Premierleague 08-09

[BaaBaa.]

so maybe Grant will come back?!?!

Fingers crossed!

[Big Boy]

Ian Holloway is still available ; and probably Paul Sturrock will be joining him soon.

[caller]

Seriously, if it's not going to be the dream team or the special one, I would prefer a current premiership manager, O'Neill by choice, Bruce by default or Hodgson.

[Arcadian]

What manager would accept the poison chalice of Chelsea unless he negotiated a long contract and expected to be sacked after year thereby raking in several millions for not much work. Morinho won 2 league titles, Grant got them to the European final and they still got sacked. Is it that Abramovitch not only wants to win but win with the quality of football of Man U and the Arsenal of a few seasons ago.

[caller]

I think he just want's to win and we're not anymore!

[Zidane]

Scolari's problem was that he inherited an ageing squad.They started off well but have faded since the season progressed.
If Hiddink takes over he will have the same problems.A new manager often provides impetus initially but I cant see this Chelsea side winning either the Premiership or Champions League.
Too many players not up to it or of questionable temperament.....Ashley Cole,Kalou,Malouda,Drogba,Mikel,Anelka etc.
Theres a school of thought that it all started going wrong for Scolari when Steve Clarke left.When those two were in tandem Chelsea were winning by playing attractive football.Clarkes replacement,Ray Wilkins,has hardly had an illustrious career as a manager or coach.
Man United and Liverpool out there on their own this season both at home and in Europe as far as English clubs are concerned.

[caller]

Agree with everything you say about Clarkey, although feel you have been a bit harsh with Wilkins. He was with Vialli don't forget and has had various other posts with Chelsea - it's another link that goes way back.

Anyway, it looks as though we have Hiddink till seasons end, it will be interesting.....

If he succeeds, I would expect him to stay on, if not, well sorry West Ham fans.

[baron_wastelanduk]

hmmmm did noone mention the cunning master tactical methods employed by butch wilkins where you only ever pass the ball sideways!
I do agree about the steve clarke comment maybe romans master plan is to bring zola and clarke in at the end of the season what a poisoned chalice for zola

[Wanderlust]

Agree with everything you say about Clarkey, although feel you have been a bit harsh with Wilkins. He was with Vialli don't forget and has had various other posts with Chelsea - it's another link that goes way back.

Anyway, it looks as though we have Hiddink till seasons end, it will be interesting.....

If he succeeds, I would expect him to stay on, if not, well sorry West Ham fans.

I don't know why you are saying sorry caller - Zola would be mad to go to Chelsea given his managerial inexperience and the stellar demands of Abramovich/Kenyon - he'd have nothing to gain and everything to lose. However if he decides to go for it, good luck to him, but I also can't see Clarke going with him after the way he was treated. And again if he goes as well, good luck to him - we had a load of other candidates last time, and it looks like we will be in a position, if required, to have even more interested and well qualified candidates. I'd say West Ham are in a win-win situation; Zola and Clarke stay and build on what they have already achieved; or one or both go to Chelsea and we get another management team who can build on the good work already done.

[caller]

and we get another management team who can build on the good work already done.

But it just never seems as simple as that does it?

Did you hear what Zola's lawyer was saying? Something like how happy he is at the 'Appy 'Ammers, but Chelsea, as everything knows, has a special place in his heart - aahhhh!

And he still retains a house locally - pretty equidistant between the Bridge and the training ground, travelling time wise.

[caller]

hmmmm did noone mention the cunning master tactical methods employed by butch wilkins where you only ever pass the ball sideways!

Well, if you had seen the sensational Butch Wilkins at his very young and very best at Chelsea, when he became skipper at what, age 10, or something like that, and before Sir Alex thrashed it out of him, you would have seen one of the most prodigious and daring talents you are ever likely to see!!!

The man was a genius with the ball and it's interesting how Charlie Cooke - no mean talent himself - talks about him in his auto-biography(?) after he returned from his sojourn at Palace. Glowing isn't the word!

Only glimpses of that genius were seen after he left Chelsea. A sad loss to footie IMHO, and I pretty much saw every game he played.

[BaaBaa.]

Bye Bye Coco, you incompetent ****

[BaaBaa.]

http://issue.monkeymag.co.uk/1T49b11612 ... de/page/28

[caller]

Well, what a result! The scousers easily took Utd apart - 1-4!

And what a great refereeing performance - a penalty against Utd at Old Trafford, that doesn't happen often! Then a Manc defender sent off for a professional foul - at Old Trafford!! And both calls were clearly spot on. It will be interesting to hear Ferguson's response!

Come on Chelsea!

[Arcadian]

Great result for Liverpool, not sure it will make much difference to the final table though. Ferguson`s face was a picture, will he give the press conference or send out a minion.
As a Gooner I am in a dilema, it goes against the grain to want a Spurs win, but beating Villa will put us back to 4th, if we beat Blackburn.