Cheer Tinkerman AFTER the game

Last updated : 25 February 2009 By Paul Lagan

Claudio Ranieri is coming back to Stamford Bridge and is expecting the red carpet treatment from club and fans.
I say, make his life hell until the game is over.
Then, by all means shake his hands, pat him on the back and tell him what a wonderful man he is.
But from the time he and his team set foot on SW6, make his and his players life a nightmare.
Boo, jeer and shout at every gesture, at every opportunity.
Don't make his time easy.
What we all must not lose focus on is ensuring Chelsea take a healthy lead to Italy in two weeks' time.
Time appears to be a great healer, but how many times were we treating to bizzare team selections and even more unbelievable substitutions and tactical nonsense from the Tinkerman.
Chelsea should have won the Champions League in his last season in charge.
The monumental cock-up against Monaco in the semi-final will live on forever.
When the match is over and hopefully the boys have a 3-0 lead, we can chat to Claudio and talk about some of the good old days.
We can recall Wayne Bridge's winner at Arsenal in the Champions League, we can er....er.... actually I think that's about it.
We could mention some of his signings such as Veron et al, but let's focus on Joe Cole and Lamps instead.
Claudio famously called journalists "the sharks". When I said we were really pussycats, he poked me in the stomach and said:" Ah!! yes, big pussycats".
Don't get me wrong, I like Claudio the man, not convinced by Claudio the Chelsea manager, but utterly convinced that he is Claudio the enemy - for a couple of hours tonight at least.