Stuttering to the Top

So, AVB's Chelsea have played 3 matches: drawing away at Stoke 0-0, and beating W.B.A. and Norwich City at the Bridge 2-1 and 3-1, respectively. At the end of the match against Norwich, the Mighty Blues were at the summit of the EPL, only for Liverpool to climb back having beaten Bolton 3-1 at Anfield. Also, United and City have yet to play their 3rd matches, so we could yet be pushed back down to 4th, but really who cares at this point?

What may be more of a concern is that we have pretty much struggled to dominate teams that, while physical and well-organized, really are not in our class. Stoke away was understandable, but WBA and Norwich at the Bridge I have to say I was expecting more. I did not see the well-organized Chelsea that dominated teams, nay bullied them, under the tutorship of Jose Mourinho. I know, I've fallen into the same trap as most who compare AVB to the Special One, but I am of the opinion that their footballing philosophies are similar. One thing I have to admit is that while Hilario has filled in admirably and made some good stops, he is no Petr Cech, and maybe the 2 goals we have conceded have come down to this a little bit; certainly the latest one against Norwich was his fault. But while defense has not been as solid as I would have liked, it is up front where we are really missing fluidity that we had under Carlo.

I guess AVB is going to need some time to get his ideas across, and for key men like Drogba, Torres, Malouda and Lampard to find their feet at a high competitive level. What I will say though is that in Juan Manuel Mata, Chelsea has found the proper "#10" that we have been missing since Franco Zola. I won't weigh him down with superfluous expectations just yet, but you know how you can just tell if you've seen something a bit special? Well, in the short amount of time he was on the pitch for Chelsea against Norwich City he exhibited all the qualities you want to see: liveliness, give-and-go, making himself available, speedy up the wing, nice cross from the wing for Nando, long and accurate through ball over the top to put Nic through, speed of thought to sniff out Norwich misplaced defensive pass, and cool head and immaculate control to roll ball inside far post for Chelsea's 3rd to calm the nerves. I don't think he could have done much better, in all honesty. Consider me sold. Now, AVB needs to think who sits for this man because he certainly cannot sit.

I cannot close without saying anything about the Drogba incident. My heart was in my mouth when I saw the incident first time and then the multitude of times in slow motion. I don't want to say anymore about the gruesome details, suffice it to say I did not know what to think in terms of the seriousness of the situation. I am just glad he has passed his first test and been released from hospital. Now we just have to hope and pray for the best that his "mild concussion" does not have any lasting implications. Our thoughts are with you Didier.