Our soldiers of fortune keeping my hopes alive

WATCHING the Everton game on TV was unbearable; firstly my “mates” thought it hilarious to send pictures and phone me during the match; secondly, having to sit and listen to the biased commentary and the obvious disappointment when Chelsea won was rather annoying.

What with the win against Everton and in view of United’s result against Blackburn, the Wigan equaliser now feels even more like a needle in the eye — if we lose the league on goal difference, I don’t know what I’ll do.

Meanwhile it seems that things go from bad to worse behind the scenes — allegedly, eight players sent a delegation to the “senior directors” of the club, asking for Grant to be relieved of his duties next season.

However, according to La Gazzetta, Abramovich has already sent a message of reply saying that, if anyone can find similarly well-paid contracts, the players are free to leave. I have to say, as much as I want Grant out, I’m with Roman on this one. The players get paid very well and it is not for them to dictate anything. If they do not want to play for the manager then they can go and seek their fortunes elsewhere.

We supporters, of course, do not have that luxury.

A number of journalists have also revealed that they were threatened with court action if they published details of the player revolt — and furthermore their respective papers would be banned from attending the big game this weekend. Talk about giving the whole story credence and further alienating a press already after blood. They never learn, do they?

Maybe the pressure has taken its toll on Grant, if his post match interview after Everton was anything to go by. Perhaps he was trying to show his displeasure at what he sees as negative reporting in the press. Perhaps it was part of Chelsea’s protest at Sky for switching the game; perhaps he was trying to “do a José”. The media reported he came across as “dazed and confused”. Having read the transcript I can’t help but agree and throw in “unhinged” for good measure.

As if things could not get any worse for old Avram, Tal Ben Haim has told anyone that cared to listen he would not have signed for the club had he known that Average Avi would be at the helm. Had this come from a player that was not left out in the cold, this would have had a modicum of credence, but we all know that had he been playing regularly, there wouldn’t have been such a public proclamation. It cost him a reputed £80,000k fine from the club, too — but he made his point and sent a very public “come and get me” to anyone who may be interested. I am pretty sure crowd control measures will not be necessary.

You will know the outcome of last night’s encounter and I don’t, so we will leave the jubilation/autopsy until next week and concentrate on this weekend. As far as the United game is concerned, I have no inkling which way it will go. I find it impossible to second guess Grant and perhaps that is something that may go in our favour. If Grant has picked the right team and tactics, Fergie will respond accordingly, but will Grant be able to change tactics if necessary? I won’t hold my breath.

The one thing that keeps me believing is the squad of players themselves — they have personal pride at stake and you do not become a professional footballer without an inherent will to win. The fact that the game is against United and there is no margin for error should give them all the motivation that Grant is allegedly unable to provide.

I do not want to be writing this column next week bemoaning the fact that we gave up without a whimper. If we lose, so be it, but I will have expected every player to give the kind of performance that they are capable of.

It is spooky that we have Bolton last game of the season though. They are interwoven with Chelsea’s history so often that dare I believe that this could be a good omen? I will be bringing back every superstition and will be once again making promises with the football gods — they must have forgotten all those silly things I promised two years ago, surely?

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