The Battle of Stamford Bridge

Things aren't too rosy at Fulham Broadway, it seems. The back of the Evening Standard made entertaining reading today, running the headline 'Chelsea stars losing confidence in Grant' in reference to manager Avram being out of his depth by some distance. The only surprise is that anybody didn't make this assertion instantly upon his appointment.

I've already made the comparison on this blog between Grant and Spurs boss Juande Ramos since both were appointed early this season. It seems that Chelsea players and fans are finally asking the very same question.

Grant has shown nothing to suggest he has a clue what he's doing at Stamford Bridge. As discussed on this week's Football Weekly podcast from The Guardian, Grant's Chelsea have played Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea... and not scored a single goal. The myth-making about Grant 'proving his doubters wrong' is just that. He took on a team with a few world class players, and a few good results and general reasonable form is only to be expected. He has achieved a grand total of nothing at Chelsea, and the players are wising to it.

Still, the players' attitude is, as usual with Chelsea, questionable in the extreme. There's been much coverage of a row between coach Henk Ten Cate and John Terry (pictured getting a much-deserved kick in the chops, from The Sun) and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole have thrown their toys out of the pram, as has Frank Lampard recently. Their dispicable behaviour does not end on the pitch, it seems.

Whichever camp has your sympathy, there is no denying that Stamford Bridge is besieged by tension and in-fighting. Long may it continue.