The L Word - Let's Be Clear

Normally; it is only when things go spectacularly wrong that changes are made. Necessary ones.

There is nothing normal about our club. Only when things went spectacularly right were changes made that move in the right direction; a move towards an elegant style of football with proponents of the old bulldozing system moving on.

There was nothing normal about our Champions League win it was backs to the wall in games against superior opposition. We tried the same in Turin; but in those games we had a focal point up front in the peerless Didier Drogba (who may rescue us again!) and none of their attempts had deflections that wrong footed the keeper.

Cech was top notch in Turin but it just was not meant to be for him. I was at work; obviously in a sullen mood after the events of last night. Then a co-worker came up to me and asked me,

'Now who?'.

He had done the same thing to me when AVB went in March; but despite backing AVB then I was expecting that to happen. This was inconceivable,

'Now who what?'

'Oh you dont know? Di Matteo sacked. Hahahaha'

An article on another Chelsea website details the tactical changes that led to this and I agreed with his analysis. Playing the 'Mazacar' trio has cost us it says. Indirectly. The article doesn`t need to mention the phantom up front or Luiz at the back. We all know. Barca in Blue? Barca never played the 4-2-3-1. What we were playing was similar to Madrid with 4 attacking players; wing backs with the left more prone to get forward; a pivot. Madrid's system is a success. And it is not because of the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The key to that success is the pivot. Xavi Alonso (sometimes Luka Modric) and one of Khedira or Essien (yes him) and formerly Lassana Diarra and even Fabio Coentrao. We play Mikel and Ramires. Madrid play Di Maria; Ozil and Ronaldo ahead of this pivot. NONE of them likes to defend. Still they concede less goals than us. You blame the defense? But where do you see Madrid concede from cut-backs across the face of goal?

I think I mentioned this in the comments section - we cannot handle pace in midfield; especially if the pace includes accomplished footballing ability. Vidal and Fernandinho were brilliant against us in each leg of their games. With such a thin squad in midfield; I wonder what the new manager will do?

We clearly need some presence in midfield and a signing like Fellaini is starting to make sense to me now. Someone who can be of use all over the pitch and not just in the defensive third, OR, we can just try to outscore the opposition.

With the options we have that isn`t going to happen.

Lastly let us look at Rafa Benitez. I will start by saying he is not my preferred choice. Far from it. I think only a Mourinho or a Hiddink can fix our situation. Guardiola needs to have experience in a second club before he can be called a top manager. Yes he proved to be a fantastic motivator; but he will fail at our club. For his good I hope he stays away.

Benitez has his pros. The cons have been debated - fall outs / cliques / doesn`t scout well / history. What does Benitez have in his favor? He was a brilliant cup manager. That you cannot deny. That means he is tactically astute. We need someone to use what we have. That Benitez can do. And no - I don`t think he can get Fernando Torres firing again. It has been an eventful 24 hours hasn`t it.

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