want Roman to throw his cash around like we are a "Rich Man's Plaything". Your views are somewhat contradictory.

As I've said before no other club in the league has a board that have acted more responsibly and efficiently than ours in recent years. Just ask any Utd, Arsenal, City or Liverpool fan if they have high praise for the board. I'm sure the fans of those proper clubs will have a few choice words about how angry they are.

Edited April 24, 201610 yr by KonaKai Blue

ShedEnder

If Chelsea are not a proper club tell me who the hell is????

 

 

Rather than name clubs, wouldn't it be easier to say what I think a club should do and then you can decide?

 

For me a club is a community hub. That's how they started after all. It should always retain that connection to the community and to the shared set of principles within that community. It should respect that community and it should reflect that community. There should always be something that supporters of this club can identify with and there should be something that is uniquely Chelsea Football Club. The club should always be respectful of the fans, the CPO and it's own legends who embody those values.

 

Your hate for the board is so great (we all know it's bitterness because of Jose's sacking), that you will say anything to belittle the status of this club.

 

 

Not only are you wrong, not only have you ignored my other criticisms of the club, you're also speaking for people who either may not agree with you or may not want someone like you as their spokesman. Just speak for yourself perhaps.

 

"Rich man's playing, no identity, no soul, not a proper club", you really go to town on this club using derogatory phrases coined by jealous rivals looking up at our success over the years.

 

 

But I don't say we have no history. Unfortunately I think those insults you've listed above might actually be coming to fruition which I'd have never thought a decade ago.

 

We tried to be a proper club last summer. We won the league and although we didn't really improve the squad, we kept hold of our best assets to push at the top again. The lack of investment created a clear path to give youth a chance but no, you want Roman to throw his cash around like we are a "Rich Man's Plaything". Your views are somewhat contradictory.

 

 

They'd be contradictory if I'd ever stated you could only do one thing or the other. I haven't. Same goes for this summer where I'm delighted we're getting Nainggolan but also want us to continue with Loftus-Cheek and promote Baker. It's a balance as I've always said.

 

 

As I've said before no other club in the league has a board that have acted more responsibly and efficiently than ours in recent years. Just ask any Utd, Arsenal, City or Liverpool fan if they have high praise for the board. I'm sure the fans of those proper clubs will have a few choice words about how angry they are.

 

You're well within your rights to like and praise our board just as I'm able to criticise them. That's life.

 

Here's one question though - are you or your family CPO members?

'do you have a shortlist of clubs that you might support in future'

'Yeah Man City...'

Cmon mate... Sarcasm..

Not to comment on the subject itself we have these topics here always after a bad season or a mediocre season.

my god! having a butcher on the many views and opinions on here i have come to the view that some are forgetting the very basic about supporting the club! through the good and bad times? sure there are areas that need's to be addressed and i would rather have a roman abramovich doing it warts and all! probably because i experienced the fruitless late 70's and going onto boro sending us down! makes me think if some supporters were around then, then they wouldn't be like this! 

Are club direction a cover band?

 

OneDirection is sooooo yesterday !!! 

I think a lot of what shedender's said is fair. Just because he's raising issues with how the club is run doesn't mean he doesn't support Chels. I think it's because like many fans he cares about the club and is concerned about our future. 

 

I think you'd be daft to think that this manager merry go round is sustainable. The top managers simply won't want to come to Chelsea. That's why our strategy needs to be altered slightly. 

 

As for the whole identity crisis, we have lost a bit of our soul. Just sitting in the east or west stand confirms that. A lot of fans just see it as a day out and aren't really too fussed with how the club does. 

 

That being said, as long as I can afford tickets I'll continue to watch Chelsea till I'm an old fart :) 

I think a lot of what shedender's said is fair. Just because he's raising issues with how the club is run doesn't mean he doesn't support Chels. I think it's because like many fans he cares about the club and is concerned about our future.

I think you'd be daft to think that this manager merry go round is sustainable. The top managers simply won't want to come to Chelsea. That's why our strategy needs to be altered slightly.

As for the whole identity crisis, we have lost a bit of our soul. Just sitting in the east or west stand confirms that. A lot of fans just see it as a day out and aren't really too fussed with how the club does.

That being said, as long as I can afford tickets I'll continue to watch Chelsea till I'm an old fart :)

This whole manager merry go round thing is over blown and if anyone wants to attribute it to Jose's sacking, they are living in a bubble. We have been guilty of pulling the trigger too fast but you could also say that resulted in us claiming great success. However sometimes the board have to act when there is a massive balls up as we saw this season.

People are too fixated on Fergie and Wenger but they are both one of a kind and the latter has alienated himself from his own fans. Utd of today if they get Jose would've be on their 4th manager (including giggs) in 3 years. Liverpool have chopped and changed, as have City and Spurs.

How many managers have Real and even Barca been through? Look at Pep, goes to Bayern and leaves after 3 years. Management has turned into a short term job.

Our future is stable, we have nothing to fear. People need to stop overreacting as if we are a Villa, Newcastle or even Arsenal where are board don't care about the success of the club and are just in it to make money.

Chelsea fans complaining and protesting about our board are like spoilt rich kids who didn't get their favorite toy.

My point is, our problems are not that deep as some want to think.

This whole manager merry go round thing is over blown and if anyone wants to attribute it to Jose's sacking, they are living in a bubble. We have been guilty of pulling the trigger too fast but you could also say that resulted in us claiming great success. However sometimes the board have to act when there is a massive balls up as we saw this season.

People are too fixated on Fergie and Wenger but they are both one of a kind and the latter has alienated himself from his own fans. Utd of today if they get Jose would've be on their 4th manager (including giggs) in 3 years. Liverpool have chopped and changed, as have City and Spurs.

How many managers have Real and even Barca been through? Look at Pep, goes to Bayern and leaves after 3 years. Management has turned into a short term job.

 

 

Which is why it's key to have an overarching philosophy at the club that goes beyond the lifespan of a coach. What I would ask you is where that comes from in our club when you consider that from around early-2011 we seemed to want to build towards a more expansive, attacking, possession-based style of football and targeted Pep Guardiola, then scrapped that in 2013 when we hired Jose Mourinho. I've asked you questions like this many times and you've avoided answering them instead throwing snide insults at people, as I believe you are about to in the next paragraph.

 

 

Our future is stable, we have nothing to fear. People need to stop overreacting as if we are a Villa, Newcastle or even Arsenal where are board don't care about the success of the club and are just in it to make money.

Chelsea fans complaining and protesting about our board are like spoilt rich kids who didn't get their favorite toy.

My point is, our problems are not that deep as some want to think.

 

Spoilt rich kids - fair enough.

 

Would it be fair to say that success is all that matters to you? We'll obviously be successful in the short-term because Roman will spend money. That's the great thing about having a billionaire owner who can quite literally buy success.

 

But the issues I've spoken about go beyond that. Maybe it is asking too much but success that you aren't invested in is pointless, you're just watching one franchise which is indistinguishable from another winning the league. What I want is something that is uniquely Chelsea representing us on that pitch.

 

Is that something you'd like too or does it not matter? 

 

Also I asked you before whether you or your family were CPO members because I think that changes the way people view this club too after the events of 2011.

Edited April 27, 201610 yr by ShedEnder91

Which is why it's key to have an overarching philosophy at the club that goes beyond the lifespan of a coach. What I would ask you is where that comes from in our club when you consider that from around early-2011 we seemed to want to build towards a more expansive, attacking, possession-based style of football and targeted Pep Guardiola, then scrapped that in 2013 when we hired Jose Mourinho. I've asked you questions like this many times and you've avoided answering them instead throwing snide insults at people, as I believe you are about to in the next paragraph.

 

 

 

Spoilt rich kids - fair enough.

 

Would it be fair to say that success is all that matters to you? We'll obviously be successful in the short-term because Roman will spend money. That's the great thing about having a billionaire owner who can quite literally buy success.

 

But the issues I've spoken about go beyond that. Maybe it is asking too much but success that you aren't invested in is pointless, you're just watching one franchise which is indistinguishable from another winning the league. What I want is something that is uniquely Chelsea representing us on that pitch.

 

Is that something you'd like too or does it not matter? 

 

Also I asked you before whether you or your family were CPO members because I think that changes the way people view this club too after the events of 2011.

 

No it wouldn't be fair to say success is all that matters to me hence, why despite a catastrophic failure of a season, I understand that we have no divine right to win the league every year. I am really confident that this club will see success again in the future, its just a matter of being patient.

 

You are far too fixated on this "unique Chelsea way" stuff. Forget all that! All that matters is that we let the new manager do it HIS WAY, where we have 11 players in blue shirts playing to the best of their ability for the fans and the manager. Call it what you want, franchise, club, business or whatever, the club have brought in a new manager in Conte which from what I can see many fans are happy about.,

 

No I have no involvement at all with the CPO and I don't know too much about what happened in 2011 but from what I do know, my opinion is that the board were/are trying to raise the profile of this club with good intentions but tried to pull the wool over some peoples eyes to create an easy pathway and failed. Were their actions malicious? No. Naieve? Yes.

 

As we can now see, everything seems to be sorted and a new stadium is on it's way.

 

There is reason to be optimistic about the future of this club and how it's run. I would say go and find another club if you want perfection but in all honesty, there isn't a club in the PL, that can claim such a tag, so you should just sit back and watch the good times roll again, which I'm sure they will.

No it wouldn't be fair to say success is all that matters to me hence, why despite a catastrophic failure of a season, I understand that we have no divine right to win the league every year. I am really confident that this club will see success again in the future, its just a matter of being patient.

 

You are far too fixated on this "unique Chelsea way" stuff. Forget all that! All that matters is that we let the new manager do it HIS WAY, where we have 11 players in blue shirts playing to the best of their ability for the fans and the manager. Call it what you want, franchise, club, business or whatever, the club have brought in a new manager in Conte which from what I can see many fans are happy about.,

 

 

I'm too fixated on Chelsea having a unique style or identity. That's probably a fair assessment but I think you're unique in using that as a way to insult or denigrate me. I'd have thought most fans want their club to be unique, reflecting their history and values rather than chasing whatever's en vogue at that particular moment in time. But ok.

 

No I have no involvement at all with the CPO and I don't know too much about what happened in 2011 but from what I do know, my opinion is that the board were/are trying to raise the profile of this club with good intentions but tried to pull the wool over some peoples eyes to create an easy pathway and failed. Were their actions malicious? No. Naieve? Yes.

 

 

If you'd like I could post some links so you can see what happened. What the owner and board (I won't say club in this instance purely to maintain my happy disposition) did there will leave a bad taste in many people's mouths and keep them wary of the true intentions of an owner who had no connection to this club before deciding to buy it in 2003. Always remember that. We were very close to having the club move away from the plastic palm trees you are apparently fond of (that username is intriguing because it's such a sh*tty little bar now compared to what it was about six years ago - did you google map the closest pub to the Bridge and pick it, or do you genuinely enjoy going there on a matchday? Apart from the bird with the big boobs occasionally pulling pints there, what's the attraction?).

 

As we can now see, everything seems to be sorted and a new stadium is on it's way.

 

 

On a plot of land that it was unfeasible to do so within just 5 years ago - technology is amazing eh, especially when Battersea and Old Oak Common become impossible venues.

 

There is reason to be optimistic about the future of this club and how it's run. I would say go and find another club if you want perfection but in all honesty, there isn't a club in the PL, that can claim such a tag, so you should just sit back and watch the good times roll again, which I'm sure they will.

 

There are lots of things to be positive about. We have a fantastic academy, we have a nice shiny new coach who seems tactically progressive as well as looking good in a suit, we have a decent set of players already, we've started our transfer business early and the stadium is moving along well (on the present site).

 

That doesn't mean there aren't obstacles. I'll remind you that all of the above has been true many times previously (except for the stadium issue which is actually going to be a massive thing going forward as the board will probably once again try to buy the Freehold - there's absolutely no guarantee they get it which could have huge ramifications) and what it's brought is either failure or short-term success.

 

Don't worry, we always spend enough after a poor season (usually following a lack of investment) to get us back up there and next season will probably be the same. What I'd like to see is us find that balance between spending and developing homegrown youth, not only because it's financially prudent but so the next generation of fans can see heroes at this club who are 'proper Chelsea'. That's not me being spoilt, it's just me following in the footsteps of so many Chelsea supporters who came before.

Edited April 27, 201610 yr by ShedEnder91

I haven't got time to reply to your whole post but I'll address why I chose this name.

It was completely random and the pub I visit most since the H&F got shut down. It is devoid of atmosphere but it serves its purpose providing me with a good drink before kick off. And yes Sophie Rose does have an amazing pair of knockers

Its in the blood and for life,good times bad times.....UP THE CHELS !

Its in the blood and for life,good times bad times.....UP THE CHELS !

Hear, Hear!! KTBFFH

This whole manager merry go round thing is over blown and if anyone wants to attribute it to Jose's sacking, they are living in a bubble. We have been guilty of pulling the trigger too fast but you could also say that resulted in us claiming great success. However sometimes the board have to act when there is a massive balls up as we saw this season.

People are too fixated on Fergie and Wenger but they are both one of a kind and the latter has alienated himself from his own fans. Utd of today if they get Jose would've be on their 4th manager (including giggs) in 3 years. Liverpool have chopped and changed, as have City and Spurs.

How many managers have Real and even Barca been through? Look at Pep, goes to Bayern and leaves after 3 years. Management has turned into a short term job.

Our future is stable, we have nothing to fear. People need to stop overreacting as if we are a Villa, Newcastle or even Arsenal where are board don't care about the success of the club and are just in it to make money.

Chelsea fans complaining and protesting about our board are like spoilt rich kids who didn't get their favorite toy.

My point is, our problems are not that deep as some want to think.

The manager merry go round is really farcical, and Chelsea are definitely not alone in that as you point out. They aren't even the worst.

Watford went through 4 managers in less than a year. Then Slaviša Jokanovi? took over in October 2014 and got them automatic promotion. Surely they had found some managerial stabilty, right? Surely they would keep a manager who had taken them to the top tier, right? Wrong. They got rid of him a month after he got them promoted.

Now under Quique Sanchez Flores in their first season up they're in 12th place, have been mathematically safe for a few games now, and reached the semifinal of the FA Cup. And what are they doing? They're sacking Sanchez Flores because of the dip in form the past few months.

Watford went through 4 managers in less than a year. Then Slaviša Jokanovi? took over in October 2014 and got them automatic promotion. Surely they had found some managerial stabilty, right? Surely they would keep a manager who had taken them to the top tier, right? Wrong. They got rid of him a month after he got them promoted.

 

While he undoubtedly did a good job, as far as I remember Jokanovic left over contract negotiations.

 

That said, it's hard to know how well his 2014/15 side would have done in the Premier League considering they replaced half the squad (and a large chunk of the first XI) over the summer. I agree that Flores has done exceptionally well though; to be disappointed with 12th and an FA Cup semi-final is a sign of how far they've progressed.

Wait Flores is been sacked? That's ridiculous

Clubs sacking managers happens at every club whatever tier they play in. Look at Notts County managers since 2004 and go to any lower league club and it would be a similar story.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notts_County_F.C.#Coaching_staff

Edited April 28, 201610 yr by Passed It

Well written and interesting article about Bolton and Stoke. It makes me think that next year is a most crucial year. If we can improve or at least halt the slide downward, then we will be in okay shape (maybe not great shape but okay). If we slip further, it could cause a downward spiral that is difficult to stop once it gains momentum.

https://footballpink.net/2016/04/25/how-stoke-and-bolton-swapped-ownership-of-premier-league-places-and-cold-tuesday-nights/?

Well written and interesting article about Bolton and Stoke. It makes me think that next year is a most crucial year. If we can improve or at least halt the slide downward, then we will be in okay shape (maybe not great shape but okay). If we slip further, it could cause a downward spiral that is difficult to stop once it gains momentum.

https://footballpink.net/2016/04/25/how-stoke-and-bolton-swapped-ownership-of-premier-league-places-and-cold-tuesday-nights/?

 

Bin dippers being a prime recent example in my mind, important we bounce back into the champions league straight away!

Exactly. I just feel like now with yet another manager coming in, I'm guessing he will do well to stay for 3 years, why not change our philosophy, build a team, or build the base of a new team with our very exciting youth squad, no pressure and see where it takes us. Otherwise what are we gonna do? Spend £100million every time we have a season like we just have? On the back of becoming champions..

 

It's difficult. Everyone wants results now, fans are just as bad as the money men but this constant refreshing of management and players will eventually bite you. This season proves that.