Rise of the BIAS Movement

[Enrico]

Some can do no wrong. Others can do nothing right. Now when the new Messiah Drogba has an offday in front of goal, rolls around, jumps for a few headers, he "made immense contributions that you cannot see". When the little petulant Robben makes two opposition defenders sh*t their shorts and have nightmares he "was ok. Not as f**ked up as usual."

It is the same with Michael Ballack. The man tracks back, makes himself available for passes, makes 1000 one-touch passes that keep our game flowing, commits little fouls that stop the opponent's game flowing, plays little lobs over the defence. With the tripe we're displaying out there, now more than ever we need these little lobs. High risk passes that will create something. But whatever he does or does not do, followers of the BIAS Movement stand firm.

BIAS (Ballack Is Always Sh*t) does not care if he scores the winner in a Champions' League tie. So what if he commands the midfield, makes 584 tackles, or provides 50 throughpasses that Drogba fluffs. B - I - A - S.

[BlueBosnian]

I so, 100%, agree with you. People do not realise how many "little things" he does that no other player on our team does. But hey, that is why Mourinho has the job and not the people from this forum, and as long as Mourinho sees it, it does not matter.

[Scott]

I go for BIMS rather than Bias.

Mostly not always

[just]

Personally I'm a member of the BAGANFKS.

Ballack Always Gives Away Needless Free Kicks Society

[The Moos]

I agree. We are only human and humans are sometimes very stupid.

I know Riccy has had a great season but a part of me still can't see him as a great player.

Terry can be responsible for 10 conceded goals in one game and be sent off in the final minute and I would probably still say "he was great. He just had some bad luck. Long Live King Terry!"

Okay, that was perhaps a bit of a lie...or was it...

[superdan]

There is bias - especially in the media towards English players.

But I'm sorry I've seen almost every Chelsea game this season - 90% of home games at the bridge and most away on TV. Ballack has had a few good games, some moments of genius, some good tackles and has made a few crucial contributions. But he is slow, wastes too many balls and gives away needless free kicks. I honestly think we've been playing most of the season with 10 men. I think he'll be better next season and I really hope he is.

Sheva has had a lot of stick but he is popular as he works his socks off and comes back to make tackles and win the ball.

Lampard in his first season (or two) was a very average player but also worked his socks off every match and won the fans over that way.

I'm happy to give him time but not false praise!

[lauren]

he is cute though

[bjd]

Some can do no wrong. Others can do nothing right. Now when the new Messiah Drogba has an offday in front of goal, rolls around, jumps for a few headers, he "made immense contributions that you cannot see". When the little petulant Robben makes two opposition defenders sh*t their shorts and have nightmares he "was ok. Not as f****d up as usual."

It is the same with Michael Ballack. The man tracks back, makes himself available for passes, makes 1000 one-touch passes that keep our game flowing, commits little fouls that stop the opponent's game flowing, plays little lobs over the defence. With the tripe we're displaying out there, now more than ever we need these little lobs. High risk passes that will create something. But whatever he does or does not do, followers of the BIAS Movement stand firm.

BIAS (Ballack Is Always Sh*t) does not care if he scores the winner in a Champions' League tie. So what if he commands the midfield, makes 584 tackles, or provides 50 throughpasses that Drogba fluffs. B - I - A - S.

Ok fellas, lets not go overboard here.

Some of the stick Ballack has taken is a little unfair. Particulary when there have been plenty of other players not at their best either. But i emphasise, its onlya little unfair...

If you can provide me of one example of when he has had 'command of the midfield' i will pipe down.

Considering his reputation Chelsea fans certainly have every right to expect a lot more from him this season. However we are not stupid and of course its his first season in a new league so it will be next year when we should clearly judge him.

But, the fact that you highlight that gives away fouls to stop our opponents playing as one of his plus points says it all.

So far my abiding memory of Ballack this season was at the Arsenal home game where i was in the MHL and just after we equalised and were pumping forward looking for the winner i noticed Ballack standing in the centre circle.

With his hands on his hips.

[Elliott]

Personally I'm a member of the BAGANFKS.

Ballack Always Gives Away Needless Free Kicks Society

Me too.

[Nibs]

When or should we say IF Ballack ever manages to play the sort of match that Enrico has described above, then I will give the guy the credit that those sort of performances deserve. But 1,000 one touch passes? 584 tackles? Maybe during his lifetime - not since he's been playing for us?

YES he does give away loads of free-kicks (or commits little fouls as Enrico calls it!!). That might break the flow of the oppostion, but unfortunately, more often than not also gives them a free kick in a very dangerous position. So 584 tackles - 583 of which would have made Paul Scholes proud.

I'm sorry, but the guy has been complete crap, full stop. With everyone available he wouldn't get anywhere near our best starting 11. Some may say that's BIAS, I just say it's REALITY.

And how can anyone have a pop at Drogba this season

[Jack]

I've been critical of Ballack this season, like most of us are. There's time for him to redeem himself and I always stick to the idea that if Sheva, Ballack and a couple of others had played to their maximum and we'd avoided the injuries to JT and Cech we'd be walking away with every trophy available - the time is still there for us to do just that. The time to pass judgement on players is after all is said and done and we sit back and count the medals.

Having said that, Ballack has been sh*te!

[BlueBosnian]

For some reason I think he plays way better when he plays in Europe against European sides, than in England against an English side. I thought he did very well today.

[Nibs]

I thought he did very well today.

I'll second that. I'd go as far as to say that that was his best performance in a Chelsea shirt to date.

[ethicalstrategy]

No doubt Ballack did play well last night.

I say look out for next season. I believe he will prove to be a much improved player for us once he gets used to the extra pace of the game. He hasn't been anywhere near as bad as some here would have you believe - that's the price he pays for being german!!

[Guest]

No doubt Ballack did play well last night.

I say look out for next season. I believe he will prove to be a much improved player for us once he gets used to the extra pace of the game. He hasn't been anywhere near as bad as some here would have you believe - that's the price he pays for being german!!

I think if you asked most people if they wanted Chelsea to sign Ballack last season they'd say yes. So im suprised his Germaness is suddenly an issue now

[Lofty]

And how can anyone have a pop at Drogba this season

Apparently they can:

From the Times Online Chelsea debate page:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 066661.ece

"Chelsea don't need another forward, what they need to do is change their game play.

Drogba has never and will never be as good as shevchenko, nor will he ever acheive what sheva's acheived. A bad start to the season true, but recently sheva has started to prove his critics wrong though there is still much to do.

Sheva has hardly had any opportuniteis given to him by an unproductive midfield, and half of Drogbas goals were from shevchenko assists.

Drop Ballack and play sheva up front alone with wingers (if mourinho has any left) and chelsea will be back to their best.

Jason , London, England"

Something tells me poor old Jason forgot to take his medication.