Stamford Bridge
ME
MRS SHEVA
MRS KAKA
MRS LAMPARD
MRS BALLACK
A TRUE-BLUE CHELSEA FAN =]
The Shed End
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009
February 2009
January 2010
March 2010
April 2010
July 2010
August 2010
April 2011
March 2012
Its been ages since I last blogged unfortunately its not good news that brings me back here. Since the last time I was here, Chelsea have changed managers. Carlo, erm, left and was replaced by AndreVillas-Boas who we all call AVB. So apparently 38/39 games to the season, AVB has also parted ways with the club. I dont think anyone can say its surprising, I mean come on, who doesnt know how much patience Roman has? Currently 5th in the table and results not going our way as we would have expected, surely it wont be long before Roman does something like he always does?
The thing is that many fans are blaming AVB's exit on the wrong people and are getting out of hand.
1. Player Power
They said Lampard and co did not like AVB and so played poorly, boycotted him in the dressing room and indirectly forced him out of the club. According to them, 'no player is bigger than the club' and whoever who takes over should sell all these 'disgruntled and disgraceful' players. BULLSHIT if you ask me. I would never believe a player like Lampard would do such a thing. Never ever in my whole life. Frank Lampard is one of Chelsea's greatest and longest-serving players, a legend in most fans' hearts (an exception to some 'fans' who are prob jealous, in which case are not considered as fans), and is currently Chelsea's 3rd highest goalscorer of all time. Recently he made a new record when he scored in our 3-0 win over bolton. The first player to score at least 10 goals in the EPL for 9 consecutive seasons. And thats an amazing achievement. As we all already know, Lampard is a hardworking person. On normal days, he stays back for extra training or to try out a new move until he gets it right. Even on his off days, he goes back to the club to train by himself. And people are telling me that Lampard tried to turn the players against AVB, played poorly on purpose to get him sacked. Are they even serious?
Yea, Lampard admitted that his relationship with AVB was not perfect but that doesnt mean anything. Any decent footballer with a passion for the game would want to play every match. AVB puts him on the bench at times and obviously he doesnt like it. But thats normal. No one likes it. However to say that Lampard compromised the performance of the team just to satisfy his own needs is ridiculous. He always gives his all for the team when he's out there on the pitch and I know it. We all know it. We can see it. Its disgusting that those fans who are blaming Lampard also cheered and supported him when he scored. We dont need these kind of fair-weather fans at Chelsea. You cheer for him when he's on a high and turn your back on him when he needs support the most. Well done!
2. Roman
Some fans hate Roman cuz he keeps sacking managers while some hate him cuz they support AVB. Whatever the reason, they have a thing in common. They want Roman out of the club. Er last time I checked, Roman is the owner of Chelsea? He bought the club, which cost millions, with his own money? Without him, we would not have won our 3 premier league trophies as well as the FA cups and league cups? Since Chelsea belongs to him, we would think that he gets to make THE decisions regarding the club, no? If there's one person in the world who wants the best for Chelsea, its Roman. Who would pay such an insanely high amount to own a football club and just leave it to die? Its HIS money, its HIS club, how can anyone doubt his love for Chelsea? I really dont know. In fact, we fans dont have the right to interfere. Roman can do anything to the club and not answer to anyone. Its like telling me I have to ask my friend for permission before using MY toothbrush.
3. So-called 'fans'
I understand many people think AVB is a young and promising manager. I do too. Given the time and money, he can win lots of trophies with Chelsea. Just like other managers. However to support AVB at the expense of the club is going over the top. Some 'fans' say they cannot wait for AVB to win the champions league with another club or AVB to return with another club and beat Chelsea at stamford bridge. Those 'fans' would be extremely happy to see such things happen. Ironically its the same 'fans' who keep saying no one is bigger than the club. If thats the case, shouldnt you put the club above yourself? To wish for your club to lose so as to prove your point, isnt that going against what you're saying?
I get very angry when I see those 'fans' criticise the manager/players/fans. When AVB plays Meireles and not Essien, they criticise him for picking the wrong team. When AVB plays Essien instead of Meireles and we win, they criticise him for not doing this all along. And when we lose, they criticise him for giving in to player power and picking Essien despite his poor performance. Whatever AVB does, they criticise. Thats not the most annoying part. When we lose or draw, those 'fans' criticise the players for not performing well and giving their utmost effort. Yea I agree, the players' running, passing, shooting and tackling cannot compare to your screaming behind the tv. Their blood and sweat is nothing compared to your superior task of not moving and just watching. If you have so much to say, why dont you go play and demonstrate to us how a model player should act like?
All in all, I'm not saying Roman's decision to axe AVB is right or wrong. Until now I dont know how I feel about it. Yes I like AVB and I think he's a great manager but at the same time I can see that Chelsea are not getting the results on the pitch and as a fan its very saddening. What I'm saying is that to pin the blame on Lampard by portraying him as a trouble-maker who sees himself as bigger than the club is not gona work on me. Neither is blaming Roman the right thing to do. If those 'fans' really see themselves as fans, they should get behind the club at this point of time. Support Roberto Di Matteo and not mock his ex-managerial role at west brom. Support the players and not criticise and shouting for them to leave. Support Roman and respect his love for Chelsea. Thats how a Chelsea fan should behave.
Carlo Ancelotti won the double with Chelsea in his first season. thats very impressive in my opinion considering he had to adapt to the players and the style of play and managing to get it right in his first try. obviously when everything was smooth-sailing last season and we lifted the 2nd trophy of the season at wembley, all chelsea fans were going 'Carlo, give us a wave' which in case you don't know is a chant to tell him that we are happy with him. but things change and it would be foolish of you to expect 2 trophies every season even for a top club like Chelsea. we have to be realistic but of course not like arsenal or liverpool who haven't won anything since, i don't know, the dinosaur period? anyway, this season hasn't gone really well for us, especially halfway through. we sort of lost our focus and just veered off course. =( and here's the thing. many chelsea fans, who i didn't know were knowledgeable football experts/managers/pundits just about anything related to football, started giving their comments and all. of course there is nothing wrong with that! in a world where free speech is encouraged and especially on the internet, surely one can give his comments as he wish? besides these chelsea fans are giving VALUABLE feedback on
1. who to play in the lineup
2. the subs
3. style (4-4-2 is so outdated extinct would be a better word)
4. who to buy
5. who to replace Carlo
6. how the players should play
and the list goes on. and on. and on and on. you get the point. so when they gave their VALUABLE feedback i was like 'wow, i didn't know so many people were so knowledgeable about football to the extent that they can comment on everything'. these people ANNOY me. here's why.
1. Carlo (NOT THEM) is the rightful manager of Chelsea and he should be the one that decides who to play and who not. He does not need to justify all his decisions to them for the very simple reason that those annoying people (I'll call them AP) are not his boss or wife or mother or anyone important in particular.
2. Carlo was a football player and is now a manager. He has played and managed many clubs, winning many trophies both as a player and manager. I'm sure he knows more about football than the AP. Besides when he was winning, they were going 'Carlo, give us a wave'. when he is not, they go 'Carlo should go'. please don't make me vomit. seriously.
3. However VALUABLE their comments are and despite their NUMEROUS coaching badges/football trophies/football degrees/experience, they can keep it all to themselves. they don't have the right to force people to follow their opinions. freedom of speech means you are allowed to say whatever you want, the same goes for me. just don't force me to agree with you.
4. You are not a recorder. you dont have to repeat the same thing EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY OF EVERY WEEK. I don't have to repeat myself I hope.
5. Whats the point of being a fan if you curse your club all the time? I know they say love and hate are very similar but seriously no just stop it. I'm tired of seeing AP say 'that's it X is winning already, goodbye to Y you're not winning anything'.
6. the AP are not the actual Chelsea players so they should just STFU about them. 'X doesn't know how to cross, Y has lousy first touch, Z keeps losing the ball'. really? REALLY? if the AP know so much, why don't they play football themselves? or why don't they get a license and start managing a club? many if not all of the AP will not be able to cross better than X, has a better first touch than Y and keeps the ball longer than Z. so why is it that they SHAMELESSLY, i repeat SHAMELESSLY criticise the players as if they know how to do it better?!
7. It is not up to the AP to decide who should leave/sign/take a paycut/get sacked. WHATS THE PURPOSE OF THE CHELSEA BOARD? and I absolutely hate it when people start dispensing their PEARLS OF WISDOM around. X should leave, Y should leave for the lousiest league ever, Z should leave unless he agrees to a paycut, A should retire, B should go and lose weight. why thank you for those PEARLS OF WISDOM which are so VALUABLE indeed. -.- and i don't use -.- but im making an exception. -.-
so yea that about sums it all. I'm really sick and tired of reading the same thing everyday. Carlo is not a genius, he makes mistakes like we do. But the fact that he won the double in his first season should be enough to get those AP off his back. The Chelsea players are not god, they can't play at the highest level throughout the season. some get injured, some are tired, some lose their focus but at the end of the day all of them are proud to be wearing the Chelsea jersey and have a strong desire to win. I don't get how people can blame Carlo/players for every single thing. in the first place, why do we even have to blame them when things go wrong? things do go wrong and many a times, they happen not because of the way we play but rather external things. which i may talk about when im free. so here's the thing, whatever the result, stand by your team, support them and not criticise them. unless you're not a real fan of course then the only thing for you to do would be to just STFU and get lost.
Chelsea For Life. KTBFFH
I remember his first competitive game for Chelsea. a 4-0 win over portsmouth at home. Deco scored the 4th goal to add icing on the cake in an otherwise Deco-rated match. He was man-of-the-match in my opinion and probably in real life too. Every pass was ripping open the opposition's defence as we romped to a 4-0 victory. In his second match, his free kick in the 3rd min determined our win over wigan. Back then everyone was saying how Deco had immediately adapted to life in England and Chelsea and how we'll remain a force to be dealt with.
Sadly good days never last. Deco soon ran out of his tricks and people started calling him a flop. Gradually he lost his starting place to Ballack and became more a bench player. But Deco's perseverance and hard work enabled him to break into the lineup once Ballack or any other midfielder became injured. He was still important to our surge to our double last season and i applaud him for not giving up when it was the hardest.
I'm sad that Deco left Chelsea but glad that he's returning home to play football. I wish him all the best at his new club, Fluminese, as will all other Chelsea fans and everyone at Chelsea Football Club and hope that he'll continue weaving those magic. I'll never forget the things you have done for us. Always our No20. Always our beloved Deco. Obrigado.
Kalou pulled one back for us which was reason enough to cheer for us Chelsea fans. Many positives can be taken from this game. Sturridge's entry to the game was much needed as he brought with him many chances. A very young and promising striker, our future Didier Drogba? Yossi benayoun was encouraging as well, primarily the reason why we signed him in the first place. With more time and practice to gel with his teammates, im sure he'll become better than joe cole. Kalou was obviously good and so was ivanovic who made many great blocks and attempted many headers. im glad we signed him, a great right-back and centre-half. shines no matter where he plays.
Well im not too concerned about the loss as Carlo said its only the pre-season and when the world cup has just ended, you cant expect too much. Hilario, Essien and Mikel are the only ones not involved in world cup in our starting lineup. On the other hand, only evra vidic rooney and park (and maybe 1 or 2 more) had world cup duty. the difference is there for all to see.
Manure fans are cheering, well let them be. This is the only trophy they are gona get for the entire season so.. pity them! we wont be bothered cuz we look at the big picture: EPL, FaCup, LeagueCup and ChampionsLeague CHAMPIONS CHELSEA. keep the blue flag flying high.
Its no surprise that when he arrived at Chelsea, many people start wondering if his arrival meant the departure of Frank Lampard. Afterall both play rather similar positions. However much to the critics' displeasure, Ballack and Lampard complemented each other well and often create goal-scoring chances for one another. Of course i was most pleased seeing that 2 of my favourite footballers could play in tandem.
Ballack for the record will be 34 after sept and its irritating to hear people playing down his abilities just because of his age. i know for athletes especially footballers age is important. once you hit 30, its hard for you to find another club that is willing to give you a second chance. BUT there are exceptions. and i think Ballack is one. Passing and controlling the ball well from midfield, scoring goals with both his feet, headers and free kicks, not to mention penalties (remember the one he took rather coolly against manu when it was at 1-1), he's a good midfielder and everything we could ask for.
He always mentioned that he was pleased to be at a club as big and successful as Chelsea and would love to spend his remaining career at stamford bridge. the thing is, why wasnt he given the chance?
Not till recently have i known of the truth behind his departure. His agent said that Ballack left due to some complications regarding his contract. nothing to do with wages, he's not joe the money scum. Ballack wanted a 2-year extension but Chelsea was only willing to give him 1. I can understand. In my opinion, he still has many years left in him but seriously i would be lying if i said he didnt once think about his retirement. Its obvious he wants to end his career with Chelsea and i applaud him for that. But from Chelsea's point of view, they need a guarantee that Ballack will still be playing at the highest level possible for the next 2 years. and sadly, i dont think they can see that.
Michael Ballack will forever remain a Chelsea player in my heart, the no 13 no one will ever be able to replace. I will always remember his handshake with jose mourinho, him holding his Chelsea jersey in front of the media, his very first game for Chelsea in a friendly, his first goal against werder bremen.. and his final time wearing the blue Chelsea jersey. A true blue Chelsea legend who won a premier league title, 3 fa cups, a league cup and a community shield while with us. Thank you for all the wonderful memories you have given us, Michael.
I dont think many of us would have heard of him if not for the world cup. Strangely the world cup is held every 4 years. Yet it is also the time when we get to know new players. Anyway, Jesus Navas is a winger who plays for sevilla and obviously spain. He's a terrific player who frequently makes his runs along the right, with occasional shots at goal himself. Pretty young at 24, you must be wondering why is it that we have not heard of his name until now. Well here's the case. Due to his anxiety problems and homesickness, its difficult or rather quite impossible for him to play for spain the way he plays for his club. Fingers crossed, i hope that he has overcome his illness seeing that he has had no problems playing in SA for a month.
Well, i would be lying if i said i didnt want chelsea to sign him. Firstly he's young and we all know chelsea NEEDS young players. Secondly he's such a good player! And of course we need someone to replace joe cole and who better than Navas? But as i type this, i know its even more impossible for him to join chelsea than for him to recover from his illness (which he just did, so you never know =]). Oh wells my memory of him will be kept in my heart untill the next world cup when im sure he'll be more of a bit player. Go Navas!
