B. Leverkusen 2-1 Chelsea: Europa League Here We Come
On the Brink?
By Since66
November 24 2011
Europa League is looking ominous and is AVB on the precipe and how important is the upcoming Wolves game on Saturday for confidence and morale? With the greatest respect to Wolves, there should be no worry about facing them, but I am afraid to say, Saturday is going to be so diffcult and the faithful simply have to do their job!!!
Speaking before the Liverpool game last Sunday I wondered how much backing AvB will get when the transfer window opens in about five weeks time. (The window simply cannot come fast enough to be honest - Chelsea desperately need new faces and get shot of some of the 'reputations.')
Sorry to say it is time for a change.
If the current trend on results continue, four defeats in the last seven games, AvB may not be around to pick at Mr A's wallet, only to pick up an extremely sizeable contract pay-off.
I really hope Mr A doesn't get an itchy trigger finger on that loaded gun, AvB has more than enough to cope with trying to restore order into the halls of Cobham.
Some of the 'reputations' need to take a good look of themselves - JT, the expression of his face at the final whistle last night - told a thousand stories.
Didier crossing himself on numerous occasions as he trapsed off the pitch and the look of bewilderment on Super Frank's face said it all.
It seems that the majority of players have 'forgotten' about the crest on their shirt, the crest contains a lion, a lion that has heart, Chelsea simply have lost theirs.
Perhaps a visit to the Wizard of Oz is in order to found that heart, to battle, to fight (not literally) and to start winning matches again - Chelsea only need 18 points to get to that magic 40 number!!!
Get my drift?
To be fair Chelsea didn't play that bad.
The high-line caught Chelsea out yet again for Leverkusen's equaliser and HAD Cechie Boy raised an arm instead of side-stepping across his line, before the ball hit the net for Leverkusen's winner, Chelsea may have got away with conceding another corner and qualification for the last 16 knockout stages would have been secured.
As it stands, Chelsea need to avoid defeat and can only draw 0-0 (bang goes that result on current form) against Valencia at The Bridge in the final group game in a couple of weeks to go through in second place and even a victory will not guarantee Chelsea top spot, unless Leverkusen completely cock-it-up when they travel to Genk.
After Wolves, its Liverpool (again) in the Carling Cup, then away to Newcastle United, followed by Valencia (winner takes it all), then Money Citeh.
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shouldve beaten them by 5 goals at their place easy
Still, as you say, we SHOULD do Wolves today and I hope we don't end up trapsing back up the Fulham Rd with our heads bowed.
AVB on the high line:
And then we got down to the business of the high defensive line. And were given (I think) a little tactical lesson.
He said: "First, the high line is a misconception. A misconception turned into opinion-making that influences players and people in football without the correct understanding of how it's being applied.
"Nobody had a problem with the high line in the second half against Liverpool when we were pressing and creating opportunities. Nobody spoke about the poor first half with a medium block."
What?
"Tell me the goal we suffered from the high line?" he asked.
The one from Glen Johnson.
"No," he said. "That was horizontal shift..."
Blimey.
Anyway, how long will it all take to finally get right?
"I don't ask for time," he said. "I demand results of myself."
But all sacked managers say they haven't been given enough time.
"First, I'm not sacked," he replied. "And, second, it's not my style to complain."
As for the spotlight now burning down on him, he said: "I'm not worried. I'm confident.
"All this attention is something that doesn't disturb me. I was in my office just now and I asked why we were on the back pages of every paper? Now that did surprise me."
And he had a good laugh.
I'm glad someone's happy!
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"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.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:26:09:18:19 by dixon9.