Ever since Rafael Benitez was appointed interim manager of Chelsea, he has been on the receiving end of a lot of hate. Whether on social networking sites, fan forums or at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans have made it clear that his appointment hasn’t gone down well with them. The reasons are well-known, so I’ll not bother mentioning them. The fact that results have been poor under him so far (2 draws and a loss in 3 matches in charge) has put him under even more pressure, with the former Liverpool boss going as far as to admit that he is unsure of whether he will last the season. But is he squarely to blame for recent results? Of course he isn’t.
The Benitez Hate Fest, as I’d like to call it, has made us unintentionally ignore the fact that the players haven’t been good enough. At the end of the day, it isn’t Benitez who runs out on to the field to face the opposition. But due to the fact that fans are still seething from anger over the sacking of Di Matteo and the subsequent appointment of Benitez, no one has really noticed the fact that almost all our players have been performing badly.
The defence has been in shambles for a while now. People are quick to pin the blame on David Luiz (the Brazilian’s erratic performances make him an easy scapegoat), but the truth is that none of our defenders have been performing to the best of their abilities, besides maybe Cesar ‘Dave’ Azpilicueta. The Spanish right-back has looked solid in all his appearances for Chelsea and may soon make the right-back position his own. But as a whole, our defence has looked average.
Our attack hasn’t looked much better. Players like Hazard, Oscar and Mata just don’t look like the same players who were terrorizing Premier League defences in the beginning of the season. Torres has looked out of sorts for a while now, and I’m beginning to question his commitment to the club. Ramires hasn’t looked as dangerous as he did earlier in the season. The attacking style that we were lauded for a couple of months back has almost died out. Simply put, nothing seems to be happening.
One argument I’ve seen is that the players are suffering from burnout. While that is true to a certain extent, I wouldn’t blame our bad fortunes on burnout entirely. We’re not even half-way through the season yet, and if the players are already feeling the heat, we can forget winning anything at all this season. Another theory is that the players are disillusioned with all the off-field drama. Again, I understand that argument. Robbie had the respect of all the players in the dressing room. He was a much-loved man at Stamford Bridge and his sacking hurt us all. No doubt the players will take a little time to get used to the fact that Benitez is now in charge. This feeling of disillusionment seems to have come into their game, hence affecting the results. But even this is an excuse.
Granted, the club is in a bad position at the moment. But that’s absolutely no excuse for the way we have been performing lately. The performance against Fulham (a match we should have won easily) was nothing short of depressing and the players didn’t turn up at all for the 2nd half against West Ham. While we did employ a few questionably negative tactics against Fulham, our tactics against West Ham was nothing short of attacking. Benitez cannot be entirely blamed (much as some would like to make him an easy scapegoat) for the fact that the players aren’t performing well. A lot of it is down to the players themselves. And it is now time for all of them to step up and accept the fact that recent performances just haven’t been up to scratch and vow to improve upon them in order to ensure that Chelsea get back to winning ways and in turn, salvage our season. Otherwise, this winter slump may very well turn into a winter collapse.
Shayne Dias
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As if you're blind. Players are in revolt! As they did to AVB
As if you're blind. Players are in revolt! As they did to AVB
Lol that was what I thought when Ashley Cole made that suprising pass into the path of Maiga. Any player with a right mind wouldn't have done that.
Lol that was what I thought when Ashley Cole made that suprising pass into the path of Maiga. Any player with a right mind wouldn't have done that.
Boys, do yourselves a favour and don't believe conspiracy theories. Face it: the players haven't been playing well. As for revolt, well…. this is football, not a pirate ship.
Boys, do yourselves a favour and don't believe conspiracy theories. Face it: the players haven't been playing well. As for revolt, well…. this is football, not a pirate ship.
Maybe ure the one stil day dreaming.wake up these are not ready to play 4 him.are u blind?
Maybe ure the one stil day dreaming.wake up these are not ready to play 4 him.are u blind?
You are 100% correct. Individual mistakes turned out to be costly in the game. Cech's horrible error when he just stood there and watch the ball headed into the net by Carlton. Also, Ashley Cole ridiculously giving away a poor pass to kill the game. Apart from that, MaZaCar under-performing, nothing like what they used to be in the beginning of the season. We seriously must comeback to save the season. otherwise, the January transfer window will be our only savior… 🙁
You are 100% correct. Individual mistakes turned out to be costly in the game. Cech's horrible error when he just stood there and watch the ball headed into the net by Carlton. Also, Ashley Cole ridiculously giving away a poor pass to kill the game. Apart from that, MaZaCar under-performing, nothing like what they used to be in the beginning of the season. We seriously must comeback to save the season. otherwise, the January transfer window will be our only savior… 🙁
NOW LETS TAKE A GOOD LOOK @ THIS,WHY DID'NT RDM BUY STRIKERS IN FIRST PLACE?, WAT WAS HE THINKING COZ A GOOD TEAM SHOULD HV AT LEAST 3 OR 4 SCORES,E.G MAN.CITY AND UNITED THEY ARE NOT RELYING ON ONE STRIKER AND IT IS HELPING THEM LOOK @ WHERE THEY ARE NOW.AND ONE THING I HATE ABOUT RDM IS WHEN BUYS PLAYERS DEN HE LOANS THEM I CAN'T UNDESTAND HIM, HE IS ALSO NEED 2 BE BLAME 4 DIZ MISFORTUNES KEVIN DE BRUYNE CAN DO WHAT MIKEL AND RAMIRES ARE DOING THERE IF NOT BUY DIAMI AND SELL MIKEL,STURIG,AND TORRES ND WE WILL BE OUT OF DIZ MESS ELSE WE ARE NOT GOIN 2 WIN ND RAFA IS NEVER THE PROBLEM AT CHELSEA.
NOW LETS TAKE A GOOD LOOK @ THIS,WHY DID'NT RDM BUY STRIKERS IN FIRST PLACE?, WAT WAS HE THINKING COZ A GOOD TEAM SHOULD HV AT LEAST 3 OR 4 SCORES,E.G MAN.CITY AND UNITED THEY ARE NOT RELYING ON ONE STRIKER AND IT IS HELPING THEM LOOK @ WHERE THEY ARE NOW.AND ONE THING I HATE ABOUT RDM IS WHEN BUYS PLAYERS DEN HE LOANS THEM I CAN'T UNDESTAND HIM, HE IS ALSO NEED 2 BE BLAME 4 DIZ MISFORTUNES KEVIN DE BRUYNE CAN DO WHAT MIKEL AND RAMIRES ARE DOING THERE IF NOT BUY DIAMI AND SELL MIKEL,STURIG,AND TORRES ND WE WILL BE OUT OF DIZ MESS ELSE WE ARE NOT GOIN 2 WIN ND RAFA IS NEVER THE PROBLEM AT CHELSEA.
Yes you right!!!
Yes you right!!!
forget it. The players dont want Benitez either. The equalizer scored by west ham was last scored in d regme of Scolari. Whosoever the fans dnt like, the players dance to their tune.
forget it. The players dont want Benitez either. The equalizer scored by west ham was last scored in d regme of Scolari. Whosoever the fans dnt like, the players dance to their tune.
They need a slap, then. ARE WE GOING TO END UP ON THE SECOND DIVISION? WE NEED TO START WINNING OUR GAMES. :O
They need a slap, then. ARE WE GOING TO END UP ON THE SECOND DIVISION? WE NEED TO START WINNING OUR GAMES. :O
Roman is just about to find out why FSW was out of work for two years and why the bin dippers never won the Premiership.
Roman is just about to find out why FSW was out of work for two years and why the bin dippers never won the Premiership.
Very true facts, players need to wake up! Not a big problem in the coaches problem is between the players and the club owner!
Dragunar
Are you two actually Union stndtues? If so, admissions seriously slipped up admitting you. The idea that people with opinions as destructive as these will be representing my school in the real world someday both saddens and scares me as an alum. This is an article about diversity , a term that not only extends far beyond race, but is in no way comparable to genocide , especially in the comfy little bubble of a campus you exist in. Coexistence, integration, and tolerance are NOT genocide. Whats funny is you actually think it is. Populations aren’t being systematically eliminated in mass numbers here. People are getting an education. You two are obviously very sheltered and ignorant individuals if you would even consider disrespecting the millions of victims of true genocides that have been undertaken throughout history. If you have an issue with other people because of their race, that makes you a racist. Its that simple, and it doesnt matter what color you are. So dont confuse peoples contempt for you with their contempt for white people, its because you are clearly an unapologetic racist, Tim. George Wallace (sorry, Wells) sounds as if he’s quoting an Alabama news reel from 1967. Avenues of tolerance and integration should exist between all races, and white privilege gives you the option to be intolerant, to segregate, denounce and exclude. It’s up to you to choose, but how you handle this privilege is a measure of a man, and you both sound like whiny, racist children. To Shayna, thanks for writing a great article about a relevant group on campus. (I’m just sorry it ended up as a springboard for such unfortunate, close-minded rhetoric.) Best of luck to the Leadership in Diversity Council finishing up this spring semester and in the years to come. It seems you’ve got your work cut out for you.
Very true facts, players need to wake up! Not a big problem in the coaches problem is between the players and the club owner!
Dragunar
Guyz, common this is nt sociology or Pol sc class. We r talking football here. no 1. chelsea fc is nt winning a things this season. MARK MY WORDS. no 2. if ur gonna fire a coach then get a better replacement not a worse one. no 3. I now think Torres is the problem the chelsea fc team has. They want him to succeed by force in the team cos thatz the only reason they brought in Benitez
Guyz, common this is nt sociology or Pol sc class. We r talking football here. no 1. chelsea fc is nt winning a things this season. MARK MY WORDS. no 2. if ur gonna fire a coach then get a better replacement not a worse one. no 3. I now think Torres is the problem the chelsea fc team has. They want him to succeed by force in the team cos thatz the only reason they brought in Benitez
We need quality strikers at least two.
We need quality strikers at least two.
We need to buy at least two strikers because we are in a mess. Spent a lot of money on torres but he is rubbish since he cannot score. I know we are already out of champions league am sure Juventus will draw with shakter. Oh! how i wish di mateo was still in his post. Abramovich has destroyed the season for us by sucking dimateo. How can one seperate sugar from sand. I fear we may end up sixth on the table. We are in crisis as at now the entire team.
We need to buy at least two strikers because we are in a mess. Spent a lot of money on torres but he is rubbish since he cannot score. I know we are already out of champions league am sure Juventus will draw with shakter. Oh! how i wish di mateo was still in his post. Abramovich has destroyed the season for us by sucking dimateo. How can one seperate sugar from sand. I fear we may end up sixth on the table. We are in crisis as at now the entire team.
Lmfao! Did Roman suck Di Matteo??! Man that image is in my head now! Maybe Di Matteo got uncomfortable and told Roman to sack him.
Lmfao! Did Roman suck Di Matteo??! Man that image is in my head now! Maybe Di Matteo got uncomfortable and told Roman to sack him.
RDM was sacked cos he did nt start Torres against Juve n lost.The owner is more concerned about Torres than chelseafc as a whole.
RDM was sacked cos he did nt start Torres against Juve n lost.The owner is more concerned about Torres than chelseafc as a whole.
Well, either they like it or not, Benitez will go just like Scolari, and that of Torres will always create problem in that team, let Benitez continue doing his rubbish work, as for me, I blame RDM a litu for relying on only that dirty Torres and the misfortune Sturridge. Two of them re just useless and very stupid, mehn…. How I wish we have striker like Lewandowski, Cavanni, Chicharito or Tevez. These re players who knows what to do wif balls anytime they have it.
Well, either they like it or not, Benitez will go just like Scolari, and that of Torres will always create problem in that team, let Benitez continue doing his rubbish work, as for me, I blame RDM a litu for relying on only that dirty Torres and the misfortune Sturridge. Two of them re just useless and very stupid, mehn…. How I wish we have striker like Lewandowski, Cavanni, Chicharito or Tevez. These re players who knows what to do wif balls anytime they have it.