Not to mention the endless predictions of our downfall in the CL since the Valencia home game in every single round. Even in the FA Cup this year we were written off in both the Semi and the Final despite our phenomenal recent record in the competition. Certainly in the semi I can't think of one pundit that tipped us to win, in the final very few did and the LFc-biased broadcasting channels spouted their usual anti-Chelsea/pro-Liverpool propaganda. We are a club that has always stood up in the face of adversity. I've always felt far more confident about us winning games when our owner, players are subjected to the usual diatribe from the media midweek
Not nonsense at all mate. He made some massive errors by alienating the senior players the way he did. He came in gung ho and it went pear shaped very quickly. He also made mistakes trying to play too high up the pitch when we have a centre back who isn't the quickest. We seem to be blaming the "older players" but even Mikel spoke out against his style. Also, his constant whining at press conferences was a huge turn off and lets remember, we'd have been potless had the change not been made and I seriously doubt we'd have finished as high as 6th. I stand by my opinion CP, which is - he got the job too early!
Good points Tell and hard to argue with when put that way. I can see your reasoning about his style being abrasive, and I agree that had he stayed we would have won nothing. But... I'll concede he was at fault if you concede he was also let down !! We will never know what would have happened if someone up top had offered some help, advice and or backing against the player revolt. So I'll alter my stance closer to Drogs, and say there was fault on both sides, and it's crazy how it was let spiral out of control. Lessons for all of them I hope.
I've no doubt he was let down CP. What we don't know is why he was let down. If the rumours are true that he told the older players they had no future what would he expect but we are only guessing. All I can say is that there was something very wrong and you only have to look at your old mate Ashley and the difference between his performances under AVB & the transformation when Robbie took over. What was most annoying to me CP was his continual harping on about the "project" yet we still have no clue what this so-called project was! I honestly do not believe he would have been a success at Chelsea but I do believe his time here will make him think more & make him a better manager in the future. His sacking may just be a blessing for him!
i dont know a thing about managing a football team but what i do know is that if i was given the job the last thing i would of done is p*ss off all the senior players the second i walked through the door !! lampard said it all for me, "robbie spoke to all of us individually, he told me that he needed me for the big games, whereas villa boas never really ever spoke to me" now that in my eyes is man management from robbie to get the best out a player that is getting on a bit but still has a lot to offer. Villa boas man management skills seemed to border on thickness if you ask me or arrogance!! as has been said.
I couldn't help noticing the article about this in the the Times this morning which says the news has gone down like a lead balloon with the Spurs players! They were harbouring thoughts of getting Fabio Capello, but when they discovered formal talks were taking place with AVB there was a bad reaction! A bit of deja vu?
AVB is an intelligent man. His man-management skills are obviously shocking but that has to be linked with his arrogance. I have no doubt that one day he will rival Mourinho, Guardiola, Hiddink & Ferguson as the best out there. It's just a shame he had to nearly **** us over in order to learn the hard way.
I suppose we have to remember this too. If AVB hadn't made such a hash of the job, we may NEVER have won the CL - EVER!
Thing is Lucky, AVB has a "no speak " clause in his pay out, so as often, we will never hear the full story. What Lampard said was said knowing AVB can't refute it. I find it difficult to believe that " AVB never ever really spoke to me". Really??? Never ???? Even when Lamps was playing like a drunk, when Cole was not trying at all ???? More likely " AVB wouldn't listen to me or the other seniors who actually run these dressing rooms". If Lamps is being reported accurately, then AVB IS a dope. History suggests he is NO dope, so draw your own conclusions.
I think it's fair to say he behaved like a prick believing that roman was behind him, and the same went for the players. The Guardian is saying he is pretty much on his way to WHL now, but he won't have the same mandate and would have probably learnt from his mistakes, so it may well be a good move for them. Gutted.
Actually 5W6, its hard to think of a bigger nightmare than seeing AVB lording it at WHL and pipping us to trophies! As you say he is still young and will no doubt have learned from his mistakes! The only hope is another player revolt at the Spuds!
