Credit due to Ancelotti
Thu May 06 12:43PM
If Chelsea were to win the title on Sunday, which I believe they will, it will be a fantastic achievement for Carlo Ancelotti in his first season in charge. It would break the stranglehold that Manchester United have had on the title in recent years which is refreshing for the Premier League. The double is still in their sights too, which really would cap a great season. Ancelotti is a quiet, unassuming guy who goes about his business in the right way, and he has had to make crucial decisions at big stages of Chelsea's season so he deserves real credit for guiding them in the right direction.
With a number of Chelsea's key personnel pushing on into the latter stages of their career, I think it does show that players are able to perform at the highest level for much longer in the modern game.
There is a real knowledge and understanding of diet, fitness and preparation in the game now which certainly enhances a player's ability to continue at the highest level. This is something I pride myself on too, and there is no substitute for experience.
Chelsea's real advantage this season over Manchester United has been in their big game mentality. They have been clinical in the big games this season, whereas Manchester United have sometimes come under scrutiny for their lack of ability in putting games to bed. It has been extremely tight and both sides have had difficult patches but it is certainly in Chelsea's hands now.
The fact that all games kick off at the same time on Sunday is only fair for all, and I will certainly be checking results as soon as the final whistle blows. There will be a real buzz around the country and it should be an intriguing final day with everything to play for.
With our Europa League final next Wednesday, it is essential that we are clever in our selection against Arsenal. The game is massive for us next week and the end of a very long, extremely enjoyable journey for Fulham.
We will fly over to Germany on the Tuesday morning, for the game Wednesday evening. There is a real energy around the camp for a big final push and this is the final we have been working towards. Our preparation will be fairly relaxed on the Tuesday and will be a case of focusing the minds on the job ahead.
Ancelotti will still win less than his previous club Inter who has the chance off winning three titles this season.
From rafascrackingdown on Thu May 06 12:50PMDanny good luck in the final against Real Madrid,I hope you´ll win it.
From rafascrackingdown on Thu May 06 12:51PMSo lets all expect Mr Danny "utd hater" Murphy to do as he does when Fulham play loserpool and go missing on sunday.
From mistermanaman on Thu May 06 12:53PMThis is a good article...........Ancelotti has save English Premier League. It was going to a shameful to see Man U winning with the scraps like Paul Scholes and Gary ......LOL
From damoah_afari on Thu May 06 12:53PMSpain !!!!!
The final is in Hamburg - Germany
I hope u do not miss the match should u go to Spain !!From t_maddah on Thu May 06 12:55PMRafascrackingdown comment 1. Typical ignorant armchair fan. Ancelottis previous club was AC milan NOT Inter Milan. So he actually will win more then AC this season
From checkerboard5000 on Thu May 06 12:55PMIsn't the final in Hamburg? Why "fly over to Spain"?
From random_1806 on Thu May 06 12:58PMRAFA CRACKIN CUP you re simply rocking whenever MR Murphy unloads his scum thought as post ur r postin another load of scum as comment!!!! Fulham vs realmadrid !!!!! Day dreamer!!!
From pheonix_y2r on Thu May 06 01:03PMAn unedifying plea for a contract extension Murphy. other players might be able to "perform at the highest level for much longer in the modern game." You can't.
From lawrence43 on Thu May 06 01:05PMstrangely i find myself agreeing with mr murphy? that is not something you will hear me say very often,
From davechelseafan on Thu May 06 01:07PMbunch of bulocks this shows who favours who. next season they even wont be able to play with squad avarage 70 years old guys
From mr_parchs on Thu May 06 01:10PMWith the shift in power to mainland Europe in regards the champions league all our representatives from the EPL have fallen well short. With that in mind for Ancelloti to grab the league and cup double should be seen as an excellent achievment in his first season. The general feeling i've had from all contributors from all clubs is a huge backing for Fulham to give British football some pride back in Europe, thats fantastic, Come on you whites!!!
From pfy1101 on Thu May 06 01:15PMrafascrackingdown, Carlo's previous club was AC Milan not Inter, and Fulham is playing Atletico Madrid, not Real Madrid....you're an idiot
From oleg.korets on Thu May 06 01:25PMWhile I wish Fulham all the best in their final match, Chelsea being on top at this point in the season is a result of hard work and determination. Beating all contenders to the title home and away is no small feat. Stumbles against pretenders not withstanding, I believe Chelsea were the best team of the course of the season.
From akinwunmialongep on Thu May 06 01:35PMYeah good luck danny. absolutely no pressure youve amazed us all, got pretty much the whole of england rooting for you. now just go out there an win it.
From alec.may on Thu May 06 01:40PMrafascrackingdown..........dangled your rod mate and got a few bites. good work!
From robbiedavies_07 on Thu May 06 01:45PMLOL..stupid rafascrackingdown..i think u r jz kiddin right??............no, u cant be serious right?? if not, you are the most dumb football fan i have ever seen..
From fay_renzokuken_2004 on Thu May 06 02:07PMwe've 'mostly' been clinical really... as in, clinical except for getting spanked by man city TWICE! Never mind, if we win the league I can forgive that!
From james.lockhart17 on Thu May 06 02:11PMUpblues,it's a pity dat mancity doesn't make to biggest europeanleague,i give kudos to harry 4 beating city at home.to all english football lover we don't need to be panic d uefa cup is coming to england up fulham
From free4freedom62 on Thu May 06 02:12PMComments 1 and 2 rafascrackingdown. Fair play to you mate you have already had a few bites lol... why dont people ever learn?
From reevesy314 on Thu May 06 02:12PMTo rafascrackingdown.
Ancellotti's previous club was Milan and not Inter. That's like confusing Liverpool with Evverton, or City with United.
From reefed2000 on Thu May 06 02:25PMManchester United without Cristiano Ronaldo is not the same thing.
From omnitradus_idiom on Thu May 06 02:26PMyes well done don carlo the double with no money spent ahahah 200mill in the summer treble next year easy easy easy chelsea 4 life
From cfcbluez7114 on Thu May 06 02:31PMrafascrackingdown is a typical man utd fan. who is not A LOYAL DOG who support his own team. the good new is man utd will have one TYPICAL FAN gone. HAHA
From sowyouxiang on Thu May 06 02:50PMrafascrackingdown its athletico madrid
From keithjoneskj on Thu May 06 02:57PMGood luck in Eurpoa league final Danny and please please do us a favour on Saturday and beat Arsenal please.
From palajam on Thu May 06 02:58PMGood article and good luck to everybody involved with Fulham in the final. Its a good advert for English football to see a non-fancied small club like Fulham get to the final and lets hope they stay the way they are and not get carried away like other clubs before them. Middlesborough comes to mind but its essential for Fulham FC to keep thier manager. Good luck from a Chelsea fan
From concolton on Thu May 06 03:08PMcmon durphy im cheering fr u at the weekend against liverpool , we can win the uefa cup CMON U HAMMERS
From the_spanishwaiter on Thu May 06 03:11PMHe is a very good coach.he succeeded in defeating the big three home and away.sowyouxiang who told u man utd will have one TYPICAL FAN gone.your is your are a chelsea fan who is not even sure of lifting premier league.HAHAHAHAHAHA i think you are just scared
From abeludoh on Thu May 06 03:21PMDanny! You must be having a soft spot for Chelsea, right? Imagine Man U had over seven of their defenders injured; during that time most of their games were drawn and some losses. What happened to Man U if it had happened to any of the 'big-four' they would've been fighting relegation survival. And just a point advantage over Man U and you want to make your readers feel that Chelsea has done exceptionally better than Man U? If by chance Man U wins this Premier; will your view stand? Or you're just a Man U hater?
Cheers!
DJFrom degauleh on Thu May 06 03:46PM
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