We Ain't Got No History - Chelsea implode again, blowing a 2-0 lead and dropping more points to relegation fodderChampions of Europe!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52884/21_SBN_002_We_Aint_Got_No_History_Favicon_32x32..png2013-01-31T08:03:59+00:00http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/rss/stream/36939472013-01-31T08:03:59+00:002013-01-31T08:03:59+00:00Mr. Interim rejects reality, substitutes his own
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<figcaption>You can't put the blame on me! It's not fair! | Scott Heavey</figcaption>
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<p>Viva la Rafalución!</p> <p>Few things are worse than the idea of a certain ex-<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a> manager in charge of beloved Chelsea. One of those worse things is the hot, suffocating air that escapes from said ex-Liverpool manager in charge of beloved Chelsea in the form of words and sentences uttered at pre- and post-match conferences. To avoid inflicting permanent harm on myself and the various electronics in my possession, I've been actively ignoring most of these.</p>
<p>But I couldn't help doing a double-take on this one.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Benitez - 'improving' Chelsea play 'fantastic' game: RAFA Benitez insists Chelsea are showin... <a title="http://bit.ly/VYLnKM" href="http://t.co/WoNISwu1">bit.ly/VYLnKM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23chelsea">#chelsea</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23chelseafc">#chelseafc</a></p>
— Dan Levene (@BluesChronicle) <a href="https://twitter.com/BluesChronicle/status/296806892431351810">January 31, 2013</a>
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<p>Ok, that's just your traditional sensationalist, headline-grabbing over-exaggeration that's common practice in all forms of media, right? Surely, Mr. Interim Idiot couldn't have sang such silly short-sighted soliloquies in a time when Chelsea have been piling on dreadful result after dreadful result, could he? I mean, there's got to be a limit where he attains a certain tiny-tiny level of self-awareness, right?</p>
<p>Wrong.</p>
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<p>(Against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading" class="sbn-auto-link">Reading</a>) was a fantastic game. We still need to get the result we deserve.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-Source: <a href="http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-chelsea-fc/2013/01/31/benitez-improving-chelsea-play-fantastic-game-82029-32716348">F&H Chronicle</a></i></p>
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<p>Oh dear. <i>"Fantastic."</i> I'm assuming on the scale that he's using in this moment, a 2-3 loss would've been good, a 2-4 loss decent, while a 2-1 or 2-0 win would've been the greatest football match result ever of all known space and time.</p>
<p>There's also that lovely word "deserve." <i>"Still need to get the result we deserve."</i> I thought it was silly when Barcelona kept using this word to excuse away their loss to Chelsea - an isolated occurrence that, depending on your viewpoint, has either an infinitesimally small or perhaps just a rather unlikely chance of ever repeating itself.</p>
<p>But that's not even close to how silly it sounds from the mouth of this buffoon, who now has been in charge of seven of <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea's</a> eight worst performances of the season, including three draws on the trot, four home shutouts, two home losses, a joke of a Cup World Cup, and two two-goal comebacks suffered at the hands of relegation fodder. Three wins from nine in January. <i>"It's not my fault, I swear; I'm just very very very very very very unlucky,"</i> he must think to himself as he rocks himself to sleep each night on the piles of Roman Abramovich's money.</p>
<p>Speaking of not his fault...</p>
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<p>It's difficult to explain... [blah blah blah blah blah blah]</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-Source: <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3059441/title/final-whistle-verdict-difficult-to-explain">ChelseaFC.com</a></i></p>
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<p>I don't have a concrete count on this, but this guy has to have the copyright on this phrase for the number of times he trots it out in his press conferences. Isn't it his JOB to figure this out? Isn't it his JOB to fix the problems? Isn't that why he was brought in, to take the club in the proper direction or whatnot? To, ummm, you know, win? So what was the point again of all this circus?</p>
<p>It is indeed difficult to explain.</p>
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<p>We are improving. We did an exercise with corners and free-kicks (on Tuesday) and it was fine.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-Source: <a href="http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-chelsea-fc/2013/01/31/benitez-improving-chelsea-play-fantastic-game-82029-32716348/">F&H Chronicle</a></i></p>
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<p>Holy [shoe], guys! They did an exercise with corners and free-kicks! It was so money, you wouldn't even know it!</p>
<p>Difficult, indeed. To Explain.</p>
<p>Last spring, Ramires spoke of how Roberto Di Matteo <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/apr/03/ramires-chelsea-roberto-di-matteo-spirit">restored the squad's confidence</a> in itself. Based on Di Matteo's handling of the press and his ability to actually take responsibility for his actions and decisions, and most importantly on the actual results to which he guided the team, it's easy to see how that confidence was restored.</p>
<p>It's hardly a stretch to now say that all that good work has been completely undone by this shameful brouhaha. This wet sponge of a manager, impermeable to accountability, has swallowed up all the passion and all the swagger and left us with a sinkful of putrid waste water, a steaming pile of excuses, and a useless, apathetic rest of a 2012-13 season to look forward to.</p>
<p>I ended that last sentence with a preposition. It's difficult to explain. Not my fault. Fact. I controlled the writing and put in a fantastic effort, but it's difficult to explain. Not my fault. I didn't get a pre-season.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/1/31/3936024/reading-2-chelsea-2-manager-reaction-benitez-fantastic-game-improving-squadDavid Pasztor2013-01-30T23:19:52+00:002013-01-30T23:19:52+00:00Reading 2 - Chelsea 2: Match Report
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<figcaption>Scott Heavey</figcaption>
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<p>What else is there to say? Chelsea continue to "show progress" under interim manager Rafa Benitez, earning a hard fought point off of Reading FC that most fans would have felt was impossible.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> have been poor of late, and they'd head to Reading to face a relegation threatened team in hopes of getting three valuable points. With the rest of the challengers for third and fourth place having far more difficult fixtures, today seemed like a prime opportunity in which to open a bit of a gap and allow ourselves some breathing room.</p>
<p>Rafa Benitez would make two changes from the side that offered up such a lackluster display against Brentford on the weekend, bringing both <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> and <span>Juan Mata</span> back into the starting eleven. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry">John Terry</a> and <span>Marko Marin</span> were the pair to make way, with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic">Branislav Ivanovic</a> sliding from the right flank to the center of the defense.</p>
<p>The game started as a typically dull Chelsea affair (of late), with little of note happening in the first 44 minutes. About the most exciting thing for Chelsea fans was the jeering from the Reading fans, who kindly pointed out how unfortunate it is that we're being manged by Rafa Benitez. Chelsea fans could think of nothing better to do than applaud the Reading fans for their efforts, as frankly, they were right to laugh at our misery. Chelsea have made a habit of treating their managers very poorly, and now we're reaping the rewards for years of short leashes and rash decision making.</p>
<p>Just short of the halftime whistle, the first moment of note in this extremely dull affair would finally occur. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres">Fernando Torres</a> would spot the clever run of Juan Mata, and delivered a beautiful little ball that Mata would bury with his first touch. Just like that, we were headed into the break with Chelsea leading 1-0 in a game that had really lulled most fans to sleep.</p>
<p>Chelsea made no changes to start the second half, and little changed as far as excitement on the pitch either. Chelsea continued to dominate possession with Reading simply sitting deep and defending, but the Blues continued to look very sloppy in the final third. They looked to have put the game to bed in the 66th minute when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a> headed home a corner, goal number 196 of his remarkable Chelsea career.</p>
<p>Now trailing Chelsea by two, Reading decided it was time to press forward. At this point Reading made a change, bringing on Adam le Fondre in an attempt to chase the game. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thetilehurstend.com/2013/1/30/3931848/view-from-the-town-end-chelsea">Graham did a little Q&A wit our Reading blog this week</a>, and there was a very interesting bit towards the end of it that I'd like to highlight:</p>
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<p><b>Q: If you'll hold the laughter, is there anyone in the Reading side you're worried about on Wednesday? </b></p>
<p>A: Adam le Fondre has made a habit of scoring important goals lately, it seems. Chelsea, coincidentally, have made a habit of conceding important goals. This is a recipe for me throwing things on Wednesday.</p>
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<p>Sure enough, Reading would begin to look a little bit more threatening. Chelsea would miss out on a pair of golden opportunities to add a third, and in the 87th minute they'd see Reading claw one back. Reading would continue to prod at the Chelsea defense, and with just seconds remaining they'd notch the equalizer. Who scored both goals? Adam le Fondre, naturally. It's a shame that a full time blogger can see the dangers presented by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading's</a> changes, but our "manager" failed to adapt. As I mentioned earlier, it's probably just karma catching up with us at this point.</p>
<p>Luckily for Chelsea, all of Spurs, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> dropped points today as well. While Chelsea have missed a glorious chance to open a comfortable gap to fourth and gain some ground on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>, at least they've not really seen their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League take a major hit in the process. That said, qualifying for the Champions League won't likely mean very much if we continue to employ Rafa Benitez, as we've played so poorly under him that most fans will be crossing their fingers to draw this team for the group stage.</p>
<p>At this point it's becoming increasingly difficult to write these sorts of things. There are obvious issues with the way Chelsea are approaching games, and the way in which they've been adjusting (or not adjusting) to moves made by their opponents. I can remember the days when dropping a two goal lead in the game's final 7-8 minutes against a newly promoted side would be absolutely shocking, but today I'd have honestly been more surprised if we had managed to hanging on to a comfortable 2-0 victory than I was with what transpired. Chelsea are not playing well at all, and they need to make some pretty serious changes to the way they approach games if they want to see better results start to follow. If not, we might find ourselves with a far less congested schedule next season.</p>
<p><i>I'm sorry about the half-hearted effort here, but if it's good enough for the players and manager, I guess it's about the best that the match report deserves. Hopefully we'll have a much more positive result to be talking about this weekend</i>.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/1/30/3934340/reading-2-chelsea-2-match-reportStephen Schmidt2013-01-30T21:56:43+00:002013-01-30T21:56:43+00:00Reading 2 - Chelsea 2: Initial reaction
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<figcaption>Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
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<p>Typical Chelsea. Start slow, go up by two, and suffer an epic collapse</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> were set to kick off a bit later than the rest of the clubs looking to secure Champions League places today, but they might have taken that late kickoff thing a bit too far. In what is quickly becoming a disturbing trend, Chelsea started the game looking like a mid-table team who were going to need some luck to get anything by a Reading side that is sitting in the relegation zone. Then <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres">Fernando Torres</a> found <span>Juan Mata</span> for an excellent goal, and Chelsea managed to go into the break with a lead.</p>
<p>The second half got underway with no changes for Chelsea, and the product on the pitch really didn't change all that much either. The game remained fairly sloppy, and outside of a fantastic looking but well off target attempt from Oscar, there was very little to get excited about. Then <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a> headed home a corner for goal number 196, and Chelsea looked like they were going to cruise home. As has become far too common with CHelsea these days though, they'd collapse and end up drawing the game 2-2.</p>
<p>Results elsewhere generally went well for Chelsea, with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>, Tottenham, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> all dropping points with draws. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> both won, so Chelsea lost ground on the leaders and also lost groud to fifth place. Here are my initial thoughts after yet another epic collapse under Rafa Benitez's watch:</p>
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<li><span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">While the opening 15 minutes were exceedingly dull on the pitch, I was more than a little amused by the crowd. The Reading fans were chanting "Rafa Benitez, he thinks you're all scum" at the Chelsea support, and the Chelsea fans responded by applauding the Reading support. Even the most out of touch members of the board have to realize what a terrible idea bringing Rafa Benitez back next season would be by now.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">The fox soccer twitter feed was kind of hilarious to follow during this one. They had the rights to several Premier League games, and kept tweeting discussion starters about El Clasico. I suppose it doesn't matter if they are supporting a rival network as they lose the rights to the Premier League next season anyway.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">I thought Fernando Torres looked better than he has in some time in terms of his movement today. His runs were the right ones for the most part, and his decision making was generally solid. It really is a shame that he's lost so much explosiveness, as he just no longer has the physical tools to do the things he once did. Playing the way he did today though, Torres can be an effective backup going forward.</span></span></li>
<li>The Chelsea double pivot looked better today, although it's not hard when your opponent never has the ball. </li>
<li>Just once, I'd love to see Chelsea close out a win comfortably without making things far too interesting at the close of the game. What the hell guys? Seriously.</li>
<li>Chelsea have still never lost a game with Ryan Bertrand starting at left wing, but they don't generally look good in those games either.</li>
<li>I'm going to start drinking now. This. Game. Was. Awful. Please bring Guus back ASAP, Rafa just has to go at this point.</li>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/1/30/3933708/reading-chelsea-initial-reaction-community-rating-formStephen Schmidt2013-01-30T20:50:31+00:002013-01-30T20:50:31+00:00Reading vs. Chelsea: Second Half Game Thread
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<figcaption>VIVA LA RAFALUCION! | Hunter Martin</figcaption>
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<p>Wearing out the snooze button...but then suddenly...</p> <p>Boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring boring.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> have offered little, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> have offered even less. This one's got epic levels of boredom. Off the charts.</p>
<p>But then suddenly.. JUAN MATA!</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/1/30/3933882/reading-vs-chelsea-second-half-game-threadDavid Pasztor2013-01-30T19:16:50+00:002013-01-30T19:16:50+00:00Reading vs. Chelsea: Lineups & Game Thread
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<figcaption>Charlie Crowhurst</figcaption>
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<p>It's business time. Cause it's Wednesday.</p> <p>In tonight's battle of note-taking, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading's</a> Brian McDermott is slightly favored over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> Interim Manager. McDermott's lower center of gravity and smooth, aerodynamic head allow him to hit the notepad 0.03 seconds earlier than the slower moving mass of his opponent. The specially crafted, USA-made space pen allows him to start writing 0.05 seconds earlier, even if the notepad-pen spacial relationship is not quite optimal. Advantage: Reading.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, there's football:</p>
<p><b><i>Reading starting lineup (4-5-1):</i></b><br>Adam Federici | <span>Ian Harte</span>, <span>Adrian Mariappa</span>, <span>Alex Pearce</span>, <span>Stephen Kelly</span> | <span>Jobi McAnuff</span>, <span>Jem Karacan</span>, <span>Mikele Leigertwood</span>, Danny Guthrie, <span>Jimmy Kebe</span> | <span>Pavel Pogrebnyak</span></p>
<p><i>Substitutes from: </i><span>Stuart Taylor</span>, <span>Nicky Shorey</span>, <span>Sean Morrison</span>, <span>Hope Akpan</span>, <span>Hal Robson-Kanu</span>, <span>Garath McCleary</span>, <span>Adam Le Fondre</span></p>
<p><b><i>Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1):</i></b><br><span>Ross Turnbull</span> | <span>Ashley Cole</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic" class="sbn-auto-link">Branislav Ivanovic</a>, <span>Gary Cahill</span>, <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard" class="sbn-auto-link">Frank Lampard</a>, Ramires | <span>Ryan Bertrand</span>, <span>Juan Mata</span>, Oscar | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres" class="sbn-auto-link">Fernando Torres</a></p>
<p><i>Substitutes from:</i> Hilario, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110645/paulo-ferreira" class="sbn-auto-link">Paulo Ferreira</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry" class="sbn-auto-link">John Terry</a>, Nathan Ake, <span>Yossi Benayoun</span>, <span>Marko Marin</span>, <span>Demba Ba</span></p>
<p>Chelsea have not won in four straight Wednesday night matches. Home losses to QPR, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/swansea-city">Swansea City</a>, a home draw with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/">Southampton</a>, and an away draw with Swansea City (ballboy-gate) is how that record reads. You should be feeling an ominous dread come over you at this point.</p>
<p>And that's before you even spot ol' Fernando in the lineup or realize just how useless that bench is (besides Demba Ba, of course).</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/1/30/3933286/reading-vs-chelsea-lineups-game-threadDavid Pasztor2013-01-30T02:00:03+00:002013-01-30T02:00:03+00:00Reading vs. Chelsea: Team News & Preview
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<figcaption>D'OH! | Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
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<p>Third from the top vs. third from the bottom. Should be straightforward. Then again, Chelsea almost lost to Brentford, sooo...</p> <p>When these two sides met earlier this season, it was a happier time. Even though it was a Wednesday. Riding high on the wings of Big Eared euphorics, football was still <a href="http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2012/8/22/3258908/chelsea-vs-reading-2012-preview-schedule-watch-tv">new and fun and good</a>. And after <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea's</a> <a href="http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2012/8/23/3261300/chelsea-vs-reading-match-report">slightly bizarre 4-2 victory</a>, the Blues found themselves at the top of the Premier League for the first time in two years.</p>
<p>I'm not going to recount all the events of the depressing downward spiral since that happy August day, but let's just say that we've firmly become ensconced in the <a href="http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2012/8/22/3258908/chelsea-vs-reading-2012-preview-schedule-watch-tv">slow, grey slog through our slow, grey winter lives</a>. And so, even though <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading" class="sbn-auto-link">Reading</a> has been firmly planted in the bottom three since November - losing seven in a row at one point - nothing should be taken for granted.</p>
<p><b>Date/Time: </b> Wednesday, January 30, 20:00 GMT; 3:00 P.M. EST; Thursday, Jan 31, 1:30 A.M. IST</p>
<p><b>Venue: </b> Madejski Stadium, Reading</p>
<p><b>TV Information:</b> none (UK); Fox Soccer Plus (USA); ESPN HD (India)</p>
<p><b>Online: </b> <a href="http://www.foxsoccer2go.com">FoxSoccer2Go</a></p>
<p>Lamin has already done an excellent job <a href="http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/1/29/3926276/scout-report-reading-fc-tactics-preview">previewing Reading</a>, so be sure to read that. You might learn a thing or two about stuff like art or something called a <span>Jimmy Kebe</span> (not to be confused by ex-Chelsea trainee Kaby).</p>
<p>Reading tend to score a decent amount of goals, especially for a side on the wrong side of the relegating line of doom. The Amur tiger called <span>Pavel Pogrebnyak</span> has already <a href="http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2012/8/24/3263771/gary-cahill-pavel-pogrebnyak-chelsea-reading-analysis">big-boy'd</a> <span>Gary Cahill</span> once this season and as we saw when we looked at <a href="http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/1/23/3906526/demba-ba-robin-van-persie-and-game-changing-goals-in-the-2012-13">game-changing goals in the Premier League</a> this season, <span>Adam Le Fondre</span> has the uncanny ability to surpass even Chicharito levels of annoying. They have not been shut out since playing <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/swansea-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Swansea City</a> back-to-back towards the end of December, scoring 14 in the seven matches in all competitions since.</p>
<p>Fortunately for Chelsea - and whoever will get to deputize for <span>Petr Cech</span> and his injured calf; Hilario anyone? - Reading have married their decent offense with just about the worst defense (43 goals allowed) in the Premier League. At the start of today, only <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Aston Villa</a> had conceded more (44).</p>
<p>Adding their names next to Cech's on Chelsea's list of absentees are: <span>John Obi Mikel</span> & <span>Victor Moses</span> (both staying in Africa a bit longer as Nigeria have secured a spot in the first knockout round), <span>Oriol Romeu</span>, <span>Eden Hazard</span>, and <span>David Luiz</span>. Despite this growing list and a propensity for insipidness, Chelsea are certainly still expected to win this one.</p>
<p>No excuses.</p>
<p>(And should they win - and I'm trying to keep this on the down low - they would only be four points behind Manchester City for second place. Hope springs?)</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/1/30/3929528/reading-vs-chelsea-2012-2013-preview-schedule-watch-tvDavid Pasztor2013-01-29T18:01:17+00:002013-01-29T18:01:17+00:00Scouting the Royals
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<img alt="And they call this "the beautiful game."" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wbwZOnbKnrgDSpzB-ux6Q28X0OA=/0x452:2993x2447/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7260833/150586074.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>And they call this "the beautiful game." | Mark Thompson</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A blindfolded female figure sits atop a gloomy globe. In her arms, she is embracing a battered harp, all its strings snapped except for one. As she plugs away tentatively at this remaining string, she leans her head right up against the instrument as if to catch every single faint note it sings.</p>
<p>This is <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/Assistants_and_George_Frederic_Watts_-_Hope_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/475px-Assistants_and_George_Frederic_Watts_-_Hope_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg">the image</a> that Victorian artist George Frederic Watts has beautifully put on canvas. It definitely has a mysterious and arresting quality. Yet it would have just been another ordinary painting if not for its title: <i>Hope</i>. The picture, reputedly painted at a moment of anguish (when Watts's adopted daughter died), is hardly comforting. In fact, G.K. Chesterton, a British author, and an all round smart-arse, once quipped that '<i>Despair</i>' might have been a more accurate title.</p>
<p>But of course Watts was getting at something very profound by calling it <i>Hope</i>. That an intense form of hope is birthed in moments of despair. That hope is vital in the darkest of days because despair is not a state in which one can exist for long*. Out of courage or of folly (the line between the two is blurry), we hope, we grasp at that single strand to keep us going. And like a dimmed background, desperation sets up for hope to shine.</p>
<p><i>*Unless, of course, you are a Tottenham fan. BANTZ!!!</i></p>
<p>So we hope. Despite the sacking of a lovable club legend who tamed the Big-Eared One, despite being kicked off of the competition we just championed, despite <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres" class="sbn-auto-link">Fernando Torres</a>, despite the hiring of a hated figure, despite his "<a href="http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/1/25/3913218/rafa-out">management</a>," despite his <a href="http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/1/26/3919542/shut-up-rafa">excuses</a>, despite being schooled by minnows time and again, despite not winning the "easy" cups, despite not being one of the Thoroughbreds in the annual "two-horse race," despite not having a reliable midfield, despite the home form, we hope. We grip that raggedy harp tight with one hand while picking its solitary string with the other, one note at a time. The last two notes, Swansea and Brentford, almost broke the string, which is still vibrating as we prepare to strike the next: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading" class="sbn-auto-link">Reading</a> FC.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">* * *</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Approach</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Brian McDermott’s Reading usually plays in an orthodox 4-4-2, two strikers upfront, two wingers bombing down the flanks and so on. But a string of poor results in December forced McDermott to consider a change in formation. Prioritizing defensive solidarity, he has made a switch to a 4-5-1 in recent weeks with striker <span>Pavel Pogrebnyak</span> aka The Perfect Villain in Every American Cold War Movie leading the attack.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The advantage of having a five-man midfield is that it can be the initial protective shield for the defense. A crowded midfield makes it hard for opposition to penetrate. When executed well, a defensive 4-5-1 can withstand the continuous assault from THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD (EVER) over two legs and get you to a major cup final*.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>*We know what we are…</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But ironically, the Royals have not been any good defensively despite the change of shape. This is mainly due to their poor defensive organization. Both West Brom and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a>, Reading’s most recent league opponents, were able to dominate the game and create chance after chance. Here’s an example from Reading’s home game against West Brom.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2088061/Reading_Defense_Open.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Reading_defense_open_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2088061/Reading_Defense_Open_medium.png"></a> <br id="1359475729386"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the buildup to <span>Romelu Lukaku</span>’s first goal. Instead of covering the central midfield zone alongside <span>Daniel Carrico</span> and Danny Guthrie, <span>Jem Karacan</span> moved out of his position to press high on the right. As often is the case, pressing is not a problem here but disorganized pressing is. Carrico was not able to fill in the spot left by Karacan on the inside right, allowing West Brom a direct route to Lukaku with a simple forward pass. From his attacking midfield position, <span>James Morrison</span> would support Lukaku in attack; two passes later, the ball ended up in the back of Reading’s net. This, perhaps, highlights the importance of organization in defense no matter what the formation is.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 4-5-1 has also not been great for the Royals’ attack. Pogrebnyak is often too isolated like a strayed Russian tank. Their attacks and counter-attacks look disjointed. And their every forward adventure leaves them vulnerable on the breaks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They started with a 4-5-1 against West Brom and Newcastle, played poorly, and fell behind. But, and this is quite a big ‘BUT’, Reading came out victorious in both occasions after making second-half substitutions and changing the shape to 4-4-2. In comes <span>Adam Le Fondre</span>—the connoisseur of "being at the right place at the right time", Mr. Poaching-Is-My-Business-And-Business-Is-Good—in place of a midfielder to pair up with The Pog up top. The team began to attack purposefully down the flanks with targets to cross to in the box. The impact of the change was more instant against Newcastle but it didn’t fail to get Reading out of trouble in both games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are other factors in play in these come-backs of course. The opposition tends of take their foot of the gas when they are ahead, especially in the later stages of the game. There were also the element of luck and the overwhelming force of momentum to consider. But it seems reasonable to suggest that Reading plays better as a team in a 4-4-2. It is now up to Brian McDermott whether to stick with the current "winning" strategy, start with a 4-5-1 and make a second-half switch, or send his team out in a happier 4-4-2 from the kick off. My guess is that they will persist with 4-5-1 against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> and make changes only if they fall behind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p><b>The Player</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pogrebnyak and Le Fondre have scored a total of 6 goals (three each) in the last 4 league games, but it is the right winger <span>Jimmy Kebe</span> who is in the spot light in this preview for two reasons. First, Reading's attack depends on the movement down the flanks and good delivery into the box; Kebe provides both. Second, Chelsea, when playing without a defensive winger, suck at defending in the wide areas against pacey wingers (<i>see under</i> Walcott, Theodore).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2088205/Kebe_right_wing_attack.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Kebe_right_wing_attack_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2088205/Kebe_right_wing_attack_medium.png"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was a traditional wing play from Reading against Newcastle in the buildup to the equalizer. Kebe positioned wide on the right, looking for a long pass in behind the defense, which <span>Mikele Leigertwood</span> was happy to supply. The Mali international beat the fullback with speed and slipped a low, inviting cross into the box; Le Fondre would <i>le flounder</i> onto the ball and scored. Simple and effective.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2088253/Attacking_the_wing_and_pog.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Attacking_the_wing_and_pog_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2088253/Attacking_the_wing_and_pog_medium.png"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kebe is a relatively big fella as well and can be a dangerous presence in the box when the attack comes down the other flank. Here's what happened against West Brom. Again, the ball was sprayed to the wide area from central midfield, the Top Pog drifting wide to pick it up this time. When Garath McCleary whipped in a cross, Le Fondre attacked centrally, <i>le feinting</i> the ball through his legs, while Kebe arrived at the back post to nod it into the goal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is nothing complicated about these attacks, but they can, and will, punish a defense that is not on top of its game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Of music or beautiful things</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To quote G.K. Chesterson, an essayist and an all round Mr. Know It All, "Life exists for the love of music or beautiful things." Sometimes the songs aren't all that cheerful. Sometimes that harp in your arms is shoddy and has only one string left. But you keep playing. You keep playing because there is nothing else to do. You keep playing because it keeps you alive. You keep playing for the love of music and the possibility, however slim, of beautiful things.</p>
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