John Terry: Saying it as it is

After a weekend of speculation regarding the relationship between Rafa Benitez and John Terry, it hasn’t taken long for JT to step into the spotlight with the media, telling it how it is to give them copy in their articles this morning.

That’s JT though, isn’t it? Never someone to shy away from adversity or speculation, he would rather come out and challenge it head on as he did to ITV after the game about the stories that appeared before Brentford on Sunday.

JT led the team out, looked pretty solid all game and was back to doing what the Chelsea team has been missing – talking to players and being the voice we so desperately lack when he isn’t there.

JT has spoken of the situation at the Bridge under the man he had been accused of being at loggerheads with, and as I said, pulled no punches. He said:

“It falls on us because if you are winning games, that gets taken away. If you are losing games, the pressure is on the manager. He has to take responsibility because he is the one who picks the team. So if we are not winning, as with all managers, it falls on his head, unfortunately.

But if we are winning games and hopefully as a group of players we can do that, it takes the pressure off him and the fans can concentrate on winning games. They pay their money so they are entitled to echo their thoughts. All we can do is concentrate on our jobs and that is winning games. We beat Brentford and I didn’t hear much. It takes it away.

The fans have their opinion, and the players, and the most important thing is the team winning games. It’s not about Rafa, it’s not about me, it’s not about Lamps, it’s not about anybody. It’s about this club winning games and if we are doing that, the fans are happy. That’s all they want to see.”

That first part of his interview is spot on, and maybe reveals something a little more than we first imagine. Now, being Chelsea through and through, JT would understand where the Chelsea fans who have opposed Benitez are coming from. I have said time and time again that we are in a results business, and that stands true for whatever league you manage in. If you are not winning games, the pressure grows and is expected.

I like the fact that there is a veiled dig at Benitez in that first paragraph. “He has to take responsibility because he is the one who picks the team”. Look at QPR, Southampton and the ridiculous substitutions he has made.

Winning games helps the situation, but people like JT have to accept that even if we finish second or third, and win either the FA Cup or Europa League, we still won’t accept Rafa Benitez. It sounds ridiculous to say it, but it’s true.

Don’t get me wrong, and I am not about to do an “Arsene Wenger” here. All we want to see is Chelsea winning games, because it’s the team and the football club that we care about, and that’s what it comes down to.

All JT is doing here is reiterating what is expected of the team, each individual player and most importantly of all – our “interim manager”.