Archive for July, 2010

Video of The Week – Alex Thunderbolt

Chelsea Reserves Humbled by Powerful Wanderers

Ryan Bertrand may have Championship experience but he was humbled along with the other members of the team against Wycombe

Chelsea’s Reserves slumped to their second consecutive heavy defeat during pre-season, in a 5-1 thumping that will deflate the players, fans and management alike.

A blend of raw reserves and a splattering of youth with first team experience took on an experienced Wycombe side.

Chelsea XI:

Walker, B.Clifford, Ince, Deen-Conteh, Bertrand, Cork, C.Clifford, Kaby (Prosenik 59), Lalkovic (Philliskirk 59), Sinclair, Di Santo

It all started well for Chelsea who took the lead through Kaby after just 13 minutes, as he turned in the rebound from a powerful Scott Sinclair shot. However Chelsea went in behind at half time after goals from Ben Strevens and Scott Rendell. 

The result was framed in the final quarter of the game, American Jon Paul Pittman took the game by the scruff of the neck with a hat trick that took just 5 second half minutes.

The score was emphatic and gave little to cheer about on first glance, the only consolation being the goal from Kaby and the fact that a late show from Wycombe did not reflect the overall balance of the match,which was closer than the scoreline suggests.

This is a demoralising loss and there is no doubt improvement is needed, but the performances will come, stick with it Chelsea fans.

Winning the League Re-Visited

As everyone with more than a passing interest in the game will be aware Chelsea won the Premiership on the 9^th of May.

Hopefully you wont mind if I reminisce on my day watching Chelsea win the league.

The day started with an engineering works affected train journey to London, coupled with two cans of lager to settle the nerves.

I arrived at the first pub of the day at midday to start proceedings with the boys from the Chelsea Football Fancast.

This was the more reserved part of the day chatting to the podcast crew, musing over what the day had in store and feeling the nerves. However a few pints, a reassuring chip butty later and Chidge’s optimism made me feel as though we couldn’t fail.

Next up was O’Neils an Irish themed bar near Earls Court; this was to meet my Dad, who had the all important ticket and his adopted Chelsea family. I was predictably late and had received a couple of only half joiking texts from him saying he was just moments away from selling my ticket  to his mate Clive.

The banter in the pub as with the fancast crew was one of quiet optimism, although this is where I heard the first songs of the day. The pub occasionally belted out renditions of ‘Carefree’ and ‘Who the F%^K are Man United’ to punctuate the discussion that we couldn’t possibly throw it away, could we?

As game time approached we left O’Neil’s and after a short walk through West Brompton cemetery, I was through the turnstiles, with enough time to get a jet pack beer, and join in’ the liquidator’.

Coming out of the tube earlier and on the approach to the ground it was obvious that this was a huge game, the obvious barometer being the plethora of illegal football touts, whose buy and sell’ whispers echoed through the streets.

I had a perfect seat for the game, four rows back bang in the middle of the Shed End, the atmosphere before the game was electric but obviously tinged with nerves and excitement.

For the first time I can remember the old Shed terrace was back, everyone was stood up and roaring the team on, the whole ground was standing up uninterrupted by safety stewards, or others who seek to minimise the entertainment of football spectators.

This is what every football fan loves about football and we had waited three years for another shot.

The game itself was one of true nerves for only 6 minutes, when Anelka scored, the tension eased significantly, however once Frank Lampard fended of Didier Drogba to make it 2-0, the party began in earnest.

At half time anyone caught asking the Manchester United score was laughed at, we were storming to victory, few people seemed to care what Alex Ferguson’s men were up to a couple of hundred miles to the North.

As the second half got underway and the goals rolled in to extinguish any vague hopes of a Wigan revival, this allowed the party to start early and let the fans went through the whole Chelsea song repertoire. Although to answer one query from the home fans, I think those watching in Manchester may have turned off their TV in disgust a long time before the score resembled that of a rugby match.

Not that anyone was aware of the time, but all too quickly the the final whistle and pandemonium. After 3 years of near misses the title, was back at Chelsea and there was nothing that the moaning and mind games of Alex Ferguson could do about it.

First of all the crowd swayed to ‘One Step Beyond’ before belting out club classics such as ‘Blue Day’ before bouncing to baggy trousers.

Whilst this was going on the youth team paraded their silverware, the FA Youth Cup to a rapturous reception, then one by one the team made its way to the podium for the eruption upon lifting the trophy.

After the trophy was lifted the fans belted out the Queen classic and other champion based songs as the club paraded around the stadium. The music drowned out occasionally by the fans chanting the names of both John Terry and Carlo Ancellotti.

At this point I fought my way through the crowds to find my Dad’s seat and give him a massive bear hug as the celebrations continued. As we eventually left the ground we were confronted by the pandemonium of the Fulham road, all the pubs were full so after a quick trip to the off license we joined  the fans partying in the streets.

I however was not as brave as the fans climbing lampposts or swirling their tops around their heads, after over an hour of singing we made our way home, knowing that we could be doing it all again next week.

Champions of England

Ten Things Guaranteed in Premier League Next Season

Alex Ferguson checks his watch, will he receive favourable timekeeping this season?

With the new season just around the corner, I have had a quick look at the things I think will be unchanged in 2010/2011.

1)      Chelsea will remain unloved by the mainstream media who will crave a Manchester United or Arsenal title regardless of the events on the pitch, scandals and bias articles will dominate the media.

 2)      Celery will remain the fans favourite vegetable.

 3)      Ashley Cole will be booed at every ground he visits (except Stamford Bridge), despite being one of the few England players to perform for England at the World Cup.

 4)      Arsenal will play attractive football that lacks substance, after flattering to deceive they will leave the title race with defeat to one of the Premier League’s minnows.

 5)      Frank Lampard will score 20 goals and still not even be considered for critical acclaim or the Player of the Year award.

 6)      Manchester United will win more than one game in the sixth minute of four minutes of added time.

 7)      Chelsea fans will do the ‘bouncy’ at away grounds around England and Europe

 8)      Liverpool will delude themselves that ‘this will be his year’ until around October, when everyone will reach the realisation that even Roy Hodgson cannot mesh a title contending team together.

 9)      Ten Men will leave to mow a meadow, taking their trusted dog spot with them

 10)   Chelsea will be writing history and not reliving it

Chelsea XI v Wycombe – Mini Preview

Wycombe in Action

A Chelsea XI travel to face Wycombe tommorow in what is technically a senior game, however it is unlikely that the full team squad will be used in avengence until the games in Germany.

Instead I expect to see another young side, choc full of youth and potential.

However the first team squad is now back in training and with all the injuries that seem to be hitting the squad, fitness is going to be important and I it is possible that some players will receive some game time.

Although I expect whatever side put out will beat Wycombe, I would again reiterate my assertion that this is for the large part irrelevant.

Based 30 miles from Stamford Bridge at Adams Park, Wycombe will be playing in League Two next season meaning that with their season starting earlier they are likely to be further along in their preparation for their new season than Chelsea.

As a League Two side they do not have any names that stand out on their payroll, however expect a side looking to compete and enjoy their run out against the Champions of England.

It will not be glitz and glamour but Chelsea in some form will be in action tommorow.