Who are the media expecting to take charge at the Bridge?

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chickendinner have our ears locked firmly to the ground in order to pass on all the latest whispers about who will succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge. However, as our round-up below shows, it’s hard to rule anyone out:

Sky Sports say that either Guus Hiddink or Avram Grant will be hired within 24 hours
[Sky Sports]

But in Russia they are “200 percent” certain Hiddink will stay put
[Setanta Sports]

Elsewhere there are reports Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke will be appointed by this afternoon
[sport.co.uk]

Former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard will consider any approach from the Blues
[Sporting Life]

While Roberto Mancini was spotted boarding a tube near Chelsea recently
[The Spoiler]

Posted: February 10th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

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 | Add Comment

How badly have Chelsea been hit by Steve Clarke’s exit?

chickendinner test out the theory of some Chelsea fans

A chickendinner contributor watched Arsenal inflict Chelsea’s second home defeat of the season last month in a pub filled with Blues fans and was interested to hear many of them claim that the club’s season went into decline the moment Steve Clarke left for West Ham. That theory seems to carry even more weight after Clarke’s new side became the latest club to leave Stamford Bridge with a share of the points so chickendinner have decided to look at Chelsea’s with and post-Clarke league performance to see how much of a difference there has been:

Last seven home league games with Steve Clarke
Wins: 4 (Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Manchester United, Portsmouth)
Draws: 3 (Wigan, Bolton, Tottenham)
Losses: 0
Points per game: 2.14

Seven home league games since Steve Clarke left

Posted: December 17th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

West Ham look to exploit Chelsea’s home disadvantage

Chelsea/West Ham, 4pm Sun, Sky Sports 1, Best Odds, Free Bets

Gianfranco Zola returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time as a manager this Sunday alongside assistant Steve Clarke, who probably wishes he never left the title favourites for a relegation battle at West Ham. The Hammers took a point at Anfield a fortnight ago and will take heart from Chelsea’s poor home form but they are 16/1 with 888sport and Boylesports and are unlikely to travel back across London with any points on board. Here are all the key facts:

HOME DISADVANTAGE
Both Chelsea and West Ham have taken more points on the road than they have at home in recent times. This season Chelsea have taken a maximum of 24 points on their travels while picking up just half of that (12) from the same number of home games, winning just three of six. West Ham have taken eight points from their last six away games, which is double what they have taken from their last six at the Boleyn.

SLENDER MARGINS
Whereas Chelsea have scored eleven goals in their last three visits to the Boleyn, they tend to have to battle harder for the three points at Stamford Bridge. Last season it took a 75th minute from Joe Cole to sink their local rivals and on three of the last four occasions the tie has finished 1-0 to the Blues. Betfair offer 7.6 on Sunday’s encounter again ending 1-0.

CUDICINI EDGES CECH

Posted: December 13th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment