Now to anyone who doesn’t frequent the Liverpoolfc.tv discussion board this statement might seem ludicrous, and it is, but a large contingent of the so called “greatest fans in the world” have, after the last few results, particularly the loss at home to Marseilles in the Champions League, been asking for just that.

FACT: Liverpool are unbeaten in the league, still in the top 4 and are by no means out of the title race as some have suggested. Granted the position we are in has been attained with some largely unattractive football but that is the point really. It is quite evident for anyone to see that the side is by no means playing to it’s full potential barring of course Fernando Torres, who has settled in quite nicely since his big money move from Atletico Madrid in the summer, but even he admittedly is still at about 70%. The likes of Steven Gerrard, no thanks to England coach Steve McClaren, is having a somewhat torrid start to the season along with some of the stalwarts in Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Alonso (albeit that he is currently injured). A lot of the blame has been placed squarely on the shoulders of Rafael Benitez for his policy of rotation, some of the press claiming that he has lost the dressing room but captain Steven Gerrard has come out today urging supporters to trust in him and in the club, ensuring that there are no deep seated issues but rather a dip in form and that they will “get it right“. Call me naive but i tend to believe him.

Respect to the Arsenal

Apart from being the staunchest of Liverpool supporters, i am first and foremost a football lover and connoisseur and for that reason i have to admire the way Arsenal are playing at the moment. While their defense is not the most reliable, there is no doubting their attacking force is simply breathtaking and Cesc Fabregas is fast becoming one of the best players in the Premiership. But all things considered, and for all that attacking flair, Arsenal tend to be wasteful and there will come a time in the season when those goals in the last 10 minutes won’t be there.

In terms of the other real title contenders Manchester United have had an indifferent start to the season but are now showing their class and were amazing at Wigan on Saturday with Carlos Tevez starting to show signs of that bullish play that made him a fan favourite at West Ham towards the end of last season, and along with Ronaldo and Rooney forms part of a world class three pronged attack, all of whom are 23 and younger. While Chelsea have not set the world alight (and are not likely to with Avram Grant at the helm), they continue to grind out results and are proving a good set of professionals despite the goings-on behind the scenes. With players like Drogba and Lampard coming back into the team they can only get stronger as the season goes on.

It is arguably safe to say that of the four teams touted as title contenders at the beginning of the season, Liverpool has flattered to deceive in their performances, yet still find themselves in the mix and this will prove crucial when they do hit their straps and, for mine and all the other Reds supporters out there, hit the ground running and start playing the type of football that we know this talented bunch of players can play.

Heading into the international break now, Arsenal are front runners with Manchester United a close second, but this could all change soon enough, and the true test of everyone’s title credentials will come in the run up to Christmas where hopefully the mighty Reds are showing their class.

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Avram Grant is the type of guy that when he picks up a new born child, they cry until he puts them down again.

He has nothing on his CV that make him any better a manager than Pepe dos Santos (De Beers, my local soccer club’s coach, who by the way has played at Real Madrid!). He has nothing “special” about him, and as a player, why the hell would you want to play for him, like the players used to play for Mourinho?

So, this morning I read that Marco van Bastan might be offered the job as Chelsea head coach. There is a whole lot of blah blah this and that surrounding it that the press have found, but all I’m interested in is the fact that he might be the new coach, sooner than later I hope! In his prime, van Bastan was one of the greatest footballers around, and is currently coaching Holland, who are currently leading group G in the Euro qualifiers.

Think about it, who would players like Lamps, Drogba, Terry and the likes get on with and respect more, Avram Grant or Marco van Bastan?

So, send Avram back to Israel where he can go play in the sand, and lets get a real winner as Chelsea’s head coach!

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Oh boy. Being a Chelsea man, I’m going to be getting a lot of stick for the next few weeks.

Chelsea Football Club released a statement on their website in the early hours of the morning stating that Mourhino has left.

Yes we are struggling to score for the time being, but really that isn’t a reason to chicken out and leave. It must all the freaking politics at Chelsea, especially when you have a man with so much money running the club. Roman has to realise that even with all the money in the world, you cannot buy trophies. Just ask Real Madrid.

Yes, you need top quality players to win trophies, but you need a team, and that is what Mourinho has built. Shevchenko was definitely an Abramovich buy, and just look how he turned out in the league. (Champions league football definitely suits his style better).

Anyway, the list of coaches lined up to replace TSO is impressive. Ex-Juventus coach Didier Deschamps, Milan’s Carlo Ancelotti, Russia’s Guus Hiddink, former Italy coach Marcello Lippi and Rijkaard.

So, thank you Mourinho for all you have brought to Chelsea over the 3 years. You have built an awesome team with an awesome work ethic and a never say die attitude on and off the field. Not to mention 6 trophies. Respect.

More on the web:
Controversial Mourinho exits Chelsea the only way he knows how
Jose Mourinho, Chelsea’s greatest coach

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I woke up Sunday morning and started reading up on this weekends premier league matches that took place, but one thing seemed to really stand out…

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I have this seriously love-hate relationship with England. I love to see them when they playing well as most of my favourite players are in the English team, but then they do some really stupid things like they did against Germany, and then really hack me off.

They went down 2 - 1 to an early goal by Lampard (who else!). They had tons of chances to take the game. Just ask Michael Owen and Kieron Dyer. David James came on to replace Robinson, who’s position as England’s number 1 looks to be in doubt after another mistake that gifted the Germans their first goal. Beckham also looked jet lagged with some really amateur touches, but did show some flashes off brilliance.

Positives

The Chelsea boys played well - Lampard, Terry, Wright-Phillips after he came on, as well as Joe Cole. Beckham also gave England a number of chances that should have been put away by the forwards, but alas, came short… once again.

Negatives

I can’t say much for Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick or Alan Smith. They either couldn’t wait to get off the pitch, or are playing just like their teams in the Premier League.
Coach Steve Mclaren won’t want to read the papers tomorrow. He is going to be slaughtered and his future as England coach are looking very bleak indeed.

Notice how I have failed to mention anything about Germany. They are as boring as watching paint dry and I really have no interest in German soccer. Enough said.

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Well not quite, but you won’t be spotting him in the Premier League in the near future.

“Referees are aware of the accountability that exists, as are the managers and players, and we expect referees to get big decisions correct,” said Keith Hackett, the head of Professional Game Match Officials. “I think the position is [Rob] is not going to be used next week and he can have a run of low-key games where he can get his form back and it can repair the guy for the Premiership.”

At least he had the guts to apologise for his mistake in awarding the penalty against Liverpool. Although I (a Chelsea fan) benefited from his mistake, I am now going to have to put up with Liverpool supporters always referring back to the 1 league point that Rob Styles gifted Chelsea.

Anyhow, enjoy the minor leagues while you can Mr Styles, because the next time you meet up with Liverpool, expect a rousing reception from the Kopites!

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I think this season is going to be one of the more interesting seasons we have had in years! Firstly, both Sven-Goran Eriksson and Roy Keane are really making an impact as first time managers in the Premiership. Man City won the Manchester Derby for the first time in years and are top of the table, 3 wins from 3!

Shame, let’s not mention Man United. I mean who is interested in teams that float just above the relegation zone? 3 games, 2 points, 1 goal. Ferguson, it is time to retire boy. You have gone 1 season too many.

Chelsea on the other hand are playing a different style of soccer this year. Malouda and Wright-Phillips are playing wide, with at least 2 strikers up front to aim at. The midfield are also full of attacking spirit. Yes, we have been leaking goals at the back, but we are scoring and are looking a lot more exciting than previous years! Go you Blues!

The 1st top 4 big clash

The first clash of the big 4 took place between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield, which ended in a well earned draw for Chelsea. Rob Styles, the ref, seemed out of his depth in the game with some really weird decisions - which did include the penalty. But once again, its Chelsea with its never say die attitude. This heated affair produced 9 yellow cards, 2 of which looked like they were for Essien, but was never sent off! (Although after the game, the 4th official did confirm the card wasn’t for Essien) Of interest, Torres scored Liverpool’s 6999th goal in the premiership.

This is going to be a cracker of a season!

(Michael and Robbie, it really is time you said something here boys! Otherwise I’m going to rename this blog the Chelsea Soccer Couch!)

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