I agree with almost everything you say - every moaning old bloke* in the MHL where I sit, bellowing at us to get stuck in or get it up the pitch should be forced to read this!
A really good read and thanks. It all looks great on paper with all the data etc but football is played by human beings still. There isn’t only one way to play and playing a certain way doesn’t guarantee success look at how Real Madrid do it. It’s still all about the quality of players you have. I so hope this works.
Thank you, Billy for an alternative view and an excellent article. As most reading this blog will know I was a supporter of Poch and wanted to stay at least next season. However, if he was not willing to work within the structure that the sporting directors and owners are developing then as you said, but perhaps it’s right that they parted ways in a professional manner as was the case in this instance with no mid-season sackings and keeping to the end of season review as was set out from the get go.
I repeat, as I’ve said before there is no doubt that mistakes have been made, but it’s hardly surprising with the chaos the preceded the takeover, the desire to rebuild the club from bottom to top and the need to both refresh the squad and remove an abundance of players that were no longer playing for the club, that were overpaid and were causing/creating a bad atmosphere. This element of the work that has been undertaken and will be concluded this summer tends to get ignored but was essential to enable CFC to move forward
I find myself out on a limb with regards to this article some of it is good some of it is just a rehash of the negativity we had from the anti Poche brigade all season.
I know it’s my opinion but on the face of it Disasi will never be good enough for a back 4 at Chelsea and when played with Badashiele we shipped goals.
The number of times between them we saw that hole in the middle of defense appear at set pieces and shipped a goal had me holding my head in my hands.
Badashiele saved his reputation towards the end of the season paired with anyone except Disasi.
Cucerella and I was one of his biggest critics over the previous 18 months became monumental over the next 6 months as he finally found his feet.
Fernandez what can I say logic says anyone that is in a national team as good as Argentina should be good in any squad.
I don’t think Poche played him as a number 10 more than a couple of times but alongside Caicedo it doesn’t seem to work he doesn’t stick to his position he goes walk about and caicedo is left isolated in fact injured he did us all a favour as the central midfield looked more stable without him.
Chilwell have to agree better days behind him.
Lavia yet to play 30 full minutes for Chelsea and like Fofana you can’t build a team around 2 players perennially on the injured list sorry make that 4 as you can add James & Chilwell as well.
I could go on but Poche got out at the right time we will never know if he walked or was pushed or the % between the 2 but it would be ironic and done say Karma if he became man utd manager and won the European league.
The Poche era is over a new manager shortly in place I hope he is successful for Chelsea’s sake but please no more articles trying to change the facts the Sporting Directors and Egbali may yet prove themselves to be the true problem because of their unaccountability and disconnect from the managers input.
I’m not a betting man but will we be looking for another manager at the end of the season because the team may have talent (apparently) and poche had them playing well enough to qualify by the end of the season but experience trumps talent!
Andy you know that I agree with the majority if what do you say? I think there is a good player in Badashiele when partnered with the right players and he is certainly good enough to retain a place in the squad.
Disasi I am not as convinced by and whilst he has some strengths I think he is a poor man Tony Rudiger.
As for Cucerella I still struggle. Yes, he had a good end of the season but I cannot honestly say that he fills me with confidence. Just like some people will not accept that CFCs improvements went beyond the last 5/6 games I don’t see that he showed any signs of improvement other than the last 5/6 games. There is constantly a mistake in him.
Overall, you and I as always are on the same page and it is now time for us all to get behind the new management team, support the owners and the sporting directors and act as one. We cannot expect a positive approach from them if we are not positive towards the club as a whole from the outset of the new season and not just for the first 10 games. We need to stick with them, support them through thick and thin and any poor performances or bad results. That you and I will connect soon.
Romano says this morning that mascarpone deliberate distortion of the new managers name, will have an input to buys & sells that seems to go farther than what was asked for in the past I’m stunned
dont think fans have an issue with the club moving to a head coach rather then manager. Alot of clubs all over Europe do that and are successful. There is nothing wrong with it. However the issue is where the coach has no say 'at all' and players are either imposed on him or the ones that he wants to keep and thinks he needs for his football to be successful are sold. That's what hampering us.
Potter had 33 players chucked at him. Poch wanted a striker to replace Broja and got Casadei in return (just using this as an example of how the coach can be undermined).
Also the biggest gripe is that they have overpaid for alot of players and some of them are average at best and not an upgrade on what we had. Disasi / Trev is the perfect example. Sanchez is another one. A good player does not need systems or coaching to hide his flaws.
The squad building has not been optimum. Smart recruitment teams dont operate like this and spend money like a drunken sailor.
This was my thinking in yesterday's comment to Si, but now I just can't understand why we need Maresca's Data Analyst and Goalkeeping coach - we've got a team of them already. Its just extra expense especially when the Coach leaves.
thats Ben Roberts who was the coach under Potter... but have since been moved to a bigger role where he looks after the development / recruitment of all GKs at the club. Similar role to Lollichon basically
I agree with almost everything you say - every moaning old bloke* in the MHL where I sit, bellowing at us to get stuck in or get it up the pitch should be forced to read this!
Thanks.
*I’m old too (63) but not moaning.
A really good read and thanks. It all looks great on paper with all the data etc but football is played by human beings still. There isn’t only one way to play and playing a certain way doesn’t guarantee success look at how Real Madrid do it. It’s still all about the quality of players you have. I so hope this works.
Fantastic article Billy!! Couldn’t have said any of it better myself.
Excellent article and couldn’t agree more with it
Really good read!
Thank you, Billy for an alternative view and an excellent article. As most reading this blog will know I was a supporter of Poch and wanted to stay at least next season. However, if he was not willing to work within the structure that the sporting directors and owners are developing then as you said, but perhaps it’s right that they parted ways in a professional manner as was the case in this instance with no mid-season sackings and keeping to the end of season review as was set out from the get go.
I repeat, as I’ve said before there is no doubt that mistakes have been made, but it’s hardly surprising with the chaos the preceded the takeover, the desire to rebuild the club from bottom to top and the need to both refresh the squad and remove an abundance of players that were no longer playing for the club, that were overpaid and were causing/creating a bad atmosphere. This element of the work that has been undertaken and will be concluded this summer tends to get ignored but was essential to enable CFC to move forward
I find myself out on a limb with regards to this article some of it is good some of it is just a rehash of the negativity we had from the anti Poche brigade all season.
I know it’s my opinion but on the face of it Disasi will never be good enough for a back 4 at Chelsea and when played with Badashiele we shipped goals.
The number of times between them we saw that hole in the middle of defense appear at set pieces and shipped a goal had me holding my head in my hands.
Badashiele saved his reputation towards the end of the season paired with anyone except Disasi.
Cucerella and I was one of his biggest critics over the previous 18 months became monumental over the next 6 months as he finally found his feet.
Fernandez what can I say logic says anyone that is in a national team as good as Argentina should be good in any squad.
I don’t think Poche played him as a number 10 more than a couple of times but alongside Caicedo it doesn’t seem to work he doesn’t stick to his position he goes walk about and caicedo is left isolated in fact injured he did us all a favour as the central midfield looked more stable without him.
Chilwell have to agree better days behind him.
Lavia yet to play 30 full minutes for Chelsea and like Fofana you can’t build a team around 2 players perennially on the injured list sorry make that 4 as you can add James & Chilwell as well.
I could go on but Poche got out at the right time we will never know if he walked or was pushed or the % between the 2 but it would be ironic and done say Karma if he became man utd manager and won the European league.
The Poche era is over a new manager shortly in place I hope he is successful for Chelsea’s sake but please no more articles trying to change the facts the Sporting Directors and Egbali may yet prove themselves to be the true problem because of their unaccountability and disconnect from the managers input.
I’m not a betting man but will we be looking for another manager at the end of the season because the team may have talent (apparently) and poche had them playing well enough to qualify by the end of the season but experience trumps talent!
Andy you know that I agree with the majority if what do you say? I think there is a good player in Badashiele when partnered with the right players and he is certainly good enough to retain a place in the squad.
Disasi I am not as convinced by and whilst he has some strengths I think he is a poor man Tony Rudiger.
As for Cucerella I still struggle. Yes, he had a good end of the season but I cannot honestly say that he fills me with confidence. Just like some people will not accept that CFCs improvements went beyond the last 5/6 games I don’t see that he showed any signs of improvement other than the last 5/6 games. There is constantly a mistake in him.
Overall, you and I as always are on the same page and it is now time for us all to get behind the new management team, support the owners and the sporting directors and act as one. We cannot expect a positive approach from them if we are not positive towards the club as a whole from the outset of the new season and not just for the first 10 games. We need to stick with them, support them through thick and thin and any poor performances or bad results. That you and I will connect soon.
Romano says this morning that mascarpone deliberate distortion of the new managers name, will have an input to buys & sells that seems to go farther than what was asked for in the past I’m stunned
Perhaps there is more trust and a better way that preferences have been presented that are more aligned with the bigger picture
This was a very interesting take that gave me a different perspective. Well done.
I am looking forward to seeing how the team kicks on next season. Having said that I want Gallagher to stay 🙂
dont think fans have an issue with the club moving to a head coach rather then manager. Alot of clubs all over Europe do that and are successful. There is nothing wrong with it. However the issue is where the coach has no say 'at all' and players are either imposed on him or the ones that he wants to keep and thinks he needs for his football to be successful are sold. That's what hampering us.
Potter had 33 players chucked at him. Poch wanted a striker to replace Broja and got Casadei in return (just using this as an example of how the coach can be undermined).
Also the biggest gripe is that they have overpaid for alot of players and some of them are average at best and not an upgrade on what we had. Disasi / Trev is the perfect example. Sanchez is another one. A good player does not need systems or coaching to hide his flaws.
The squad building has not been optimum. Smart recruitment teams dont operate like this and spend money like a drunken sailor.
What a brilliant article great read thanks
Well Done Billy. Balanced.
I really hope wish and pray for a smoother season with less or almost no injuries.
Good read, well articulated & makes lot of sense
Great article Billy!
This was my thinking in yesterday's comment to Si, but now I just can't understand why we need Maresca's Data Analyst and Goalkeeping coach - we've got a team of them already. Its just extra expense especially when the Coach leaves.
💯
Was it the current goalkeeping coach who recommended Sanchez ?
thats Ben Roberts who was the coach under Potter... but have since been moved to a bigger role where he looks after the development / recruitment of all GKs at the club. Similar role to Lollichon basically
Perhaps Ben Roberts needs a P45
along with a few others managing the sporting side of things