Sackwatch: Carlo Ancelotti

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Chelsea's last 15 games (all competitions):

Won 5, drawn 5, lost 5. Scored 26, conceded 15.

Almost surprised Abramovic's twitchy finger hasn't seen old wonky eyebrows go already, given how rarely he seems to accept failure. Out of the FA Cup, down to fifth in the league (and no games-in-hand malarky to save them at the moment), and in between two legs against the mighty FC Copenhagen, there's the small matter of Manchester United coming to Stamford Bridge. A horribly out-of-form striker is being shoe-horned into a side that doesn't fit the new dimensions needed of them, and he risks upsetting the notoriously calm and reasoned Nicolas Anelka in doing so.

On the other hand, they do still have a fantastic squad (most people figured they were easily the best on paper at the end of summer), they won the double just last season, Fernando Torres is a world class striker (we all know this), and they've got the easiest tie of the CL knockout stages.

Only a matter of time, or is this the point he turns them around?

 

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CA isnt going to be sacked before the summer (little benefit, and more to risk)

Maybe if they were still comfortably in the top 4 I'd agree with you. But they're not, and any slip up against you could see them more than three points away from Tottenham. That's with games still to play against you again (at Old Trafford), Spurs and Man City at home, and Everton away.

You reckon Abramovic won't get a little worried if this form carries on?

Chelsea seem to always get the luck of the draw at SB against United (esp in the last few years) so it will be interesting to see what happens in 9 days time or so when Utd head back there.

You could say the same about Arsenal though. They usually make a mockery of us (as they did at the start of the season), but we had barely any trouble with them at the Emirates. I'd say it's pretty likely you'll get something from that game, even if it is just a ground-out draw.

 

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I hesitate to lay the blame on the Wilkins sacking, purely because no-one really has any idea who does what in a team's back-room set-up. For all we really know, the sacking might be nothing to do with it. It is highly co-incidental though.

How many times does a new manager get instant success though?

It may happen for a single game - but it cant be many times that a new manager brings a good run of wins similar to Liverpool under Dalglish (that would guarantee top 4 for Chelsea)

Thats why I I think its too risky to do it now - if Abromovich had done it in Jan , to get players in and give manager time then sure it could work, but highly unlikely to now imo

I'm not saying it isn't risky, I'm asking whether Abramovic will be tempted to try. CL money is important stuff, and he's got a notoriously itchy trigger-finger at the best of times. Sure, he backed new signings in Jan, but they're hardly unknown gambles are they? Everyone could see Chelsea needed new blood, and they've got in some top class ones.

It worked before for them when Hiddink rescued a faltering season. Sure it's later on now, but maybe they just need that kind of magic touch again? A good motivator who can inspire a squad that should be good enough to finish in the top four anyway.

 

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Well, Ranieri is free.

 

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Terry agreed with midfielder Frank Lampard that not qualifying for the competition next season would be a disaster.

"That's obviously the worst thing to think about, looking at Spurs and City," he added. "They're playing well and picking up points at a crucial time.

"It would be disastrous for the football club if we don't qualify for the Champions League. It's even hard to get my head around it now."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9404091.stm

"I'm fully behind Fabio Capello, I mean errr, Carlo Ancelotti. Yeah. That one. They're all the same right?"

 

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Decent win away from home that pretty much puts them through to the next round, albeit against a team you'd be expecting them to beat normally.

Worth downgrading the Ancelotti P45 Threat Index* for? Hmm.

*Yeah I just made that up.