By dixon9
February 25 2008

Chelsea surrendered the League Cup through a combination of uncharacteristic poor team spirit and a disappointing lack of tactical nous from Grant. Spurs were up for it - we weren’t. Their manager did well – ours didn’t. They deserved it, they wanted it more than us and we lost.

Are we getting too used to playing in finals? So much so that we are becoming almost blasé once we are there?  We probably expected them to come at us in the first 20 mins or so but our inability to put any real imprint on the game whilst Spurs scampered around covering every blade of grass was disappointing. 

Spurs made their real chances during the first few minutes – in fact, they could have gone 2 up but fortune at that time was in our favour despite Belletti having a mare from the off.   

Our 4-3-3 which Grant insists upon was looking too fragile and impotent. 

Anelka was completely wasted out on the left and Wright-Phillips returned to his frustratingly worst on the opposite flank.  Essien seemed lost and Lampard ineffectual. 

Some brief relief came in the shape of a Drogba exorcet free-kick which was smartly planted low in Robinson’s left hand corner.  An obvious welcome goal but it only served to paper over the cracks. 

The 2^nd half saw Spurs fight their way back into the game and equalise through a Berbatov penalty after the linesman spotted Bridge’s brief juggling act in the penalty area.   

Extra time saw the winning goal come early on after Woodgate drifted forward and was fortunate to see his goal deflected back in off his head after his original header had been parried by Cech. 

At last Joe Cole and Ballack had been introduced and their presence caused problems for the Spurs defence, however, despite Chelsea finally turning the screw in the 2^nd period it was all not enough and too late – just like Kalou´s effort which hit the inside of the post 2 seconds after the ref had blown to cap a thoroughly miserable and frustrating afternoon. 

The post mortem of the match from my point of view would focus on the lack of tactical inflexibility and nous from Grant.  The Israeli has done very well over a very difficult time with an injury hit squad but a question mark must be put on his ability to handle the bigger games. 

The 4-3-3 was crying out to be changed to 4-4-2 with an extra man in midfield with the introduction of Joe Cole and a twin spearhead of Anelka and Drogba. 

We looked slow and ponderous and moved the ball forwards with difficulty and were unable to provide any meaningful penetration. 

Tottenham’s strength was in their centre backs but the weaker full backs were hardly put under pressure. 

Anelka was isolated and hardly received service from a lack lustre 3 man midfield – what a complete waste of such a class player sticking him out on the left. 

I couldn’t help but look nostalgically back and wonder that Mourinho wouldn´t have allowed any of this to happen.  He would have changed it – and drastically if necessary of course.  At the very least we would have been able to shut the game down later in the 2^nd half to preserve our lead. 

We have the Mourinho team but no Mourinho and I can only hope that the spirit and work ethic that was instilled in the squad is not on the verge of dissipating. 

Are we good enough to compete at the very top with Grant at the helm?

There is a real concern if yesterday signals another step in confirming that he is out of his depth for the big games.

It’s worrying.

Arsenal at home could provide us with that confirmation.

No Spirit, No Nous: Spurs 2 Chelsea 1 (aet)

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 25/02/2008 17:38

50 Years Over 100 Years
25/02/2008 17:38

No Spirit, No Nous: Spurs 2 Chelsea 1 (aet)

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Since 66
25/02/2008 22:38

Dixon, as you know I was there yesterday.

I had a nightmare getting to Wembley in the first place and as soon as I walked out of Wembley Park station with 'since 88' we were met with loads of pockets of trouble!!!

After getting away from the area of the station, we made our way via the cashpoint and the local shops into the stadium - the escalators up to our level failed so we had to climb umpteen number of flights of stairs (gotta give up smoking) and eventually we reach our seats.

Our seats were central and right above the scoreboard at the Chelsea end!!

It wasn't until the teams were announced and Joe Cole wasn't in the starting line-up that the two 'bad' omens before started to register.

Why FFS leave Joe Cole out of the game until extra-time!!!!!

Once Belletti misplaced his pass inside the first 15 seconds I just knew then it was going to be a bad day... well u can't lose what you have been used to for 40 odd years can U?

Since 88 said to me after the game, that he had a bad feeling, but before the game I told him keep your wits about you when we leave, cos I was more worried about trouble and that after the game!!!

As you know and everybody else the rest is history.

Once Belletti struck a shot high wide and handsome over the bar in injury time.. we both said to each other 'lets FO.'

Since 88 has never left a game before the end and I havent done so for many a year.... but yesterday we had had enough and so did thousands of other Chelsea fans....

Don't get me wrong I aint got a problem with losing a final even to Tottingham, I have a problem with the way we lost it. We werent at Wembley yesterday.. not even the fans.

Tottingham's fans were in unison every time they sang... we were s**t because there were too many 'little' groups trying to sing..... I and Since 88 gave everything to the cause yesterday as did a young lady sitting next to me who was ffing and blinding every second she could despite being with her dad LOL LOL LOL!! Well done girl!! Even they left when we did.

Even the shirt with Since 66 on the back got an airing... I f**king froze once the second half got underway until the end.... but I was determined to give everything I could to the team.... but Grant could not give back anything to me.

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

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dixon9
25/02/2008 23:18

Really don´t know what to say to you - it was a truly terrible day and of all the clubs to lose to in a final it had to be Spurs!

Agree with you 100% on the team selection, the tactics, the subs...he got it all wrong!

Oh well...

And to think JM was supposedly sacked for principally the brand of football we were playing.

Still, Grant may have last gasp opportunities against Arsenal and Man Utd at home in the league, the next round CL opponents (who are bound to be a decent side - and IF we get through to the next round)...and perhaps revenge at the Lane in a months time.




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

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Shelfsidespur
27/02/2008 21:17

Tottenham's fans were in unison every time they sang... we were s**t because there were too many 'little' groups trying to sing.....

You would think that after all the cup finals chelsea have been in you would have perfected it by now!!

The Spurs players and the fans were hungry for it..
Win or lose..We wanted to enjoy the occasion.

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Since 66
27/02/2008 21:58

Just goes to show how many 'prawn sandwich' eaters we have now got.

I was up just above the scoreboard and apart from the usual Tottingham songs, everything else was patchy.

Couldn't hear what those in the £80 seats were doing... we were too far away LOL!

Our support was as bad as the team and the manager. Got no problems in losing a cup final its the way the day panned out!!

Enjoy it we did when we started to win our trophies... pre Abramovich!!!



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