JT "We had some great times before, but all that has gone now!"

Well it seems that JT has been the one person the media has really focused on in these early stages of our pre season tour to the far east. Yesterday he was quoted talking about Luka Modric and then afterwards about Fernando Torres but now the focus turns to Andre Villas-Boas.

JT was quick to admit that we under achieved last season and it's now up to every single player to prove their worth at Chelsea once again under AVB and so far, the impressions of him as manager has been good. He said:

"Appointing [Villas-Boas] was not a brave decision, but a very good decision, We have spoken about managers coming and going, but I'm certain he will be around for a long time. In Carlo's first season we thought we had that stability, but it just goes to show the thoughts and ideas of the club. It's up to us as a group of players to achieve and the manager to get us ready for that. He will certainly do his part, and hopefully we do that back to him. It's up to us to deliver as a group of players.

We had some great times before, but all that has gone now. We don't dwell on what we have achieved and settle for that. But, in his role before, the players respected him anyway. He was the guy that travelled the world looking at players, and we were very impressed with his knowledge even then. What he has achieved away from Chelsea has been incredible. He fully deserves this chance. Not enough chances are given to young managers, and how do we expect them to get the experience if not given the chance? Thankfully, our owner has given him an opportunity.

There are a lot of [young] people out there with an enormous amount of talent. André certainly proved that at Porto and fully deserves his chance at Chelsea. He can bring in fresh ideas and give everyone a chance. There were some players last season who a few people thought would be out the door, but they get a fresh start – until he decides not. He is not judging anyone from last season or the season before and will see us from this point on in every training session and in every game.

There's a real emphasis on training and he's laid out what he wants from the team and from individuals. He's getting his point across very well: he's got his own ideas, he's a very intelligent man and knows his football thoroughly. He knows players, his positional sense and his attention to detail in pre-game and in training are outstanding, and he's very much like Mourinho in taking it from one session to another.

But he's his own man. It's hard to compare him to anyone but I'm sure he will bring a lot to the club, I'm positive about that. He's just very assured of himself which just goes to show the confidence he has in himself."

(Source)

You really get the impression from JT and Frank Lampard yesterday that last season hurt them as players and as men as much as it hurt all of us.

It is important that we do not dwell on the past successes and look to move forward and with AVB we have already taken a step in the right direction in my book.

As he always does, it's another message via the media to the players that last season wasn't acceptable and they need to work hard to bring the title back to the Bridge. If AVB and his staff will put the work in, they need to ensure they are all doing the same, each and every single player.

JT was quick to point out that AVB has already laid out what he expects from the team and from each of them as individuals which is really, really important. Sometimes squad players can feel like they have been overlooked so with this clean slate he has spoken of now, forgetting what happened in previous seasons, every single one of them has a chance to fight to wear the shirt if that's what they want to do and that is another big big step.

So in two days we have heard from JT and Frank Lampard with a similar message to the rest of the players. Expect the likes of Didier Drogba, Torres and Cech come out and do the same.

One thing is for sure, and I have said it before, these days in the far east are huge now for our season. It's seems AVB is already working his magic motivating the players, it's now down to every single one of them to make the right choice and be a part of our exciting future this season.

KTBFFH

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