More gaffes with talk of a consultant coach

I SEE the Chelsea hierarchy have found that self-destruct button again — and inevitably, they will not be able to help themselves from pushing it.

Keeping Guus Hiddink on as a consultant? What are they thinking? Do they ever learn?

What manager worth his salt is going to be happy taking over a job, with another high profile manager as a consultant?

And if they do find someone who will accept that role, (cue Grant) whose decisions will take precedent in the wake of a disagreement?

Personally, I would also want more than eight games to form an opinion as to whether a manager is the most suitable man for the job long term.

To coin a cheesy phrase, he may not be Mr Right, just Mr Right Now.

You’d also imagine Abramovich had enough men “upstairs” already. Wouldn’t this be just another ridiculous salary on the club’s books?

If Hiddink really is a mate of Abramovich’s, he should tell him that these set-ups rarely work — especially in English football, and that the money could be better spent rejuvenating the team.

So if not Hiddink — then who? The two names that keep being bandied about are Rijkaard and Ancelotti although I think the latter is wishful thinking (and active promotion) by his agent.

I can see neither agreeing to working with a “consultant”, but then, I imagine cold, hard cash can be a great mediator in such a scenario.

Frank Lampard scored the 500th goal at Wembley at the weekend, yet another landmark to add to his extraordinary list of achievements, but had to still endure yet more booing from the morons at the game.

Perhaps he should just throw a hissy fit and announce he is not going to play for England any more — like Carragher — but then of course, he’d get slaughtered for that too.

The cost of success I suppose.

Speaking of which — my bank account has taken a hammering in the last couple of weeks, what with away tickets, FA Cup ticket, Champions League ticket and renewals just around the corner. It will be interesting to see whether the current economic climate hits the attendances and renewals next season.

Some clubs have already announced price reductions, and Chelsea have frozen season ticket prices for the fourth year running, but will it be enough?

Chelsea this season have bucked the trend and not only are we selling out both home and away, but according to our box office manager, we are selling out far faster than we have done in the past, and many games are vastly over-subscribed.

I’m not sure why this is although having spoken to a mate who gave up his season ticket two years ago (because of the cost), he feels that the team “need” him at the moment and he is trying to go to as many games as possible and is contemplating becoming a season ticket holder again.

But similarly, I have also spoken to a friend who will be giving up his season ticket and is trying to get to as many games as possible, as a last hurrah.

As well as “ordinary” supporters struggling during the economic downturn, clubs will find that the corporate take-up will be very much reduced — when companies are cutting costs, one of the first things slashed is the entertainment budget.

So it seems that all will be affected by this downturn.

Well, not quite everyone — the players themselves, I wager, will not be required to buy into this new financial reality (although perhaps John Terry’s mother and mother- in-law thought they would and were acting early accordingly!).

We head to Newcastle this weekend and I have to say, I hate going up there.

Not only is it virtually Scotland, but their supporters (the best in the country if you subscribe to the “Football Supporters Mythical Clichés Guide”) are completely delusional.

We need to be very wary though, as Newcastle are fighting for their Premiership status and are fast running out of games to save themselves.

These clubs are always difficult to play against and we need to establish ourselves early and score quickly — ideally at least two, which is obviously easier said than done — especially with our top scorer injured.

Either way, despite the very disappointing game against Tottenham we need to keep up the pressure on Liverpool, especially as Arsenal have picked up momentum as the season comes to a climax.

* Contact Trizia on [e-mail]