Bosses' pets, and nepotism don't usually succeed. But hey, if you had 20 billion usd wouldn't you employ a mate rather than an upperty lusitanian who plays one up front? Avram Can't, but neither could Raneiri. Ancelotti and Ferguson can but they don't need Abramovitch. Thus at least for now, money isn't the solution for Chelsea. As most people don't like Croesian demagogues as owners, the best model for a club may well be a collective/civic Madrid or Barcelona style ownership structure. This can take the personalization of appointments, successes and failures, out of the fans' quest for scape goats when silverware is absent. And if anyone knows about scape-goat-ology, it would be Grant and Abramovitch.

Thomas Hardy, Hong Kong,

The biggest difference I see between Chelsea under Grant and under Jose is the belief. The Blues looked and played like winners under Jose. There was an arrogance at the club the Special One instilled. That all seems lost. Grants team looks lost and almost ready to concede at the end of matches. Jose also had the magic touch when it came to substitutions. Grant can't seem to be a meaningful substitutions to save his life. Chelsea almost always look the worse of two sides in the second 45. United will end the streak at the Bridge unfortunately. Hopefully Avram can get out of the way enough for the Blues to make the CL final.

Chris Kauffman, San Diego, California, USA

Chelsea`s current position is in spite of Grant. When the big decisions have had to be made Grant is found wanting. Players like Cole, Carvalho and Essien have carried Chelsea this season and they`re the ones who should take any credit if Chelsea end the season with trophies. Grant has been a spectator at best.

Also, is he really endearing himself to chelsea fans by bad mouthing Jose`s record? Very clever, Grant.

Max, Yamagata, Japan

What Grant has forgotten is that Jose had no cover like he has now in Anelka, Ben Haim and Alex because in that time, Roman would not spend so stop whingeing

P. Dordoe, London, UK

chelsea were sleeping with jessica alba and suddenly awoke to keith richards older sister on the pillow. simple as that.

bill d, phoenix, usa

I think you may find on closer analysis that whether or not the squad inherited by Grant is good enough or not it was not entirely of Jose's making. When he needed support and covering players he wasn't given the money and where Chelsea were linked with pursueing Torres & Tevez we got Shevcenko instead. Maurinho was not happy to be Abramovich's puppet, Grant is.

Christopher John Corboy, St Helens, UK

I dont understand chelsea fans!
they want to win every game (a draw and the manager should leave) while playing brilliant football (with a manager who could charm the shell of a turtle)
look where you are! second in the table in the semi finals of the champions league I reckon even if chelsea win something this year then the fans won't be happy they seem to care more about if there manager has style than substance.

bob, london,

Who is Grant trying to kid - the man is deluded.

Richard, London,

This is basically the same squad that Mourinho had huge success with. Tag on the defensive cover they have added in Ben Haim and Alex along with a certain worldclass striker in Anelka there is evidence that the squad is not good enough or strong enough.

The only reason they never stood as chance is that Grant is simply no Mourinho and he cannot inspire the players to achieve the same heights.

Please Messi and Kaka? Why on earth would they want to work under Grant given they have their pick of clubs. Great players want to work with great coaches as well as fellow professionals and I'm sorry Grant simply does not measure up.

Matt Kemp, Bath, BANES

J.M. was and is a winner. No one has ever won the legue on thier first attempt before

Wenger did in his first full season

Mick, maidenhead,

How can anyone say they 'did not have a chance from day 1', with players like Drogba, Ballack, J. Cole, Essien, John Terrry, Carvalho, Cech and Lampard, and with the addition of Nicholas Anelka in January to follow? That is not to mention the millions of pounds worth of talent residing on the bench? If Grant is unhappy with his squad, and wants to bring his own players in, thats perfectly understandable. But to suggest he had no chance in winning the title with the players he had at his disposal is pathetic. I find in unbelievable he can have so little faith in either his managerial abilities, or his players.
Do me a favour Roman, bring back Jose, at least his pre-match press conferences were amusing.

Mark, London, UK

Up to a point he may be right. The point that he may be right about is last summers signings.
Even when they were made you could not see how they were going to strengthen the squad.
Steve Sidwell - How is he going to compete to get in that midfield,
Tel ben haim - not going to win you a league title
Pizzarro - he has been as poor as expected.
The only decent signing was made by Grant in January and that was Anelka and then he plays him as a winger.

Where Grant is wrong is the rest of the team. Yes they are prima donnas and they belong in Mourinho cult but the likes of Drogba should be competeing for the title.

No I am not a Chelsea fan by the way

Dave, Chesterfield, UK

Pathetic. What a winge. Its as if everyone has a divine right to inherit a perfect situation from their predecessor. He gets paid a huge salary to sort it out, so shut up and sort it out.

He'll be wingeing about the opposition next. That Ronaldo scoring all those goals, its just not fair .... Back when Jose was at Chelsea, Ferdinand and Vidic never played so well as this .... They're all just ganging up on poor little Avram.

pack rat, northampton,

J.M. was and is a winner. No one has ever won the legue on thier first attempt before. He had the players thinking like winners and the fans loved him too. For Grant to say this can only mean a sad state of mind. He is not welcome at the Bridge or the dressing room if you look at the players body language.The current Chelsea team could be picked by anyone with small amout of knowledge and would possibly be in the same or better position in the league.

For the record i am not a Chelsea fan.

Mark Shepperson, Chiang Mai, Thailand

how much a bluff person that Grant is! if was not up to those players that his predessor, JM, had in the first place he wouldn't have had the chance to be where he is now, 2nd. during the special one we saw players fight their guts to win a game; e.g. game v. Barca at stamford bridge that ended 4-2.

look at his record against the big three: one win, one draw, 3 loses; and i reckon he'll end chelsea formidable league record not to be beaten at home for 80 game (nearly 90% of record goesback to Jose).

if talk is cheap, then silence is gold

Saleh Mohammad, London,