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[Sparked_26]

I approach sports with a cerebral bent. I never let my emotions cloud my better judgement, even for my favorite teams.

I think we are philosophically opposed then.

In terms of top end successful football managers it would be a struggle to find an elite one who wasn't emotionally led because all of them are a few months of poor results away from the sack.

That isn't to say your model isn't used when adjusting for fans expectations. See Burnley. Typically Kompany would have been sacked and a relegation 'specialist' would have been thrown in as a hail Mary to keep them up.

The issue, specifically at Chelsea, is that they are a global club purchased for billions and finishing nowhere can't be tolerated for very long because of an associated drop in status and ultimately value. Chelsea whilst the fancy West London club aren't a disaster proof giant like Manchester United. In order to be at football's top table they need to be able to win.

It isn't quite s.hit or bust but probably nearly is. So for them, I just can't see patience being a virtue when it comes to managers.

If Chelsea finish 8th say even with recent improvement it would be a hard sell going into a new season with what will have to be the same players. It is largely perception but the slide into mediocrity will have been established.

I accept a manager is the tip of iceberg when it comes to Chelsea's issues but it will remain a vulnerable position unless a winning team can materialise.

It may never, of course. In which case - the fans are p.issed off in perpetuity (I usually am tbf) and the owners end up with a depreciating asset.

[F l i c k e r]

The one thing that Poch has going for him is that he isn't a season 1 coach like Jose or Guardiola. He's show in his career that he's a season 2 and so on guy.

It's the one thing he can lean on in his year end review. He's never been the instant results manager. His game comes in the following season.

Like it or not, that's how his career has been so far (minus psg maybe?)

[Sparked_26]

The one thing that Poch has going for him is that he isn't a season 1 coach like Jose or Guardiola. He's show in his career that he's a season 2 and so on guy.

It's the one thing he can lean on in his year end review. He's never been the instant results manager. His game comes in the following season.

Like it or not, that's how his career has been so far (minus psg maybe?)

They've only given him a 2 year contract so they never had much belief in him.

I'm ambivalent to him now.

I don't think he's good but I have less faith in Boehly and the sporting directors to make a good call in his replacement than I do in the players to modestly improve under Poch.

Recent weeks have shown teams like Villa and Spurs could probably be overhauled by Chelsea if their players stopped pretending to be injured all the time.

To that end..Reese James is 'back' lol. Not that he pretends - but he is a crock.

It would be some comeback if he could prove people wrong. I suspect he's pretty close to enforced retirement

[Sparked_26]

It is mad how s.hit Nicolas Jackson can be and still score a goal. Most footballers hide when they perform like that.

Big hearted footballer.

City are gonna win the league

[alza1988]

Rangers Vs Dundee tonight if Rangers fail to win Celtic are champions .

Man City Spurs should be good as well .

[Sparked_26]

Perfect display by Spurs really.

Played well.

Lost.

That's what they would have wanted in the circumstances

[BigZ44]

Damn, I hate that this season is ending now, this Palace team currently is a top 5 side in the league. Never seen them have a stretch like they've had in the last 2 months, incredible stuff. Hate the thought that the band will be broken up after today

[BigZ44]

Never thought I'd see the day Palace would have this kind of talent and actually play the beautiful game like this. Astounding, a new best game ever played by Palace, absolutely raking Villa over the coals

[Sparked_26]

Palace have been so good recently and players playing so well that it makes you think Vieira and Hodgson were bum of the month managers.

But more likely it goes to show that probably City and Arsenal aside if almost any team in the league can get 4 players absolutely fit and flying they will win a lot of games. Most teams have some top players.

Palace themselves probably have Olise, Eze, Wharton, Andersen/Guehi and possibly even Mitchell who will get into most pl sides.

That's half a team!! So in the unlikely scenario they could keep them all fit and at the club - where should they even finish?

Chelsea themselves have won 5 in a row due to the massive upturn in form of Caicedo , Cucurella, Chalobah, and even Madueke - to assist Palmer and Gallagher - that's a lot of players playing well at the same time and a rising tide lifts all boats - not as romantic as Palace as some of those players cost bucks but the same thing happened.

[F l i c k e r]

I woud take Eze in a heart beat. Olise is a nice player too but his injuries concern me more. Eze been injured?

Guehi as well. Will gladly sell one of the frenchmen and swap Trevoh to bring back Geuhi. I always said Guehi is probably the best CB talent out of the academy since JT. He's better then the others imo. Incudes Colwill.


Happy the season is over though. What a time to be a Chelsea supporter

Bayer Leverkusen make history as the only undefeated season in Bundesliga history as well. Amazing work that by those guys and Xabi Alonso.

The Champions League final should be a blast too. The entire world is going for one team and it's not the royalty side.