Avram Grant's bizarre post match interview

[Koke]

I have to say I feel sorry for the bloke. The media rip him to shreds, his own fans don't like him and he's got Chelsea 2nd in the league and semi final in Europe - He can't win regardless what he does.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3438952,00.html

[Simi]

Fair play to him, some of the questions they ask him are ridiculous and I wouldn't be able to tolerate it.

If it's a protest towards Sky as well, that's class.

[Koke]

A deserved win Avram?

Grant said: 'Yes.'

What particularly pleased you about the performance?

'I'm pleased.'

What in particular pleased you?

After an eight second delay: 'I don't know.'

Is it a relief to win here?

'Yes.'

You seem lost for words by the performance. Are you more satisfied with the performance or the victory?

'Both.'

You seem distracted. Do you have a problem?

'No problem.'

Is there an issue?

'No. I'm ok. I have nothing to say.'

Do you have a message for the Chelsea fans?

'You represent the Chelsea fans?'

They must believe you are still in the title race, do you have a message for them?

'No message.'

Does this result mean you are back in it now?

'I don't know.'

How many steps have you climbed to undertake this press conference?

'I don't know.'

You seem less voluble than usual. Is it because of Sky TV moving the game to a Thursday?

'Maybe it's because of you. I don't know. I am ok.'

You are saying that you don't know if you are still in the title race?

'No.' Is it easier to say nothing Avram?

'I don't what to answer. It is a good question. I don't know what to answer.'

Is this because of Sky?

'No. Sky is ok. I enjoy watching them.'

Is it a protest against newspapers?

'No. Why?'

Why else would you come in and refuse to answer our questions?

'I answer every question.'

You are two points behind Manchester United and you don't know if you are still in the title race?

'No.'

Have you told the players that you don't know if you are back in the title race?

'What I tell the players is something else. You want me to tell you what I say to the players?'

We just want you to answer the question really. Are you in the title race?

'I don't know.'

Would you not like to gain some positive publicity for the result rather than this bizarre silence?

'I'm sorry. You can write whatever you want and I can answer what I want.'

Do you feel under pressure to deliver a trophy. Is that the reason for the monosyllabic answers?

'No.'

Are you upset? Do you feel you have been misrepresented?

'Maybe I have said because it is a bad season.'

Did Michael Essien faint?

'He had some problems, but he is ok.'

Michael Ballack?

'Injured.'

What's his problem?

'Ask the doctor.'

He's not here Avram.

'Well call him then.'

Have you ever played the yes/no game Avram?

[Durnerz]

If I was getting the stick Grant is getting then I would react in a similar way.

However it has been reported that Chelseas success is largely down to Henk Ten Cate, I think a lot was said in the Carling cup final when Steve Clarke and Ten Cate were trying to gee up the players before the start of extra time while Grant stood there away from them, clueless scratching his head.

[lildave3]

:laugh:

Love it.

[lavrentis]

I like Grant, I don't think he has done owt wrong, still I think he should have a summer to buy players.

[sdb]

haha i like him, he's so chubby and ugly but i want him to succeed. the media and tabloids are such twats and they've been dying for him to fail from the second he replaced mourinho. the bansley game aside they've done pretty well under him. he may even have the best wins per game ratio in the league - i'd be interested to see. title's still uniteds though

[Thracian]

In some ways he's just what the game needs - someone to be successful without having any of the looks or public personna so often deemed necessary to be successful at anything that involves the media nowadays.

Ironically his miserable, deadpan, some would say ugly exterior is actually making a statement for outwardly miserable, deadpan, ugly people everywhere and I for one wish him every success.

No flashing smile, no clever quips, no trend-setting suits or ties, no cultivated image whatsoever - to me the bloke is so refreshing in his way cos there seems to be nothing contrived about him at all.

Football? He just does it. And does it remarkably well so far.

[Corky]

In some ways he's just what the game needs - someone to be successful without having any of the looks or public personna so often deemed necessary to be successful at anything that involves the media nowadays.

Ironically his miserable, deadpan, some would say ugly exterior is actually making a statement for outwardly miserable, deadpan, ugly people everywhere and I for one wish him every success.

No flashing smile, no clever quips, no trend-setting suits or ties, no cultivated image whatsoever - to me the bloke is so refreshing in his way cos there seems to be nothing contrived about him at all.

Football? He just does it. And does it remarkably well so far.

I actually feel sorry for the bloke. He doesn't deserve the criticism he gets. If he wins the EC semi-final he would have done something Mourinho couldn't do at Chelsea, but the Chelsea "fans" will never accept him, as he isn't media-friendly. I wish Holloway was more like Grant, not obsessed with giving the media some column inches with funny quips, but just get on with the job in a quiet manner and do the talking on the pitch. Holloway could learn a lot from someone like Grant.