Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
By Since66
April 10 2008
In case you didnt know Chelsea has started a 'Star on the Stool' night at Stamford Bridge and last night (Wednesday) the 'Star on the Stool,' was Robbie Di Matteo, but this article isn't about him. The night was hosted by legend Jason Cundy and Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck gave a 'surprise' interview no doubt to questions that were pre-fed to Jason before he asked them.
One of the many questions to Buck was: WILL AVRAM GRANT BE MANAGER NEXT SEASON? Buck's reply was: "I think it is a yes or no question and I am not going to give you a yes or no answer. (WHY? EITHER HE IS OR HE WON'T BE). "But let me give you a perspective on it. In September, when Jose left and Avran came on board (AVRAM WAS ALREADY AT CHELSEA), I think the board and Roman did not expect that we would be sitting here today as a semi-finalist in the Champions League and three points off the top of the Premier League. "We thought that when you change managers, you have to have some re-building (WELL I HAVE ALREADY SAID IT WILL BE A 'MIRACLE' IF CHELSEA WON ANYTHING THIS SEASON!!). "So we are unbeliveably happy that we are here, where we are now. We should have wished that we would have beaten Barnsley and Tottenham and whatever, but I think we are reasonably happy with where we are now. Avram has a multi-year contract and he's our manager (FOR NOW THEN?!?!?!). "Having said that and I don't want you to take this the wrong way, every manager, at every club, is judged by results. That's the name of the game, results, and right now Avram's results are very, very good, so he's our manager." (YEP BRUCE HE SURE IS OUR MANAGER...... BUT WHO WILL BE OUR MANAGER NEXT SEASON?) So Buckie boy in the space of a few words you have gone from "UNBELIEVABLY" happy to "REASONABLY" happy!!! How happy are you? REALLY?!?!
Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
Posted by: 50 Years Over 100 Years (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2008 20:21
Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
Re: Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2008 20:31
Interesting comment - Lets hope that we do bring a new manager in during the summer.
In contrast (well, to a point) Kenyon has called on Chelsea fans to back Grant during this crucial part of the season.
There is a significant proportion of Chelsea fans that just will not accept what they feel is a vastly unqualified and inexperienced manager at the helm – they gladly support the team BUT not Avram Grant.
Kenyon now joins both John Terry and Joe Cole in public support of the previously relatively unknown Israeli, and Chelsea legend Pat Nevin - whilst choosing to reserve his direct opinion on Grant - has also recently asked the Stamford Bridge faithful to get behind everyone including Grant at the club - at least until the end of the season.
Chelsea fans are pretty much used to seeing our board shoot themselves in the foot over the decades (Eddie McCreadie being just one example) and are rightly miffed at seeing the departure of our most successful and charismatic manager in our history, José Mourinho.
Indeed, many of the anti-Grant section feel that there is too much smoke without fire regarding Grant’s role in the departure of the Special One and some cite the allegation that Grant was dispatched to California to sound out Jurgen Klinnsman last season while still at Portsmouth (Gaydamak of Portsmouth and Abramovich are close friends – it is more than probable that Grant was parked at the south coast club as a favour).
We don’t like the wool being pulled over our eyes and have become pretty good at spotting it due to patches of shenanigans over the years!
Apart from quite a few numerous gaffs in the media from Grant (the latest being talking to the press about our goalkeeper injury problem and then not being able to remember Rhys Taylor’s name whilst praising the back-up we had) we have had the words “more positive, improved and better football” shoved down our throats when it’s quite plain that any improvement in style is not as dramatic as Grant claims.
Kenyon himself acknowledged that the current style is still not up to the mark:
"I don't think that it is where we want to be but everybody still wants to improve.
"Equally, we are in the semi-final of the Champions League and we are right up there in the most competitive run-in of the Premier League that we have had for many years.
"The crowd needs to be getting behind the team and that's as much Avram as anyone else.
"It has only been a fairly small element (who have been anti-Grant) and I'm sure we will see the crowd at Stamford Bridge behind the complete team."
It does make sense to have a unified front when we are close to a 3rd PL title in 4 years and in the semi-final of the CL but it’s still possible to urge the team on and refrain from anti-Grant chants (without singing pro-Grant songs) in order to help the team out on the park.
"It's a complete effort but arguably the biggest weeks and biggest achievements are ahead of us still,” said Kenyon.
Grant does deserve credit for bringing in Ten Cate and keeping Steve Clarke on board, indeed, the run of results achieved whilst our squad was decimated with key player injuries was quite astounding, however, Grant has demonstrated a lack of tactical nous in some key games this season (Arsenal at the Bridge being an exception – or luck).
As for the change in style, I would say that there IS a difference – in general we are definitely moving the ball around a lot quicker and getting the ball up the park rapidly.
It’s obvious that Grant sees the Ajax/Barcelona route (hence the obsession with 4-3-3) as the way forward but I imagine this is mainly down to the work of Ten Cate.
We also know that Steve Clarke has a much wider and tactical role this season. The Scot prepares and takes the pre-match briefings and analysis and appears to play the major role in the half-time team talk. In fact, Clarke’s presence is key in maintaining the trust of the squad and we can only hope that he is not lured away for a management role at another club in the summer.
Maybe what we are experiencing are growing pains during the transition from one style to another – fair enough – but don’t tell us it’s black suddenly from white when we can see that at most it’s grey!
My own hope is that Grant is moved upstairs in the summer and someone of the ilk of Laudrup, currently at Getafe is brought in. “Ah ha! But what if you win the league…or the CL…or both! Humble pie?” If we do any of the above I would recognise that Grant has earned another season – whether I like it or not - but while Grant is at the helm there will never be complete unity. It’s for the best that he moves upstairs (and I do think he will be a very good Director of Football).
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
In contrast (well, to a point) Kenyon has called on Chelsea fans to back Grant during this crucial part of the season.
There is a significant proportion of Chelsea fans that just will not accept what they feel is a vastly unqualified and inexperienced manager at the helm – they gladly support the team BUT not Avram Grant.
Kenyon now joins both John Terry and Joe Cole in public support of the previously relatively unknown Israeli, and Chelsea legend Pat Nevin - whilst choosing to reserve his direct opinion on Grant - has also recently asked the Stamford Bridge faithful to get behind everyone including Grant at the club - at least until the end of the season.
Chelsea fans are pretty much used to seeing our board shoot themselves in the foot over the decades (Eddie McCreadie being just one example) and are rightly miffed at seeing the departure of our most successful and charismatic manager in our history, José Mourinho.
Indeed, many of the anti-Grant section feel that there is too much smoke without fire regarding Grant’s role in the departure of the Special One and some cite the allegation that Grant was dispatched to California to sound out Jurgen Klinnsman last season while still at Portsmouth (Gaydamak of Portsmouth and Abramovich are close friends – it is more than probable that Grant was parked at the south coast club as a favour).
We don’t like the wool being pulled over our eyes and have become pretty good at spotting it due to patches of shenanigans over the years!
Apart from quite a few numerous gaffs in the media from Grant (the latest being talking to the press about our goalkeeper injury problem and then not being able to remember Rhys Taylor’s name whilst praising the back-up we had) we have had the words “more positive, improved and better football” shoved down our throats when it’s quite plain that any improvement in style is not as dramatic as Grant claims.
Kenyon himself acknowledged that the current style is still not up to the mark:
"I don't think that it is where we want to be but everybody still wants to improve.
"Equally, we are in the semi-final of the Champions League and we are right up there in the most competitive run-in of the Premier League that we have had for many years.
"The crowd needs to be getting behind the team and that's as much Avram as anyone else.
"It has only been a fairly small element (who have been anti-Grant) and I'm sure we will see the crowd at Stamford Bridge behind the complete team."
It does make sense to have a unified front when we are close to a 3rd PL title in 4 years and in the semi-final of the CL but it’s still possible to urge the team on and refrain from anti-Grant chants (without singing pro-Grant songs) in order to help the team out on the park.
"It's a complete effort but arguably the biggest weeks and biggest achievements are ahead of us still,” said Kenyon.
Grant does deserve credit for bringing in Ten Cate and keeping Steve Clarke on board, indeed, the run of results achieved whilst our squad was decimated with key player injuries was quite astounding, however, Grant has demonstrated a lack of tactical nous in some key games this season (Arsenal at the Bridge being an exception – or luck).
As for the change in style, I would say that there IS a difference – in general we are definitely moving the ball around a lot quicker and getting the ball up the park rapidly.
It’s obvious that Grant sees the Ajax/Barcelona route (hence the obsession with 4-3-3) as the way forward but I imagine this is mainly down to the work of Ten Cate.
We also know that Steve Clarke has a much wider and tactical role this season. The Scot prepares and takes the pre-match briefings and analysis and appears to play the major role in the half-time team talk. In fact, Clarke’s presence is key in maintaining the trust of the squad and we can only hope that he is not lured away for a management role at another club in the summer.
Maybe what we are experiencing are growing pains during the transition from one style to another – fair enough – but don’t tell us it’s black suddenly from white when we can see that at most it’s grey!
My own hope is that Grant is moved upstairs in the summer and someone of the ilk of Laudrup, currently at Getafe is brought in. “Ah ha! But what if you win the league…or the CL…or both! Humble pie?” If we do any of the above I would recognise that Grant has earned another season – whether I like it or not - but while Grant is at the helm there will never be complete unity. It’s for the best that he moves upstairs (and I do think he will be a very good Director of Football).
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Re: Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2008 21:09
...and they really must change the title "Star on a STOOL"!
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Re: Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2008 21:56
I know you always get people posting up that they are in the know - and the info normally turns out to be a load of bull sh-t BUT this bloke is very balanced and intelligent in the years I´ve seen him posting:
"Had an email from a bloke who has always given me
very accurate information about Chelsea. He reckons Zola will definitely be at the Club next season in some coaching capacity, Ten Cate and Clarke will be gone, Grant will be moving upstairs and the new Chelsea manager is currently managing in the Premier League but, as negotiations are still in progress, he cannot divulge who it is.
I get hundreds of emails from people giving me all sorts of inside information which is quite franlkly bulldust. But this bloke is in a position to know and he is normally on the ball."
Hmmmm....
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
"Had an email from a bloke who has always given me
very accurate information about Chelsea. He reckons Zola will definitely be at the Club next season in some coaching capacity, Ten Cate and Clarke will be gone, Grant will be moving upstairs and the new Chelsea manager is currently managing in the Premier League but, as negotiations are still in progress, he cannot divulge who it is.
I get hundreds of emails from people giving me all sorts of inside information which is quite franlkly bulldust. But this bloke is in a position to know and he is normally on the ball."
Hmmmm....
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Re: Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2008 21:58
CURRENT PL manager....
O´Neil???
Or as Zola is coming.........Hughes?
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
O´Neil???
Or as Zola is coming.........Hughes?
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Re: Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
Posted by: Since 66 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2008 22:05
so that blows Laudrup and Frankie boy out the water.
As a sideline Di Matteo is doing his coaching badges.... but he 'denied' coming to Chelsea.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
As a sideline Di Matteo is doing his coaching badges.... but he 'denied' coming to Chelsea.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Re: Bruce Buck DOESN'T Support Grant
Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2008 22:13
...and Laudrup´s Getafe are about to knock Bayern Munich out of the UEFA and into the semis!
They are already in the Cup Final and all on next to nothing budget!
(Ha! Bayern just equalised!!!! and win on away goals!)
Oh well....
Taxi!
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
They are already in the Cup Final and all on next to nothing budget!
(Ha! Bayern just equalised!!!! and win on away goals!)
Oh well....
Taxi!
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.