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Are We Spoilt?

If I hear one more person say “you should be grateful, you’re 2nd in the league and in the semi-final of the Champions League”, I think I’ll end up more mental than Grant in his latest press conference. Why should we be grateful? What exactly have we got to be grateful for? The sacking of a half decent manager? The appointment of a dullard with about as much tactical know-how as my nan? Or how about the football itself – should we be grateful the majority of our games would give a trip to the dentist competition in terms of which one’s the most painful?

 

And before anyone jumps in here, no I haven’t forgotten Mourinho’s football wasn’t exactly edge of the seat stuff, but it was at least efficient and reliable. We knew what we were getting, it was the same team, playing the same way, without any surprise defeats at the hands of Barnsley along the way.

 

So, let’s have a look at our grievances and see whether we really are the spoilt brats we’re currently labelled as:

 

Management

Well we had a manager who was either loved or hated, and contrary to popular believe it wasn’t just the opposition who failed to fall under TSO’s spell. He may well have been ambitious, cocky, self assured, even arrogant but he was never regarded as a mere irrelevance, a confused elder, to be pitied rather than revered. Did we ever hear the opposition say “I’d be happy to see him stay at Chelsea” when Mourinho had the job? No, but the fact they all seem to be saying it about Grant just about sums up the amount of fear he fills the opposition with. Of course, given the high regard Jose was held in at Chelsea, if not by the board then at least by himself and the majority of supporters, it was never going to be easy for any incoming manager. And, to be fair, Grant hasn’t done as bad as any of us expected him to, but then it’s hard to say what it is he actually does right either. He loiters on the touchline with a confused look on his face, not appearing to say or do very much except perhaps scare any young children nearby. Whereas Jose’s substitutions generally had the desired effect, Grant’s result in open mouthed disbelief and sheer panic. And what about PR? Well, Jose was certainly no angel in this department, heads in hands following many an interview. But I don’t recall him ever going into a two year old’s mode of “I don’t know”. So what does he know? Well, transfer-wise we haven’t got much to go on yet, so far he’s only brought in Anelka – hardly what you’d call prolific, and Ivanovic who’s struggled to get off the physio’s couch since his arrival. In contrast, Mourinho clearly still had his ‘L’ plates on in the transfer market – Sidwell, Pizarro, Boularouz spring to mind – but he was a motivator. Grant on the other hand, is about as motivating as a hangover on a Monday morning.

 

The Game

Ok, even taking ACON and injuries into consideration, we’re the only unbeaten team in 2008 but that being said, is that down to the manager? The way I saw it, when the ACON was going on and we had  injuries at the same time, the team pretty much picked itself – so all well and good then. What about when Grant actually had choices to make though? What about games like Tottenham in the CC final – Joe Cole not starting and Anelka on the wing, is that really getting the best out of the squad? I guess the result said otherwise. What about Barnsley or better still Wigan when we needed the points but decided to give key players a rest anyway? Are these the sort of games we’d have lost under Mourinho? I don’t think we would’ve somehow. But apparently we shouldn’t complain, so let’s look at the football itself. Having spent the past couple of seasons being slated for our defensive, if efficient, football, at least we could rely on the end result. Under Grant however there doesn’t even appear to be a plan A, never mind a back-up plan.  And as for the football being played, we seem to be even more defensive than ever, particularly when a goal up – sitting back and actually inviting pressure rather than killing anyone off. If this is the ‘next level’ Kenyon fantasised about, then he can keep it, I’d rather go back to the old one.

 

Our goal difference is pitiful, no contenders for player of the season and even the once almost impenetrable defence has had its shakiest season yet. Petr Cech, although undeniably hindered by injury has had his poorest season for us so far, with uncharacteristic errors creeping in. John Terry, another one subjected to long spells on the sidelines, has become so entrenched in his own hype, he’s lost his discipline and his leadership has suffered. Lampard, having opted to let the contract saga drag out for the duration, might still have a decent enough goal return but his heart doesn’t always look as in it these days. As for Drogba, quite apart from spouting his mouth off about leaving at every given opportunity earlier in the season, has clearly been suffering from can’t-be-bothered syndrome all season. On the plus side, Joe Cole has hit some cracking form in the latter part of the season, albeit hindered by Grant either subbing him or not starting him in the first place. Carvalho, in my opinion, has shown himself to be our best central defender and Ballack has shown the commitment he seemed devoid of last year. However, when it comes to putting eleven players on the field and actually getting something resembling a performance out of them, it just doesn’t seem to be happening this season. All too often the players run around looking every bit as confused as the manager, lacking their former cohesion and unity. Yes, they’ve managed to keep themselves just about on Utd’s heels in the league but the fairly respectable gap in points only tells half the story.

 

So, if being a bit unhappy and having the odd moan about that lot makes me a spoilt brat, then excuse me while I stamp my feet.

 

 

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