Do you agree with Sir Alex Ferguson and Jamie Carragher that Chelsea are out of the title race, which is now between Manchester United and Liverpool?
February 20, 2009
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This is Ferguson playing his mind games again. I was actually skeptical about Chelsea’s chances after Ferguson’s statement but when Carragher decided to voice out, I think it totally foiled Ferguson’s initial plan.
Seriously speaking, I don’t think Liverpool are even in the race if Chelsea are considered out of it. Considering United’s current form and the number of returning players, the title’s practically on its way to Old Trafford.
I bet Fergie’s initial plan was to subtlely tell the Chelsea players the league’s over if they lose another game. It’s time to concentrate on the Champions League. But Carragher’s involvement re-ignited the desire to prove both of them wrong.
That said, what can the trailing clubs do except ensuring they win their remaining games and hope Man United drop points. But really, what are the chances? You tell me.
The title’s definitely United’s to lose now. The competition has long ended when Chelsea and Liverpool both dropped points when United was going through the tough fixtures.
Dennis Tan, 23, Chelsea Fan
Comment by Dennis Tan — February 20, 2009 @ 12:27 am
Just for the information, Carragher in its original interview did not mention that it is a 2 horse race. He is answering to the question of whether Liverpool have improve or not this season. it had just been taken out of context.
It is the same as the interview they had for rafa. Who is only answering to the question of what is his view on Ferguson comment on FA gave Man U a unfavourable fixture schedule and Ferguson comment on the liverpool team. Both taken out of context by other source.
Comment by Joseph — February 20, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Chelsea hopes for the title may look finished, but in fact, they are not.
Hiddink is a tatical genius. Remember Russia? The team that did extra well because of Hiddink at the Euro08? I belive Scolari left was not because of his poor communication wtih the team, but with poor relationship with Roman. Scolari is the kind of manager that all team hopes for, but Hiddink is the manager all team dreamt for. Hiddink could unleash the beast inside Chelsea which Scolari did at the early season and then died after awhile. Hiddink could be Chelsea last manager, that is if he could keep Chelsea continue with the title race. Cheers to Ferguson, boosting his own ego that only ManUnited and Liverpool are in the race. Don’t forget the underdogs, Villa, Everton and Arsenal. Which could prove their worthiness against ManUnited.
Comment by AaronSin — February 20, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
Chelsea can produce a performance, but they are sometimes just not enough. So in comes Guus Hiddink who i’m sure will give all the help his new team need. And most of all, his players trust him and know he can make a diffrence. So, Chelsea fans did have dooubts when their team was under Scolari. But now that Hiddink is the manager, i can tell they trust him to turn things around. Because Harry Redknapp changed Tottenham when he first took over, and Guus can do the same. Infact he can do bettter and get Chelsea back on top of the table soon enough.
Man United and Liverpool have yet to see Hiddink’s transformation, and i can assure you they will see it sooner or later.
So, a two-horse title race?
No way!
Nur Afaih,11,Everton Fan
Comment by Nur Afiah — February 20, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
To say that Chelsea is out of the title race is a big mistake as there could be many twist turn before the season end.Hiddink is a experienced coach and he knows what it takes to bring Chelsea back to the race but he must first deliver the result and also must hope that Man Utd and Pool drop points or else it could be a obstacle that Chelsea have to withstand.In my opinion,Chelsea have a very low chance of winning the title but they are not out totally so hopefully”Lady luck” is with them till the end.
Norman Ng,14,Liverpool fan
Comment by norman — February 20, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
Yes it’s simply a trick by the master of all mind games, Sir Alex, to foil Chelsea’s title challenge. Guus Hiddink, welcome to Mind Games Ver. 22.
Sir Alex of all people knows nothing is decided until the fat lady sings. He has already said Man Utd won’t rest on their laurels. Huge leads have been lost in the past & Sir Alex knows his team can’t afford to be complacent.
I personally feel it’s still too early to determine the BPL title as a 2-horse race. Remember, Man Utd is still involved in a host of cup competitions domestically as well as in Europe & these could be some “distraction”. A quick succession of injuries to players could be the nail in the coffin.
Hiddink will do all his best to resurrect the Blues, Liverpool is only 5 points behind (not 50!), Aston Villa & Arsenal could still have a say in the title race.
Yes it’s Man Utd’s title to lose going by their great form at the moment but no way is this a 2-horse race.
Comment by Aidil B. 26 - Man Utd Fan — February 20, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
Oh Mr.Fergie, you and your mind games.
Oh Mr Rafa, you are your silly tatics.
Oh Mr Wenger, you and your inconsistency.
Oh Mr Hiddink, you and your new dreams.
Well, Chelsea has a manger who could inspire them to win. Liverpool has a manager who messes around with tatics. ManUnited has a manager who play mind games every now and then. Wenger has the record for the most inconsistent team. Who says Chelsea’s out of a game, with a few injuries to ManUnited, a few schoolboy mistakes, why can’t Chelsea catch up? Mind you, there are 13 games left.
Aaron Sin,16,Liverpool fan
Comment by Aaron Sin — February 21, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
I do agree that it’s somewhat a 2-horse title-race, but it’s something like a 3-2 favourite (Man Utd) versus a 5-1 second favourite (Liverpool).
Alex Ferguson has shown again why he is one of the world’s best club managers by timing the team’s effort so well. If we were to compare Man Utd with a race-horse, then Man Utd would be a ‘on-pace-horse’.
Ferguson likes his opponents to dictate the pace of the EPL race, while he instructs his team to ‘cool-it’ a little and strike when the going gets though, usually during and after the Christmas busy period where teams play several time a week.
‘Front-runners’ like Liverpool and Chelsea this season, would be one-paced during these periods and Man Utd would swoop and take a majestic lead which they would enjoy the luxury of slowing the pace for other European-level challenges.
Liverpool still have an outside chance, but they have lost considerable grounds and would be a fantastic achievement to be able to mount a fight back and win the race.
Like horse racing, this scenario is possible but highly unlikely.
Chelsea? Their ‘jockey’, Scolari, had already been dislodged.
Adrian Lim, 29, Civil Servant
Norwich City Fan
Comment by Adrian Lim — February 22, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
No. Although Manchester United had a 10 points lead over Chelsea, I still feel that Chelsea could not be written off as a title challenger just yet,especially with a knowledgable tatician master in the form of Gus Hiddink. With him in charge of Chelsea, there is a sense of vigourness and enthusiastic within the team as shown against Aston villa in which Hiddink play a high tempo pressing game. With the players beliving in Gus Hiddink’s playing style , I do not see why chelsea cannot string a series of victories to close up the 10 point gap with Manchester United. Moreover, I feel that the statements made by Sir Alex Ferguson and Jamie Carragher could in fact work into Chelsea’s favour. With Chelsea having less pressure impose on them, Chelsea could in turn play the role of a bridemaid,putting pressure on United and Liverpool , keeping them on their toes. In the days ahead, one might even foresee Gus Hiddink making a statement agreeing with Sir Alex Ferguson and Jamie Carragher that Chelsea are out of the title race. In this way, Gus Hiddink could soley concentrate his task on transforming Chelsea without any pressure and distractions.
LOY TONY, 24, Arsenal fan
Comment by LOY TONY — February 22, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
I don’t think we can count Chelsea, Aston Villa or even Arsenal out of the title race. After all, we had seen Newcastle, Arsenal and even Man United surrender a 12 points lead at this stage of the season before. Ferguson, with all his experience, would be telling the players that nothing is won yet. Besides, two bad games are all it need for Liverpool to overtake Man United and allow Chelsea back in contention. With European and domestic cup games coming thick and fast, fatigue and injuries may result in dropped points.
Historically, Ferguson only engages in mind games for teams that are too close for his comfort. By saying Chelsea is out of the title race, he is trying to rack up the pressure at Liverpool. Now being the other horse in a “two horse race”, Liverpool must win their remaining matches. Any match drawn or lost would result in endless debate about Benitez’s tactics, rotation, piling on even more pressure.
Finally, Carragher mentioned Liverpool has overtaken Chelsea and Arsenal this season. Arsenal would definitely want to prove him wrong when they face each other in April. Things just can’t get any better for the wily-old-fox Ferguson!
Comment by Er Chian Kong — February 22, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
While I was having bread and coffee for breakfast, rice, no-taste veggies, litte meat for lunch and dinner and pathetic biscuits and tea for tea-break, I realized that this is 1 out of 10 times Sir Alex actually said something stupid.
And my only source of information were The Straits Times and Channel News Asia, I saw Hiddink winning matches by 1 goal margins. So Sir Alex, guess this is where you are wrong for the few times. (Like getting outsmarted by Kenny Dalglish in 1995). Aren’t you reading this Fergie?! Like Jose Mourinho reads this? Hah!
Qyaerus-Syahrein, 27, Sengkang Punggol fan
Comment by Alex Hart — March 6, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
The style of writing is very familiar to me. Did you write guest posts for other blogs?
Comment by How to Get Six Pack Fast — April 16, 2009 @ 1:03 am