No Luck, Just Magic Juande

The BBC website ran a story this week about how many superstitions Spurs Head Coach Juande Ramos has.  Perhaps he relies on the Napoleon dictum of “Don’t bring me good generals, bring me lucky ones.”

But there is more to Juande Ramos than good fortune.

When Chelsea fans are asked about this game, they might well say Mickey Mouse Cup.  They might well say the wrong players were played in the wrong places.  They might well say that Spurs were lucky with a penalty and a advantageous bounce of the ball for the second goal.  Some might say well played and you deserved it (as one Chelsea supporter said to me).

But the real reason behind this victory comes from a self-confident belief in being able to best the top teams as well as all others.  That is the key change Ramos has made to Martin Jol’s team. 

The second difference is fitness.  While we let in a last minute equaliser against Manchester United recently, the way the players are able to function throughout 90 minutes will help their concentration in the latter stages of a match.  Here, they kept focused for 120 minutes and Jermaine Jenas’ surging run deep into the second period of extra time showed he has benefited more than most.

Having only been at the club for four months, Ramos has turned things around quickly.  Helped by a transfer window in the middle of his tenure, the Spaniard has identified where we need players and the right players to fill those slots.  Rather than spend a huge amount on personnel that you do not necessarily want (i.e. Stewart Downing, if we are to believe what we read in some papers), better to buy ones you want now and wait for the others.  The summer will no doubt see Juande move into the transfer market to strengthen the squad.

His tactical nous proved too much for Avram Grant.  Chelsea played within themselves, but several of their fans confided in me that they had not been playing well for a while; content to grind out results rather than display the flowing football that they were supposed to be playing under the new manager.  With big name players banging on the door to play, he might have ceded to their requests at the expense of those who were in better form.  Certainly Lampard was the average player he is for England, while Anelka shunting onto the left wing helped Spurs more then the Blues.

The quick start almost caught Chelsea napping and the missed chances seemed as though they might cost us when Drogba planted the ball into a big open area of net that Tottenham had left unguarded.

But a half-time switch of Lennon to the left wing and Huddlestone coming on after 60 minutes for Chimbonda, altered Tottenham’s attacking options and pushed Chelsea back.  Bridge clearly handled and not surprisingly Halsey had to rely on his assistant to put his flag across his chest to give Spurs a penalty.  Berbatov strolled up to the ball while all our hearts were bouncing out of our chests.  Cech dived, Berbatov scored and the Tottenham end erupted.

Some nervy moments at both ends saw Spurs have the better of it, but extra time was to be played with Ledley King not having managed 90 minutes for six weeks, let alone another half hour.  But he linked so well with Woodgate on their first match together that they made sure there was no need to worry at the back.  In fact, the new central defender found time to go up for a corner and head home off a rebound from Cech’s gloves to give Tottenham the lead.

Hearts were in mouths once more when Robbie Keane was replaced by Younes Kaboul.  Not, you understand, because the French defender would cause our demise, but going five at the back would only invite Chelsea onto them and build the pressure at the wrong end.  But it was a shrewd move.  The Pensioners launched long ball after long ball and even the introduction of Joe Cole failed to see him in the game enough to thread his way through the Tottenham defence. 

With Lennon playing just behind the lone striker Berbatov gave Spurs a threat on the break, as Jenas supported from midfield.  This kept Chelsea on their toes at the back and allowed breaks on goal.  Zokora was through and wasted a pass intended for Lennon, much as he had failed to beat Cech in the second half of normal time.  Robinson saved well from Kalou and the defence held out until Halsey blew the final whistle.  Nerve-racking, but enjoyable in the end.

The celebrations might have been considered a bit over the top for a League Cup victory, but being the first non-top four side to lift silverware since 2004 and our first trophy in nine years justifies that.  And the way it came about; well earned against a top four side and in a manner that it was the right result, means that it might not be that long before it happens again.

When I jumped into my car that morning to leave for Wembley, my mileage since I finished work on Friday was 77.7.  On my way to getting the train, I saw five magpies together.  Five for silver, as the old rhyme goes.

Am I superstitious ?  No, just feeling magic.

Wyart Lane
My Eyes Have Seen The Glory
www.mehstg.com

Comments

[Wyart Lane]

Thanks Rob. I could have done it the night of the game, but it wouldn't have made a lot of sense !!
I thought a more reasoned effort when I had calmed down might be more in order !!

[Rob]

Nice match report. Few days late, though.