In defence of Chelsea's Avram Grant

[Guilbert]

I am not a Chelsea fan, but have been amazed at the criticism of Avram Grant recently, so I decided to have a look at his record as Chelsea manager.

When Mourinho left his record (in all competitive matches this season - including community shield loss to Man Utd) was:

Played 8, Won 3, Drew 3, Lost 2

Avram Grant's first match in charge was v Man Utd on Saturday 23rd September 2007.

Since then Grant's record (in all competitions) is:

Played 48, Won 33, Drew 10, Lost 5

During the same time Alex Ferguson's record is:

Played 42, Won 32, Drew 5, Lost 5

So Grant has lost the same number of matches as Ferguson, but played 6 more games.

Their Premier League records during this period are:

Grant: Played 29, Won 20, Drew 7, Lost 2

Ferguson: Played 28, Won 22, Drew 3, Lost 3

So Grant has lost LESS Premier League matches than Ferguson during the same period (although I agree he has also drawn a few more).

Chelsea are the only team putting up a decent challenge to Man Utd in the Premier League (Arsenal having fallen away and Liverpool never having put up a challenge).

Chelsea are still in the Champions League (when Arsenal are out).

And Grant got Chelsea into the Carling Cup final, although I have to say his team selection on the day left something to be desired, but at least he got them there.

I bet Grant's record since he took over is better than either Wenger at Arsenal and Benitez at Liverpool so I cannot understand the criticism.

I know this does not consider the STYLE of football played, but some of Mourinho's teams were critisized for lack of style during previous seasons.

I bet Chelsea fans wont mind the style if they win the Premier League or the Champions League.

[crofter]

and here is that latest Avram Grant press conference in full (not a lot of reading in this one, but plenty to chew over):


lol and I thought that "Wee Gord" Strachan was an awkward evasive cunt when it came to dealing with the press - this takes the biscuit "pram", "toys", "thrown" springs to mind ( fuck knows what he would have been like if they had lost!thumbsdown!).

[Jonone]

Journos are disreputable to say the least though. Maybe this was Grant's way of saying that whether he's cooperative or not they'll bend what he says or infer from what's not said to suit their need for a 'story'.

Maybe he's a little over-sensitive but he's entitled to be pissed off with the conduct of journos. If Jose was difficult or stroppy it was just seen as further evidence of his mercurial temperament and genius, or understood in terms of his ethnicity. In Grant's case because he's not allowed to have any personality that's presented positively it's just presented as him throwing a moody.

[Sam Slater]

Firstly, Grant has a much bigger squad to choose from than Arsenal, Liverpool and , maybe, Man Utd.

Having said that, I agree with you, though you should actually be comparing Mourinho's record to grant's, not comparing him with Fergie. This is due to a completely different set of players.

I don't think Mourinho would have accumulated more points than Grant, if he'd stayed, so their league position would be around the same. I do, however, think they'd have won the League cup.

With the squad they have, any manager could get them into the top 2/3 of the league and lets be honest, they've had one of the easiest rides into the semi's of the Champs League.

[Mike_CFC]

I'm a staunch Chelsea fan,and i want Grant to go.Nothing will change my mind on this issue.The man's a charlatan.If he was'nt one of Abramovich's cronies,he would'nt of got the job.

This is the badly administered institution that Chelsea FC has become.Hated by the whole world(which i could'nt give a monkeys tbh),bad PR,the list is endless.

'hammer4life' made a good point a few weeks ago,stating that 85% of genuine Chelsea fans want nothing to do with the club,and he is right.Most of my pals father's don't go to matches anymore,all because of the poncy,shoddy way the club has become.

I would'nt mind in the slightest if Chelsea went trophyless for the next couple of years,to get rid of the gloryhunters from Stamford Bridge,if anything.

And for the record,i would of still been supporting the Chels had of Chelsea went the same way as Leeds,which very nearly and could of so easily happened.

[crofter]

Let's face it no matter what Avram Grant's record is, he is not "HOLLYWOOD" enough for even the staunchest of Chelsea "fans" - they seem to crave a larger than life, famous manager in the style of Jose ... basically Grant is a nobody in their eyes and not up to the job no matter how successful he becomes at the end of this season (when he should be judged).

[Mike_CFC]

Grant only spoke to the press,He was ordered by Chelsea's PR department not to give pre or post match interviews to Sky Sports,because they are the reason that the Everton game took place yesterday evening,which was bang out of order,and unfair to the bottom clubs,as Liverpool will definetley put out a lower strengh team against Fulham tomorrow,with Tuesday's Champions League game with Chelsea in mind.

This will now give Fulham the advantage,it's unlikely Everton will catch Liverpool for 4th place,which now makes it unfair for the likes of Brum City,Reading and Bolton.

Sky should'nt be allowed to do this.

[Mike_CFC]

crofter.Only the Chelsea gloryhunters,overseas 'fans',the one's who did'nt give a monkeys about us 15/20 years ago,or had'nt even heard of us,have'nt got over Mourinho's exit.

I've been a Chelsea fan since the mid 80's,and seen managers come and go.

Mourinho did'nt exactly bring 'sexy football' to Chelsea,but he brought stability,solidness,strength and unity to the team,only for Mr A to ruin it,just because he did'nt like Mourinho.

Under Grant,Chelsea have drawn 4-4 with Aston Villa and Rottenham and drawn countless other games.These are matches we would have won under Mourinho.The defence is leaking goals and the football is painful.

I believe the term goes,why fix it?,if it was'nt broken.

[Sam Slater]

[quote]Chelsea have drawn 4-4 with Aston Villa and Rottenham and drawn countless other games.[/quote]

Rottenham? It was only the other day you were moaning about people calling Chelsea, 'Chelski'...and calling them 'thick cunts'.

[Mike_CFC]

Ahem,they've always been refered to as Rottenham.Would people call Chelsea 'Chelski,had'nt of Abramovich bought the club?

Ok,if it makes you happy.S**rs.Sam Slater wrote:

> [quote]Chelsea have drawn 4-4 with Aston Villa and Rottenham
> and drawn countless other games.[/quote]
>
> Rottenham? It was only the other day you were moaning about
> people calling Chelsea, 'Chelski'...and calling them 'thick
> cunts'.
>
>