CFC Opinion

Howard Webb A Shocking Performance – But We Must Blame Ourselves

The moment we knew that Howard Webb was going to referee the Manchester United game I knew we were in trouble, however no one could predict just how poorer he was going to be or how he would find a way to give United an edge.

From the first whistle it felt as though we were playing against 12 men, with the United players constantly within ear shot shrilling in his ear and applying pressure.

Then there was the booking of Torres for an innocuous challenge and even in the first half the cries of “Howard Webb, United Scum” were ringing around Stamford Bridge.

The second half saw two penalties the first of which was probably a penalty, but the second was a shocking decision and changed the game entirely, surely this performance could not have got a positive FA rating.

I will stop short of asking for his head, as deep down I don’t think he is corrupt, just lacking a back bone and incompetent which seems ok in the Premier League these days. It is at this point impossible to understand how he managed to earn the right to referee the World Cup final.

His performance was a disgrace but I guess it is time to find some balance and understand that it was not just Howard Webb that contributed to our downfall.

We were not good enough in the final 30 minutes allowing Manchester United to apply endless pressure and claw their way back into the game when it was there for the taking.

“Howard Webb United Scum” anyone?

Chelsea Transfer Policy – Buying Players Without The Manager

It has been widely reported that the signings of Patrick Bamford and Kevin De Bruyne were not made by AVB but by the clubs scouting network and general manager.

This has been controversial to me but in a club that has had five managers in seven years there needs to be some stability and a long term plan.

If we are to develop young talent and avoid being forced to spend a fortune to buy the top talent after it has established itself, therefore rather than have a manager come in each time with their own ideas on the youth team we need an independent scouting and coaching network.

I was watching the Baseball film ‘Moneyball’ the other day and whilst it was about a team scrambling around on few resources, the elements on the team dynamic and player trading was fascinating.

I do not know a great deal about U.S sports but was intrigued by the fact that the manager only managed the players on the field and it was the general manager using a network of scouts that bought and sold players.

In the film the conflict was that the general manager and on-field manager had different ideas on the way to play but a lot of this made logical sense to me.

Managers come and go but a more secure general manager could invest confidently in the future, bringing through quality players for the manager to select from on top of his own ‘must have’ players to mould their team.

Controversial idea? Let me know your thoughts

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Craig Burley Should Be Sacked For Anti Chelsea BBC 5Live Commentary!

With no TV coverage of today’s game I was forced to listen to the BBC5Live commentary to keep track of the action.

Whilst a lifeline this was more painful than missing the game entirely due to the biased stilted and hate filled commentary from Craig Burley.

I hate to criticise former players, especially those from my first era at the club yet Craig Burley crossed the line today.

With his continuous unbalanced criticism he seemed determined to criticise Chelsea at every opportunity, with his targets including AVB, David Luiz and the fans.

Whilst using former players as pundits makes partial impartiality impossible, as a BBC commentator on a national radio show Burley should have been for the large part impartial.

When making points Burley continually spoke as if he was talking to friends down the pub, he made scathing personal remarks in a way that could only be interpreted as offensive to Chelsea FC and our fans.

His targets were broad ranging and his comments unprofessional including:

• Using sarcasm when questioning AVB’s tactics calling him a ‘supposed tactical genius’
• Citing the tea-ladies when questioning AVB’s popularity at the club
• Continued personal attacks on David Luiz that went beyond tactical analysis
• Calling Chelsea boring to watch
• Insulting fans as needing to ‘put down their sandwiches’

Many of the topics he covered and his tactical analysis was accurate however it was delivered in a personal and unprofessional manner unbecoming his position as a commentator for the BBC.

His commentary was deliberately designed to enrage Chelsea fans and totally unacceptable ruining the game experience.

I urge you to join me in writing a complaint to the BBC to ensure he never commentates again.

I suggest the following text

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to complain about the commentary on BBC Radio 5Live for the Chelsea v Portsmouth game on the 8th January 2012.

The BBC prides itself on well researched, interesting professional commentary and during this game Craig Burley crossed the line with continued commentary that was deliberately designed to enrage Chelsea fans and totally unacceptable ruining the game experience.

He launched repeated personal attacks on the Chelsea manager, players and fans

I therefore request you review this broadcast and explain why this commentary did not meet the high broadcasting standards expected from the BBC.

I look forward to your response.

Complain here!

By CFC_KRIS

Why It Is Too Early To Doubt AVB

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There are disturbing reports that certain elements of the media and less informed fans are jumping on a bandwagon to undermine Andre Villas Boas (AVB).

Just twelve games into the season, it is too early to judge the manager, even if things have gone wrong in some big games, we need to back the manager and see out a difficult couple of months.

That being said I have heard very few match going fans, talk about the future of AVB yet the comments section on this blog screams for him to be given the sack.

It is not easy losing to Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United but we have not played poorly in these games. Instead individual errors have seen us concede goals at crucial times.

Sacking AVB may appeal to those with short memories, but I urge them to develop a rational thought process.

In order to become a top manager at the club, Andre Villas Boas needs to be given time to adapt to the Premier League and make his mark on the club.

I believe that with a few defensive tweaks Chelsea under AVB can really make our mark on the league this season.

I think the majority of our fans understand this and those most people I speak to whilst frustrated, seem to understand that change takes time and concede that except for our defence we are moving in a positive direction.

The fans doubting AVB tend to be the quickest to criticise the team, ranting about how we need to sign the latest fad players from Europe and taking their tactical ideas from Fifa 12.

In my experience many of these fans are new to supporting the club, and need a reality check on their ambitions.

What the club needs now is stability after years of turmoil, this may mean the title is beyond our reach but this is not neccessarily a bad thing as long as we qualify for the Champions League.

In general stability breeds success and this is something we have lacked since Jose Mourinho left the club.

No manager since him has survived more than two seasons and despite the double in 2010 it shows on the pitch.

The team at the moment is a work in progress, since AVB’s arrival we have signed three great players in Juan Mata, Oriol Romeu and Raul Meireles and certain parts of our play are taking shape.

Whilst there is no harm in being ambitious, we need to give AVB time to make his mark and evaluate his progress later in the season.

Win or Lose Up The Blues

Is John Obi Mikel Now Surplus To Requirements At Chelsea?

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It is very rare that you will hear me talking negatively about our players, however today marked a point of no return for John Obi Mikel.

I believe we have reached a point where we have to concede that John Obi Mikel is not good enough and is unlikely to develop into a player that will be better than what we have already.

Every player is allowed to mistakes and against Liverpool, with the help of Cech John Obi Mikel made a huge one, however such mistakes have been far too common during his time at Chelsea.

His game has not developed since breaking into the team, his range of passing is limited and he slows down our play without adding sufficient solidity to our defensive play.

We now have two or three players that are simply better than him.

Of our senior players I would rather see Ramires in this position or David Luiz converted from the centre of defence to a defensive midfielder.

In the youth ranks we have Oriol Romeu who has had a brilliant start to his Chelsea career, and should be given some time in the Premier League.

With these three options I am afraid to say that John Obi Mikel is in my opinion surplus to requirements.

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