Posted November 2, 200717 yr or should that be "the press stir up trouble"? Fragile peace is under threat from Henk Ten Cate?s ?bad cop? routine I particularly enjoyed this: "Several players have complained privately about his perceived arrogance and brashness, while others have criticised an alleged desire for total control" Remind you of anyone else? Slightly more concerned to read about Clarke being marginalised and interested to see that Grant is having his strings pulled by Clarke and Ten Cate
November 2, 200717 yr Players were hardly going to accept a new managerment structure with open arms were they? With 3 people pulling the strings there are likely to be divisions. Some players will be unhappy, some will accept the chance to prove themselves again. I don't want Clarke forced out of the club. He is Chelsea thru and thru and I wouldn't like to see him ousted to massage the new blokes ego because he wants to 'run the show' We've had enough talk of 'ego's' for one season thank you.
November 2, 200717 yr There's a saying "Too many cooks spoil the broth" Maybe it's not a question of ego's, it could also be a case of differing views and different metholodgy, and different goals? Thats why I don't like this whole two assistant coaches thing. In any company or sports team I think you need a clear structure of who does what, who controls what, and when it comes down to it, who is the boss. I guess if both Cate and Clarkie give their views and ideas to Avram, and then he decides which he agrees with it could work........... But I still don't get this part "Several players have complained privately about his perceived arrogance and brashness, while others have criticised an alleged desire for total control" Surely he dosen't have to prove himself to them? Whatever he did at Barcelona obviously worked. It's only been a week so a bit early for compaints isn't it? That is assuming this is all true of course
November 2, 200717 yr Take the individual and what we do/don't know about them: Stevie Clarke - Chelsea, knows what the club and the fans are about, a decent coach but never had the chance here to be the only number two. Is he a good coach??? or is he just good at knowing a bit about the history of Chelsea???? I prefer Chelsea with Clarke involved. Ten Cate - A proven manager/coach, what will his relationship with Grant be like??? Who knows, it may well be that he was bought in now to help smooth over the introduction of a new manager in the new season, with Grant moving upstairs. If not he may well be the person that Grant has said will complete the team of back-room staff that will see us dominate for years to come! Or, the irseali dude (pini zhavi) could have told Roman (his bitch) that he's the best thing since sliced bread and that he should break the bank to get him. Avram Grant - Who knows???? The upshot is that Grant is in control (of the first team at least for the moment, and at least as far as we are concerned), what he thinks of the people that work for him or what the top management think about what's going to happen in the future we can only guess. But, I'd rather see Steve Clarke leave that be forced into a nothing role just because the fans can identify with him. As for the players, if you pay a handsome wage and you get success then players will want to be there. If someone wants to go already (be it Drogs or SWP) then they are showing massive shortsitedness (surely that's not a word) but so be it. Players are not fans of the club they represent they are professionals in their field, they do not care about us (well very few) and are only interested in themselves and what they can earn (money and trophey's), you and I would be exactly the same. If Chelsea succeed with no "old school" players/coaches/managers/owners then I'm guessing there will be very few that care!
November 2, 200717 yr When has the Times ever printed anything positive about the happenings at SW6 on or off the park?
November 5, 200717 yr or should that be "the press stir up trouble"?Fragile peace is under threat from Henk Ten Cate?s ?bad cop? routine I particularly enjoyed this: "Several players have complained privately about his perceived arrogance and brashness, while others have criticised an alleged desire for total control" Remind you of anyone else? Slightly more concerned to read about Clarke being marginalised and interested to see that Grant is having his strings pulled by Clarke and Ten Cate I think The Times are stirring as usual but I do wonder about Clarke that being said. He now has to work with Ten Cate who hardly seems like a wall flower. Makes me wonder if his nose might not yet get put out of joint and if he is ambitious enough could he decide to move on elsewhere eventually new contract or not? Before he was the sole "number two" now he is the joint number two!
November 5, 200717 yr Does anyone else wonder who our manager actually is, or who's in charge? I've watched clips from the past 2 games and Clarke is on the touch-line telling the subs who are coming on where to play and what to do. And between him and Cate they were discussing tactic's against Leicester and Wigan with Avram more of a spectator. Just an observation. not a bring back jose post!
November 5, 200717 yr ............Clarke is on the touch-line telling the subs who are coming on where to play and what to do. ............. But he always used to do that when J*** M******* was still there as well. Clarkey has always been the one giving last minute instructions! Also not a pro or anti JM post either Kev
November 5, 200717 yr Author What I thought was particularly telling was the little clip they showed on football first where Ten Cate was sat there animatedly talking about something to Clarke and Clarke just stared straight ahead without even seeming to acknowledge that Ten Cate was speaking. Gant was sat between them and was ignoring both. It looked very much to me as though Clarke really just wanted Ten Cate to shut up!
November 5, 200717 yr What I thought was particularly telling was the little clip they showed on football first where Ten Cate was sat there animatedly talking about something to Clarke and Clarke just stared straight ahead without even seeming to acknowledge that Ten Cate was speaking. Gant was sat between them and was ignoring both.It looked very much to me as though Clarke really just wanted Ten Cate to shut up! I saw that too and that was my first thought, I do hope it was one of those situations that aren't what it looked like
November 5, 200717 yr Does anyone else wonder who our manager actually is, or who's in charge? I've watched clips from the past 2 games and Clarke is on the touch-line telling the subs who are coming on where to play and what to do. And between him and Cate they were discussing tactic's against Leicester and Wigan with Avram more of a spectator.Just an observation. not a bring back jose post! Clarke used to shout instructions when Jose was manager but the difference now also appears to be that Clarke AND Cate both seem to be doing that whilst Grant appears more in the background. Not sure if this is better, worse or different. The players say Grant is more an observing type so that fits in with what you've seen.
November 6, 200717 yr Was it the Wigan game or some other game just recently where Ten Cate was sort of laughing and he talked passionately to Grant and Clarke. Neither of them reacted though he was 30cm form Avrams face. Someone else noticed? Especially Clarke was like a statue there and he had a really angry looking face just looking to the pitch. OK, probably Ten Cate just had something stupid or uninteresting to say, but it woke up a small 'the sun' reporter in me. . It looked like neither Grant or Clarke wanted to hear what Henk had to say.
November 6, 200717 yr I personally think Clarke should go. I mean I bloody would if I was him. He's never going to move up to the top table with Grand and Cate there so for the sake of self respect I'd move on and get ready for a major and truiumphant return in a couple of years working with Sparky. Just for the record, I absolutely love Steve Clarke. For me he is the only thing that still connects the club to the wonderful 90's, so it is with heavy heart that I submit this. Gawd bless you Stevie...
November 6, 200717 yr I mean I bloody would if I was him. He's never going to move up to the top table with Grand and Cate there so for the sake of self respect I'd move on and get ready for a major and truiumphant return in a couple of years working with Sparky. But I tell you what. Callista and Bluenut could find malice in a fluffy white bunny!
November 6, 200717 yr I mean I bloody would if I was him. He's never going to move up to the top table with Grand and Cate there so for the sake of self respect I'd move on and get ready for a major and truiumphant return in a couple of years working with Sparky. But I tell you what. Callista and Bluenut could find malice in a fluffy white bunny! What makes you think that? I'd welcome a pairing of Sparky and Clarky (it's got a ring to it hasn't it?) and seeing his backroom staff consists of steady Eddie and Hitchy, it'd be a proper Chelsea old boys reunion. Just because I'm not happy with the way Avi squirmed his way into the frame, it doesn't mean I don't want us to return to some sort of serious football club again.
November 8, 200717 yr I mean I bloody would if I was him. He's never going to move up to the top table with Grand and Cate there so for the sake of self respect I'd move on and get ready for a major and truiumphant return in a couple of years working with Sparky. But I tell you what. Callista and Bluenut could find malice in a fluffy white bunny! They are dangerous those white bunnies you know. Sharp little teeth.
November 8, 200717 yr I mean I bloody would if I was him. He's never going to move up to the top table with Grand and Cate there so for the sake of self respect I'd move on and get ready for a major and truiumphant return in a couple of years working with Sparky. But I tell you what. Callista and Bluenut could find malice in a fluffy white bunny! They are dangerous those white bunnies you know. Sharp little teeth. Absolutely. Haven't anyone seen Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail?
November 9, 200717 yr I mean I bloody would if I was him. He's never going to move up to the top table with Grand and Cate there so for the sake of self respect I'd move on and get ready for a major and truiumphant return in a couple of years working with Sparky. But I tell you what. Callista and Bluenut could find malice in a fluffy white bunny! They are dangerous those white bunnies you know. Sharp little teeth. Absolutely. Haven't anyone seen Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail? Ah yes, priceless! Perhaps Bluenut and Callista were uncredited copywriters for Monty Python.
November 9, 200717 yr Love Python.Killer rabbit! No, no, Callista dear. A python is a snake, not a rabbit...
