11 05 2008 Chelsea 1 Bolton 1
The delay in writing this report probably reflects the lack of enthusiasm I have felt this season for anything to do with
Chelsea up until the last few games.
For much of the campaign the football has been tedious, with embarrassing moments such as losing in the FA Cup to a
lower league side and then losing to a team in the League Cup Final that cannot even finish in the top half of the
football league table. It was quite unsurprising too that Chelsea could not even muster a win against a Bolton side that
finished fifth from bottom. The positivity and support from the fans was certainly not reflected on the pitch. It was also a
shame that we could not relegate Wanderers – what an ugly team in more ways than one. Their tactic was to try and
score from a set piece while attempting to injure as many of our players as possible – a real shame that they are in the
Premier League, but at least Reading and Birmingham went down instead.
What is amazing is how close we ran United until the end. Maybe with a less naïve manager in charge we could have
walked it, but it is too easy to look back now to where we went wrong.
After a pretty average start to the league themselves, United simply played the more attractive football (except when
they faced us of course) and probably deserve the title, but more because of our general tactical failures than anything
else. Even on the last day of the season they had the rub of the green - how Scholes was not sent off I will never know!
There almost seems no point complaining about it though - the media so wanted United to win so that the armchair fans
would buy their newspapers with a special pullout poster of the team lifting the Premier League trophy, that such minor
incidents could easily be overlooked.
If Jose was criticised on style of football rather than the results produced, then Grant should not be in the job.
Nevertheless, I still applauded Avram out of politeness. He has been fairly dignified in the face of adversity, and I was
glad to see he didn't suffer mindless abuse from Chelsea fans during our lap of honour. It was also good to see him
briefly smile after a short "Avram Grant, Avram Grant, Avram Grant" chant from the supporters who stayed behind.
I have felt for most of the season that Avram would probably steer us to a Champions’ League win – after all that is
probably Roman’s main wish. We have had a fairly easy run in the competition and now we face arguably one of our
biggest tests. Head to head I still believe Chelsea are a stronger team than Manchester United, but all will depend on
Avram’s tactical skills (!).
Having paid £880 for official travel and a ticket (the flight arrives at 4pm on the day of the game!) and returning directly
after the match, the last thing we want is to see Chelsea lose. I am really looking forward to the game, but for some
Chelsea fans it will be a win/win situation – if we lose, Avram will probably go, and if we win then we have finally won a
competition that has eluded us for many years.
Chelsea up until the last few games.
For much of the campaign the football has been tedious, with embarrassing moments such as losing in the FA Cup to a
lower league side and then losing to a team in the League Cup Final that cannot even finish in the top half of the
football league table. It was quite unsurprising too that Chelsea could not even muster a win against a Bolton side that
finished fifth from bottom. The positivity and support from the fans was certainly not reflected on the pitch. It was also a
shame that we could not relegate Wanderers – what an ugly team in more ways than one. Their tactic was to try and
score from a set piece while attempting to injure as many of our players as possible – a real shame that they are in the
Premier League, but at least Reading and Birmingham went down instead.
What is amazing is how close we ran United until the end. Maybe with a less naïve manager in charge we could have
walked it, but it is too easy to look back now to where we went wrong.
After a pretty average start to the league themselves, United simply played the more attractive football (except when
they faced us of course) and probably deserve the title, but more because of our general tactical failures than anything
else. Even on the last day of the season they had the rub of the green - how Scholes was not sent off I will never know!
There almost seems no point complaining about it though - the media so wanted United to win so that the armchair fans
would buy their newspapers with a special pullout poster of the team lifting the Premier League trophy, that such minor
incidents could easily be overlooked.
If Jose was criticised on style of football rather than the results produced, then Grant should not be in the job.
Nevertheless, I still applauded Avram out of politeness. He has been fairly dignified in the face of adversity, and I was
glad to see he didn't suffer mindless abuse from Chelsea fans during our lap of honour. It was also good to see him
briefly smile after a short "Avram Grant, Avram Grant, Avram Grant" chant from the supporters who stayed behind.
I have felt for most of the season that Avram would probably steer us to a Champions’ League win – after all that is
probably Roman’s main wish. We have had a fairly easy run in the competition and now we face arguably one of our
biggest tests. Head to head I still believe Chelsea are a stronger team than Manchester United, but all will depend on
Avram’s tactical skills (!).
Having paid £880 for official travel and a ticket (the flight arrives at 4pm on the day of the game!) and returning directly
after the match, the last thing we want is to see Chelsea lose. I am really looking forward to the game, but for some
Chelsea fans it will be a win/win situation – if we lose, Avram will probably go, and if we win then we have finally won a
competition that has eluded us for many years.
