Does Chelsea’s recent record vindicate the fans who want Steve Clarke as manager?

The stats suggest it’s all gone downhill since the number two quit

Last month chickendinner examined the theory held by some Chelsea fans that their season entered a decline when assistant manager Steve Clarke left for West Ham in September. At that stage, our research showed that while their home form was far worse without the number two, Chelsea’s respectable away form dented the theory somewhat. However, we suggested that their record on the road was boosted by the fact they had yet to play any of last season’s top six so after recent visits to Everton and Manchester United, it seems like a good time to re-examine the state of play:

Steve Clarke’s last seventeen league games at Chelsea
Wins: 11
Draws: 6
Losses: 0
Points per game: 2.29

The seventeen league games since Steve Clarke left
Wins: 9
Draws: 5
Losses: 3
Points per game: 1.88

*For these statistics, the away game against Manchester City that occurred two days after Steve Clarke’s resignation was tendered has been ignored. The reason for this is that he wasn’t involved on the matchday but was almost certainly involved in the preparation.*

Posted: January 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn |