Grant tenure could be end of Roman empire

IF ever there was a game that demonstrated why a man as poorly qualified and inexperienced as Avram Grant should not get a top manager’s position, it was the meeting with Liverpool.

That said, the players did not cover themselves in glory, but let’s look at the facts. He has now faced the other three of the “big four” and we have managed just one point out of nine. You do not start a player who has had a six week lay-off — even if that player is Frank Lampard. You do not play so defensively with one up front at home, against a team missing their main striker. You do not leave it until four minutes from time to put on a second striker. On current form, you also do not pick Ashley Cole in front of Bridge — I hope that there was a reason for the fact that Bridge was not on the bench.

But Grant was not helped by the players, who need to look at themselves in terms of effort, which was virtually non-existent. Anelka must wonder what kind of team he has come to — the poor guy must be getting a complex. His frustration started to show early on as he was being forced to go in search of the ball, such was the poor supply.

The game was not helped by Mike Riley (for both teams) who surely has taken on Graham Poll’s mantle of the worst referee in the Premier League.

And finally, Benitez had come for a draw which just added to the dull display.

Still there is a silver lining in everything — a few more games like that and Shanghai, Melbourne and Miami won’t be interested in staging any such fixture. Don’t get me started on this or you will have a rant of epic proportions — let’s just say I am not in favour and leave it there for now.

I know opinions vary on this issue but one thing I did miss was the build up to our matches with Liverpool when Jose was with us. I used to love the way he used to really wind Benitez up (and Wenger) — the outrageous comments made at pre and post mach press conferences — the evil glint in the eye, knowing exactly the kind of reaction it would get. Now its just a dull build-up followed by a dull game.

It seems most clubs now do not use reserve games for their “top” players to help them achieve match fitness after a long-term injury. This is a mistake in my book and by what I can see, seems to be something that the players themselves have rejected. Playing in the stiffs is not good for the image or some such garbage. Instead we have to endure rusty performances like Lampard’s for a few games — this is a practice that could cost us dear and personally I would re-introduce it for all players. Ballack’s ego did not prevent him from playing a couple of games for the ressies down at Griffin Park and I think most will agree than when he finally took the field with the first team, he looked in better shape for it.

This Monday I fly out to Athens for what should, on paper, be a relatively simple Champions League game, especially as we will have Drogba, Kalou and Essien back, Lampard will be fitter (hopefully) and even John Terry may be there or thereabouts (although I would be loathe to split the Carvalho/Alex partnership at the moment).

I can’t wait to see Drogba and Anelka playing together — hopefully this will give our season the boost in needs although without wishing to sound defeatist, I think it’s too late as far as the league title is concerned. It will be most annoying if Arsenal win the title because despite the sycophantic press, their football has not really set the world alight and it will be more a case of United and ourselves handing it to them rather than them winning it.

On a brighter note, it is FA Cup weekend and we have the pleasure of welcoming Huddersfield to the Bridge. Hopefully we’ll put on a bit of a display and score a few goals and raise the spirits in the stands as it’s not been exactly fun watching Chelsea recently. We are still yet to see the attacking, positive, free-flowing football we were promised — but I am willing to wait a little longer as the injuries have had an impact on our style. But Roman may need at some point to admit he has made a mistake and get an experienced man in — I would certainly think better of him if he fessed up to his mistake and put it right — rather than hiding on an island for three months and avoiding Stamford Bridge. Maybe he has finally got bored with Chelsea — if he has, is it a coincidence that its when Avram Grant is in charge? I’ll let you make up your own minds.

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