For any young whippersnapper readers out there, Pat Nevin was true wing wizard who we were fortunate enough to have playing for us in the 80´s. 

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Nevin possessed tremendous skill and the word “mercurial” could have been invented for him.  Not only was Nevin clever on the pitch but he was well respected for his intelligence and insight off it, writing newspaper columns and scribing for musical publications.  He now writes a weekly column for the official web site.

  

Nevin asks Chelsea fans to support Grant and the management without insisting or trying to tell us how to behave.  He feels the greater good will be served and unity will only strengthen the clubs efforts between now and the end of the season. 

“It would be fairly churlish to say anything other than well done to Avram Grant after Sunday's late show against Arsenal. If ever the pressure and the eyes of the football world were set squarely on one manager, it was just then when he made those substitutions with 20 minutes to go.” 

“Many Blues fans were furious with the manager when Ballack was taken off, but Grant is sounding fairly magnanimous and seems to understand that it was the passion of the fans that led to the frustration.” 

“In the end some will like him and others will not, some will rate him, others will think he is a pretty poor replacement for his predecessor, that's football, these differing opinions are fine, you pay your money you make your choice. “ 

“One thing is for sure though, he will be here at least until we find out whether or not we are going to be champions of England, Europe or neither this season. Maybe it is worth everyone getting behind him, or at least laying off a bit, and staying as positive as possible until these final two issues are resolved?” 

Seems fair enough to me and it does make sense. 

Personally, whilst that dark cloud remains of Grant’s possible involvement in the departure of one of our most successful and charismatic managers of all time I will find it nearly impossible to warm to Grant.  Admittedly, it’s a naïve attitude – there has hardly ever been room for gentlemanly etiquette in the corridors of power at football clubs BUT the manner of Mourinho´s departure coupled with (in my opinion) Grant’s lack of adequate level to handle a squad such as ours makes it very very difficult to enthusiastically support him. 

Nevin himself poignantly hints that he himself may feel in a similar way: 

“Indeed I have my own strongly held opinions, but are they important right now?” 

As an aside there was also a feeling that came through in Nevin´s comments that he quite likes 4-4-2: 

“Didier Drogba suddenly came alive and looked back to his best when Nicolas Anelka moved in beside him. The Frenchman immediately shouldered some of the physical stress of the battle with Arsenal's central defence and the gaps duly appeared.” 

Back to “Grantgate” though, Nevin sums up his own viewpoint and stresses the importance of vocal support with the following: 

"As a Chelsea player I always felt uplifted by the unstinting positive attitude that streamed down from the terraces in our direction. It never failed to lift me and add to my confidence along with that of the rest of the team. This is not a club edict and things may look very different in a few months time. In the meantime, it is a very long shot and we are the outsiders by a good distance, but it could still be the club's finest ever season if we win the Champions League and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility." 

"For that to happen it needs everyone to set aside the gripes about the manager for a short time, particularly at the games, and support as vociferously as possible. If there is an empty trophy cabinet at the end of the season, there will be plenty of time to complain then!" 

I suppose I can live with that.

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