Chelsea

Five Things

By Matthew Day ⋅ March 10, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

1. Not bad losers, just can’t accept defeat

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz will be deserving of their FA charges, if and when they are handed out, following their ridiculous outbursts after defeat against Portsmouth in the FA Cup. They were astounded that their complete domination of the encounter did not - for once - yield a victory, but instead United were caught out by a brilliant smash-and-grab raid. Queiroz has already embarrassed himself and the club with an insensitive comparison to Martin Taylor - claims that were so wide of the mark it made most neutral observers smirk - and has since apologised while Ferguson’s criticism of the referee was over the top.

He vehemently claimed United ought to have had an early penalty, but the replays showed Cristiano Ronaldo had stopped running having lost control of the ball and the incident was contentious at most. Ferguson also stated that his most talented players were being targeted by Portsmouth, but there is little evidence to back this up. In fact, the only patently poor tackle of the game came from Wayne Rooney, who in today’s climate was fortunate not to be sent off. Queiroz claimed referees should be given a red card for poor performances but more fittingly, managers ought to be dismissed if they cannot lose with grace.

2. Grant me my exit

Just a few weeks ago, the press were praising Avram Grant as he matched exactly predecessor José Mourinho’s record in their respective opening 30 matches as Chelsea coach. Two games have irreversibly altered impressions of the Israeli coach. Mourinho never lost a cup final, Grant lost his first; Chelsea were expected to beat Tottenham but threw away a scarcely deserved lead amidst poor team selection by the coach. Grant exploded at the media’s treatment of him, but the almost implausible defeat at Barnsley in the FA Cup means his job hangs by a string. A virtually full-strength side lost at lower level opposition leaving Grant needing to win either the Premier League or Champions League in order to remain in his current role as head coach.

The two trophies Chelsea won last season have been lost this, and while Grant insists he is no copy of Mourinho, his incessant ranting at referees and failure to provide any sort of exciting football leaves many with the judgment that he is a replica - but without the knack of winning trophies, of course. Frank Rijkaard is heavily tipped to take over and bring his brand of stylish, rousing football to Stamford Bridge with a summer exit from Barcelona seemingly all-but confirmed. Could he be the solution to the graveyard-esque football Chelsea have been exhibiting over the last few years?

3. FA Cup: Does it mean sweet FA?

It has been a vintage year in the greatest cup competition in the world. The 2007/8 season has demonstrated why it is so revered across the globe. But do the big clubs really care? Naturally, they want to win the competition, but that is less because of its prestige and more to appease fans and club owners alike in the continual, pressure-filled quest for silverware. But if they don’t succeed, it is not a major concern anymore because the FA Cup can no longer ‘make’ a season.

Nonetheless, it is a much welcome additional trophy, and winning it can either cap off a great season or act as a sign of progress for future campaigns. In that aspect, it serves much the same purpose as the League Cup, though with a little extra kudos. The big four all desire victory in two competitions, the domestic league and Champions League, and their season will be judged on how they fared in the table and on the continent. For Liverpool or Arsenal, a close second in the league would have meant more than the FA Cup trophy; Man Utd and Chelsea would admit reaching the Champions League final is of much more significance than triumphing in annual cup final at home. Still, it certainly doesn’t mean each season will be like this one, so savour the absence of the big four as they will be back in 2009.

4. Partners in crime, criminally precious for Liverpool

The Fernando Torres/Steven Gerrard partnership has started to bear fruit, and the two were combining marvellously on Saturday to see off Newcastle. It has been so long since Liverpool enjoyed such a fluid and dynamic association though Rafa Benítez could have done with it from day one of the season, rather than at a stage where the title has already been written off and fourth place isn’t even assured.

Yet the understanding between Liverpool’s two most talented players, with Gerrard playing just behind the unstoppable Torres (who is surely purchase of the season), brings renewed hope for a title challenge next season and in the shorter term, for this year’s Champions League campaign. One thing is for sure. After the first leg, the Inter defenders will not be sliding in on Torres at San Siro - and that freedom could set up a famous victory. Finally at Anfield, a bit of harmony.

5. Great pitch, Brucey

Steve Bruce is used to bad pitches - his Birmingham side earned promotion on one last season - and the one at Wigan is completely unbefitting of a Premier League side. Ironically, though, Wigan might not have stayed up on a pitch deemed acceptable for a top-flight club.

Every week, Bruce has lamented the awful ground visiting teams must attempt to play football on fully in the knowledge that it is a great advantage for his Wigan players and their less advanced style of football. It will probably keep them up this season. After an unexpected point against Arsenal Bruce, who would make an excellent marketing director, claimed, “The pitch today didn’t help, we know that, but it was the same for both.” But of course, at the lush Emirates Stadium, Wigan wouldn’t have had a hope of keeping up with Arsenal’s smooth, passing football.

Tags: Alex Ferguson, Avram Grant, Cristiano Ronaldo, FA Cup, Fernando Torres, Steve Bruce, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney

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