They Don't Like It Up Them

Two things for certain are that Arsenal have to play a potentially hard and energy sapping semi-final no matter who they draw, only a few days before a crunching London derby at Stamford Bridge and secondly the match Man Utd v Chelsea now cannot be played as the fixture falls on semi-final weekend which is 16th/17th April. Now assuming Chelsea reach the semi-finals of the Champions League the earliest date that this game can be played would be week commencing Monday 9th May or week commencing Monday 16th May. In the event that Chelsea are knocked out (no doubt the whole country will be rooting for this to happen) the game can be played either week commencing Monday 25th April or week commencing Monday 2nd May.

Whatever date the Man Utd game is scheduled for I fully expect Chelsea to take all twelve points from the games leading up to the clash with Arsenal. Games against WBA, Crystal Palace both at home, Southampton away and finally Birmingham City at home. With twelve points in the bag and with six games to play for a total of eighteen points and with an eight point lead aready in situ, the title will almost be touchable, kissable and the celebrations can start in earnest.

COME ON CHELSEA!

Poor old Anders Frisk. Now blaming our beloved Jose Mourinho for forcing him to retire. Nothing to do with his rubbish refereeing decisions and its ironic that Frisk has decided to call it a day, whilst UEFA are waiting for Chelsea's report regarding the alleged visit to his room by the Dutch World Cup spitter Rijkaard. Wasn't it Frisk who was cut above the eye when officiating Roma's Champions League group game in the Olympic Stadium? That should have been the time to quit! Not now after a few words and criticism's . Death threats. Now they may be true and although they cannot be condoned unless proof is established no-one is going to show the Swedish one any sympathy.

It seems the whole world and his dog is blaming JM for something or another. Why not blame him as well for the way the country is being run. Might as well, as JM is getting hit with flack from all sides. Even Mr A our generous benefactor is starting to come into unfair and unwarranted criticism. So what if he has got a few 'bob'. So what if he wants to invest it, spend it on a football club. According to one hack. Chelsea have bought the Carling Cup, Chelsea are buying the Premiership and if Chelsea win it, buying the Champions League. So what!! At the end of the day, without Mr A's dough, Chelsea will be doing a 'Leeds' and plenty of other clubs will not have received the money that they had when securing services of their players. Money makes the world go round and in certain circumstances keeps other clubs alive.

The trouble with being successful in this country, is that everybody hates a winner. This country can never get behind a team or individual that is successful especially if that individual is from a foreign land. The footballing establishment has been turned on its head by the appointment of JM. The establishment do not like it, because they cannot deal with it. JM speaks from the hip, says what he means and means what he says. He is a winner. He is passionate about winning. For JM, losing in not an option. For the last five years he has been a winner at Porto - League titles, Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League. He came to this country to prove his mettle and his worth, and by God is he proving himself? Already secured himself the Carling Cup, on course for the Premiership and floating gently in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

As Cpl Jones in Dad's Army would say 'THEY DON'T LIKE IT UP THEM.'