Grant lets rip leaving Fulham near the drop
By Henry Winter
Sport.Telegraph, 2nd January 2008
It is difficult to warm to Avram Grant, a cold fish of Arctic salmon
proportions, but Chelsea's cheerless manager made two key moves at
half-time that turned the tide away from Fulham down by the Thames
yesterday.
With Fulham responding enthusiastically to Roy Hodgson's command, and
leading through a penalty from the outstanding Danny Murphy, Grant let
rip at his shrinking violets in the dressing room. "I was not happy,"
said Grant, admitting a surprising volatility. "If I can break a chair,
I will."
Chelsea's manager just needed to break his players' lethargic mood.
Grant's invective, which Michael Ballack confirmed had been a "bit
loud", shook up Ballack and company and a tactical switch gave Chelsea
greater direction.
John Obi Mikel replaced the markedly ineffectual Steve Sidwell, allowing
Michael Essien to join Ballack in raiding forward. Asked whether it had
been his idea to make the change, Grant replied: "It was the decision
of the owner [Roman Abramovich] to bring Mikel on." Such are the complex
politics of life at Chelsea, Grant stressed: "No, it was my decision!"
The perception of the Israeli as Abramovich's puppet is overstated, and
Grant deserves credit for the transformation. "They were more determined,
and played better football," said Grant. Salomon Kalou swiftly equalised
before a revitalised Ballack made it 10 points from the four-game festive
period.
With so many driving forces like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier
Drogba injured, Ballack's return to fitness and form is well timed. "We
have leaders here, but Ballack has spent all his life as captain, even
with Germany, and now here," observed Grant.
For Fulham, the New Year simply brought a reminder of old woes, notably a
brittle confidence and paucity of options. Of the 37 Premier League goals
they have conceded, 30 have arrived after the break. Fulham have now
dropped 22 points from winning positions.
Signs of hope exist, such as the promising full-back Elliot Omozusi, the
industry of Murphy and Simon Davies plus the potential goal threat of
David Healy, but the malaise of throwing away leads must be cured.
After 32 years in management, Hodgson has the experience and knowledge to
tackle the task, although he will require substantial funds to strengthen
during the transfer window.
"If there are players who can make us better, we would be interested,"
said Hodgson. "We are missing a lot of first-team players, who will make
the team stronger. And if Jimmy Bullard and Brian McBride can come back
in January, they will be like new signings for us.
"It is pretty obvious the balance isn't quite right; we have a lot of
similar-type players. We knew we would be in danger of set-plays because
we are quite a small team and Chelsea are strong and robust. I did not
come into the job naively. I don't think I was appointed naively. We must
just get on with the work."
Hodgson has endured darker moments, such as at Bristol City. "I was not
sacked there," he recalled, "but I was made a 10p-in-the-pound creditor
when they went out of business. That was such an obvious relegation
situation when we were playing with eight juniors, two reserves and one
full professional."
Fulham's resources are stronger than that, but they needed more than a
half of Murphy to sustain them yesterday. Embodying Fulham's early promise,
Murphy had torn into Chelsea, rattling into tackles on Ballack, Sidwell
and Essien in quick succession.
Stirred by Murphy, Fulham's heightened tempo brought quick reward. After
10 minutes, Moritz Volz stormed into Chelsea's area, eluding the sluggish
Wayne Bridge before being caught by Joe Cole. Mark Halsey pointed to the
spot and Murphy did the rest.
Chelsea were as insipid as Fulham were inspired. The visitors' typically
vocal contingent cannot have been impressed by the sight of Juliano Belletti
pulling out of a tackle as Davies thundered in. Fulham seemed to want
victory more. But only for 45 minutes.
Half-time brought a turnaround in every sense. Life drained away from
Murphy and Fulham. Gone were the busy ambush parties. Gone were the quick
attacks. Chelsea accepted the space and the opportunity gratefully and
raced forward, with Mikel anchoring.
Within nine minutes, Chelsea had the goal their raised intensity deserved.
Shaun Wright-Phillips' corner-taking had been consistently poor, so
Belletti assumed responsibility. His first delivery flew to Alex, unmarked.
The Brazilian firmly headed back across to Kalou, who stole in front of
Volz to nod home.
Victory duly arrived when Ballack fell to the ground after his shirt was
tugged by Clint Dempsey. The German jumped up and slotted the ball low
and hard past Antti Niemi.
Hodgson rang the changes, introducing Seol Ki-Hyeon, Alexei Smertin and
Healy but, with Mikel shielding the back four so diligently, Fulham could
not break through. "There was no lack of fighting spirit, but we need
points," said Hodgson.
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