Chelsea need to have more respect after their self-indulgent nonsense backfired embarrassingly in their damaging 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle
Taking part in some sort of self-indulgent nonsense is all well and good – if you go on to win the game.
But when you do the opposite and lose it, like Chelsea did at home to Newcastle in their 1-0 defeat on Saturday, then you end up looking like a bunch of clowns. Because the marginal gain from staging a team huddle around the referee Paul Tierney in the centre circle before kick off provided Chelsea with no marginal gain whatsoever.
The official found himself encircled by Blues players and averted his gaze with a bemused expression, as Bill Leslie, on commentary for Sky Sports, said: “Paul Tierney has been caught up in this new pre-match ritual that Chelsea have of going around and huddling around the ball on the centre spot.
“They have been doing that for a few weeks now, people have noticed recently. Paul Tierney is caught in the middle there. Sorry to interrupt Chris [Sutton], that is quite unusual!”
All Chelsea gained from it was a load of grief – and deservedly so. If their manager Liam Rosenior had any self respect about him, he would haul them in before training and tell them never to do it again. Hold his hands up, be honest and admit allowing them to do it was the wrong call.
After the match he said: “I’m disappointed. There’s more focus and emphasis on the things that don’t matter. I’m going to make it really clear. I want to protect my players. I’m respectful to the game.
“My players made the decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball and show unity and leadership.
“That is not my decision. That was a decision between the leadership group and the team. There is nothing that they’re doing with that huddle that is disrespectful to the opposition.”
If Rosenior genuinely thinks his players were all stood there thinking, “I respect this ball”, he has taken leave of his senses. But no-one has taken responsibility for the decision. No-one wants to own it – and it’s not difficult to see why.
Here’s an alternative idea, mate. Forget the ball, how about having a bit more respect for yourselves.