Avram Grant: sensible or senseless?

Avram Grant got away with his gamble of resting John Terry and Frank Lampard last night when Chelsea scrapped their way to a scratchy goalless draw away to Olympiacos.

The players, previously considered "untouchables" under Jose Mourinho, had to watch from the bench as their understudies struggled.

Grant, resembling "an old-fashioned American mobster such as Al Capone" in his black trench coat, according to Times reporter Matt Hughes, would have been relieved to come away with a result that leaves them with a good chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

But isn't the Israeli playing with fire? Hired by Roman Abramovich to provide expansive, entertaining football, Grant's team produced a performance as far away from the mission statement as Athens is from West London.

The pre-match understanding was that Lampard and Terry would return for the Carling Cup final against Tottenham on Sunday, when the manager will attempt to claim his first piece of silverware.

But last night he would offer no guarantees and it is no longer unthinkable that the duo will be on the bench again at Wembley.

So, what price a rejuvenated Spurs claiming the spoils?

What price Olympiacos making life difficult at the Bridge in a fortnight's time?

And what price Grant then finding himself in the middle of his first crisis at the club?

Grant - sensible or senseless? 

Comments

[Timothy Tanner]

Makalele, third in the league, in all four cups with only two defeats despite having to take over midway from a popular manager with a squad Grant didn't construct and you want to sack him due to an away draw?

I am sure you have won more then ten trophies and taken a mediocre national team to a formidable side that France couldn't beat in two goes so why hide behind a false name and reveal how great you really are to pass judgement of football sense on such a man.

[Blake-Ezra Cole]

'MAKALELE', you suggest sacking Grant and bringing in someone with 'some football sense'.

Records show he has done exactly as well as Mourinho did at the start of his tenure, just without all the unnecessary and distracting bravado displayed by the Portuguese.

Grant also took Israel, who having watched them many times are certainly not a high quality side, unbeaten through a World Cup qualifying group which included France and Ireland.

The man has sense and he also has quality. Nobody had ever really heard of Mr. Wenger when he showed up on these shores and in the same way Grant is steadily and progressively getting on with his job.

[makalele]

Chelski were crappy and for goodness sake Ballack was invisible but thanks to Maka who covered every inch of midfield and beyond we would have been sunk. Ballack is being loyal to Grant for being stand-in Captain (in the absence of Lamps). Lamps will score more goals than Ballack any season (place your bets). That team played good football???? Then I ought to have eaten a hat for their performance. Sack Grant in the summer and get a Coach with some football sense (instead of one who depends on a Ten-Cate). I don't see Chelski beyond the qtr-final. Remeber I said so and of cos, the Carling Cup (micky mouse cup) will be surrendered to Spurs. Win EPL if you can or leave honourably before your godson (Roman shows you the way out).Crock!!!

[esrael tesfaye]

what a great confidence from GRANT,the decision he took was right b/c lampard is not better than ballack.so to be honest lampard can not cover his midfield role from 2005. his skill become weak from 2005 up to now

[Gilbert Phiri]

Spot on Avram! I actually do not think John Terry is better than Alex or Ricardo. They are both better than him. I also think Lampard doesn't match up to Essien, Ballack, Makelele or even Mikel. The best way to look at it is ask oneself whether Lampard and Terry would even be in the Chelsea reserve team if they were not British pin-up boys!

[Simon]

The decision to rest Lampard and Terry was correct. We have a cup final to play on Sunday and they are key players. I would however have started with Wright-Phillips instead of Malouda and put Joey Cole on the left wing. There was no need to go out and win the game last night, it's a first leg and we played it as such. Bring on Spurs!

[loyaday]

yes his selection was right in hindsight, its the old rule win or draw ugly,and play another day at home.

[thabo]

Is good when he left Frank and Jt to satisfy Ibrahim for showing entertaining football,where is it?

[Matt]

What's the fuss? Last night Chelsea demonstrated what a class act they are in the first two thirds of the field. Possession was excellent, and passing and movement absolutely first rate. They did however clearly lack incision in the final third, and perhaps Drogba might have been replaced earlier after clearly pulling up with a slight injury. But Olymp. are no mugs especially on home soil. So a job well done I think. Well done Grant.