Is the Writing on the Wall Yet for Benitez? And does it say F*ck Off?

Terry: did not care to warm up and watch
from the bench.

It would have been a fitting end to his tenure at Chelsea, however it seems that Benitez has still managed to not be handed his P45 after what can only be described as an affair as limp* on the pitch as Raheem Sterling's wrist. *Other adjectives for the European Champions performance could include but are not limited to: turgid, abysmal, flat ... poo.


Since his opening match against City where both clubs drew to a 0-0 draw attempting to bore the 40,000 at Stamford Bridge into a comatose state, one would think that Benitez in all his tactical prowess would have bothered learning a thing or two about, at minimum, his opposition. Fielding an extremely defensive lineup against a team missing their best defender? Brilliant. It's almost like it was a lineup from a man who would make pointless substitutions in the 80th minute.

Even Frank Lampard, who's not put a step wrong since his campaign to embarrass the club into a (deserved) contract extension began missed his penalty. It was just not going to go Chelsea's way on Sunday, but they could have at least acted like they cared, if (and definitely) not for the 'manager', but for the fans, for each other, for the pay cheques they are only too happy to collect. The fight is gone on and off the pitch at the moment. Not to take anything away from City, but that was a display that anyone would probably like to extract from their memory. I may or may not have opted to drink until I could not feel feelings.


On a separate but related note, can we all just take a moment to talk about Demba Ba's face mask? He's certainly not the first to wear one - both Terry, and more recently Cech have opted for the super hero chic for a match. However, Ba has both name and number on his ... in case someone tries to take it? Because so many of the players are currently wearing it? Because a full on face mask would just look silly with out personalisation?

A lot has been said of the toxic atmosphere - but really it's more a widespread apathy. The supporters can't be bothered to go. And when they go, they can't be bothered to stand or sing. There's not much happening on the pitch to inspire it. Its not about the results, or even the manager - but the passion. It's gone. For a club that somehow fought their way to become the European Champions after finding themselves 3-1 down to Napoli, they fought. They fought for the club, for Di Matteo. These same men aren't willing to fight for Benitez. Of course the apathy is really a defense on the part of the supporters.

Demba Ba: Looking Cool

Chelsea have finally slipped to fourth in the league, and are somehow just in the Europa League and FA Cup. But if their performances continue on as they have in recent weeks, will they be able to hold onto any or all of those things? It's unlikely. Chelsea are fully entrenched in the predicted Rafastrophe. What's to come? Obviously only Roman knows. But if rumours are to be believed, Benitez days are now numbered with his very public row with Terry at Cobham on Monday.

There has been no manager to survive both a run of poor results, and an encounter with the captain. And Benitez will only have himself to blame here. Any incoming manager with half a brain would get Terry onside immediately - offer him up your wife if you have to. But if you've got Terry, you've got the dressing room and probably a little breathing room once you've been round out to be lacking in any sort of tactical knowledge at all. But like all the better men that have preceded him, Benitez benched Terry when Terry had decided he was fit enough to play. It was only a matter of time before it all blew up.

After all the nationals carried the story, it's obviously completely coincidental that Terry will start tomorrow night against high flying Middlesborough*. Benitez to not ever own up to any of his mistakes ever in the history of anyone's life has said Cahill has a 'virus', which means he has to play Terry. As long as he thinks he's won the battle ... we all believe that's the real reason Terry starts tomorrow.

Genuinely though, how much longer can this farce continue? Abramovich has to realise he's made a massive error here. It was one thing to hire someone who has fooled the media and many other supporters into thinking that Benitez isn't a complete f*ckwit who could not understand football the club less, but the poor results and even poorer performances? He's got to admit at some point this didn't work and cut his losses before Chelsea find themselves lucky to be in the Europa League this year. Billy McCullough would be doing a better job managing this lot than Benitez is right now.

For those of you Chelsea supporters on your way up to Boro - enjoy the subsidised travel, and the day out. Hopefully you'll get one of those now rare performances that wipe away the apathy, at least for the night. And for the players, prove the BBC wrong who've already scheduled Boro to face Manchester United in the next round. Play for the thousands that have made the mid-week trip up and forget about the lumbering figure on the touchline. You can always focus your bench attentions on Eva.

jb xx



*  Benitez: "Middlesborough is doing really well"
    Reality: Middlesborough have won one out of their last league matches