By dixon9
March 27 2012

The unexpected bore fest against Spurs at the weekend and the lack of urgency demonstrated by the players in blue shirts on the Stamford Bridge turf really has caused a black cloud to loom over optimistic thoughts of our prospects for the end of the season.  Corrupt as it may be, a decent performance away to Benfica in this competition will at least give recently suffering Chelsea supporters a small lift before the weekend away to Villa.

As we threaded our way through the crowded streets of SW6 after the game on Saturday, I found myself wondering why we had just witnessed such an insipid, uninspiring performance.  Was the boost experienced by players during Di Matteo’s honeymoon period now over?  Did this time just serve to cover up the intrinsic problems which ultimately caused the sacking of one of Europe’s youngest, promising managers?  Are too many of the players just getting too old and unable to maintain top level performances for a whole season?  We know they ARE capable when the chips are down (what a night at home to Napoli!)  But was this due to a mixture of their own quality and an ingrained determination planted by a certain Senor Mourinho which is still able to come to the surface even now?  Poor tactics?  Poor management?  Woeful planning by the “committee” which has been targeting which players to buy and sell during recent seasons?

It may take some time before these questions can be answered, in the meantime, we need to somehow make sure we have Champions League football next season by either finishing in the top 4 or actually win Ol "Big Ears"!  The former is reliant on the continuing capitulation in the league of that club in north London with whom we’ve always had such a friendly relationship (cough!), and the latter, by top level player performances coupled with fair, unbiased refereeing in Europe by officials who aren’t constantly nagged by the wishes of UEFA and their sponsors with regard to which clubs they want the masses to tune their televisions into for the final.  Doesn’t look good does it? 

Personally, I think our best chance is by achieving it in the league, but then again, the “glorious unpredictability” of our beloved club may well see us do it via the other route! (Wibble!)

The possibilities of attracting the players we need in the summer also hinges on a degree of success this season, then again, a season without CL football would at least enable us to shed some of the glory hunters as well as giving us some unusual and interesting European away trips.

“Not as good as we used to be” says Frank.  He’s right of course, but for the sake of the supporters and some of group of current players who have came close yet so far, so often, let’s force one last hurrah.

Come on Chels!