Jamie O'Hara was left completely stunned after an irate Chelsea supporter insisted that manager Xabi Alonso should be sacked if the club loses to Manchester United this weekend. The ultimatum follows a difficult week for the Blues, who suffered just their second-ever Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge before being dumped out of the Carabao Cup.
Speaking on The Sports Bar to O'Hara and Jermaine Pennant, a Chelsea fan named Rob voiced his fury, describing Saturday's upcoming fixture as 'doomsday' and demanding Alonso's dismissal in the event of another loss. Rob also took aim at the squad, claiming Malo Gusto and Valentin Barco are 'Sunday League players at best.' Pennant suggested that lingering animosity towards the former Real Madrid boss may stem from his playing days at Liverpool, where he helped eliminate Chelsea from the Champions League. Rob agreed that supporters felt a similar issue previously with Rafa Benitez, while lamenting how easily Tottenham used Danny Welbeck as an outlet during their weekend derby defeat.
Despite the brewing frustration from the stands, Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League standings having secured four victories from their opening eight matches. While they rank as the division's third-highest goalscorers, defensive vulnerabilities have seen them concede as many goals as Coventry, leaving them with a goal difference of just +2. Without any European football to contest this term, Chelsea will not have another cup engagement until the FA Cup third round gets underway in January.
The pressure now shifts entirely to Saturday's 12:30pm showdown against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Visiting manager Michael Carrick remains in his post despite intense scrutiny and a dismal run that has left the Red Devils in 16th position with just one league victory all season. Although there are currently no suggestions from within the club that Alonso's job is under threat, the damaging loss to local rivals Tottenham has altered the mood, leaving Alonso needing a positive result to win back increasingly concerned fans.