Grant calls for play-off to sort out title rivals
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Chelsea manager says goals should not decide outcome
Avram Grant said last night that Chelsea have been playing "the best football" over the Premier League run-in, though he conceded also that his side could end up losing the title on goal difference with the Israeli, albeit optimistically, suggesting the trophy should be decided in a play-off match if the top two finish level on points.
Chelsea host Bolton Wanderers tomorrow conscious that Manchester United must drop points at Wigan if the London club are to stand any realistic chance of regaining the title given that they begin the day with a goal difference 17 worse than that of the league leaders. Grant has long been aware that such a gulf was effectively unbridgeable and insisted that a winner-takes-all play-off, a system used in Italy until two years ago, would be a fairer way of determining the champions.
"Of course I have an interest in saying this now but I liked the system in Italy," said Grant. "They played a play-off match if they were level and the title was decided like that. It is a better way, so ask the Premier League to change to this.
I remember after the game against Derby County, which we won 6-1, saying to one of my players that I was disappointed because I wanted us to score more goals. He said: 'Why do you say that? We've scored six.' But I said it might be important at the end of the season. He came up to me last week and said: 'How did you know?'"
Grant, much maligned not least at times by the home supporters at Stamford Bridge, can justifiably survey the campaign with satisfaction and, having promised a more attack-minded approach upon taking up the reins last September, can even point to more entertaining displays in recent weeks.
"The doubts people had at the beginning were very reasonable but even a big coach has to be judged by his results. That's how I want people to judge me and I think those results have been good.
People called it 'boring Chelsea' before but I don't think this team played boring football over the last three years. Our first priority when I took over was to make history by reaching the final of the Champions League. But now we are here in the Premiership, we want to win this too.
"We will know from the reaction of the fans what is happening at Wigan. Everybody will be watching that game - it's more interesting, it's in the spotlight. The pitch will be ready, Wigan will be ready, everything will be ready. They've fought hard at home and have not lost there this year, drawing with Arsenal and fighting to the last moment here against us. So let's see what happens."
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AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH....
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fark him.... he wont say tat if he's in man u's position... 36 more hrs and we'll know who will be crowned champions
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i agree with him but not for this season.
maybe they should change the rules from next season.
but then the purpose of the present rule is to encourage teams to attack and score more goals.
SAF certainly had the foresight to know that it might end up like this.
chelsea have themselves to blame. they spent a lot of money but their attack are not as potent as man u's.
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if chelsea won the title, it would be great injustice to the ppl who watch epl.
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this is crap. if manu wins, it goes to show that they have scored more goals thus in a way better than chelsea
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man u scores the most goals and concedes the least...they are more worthy champion than chelsea
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Originally posted by dragg:
i agree with him but not for this season.
maybe they should change the rules from next season.
but then the purpose of the present rule is to encourage teams to attack and score more goals.
SAF certainly had the foresight to know that it might end up like this.
chelsea have themselves to blame. they spent a lot of money but their attack are not as potent as man u's.
I wonder where have Nicolas Anelka disappeared to in front of goal.
And Didier Drogba is nowhere as consistent as last year.
Not to mention a certain Andriy, who is as good as not being in Chelsea.
All these add up to Chelsea not quite scoring 'enough' goals this season.
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Wah he talk more co-ck then mourinho. Even mourinho didnt say such things.
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HAHAHAHAHA!!! As usual when things gets tough for chelsea they will say funny stuffs. Grant can't complain coz all season Chelsea played a very very boring football compared to Man U. Can someone remind me how much did Sheva costs Chelsea? To have a play-off is quite a stupid idea. If that happens we might not see clubs play attacking football. EPL might become Serie A. I don't know why Chelsea can't score goals like soon-to be champs when they bought guys like Sheva, Droba and Anelka.