The Official Chelsea Champions of Europe thread
Discussion
Back on planet earth and away from planet moron (ie essexplumber) RDM has to get the job. I know some here have had doubts about him over a whole season and indeed rebuilding the squad, but I reckon he's best equipped to do the rebuilding job because the players trust and respect him. AVB was an unknown quantity and was very young, hence I don't think he had the authority that Fergie has, for example, to be able to cull players. RDM has more experience, but importantly is a Chelsea man through and through and is part of the clubs history (although apparently we haven't got any). It was great to see RDM back at Wembley after scoring that amazing goal from about 35+ yards and also scoring the last goal at the last Wembley. He seems like a very well balanced guy and the players seem to love him, so I guess he might find it easier to tell the likes of Lamps that he needs a rest this week etc. I'm a bit worried about all the names linked with the job, because many of them aren't good enough and I don't believe could do the same job as RDM.
essexplumber said:
And the sad and bitter part is b
ks too because what you are saying is that anyone who doesn't like a particular team must be both sad and bitter!
There are plenty of people who hate Chelsea or any other team and are not sad or bitter. The difference with you is that you are sad and bitter.ks too because what you are saying is that anyone who doesn't like a particular team must be both sad and bitter!trackdemon said:
What a prick, I'veh supported Chelsea since I moved to London in 1996, sorry if that's not long enough for you. Don't try to paint me as a new wave Abramovich fan, those types of tourist fans piss me off as much as anyone and are a part of the reason I don't get to as many games as I used to (cost & availability). I loved the times we had under Ruud & especially Luca; what should I do? Stop supporting us because we attracted a rich new owner? Did you do that when Lewis' empire bought Spurs? Hypocrisy is never far away with football fans.
I'm perfectly aware of Liverpool's PAST achievments, but I'm living right here right now. And right now they're rubbish. FWIW - like most clubs - we do have some history (50's league success, a long history of top competing in the top league + lots of good cup runs). Guess what? In 50 years we might have similar history to other clubs... the game is not much more than 100 years old as it is so there's a limit to how many clubs can be 'massive' by your lofty criteria. Spurs aren't. SO WHAT?
Out of interest , can i asked whom you supported prior to 1996 ?I'm perfectly aware of Liverpool's PAST achievments, but I'm living right here right now. And right now they're rubbish. FWIW - like most clubs - we do have some history (50's league success, a long history of top competing in the top league + lots of good cup runs). Guess what? In 50 years we might have similar history to other clubs... the game is not much more than 100 years old as it is so there's a limit to how many clubs can be 'massive' by your lofty criteria. Spurs aren't. SO WHAT?
Edited by trackdemon on Saturday 5th May 23:03
Firstly congrates to Chelsea they were the better side over the 90 mins & at least for Liverpool the big man up front showed some encouraging promise , i thought he took his goal really well
It's strange that all of a sudden that Chelsea are doing really well it has to coincide with the appointment of RDM & that the players are happy with him being in charge ( i personally think frank & jt are calling the shots ) It was so clear that the players were really not impressed with AVB & this point will surely happen with England with the players not getting the man they really want in Harry redknapp . It's the players that win games not managers , if the players are happy then the teams performance increases '
I would like to say good luck in the CL final , but that will depend on the outcome of whom finishes 4 th in the league
It's strange that all of a sudden that Chelsea are doing really well it has to coincide with the appointment of RDM & that the players are happy with him being in charge ( i personally think frank & jt are calling the shots ) It was so clear that the players were really not impressed with AVB & this point will surely happen with England with the players not getting the man they really want in Harry redknapp . It's the players that win games not managers , if the players are happy then the teams performance increases '
I would like to say good luck in the CL final , but that will depend on the outcome of whom finishes 4 th in the league
Black can man said:
Firstly congrates to Chelsea they were the better side over the 90 mins & at least for Liverpool the big man up front showed some encouraging promise , i thought he took his goal really well
It's strange that all of a sudden that Chelsea are doing really well it has to coincide with the appointment of RDM & that the players are happy with him being in charge ( i personally think frank & jt are calling the shots ) It was so clear that the players were really not impressed with AVB & this point will surely happen with England with the players not getting the man they really want in Harry redknapp . It's the players that win games not managers , if the players are happy then the teams performance increases '
I would like to say good luck in the CL final , but that will depend on the outcome of whom finishes 4 th in the league
Thanks for a balanced post, you're a credit to Spurs fans, unlike your compadre. It's strange that all of a sudden that Chelsea are doing really well it has to coincide with the appointment of RDM & that the players are happy with him being in charge ( i personally think frank & jt are calling the shots ) It was so clear that the players were really not impressed with AVB & this point will surely happen with England with the players not getting the man they really want in Harry redknapp . It's the players that win games not managers , if the players are happy then the teams performance increases '
I would like to say good luck in the CL final , but that will depend on the outcome of whom finishes 4 th in the league
Understandable about you not supporting us possibly in the CL final. I'd probably be the same in your shoes.
Clearly the players were not happy with AVB. I think JT calls the shots, Lamps less so. The problem I think was the way AVB went about his restructuring. Sometimes good man management means you need to comfort some people or be brutal with them. AVB was just brutal. JM would not have done the same. RDM has managed to balance the need for experience and the need for youth, whilst making the older guys understand their roles. I guess it depends how Woy manages things and who he selects that might change things. If he goes for youth maybe it'd work better. I'd certainly think about taking players like Grant Holt to the Euros, he seems to be in a rich vein of form. Even Carroll must get a lookin after yesterday.
968 said:
Back on planet earth and away from planet moron (ie essexplumber) RDM has to get the job. I know some here have had doubts about him over a whole season and indeed rebuilding the squad, but I reckon he's best equipped to do the rebuilding job because the players trust and respect him. AVB was an unknown quantity and was very young, hence I don't think he had the authority that Fergie has, for example, to be able to cull players. RDM has more experience, but importantly is a Chelsea man through and through and is part of the clubs history (although apparently we haven't got any). It was great to see RDM back at Wembley after scoring that amazing goal from about 35+ yards and also scoring the last goal at the last Wembley. He seems like a very well balanced guy and the players seem to love him, so I guess he might find it easier to tell the likes of Lamps that he needs a rest this week etc. I'm a bit worried about all the names linked with the job, because many of them aren't good enough and I don't believe could do the same job as RDM.
I agree that RDM has done a fantastic job so far. I think all agree that the squad needs a degree of rebuilding - although I'm confident that we have the fundamentals of a good squad in place when you look at players we have, and ones out on loan, allied to the fact that many of the particularly useless ones are out of contract at the end of this season. I have a couple of worries though about the way that we are winning matches at the moment, and the players that are getting picked. (and substituted). I can't understand why he keeps on playing Kalou. He gets the ball and then either gives it away or gets it taken from him. Ditto Bosingwa. Mikel as a holding midfielder doesn't help either. Yesterday he was back to his old tricks of passing sideways or back: I can't recall him doing anything at all creative with the ball. We have other options: they aren't being used. It's a worry that we can't retain possession and seem content to let the opposing team boss the game in midfield, relying on the good old hoof up the park to Drogba to get us out of trouble. For the last part of the game yesterday, we hardly strung two passes together. I suspect that as a game plan is going to come unstuck big time against Bayern.
968 said:
Back on planet earth and away from planet moron (ie essexplumber) RDM has to get the job.
I fear it will hinge on the CL final. If he wins, I think the job will be his, if not, then they will get another big name in to do the job. Personally, I think the players will play harder, and fight more for RDM than with whoever comes in. He seems to be a credit to the club. I like him.Riff Raff said:
I agree that RDM has done a fantastic job so far. I think all agree that the squad needs a degree of rebuilding - although I'm confident that we have the fundamentals of a good squad in place when you look at players we have, and ones out on loan, allied to the fact that many of the particularly useless ones are out of contract at the end of this season. I have a couple of worries though about the way that we are winning matches at the moment, and the players that are getting picked. (and substituted). I can't understand why he keeps on playing Kalou. He gets the ball and then either gives it away or gets it taken from him. Ditto Bosingwa. Mikel as a holding midfielder doesn't help either. Yesterday he was back to his old tricks of passing sideways or back: I can't recall him doing anything at all creative with the ball. We have other options: they aren't being used. It's a worry that we can't retain possession and seem content to let the opposing team boss the game in midfield, relying on the good old hoof up the park to Drogba to get us out of trouble. For the last part of the game yesterday, we hardly strung two passes together.
I suspect that as a game plan is going to come unstuck big time against Bayern.
I know what you're saying, Bosingwa and Kalou are mystifying selections. I only hope he's just trying to keep the squad fresh. Mikel was good yesterday and has been better this season. I guess RDMhas to work with what he has and right back is tricky with so many injuries to the CBs. I think you're a bit harsh about the performance yesterday, they were clearly in control of the game until Carrolls goal which came from nowhere. More worrying was RDM not changing things when the momentum had changed.I suspect that as a game plan is going to come unstuck big time against Bayern.
Riff Raff said:
I suspect that as a game plan is going to come unstuck big time against Bayern.
Yes, it is a bit of a concern - just hope RDM changes the strategy to suit the opposition, like he did against Barca.Would also agree with others that after Carroll came on, the whole game changed in Liverpool's favour and we left ourselves wide open far too much and could easily have lost the game. Can't afford to do that against Beyern.
BuzzLightyear said:
Yes, it is a bit of a concern - just hope RDM changes the strategy to suit the opposition, like he did against Barca.
Would also agree with others that after Carroll came on, the whole game changed in Liverpool's favour and we left ourselves wide open far too much and could easily have lost the game. Can't afford to do that against Beyern.
Yep.Would also agree with others that after Carroll came on, the whole game changed in Liverpool's favour and we left ourselves wide open far too much and could easily have lost the game. Can't afford to do that against Beyern.
What terrifies me is thinking about Robben/Ribery vs Bosingwa. It could be a rout.
968 said:
BuzzLightyear said:
Yes, it is a bit of a concern - just hope RDM changes the strategy to suit the opposition, like he did against Barca.
Would also agree with others that after Carroll came on, the whole game changed in Liverpool's favour and we left ourselves wide open far too much and could easily have lost the game. Can't afford to do that against Beyern.
Yep.Would also agree with others that after Carroll came on, the whole game changed in Liverpool's favour and we left ourselves wide open far too much and could easily have lost the game. Can't afford to do that against Beyern.
What terrifies me is thinking about Robben/Ribery vs Bosingwa. It could be a rout.
Can we have a "rush goalie"??? 
In the office today talking about the match, and I'm reminded how good the Cup is. I know people go on about it being a distraction these days from the Champions League, but the Cup produces cracking drama, upsets, and we had a great final that could have gone either way.
The cup reminds me of when I first started following Chelsea - it was the mid nineties cup runs they had when I about 13. I was watching a lot of the Serie A programme on Channel 4, and our team with Zola, Gullit, Di Matteo and Vialli just had a bit of Italian flair, something different to the other teams in the EPL. No matter what happens in Bayern, this has been a fantastic season to watch as a Chelsea fan (with the unfortuante exception of the ongoing JT sideshow with Anton Ferdinand).
The cup reminds me of when I first started following Chelsea - it was the mid nineties cup runs they had when I about 13. I was watching a lot of the Serie A programme on Channel 4, and our team with Zola, Gullit, Di Matteo and Vialli just had a bit of Italian flair, something different to the other teams in the EPL. No matter what happens in Bayern, this has been a fantastic season to watch as a Chelsea fan (with the unfortuante exception of the ongoing JT sideshow with Anton Ferdinand).
Wadeski said:
No matter what happens in Bayern, this has been a fantastic season to watch as a Chelsea fan
To a degree, yes. But we've also had some absolutely shocking results (such as Villa and Arsenal at home) and a league position that is not good enough. The overriding thought must be; what if Robbie was in charge from day 1?Gassing Station | Football | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff