Ahead of the United vs Chelsea game earlier this season, I had a word with TheChelseaBlog.org about Terry’s red card, Scolari’s appointment and predictions for the match. Since then, with a best new blog award to their name, not a lot has changed. We talked about Terry’s red card, Scolari’s progress and predictions for the match.
1. Last time we spoke, Scolari had recently been appointed. How do you think he’s settled in?
Well, it’s January and he’s the bookies favourite to be sacked, so he’s settled in as well as most Chelsea managers I suppose. I think even I got a bit carried away with some of the football we played under him to start with but the minute we lost at home to the dippers it was impossible to ignore his lack of imagination.
2. What would constitute a good season for Chelsea this year?
We’re out of the Carling Cup, haven’t even managed to get past Southend in the FA Cup yet, we’re up against Platini’s favourites in the Champions League and I honestly can’t see us winning the title this season, so what’s left? Abramovich not doing a runner would be pretty good I guess.
3. United take on your former manager’s new side in the next round of the Champions League. Who’s through to the quarters, United or Inter?
I’m over Mourinho and I hate Inter, so that one’s easy. Probably a first for me, but my preference has to be United on this occasion.
4. Liverpool are giving us both a run for our money, just as Arsenal did last season. How do you think the top four will finish this season?
I can’t believe they’re still top but to be fair, you’d have to say it’s only because the rest of us haven’t been up to much so far. As for how it’ll finish up…………I don’t know.
5. Terry just had his red card over turned. He will have just finished serving a ban for a red card for this match. How important is he to your defence?
To be honest, I think Carvalho is the better of the two and I’ve questioned Terry’s game a fair bit over the past year. Having said that, Carvalho’s not back to his best and we’ve made some pretty basic mistakes in defence lately so right now I’d have to say Terry is probably vital.
6. In our last talk you rated Gary Neville ahead of Bosingwa. I can only assume you rank your lad over Nev now, but what about Rafael?
Yeh, Bosingwa looked pretty suspect for us to start with but he’s settled in nicely now, so my opinion’s changed a bit there. I really like Rafael though,
7. Anelka has scored a shit load this season whilst Berbatov has faced some criticism for not finding the back of the net enough, particularly with his big transfer tag. Who would you rather have at Chelsea?
Anelka’s scored plenty for sure and if he scored as many at Stamford Bridge or against the top sides then he’d be a dead cert. I’ve always rated Berbatov though and he might not be popping them in for fun yet but it’s his first season with you. How many did Anelka score for us last season? Come to that, I remember the same sort of criticism levelled at Drogba when he first came to us with his price tag but I could see the amount of work he put in whilst he wasn’t scoring – and of course the goals eventually came. For that reason, I’m going to have to be a right traitor here and say Berbatov.
8. Are you prepared for the abuse and piss-taking Terry will receive on Sunday?
No, it’ll give me the right hump.
9. Which line-up are you hoping Scolari plays?
I keep whingeing on about him playing 4-4-2 but I don’t think this game’s the one to do it. I’d rather he didn’t just play with Drogba up front on his own though because it’s just not happening. So I’d grudgingly go for his 4-5-1, with the option of pushing Anelka and Cole forward into 4-3-3 if it starts to look desperate. Usual back four: A Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Bosingwa, Mikel, Lampard, Ballack, Anelka, Drogba, Joe Cole. Obviously if we put Cech in goal as well, that’ll help.
10. What’s your prediction for the game?
That I’ll have lost my temper way before the final whistle!
Now have a read of my interview with their blog!
Man Utd News 24/7
ChelseaD, Very honest as ever.
But for me Terry is better than Carvalho
Most Fans have quite a blinkered view on their clubs so it’s quite refreshing to hear some honesty for a change.
Carvalho’s the better centre half imo.
jamos9 – I was thinking the same thing mate. Can you imagine if that was someone from Arsenal!
Some honesty there… Credit to the guy, he’s come out and said the facts… I thought this guy must be a United fan behind the veil… What’s your take on that??? And Carvalho over Terry any day. Obviously Vida is better than both put together!!! Rio too…
Sully – they just won Best New blog. I think it would be pretty damn difficult for a United fan to dedicate their time to writing a Chelsea blog and still be recognised as the best new blogger around, don’t you?
SCULLY – Because I’m honest enough to admit Berba’s a class act and I don’t kid myself we’re in with a shout for the title the way we’re playing, that means I must be a United fan? Behave yourself.
This is an interesting read – mainly because it contrasts so sharply from the euphoria we were forced to listen to in the early months of the season when we were constantly barraged by synchophantic articles that claimed Scolari was going to make the RentBoyz into some sort of King’s Road Brasilieros. And it got worse when SAF noted that they are a team composed of mature, experienced players and, therefore, it was hard to see how they would get much better. This led to a firestorm of ABU abuse.
Who’s laughing now ? Certainly not those twats who didn’t pay heed to what SAF was saying about the arc of a player’s career – how much has Ballack improved ? how much has TearyTerry improved ? how much has Drogba improved ? These guys have all regressed and they are cornerstones of the Chel$ki team.
One could add a few more questions: how over-rated are Joe/Ashley Cole ? can Jose Bosingwa defend ? is Deco finished as a top-flight player ? To my way of thinking, only Peter Cech and Franky and Obi Mikel have been up-to-the-mark; sure they’ve missed Essien and Carvalho but injuries happen and injuries are just a part of the game.
Overall, there is less to the RentBoyz than met the eye in the early months of this season. But I am not writing them off; they have a core group of experienced players who have proven themselves at the very highest level so it is possible for them to turn this season around (although I would expect that they will decline precipitously next year).
The other thing about the Chel$ki team that impressed me last year was their solidarity and fighting spirit when AverageAvram took over from JoseTheMoaner. At first it looked like they were in free-fall but they stuck together and damned-near won the double themselves. UTD’s double was a close-run thing and it was this same group of guys who did that. Under-estimate them at your peril. But, still, enjoy their misery. Long may it continue.
They are still a threat and me thinks ChelseaD knows that, but it is nice to see the disharmony in the camp especially to that arsehole Drogba, he is an A1 female organ without a doubt.
They will get on a decent run like last season and I still think it will be between us and the Rent boys for the title, I am sure the Dippers will be close, but the will hopefully fall away.
Kudos to this guy for his honesty. I wonder what he thinks on this though:
Rio or Terry?
I might sound biased but Rio, in my opinion, is the better centre back.
Rio for definate Androo! Better leader, Better footballer, better defender.
According to media he is fit for Sunday which is bloody good news.
You didn’t say that you also did an interview!
http://thechelseablog.org/2009/01/09/united-vs-chelsea-a-red-perspective/
Carvalho>Terry. That much is simple.
Good to see some refreshing honesty, BTW. There’s usually a lot of smokescreen if either team is underperforming.
The fact that they are not delusional under Scolari will make them more dangerous this year. Once again denton davey is spot on.
Chelsea D is always honest and very sincere and respectful and praises us too…whenever Scott does a reverse peices by the 2 guys.
Has to be commended…great answers to Q’s by both guys
denton davey – sadly I have to agree that Ballack, Terry and Drogba are all showing too many signs of wear and tear now and after a cracking first month for us Deco’s now looking far from up to Premier League football. Joe Cole, for me, definitely isn’t over-rated, if anything Chelsea managers have never rated him highly enough and it’d be nice to see them play to his strengths for a change. On last year’s team spirit though, I think it’s something they’d had drilled into them for a long time. That, and a sense of injustice at Mourinho’s sacking is what carried us through. But for me, that’s faded at Chelsea this season and I don’t see us as the threat we were.
We’ll be ‘zonal marking’ your staff Sunday btw – that Spanish geezer gave us the nod
Joe Cole is class and Chelsea should build their side around the lad, if he was from Brazil then they would, also I believe Chelsea miss Steve Clarke.
Stephen – spot on about Clarkey. While the managers were coming and going, he was the one constant. Last season when the coneman came in we saw a bit of a shambles on the pitch (probably until he kept his nose out and let Clarke get on with training etc) and this season with Clarke gone, we’re hearing complaints about training again. This game is one his knowledge of would be invaluable to Scolari.
Mate why did he leave then, I thought he was Chelsea through and through? I heard about the statement about his great friend Zola, but was it down to him being undermined, maybe we should have nabbed him in place of the master tactician Phelan! But we are also suffering loosing Carlos.
I think he was disillusioned with the club even before Mourinho left and stayed last year out of a sense of duty/loyalty whatever. The minute Scolari came in and made it clear Clarke’s input wouldn’t be as valued as it had been previously, it was always just a matter of time.
OK mate all the best on your site its looks good.
ChelseaD has my utmost respect for not being a deluded dickhead.
….or scouse.