Kenn Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 The earth did not move on Sunday, but Avram Grant slept a little easier that night. The sight of the man who’s patented the hangdog expression donning a faint but clear smile at the post-match circuit must be a welcome relief to everyone at the Bridge. From a close shave with self-combustion to self-satisfaction in ninety minutes, Grant could be forgiven for thinking every monkey has scampered off his hunched back. Since his banishment to the doghouse, Easter Sunday was that day he possibly began to feel that a dead chicken may yet still get the chance to eat some sweet corn. Sure, he must have resurrected something in the minds of not a few doubting Thomases with that defeat of Arsenal at the Bridge. Okay, it’s just one game, but it is one game and one stone that killed several scary birds. With this victory, Grant answered some of our questions – not all, but some big ones. We said he couldn’t win the big games; he has now won against a title-chasing Arsenal side at the Bridge and is still keeping our home-invincibility record going. We said he couldn’t make substitutions that turn games; he did with the introduction of Nicolas Anelka and Juliano Belletti. Okay, the goals were scored by the Arsenal-defying Didier Drogba who put in another Man of the Match performance and who, if reports are to be believed, cannot exactly be tagged a great fan of Grant the manager. But even that shouldn’t take away much from Grant’s moment. Since cynicism rightfully installed itself in the minds of most fans with his appointment as manager, every kind of reason has been given for our apparently surprising good performances, but none has ever been adduced to Grant’s managerial ability. Popular wisdom has been that the team perform well when they do in spite of the man, not because of him. On the other hand, the gaping holes in his CV and his questionable personality have been assiduously and overwhelmingly championed as causes of our failures. We therefore shouldn’t be surprised to hear people say this is a case of Drogba raising his game to prove he’s earned his right to criticize the coach or that this is the result of him kicking up Chelsea’s backsides after a series of lacklustre displays and substitutions that had him moaning at the bench more than most. Perhaps, we’ll still hear some claim that this is simply underlying his currency to summer suitors, having reportedly made up his mind to leave Chelsea as part of the messy post-Mourinho fallout or, in relation to the whole, it could yet be interpreted as the old Mourinho team just playing from memory and desperately adopting a self-help approach to redeem their reputation, having realized that Grant cannot lift them. Whatever the truth though, one thing I know is that we can’t have it both ways. If Grant is not good enough when we’re losing the big games or embarrassingly drawing easily winnable ones, he must be good enough if we suddenly begin winning the big ones, like this one against Arsenal at the Bridge. Yes, this is just one big game and a few more are due to come, but it’s only fair that the man be given credit for a good Chelsea performance as we give him stick for bad ones. Indeed, the importance of this win cannot be over-emphasized. Apart from going a long way to exorcize the ghost of Mourinho and his uncanny ability to deliver in most big games (as opposed to the timid Grant), something stirred in the heart of all true Chelsea fans on Sunday at the final whistle. Of course, no one sang Grant’s praises to high heavens, but some of us who fear we’re back to the days of being glorious losers are actually beginning to think the unthinkable, which is that we may actually stumble upon some silverware this season after all! The fact that we are second in the league, five points behind Manchester United and with no team in-between us means we have been put in a great position to chase them down the finishing line. This victory underlines our resilience and may just have reminded the rest of the Premiership why they used to fear us. The multiplier effect of such confident display in our preparation for the continuation of our Champions League campaign cannot be overlooked as well. So here’s the news - some of us in great doubt are about to start believing again, albeit on the strength of one game. However, this is one huge game! I personally have no qualms hosting a huge feast of freshly-baked humble-pies if we win any of the two silverwares now still available. Whatever happens with Grant, whether he stays or goes, is of lesser importance to me than us winning silverware; but if we win it, I’d be ready to wave him goodbye with grudging respect or look forward to his further reign with less trepidation. Yes, if winning any silverware this season will solidify the position of the unpopular Grant, I can live with that and even learn to love him! But if from this point, we still go on to end the season empty-handed, Roman must be forced to deliver his head on a platter. It’s a harsh world at Chelsea nowadays and I suppose the Czar of Stamford Bridge will have it no other way. But, for today, Grant must be granted his due. In fact, I think at this stage, he’s earned the right to be supported till the end of the season by every true Blue. Those supporters openly ridiculing him must now back off. He and the team need us solidly behind them to catch Manchester United and get our trophy back. They need us with them to push farther than before in Europe. We must decide what we want and what price to pay and right now I’d think easing off on Grant in exchange for some silverware (or the real possibility of it) is small price to pay for the rest of the season. With my fingers firmly clipping up my nostrils, I’m getting on with it. I suggest all true Chelsea fans do the same. Okay, it’s not yet Avramania up my alley, but stranger things have happened in football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MURDOCH_(8) Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Brilliant Post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lofty Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Long post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Long post. What did it say? Does he like Grant or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lofty Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Long post. What did it say? Does he like Grant or not? No idea. I read "The earth did not move on Sunday" and expected a post either about an earthquake that didn't happen, or that his misses (or otherwise significantantly significant other) wasn't exactly happy with someone's .. performance. Or maybe it was the other way round, who knows. Well I'm glad that Mr A. Grant slept well. As a long term sufferer from insomnia I know how it is when you just can't sleep. Such is life. A bitch and a narf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 it’s not yet Avramania up my alley Sounds painful. Nice post Kenn. Pretty much agree with all of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomP Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Grant definately well, but he has to produce that kind of performance at least a few more time this season. For the monkey to be removed, he has to do the same again to Man United, and not slip up Spurs/Barnsley style against any of the lower teams. And he has to do the same in the Champion's League, where we are yet to be really tested - and still might not be until the next round (assuming Fenerbache don't pull any rabbits out of the hat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flo19 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I think this is one of many brilliant posts on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callista Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Nice post kenn, good to hear from you again. Not sure I want any Avramania up my alley though! Well not just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonetti Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I'm genuinely not sure whether AG deserves credit for beating the French on Sunday or whether JMs hypnotism plot went wrong.... Just before he left, JM knowing that Drogs will follow him to his next club had Drogs hypnotised to ensure that he only scored goals in the event of a certain 'trigger'. This trigger was the fans singing 'Jose Mourhino' - you know the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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