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FINDING SPACE: Chelsea's Joe Cole may be able to capitalise on the lack of cover for Newcastle's full-backs. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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KEVIN Keegan is no stranger to hyperbole, but it is not often that Avram Grant has found himself described in such glowing terms.
But the unheralded successor to a charismatic manager was likened to Bob Paisley, who replaced Keegan's hero Bill Shankly at Liverpool more than three decades ago.
'Avram's not John Wayne,' Keegan stressed, somewhat unnecessarily. 'But he knows his football and he has had a fantastic season.
'I think where Avram has been very, very clever is that he's let the ship sail along. That's what Bob Paisley did after Bill Shankly at Liverpool. He has not made major changes.'
Paisley brought six titles in nine seasons to Anfield.
For Grant to take one to Stamford Bridge, he requires three results to go in his favour, starting tonight at Keegan's Newcastle.
Not that it is necessarily the right time to meet them.
The optimism has returned to Newcastle, with Keegan's men unbeaten in seven games - featuring six Michael Owen goals - and on their best run of the season.
Still more surprisingly, a club that have become a byword for terrible defending have four clean sheets in six games.
It makes halting Owen and breaching an unusually reliable Newcastle defence vital. England's fourth-highest scorer has been given a deeper role, playing just behind the two main strikers.
It had proved highly effective against Premier League opposition but, then, few, as Chelsea do, employ a specialist anchor midfielder.
Whether Claude Makelele or John Obi Mikel, that man should be charged with marking Owen tonight.
At the other end, width is essential for Chelsea.
Their 4-3-3 formation is similar to Newcastle's, but this provides opportunities for players, who are often only nominal wingers, to operate on the flanks and exploit the lack of cover offered to the home side's full-backs.
So it could be a stage made for Joe Cole, whose form has suffered recently.
In attack, another bruising display of Didier Drogba's physicality would help, even as it appears less likely he will operate under Grant next season.
Indeed, while Keegan praised his Chelsea counterpart for the continuity he provided, that can only last for another three games.
Major changes are expected in the summer and there has been a valedictory air to some of Drogba's recent actions, even if the temperamental Ivorian cannot quite decide whether to depart arguing or winning.
But as the speculation mounts, a reunion with Jose Mourinho seems more likely, whether at AC Milan, Inter or Real Madrid.
In turn, Chelsea have been linked with a world record £80 million (S$214 million) bid for Lionel Messi.
But they have had weightier concerns. Frank Lampard's mother's funeral was on Friday, the day after Grant visited Auschwitz. The past can cast a huge shadow, but talk about the future continues.
For the first time, there are suggestions that Grant has impressed other Premier League clubs enough to consider employing him.
He has been linked with both West Ham and Manchester City, a sign that his reputation has improved.
To elevate it still higher, he must make the right calls tonight and hope for some help at the weekend.
With Michael Ballack likely to be fit after a leg problem, he has the option of retaining Michael Essien at right-back or restoring him to midfield.
West Ham's limp surrender at Old Trafford on Saturday means that, whatever Chelsea do, they are hoping for a favour from Wigan on Sunday.
The alternative is that United's vastly superior goal difference, coupled with a Newcastle win, will effectively make Alex Ferguson's side champions tonight.
Ferguson's third title came at the expense of Keegan and Newcastle in 1996. Now he is hoping they can provide him with a 10th.
stsports@sph.com.sg
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Live, Ch27 & Ch303, 10.55pm
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