Footballtest

Why the new 4231 formation benefits Torres and how he can improve

2012-04-04T01:21:00.002-04:00

This article is the author's opinion and may or may not represent The Chelsea Pandemic as a team.

Ever since Chelsea adapted the 4231 formation, we have not only seen better results, but also an improve in form of one certain lad from sunny Spain.Torres.

Players such as Luiz & Torres are tailored for this style of play, and it's no coincidence that both of them are in their best form of the season. Torres's body language says it all too. He has literally sprung into life. He looks happier than ever before to get out there and play for the team, while paying back the trust RDM has shown in him through such selflessness. The resurgent of CFC's no. 9 is good for the team, the players, the fans and of course for his place at the Euros. If a non-CFC or rather a non-Torres fan would watch Torres play now, he would sit their with envy. Let's face it, people envy Torres because they know he was & will again be the worlds deadliest striker. It's always the world against us, remember?

Another point to note is that Torres is now a different kind of a player. Don't you think so? He has become sort of a Trequartista. More of an advanced form though. Perhaps he has invented a new formation & we are safe to call it the Torresquartista!! Maybe, just maybe it may make a good name for a baby girl, or maybe not. But my point is, he has benefited from our style of play nevertheless. His passing has improved along with his movements(for which I credit AVB.) The only thing he needs to get right is his positioning. He seems to be off-position a lot. He drifts wide and comes out to collect the ball way often than necessary rather than wait for THAT through ball we all wish our midfielders would provide. Look at Chicarito for an example.For a player who is not very good technically is still able to score many goals because of his clever positioning.

If only could Torres get that right...he would start scoring left, right and centre or rather the newly famed chant "he scores when he wants" would now do complete justice.

Now let me tell you all a little secret. I have criticized Torres before in the hopes of him playing well and so far it has worked at times. Thats the silly superstition I have and am pretty sure most of you have sillier ones too! Hey, we are football fans and that's how we roll!

Sound off in the comments below on your superstitions, opinions and wether or not the 4231 formation has improved El Niño.

About the author: Veron - Hey all am the founder & creator of TCP, been a fan of the Chels since the late 90s and I hope to provide you some news on our club! Thanks & Follow me on Twitter !

Why I Believe Roberto Di Matteo Is Perfect For Chelsea

2012-04-04T01:03:00.000-04:00

This article is the author's opinion which may or may not be represent The Chelsea Pandemic as a team

One of the most speculated things in the football world is who will be the next manager of Chelsea Football Club. From Jose Mourinho to Pep Guardiola and everyone in between has been rumored to be coming to Stamford Bridge but few have considered the fact that maybe, just maybe the Perfect Manager is already here.
Roberto Di Matteo is not a big name. He is not a Legend, maybe not even a legend in the making but he has many qualities that fit the unique requirements that Chelsea demand. For one he has experience in the Premier League. Granted, it’s not the best we’ve ever seen but everyone has to start somewhere and he did an ok job at West Brom before being fired and they weren’t relegated under his watch. But this isn’t the reason that he should be considered our permanent manager. Here are just SOME of the reasons that Di Matteo should be given a fair chance.

He’s a former player who deeply loves Chelsea. He has the chance to be our very own Pep. Folks tend to forget that Guardiola was a controversial choice because a lot of people at Barcelona wanted to choose Jose Mourinho who was at that time a far more established coach. Would history have been as kind to Barcelona if they took the “safe” route everyone demanded? I highly doubt it.

Another reason that Di Matteo should be considered is that he can manage our volatile dressing room which is no easy feat as the litter of dead bodies can testify too. Chelsea is well known for having head strong, some would say stubborn, players who love power and know how to use it ruthlessly. They will not hesitate to let both the manager and the media know when they feel something is not up to their high standards and are not impressed with CV’s or resumes. THEY are the ones who are ultimately in control. Di Matteo has so far shown the ability to allow the players to feel they still are in control but he still changes things how he sees fit. That is diplomacy at its finest.

A most crucial thing that MUST be considered is the reactions of and relations with the British Media. When it comes to Chelsea Football Club they are brutal. Any manager of Chelsea must be calm with the media and don’t get caught up with battling them. Even if you win the battle with them, which is rare, you’ll never win the war. The media always sabotages Chelsea at every turn so you have to learn to let things roll off you back (something Villas Boas had trouble doing). So far, Roberto Di Matteo has shown not to let them get under his skin even when they try to bait him at every turn.

Lastly and the most important reason is that Di Matteo should get the job is that Chelsea can’t afford a high profile coach. With Financial Fair Play (FFP) already in effect and the club deeply in the hole it would be foolish to get into even more debt over a manager and not a quality player that we need to upgrade the squad. I’m not saying that managers don’t matter because clearly they do, but that shouldn’t be our main focus. No manager at Chelsea has full control over the team. Never have and they never will unless Roman Abramovich gets bored so we need someone who understands that and is ready to deal with those unique (some say impossibly stressful) circumstances. You will get players you never asked for and don’t really want. Roman will pop up to ask random questions or just to watch. The Board is for the most part useless, dysfunctional and predatory. I could go on and on but you get the point. Unless all these things are ready to be changed not many top name managers will be knocking down our door any time soon. Chelsea need a manager and relatively quickly with the shortened offseason due to the Euro’s and we also need to upgrade our squad. Now is the time to cross one thing off our long list and give the job to the manager who is uniquely qualified to take on this huge responsibility and that man is Roberto Di Matteo.

I would love to hear your thoughts so leave a comment and please feel free to share this article. Thank you.

WHY I BELIEVE ROBERTO DI MATTEO IS PERFECT FOR CHELSEA

2012-04-01T21:18:00.004-04:00

One of the most speculated things in the football world is who will be the next manager of Chelsea Football Club. From Jose Mourinho to Pep Guardialoa and everyone in between has been rumored to be coming to Stamford Bridge but few have considered the fact that maybe, just maybe the Perfect Manager is already here.

Roberto Di Matteo is not a big name. He is not a Legend, maybe not even a legend in the making but he has many qualities that fit the unique requirements that Chelsea demand. For one he has experience in the Premier League. Granted, it’s not the best we’ve ever seen but everyone has to start somewhere and he did an ok job at West Brom before being fired and they weren’t relegated under his watch. But this isn’t the reason that he should be considered our permanent manager of course.

Sourcing the way forward.

TEST

2012-02-01T02:18:00.000-05:00

TES

Trophies

2012-01-01T21:23:00.000-05:00

Domestic Titles

First Division/Premier League

§ Winners (4): 1954-55, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10

§ Runners-up (4): 2003-04, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2010-11

Second Division

§ Winners (2): 1983-84, 1988-89

§ Runners-up (5): 1906-07, 1911-12, 1929-30, 1962-63, 1976-77

FA Cup

§ Winners (6): 1969-70, 1996-97, 1999-00, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10

§ Runners-up (4): 1914-15, 1966-67, 1993-94, 2001-02

Football League Cup

§ Winners (4): 1964-65, 1997-98, 2004-05, 2006-07

§ Runners-up (2): 1971-72, 2007-08

FA Community Shield

§ Winners (4): 1955, 2000, 2005, 2009

§ Runners-up (5): 1970, 1997, 2006, 2007, 2010

Full Members Cup

§ Winners (2): 1985-86, 1989-90

European Titles

UEFA Champions League

§ Runners-up (1): 2007-08

UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup

§ Winners (2): 1970-71, 1997-98

UEFA SUPER CUP

§ Winners (1): 1998

2012-01-01T17:40:00.000-05:00

Opponents	Result	Ground
Aston-Villa	4-2 W	Villa Park
Swansea	4-1 W	Stamford Bridge

August
13 Stoke (A) FT 0-0 D
20 West Brom (H) FT 2-1 W
27 Norwich (H)FT 3-1 W

September
10 Sunderland (A)FT 2-1 W
17 Man Utd (A)FT 1-3 L
24 Swansea (H)FT 4-1 W

October
1 Bolton (A)FT 5-1 W
15 Everton (H)FT 3-1 W
22 QPR (A)FT 0-1 L
29 Arsenal (H)FT 3-5 L

November
5 Blackburn (A)FT 1-0 W
19 Liverpool (H)FT 1-2 L
26 Wolverhampton (H) FT 3-0 W

December
3 Newcastle (A) FT 3-0 W
12 Man City (H) FT 2-1 W
17 Wigan (A) FT 1-1 D
20 Tottenham (A) FT 1-1 D
26 Fulham (H) FT 1-1 D
31 Aston Villa (H) FT 1-3 L

January
2 Wolverhampton (A) FT 2-1 W
14 Sunderland (H) FT 1-0 W
21 Norwich (A) FT 0-0 D
31 Swansea (A) FT 1-1 D

February
4 Man Utd (H)
11 Everton (A)
25 Bolton (H)

March
3 West Brom (A)
10 Stoke (H)
17 Man City (A)
24 Tottenham (H)
31 Aston Villa (A)

April
7 Wigan (H)
9 Fulham (A)
14 Newcastle (H)
21 Arsenal (A)
28 QPR (H)

May
5 Liverpool (A)
13 Blackburn (H)