Teams were now coming and "parking the bus" in front of the goal. Deco had lost his early season good form, the defence started to look shaky and we struggled for goals.
No better time for a struggling Arsenal side to make their visit to Stamford Bridge. The confused Chelsea side still controlled much of the game but Arsenal saw their chance and took it.
Chelsea lost another game at Stamford Bridge. So much for the Fortress!
Since then, Chelsea have managed to win one home game (vs West Brom).
What is this major flaw im talking about then?
Im sure you remember the way Ranieri selected and played Jokanovic. I can still remember hearing the boos ringing out game after game as he made error after error. Yet Ranieri still picked him and played him.
Then remember Hasselbaink. Yes, he scored some great goals, but in many games he was ineffective and lazy as he walked around moaning. It was like us playing with 10 men in each of those games, yet Ranieri would never sub him.
One of the first things Mourinho did was to ship Hasselbaink out and bring in Drogba and the rest is history.
Why am I mentioning all this? Well, because there are similarities between Ranieri and Scolari.
Scolari brings many attributes to our game, but we need to win and Scolari needs to get a grip on his tactics and subs. Scolari needs to pick the right type of player for the game ahead, and cease giving Deco preferential treatment.
Maybe then Deco will up his game and show us the things he is capable of.
If us fans are getting frustrated by the way Deco keeps giving the ball away, I can tell you, you can bet for sure that his team mates are too. And the guys sitting on the bench watching this happen are not going to be impressed by their coach the longer this goes on as you can bet for sure it will start to breed disharmony in the camp.
One can point towards the departure of assistant coach Steve Clarke as the turning point in our season so far.
He provided the much-needed insight on English football. Although Wilkins does that just fine, what Clarke was doing was highlighting the opposition's strong points and weaknesses. This helped Scolari focus on getting his team playing good, attacking football and the same he was getting all the information needed before each game.
Ray Wilkins more or less acts as a translator and I wouldn't be surprised if all did was convey the message in good English when Scolari struggles to do so.
What am I saying really?
Scolari needs to identify and execute a plan B. The lack of pace in the side was already a worry and if we fans can see it, why in Gods name, can't Scolari?
I appreciate the fact that we couldn't get Robinho but if Deco isn't going to show the will to put in a respecable effort, then bench him.
He isn't untouchable, nobody is.
Make-shift Solution:
Sit Deco on the bench. Sit Ballack on the bench. Play Scott Sinclair. Sell Malouda because he is about as useless as you can get.
Play Drogba and Anelka together already! Enough of the excuses and put them on the pitch together. I fail to understand why it has to be one or the other, their styles compliment eachother.
Again, if we fans can see it crystal clear, why in Gods name, can't Scolari?
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