A lone voice?

There has been a sliver of support from one section of the media though.  The Independent’s, Sam Wallace wrote the following:

The press conference Villas-Boas gave on Thursday made a good deal more sense than many of the pronouncements of his predecessors who found themselves caught between powerful players and a demanding owner. Villas-Boas stuck it straight to his Chelsea players when he said that he did not really care what they felt, as long as he had the backing of Abramovich.

"I'm not concerned about [what the players think]," Villas-Boas said. "I have the full backing of the owner and it is down to the owner to make the decision on how much further he wants to go with the running of the actual project... my authority is total, because it is the owner's authority."

Bravo, Andre. Someone had to say it.

Baying media

The Super-Soar away Current Bun has been full of pieces on the “beleaguered” (nearly all the “beleaguering” comes from the press though) AVB.  They have printed a photo of Abramovich with the caption “SILENT” below it (the fact that he has been silent for the last 67.8 years anyway seems to have escaped them).  I’m not even convinced that the players have been in rebellion.

That said, there ARE a green shoots of dissent amongst the Stamford Bridge faithful, but despite my patience wearing a bit on the thin side with certain tactics and substitutions of our young manager (I spent most of the Brum game in the MHU with my head resting in my hands, staring out into space), I don’t believe we should be calling for his head.  As bored as I’ve been getting with some of our performances I’m even more bored with us changing manager every 5 minutes.  Transition takes time and players.  We have to stick with AVB and hopefully await the rich harvest.

Transition

"But if you want to perpetuate that success into the future, you have to make changes,” said AVB.

"I can understand the speculation about my future. But we have a three-year project to change not only the team but also the culture and structure of the club."

To the next round where the under instructions ref stitches us up again?

So what are our chances in getting through to the squeaky bum rounds? 

"First Napoli, then we will see”, said AVB.

“But if we go past Napoli then we can have a really good chance, depending on who we get in the draw.

"It will be a massive challenge. Everyone saw what Napoli did in a group which putManchesterCityout. But I think we have a chance."

"Regarding the Champions League, the players will have a different outlook.

"It's a European game; all of the players will want to play because the Champions League is a competition everyone wants to win.

"It's a different type of preparation, different type of football.

"We will have to be much more competent, play well and then we can finish the business here."

Fast and dangerous

We will have to cope with a fast-breaking side backed by a partisan crowd, and with Terry still half-crocked, Cahill and Luiz will have their work cut out with  striker Edinson Cavani (Will he even play Cahill?).

AVB said: "He is an amazing player and is their main man. But they have a strong front three with Hamsik, Cavani and Lavezzi. They are all a danger.

It seems as if Torres will be dropped in favour of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard will start after being rested against Brum.

Come on Chels!

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Napoli Preview: AVB to sleep with the fishes?

Posted by: 50 Years Over 100 Years (IP Logged)

Date: 21/02/2012 10:02

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Re: Napoli Preview: AVB to sleep with the fishes?

Posted by: Since 66 (IP Logged)

Date: 21/02/2012 16:14

It always happens at Chelsea - the media darlings - thats why we, the fans, love the club so much!

KTBFFH

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APRIL 2012

Chelsea v Barcelona

REVENGE AND REDEMPTION - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

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Re: Napoli Preview: AVB to sleep with the fishes?

Posted by: Since 66 (IP Logged)

Date: 21/02/2012 16:18

Back Chelsea 100% Risk FREE

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APRIL 2012

Chelsea v Barcelona

REVENGE AND REDEMPTION - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

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