Fresh Optimism Welcomed By Chelsea FC Fans Who Rightly Care Too Much
By Eric McCoy
Blues fans are quietly welcoming some optimism back into their life as Chelsea FC continue their resurgence under Guus Hiddink. We still have a shot.
Chelsea are probably not going to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season. I am aware of this. Chelsea fans are aware of this. People who hate Chelsea are also gleefully aware of this.
Chelsea currently sit eight points behind 4th place Manchester City, and have 10 league matches remaining in their season. City still have 11 to play thanks to their participation in the League Cup final this past weekend.
There are also Southampton, Liverpool (ugh), Stoke City, West Ham United and Manchester United (boo!) sitting between Chelsea and lucrative qualification into next season’s Champions League.
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I am all too aware of this. ‘Rue dropped points’ was a recurring item on my weekend ‘to-do’ list for most of the season (‘to-do’ lists are helpful when you get older because you forget anything that’s not on a screen directly in front of you).
The futility of Chelsea’s league campaign has been painfully ever-present for a while, and yet the phrase ‘we still have a shot’ is starting to emerge from my lips with increasing frequency. The giddiness from three straight league wins for the first time all season may be deluding my perception of reality, but the feeling of optimism is not unwelcome.
Watching football is, ideally, done for enjoyment. It’s not a job that you hate that you have to keep going to because you enjoy things like running water and electricity. It’s also not some weird uncle you’re forced to spend every Christmas with just because you share the same last name. You watch football because it’s fun and you like it. Ideally.
However, take a peek at any internet message board, or get stuck next to the wrong crank at a bar after a defeat for your team, and you will encounter people who look like they’re having the very antithesis of ‘fun’. I am not above this. The pillows on my couch have gotten a few fist-shaped indentions during Chelsea matches that would suggest I’m partaking in an activity slightly less than recreational.
The sight of a ball sailing into Chelsea’s net is always going to produce an immediate and visceral response from me. That response will be anger. Swearing is generally involved too. Despite the frustration that exists in the immediate aftermath of an awful Chelsea moment, I like to attempt to maintain a more hopeful and optimistic outlook overall.
Football is important. Yes, I’m aware that it’s ‘just a game’ – a game that supporters aren’t even active participants in – but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. I woke up at 5:30 in the morning to go watch Chelsea play Tottenham earlier this season. There aren’t too many (i.e. any) things that get me out of bed at that hour that don’t involve a paycheck. Is football life or death? No. But it means more to its fans than the latest television premier or movie release.
I’m aware of what Chelsea means to me, and I’m aware the passion I have for the club can manifest itself in toxic ways if I let negativity run unchecked. Perspective is crucial, and I don’t mean some dopey ‘at least the sun is still shining and isn’t it silly caring so much about a meaningless football team’ perspective.
Chelsea play a lot of games each season. They aren’t going to win all of the games all of the time. There are going to be victories and there are going to be defeats, but what’s important to remember is that there are going to be games.
Chelsea sit in 10th place and this Saturday I’m going to go to the pub to watch the Stoke City game with my friends just like I would if the club were in 1st place. Football is a wonderful outlet for all the work and life frustrations that comprise a typical week, and it’s still available to you regardless of where your team is located in the standings. Because Chelsea aren’t going anywhere, and because I – for better or worse – am not going anywhere, I think it’s best not to let a bad run of form cause veins to bulge worryingly on my forehead.
Eight points is a lot to make up in 10 matches. The fact that there are six teams to try and surpass is going to make it that much more difficult. It’s not impossible, but if I had to bet (betting is bad, kids) I would bet on Chelsea falling just short of 4th place and Champions League qualification.
This isn’t going to stop me from anxiously checking the standings after each match hoping to see Chelsea’s name a little higher on the table than it was before the match started, and it’s also not going to stop me from rambling on about how there’s still hope to anyone who will listen.
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Wins over Newcastle, Southampton and Norwich aren’t much, but any reason for optimism is welcome when you’re in the midst of a richer or poorer, sickness and health lifetime commitment. Besides, Chelsea are just going to win the Champions League and qualify that way, right?