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09 03 2008 Barnsley 1 Chelsea 0
In a week where Jose Mourinho said he would be keen to return to manage Chelsea again one day, we instead had to
settle for the feckless Avram Grant to lead the team to another embarrassing cup defeat. We had bounced back after
the Tottenham loss with back to back wins where we trounced the opposition, and yet somehow managed to lose for the
first time in many years to a team in a division below us. It would not have happened under his predecessor's tenure!
Unfortunately, we will have to wait until at least the end of the season to see him kicked out, as he will probably fluke
getting to the Champions' League Final. We really are regressing and turning into Liverpool!
So where did it go wrong? The confidence seemed to drain when Carlo decided to try and clear from a JT "backpass"
(which was never one in a million years) and the excellent Odejayi nearly scored. From that moment on, Chelsea
flattered to deceive up front. With the amount of alleged talent on the pitch, this game should have been a walkover -
and therefore the blame must lie with the manager. In midweek, Drogba was woeful and understandably dropped, and I
cannot believe that not having Makelele and Lampard in the team means that we should play so badly. The only positive
note was Joe Cole's performance, which was one full of endeavour and spirit. I have never seen so many efforts on goal
fail to at least hit the target. You know you are getting desperate when you are praying for Kalou and Pizarro to come on
the pitch to save your skin!
It was another goalkeeping error that lead to the loss. Carlo is one of our most faithful servants, but you just feel that the
team does not possess the same confidence as when Cech is there. Which makes you wonder why the defenders kept
wanting to hit back passes to him throughout the game on a muddy and bumpy pitch! Are these our new tactics these
days?
On the positive side, a team that is not a traditionally big club will win the FA Cup this year, but this is little consolation.
Most Chelsea fans' fear that getting rid of Jose was the biggest mistake this club has ever made is coming to fruition, but
well done to Barnsley, who thoroughly deserved their win.
settle for the feckless Avram Grant to lead the team to another embarrassing cup defeat. We had bounced back after
the Tottenham loss with back to back wins where we trounced the opposition, and yet somehow managed to lose for the
first time in many years to a team in a division below us. It would not have happened under his predecessor's tenure!
Unfortunately, we will have to wait until at least the end of the season to see him kicked out, as he will probably fluke
getting to the Champions' League Final. We really are regressing and turning into Liverpool!
So where did it go wrong? The confidence seemed to drain when Carlo decided to try and clear from a JT "backpass"
(which was never one in a million years) and the excellent Odejayi nearly scored. From that moment on, Chelsea
flattered to deceive up front. With the amount of alleged talent on the pitch, this game should have been a walkover -
and therefore the blame must lie with the manager. In midweek, Drogba was woeful and understandably dropped, and I
cannot believe that not having Makelele and Lampard in the team means that we should play so badly. The only positive
note was Joe Cole's performance, which was one full of endeavour and spirit. I have never seen so many efforts on goal
fail to at least hit the target. You know you are getting desperate when you are praying for Kalou and Pizarro to come on
the pitch to save your skin!
It was another goalkeeping error that lead to the loss. Carlo is one of our most faithful servants, but you just feel that the
team does not possess the same confidence as when Cech is there. Which makes you wonder why the defenders kept
wanting to hit back passes to him throughout the game on a muddy and bumpy pitch! Are these our new tactics these
days?
On the positive side, a team that is not a traditionally big club will win the FA Cup this year, but this is little consolation.
Most Chelsea fans' fear that getting rid of Jose was the biggest mistake this club has ever made is coming to fruition, but
well done to Barnsley, who thoroughly deserved their win.