Sunday, August 20, 2006
Footy
Tis the season to kick the synthetic leather sphere around the fields once more. Nice to see that the 'pool got off to their usual glorious start with a draw to the mighty Sheffield United. That's the season over for me already then. Im hoping the season will prove more interesting than last years, which, for not only a 'pool supporter was obviously dissapointing (despite the FA Cup victory, we all know the league is the real prize), but also for the neutral. Its been a one horse race for the last couple of years and I'm hoping for something a little more competitive this year. Its hard to like chelsea. It really is. Not only due to the fact that Abrahamovich has obviously bought the clubs success but that he's also, very effectively, killed off the chelsea boot room (together with a lot of young lads dreams of stepping up the old fashioned way). Now Manure arent the most popular of clubs but they could always garner some respect due to an excellent youth team structure which provided realistic avenues into first team football. But you wonder what the wee nippers growing up around chelsea are thinking? Maybe getting mum and dad to emmigrate to the continent would be the best idea. Anyway, dont wanna be hating on the new season before its started so here's hoping for a good one.
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2 comments:
Some thoughts:
Its been a one horse race for the last couple of years...
Last season wasa one horse race, but wasn't the previous season the one where everyone thought Arsenal would kill, only for them to fade away and Chelsea take the title?
Not only due to the fact that Abrahamovich has obviously bought the clubs success...
Natch, Abramovich spending squillions has had a massive impact on football. However, it's not all about that. Mourinho has been very smart in his use of that money and has strategised well.
Real Madrid also has a ton of money, and arguably more stars than any team in present day football. Doesn't stop them from underperforming massively and not dominating anything other than t-shirt sales. ;)
aye youre not wrong there
Although Mourinho is undoubtedly a class act in the managers chair, what confuses me, is that given their roster of world class players, they still seem unable to play entertaining football. Its undoubtedly effective, yet i feel like im watching Germany circa 1980s. A ruthlessly efficient unit which grinds teams down through relentless pressure. Theyre the antithesis of a team such as Arsenal , who are simply beautiful to watch (when theyre in the groove). I dont for one minute suggest that Mourinho sacrifice the championship for the sake of silky footy. But Chelsea are merely insipid when it comes to the entertainment factor. And that's my main gripe. They're horrid to watch. My feelings are further compounded by the fact that living in Japan, and Japan being a country which supports winners, my sky tv schedule is comprised mainly of chelsea fixtures.
The dubious rationale behind some of their buys is a little disconcerting also. More so if youre a player I imagine. Wenger the eternal whinger has often griped that Chelsea buy in purely to prevent others from acquiring said player, and in the case of Wright-Phillips this seems to be the case. The Chelsea move has done nothing other than deny him first 11 football, and the prodigious talent has become a rare sight indeed. Im whinging myself now, but I guess its a compound of reasons which stop me from admiring Chelsea. I doff my cap to any Premiership winner however and realise its a hard race to win. I just wish they'd entertain me along the way.
Having said that, Mourinho provides enough entertainment pre/postmatch to make up for the lack of it on pitch.
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