Are Chelsea In Decline

[phuketsiam]

Have to say Chelski were pretty awful, they wern't very good against Liverpool either, is the beginning of the end?

[ThaiPauly]

Everyone has an "Off Day" this was theirs.

McClaren is fighting for his Managerial life, his players knew this and really got behind him. I think that they could have probably beaten Barcelona yesterday let alone Chelsea.

Well done Steve, would'nt like to see you get the chop for all England supporters sake

Edited February 12, 2006 by ThaiPauly

[lampard10]

could have probably beaten Barcelona yesterday let alone Chelsea.

Thought Barcelona got thrashed at home last week. And Real Madrid got done 6-1 in the week. Think Chelsea are still #1

[ThaiPauly]

Maybee you are right Lamps, as long as an English club win the CL I will be happy.

You gotta take the flack on this one though mate, 3-0, a very poor result for Chelsea, its only a blip I am sure, I still cannot see anyone catching you in your divison as I cannot see anyone catching us in ours.

If you dish it out you gotta take it in, but there again you know that

[Bredbury Blue]

Fair play to Boro though, they were really up for it and Terry won't forget that run around for a while.

Question for Lampard10 or any Chelski supporter on here. Why don't your players ever pass to SWP? Pointed this out to a chelsea friend months back and he's noticed it too now.

[lampard10]

Maybee you are right Lamps, as long as an English club win the CL I will be happy.

You gotta take the flack on this one though mate, 3-0, a very poor result for Chelsea, its only a blip I am sure, I still cannot see anyone catching you in your divison as I cannot see anyone catching us in ours.

If you dish it out you gotta take it in, but there again you know that

I fully expected it to come sometime, but of course not from one of the big clubs, but from one of the minnows as happened. But who are the minnows.................no-one. I get so fed up with the commentator saying things like " Boro have absolutely no chance against the might of Chelsea"

Rubbish, utter <deleted>.................that's why they are a premiership team. And one, may I add that at the moment Chelsea's best striker in recent years cannot get into the side. Bring on Barcelona and watch the quality re-appear in Chelsea's game. Look back over the years to when Manchester United dominated. In nearly all those years, if you took the results from the top 6 clubs in the league, then United would finish 3rd or 4th most years. What United had in those years was the ability to put lesser teams of the Premiership to the sword, yet they reguarly stumbled against top opposition. It'as ###### annoying at times I must admit, but the Boys in Blue seem to have the opposite approach. If we're gonna trip, it'll be against the Boros, Villas, Charltons and maybe the Colchesters of English football.I can read all your minds " What about United this year", you're all thinking. True, we dropped that one, but not until we had fought like demons in the best match the Premiership has seen for a couple of years.

Edited February 12, 2006 by lampard10

[phuketsiam]

Well its Chelski against Barca soon, head to head, should be a good contest, but I think Barca will edge it, but we shall see soon enough

Edited February 12, 2006 by phuketsiam

[agsnowdon]

Have to say Chelski were pretty awful, they wern't very good against Liverpool either, is the beginning of the end?

No Chance

[Bredbury Blue]

no responses so far, so i'll repeat my question for Lampard10 or any Chelski supporter on here. Why don't your players ever pass to SWP? Pointed this out to a chelsea friend months back and he's noticed it too now.

[lampard10]

no responses so far, so i'll repeat my question for Lampard10 or any Chelski supporter on here. Why don't your players ever pass to SWP? Pointed this out to a chelsea friend months back and he's noticed it too now.

I must admit I hadn't noticed, but I think if it is true then it's because he' is an old fashioned sort of winger. He brings the ball from the back to cross it for the center-forward.He's a ball gatherer. He gets the ball for himself. Not very well at times. Jesper Gronkaer was the same, only better at it I think.Both those players final passing let them down. A good example of two good players like that was Norbert Meier and Rudi Voeller of Werder Bremen. Nobby used to pick out Rudi in front of goal nearly every time.btw.............looks like Barcelona are even more in decline than Chelsea. Beaten for the second time on the trot this weekend. It won't be noticed though. There aren't many Barca knockers in England.

[phuketsiam]

Yep thats 2 in a row for Barca, which has opened up the Spanish league a little, now are they in decline or just lulling Chelski into a false sense of security?

Liverpool have got the Gooners, Scum and then Benfica next, 3 wins very unlikly, but so is coming back from 3-0 down against Milan in a cup final, so we shall see

BTW Lampard how's Arjen Robben bearing up, has he recovered from that near fatal blow form Reina yet?

[nev]

totally out played by barca in the 2nd half, messi and ronaldino the two best players in the world.

and to think we almost had ronaldino at united untill kenyon stuffed it up because he new he was deserting us to chelski.

are chelski in decline dont think so they will just go out and spend another 400 million.

[ThaiPauly]

Two own goals and an "unbeleivable" sending off handed Chelsea their fist taste of defeat at the Bridge under Jose.

I did say Barca were a better side than Chelsea, an despite the sending off, when the Manager makes a dreadful tactical decision (ie letting Drogba anywhere near a Chelsea shirt) these things are gonna happen.

What a waste of a glorious chance!! Why on earth does the Manager persist with him, he needs way too many chances to score a goal.

It could have actually been 3-1 to Barca.

Still it was'nt and there is no point having a go at Chelsea after this as they have a chance to make amends in a fortnight, although they are going to have to win 2-0 or 3-1 .

A TOUGH Job, but if any team in the World can do it, then that will be Chelsea.

We will have to wait and see.

Its not over till the fat guy from Surin sings!!!!, and I am sure he will be the first to post whicehver way it goes.

I wish them luck as I want to see an English Club win it again!

[phuketsiam]

I see the special one is full whinge mode tonight, he's like a spoiled kid thowing his toys out the pram, well after Robben's antics I just say poetic justice

[lampard10]

I see the special one is full whinge mode tonight, he's like a spoiled kid thowing his toys out the pram, well after Robben's antics I just say poetic justice

I agree with you there, Robben is a prat. As they say what comes around. But whinge mode ?????????At least Mohrino throws his toys out of the pram, not at his stars heads. But then again you wouldn't see it that way. I am on the other hand a football supporter first, so if my team do something bad, I will admit it. I still find it hard to forgive Makalele's con trick against Monaco. I think last night Barcelona were the better team, but not by far. I also agree with TP's comments. They can afford to dispense with Drogba the Carthorse up front, keep the back intact and use Cole, Robben & Gudjonson as the strike force. Barca's passing was also very poor. Put it down to the pitch or what, but I think they might have given SWP a run earlier. I also think that it was a penalty just before half time. OK it was accidental, but that just means no booking, not no penalty. It look to me as if the ball was goal bound. At least that went Chelsea's way, not like numerous other desicions.

[tom yum goong]

totally out played by barca in the 2nd half, messi and ronaldino the two best players in the world.

Hardly a surprise as they were playing with 10 men. And in the second half, Chelsea scored first and should have got another if Drogba hadn't wasted a gilt edged chance.

If it was 11 vs 11 it would have been quite different. Bring on the Nou Camp.

[nev]

messi hit the bar, should have had a penalty for terrys climbing all over messi and catching the ball with his hands, one cleared off the line.

i think barca could have won by more.

lamps come on some of barcas passing and holding the ball was excellent.

one thing attack is the way to go in the champions league 16 goals in 4 games.

chelsea will have to go there with a attacking team none of this grind out a 1 -0 win drogba is not the answer should be a good game over there.

[tom yum goong]

messi hit the bar, should have had a penalty for terrys climbing all over messi and catching the ball with his hands, one cleared off the line.

i think barca could have won by more.

lamps come on some of barcas passing and holding the ball was excellent.

one thing attack is the way to go in the champions league 16 goals in 4 games.

chelsea will have to go there with a attacking team none of this grind out a 1 -0 win drogba is not the answer should be a good game over there.

Its much easier to hold the ball and pass it around if you are playing against 10 men. Barca could indeed have had more but then again they had a numerical advantage. Barca is a great attacking team and I don't think any team in the world could hold out against their attack with 10 men for so long.

Attack is the way to go in the Champions League? An attack-minded team hasn't won it in the last 2 seasons, and I doubt will do it this season.

Barca's defense will get found out against teams that are strong defensively and play on the counter attack. This would have happened last night except for a dodgy red card.

Agreed that Chelsea are going to have to go all out in Barcelona. Should be a great game if the ref doesnt try to ruin the game with stupid sending offs. Dont write Chelsea off just yet, they are only a goal down at the halfway stage.

[lampard10]

[. Dont write Chelsea off just yet, they are only a goal down at the halfway stage.

Definately the underdogs now, but don't forget Istambul and Rome................0-5 & 0-4.

I also thought that first look Del Horno deserved to be sent off, but replay showed that Messi was just about to get up ,when he saw the ref looking his way, and made the most of it. I can't really complain aboput that, our players are doing it all the time. In fact everyones players are doing it all the time. Can anybody tell me though, why on Earth Robben was trying to let a ball run out for a goal kick from the halfway line. It was all his stupid fault.

Edited February 23, 2006 by lampard10

[phuketsiam]

I see the special one is full whinge mode tonight, he's like a spoiled kid thowing his toys out the pram, well after Robben's antics I just say poetic justice

I agree with you there, Robben is a prat. As they say what comes around. But whinge mode ?????????At least Mohrino throws his toys out of the pram, not at his stars heads. But then again you wouldn't see it that way. I am on the other hand a football supporter first, so if my team do something bad, I will admit it. I still find it hard to forgive Makalele's con trick against Monaco. I think last night Barcelona were the better team, but not by far. I also agree with TP's comments. They can afford to dispense with Drogba the Carthorse up front, keep the back intact and use Cole, Robben & Gudjonson as the strike force. Barca's passing was also very poor. Put it down to the pitch or what, but I think they might have given SWP a run earlier. I also think that it was a penalty just before half time. OK it was accidental, but that just means no booking, not no penalty. It look to me as if the ball was goal bound. At least that went Chelsea's way, not like numerous other desicions.

C'mon Lampard, I'm no fergie fan, got to admire his record tho, but he suffers the same problem as the special whotsit, arrogant, can't give credit where's it due etc. Got nothing against chelsea (apart from giving you stick) but I can't stand all the one way traffic some managers give, even if they are ###### good at their job, and the special one is a whinger, some of the stuff he comes out with makes fergie seem reasonable some times. I once did a "10 things you will never hear fergie say", stuff like Giggs is fit and available for wales, we lost to a better team etc, could one for special one (I made a mistake playing Drogba etc) and he's only been around 10 mins

[nev]

chelsea in no decline they are just about to get another player unted have been chasing that must be about half your team now,lol

i am talking about ballack 121.000 pounds a week,what has football come too.

also there is talk shevchenco is being touted at 50.000.000pounds wow i no he is a great player but that is a lot for a 29 year old.

[lampard10]

C'mon Lampard, I'm no fergie fan, got to admire his record tho, but he suffers the same problem as the special whotsit, arrogant, can't give credit where's it due etc. Got nothing against chelsea (apart from giving you stick) but I can't stand all the one way traffic some managers give, even if they are ###### good at their job, and the special one is a whinger, some of the stuff he comes out with makes fergie seem reasonable some times. I once did a "10 things you will never hear fergie say", stuff like Giggs is fit and available for wales, we lost to a better team etc, could one for special one (I made a mistake playing Drogba etc) and he's only been around 10 mins

Agreed, agreed............................unfortunately I am a very sporting and fair bloke, which, is why I never won anything really big at the Sports I excelled at.

[phuketsiam]

Guess thats the problem, in football cheats do prosper, its harder in some other sports, kick out cheating I say

[jjp]

Interesting article mr Lamps, don't you think. Nothing to do with Chelsea decline but interesting all the same

32] Simon Hattenstone in Guardian

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

'There is a new breed of football fan trolling round town, half peacock, half cowed apologist. The peacock talks about the Premiership titles, the money, the arrival of Eto'o or Ballack or God if he turns out to have two decent feet. The cowed apologist mutters that, of course it's great to be winning, but it wasn't meant to be like this.

Mike is a diehard Chelsea fan. Season ticket, away matches, the lot. A few weeks ago he muttered that he wasn't going to the FA Cup replay against Everton - he couldn't afford it for one, and (the mutter now barely audible) he quite fancied a break. Mike, a man of boundless energy and optimism, sounded weary. "Everybody thinks it must be fantastic, but it's not all wine and roses," he said elliptically.

A couple of nights ago in the pub I was chatting with a friend about Chelsea - how the stakes were now so high that they could win the Premiership title by a mile and still have an unsuccessful season. Mid-sentence I got a tap on my shoulder. "I heard what you were saying," said a big bloke who looked as if he'd win any arm-wrestling competition down the Shed. "I'm a Chelsea fan." Great. Here we go. I waited for the headbutt. "I agree with everything you were saying, mate. Chelsea have given me no pleasure this season. Nothing. Zilch." He didn't want to talk about any number of functional 1-0 wins or Makelele's marshalling of his seven-man defence, he wanted to talk about Hudson and Osgood, Zola and Gullit, flair and romance down the King's Road, the glory years when they won the FA Cup and sod all else. The one thing he didn't want to talk about was modern Chelsea.

Steve, the fairest man I know, is also a Chelsea fan. He explains why they are no worse than Man United or Arsenal were, and tells me that everybody hates winning teams - that's just the Robin Hood way of the world.

Well, I say, I'm not so sure - United had so much home-grown talent and played the beautiful game, Arsenal played the even more beautiful game. By now Steve is not only nodding, he's helping me out, talking faster and faster. "They're like that Harry Enfield character Loadsamoney, flaunting it, rubbing our faces in it. We know football's become like that, but we don't want to be constantly reminded." Steve, like Mike and the arm wrestler, are on the verge of becoming self-haters.

At least, Chelsea self-haters won't find themselves short of fellow flagellators. Last week Barcelona's Lionel Messi said: "There are players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid." More than Real Madrid! Now that is going some. The reaction to last week's defeat against Barcelona was astonishing. It felt as if England had beaten Germany; as if Barcelona were both local club and underdog. Why? Because it was a victory for vision and adventure, a defeat for cynicism and conservatism.

So what has changed in a year to make Chelsea possibly the most despised club in the world? Yes, obviously, there's money - we came, we saw, we spent, as Caesar would have it. But Barcelona are also fabulously rich. So what else?

Mourinho. We always knew the Special One was narcissism personified, but he was witty with it. At least, he was while he had it all his own way. But now Chelsea have lost a few matches? He won't talk to the press, he makes pre-emptive excuses (before the Barcelona match he mentioned how many penalties they had won this season, and how many players had been sent off against them. The implication? They were cheats). After the match, in which Asier del Horno was sent off for fouling Messi, he waxed sarcastic about Messi's theatrics. (Pot, kettle, Arjen Robben anybody?) As for the disgraceful pitch that looked as if it would suit the hard men of Chelsea more than the Barcelona ball players? Last week, pre-match, it was fine. This week, post-match, it is being relaid. So no coincidence there, then?

None of this bothers Mourinho, of course. He is happy so long as they win. But for Boss Abramovich, it's a different matter. Sure he may have bought Chelsea as his plaything, but make no mistake he always wanted to turn it into the richest football club in the world. The latest Deloitte "rich list" put Real Madrid (with turnover of £186m) ahead of Man United in second (£166m), with Chelsea (£149m) in fifth. Why? Because they sell more shirts around the world. And why do Real Madrid and United sell more shirts than Chelsea? Simple. Because, despite all their detractors, over the decades they have wooed their fans with romance, history and thrilling football.'

[ThaiPauly]

Some Post...not being a supporter of Chelsea it will be interesting to hear their comments

[lampard10]

Interesting article mr Lamps, don't you think. Nothing to do with Chelsea decline but interesting all the same

32] Simon Hattenstone in Guardian

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

'There is a new breed of football fan trolling round town, half peacock, half cowed apologist. The peacock talks about the Premiership titles, the money, the arrival of Eto'o or Ballack or God if he turns out to have two decent feet. The cowed apologist mutters that, of course it's great to be winning, but it wasn't meant to be like this.

Mike is a diehard Chelsea fan. Season ticket, away matches, the lot. A few weeks ago he muttered that he wasn't going to the FA Cup replay against Everton - he couldn't afford it for one, and (the mutter now barely audible) he quite fancied a break. Mike, a man of boundless energy and optimism, sounded weary. "Everybody thinks it must be fantastic, but it's not all wine and roses," he said elliptically.

A couple of nights ago in the pub I was chatting with a friend about Chelsea - how the stakes were now so high that they could win the Premiership title by a mile and still have an unsuccessful season. Mid-sentence I got a tap on my shoulder. "I heard what you were saying," said a big bloke who looked as if he'd win any arm-wrestling competition down the Shed. "I'm a Chelsea fan." Great. Here we go. I waited for the headbutt. "I agree with everything you were saying, mate. Chelsea have given me no pleasure this season. Nothing. Zilch." He didn't want to talk about any number of functional 1-0 wins or Makelele's marshalling of his seven-man defence, he wanted to talk about Hudson and Osgood, Zola and Gullit, flair and romance down the King's Road, the glory years when they won the FA Cup and sod all else. The one thing he didn't want to talk about was modern Chelsea.

Steve, the fairest man I know, is also a Chelsea fan. He explains why they are no worse than Man United or Arsenal were, and tells me that everybody hates winning teams - that's just the Robin Hood way of the world.

Well, I say, I'm not so sure - United had so much home-grown talent and played the beautiful game, Arsenal played the even more beautiful game. By now Steve is not only nodding, he's helping me out, talking faster and faster. "They're like that Harry Enfield character Loadsamoney, flaunting it, rubbing our faces in it. We know football's become like that, but we don't want to be constantly reminded." Steve, like Mike and the arm wrestler, are on the verge of becoming self-haters.

At least, Chelsea self-haters won't find themselves short of fellow flagellators. Last week Barcelona's Lionel Messi said: "There are players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid." More than Real Madrid! Now that is going some. The reaction to last week's defeat against Barcelona was astonishing. It felt as if England had beaten Germany; as if Barcelona were both local club and underdog. Why? Because it was a victory for vision and adventure, a defeat for cynicism and conservatism.

So what has changed in a year to make Chelsea possibly the most despised club in the world? Yes, obviously, there's money - we came, we saw, we spent, as Caesar would have it. But Barcelona are also fabulously rich. So what else?

Mourinho. We always knew the Special One was narcissism personified, but he was witty with it. At least, he was while he had it all his own way. But now Chelsea have lost a few matches? He won't talk to the press, he makes pre-emptive excuses (before the Barcelona match he mentioned how many penalties they had won this season, and how many players had been sent off against them. The implication? They were cheats). After the match, in which Asier del Horno was sent off for fouling Messi, he waxed sarcastic about Messi's theatrics. (Pot, kettle, Arjen Robben anybody?) As for the disgraceful pitch that looked as if it would suit the hard men of Chelsea more than the Barcelona ball players? Last week, pre-match, it was fine. This week, post-match, it is being relaid. So no coincidence there, then?

None of this bothers Mourinho, of course. He is happy so long as they win. But for Boss Abramovich, it's a different matter. Sure he may have bought Chelsea as his plaything, but make no mistake he always wanted to turn it into the richest football club in the world. The latest Deloitte "rich list" put Real Madrid (with turnover of £186m) ahead of Man United in second (£166m), with Chelsea (£149m) in fifth. Why? Because they sell more shirts around the world. And why do Real Madrid and United sell more shirts than Chelsea? Simple. Because, despite all their detractors, over the decades they have wooed their fans with romance, history and thrilling football.'

I'm afraid deep down inside, that echoes my feelings as well. Robben, down as if machinegunned if someone comes within ten feet of him. Why oh why can't someone with that much skill, play football all the time. Drogba's the same. And Cole...........although he seems to have maturered a bit. And Makelele's disgraceful sham against Monaco cost them the tie. I also look at the players sometime and say " Why do I support these bunch of overpaid ######s?" Why? Because when you look at other clubs, the same thing is happening at the top. Look at Pires. If it was a boxing match Pires v Robben, they'd both be down for the count before a blow was offered. Look at some of the top Italian players. Too many to name that fall over at a hard stare. No, I support Chelsea because I knew the team of Osgood,Hollins,Cooke,Hudson,McCredie,Harris, Droy,Houseman,Bonnetti,Hinten,Hutchinson,Webb,Baldwin,Weller, Dempsey. If the 1970 Cup Final had been played in 2005, there would have only been both goalkeepers left on the pitch, and both of those with yellow cards. No your right. Football iss not like it used to be. Most linesmen nowadays don't know the offside rule, or choose to make their own interpretation of it. A lot of forewards now are just too quick for the linesman. Take Crespo (it is a Chelsea thread) he is so quick and has such a good football brain that he is offside only about 10% of the times he is flagged.

What really gets my goat, is that now Chelsea have a half decent team, the only thing all the others can come up with is the 'Chelski' and 'Russian Mafia money' remarks. OK it's sour grapes, but when United were at the top, we did not say it's only because of your money. No. We said " One day we're going to be like you" Isn't that everyones dream? To have enough money to buy anything you want? Of course it is. <deleted> to anyone that says different. If our Russian fairy Godfather said "<deleted> this, I want to live in Manchester, so I'll buy United" would all you people against him say" No. We don't want you" No you lot would say" Right. Now we're in charge of the market, like you have been for the decade leading up to Chelsea's resurgance. And anyway. Money does not buy a manager capable of moulding together a winning combination. It helps OK. Most of "Chelski's" regular players, or anyway the nucleaus of the team were there already. But of course the money makes a tailor made excuse as to why United or Arsenal are not winning anything now. But please don't forget all you Fergites and Wengerites. Chelsea are not beating you week in week out. All the other teams are. Your fate is in your hands, not ours. And with that I will say goodnight.

[jjp]

Interesting article mr Lamps, don't you think. Nothing to do with Chelsea decline but interesting all the same

32] Simon Hattenstone in Guardian

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

'There is a new breed of football fan trolling round town, half peacock, half cowed apologist. The peacock talks about the Premiership titles, the money, the arrival of Eto'o or Ballack or God if he turns out to have two decent feet. The cowed apologist mutters that, of course it's great to be winning, but it wasn't meant to be like this.

Mike is a diehard Chelsea fan. Season ticket, away matches, the lot. A few weeks ago he muttered that he wasn't going to the FA Cup replay against Everton - he couldn't afford it for one, and (the mutter now barely audible) he quite fancied a break. Mike, a man of boundless energy and optimism, sounded weary. "Everybody thinks it must be fantastic, but it's not all wine and roses," he said elliptically.

A couple of nights ago in the pub I was chatting with a friend about Chelsea - how the stakes were now so high that they could win the Premiership title by a mile and still have an unsuccessful season. Mid-sentence I got a tap on my shoulder. "I heard what you were saying," said a big bloke who looked as if he'd win any arm-wrestling competition down the Shed. "I'm a Chelsea fan." Great. Here we go. I waited for the headbutt. "I agree with everything you were saying, mate. Chelsea have given me no pleasure this season. Nothing. Zilch." He didn't want to talk about any number of functional 1-0 wins or Makelele's marshalling of his seven-man defence, he wanted to talk about Hudson and Osgood, Zola and Gullit, flair and romance down the King's Road, the glory years when they won the FA Cup and sod all else. The one thing he didn't want to talk about was modern Chelsea.

Steve, the fairest man I know, is also a Chelsea fan. He explains why they are no worse than Man United or Arsenal were, and tells me that everybody hates winning teams - that's just the Robin Hood way of the world.

Well, I say, I'm not so sure - United had so much home-grown talent and played the beautiful game, Arsenal played the even more beautiful game. By now Steve is not only nodding, he's helping me out, talking faster and faster. "They're like that Harry Enfield character Loadsamoney, flaunting it, rubbing our faces in it. We know football's become like that, but we don't want to be constantly reminded." Steve, like Mike and the arm wrestler, are on the verge of becoming self-haters.

At least, Chelsea self-haters won't find themselves short of fellow flagellators. Last week Barcelona's Lionel Messi said: "There are players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid." More than Real Madrid! Now that is going some. The reaction to last week's defeat against Barcelona was astonishing. It felt as if England had beaten Germany; as if Barcelona were both local club and underdog. Why? Because it was a victory for vision and adventure, a defeat for cynicism and conservatism.

So what has changed in a year to make Chelsea possibly the most despised club in the world? Yes, obviously, there's money - we came, we saw, we spent, as Caesar would have it. But Barcelona are also fabulously rich. So what else?

Mourinho. We always knew the Special One was narcissism personified, but he was witty with it. At least, he was while he had it all his own way. But now Chelsea have lost a few matches? He won't talk to the press, he makes pre-emptive excuses (before the Barcelona match he mentioned how many penalties they had won this season, and how many players had been sent off against them. The implication? They were cheats). After the match, in which Asier del Horno was sent off for fouling Messi, he waxed sarcastic about Messi's theatrics. (Pot, kettle, Arjen Robben anybody?) As for the disgraceful pitch that looked as if it would suit the hard men of Chelsea more than the Barcelona ball players? Last week, pre-match, it was fine. This week, post-match, it is being relaid. So no coincidence there, then?

None of this bothers Mourinho, of course. He is happy so long as they win. But for Boss Abramovich, it's a different matter. Sure he may have bought Chelsea as his plaything, but make no mistake he always wanted to turn it into the richest football club in the world. The latest Deloitte "rich list" put Real Madrid (with turnover of £186m) ahead of Man United in second (£166m), with Chelsea (£149m) in fifth. Why? Because they sell more shirts around the world. And why do Real Madrid and United sell more shirts than Chelsea? Simple. Because, despite all their detractors, over the decades they have wooed their fans with romance, history and thrilling football.'

I'm afraid deep down inside, that echoes my feelings as well. Robben, down as if machinegunned if someone comes within ten feet of him. Why oh why can't someone with that much skill, play football all the time. Drogba's the same. And Cole...........although he seems to have maturered a bit. And Makelele's disgraceful sham against Monaco cost them the tie. I also look at the players sometime and say " Why do I support these bunch of overpaid ######s?" Why? Because when you look at other clubs, the same thing is happening at the top. Look at Pires. If it was a boxing match Pires v Robben, they'd both be down for the count before a blow was offered. Look at some of the top Italian players. Too many to name that fall over at a hard stare. No, I support Chelsea because I knew the team of Osgood,Hollins,Cooke,Hudson,McCredie,Harris, Droy,Houseman,Bonnetti,Hinten,Hutchinson,Webb,Baldwin,Weller, Dempsey. If the 1970 Cup Final had been played in 2005, there would have only been both goalkeepers left on the pitch, and both of those with yellow cards. No your right. Football iss not like it used to be. Most linesmen nowadays don't know the offside rule, or choose to make their own interpretation of it. A lot of forewards now are just too quick for the linesman. Take Crespo (it is a Chelsea thread) he is so quick and has such a good football brain that he is offside only about 10% of the times he is flagged.

What really gets my goat, is that now Chelsea have a half decent team, the only thing all the others can come up with is the 'Chelski' and 'Russian Mafia money' remarks. OK it's sour grapes, but when United were at the top, we did not say it's only because of your money. No. We said " One day we're going to be like you" Isn't that everyones dream? To have enough money to buy anything you want? Of course it is. <deleted> to anyone that says different. If our Russian fairy Godfather said "<deleted> this, I want to live in Manchester, so I'll buy United" would all you people against him say" No. We don't want you" No you lot would say" Right. Now we're in charge of the market, like you have been for the decade leading up to Chelsea's resurgance. And anyway. Money does not buy a manager capable of moulding together a winning combination. It helps OK. Most of "Chelski's" regular players, or anyway the nucleaus of the team were there already. But of course the money makes a tailor made excuse as to why United or Arsenal are not winning anything now. But please don't forget all you Fergites and Wengerites. Chelsea are not beating you week in week out. All the other teams are. Your fate is in your hands, not ours. And with that I will say goodnight.

wow mr Lamps, I never posted this to have a dig.(on the defensive again Mr Lamps )I posted this because it was from a Chelsea fans point of view. well the first half of it. I was not having a dig about the money. The loadamoney came from a chelsea fan not me. If you look up my quotes on the Man Utd in decline thread you will see i have never had a dig about the money or about Chelsea being top dogs at the mo.

You see Lamps, football is all about entertainment and as the Chelsea fan said " they have given me no pleasure this season." Me thinks, if the football was attractive to watch maybe people would not jump on the bandwagon. But being top dog well, it comes with the terriorty.

Here are the last few lines from the article

Simple. Because, despite all their detractors, over the decades teams have wooed their fans with romance, history and thrilling football.'

Chelsea have a long way to go matey.

And with that I will say goodnight. I thought you posted this morning:huh:

[lampard10]

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You see Lamps, football is all about entertainment and as the Chelsea fan said " they have given me no pleasure this season." Me thinks, if the football was attractive to watch maybe people would not jump on the bandwagon. But being top dog well, it comes with the terriorty.

Here are the last few lines from the article

Simple. Because, despite all their detractors, over the decades teams have wooed their fans with romance, history and thrilling football.'

Chelsea have a long way to go matey.

And with that I will say goodnight. I thought you posted this morning:huh:

Yes mate, but.....................................Chelsea in full flow are one of the most attractive teams about at the moment. But they're not employing their skill all of the time. It takes a jolt to wake them up. That is what most of the Chelsea fans I've come across and read about say, anyway. And I agree fully. Look at when they thrashed Liverpool at Anfield. Everybody was saying that on that day the way Liverpool were playing they would have beaten all the rest of the teams in the Premieship. Anyway you obviously did not read my response, rather answered to what you would think I said, so I will repeat myself.

DEEP DOWN I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRITTEN IN THE ARTICLE. If you still miss it let me know and I will try bigger letters next time as well as capitals. Or maybe you don't want me to agree with you.