Come on Barca

[AndyPaul]

Not entirely convinced by RDM's managerial skills just yet (let us not forget his average spells at Franchise and WBA). Seems there's a certain element of Jimmy Armfield in '75 - e.g. sit back and let a team of ageing superstars have one last crack at immortality

Yep, kind of think AVB failed at Chelsea because he tried to try and break up the click at Chelsea (Terry, Lampard, Drogba etc) and bring new regime into the ageing team. Those players had two much power so he needed to show who's boss, this failed, they play made AVB time at Chelsea difficult and he got the boot. RDM was one of their own, let the old guard get on with it, didn't challenge their power and things started to work. I am not saying what RDM did was wrong - they won the Champions League after all.

This is just a theory I might add.

[Mr Reality]

Not entirely convinced by RDM's managerial skills just yet (let us not forget his average spells at Franchise and WBA). Seems there's a certain element of Jimmy Armfield in '75 - e.g. sit back and let a team of ageing superstars have one last crack at immortality

There is a sense of good management there though if it's not broke don't fix it

[Mr Reality]

Not entirely convinced by RDM's managerial skills just yet (let us not forget his average spells at Franchise and WBA). Seems there's a certain element of Jimmy Armfield in '75 - e.g. sit back and let a team of ageing superstars have one last crack at immortality

Yep, kind of think AVB failed at Chelsea because he tried to try and break up the click at Chelsea (Terry, Lampard, Drogba etc) and bring new regime into the ageing team. Those players had two much power so he needed to show who's boss, this failed, they play made AVB time at Chelsea difficult and he got the boot. RDM was one of their own, let the old guard get on with it, didn't challenge their power and things started to work. I am not saying what RDM did was wrong - they won the Champions League after all.

This is just a theory I might add.

However there were reports when avb was there they didn't like di Matteo either

[gazurtoids]

Not entirely convinced by RDM's managerial skills just yet (let us not forget his average spells at Franchise and WBA). Seems there's a certain element of Jimmy Armfield in '75 - e.g. sit back and let a team of ageing superstars have one last crack at immortality

There is a sense of good management there though if it's not broke don't fix it

But if it's in the process of breaking, it needs fixing at some point. The question is when to step in. Arguably, Chelsea have been too reliant on the Mourinho/Ranieri generation for too long, instead of continually evolving.

[gazurtoids]

Fair play to the rentboys like, they did well to win that. Cashley, Cahill and Drogba in particular were full of beans.
Terry though, fucking hell, what an attention seeking prick, down there in his full kit as soon as the whistle's gone. I don't blame him for getting involved, but Christ, the man has no humility at all.

Aye, the twat ripped his training top off the second Drogba's pen hit the back of the net. Did you see little Michael Owen ready in his pristine scum kit at Sunderland last week to?

[Mr Reality]

Not entirely convinced by RDM's managerial skills just yet (let us not forget his average spells at Franchise and WBA). Seems there's a certain element of Jimmy Armfield in '75 - e.g. sit back and let a team of ageing superstars have one last crack at immortality

There is a sense of good management there though if it's not broke don't fix it

But if it's in the process of breaking, it needs fixing at some point. The question is when to step in. Arguably, Chelsea have been too reliant on the Mourinho/Ranieri generation for too long, instead of continually evolving.

I disagree Chelsea can't have a massive revolution needs to be gradual over time, players see to that, I don't think that us right but that's the situation there

[gazurtoids]

There is a sense of good management there though if it's not broke don't fix it

But if it's in the process of breaking, it needs fixing at some point. The question is when to step in. Arguably, Chelsea have been too reliant on the Mourinho/Ranieri generation for too long, instead of continually evolving.

I disagree Chelsea can't have a massive revolution needs to be gradual over time

That's what I just said ("Arguably..."). They relied on a core of players for too long and have deferred evolution to the extent that revolution is now unavoidable. The latter is considerably more difficult and painful than the former so even though they recognised their structural problems in the summer and employed Villas-Boas to address them, it hasn't been easy to achieve. The fact that the old guard have delivered the European Cup doesn't mean that they don't still need to be replaced. That is, it's still breaking and it still needs fixing.

[Mr Reality]

I am not sure what your point I have already said the change needs to be over time including the senior players

[MightyWhite]

Lots of folk saying that Drogba must now stay on at Chelsea. Why? He's scored 3 absolutely priceless goals over the last month - not to mention the winning penalty last night - but you watch him in the bread and butter Premier League games and he looks pretty much shot to bits. He clearly has it in him to roll back the years every now and again, but can he do it again next season, when he's another year older and has reached the zenith of footballing achievement? Surely it's best for both parties to make the break now and leave it on a high?

[Phil LUFC]

I am not sure what your point I have already said the change needs to be over time including the senior players

Because they don't have that time any more, the old guard are all still world class on their day, replacing that quality costs a lot of money, introduces more egos and will upset the old guard, they can't do it 1 player a season because the guys they have are no longer able to produce every week and therefore can't sustain top 4 form.

I'll have to wash my mouth out for this, but they needed to look at scum for a template, letting the odd player go at or before their peak in order to get someone younger in rather than maintain a full team of similar age players. Just keep the ones with the maturity to know when they're going to become bit part players.

[jackos]

Lots of folk saying that Drogba must now stay on at Chelsea. Why?

When he was of to China I understood them letting him go, but Barca are rumoured to be interested now - I can understand if Chelsea wouldn't want him sitting playing a Henrik Larsson role for them in his twilight years, coming off the bench in the CL n knocking hm in for fun.

[Mr Reality]

I am not sure what your point I have already said the change needs to be over time including the senior players

Because they don't have that time any more, the old guard are all still world class on their day, replacing that quality costs a lot of money, introduces more egos and will upset the old guard, they can't do it 1 player a season because the guys they have are no longer able to produce every week and therefore can't sustain top 4 form.

I'll have to wash my mouth out for this, but they needed to look at scum for a template, letting the odd player go at or before their peak in order to get someone younger in rather than maintain a full team of similar age players. Just keep the ones with the maturity to know when they're going to become bit part players.

i agree this is the point i am making or trying to make if putting it across in a round about way

cut me some slack it is a sunday

[Mr Reality]

Lots of folk saying that Drogba must now stay on at Chelsea. Why?

When he was of to China I understood them letting him go, but Barca are rumoured to be interested now - I can understand if Chelsea wouldn't want him sitting playing a Henrik Larsson role for them in his twilight years, coming off the bench in the CL n knocking hm in for fun.

drogba would be great striker for barca not sure of the validity of the source but he would allow them to have a slightly more direct ariel threat when there style isnt quite working, the fact need a plan b seems to be frowned upon by some i see it as pure common sense, a brilliant cross and header is a beautiful way to score a goal

[OWETB]

Fuck Chelsea, congratulations to York

[Eddies Boots]

If it ain't broke? Clearly it is at Chelsea.
Did you see the semis and how Madrid, Munich and Barcelona played like they were going to win the cup, while Chelsea played backs-to-the-wall, park-the-bus, hoof-ball showing their intent to steal the trophy.
Chelsea may be Champions but they appear to be lacking the depth in squad or the coach to play like champions.
If I owned them I would pay the manager a huge thankyou bonus for what he did, and then find a more experienced coach to get them back to playing in a manner of which I could be proud.
While we were over the moon at our Div 3 beating of Scum in the cup, that is no way for a team that has received a billion dollar investment to play.

[jackos]

While we were over the moon at our Div 3 beating of Scum in the cup, that is no way for a team that has received a billion dollar investment to play.

They where missing nearly half of their first choice players, playing a final on their opponents home patch, n up against a team who's starting 11 cost about twice there's. All that, n the fact that a lot of the team are ready for retirement, make the achievement exceptional.

I agree they should bring in a new manager,

But most of all I hope The Russian thief is happy now his play thing had won the CL, sells up, n finds himself a Ice Hockey team to play with instead.... Chelsea have had their fun. It's all down hill from here,

[AndyPaul]

Fuck Chelsea, congratulations to York

Aye. I think they more or less got relegated to non league the same season we got relegated from the Premiership.

[stugats]

Fair play to the rentboys like, they did well to win that. Cashley, Cahill and Drogba in particular were full of beans.
Terry though, fucking hell, what an attention seeking prick, down there in his full kit as soon as the whistle's gone. I don't blame him for getting involved, but Christ, the man has no humility at all.

He's the kind of bloke who'd blow the candles out on your birthday cake

[Quiffy]

Fuck Chelsea, congratulations to York

Aye. I think they more or less got relegated to non league the same season we got relegated from the Premiership.

IIRC that's right. thankfully calling a truce to any piss taking from the york supporting side of my family.

i watched this one from home on a stream and it was a belter of game; miles better than last weeks, surprisingly high quality and probably the most enjoyable of the 3 big games this weekend.

2 wins at wembley and finally the go ahead from the council for a new stadium. a fucking monumental 8 days in the history of the mintermen. i wonder if they've got any decent messageboards?

[dirty leeds]

Very pleased about York City. I come from York. City were the first team I watched, with me dad. Thought Paul Aimson was great for five minutes there... until I discovered Billy Bremner and his mates. Went to watch the famous Southampton 3-3 cup match. Quite enjoyed the Byrne/Walwyn years too. Decent match yesterday an' all. Welcome back to the league, lads.