Avram Grant - The verdict so far?

I along what quite a few people was worried to say the last when his was
appointed with the fear his was just a yes man and more control on the
field would go to RA but so far I've been impressed that he's managed to
keep the team in contention for the title considered he's only just
joined and we've had some bad injuries to key players. Whether we can
keep this up with the African nations on is another question though.

So far his style of play doesn't seem to be that much different to JM's
just with a bit more of an attacking flair. To be expected really
considered how long his been there so I wouldn't mark him down for that
- oh and generally it works rather well so let's not change to many
things at one time. The things that worries me is that I've yet to see
him demonstrate what I always considered JMs biggest strength - the
ability to change games using subs and positional changes. I think there
was a bit of that against Fulham where the withdrawal of Sidwell for
Mikel which allowed Essien to roam forward much more in his favoured
position but I still have a question mark over this side of his game.
The other worry was being beaten by both Man. U and Arsenal where I
never felt he understood have to win these games. One area I think may
be a good improvement is the signing of players. We've signed some good
players but we've signed a lot of bad ones as well. Obviously it will
take a bit of time for this one to pan out but Anelka seems a good first
buy even if it was at an inflated price. This in the area that I really
think we've being lacking in the last few seasons and I would go as far
to say we've had some real donkeys turn up.

So overall he's winning me over (as if he really cares what I think!)
but the real test will be next season when he can really says it's his team.

So what does everyone else think of it so far ....?

JAB wrote:

I cannot see how Chelsea fans can fault him? It's true that
he is probably enjoying the solid structure that Jose
established ( Terry said today that little had changed in
training ) but, even so, he has done wonders with a squad
which has had so many of its core players missing.

Seems that one of Jose's greatest gifts to the club is intact,
as the team spirit, which was second to none, is still
obvious, which is no small feat considering the sudden
departure of the special one and all the expectations his
managership encouraged.

There seems little sign of the dip in results I expected, and
if they can maintain this over the next few weeks, until back
to full strength, the two leaders might get a shock. Both have
to go to your place for 6 pointers.

SWP is benefiting from his new freedom and, judging from what
I have seen, Ballack is now starting to show some of his
class, and Anelka should shine in this set up.

It's all looking pretty good. Add to this Grants vibrant
personality and sense of humour...........lol, OK I go too
far. In fact he makes Rafa Benitez look like Ken Dodd, but
you can't have everything.


LC

"JAB" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
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can't disagree with much of that.
It's harsh to suggest we still play the way we did under JM.
Under JM we'd go 1-0 up in the first 15 mins, then sit on the ball
for the next 85, particularly at home. zzzzz.........
Grant seems to encourage more adventurous football and lets not
forget that prior to Friday, when, I think, he made a great signing,
he's never had a full fit squad and secondly this is not his team.

I have found a lot of the anti-Grant stuff a bit distasteful tbh and can't
help thinking that if he'd been an 'unqualified' 30 year old non-Jewish
pin up then he wouldn't have got half the stick he has.

I'm very happy so far, we were written off when Jose left, we were written
off
when RA's 'poodle' was appointed, we were written off when half our team was
injured and written off again when our African players jetted off to the
African Cup.

The facts are that we are one game from wembley, we walked our CL group and
have the 'easiest' of draws in the next round, dispite the dodgy start under
Jose.
We have a great draw in the FA Cup and are on a good run of form in the
league
and lets not forget we still have Lampard, Terry, Drogba, Essien, Mikel,
Sheva and
Kalou (yeah I know, he's crap!) to come back into the side.

If Arsenal or Man U had had half the problems we'd had this season they'd be
struggling to make the UEFA Cup spots, yet we are a mere 4 points behind
both
of them, having played all our hard games away from home and one less home
game
than either of them.

Unqualified manager? not from where I'm sitting.

"lescor" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
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LOL!
did you see his interview on MOTD last night?
funny as fuck!

lescor wrote:

In a strange way I miss his little wind ups and tantrums ...

b wrote:

Well we're are still in the running for the everything so I can't really
complain. Oh and on the Jewish aspect have you heard any at the ground
or is this just paper talk? I think it was the Schalke game that there
was supposed to be some chanting but I'm buggered if I could hear
anything from where I was sitting.

"JAB" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
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heard it at grounds and on a few websites.

"b" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
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Excellent post. Well said.

"JAB" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:rFlij.12242$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net...

Well we've made a good start,as a team they all seem well up for the
challenge...



Too be fair,The Man utd game was always gonna be difficult for him to start
his managerial stint at the club,I never saw the Arsenal game so can't
really comment.Not many managers have the knack to get the subs right,JM was
certainly very bold when it came to it,and often he got it right..

One area I think may

The donkey list is endless,Anelka will be a great signing I'm sure,he's
quality and I think this will be his last chance to shine on the football
stage,so I reckon he'll be up for it..

I think you covered it quite well.
:-)
Steve

"b" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
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Held??..Oh they drew,you told me they won..
That was funny.

Steve