our season is over

[yogic]

Grant is pathetic. There was nothing tactical about his approach.

Sheva should not start another game - he should be loaned out to wolves.

IF Kenyon cannot see the situation clearly and doesnt ask Roman to bring in a big name manager in the next 48 hours - then he should be stripped naked and locked up in a prison cell.

Drogba will be missed even more now

Pathetic performance - i am furious.

Time for Roman to step up and do what is needed - send Grant back to his country and bring in Hiddink or Capello.

[Guest]

I should point out that I defended Avram Grant in the Man Utd game, he didn't do too much wrong that day in my opinion.

But this was atrocious. It was a complete display of tactical ineptness today. The players opposed to playing crap actually did really well given the circumstances they were under, it was Grant that let the side down terribly today.

[The Moos]

Well to be honest the decision to let Maka take a corner wasn't a bad one since nobody in the squad seemed to be able to take them. Maka atleast got it past the first guy and it could have been a goal even.

But, yeah, it is a bit pathetic.

I was all for giving Grant a chance but now he's had his chance and he hasn't been good enough. I guess he'll be in charge against valencia this wednesday (or is it tuesday?). I'm having nightmares about that game already.

If we fail to play well there then I see no reason to keep Grant. He has then proven to be inept at managing this squad.

[yogic]

what kind of a farking idiot plays maka as CD when we are down to 10 men and tells ben haim and alex to push up

a 7yr old on FM would be better than Grant - he probably cant even manage an under 17 side

[The Moos]

what kind of a f**king idiot plays maka as CD when we are down to 10 men and tells ben haim and alex to push up

a 7yr old on FM would be better than Grant - he probably cant even manage an under 17 side

Well in case you hadn't noticed Maka saved us as CD and Alex helped us in attack.

[TerryIsALegend]

Perhaps the worst decesion in chelsea history, can't wait to see how we do tuesday/weds against valencia should be great entertainment roman..

[Peeking Duck?]

But, yeah, it is a bit pathetic.

...and the winner is...The Moos! for Understatement of the Year

[Alan]

Some of the players out there today just didnt seem bothered imo. Prime example today: Malouda lost the ball and Fulham began a counter attack. He jogged casually towards the play and made no attempt to put someone under pressure or mark anyone. I could've walked faster than the speed at which he got back.

[Englishman]

Some of the players out there today just didnt seem bothered imo. Prime example today: Malouda lost the ball and Fulham began a counter attack. He jogged casually towards the play and made no attempt to put someone under pressure or mark anyone. I could've walked faster than the speed at which he got back.

I remember that incident. But if you think that's bad just wait till Ronnie arrives!

[Essien's Strike]

if maka was taking a corner, maybe thats because maka has asked to take corners?

since JM is gone, players can now ask for things they were never able to do before, and maybe maka put in some nice balls in training?

all this loss of cohesion would happen to any team who lost a manager in such a snapfire fashion.

you can see grant is trying but the players arent gelled anymore.

the head has been cut off and the body is running around.

give grant time.

[yogic]

Some of the players out there today just didnt seem bothered imo. Prime example today: Malouda lost the ball and Fulham began a counter attack. He jogged casually towards the play and made no attempt to put someone under pressure or mark anyone. I could've walked faster than the speed at which he got back.

I remember that incident. But if you think that's bad just wait till Ronnie arrives!

We have enough of a circus in Grant - who needs ronnie

[Guest]

if maka was taking a corner, maybe thats because maka has asked to take corners?

since JM is gone, players can now ask for things they were never able to do before, and maybe maka put in some nice balls in training?

all this loss of cohesion would happen to any team who lost a manager in such a snapfire fashion.

you can see grant is trying but the players arent gelled anymore.

the head has been cut off and the body is running around.

give grant time.

This loss of cohesion was because the manager was too stupid to put a player to do Lampards role of getting around the park joining up the play. Consequently we looked disjointed and were unable to hold onto the ball. If you asked me before the game whether we should give Grant time I would have said yes, in fact I beleive I probably did call for the fans here to do that. But after that game, I think its crystal clear he lacks the necessary ability to lead a team like Chelsea.

We didn't win, because of the managers tactics, not because of the performances of the players.

PS. If we can get Ronaldinho for a reasonable price, then I think he'd really offer us something and I think we should bring him in. We are talking about a World and European player of the year here (I think) and his far from being past it.

[loz]

Yes that is right the season is entirely over because we have nothing left to play for, no league positions, no domestic trophies and we are already out of the CL.

And since when does a season have to have trophies for it to be a season. As far as I remember there has been one or two seaons in Chelsea's history where they didn't win a trophy!

[brucie]

Quite agree Qaz, it was all Grant's fault Kalu missed a free header from 6 yards

[Butch]

I think he meant we don't have much prospects as things stand at the moment, Loz. If we're able to turn it around soon-ish, then of course, the season is still long. But just looking at the squad operating without discipline, with players who are clearly rattled and unhappy, and with confidence running lower than it has been for a long while, as we watch the other sides pull further and further clear, does look a bit hopeless don't you think?

We need a strong influence. The squad is a good one, but an experienced one. It is not going to give in to a manager who is clearly a step down from Jose and one who indeed may have played a role in his departure (may being the important word here). I really think we need a Capello/Hiddink/Lippi calibre manager and man - someone who will instantly win the respect of the players and get them pulling in the same direction again. I see Makalele's taking of corners yesterday not for what it seemed, a man wanting to do what he felt was best for the team under the circumstances, but for something symptomatic of a squad playing an indisciplined brand of football. Shevchenko is pulling one way, Drogba another, Joey one way and Makalele still another. They are all trying to lead in their own way because they feel the squad lacks leadership (I don't mean in a captaincy kind of a way, but a footballing kind of a way, if that makes sense).

A loss, as expected, at Valencia and that would leave us a mountain to climb in the CL, with the EPL already going to be a bit of a tough come back. So, even though the season is obviously not over, looking at our prospects at the moment, it may as well be. I'm not being pessimistic. I am being realistic. And I most definitely hope I am wrong.

Cheers,

Butch

[Guest]

Quite agree Qaz, it was all Grant's fault Kalu missed a free header from 6 yards

Fulham were crap. If we played just a little smarter tactically, we would not have had to rely on Kalou to have scored that goal or Cech to save our asses.

[Chippy]

I am as upset as anyone about yesterdays performance but again feel we need to give the Manager more time,

we had a lot of possesion and a fair few chances and Grant never missed the chances the players did,

We have not played well all season, why can we expect to suddenly play well now?

the team has lost a great manager and the players dont yet know if the man in charge is bad/good/great.

we would be making excuses for this draw if Jose was still there (no Essien Lampard Swp Carvallo Mickel, Drogba not sharp and sent off, Terry not on for the second half) all reasons to lose any cohesion the team may have had, add to that Shevas form Pizzaro still showing nothing and I cant see how Grant should be taking all the blame,

the players dont look up for it (Malouda looked uninterested) and that could be a motivation thing but its only Grants third game in charge and the players have got an excuse

and that may be why they are so lak lustre, maybe the excuse is more of the problem?

I am not sure a high profile man would have had anymore impact on results so far as the players (and fans) believe the best has left us and if we were struggling a bit under

him, we are in trouble whoever is in charge.

I think when we Have Lampard and Essien back a fit Drogba and a fit Ricardo the spine of the team will be strong and the others will gradually fit in around them,

It will be too late for the title but hopefully we will still make a CL spot.

The worry for me is the CL now, I am hoping for a big commitment midweek and if we get it and can win the game (a big if on yeasterdays performance but a big if on the ones against Villa, Reading and Pool aswell) it will give us a big lift and keep us in the hunt for a massive prize that looks impossible now.

I know everyones gutted sh*t I am but Grant probobly never had a lot to do with Jose going and has not had time to do much with the team, the players are stinging from losing

a manager they had total faith in and until they get over Jose I think anyone would find the Job hard.

only my opinion and a hopeful one but another way of looking at it.

[Peeking Duck?]

If we need Frank, Essien, and Ricky plus a fully fit and in form Drogs to compete with the likes of Fulham, after spending so much on the squad, then we're doomed. The whole idea of the spending layout was to ensure that when key players were missing we would have enough quality for matches like yesterday. The logic that "Grant just needs more time" is the same logic that "Sheva just needs a bit of confidence". Sheva gets a lucky goal against a European minnow and is afforded 10 more starts based on being in form. Grant gets a 4-0 result against HULL and suddenly everyone is talking like we're the new Barcelona.

Sorry, but Grant doesn't need more time, nor does Sheva, nor does Kalou, nor does SWP. More importantly, I believe we'll be out of all competitions before the Ordinary One is given the heave.

PS - I consider voicing my displeasure at the recent turn of events as part of my duty supporting the club. If you (implied) can't see we are in total meltdown then nothing I say is going to help you see the light.

[Chippy]

If we need Frank, Essien, and Ricky plus a fully fit and in form Drogs to compete with the likes of Fulham, after spending so much on the squad, then we're doomed. The whole idea of the spending layout was to ensure that when key players were missing we would have enough quality for matches like yesterday. The logic that "Grant just needs more time" is the same logic that "Sheva just needs a bit of confidence". Sheva gets a lucky goal against a European minnow and is afforded 10 more starts based on being in form. Grant gets a 4-0 result against HULL and suddenly everyone is talking like we're the new Barcelona.

Sorry, but Grant doesn't need more time, nor does Sheva, nor does Kalou, nor does SWP. More importantly, I believe we'll be out of all competitions before the Ordinary One is given the heave.

PS - I consider voicing my displeasure at the recent turn of events as part of my duty supporting the club. If you (implied) can't see we are in total meltdown then nothing I say is going to help you see the light.

I dont need you to help me see the light as if there is any it is a long way to the end of the tunnel, what I say is three games dont tell us what grant has to offer,

Jose had three years and the players we are talking about and we lost to Villa so the ordinary one should be given more time.

the players you mention wont suddenly be great if Avram is sacked will they?

Oh and who on here is talking like we're the new Barcelona?

Before people assosiate me with being the only one who wants Grant in charge I just want to say

I would not have chosen Grant and know nothing about his prowess as a manager

If Jose had to go and I think he did as he and Romans relationship was ever deteriating, it should have been in close season last or next and I would have liked a proven manager to have come straight in.

things never happened that way and Grant is there now, I will support him while he is here and hope he turns it round,

I wont get on his back after three games and I wont abuse him for being not as handsome as Jose, not as Charismatiuc as Jose not as confrontational as Jose if fact I will if he can last that long give him at least until after January before I abuse him at all as I think putting his ideas into practice will take that long.

as I say these are my opinions and are hopeful ones.

[Guest]

Look, I defended him after the Man Utd. I really don't think he did too much wrong that game.

But this Fulham game was a real c*ck up on his part. I don't think we need much more than that game to see that his not good enough to make it at Chelsea long term.

Sure we lost to Villa, and could only draw with Blackburn and Rosenberg. But you have to distinguish between tactics and the performance of the players themselves.

With Mourinho the tactics were never too bad, even when we lost, we still generally controlled the game and carved out a few decent chances, it was just the players who due to various factors were unable to do the job on the day. But with Grant, the tactics were crap. The players actually did really well under the circumstances.

[Chippy]

Look, I defended him after the Man Utd. I really don't think he did too much wrong that game.

But this Fulham game was a real c*ck up on his part. I don't think we need much more than that game to see that his not good enough to make it at Chelsea long term.

Sure we lost to Villa, and could only draw with Blackburn and Rosenberg. But you have to distinguish between tactics and the performance of the players themselves.

With Mourinho the tactics were never too bad, even when we lost, we still generally controlled the game and carved out a few decent chances, it was just the players who due to various factors were unable to do the job on the day. But with Grant, the tactics were crap. The players actually did really well under the circumstances.

Ok you defended him after the Man Utd game, nice one thats fair

2 games is enough the third time he's out.

the players may have not had time to get used to the tactics, they may have put there own tactics into place as they have not had the time to trust in Grant, I dont know any better than anyone else,

I think more time is needed, you dont fine

[glory55]

Our season is far from over,I still got 30+ games to do!

We wont win the league,but that dont mean its all over!

Is winning everything to you??

Get a grip mate!!

This is football and we have no divine right to be at the top.

All this media hype around the club and failure is doing my swede in.

We have seen this all before,whatever happens just get behind the team and roll with it.

'Through thick and thin' and all that lot.

[Guest]

the players may have not had time to get used to the tactics, they may have put there own tactics into place as they have not had the time to trust in Grant, I dont know any better than anyone else,

I think more time is needed, you dont fine

It is possible they ignored Grant's tactics and played their own way instead. Though that just switches the critisism from being a dunce tactically to being a dunce as a man manager.

[Chippy]

the players may have not had time to get used to the tactics, they may have put there own tactics into place as they have not had the time to trust in Grant, I dont know any better than anyone else,

I think more time is needed, you dont fine

It is possible they ignored Grant's tactics and played their own way instead. Though that just switches the critisism from being a dunce tactically to being a dunce as a man manager.

Or possibly back again to needing more time.

[Guest]

Or possibly back again to needing more time.

He basically played without a midfield. There was no link-man bringing all the elements of the team together attackingly and that is why we were so disjointed out there. I don't know how you can get something so basic wrong at this level.

All he had to do was drop Sheva and put Joey into a midfield spot to link up midfield and attack and hence play a 4-3-3 instead of the 4-2-4 Chelsea played and we would have been able to hold onto the ball, create better quality chances and not look so disjointed. We would never have missed the extra attacker as they were all getting in each others way anyway and you would have seen a much more organised display.