Avram Grant

[Slipperduke]

Avram Grant arrived here at White Hart Lane looking for the win that would set up an unexpected assault on the title, but when he left shortly before midnight, the only thing that had been assaulted was his own reputation. The Chelsea heirachy continue to insist that the Israeli coach is the man to take this team forward, but Tottenham keep popping up to contradict them. Juande Ramos has humiliated them twice now, first at Wembley and now here, and Grant's tactics, both pre-meditated and improvised, have been as vital to the Spaniard's success as anyone in a white shirt.

Ramos picked the same starting eleven that won the Carling Cup, but perhaps understandably Grant did not. At Wembley, Joe Cole was left to kick his heels on the bench while Nicolas Anelka struggled on the wing. This time their roles were reversed and Cole made his point emphatically. The England midfielder was dynamic, weighing in with two fine goals and an assist. You would think that such a performance would entitle him to remain on the pitch for the duration, but with 10 minutes to go, and with the score at 4-3, he was withdrawn and replaced by Michael Ballack.

Grant had already confused his team by removing Salomon Kalou and replacing him with Alex and the withdrawal of Cole's threat gave Tottenham the chance to push forward in search of an equaliser. Chelsea appeared to be playing a 5-1-3-1 formation with no width, no options and no chance of giving Spurs anything to worry about. Buoyed by a noisy home crowd and liberated from defensive responsibilities, Tottenham surged forward and the only surprise was that they didn't win it in injury time when Dimitar Berbatov shot straight at Carlo Cudicini.

It is only because of the heart-stopping, nerve-shredding excitement of this magnifcent game that Ashley Cole won't suffer the media crucifixition that befell Martin Taylor last month. His horrific challenge on Alan Hutton could have broken the Scotsman's leg in two. Cole was nowhere near the ball and caught his quarry right in the centre of his shinpads. Taylor was castigated for his clumsy challenge on Eduardo, but this was an act of far greater malice. Mike Riley's decision to produce a yellow card was absolutely inexplicable. Jason Koumas was sent off at the JJB Stadium on Sunday for a far more benign challenge. If that was worth a straight red card, then this was worth six months in prison.

Spurs deserve great credit for putting up such a spirited performance when many people expected them to go through the motions. The first ten minutes were so anaemic that Chelsea could have scored three, but a few choice words from Ramos sparked them into life. Robbie Keane and Steed Malbranque were exceptional, but the same couldn't be said for Jermaine Jenas. Everything that the young midfielder tried went wrong. He lost possession, gave the ball away and struck his shots with all the venom of an elderly jellyfish. He was removed at half-time. Ramos doesn't tolerate under-achievement on that level.

Chelsea's title challenge isn't quite over yet, but defeat to Arsenal on Sunday will be the final nail in the coffin. They are now five points behind Manchester United and any further slip-ups will leave them looking over their shoulder at a resurgent Liverpool. Grant's problem at Chelsea has always been a lack of respect. The players respected Jose Mourinho becuase he was a proven winner with a fresh Champions League medal in his pocket. They were asked to trust in Grant, and let him earn their respect, but there's no chance of that happening now. Managers have to take responsibility for results. Grant's tactics cost Chelsea the Carling Cup and they cost him two precious points here. The question on the Chelsea fans' lips is always, 'would that have happened under Mourinho?' The answer, I'm sorry to say, is 'no'.

 

[Bluesmanager]

Jason Koumas was sent off at the JJB Stadium on Sunday for a far more benign challenge.

If that was worth a straight red card, then this was worth six months in prison.

Now, I haven't seen the challenge, but that's a tad strong, isn't it?

 

[Slipperduke]

What I'm trying to say, perhaps ineleganty, is that Koumas' challenge wasn't actually that bad. The keyword here is 'if'. If that was worth a red, then this was worth time inside. It really was a horrible challenge.

 

[OldBlueLady]

It is only because of the heart-stopping, nerve-shredding excitement of this magnifcent game that Ashley Cole won't suffer the media crucifixition that befell Martin Taylor last month. His horrific challenge on Alan Hutton could have broken the Scotsman's leg in two. Cole was nowhere near the ball and caught his quarry right in the centre of his shinpads. Taylor was castigated for his clumsy challenge on Eduardo, but this was an act of far greater malice. Mike Riley's decision to produce a yellow card was absolutely inexplicable. Jason Koumas was sent off at the JJB Stadium on Sunday for a far more benign challenge. If that was worth a straight red card, then this was worth six months in prison.

Have just seen the challenge on SSN, and I do agree it was completely reckless and every bit as bad as the one on Eduardo - only difference being that there was no catastophic injury occured as a result. Even if he wasn't given a straight red, he should have been given a 2nd yellow for the amount of dissent shown to the ref in the aftermath.

Great report, the goals all seemed to be pretty special. Got to be pleased for Spurs though.

As an aside, I see Cardiff appealed Hasselbaink's red at Colchester and had it turned down. Anyone know why he's only therefore got a 3 match ban?

 

[canveyshrimper]

Have just seen the challenge on SSN, and I do agree it was completely reckless and every bit as bad as the one on Eduardo - only difference being that there was no catastophic injury occured as a result. Even if he wasn't given a straight red, he should have been given a 2nd yellow for the amount of dissent shown to the ref in the aftermath.

Great report, the goals all seemed to be pretty special. Got to be pleased for Spurs though.

As an aside, I see Cardiff appealed Hasselbaink's red at Colchester and had it turned down. Anyone know why he's only therefore got a 3 match ban?[/QUOTE]

It was a straight red for I think violent conduct, hence the 3 match ban.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Have just seen the challenge on SSN, and I do agree it was completely reckless and every bit as bad as the one on Eduardo - only difference being that there was no catastophic injury occured as a result. Even if he wasn't given a straight red, he should have been given a 2nd yellow for the amount of dissent shown to the ref in the aftermath.

Great report, the goals all seemed to be pretty special. Got to be pleased for Spurs though.

As an aside, I see Cardiff appealed Hasselbaink's red at Colchester and had it turned down. Anyone know why he's only therefore got a 3 match ban?[/QUOTE]

It was a straight red for I think violent conduct, hence the 3 match ban.

My point being, if it was an appeal that was turned down - why wasn't it increased to 4?

 

[chaco27saf]

I think the ban would only be increased if they deemed the appeal to be frivolous, and apparently they did not.

 

[canveyshrimper]

My point being, if it was an appeal that was turned down - why wasn't it increased to 4?

Sorry, my misunderstanding. I guess that the appeals committe did not dem this a frivolous appeal. IMO Hasselbaink was a bit unlucky in getting the red card, from the tv replay I have seen of the incident.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I didn't think it possible for Cashley to go down any further in my estimations... I already thought him a despicable little sh*t with no morals. This morning, I don't think there's anybody in the world more deserving of a public castration with a set of rusty pliers.

His challenge was disgraceful. Martin Taylor with added Malice and purpose... He knew exactly what he intended to do when he flew into Alan Hutton who was extremely lucky not to be seriously injured. What made it even worse was his childlike sulking and blatant disrespect. It's for people like him that the rulebook need to be thrown out for, and if the FA had any sense they would enforce a ban despite him recieving a yellow card.

As well as that, Avram Grant played dumb for 10 minutes when Martin Tyler (?) questioned him about the incident after the game. A better man would've held his hands up and said "Disgraceful challenge, dont know what he was playing at, I'll be having a word". Grant's reply? "I haven't seen it" and when Tyler pressed on with how he must've seem Cole's blatant disrespect for officials? Incoherent mumbles.

 

[Slipperduke]

Avram Grant.

Hollow eyed and gaunt, Avram Grant sank into his seat and surveyed the hostile pack of journalists in front of him.

“Avram, Did your substitutions cost you the game?”

“Avram, that’s three goals from three set pieces, what’s going on at the back?”

“Avram, why can’t you get a result against any of the big teams?”

When Grant is sad he looks like one of those Russian dancing bears that you see on adverts protesting against animal cruelty. He’s been poked with sharp sticks and forced to dance for a living, but with your kindness and just a small donation every month we can liberate him.

“We are still…in the title race,” he mumbled, “and….we…will,” his voice became a sad whimper, “continue to fight.” Inspirational stuff.

It was a sad display. Grant looked beaten, the press seemed almost embarrassed to go to town on him in the way that they did after Wembley, and then Chelsea’s press officer lost his temper and began attempting to throw his weight around.

There are still things to like about Chelsea, but when one journalist described them to me as, “the most objectionable club in England,” it was difficult to find a counter-argument. The club’s powerbrokers continue to insist that they can build a ‘global brand’, but when the brand is repeatedly tarnished by the men in the blue shirts, you wonder if it’s actually possible. There is a romantic, enigmatic glow about Liverpool that enraptures people around the world, while the words ‘Manchester United’ always conjure up visions of cavalier football and valiant young men. Arsenal are making their name as a home of flamboyant young talent where the emphasis is always on style and even Tottenham have a kind of doomed charm about them that travels well. On Wednesday night, Chelsea produced a montage of all the reasons that the world will never fall in love with them.

Didier Drogba was a disgrace to himself and his profession, continually writhing on the ground and pretending to be injured. He kept going down in the furthest corners of the pitch and forcing the poor Chelsea physio to run over from the dug-out, pour water over his non-existent knock and then, with the game in progress, run all the way around the perimeter of the pitch to get back. And then Drogba would go down again.

Diving was rife, though in the interests of objectivity I should point out that Tom Huddlestone crashed to the ground in the penalty area and rightly earned himself a booking. Salomon Kalou did the same thing in front of the Tottenham fans moments earlier, but went unpunished.

The nadir came just before half-time when Ashley Cole tried to show Martin Taylor what a real tackle looked like. If the timing had been slightly different, the stewards would have had to stop the game to look for the bottom half of Alan Hutton’s leg, it really was that bad. Chelsea, being Chelsea, argued against it. They surrounded the ref, shouted their protestations and Riley cracked like an egg. Even when he produced the yellow card, Cole still tried to get himself sent off, appearing to bark, “Just take my number,” at Riley and refusing to face him. The embattled referee twice appeared to tell him to turn around, before finally blasting his whistle in an effort to win some respect. Both parties should be ashamed of themselves, but somehow I doubt that they are.

Grant’s substitutions showed why he is an unworthy successor to Jose Mourinho. It’s one thing to replace attackers with defenders, but it’s another to do it to the point where you strip your side of creativity and hand the initiative to your opponents. The back five looked confused and there was no width for them aim their clearances at. This was poor management indeed.

In a way, Grant was lucky. Dimitar Berbatov could have converted his injury time chance and you could be reading about a thrilling 5-4 victory instead. It wouldn‘t have been undeserved either. If I was Frank Rijkaard or Michael Laudrup this week, I’d be standing by the phone getting ready to hear the dulcet tones of Peter Kenyon. Grant is a dead man walking.

 

[number11]

Thanks for the read. Just what on Earth is Avram Grant doing at Chelsea? What are the high points on his CV? Its an increasing problem with the foreign ownership that they go for these foreign managers / friends and no English managers are coming through. Is Avram's creditientials in the game any higher than a majority of Championship managers (not the computer game!).

I just cant see him installing any confidence, faith or belief in the players other than fear from the Chairman.

Oh and I wouldnt feel too sorry for him, Im sure he is well paid and has been lucky to land a dream job he doesnt deserve.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Thanks for the read. Just what on Earth is Avram Grant doing at Chelsea? What are the high points on his CV? QUOTE]


Both questions are answered with "He's Roman's Israeli mate"

 

[Slipperduke]

That tackle, by the way, for your inspection:

http://101greatgoals.magnify.net/item/BD5ZQHFRG19R9JMW

 

[Sean 2]

Cole looked to have pulled his leg back at the last moment.

Red card for the intent though.

 

[leeblue]

that tackle was worse than taylors on edoodi I can not believe he did not get sent off

 

[Pubey]

the tackle, his behaviour on the pitch, and his subsequent "apology" are all disgusting. his reaction after the tackle showed that he definitely wasn't in control when he made it. I really don't like Ashley Cole and for the whole of this season I haven't seen anything to suggest he is worthy of wearing an England shirt. He has fallen a long way since widely being regarded as one of the best left-backs around. the problem for england is that i still don't think i can ever forget wayne bridge after that croatia game. lescott hasn't looked good for enland... and i'm not sure shorey is international class. once baines starts playing week in week out he will get a chance im sure, but from once looking so assured in the left-back position, it's now a bit of a weak spot