Napoli Vs. Chelsea: Match Reaction
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 9:50 PM GMT
in Chelsea FC: UEFA Champions League
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Chelsea opened the scoring at the Stadio San Paolo but a trio of defensive errors cost the Blues dearly as Napoli came back to win 3-1. The story after the loss is going to be that Chelsea were blown out, which is probably unfair - the Blues did enough to earn something much closer to a draw and Napoli got some lucky breaks. So things go. It's also not an insurmountable deficit. The team is down by two and has an away goal, and Chelsea should be very capable of beating the Partenopei at Stamford Bridge in three weeks.
Some quick thoughts on what happened today...
- Andre Villas-Boas starting Raul Meireles in this match is a fireable offence for me. Napoli play incredibly well on the transition, whereas Meireles can't defend and gives the ball away in stupid areas. A lot of the pressure (and the first goal) could have been avoided had Meireles been stuck on the bench where he belongs. Fortunately, Raul will be suspended for the next match.
- Speaking of the midfield, Ramires played incredibly poorly. I don't want to pick on him because he's been superb this season, but that was some pants defending (and attacking play).
- It took way too long to get Michael Essien and Frank Lampard on. We looked far better with an actual midfield rather than having clown car and an off-colour Ramires in the centre. Another mark against Villas-Boas, probably, but he was put in a bind by the early injury to Jose Bosingwa.
- The goals were not the result of being unprepared to deal with Napoli's attacks. We had an individual error from Meireles for Lavezzi's first, Branislav Ivanovic reacting slowly to Edinson Cavani's run for the second, and a moment of madness in what was otherwise another strong game by David Luiz for Lavezzi's third. That said, Napoli did generate chances when the fullbacks were both pushed too high up the pitch, which was an obvious weakness for Chelsea.
- Ashley Cole wasn't 'dropped'. He was recovering from an injury. This isn't that hard to grasp. He did play reasonably well, however.
- We're still having issues with patience. There were stretches where Chelsea dominated the game but simply pushed Napoli too hard. The hosts weren't defending well and were opening themselves up by making rash challenges, but the passes Chelsea were playing didn't really take advantage of the spaces and actually pushed Napoli back into a more compact block. They were also far too risky - you absolutely cannot play blind flicks etc. when you're against a team as capable on the counterattack as this one.
- I think we're in for a legitimate shout of winning this tie over two legs. Napoli didn't show they were much better than us and for me the margin of victory didn't really reflect the performance. 2-1 would have been fair, but there's no reason Chelsea can't come back to win at home. Let's hope they can.
- Seriously what the heck Raul Meireles.
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Second Leg
I’m thinking shades of Barcelona 2005. Quick 3-0 up and then we’ll figure it out from there.
by Nothing But Rim: The Wes Johnson Story on Feb 21, 2012 9:52 PM GMT reply actions
I think Meireles is going to burned in effigy tonight.
He was just awful. I just don’t understand why he’s still being played.
Not saying its acceptable
But i think Luiz’s yellow card from a previous match played a big role in that last goal, imagine how screwed we’d be w/o Luiz and possibly Bosingwa
by JCP17 on Feb 21, 2012 9:57 PM GMT via Android app reply actions
2 things we learned, that many suspected all along
Ramires & Meireles are not fit for the double pivot. Not now, not ever. Certainly not together.
Fuck.
Yeah.
Meireles should only be in midfield in the future against teams that won’t press.
Ramires gets a pass because he was coming back from injury, and usually doesn’t play poorly. It’s really, really hard to play well in the midfield when your partner is always in the wrong place.
FloMo was actually ok today. Interesting.
And seriously, it’s time for Danny as the striker. Just give the kid the keys.
Still not convinced by the 'Danny as the striker' thing
Admittedly Drogba was quiet today, but Sturridge hasn’t done anything to suggest he’d be any better.
agree
Hes mainly great for his pace and quick feet, actually i get why avb wants him to be RW, but still lacking in strength for striker
His dribble is actually quite irritating at times
we don’t have anyone who does what Cavani does: run behind the defenders. Why they are not trying this?
perhaps we could just get Cavani
and agreed on Sturridge. he’s just not fully polished yet. so many times his dribbles, or passes, are JUST off and he loses the ball or gives it away. i think in a little time he’ll be sharper and more effective.
I hope he develops into CR7
why not? the potential is there, primadona persona is there, dribble is almost there.
He needs to start working on the free kicks… I am being serios….
he's not nearly as much of a douchebag as C. Ronaldo
nor does he seem quite as talented, OR as selfish. Sturridge’s passing has improved a lot his season. i just want him to develop into the best Sturridge he can be.
He hasn't been given the chance through the middle to suggest he'd be any better!
He did it well for Bolton. I think he should be given the chance to prove himself, even if it doesn’t work out it can’t be any worse than Torres or Drogba!
by conorjmartin on Feb 22, 2012 3:37 PM GMT up reply actions
My current match reaction is still
FUCKASUIFOASDJFLKASDFLASDFMEIRELESAIOPAUSDFFUCKFUAOFFUFUUFUFUFUFUFUFU
…breath…
FUCKASUIFOASDJFLKASDFLASDFMEIRELESAIOPAUSDFFUCKFUAOFFUFUUFUFUFUFUFUFU
If he plays Raul in a really important game one more time, he should be fired (assuming other
and better options are available, like Essien).
I wonder if he'll get enough time to play him in another important match.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Feb 21, 2012 10:14 PM GMT up reply actions
It's not working, but who's out there to take over?
The fact that Rafa doesn’t look bad to me for the rest of the season says a lot.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Feb 21, 2012 10:20 PM GMT up reply actions
That's the thing. I'm not certain we need a long-term guy now.
I think we need to seriously start looking at making a change, and “as good” might be enough. We’d look at someone long-term in the summer.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Feb 21, 2012 10:28 PM GMT up reply actions
Maybe we need an AVB apologist.
Tbh though, I don’t really want him sacked. His tactics and line up baffle the hell outta me though.
Just fucking stop it, nanajr
We’re committed to AVB for at least another year, let his vision become reality. The Tattooed Monstrosity needs to never play again, he’s not anywhere close to Chelsea quality. Our crosses all game were garbage, how about picking your head up one time and picking out your pass?
All that being said, Napoli is definitely beatable, and I’m holding out hope for the home leg
by Sounders4life on Feb 22, 2012 1:37 AM GMT up reply actions
Benitez -Christ No, you jest. PLUS Name a worse player the RM?
Benitez; Jose has repeatedly twisted his melon (man). Even the Scousers tired of him. Second rate.
AVB LOOKED THE LONLIEST MAN IN ITALY AFTER THE GAME. I dont understand what the does sometimes.. er… make that usually, but I like his guts. Just to keep consistant, I have had a go at Miereles in every post Ive put on this site. Perhaps this is AVB’s oddest stance, loyalty to a player who is an embarrassment to the shirt. Last night was a new low. Worse than Villa, worse than Everton, worse the Birmingham. The first goal was skool-boy bad. His passing consistantly pathetic. His movement inane. QUESTION FOR YOU GUYS; NAME A WORSE CHELSEA PLAYER WHO MADE MORE THAN TEN STARTS SINCE THE MILLENIUM? – I DARE YOU TO TRY.
Can we stop them scoring at the Bridge? Can we get four? Will Didier show up this time? Torres? That front line of theirs is ++ potent but the defence was dodgier than ours which deserved more protection. Why so late with the Bison? We are nt finished yet.
Surely experience should have taught us by now
not to go near anybody with any connection to Liverpool-every other time has been a disaster!
by conorjmartin on Feb 22, 2012 3:42 PM GMT up reply actions
It surprises me to hear you, of all people, saying that
Granted it’s not going particularly well at the moment, but we looked pretty damn impressive to start off the season and we don’t exactly have the greatest players at the moment.
I still trust AVB to dig us out of this hole in the long-term and I hope against all hope that Benitez never gets anywhere near this club (I honestly think I’d rather have Sven.)
WE ALSO HOPE MESSI COMES TO CHELSEA NEXT WEEK TO HELP US
you need realism not just hope. Avb has lost it.
him coming isnt solving the problem
he’s class but chelsea’s problems lie deeper within the back 4… and midfield
I don't need anything, thanks
Me and my hope are sitting here quite comfortably and I’m guessing it’s a much happier place than ‘Anger City’ where you appear to be living.
You need to get your capslock key repaired
and besides this, your very suggestion was to bring Benitez and since you can’t guarantee he’d be a success yourself – wouldn’t you need hope yourself should Benitez be installed?
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
We've never need a long-term guy more than now.
We’re very clearly fucked in the short-term, even if Jesus F. Christ was managing us.
What makes you say that? How do you know? If he was so good,
why did Liverpool drop out of the CL in his command?
generally he improved liverpool in his 4 years more than hollier eva did.
two champ league finals and winning one, 2nd place in the league 2009 highest lpool has eva come in premiership, i understand his purchases are bad but tactically he is gooood. only coach to beat mourinho tactically not tecnically like pep does. that is it for now. RAFA!!!
You mean
that CL title he won because he slipped through to a final with a goal that was never scored
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Problems with your capslock key?
Without that phantom goal he would have probably gone nowhere
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
so we just hold our hands and watch him start mereiles every single match when essien in benched?
granted he is no miracle worker but the project he continually talks about is clearly not working. and he is not willing to change.
The project he keeps talking about...
Is not about this season. We have no way of knowing at this point whether or not it will work. What we know is that we are not good enough to compete this season. We knew that back in August. It’s possible that people are disappointed that we’re even worse than expected, but we’ve been very unfortunate with injuries.
I understand that people are frustrated by our recent performances, but I think it’s far too soon to be calling for Andre’s head.
Yeah, so when we sack AVB and get Rafa Benitez
we’d all be lucky all the time
If it were that case how come Rafa was sacked by Pool when they failed to qualify for the CL? Was he running out of luck?
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Benitez did more in 4 years than AVB in 8 months!?
No way!!!
by DPeezy on Feb 21, 2012 10:51 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
My point is Rafa is a good gaffe, he might not be the Mr. nice guy but he sure is effective and with our squard and money he sure will get the job done.
And mereiles will not play when essien is on the bench. And i almost forgot, he wont loose the DR
IF YOU HAVE TORRES GETTING 33 GOALS LIKE HIS DEBUT SEASON
we would be soooo gone. RAFA!!
If there was only Benitez who knew how to get Torres scoring again
then Torres is beyond hope anyway
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
If we did our homework correctly
the chance of getting a goalscoring striker with 30m would be way higher than getting Benitez and work magic on Torres because
1) You don’t know if Benitez can make Torres scoring again
2) Sacking AVB will cost money, too
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
and do we know whether AVB project would eva see daylight?
because clearly it is not working
way the options
1. getting torres to score
2. getting another better forward for possibly 35 mill pounds
i will choose A
I think we need to stop buying strikers for that much money.
It seems to put too much pressure on them. They breaking mentally.
Plus then we lose managers for making a “bad buy” ala Carlo.
Thats because it hasnt started yet. His project
is to rebuild the squad, and it’s not rebuilt yet.
you might start to see some positive changes
after he’s had a whole summer to bring in some more players that fit his and RA’s vision and get rid of the old ones.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:21 PM GMT up reply actions
the ability to attract those talents much depend on champ league football.
am afraid we might miss out and terribly at that
It can also be attracted by money
which you have buckets of. Chelsea will still be an attractive destination.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:24 PM GMT up reply actions
This whole next summer for Chelsa fc is an added on AVB
Deferring all our hopes to next season. We are watching him.
I don't understand your comment
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:32 PM GMT up reply actions
Well that's football
he will be expected to do much better next season after he’s had a whole summer to gather some players he thinks will fit his system and get rid of some of the ones who don’t especially after this “experimental season.”
I’m sure he’ll expect himself to manage better next season too.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:38 PM GMT up reply actions
And from where do you know
“Project Rafa” is going to work? Rafa Benitez managed to drive a good Lpool side to the abyss, tooq
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
look at it this way... he built it and destroyed it with his subsequent purchases
AVB has destroyed what he didnt build.
It was pretty messed up last season
before AVB showed up. Not to take all the blame off of him he started out trying to force a square peg in a round hole.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:23 PM GMT up reply actions
He can't show up in the middle of the summer
and make many significant changes in the same window that’s silly. And i don’t know who he could’ve signed in the winter window that would’ve saved you.
He’s not a failure yet.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:27 PM GMT up reply actions
Not to mention..
…Winter window is a weird one and hard for adjustment. Not a lot of time to get up to speed with the system. I’ve never really liked the winter window.
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Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 1:58 AM GMT up reply actions
How in the hell do you know that?
…while he has input. He’s not doing the buying or the selling that’s why they have a Director of Football. Why people choose to ignore this tiny but important fact is beyond me.
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Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 1:57 AM GMT up reply actions
That is also down to the core players being worse
as well. AVB has made some very questionable decisions but he’s trying to do the thing that he and RA want and it isn’t working with what he has.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:34 PM GMT up reply actions
I don't think many would disagree with that
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:39 PM GMT up reply actions
Got rid of Anelka & Alex
Anelka had become a waste and Alex couldnt stay healthy recently, along with both guys just wanting out, I think thats improved the team. And Malouda actually didnt play that bad today either, hopefully this becomes a turning point for him and can play well in this system
by JCP17 on Feb 21, 2012 11:44 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
Exactly what Sabrina said
we weren’t not in a good shape when AVB took over. And I even dare say compared with what we have been at the time he took over he already improved us. Stephen has posted very good material about average age in our team. ManCity have a strong team now and even that wasn’t built after two transfer seasons
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
There always will be pressure
and if someone who managing Chelsea can’t deal with pressure he would have been gone by now. If AVB couldn’t deal with pressure nobody would chosen him for that job
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Hopes for next season should start this season.
Atleast something lil to hang on for the fans. ZILCH save Mata
Sure fans should still hope for
a good finish this year. But I’m not a Chelsea fan so… :cP
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:43 PM GMT up reply actions
I think you are still greatly open-minded. Bless you
The scousers would be cursing us instead. But we made them 50mill richer not long ago.LOL!!
Scousers should be thankful
with our help they got rid of Meireles and Torres! Buuh! :P
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Yeah I see little point in cursing you all :cP
but if you manage to not finish in the top 4 I’ll shed no tears lol
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:47 PM GMT up reply actions
Gunners can only get worse at this time every season
You are soo loosing if you bet on them
But if you guys get more worse...
we’ll be in!
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:51 PM GMT up reply actions
It'll be tight I think
but I hope it isn’t I’m so worried!
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:53 PM GMT up reply actions
I think we two are in competition for the worst-placed team
4th position. Its more like a calypso dance. Chelsea/Arsenal…smh!!
NLD this weekend!
SO EXCITED SCARED!
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:59 PM GMT up reply actions
It's his job
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:35 PM GMT up reply actions
It's natural to expect him to do better next season
and it’s healthy. After a season like this and because he was “transferred” to Chelsea in the summer he would need some time to bed in like any of the players would more should be expected of him next season when he’s given more opportunity to make things the way he wants them.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:41 PM GMT up reply actions
As I said earlier
If you sacked AVB now and hire Benitez – you don’t have some data or safe facts to tell he will fare so much better. All you do would still be hoping he succeeded – and nothing more
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I just thought with our performance and Avb tactics it is a chance worth taking.
If you were 7 .5 bill oligarch what would you do?
Well, NOT hire Benitez ;)
Seriously: sacking Benitez and staff probably and hiring a new manager now won’t do us any good. I’d just keep him and provide him with all financial sources I can give him to rebuild this squad
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
It is
believe me, I’m terribly frustrated at many things he did, too. But as long as there is no thing telling us a way to show us what will be less frustrating it’s better to stick with him. And at this point, there is truly no other option more promising than keeping him
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Great point. I just pray everyday that we win the next match
I miss the happy moments soo much. That is when we beat them all and they will say “weaintgotnohistory” and we will say “beat us if you can”
DId you miss that 2010?
We met Pool in the League and they chanted “You ain’t got no history” and what did our away supporters chant back? “You’re ancient history – we saved your history!” (that was 2010 when we prevented United snatching past Liverpool’s title record)
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
i would rather smack myself in the face repeatedly
with a tire iron than root for a team managed by Rafa Benitez.
Also I think mid-season changes are stupid
unless the manager is clearly holding the team back in a relegation threatening way, not with a manager with so much potential like AVB has.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:44 PM GMT up reply actions
Also he was VERY expensive
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:44 PM GMT up reply actions
That is what i honestly believe is holding the Roman at bay
13 mill for a gaffe? Only chelsea would do that
He obviously had some vision with AVB
he wasn’t going to spend as much as he did to both sack Carlo and get him if he was only willing to give the guy 1 season. I don’t know how patient he’s willing to be but I don’t see him being sacked this season.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:49 PM GMT up reply actions
You want to bet on the ROMAN mercenary-loving instincts?
100 pounds then.LOL
I'm not a gambler :cP
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:52 PM GMT up reply actions
Sarcasm... But seriously do you think Roman really cares this time around?
Its the same with all those who were sacked
I think he's looking more long term now yes
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 11:59 PM GMT up reply actions
A lil support from him would do.
Storming training grounds for 2 weeks am afraid is no sign of “i have got your back dude”
You can never be sure that he's really
“storming” the training ground. He obviously knows that there is an issue or issues and he might just be keeping a very close eye on his investment. But you never know AVB is looking very shaky lately like on edge I don’t know…
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 12:03 AM GMT up reply actions
Rabbit caught in headlights...lol
Kinda like that word. Especially for Wenger. He soo fits it.
Wenger has looked very on edge too
he’s not having fun
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 12:14 AM GMT up reply actions
Taking you on a run of your life
I learnt the AST are furious
I wouldn't say furious...
… no more than they were last year. Very concerned though.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 12:18 AM GMT up reply actions
What are you ever going to do with Wenger
Honestly. Your fans are more patient than us. So i guess another 50 years for Arsene
He's not going to leave before his contract runs out
unless HE wants to. I’m willing to keep him I still think he has good left to do for us. There are plenty who want him out though I’m not sure if it’s the majority but they’re growing.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 12:23 AM GMT up reply actions
If you will sack him just be quick with it
4th place it tight with Demba-fraking Ba around..LOL
whatever it is
Wenger was capable of building debatably one of the best teams in the world in the likes of henry, pires, veira, etc, still probably capable but…
Please don't refer to "us" in this fashion
There seems to be all of one Chelsea fan here crying about replacing AVB with anything that moves. Most of “us” are sensible enough to realize that sacking AVB is not a wise decision.
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 22, 2012 12:35 AM GMT up reply actions
That is harsh and disrespectful.
But i respect your choice to insult me.
No it's not harsh, or disrespectful. It's the truth.
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Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:03 AM GMT up reply actions
Thank you. The voice of reason..
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Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:02 AM GMT up reply actions
How do you know this???
…Roman has never been a PUBLIC figure. He just isn’t. You’re making a lot of assumptions and guesses.
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Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:01 AM GMT up reply actions
Rafa may be those things
But his tactical strengths are mostly in counter-attacking and working on the break. He is the opposite of the kind of football that Roman supposedly wants, which is “sexy” and supposedly the pressing/Barca type of football. He wouldn’t suit Chelsea’s current squad all that well, and he’s not particularly known for his setup for a long-term team and youth. Don’t ask me why Roman bought Torres, though (pretty much the symbol of Rafa’s style of attack)- maybe he figured if he bought a Spaniard he could create his own Barca?
I don’t mind Rafa’s style as a manager (what I know of it), but I just don’t think he suits Chelsea.
Then be prepared to hang onto
passing the ball around the back for ages, side to side and backpassing in our half of the field, and hoofing the ball forward, for another however many years to come. That has been Chelsea’s fallback for the past few years, which is the very reason the team is in a bit of a mess to change in the first place. Had this transition started a few years back, it might well be underway, but each manager has reverted to the tactics from before.
AVB has already had to rely on it, which is unfortunate, for someone like myself. I can do without some wins sometimes, if the overall quality of the football changes and improves. It’s not happening now, but it was earlier in the season. I have to feel like the better part of it not working now is down to the players. I doubt if AVB goes out there and tells them “you know, I know I want a pressing game where we move the ball forward and increase the pace of the game… but it would be great if you could all go out and play slow as fuck instead.” He seems to falter in how to respond to his own team just brainfarting on the way to play.
'Whoever he is the next manager's got to be English'
’Arry!!!! :P or Alan Pardew! :P Steve Bruce? There is just so much talent!
On a serious note, Benitez at Chelsea will just piss me off. Even more than AVB does with his bullshit.
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 21, 2012 11:03 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Why what?
Well,the first part was meant to be a joke. :P
and the second part-I don’t really like Benitez. And having him at Chelsea will just be wrong. He’s also not proven himself tactically anywhere,apart from maybe that one season when Pool went second.
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 22, 2012 7:36 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
I believed you were talking seriously
about that the manager needed to be English. We heard this too often when it’s about England NT managers so I missed the irony there. I’m sorry
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
English manager??????????...i will vote for Graham rather
their best now is harry who has just an FA cup to boast of after ova 3 decades
The AVB conundrum
I have been a big supporter of AVB and have been backing him to the hilt, but I am starting to lose a little faith, I only have the desperate hope that he will get a string of good performances and results.
But what happens if he doesn’t, every man and his dog seem to be calling for his head.
Through the ups and the downs, in Chelsea I trust.
I dont want to think
it’s because he is Portuguese but since he also prefers Bossingwa whenever possible, me wonders. God knows maybe with Bossingwa out with hamstring and Mereiles suspended we may get a break.
I think countering the counter is not an option in home leg..
It’s possible only when we have a great game by Rami. However, there is a risk & I would love to see Chelsea go back to typical Chelsea game (coz we dont have resources to overturn 3-1 deficit using AVB’s “philosophy” at this moment).
Stay back a little.. do build up patiently & control the game… the kind of tactics n performance we did for Valencia 3-0 game should do the trick.
Anything fancy (high line, “stunts” by David Luiz & Cavani will drill the last nail in coffin…)
To be honest
I thought Ivanovic was crap at right back tonight. And Ramires was crap in midfield. Essien should’ve started,no question…and how the hell did we manage to give Aronica and Zuniga such an easy game on that side? Sturridge should have attacked a lot more there…and I thought Kalou might get a look in considering he offers a lot more balance to the team than Danny. Oh well. Weird midfield selection. Errors cost us the game,much like that 3-1 at United earlier this season. And seriously,I’ll be trying not to get my hopes up for an easy win at the Bridge. NAPOLI look too good for us. This is a team we’d have rolled over under Mourinho or Carletto,even last season!! They looked very weak on defence,and can’t believe we never really tested them.
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 21, 2012 10:04 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Napoli are much better than they look
This is the only side that gave Bayern a problem in the first third of the season and a team that beat City in what was essentially a knockout game. The fact that they’re defensively weak doesn’t mean that they’re bad. They’re incredibly dangerous.
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 10:05 PM GMT up reply actions
While we had a chance in this game
I thought Napoli were very, very good. They could go quite far in the CL.
What I find interesting is that their supposed defensive frailties work to their advantage on the counter- teams are likely to push forward for the goal they can see coming.
This is exactly correct
I honestly think that Napoli are one of two non-Madrid teams capable of knocking out Barca this year, just because of the way the two styles work.
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 10:10 PM GMT up reply actions
I disagree... Barca kids know from birth on how to Pass
Plus It’s Messi who plays as forward, Iniesta & xavi as mid … (Fabregas may be on pitch or on bench).. compare that with us… We have a poorly out of form Torres & drogba upfront.. #16 (remind u again Xavi & Iniesta Vs #16)…
Even if Napoli scores 3 Against Barca… Messi, Xavi n Iniesta can score 4 Napoli….
by prasadkoranne on Feb 21, 2012 10:15 PM GMT up reply actions
Why on earth would I be using this game as a baseline?
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 10:19 PM GMT up reply actions
I am not saying this game is baseline...
What i meant to say was … Control the midfield against Counter Attacking teams like napoli & you can outscore them… & Barca are very very good at that…
by prasadkoranne on Feb 21, 2012 10:23 PM GMT up reply actions
Barca have been very sloppy this year
They also push their players up far too high.
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 10:28 PM GMT up reply actions
Yeah they have been less than stellar..
…I’ve even got on out a limb (not new for me) to say that this particular Barca side (while good) is one of the worst in the Guardiola era.
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:14 AM GMT up reply actions
I don't even think they've been that good
They’ve dropped a ton of points against pretty weak La Liga competition this year. They still seem to be able to handle the big game just fine, but they just haven’t put together the resume of a truly elite club.
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 22, 2012 1:49 PM GMT up reply actions
Are Bayern the other team?
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 21, 2012 10:56 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Given their current struggles
they would feel flattered themselves currently with that ;)
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
It's not about who's likely to do it
It’s about teams who are capable of doing it
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 11:14 PM GMT up reply actions
I didn't mean that Napoli are bad
I just meant that Chelsea,a team who could have eaten them for breakfast a couple of seasons ago are now struggling to actually compete with them. Possession’s great,but Napoli had it under control. Except at the back 3-which is why its surprising why we didn’t try exploiting that more. Given the pace of Sturridge and the strength of Drogba I find it depressing that we barely had any real goalscoring opportunities. Sure,there were signs of improvement from Everton (thank god). But apart from that problems persist with the team’s communication with each other. They just don’t seem a team sometimes…and I really miss the physical and aggressive Chelsea we had under Mou and Grant and even to an extent under Carlo. Ballack-like players who’d dominate the opposite midfield. And once upon a time…I could say we had arguably the BEST fucking defence in the world. And now, we have this. :/
sorry about the rant, Graham and Stephen. Don’t use the laser on me. Watching the team play live after nearly 2 months without a Chelsea game sorta made me expect something.
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 21, 2012 10:54 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Is starting Meireles not equivalent to "being unprepared for attacks"?
I think I’m misreading something.
lol the DL hate
He has shit positioning and awareness. He looks good going forward, but for fucks sake a defender needs to be good and defending first and foremost.
He's really rather good at defending
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 10:11 PM GMT up reply actions
He's been our best player for about a month now.
Stupid mistake today, but his teammates were anything but solid.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Feb 21, 2012 10:22 PM GMT up reply actions
DL with his trademark moment of madness. It pissed me right the fuck off too. Could potentially
knock us out. He played very solidly for the rest of the game, to his credit.
He tried to do his job..succeded well..
But..one mistakes & it has costed us dearly… 1-0 wins are easier than 2-0 or 4-1
by prasadkoranne on Feb 21, 2012 10:17 PM GMT up reply actions
From a comment posted in the gamethread
or some other sites, or even some commentary which went rogue about David Luiz in the past and found new blood since he committed an error again?
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Sorry about that
I can’t post a good link for some reason. Yeah it was from a forum, in the Chelsea section.
OK then that's not a big surprise
some forums are really sh*t when it’s about Chelsea
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
a scouser made that comment.
Here’s another one lol
luiz has been a joke so far, and cahill is just as bad. I remember when Chelsea used to be a fucking rock at the back… why you guys sold carvalho and alex who are better then luiz and cahill is beyond me. You’re fucked when JT retires/loses it, unless you buy someone.
He doesn't play to their style at all
that is for certain. Could you imagine Carra or Skrtel running up the pitch, someone else covering for them in the back… at any point that isn’t a set piece? I mean, it may have happened before, but I have trouble even picturing it.
Luiz, to them, is the opposite of a defender, in that sense. Liverpool really hold onto the very “English” notion of a defender (I gather not all English think that way, but it is more of a tradition in English football, from what I’ve seen).
He's a "defender" in a true South American sense
The best defense is a strong offense
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:36 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
I honestly think Cech is more at fault for the third goal than Luiz
Cech charging out madly takes away Luiz’s best option there, which is to simply pass back and have the keeper clear. Obviously he should have smashed it out instead of trying to flick it, but I’d say Cech is at least equally culpable for the goal for robbing Luiz of the best choice he had.
True but come on at least he was trying to help lol
t’s hard to fault Cech we were already a goal down his first save was world class
unfortunately, you do fault Cech
That’s the way goalkeeping works. That’s the way you train. Just because he had some great shot stopping (which he did) doesn’t mean that he gets a free pass when making errors coming off his line.
It didn’t make sense for Cech to come off his line when Luiz was clearly going to play the ball and Cavani was too close to make an easy pickup. It’s an error, and a big one.
Excellent summary
And I’m 100% in agreement
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 21, 2012 11:29 PM GMT up reply actions
Thank you
It helps to be a GK to know these things.
What Cech’s error shows as well is how uncomfortable he was today. Cech is a shot stopper, and he rarely comes out (which is the case for most GK at a high level). He doesn’t have very good skills going forward. He’s adequate- his punch away early was good- but he’s not a GK who is going to take the ball off of your feet.
When you see a goalie like that coming out, it’s because he’s so worried about being hung out to dry on his line. It means one of two things, or both- either he doesn’t trust his defense, or the attacking play is making his head hurt by dragging people out of position and opening space. Since Luiz and Cahill are a new partnership, that could be likely, and we saw quite a bit of stellar attacking play from Napoli.
Unfortunately, Cech was wrong in his decision to come off the line. Really wrong. He might have been right if it was a pure one-on-one, but it wasn’t. There was a second striker coming quite soon.
I like Cech, he’s a great keeper. He’s not the best in the world, however, and this is a demonstration why.
WWCD? should be his new motto.
(What Would Courtois Do?)
Speaking of...
has he stopped a penalty in recent times? I feel like he is not very good with those. I suppose you can’t be good at everything as a keeper and PK’s aren’t entirely common. But if our opposition is awarded a PK, I generally count it as a goal immediately. They don’t even need to take it. I just can’t picture it getting blocked.
I think he has, once or twice
But it is a bit unusual for him.
He isn’t a great penalty stopper. Not all GK are, just the way it is. I find it a bit strange since he’s a good shot stopper, but stopping a pen isn’t about reading and reacting, it is about anticipating.
To that end, being a penalty stopper is the same as being a penalty taker- general soccer skill doesn’t hurt, but it doesn’t correlate to being good at it.
Certainly true
Just wasn’t sure if I was being unfair in my assessment of his PK stopping skills. I was not a full time keeper… more of an emergency backup (that ended up somehow better than our actual backup, which is not to say anything good for our actual backup, seeing as I wasn’t very good and I traditionally played midfield or winger). I can’t remember if I ever had to cover a PK or a FK. Not sure I did. I don’t envy having to be in that position, that is for sure.
I suppose going against the ManU’s of the world, it would be a nice luxury to have a good PK stopper ;)
It's useful to have a good PK stopper.
I’m good at it myself, so I’m not very impressed with Cech. You can tell he doesn’t have much of a system the way he is there on the line.
Of course, being a good PK stopper doesn’t hurt your normal shot stopping skills. The ability to read a PK is just as helpful when you have to stop a shot from distance. You can determine placement from body position (but not as well, since there is variability in flight path from a long strike).
Story time- I was in a freekick wall this weekend, and as they were setting up I thought to myself “this guy is going to hit me in the head.” Guy takes the shot and ends up hitting me right in the face. Cech just doesn’t seem to have that ability to make that read.
Agreed
He just sort of does his bouncing back and forth, arm waving thing, and looks like he just flips a coin in his head about which direction to go. He doesn’t appear to even give much thought to it. I am sure he’s practiced it plenty over the years, but it always just looks sort of like he goes through the motions, to me.
The only thing I was really good at was getting very upset when the ball got past me, which certainly happened more than a couple of times. Guess I should go easier on Cech, myself. :)
Which I find odd.
He has a much better shot of making a stop when he is on his line for the most part. I have no idea what is going on that makes him feel like he needs to come out. He usually isn’t very successful.
It’s one thing to go outside of the box. That usually comes when you are near the edge of the box anyway. It’s odd to come to the edge of the box when you start on your line. It’s a very low-percentage play.
3 separate mistakes for 3 different people, 3 goals.
We’ve looked so bad at defense this year, I’ve forgotten what it is to see Chelsea defend well.
Anyway, yeah we can say some of the goals we’ve conceded in this game were bad luck, but the most lucky goals of the game was the one we scored so…
I don't know that I'd agree
The Cavani goal was almost certainly a handball, so it’s hard to not qualify that as the luckiest of the four. Still shit defending by Brani though.
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 21, 2012 10:24 PM GMT up reply actions
Looked kinda like the tip of the shoulder to me on frozen frame.
But I’m not 100% on what the rules are for handball. Still that goal was imo a result of mediocre marking by Ivan and as such did not seem like a lucky goal.
The goal we scored could appear on soccer bloopers videos though. In fact it probably would if we had won 0-1.
Why why why mereiles & Bosingwa???
Was secretly happy that Bosingwa was out but to be honest cole didn’t seem much better
we needed some kind of anchor
Anyone had any views why Romeu wasn’t put on after such appalling performance by raul?
Raul was a horrible choice, but Cole was probably a doubt for 90 minutes.
Putting him on was probably more of a risk than it turned out to be.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Feb 21, 2012 10:25 PM GMT up reply actions
Not that we had much choice, of course.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Feb 21, 2012 10:26 PM GMT up reply actions
5 key notes
1-AVB started with Raul M because he thought he passing ability
Would help start the tempo for the team going forward,
2- ramires had to play because of what he give us going forward and backward
And playing along side meireles would of made his job easier (both speak the same language so easier to Communicate)
3-starting with lampard and essian wouldn’t of been smart because lampard ability to play with out the ball isn’t the greatest(just like raul meireles)
When essian plays with lampard he tends to get book a lot because of lampard inability to defend.
4-sturridge was ivanovic main problem; every time ivanovic went forward danny ignore him or lost the ball.
5- drogba torres what’s the difference? 3S(no supply,no support,no speed to stretch the defence,)
by theonetoppa on Feb 21, 2012 10:30 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
1. He was wrong.
2. No he didn’t.
3. Raul Meireles is a worse defender than Lampard
4. Ivanovic’s problems didn’t stem from his attacking play.
5. One plays properly.
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 10:32 PM GMT up reply actions
Meireles
AVB was wrong to start him (hindsight is a wonderul thing), it should have been Essien.
Lampard nearly contributed to another Napoli goal with another comedy bit of attempted tackling/intercepting.
i can't believe Essien didn't start
i still don’t understand that.
Regarding Meireles' passing ability
whatever his passing speed was – passing is useless when the pass is so imprecise that it can’t reach your teammate and opposition defenders smile back at you how easily it was to regain possession
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Drogba
while he didn’t score, he played WAY better than Torres has, especially putting others in a good position and passing
by JCP17 on Feb 21, 2012 10:49 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
I think Droga didn't get much delivery tonight, apart from one quality chest-down
*All fingers pointing at midfield :(
Yes, that’s why he’s got like 10 assists less than Torres this season, because he puts others in good positions and passes. Exactly.
hold up play and passing
aren’t always manifest in assists.
Odd deflection aside
Without DIdier that goal never happens today
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 22, 2012 1:50 PM GMT up reply actions
At least Drogs positions himself right, and doesnt put a defender between himself
and the ball on purpose.
word and wins balls in the air
and brings energy, and doesn’t nervously fritter away every opportunity
And Torres does? lmao ok.
Both have been dissapointing this season, but it’ll be at least conforting to know that Torres won’t play anymore while Drogba will, and the results will be the same. At least more people will notice that our main issues are far from being Torres-related.
Shameless plug :cP
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 1:56 PM GMT up reply actions
Ideal back 4 (i.m.o)
Assuming no injuries,
Cech
Ivan—-Cahill—-Terry—-Luiz
I find it hard to rely on Luiz as CB, Ivan still better as RB than Bosingwa in my opinion
I find that Luiz loves to go forward too often for his own liking!
And Luiz doesnt look like a rock at the back sorry, unlike terry/cavalho, but then theyre entirely different
all in all our back line was a mess today
you could see cavani literally waiting to receive the ball everytime laevezzi was ready to pass
Yeah not a good idea...
…we’ve all seen footage of him playing at fullback and it’s not a pretty one.
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:23 AM GMT up reply actions
look up Porto vs. Benfica 5-0
for why Luiz should not be LB
So long Andre Villas-Boas
Manager #286 next season to guide us through the Europa League.
If this shit team makes 4th spot it will be the greatest achievment in the club’s history, outisde of trophies.
Is Mata ok?
Before I left it seemed like he was hurt.
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 10:42 PM GMT reply actions
Ok :c)
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 21, 2012 10:47 PM GMT up reply actions
man i miss back in the day... makelele, ballack,
what the hell even essien got pushed to RB that’s how good it was
What an utter disgrace.
That was one of the worst defensive performances I’ve ever seen. It wasn’t like Napoli had to do anything that great to score the 3 goals. They were all off horrendous errors by Chelsea
by TheColorIsBlue on Feb 21, 2012 11:05 PM GMT reply actions
Well, their first wasn't that horrible of a mistake on our part.
Yeah Meireles failed to stay in front of his guy, but midfielders get away with stuff like that more often then not. Good stuff from Lavezzi to punish us, it was a great strike.
it was a great strike
but Meireles was horribly bad on that play
I thought it was partially on Ramirez
he should have moved closer to Lavezzi to limit his space. Rami was very dissapointing today, I hope he will find his form soon.
been like this all season
nothing in this game was a surprise.
Graham MacAree
When AVB said some of the players don’t support him
Who did you think he was talking?(Lampard)
Lampard is not the player he once was and is unwilling to adapt
His game. He’s not knowing for his defending and he don’t take control of the game,
Meireles is not in the same league as lampard but he more mobile so I think that why
He been picked over lampz.
the reason why blame sturridge for ivanovic performance
Is because (1)every to brano went to help danny he ignore him
(2) Danny only tracks half way back and always ball watching and put no pressure on the player once he got back
Drogba allow their CD too much time to build their attack
Yesterday when I said we should start with torres and drogba everyone thought I was mad
The key to stopping a team playing 3-4-3 is to pressure the defence to force dem to go long
And by forcing the defender to go long you take out the wingback out of the game
by theonetoppa on Feb 21, 2012 11:12 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
"by forcing the defender to go long you take out the wingback out of the game"
No this is the exact opposite of how Napoli play.
by Graham MacAree on Feb 21, 2012 11:14 PM GMT up reply actions
Playing 2 strikers
against 3 defenders also sets them up nicely to be marked, as they’d probably be sitting right in between them. We also haven’t done much of 2 up top, so that could be a big risk. Napoli also studied us with 2 up top, so they may well have compensated for that.
I don't blame AVB particularly
Yes, the man continues to make questionable selection and formation decisions, but this team is almost uncoachable. Lazy, old, slow, sloppy, unfocused, and ultimately not that talented.
Today wasn’t that shit, aside from the defensive errors (Cech as much as Luiz for that third goal). Chelsea really does just need to offload some players this summer and make some buys.
And please, for the love of Chelsea, can we please please have Danny Sturridge playing CF from now on? Enough of Drogba and Torres already.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:15 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
I've been willing to see Danny as CF
But I am not willing to say he gets the spot while writing off the others, until I see how he does in it. He hasn’t really had a chance to show us, but sometimes he has drifted center and made some poor moves. Other times he does well in that space. He may need to be paired with another striker, but that certainly takes away from the 4-3-3 that AVB wants.
It’s at least worth a go against a team we ought to beat, so long as it doesnt turn into Blackburn 2.0.
F[orget] the 4-3-3, and f[orget] Torres and Drogba at this point.
I say 4-2-3-1 with the following:
Cech
Bane, Cahill, Luiz, Ash
Essien, Ramires
Kalou, Mata, Malouda
Sturridge
At least until we can get better wingers next year. And MAYBE give Torres a shot at RW if one or both of Kalou / Malouda are not working (bring Lampars or Romeu into the pivot and move Ramires up as the other replacement if need be). But as far as CF forwards go, I’m done with #9 and #11
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:29 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
MMM I like Torres as RW idea, very tempting
used it to play fifa works tremendously well hahaha
My Torres in FIFA is an 89 as CF
He averages 1.7 goals per game. If only…
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:34 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah I watch on a weekly basis...
….he’s old and just horrible. I cringe when he’s put in the middle with Pepe. There’s a reason that Mou moved Ramos into the center instead of his normal fullback spot. And it’s worked out pretty well.
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:26 AM GMT up reply actions
Right...
What I am saying is that I wouldn’t set all my hope in Danny at CF. You may be disappointed (either by his own merit or that of his team’s interaction with him there). Basically, I need to see it work before I buy into it for good. We haven’t had much to evaluate, but it wasn’t good. Which is why I am okay with testing it out again, but I’m not setting all my hopes on it.
I prefer
Cech
Ivan—-Cahill—-Terry—-Luiz
Essien—-Ramires
Torres—-Lukaku—-Kalou/Sturridge
Terry injured for a month or two
Otherwise I’d have him in over Cahill. And moving our best CB away from that position would be very dumb.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:44 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Meaning Luiz to LB
Cole hasn’t been good, but putting DL out there is not even remotely the solution
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:44 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
yeah but wont that give him more freedom to surge forward
probably helps more with the attack than raul to be honest
He likes to surge forward on occasion
but if he was LB, it would be a good part of his role. DL also does quite well at intercepting plays from a more central position, and he is good for a nice through ball from central areas. I am not sure putting him on the wing suits his strong points, even though he likes to head forward sometimes. What SHOULD happen is that we should have a defensive minded midfielder drop back when DL does so… or the back line needs to shift around a bit. It’s a more forward-thinking (pun intended?) way of playing defense. I do think that DL plays better as a CB on the left side than on the right, but I haven’t seen him really track opposing players to corners or anything with great success, so not sure how well he’d do with that, which is a pretty big part of playing on the sides.
DL is a ball winner and does that best from the center...
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:27 AM GMT up reply actions
I would like to see how Danny fares as a CF
because I personally find it difficult to judge him on that position purely based on what he did at Bolton (which is good). Initially I’d hoped we could play Danny in the middle and Torres out wide against Birmingham because “they were an easy team to play” – yeah but we all knew what then happened. And regarding other PL-teams – we really can’t speak of “easy games” for the near future which will probably mean no experiments
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Fair enough
Realistically I’m just hanging on until the summer. We need someone to play there, and Torres / Drogba ain’t got shit. And Danny has at least been out best finisher this year when given chances. It’s just until June.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:42 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
I just worry that it could somehow have less than stellar results, and we’d be livid with the whole darned thing. If there is one thing I can say about all of us fans… each and every one… we are finicky people! One day I see someone get praise, the next they’re cursed. Heck… forget days, we sometimes only wait minutes or seconds :)
We could also try a striking partnership… from what I gather of Danny’s good play in Bolton, he was part of a duo up top, and not the lone striker, nor the only striker with two wings on the side. Without someone nearby to provide pullbacks and such, he could have just as difficult a time.
Interestingly, Torres, Sturridge, and Drogba have all suggested things about the service provided them. They may be getting some chances, but they may not all be that swell… or maybe they each struggle with some aspect of the service, and we need a whole new frontline.
I think Sturridge would do really well at CF with the style AVB wants
Unfortunately the team isnt there yet. Think they should give him a chance up top with Malouda-Mata-Kalou behind him, or Kalou-Mata-Ramires
by JCP17 on Feb 21, 2012 11:56 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
That's what I said! *HIGH FIVE*
See my comment above? Although flip Malouda and Kalou in terms of LW / RW.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:59 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
seriously
our expectations are based on past glory and this squad in its prime, but none of our big names are in their prime anymore. no top club relies on a near-34 year old striker to carry them, so i don’t blame Drogba for not being able to bring it every game. his effort was definitely there today. Lampard is not the same and i can see not starting him though obviously Meireles was horrid. Rami had a very rare off day which was poor timing. other than that, Malouda was solid but nowhere near his old self. same w/ Cole and Cech. Chelsea does not have enough world-class talent right now … any of Cavani, Lavezzi, and Hamsik would waltz into our squad. i really want AVB to be able to stick this year and really build a squad in the summer. man how much could we use the likes of Hulk and Falcao? or Modric?
y sturridge for CF
seems more like the runner rather than a target man
That's actually a good question...
Do we want a Runner up front or a Target Man? The chief advantage of having a Target Man up there was that we had a 20+ goal a season Midfielder right behind him. Now that Lamps is no longer starting half the time, maybe having a good finishing Runner up there would be better?
What exactly is AVB trying to build? How is our attack supposed to work?
the only thing i would agree with u is that sturridge has more confidence...
otherwise i dont see why torres is already the runner
Kalou I say, please AVB
he’s probably the only one who is willing to take on defenders and does well at it
That IS bleak :(
This Chelsea team is depressing.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:30 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
LUKAKU!!!
give him more chances? though his ball control could improve
In the PL and FA Cup, maybe
He’s not on the CL roster. Though, we can only hope that is still an issue for the rest of this season!!!
Too young
He needs more time to cook in the basket. Playing him too early could do more damage than good in the long run. Let’s save him until we have a decent midfield who can create chances
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:57 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
drogba and torres
Playing 2 up top would allow the runner(torres) to work of the target man(drogba)
Plus with the runner playing inbetween the CB n the wingback would force the wing back to stay home or drag
One of the CB in a area he don’t really want to be.
Mata could of played the role jus like he anelka played it when
We played both up against liverpool in torres first game.
It forced liverpool to go long for most of the game.
by theonetoppa on Feb 21, 2012 11:41 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
As I recall, that was a fucking disaster
Just like every other time we’ve played Torres next to another striker as a front 2
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 21, 2012 11:47 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Recently (Aston Villa?)
when Torres was more withdrawn, they played off each other a bit more. Granted, this is when Torres was going through his “playmaking” phase. If it’s a flat 2 up top, it doesn’t seem to work well, though. However, Sturridge could also potentially do well with Drogba playing hold-up CF and offering layoffs to him. We just wouldnt have much width… not that we do now.
Nooo
Drogba as the forward-most CF. Danny in just behind. Drogba does the hold up and opens up the space for Danny to exploit. I believe that is somewhat of how his relationship worked at Bolton. I could be totally wrong though… I feel like that is what I read.
Like so:
———Drogba -——————-
-—————-Sturridge -———
whoever else in whatever order…
Probably the last time I try that… Lord, formatting that was annoying.
:o
Torres had a good understanding with anelka
And the few time I wtch him play with kalou he looked ok!
It seem like a lot of our fans got a problem with torres
And the few that likes torres blame drogba and the old guards for his poor form.
The fact is we got two stiker that cost 74m and between them they haven’t scored 15 goal for the team over a year now
I still blame our form on JT because we was doing ok before he that incident with Anton.
This is too much to for a young coach to deal with; the chairman should took some of the pressure off him by coming in the spot light more and
Deal with the situation as on off-field matter instead of allowing the media to pick on the manager.
Torres and drogba need to be given 3game together again
by theonetoppa on Feb 22, 2012 12:05 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah Torres and Drog's up front is a epic shit show.
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Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:29 AM GMT up reply actions
I'm amazed at everyone saying AVB needs to go.
Yeah, I’ve been frustrated and baffled by some of his tactics, but this team was going downhill anyway. You can’t keep the same players and sack the manager year in and year out, that doesn’t make the players younger, just more confused. I still think we are going to get 4th this year making this coming offseason extremely important for us. If next year isn’t any better, then yes sack him. Until then though I am going to stand behind him.
Okay, fair enough
but I have had enough of this childish stubborn stupidity he desplays. This whole business about Cahill not playing because he had a cold, yet he’s well enough to be on the bench. Today he out-and-out lied about Cole still recovering as the reason he starts bosingwa at LB. Everyone and their mother knew Meireles should never have been starting today. We were playing in one of the most hostile places left in the CL and instead of drawing on Lamps, Essein, and Cole he leaves them on the bench. Now we are going to have stories about why he didn’t start Lamps and Essien. My guess, he got mad at them between the Brum game and last night. Anelka has been nothing but professional in the years he spent with club, becoming good friends with his teammates. So new manager comes to Chelsea and decides his agent shouldn’t be looking for other options even though we all knew Nic’s career was over at Chelsea. Instead of acting like an adult, AVB unilaterally decides to banish Nic and Alex to the reserve training area. Further proving he had developed maturity usually associated with 3 year olds, he wouldn’t let them park in the first team area either. What does it matter if AVB is the most gifted tactician in modern football if he acts like a spoiled child and creates a poisonus atmosphere in the dressing room?
When I go to the press conference before the game, in my mind the game has already started.
Jose Mourinho
My feeling is that I have never been in the dressing room
or talked with anyone even remotely involved with this team, so I don’t want to claim that I know what’s going on behind the scenes. When stories about AVB being a “brat” come out from a source other than British media (tabloids basically) I’ll start giving them credence.
Fair, I guess, but Anelka and Alex said this directly to the press
And true, I don’t know exactly what transpired in that dressing room but I think it’s safe to say it wasn’t a team building exercise. I’m just going off the O.J. Simpson test. I wasn’t there, but OJ killed that woman…
When I go to the press conference before the game, in my mind the game has already started.
Jose Mourinho
Hahaha.
While I agree with your OJ idea I don’t know that I would apply it to every situation. I’m not super happy with AVB banning them from the grounds, but then I don’t know how they approached wanting a trade. If they acted like children when asking for a trade I don’t imagine they would tell the press that. They would just say that AVB was a big meanie banning them from the grounds.
In fairness, Alex didn't really say anything like that
His gripe was simply that their styles clashed, and he didn’t really have a whole lot to say beyond that.
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 22, 2012 1:55 PM GMT up reply actions
You need to replace the H with a D...
When I go to the press conference before the game, in my mind the game has already started.
Jose Mourinho
We are transitioning. Everyone knows this.
We know it, AVB knows it, and Roman Abramovich knows it. AVB is doing what he can with what he’s got right now, which is an aging, stubborn core of players. We all knew that the players from the Jose era were eventually going to fade. Someone is going to have to come in and replace them at some point or another. I personally believe that AVB is the man to get this job done. He has said that Abramovich feels the same way. AVB has tried to slowly phase out the old guard and integrate the new players, but that is very difficult. He has basically failed at that. After this poor season, if he is still around, I think that he will clean house and bring in players to become the new spine of Chelsea. I have faith in AVB and there’s no one else I’d rather have for this job.
I couldn't agree more.
Look at what he has already done. Bringing in Mata alone was a great move for the future. He also got us arguably the hottest goalie prospect in the world right now not named De Gea. Cahill, while no JT, was a good backup move. And he has made other moves that look like they are really going to pay off in the future, I.E. De Bruyne.
I'm just really confused by AVB.
This year has been a soap opera. Then, today, we have rumors about Cole and Lampard being pissed, him reportedly confirming that the hotel scrap was authentic.
It just seems like there’s more drama surrounding the team than ever. I’m really tired of it.
Soap opera!
I did this last season, started the series long ago and nearly did one everytime we sack a manager … maybe we need an AVB edition, too?
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
-cough- I couldn't get this in above...
But I think firing AVB for Rafa qualifies as a panic buy from Liverpool.
And we all know how well THAT always goes…
I may not know much about life, but what I do know has taught me to believe in Chelsea.
hahahahaha Good one!
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 1:36 AM GMT up reply actions
I'm being dead serious too
Chelsea, stay the FUCK away from current/future/ex-Scousers. Bad news always.
I may not know much about life, but what I do know has taught me to believe in Chelsea.
by CanadianBlue on Feb 22, 2012 1:40 AM GMT up reply actions
Imagine the damage that could be done if you pick up an Ex-Liverpool
MANAGER! You’ll be relegated!
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 1:42 AM GMT up reply actions
-shudder-
I may not know much about life, but what I do know has taught me to believe in Chelsea.
by CanadianBlue on Feb 22, 2012 1:45 AM GMT up reply actions
Imagine a "winning drought" as long as Torres' goal drought!
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 1:49 AM GMT up reply actions
-vomit-
I may not know much about life, but what I do know has taught me to believe in Chelsea.
by CanadianBlue on Feb 22, 2012 1:50 AM GMT up reply actions
That will never happen though :cP
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 1:52 AM GMT up reply actions
Didn't our club once considered Jamie Redknapp as a sort of advisor or something at Cobham?
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I don't know :cP
lol @ “our club!”
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 12:07 PM GMT up reply actions
I merely wanted to hint at
it’s not entirely impossible we get ex-Pool-people as staff or managers
And by the way I’d never mind if Steve Clarke returned to us … and he is currently Scouse too
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I'm not saying it's impossible just ill-advised :cD
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 1:02 PM GMT up reply actions
If ANYONE could make this horrible
situation worse….it’s Rafa Benitez.
When I go to the press conference before the game, in my mind the game has already started.
Jose Mourinho
seconded
I may not know much about life, but what I do know has taught me to believe in Chelsea.
by CanadianBlue on Feb 22, 2012 1:46 AM GMT up reply actions
This is bad, but it gave me a chuckle after today.
John Terry was at the doctors awaiting surgery to drain the fluid on his knee when Luis Suarez walked in. Terry was showing Suarez his knee and straightened it making his knee swell up. Suarez pointed to the injured limb in disgust and said "Look at that knee grow", just as Patrice Evra comes out from doctors surgery.
I may not know much about life, but what I do know has taught me to believe in Chelsea.
LOL!!
When I go to the press conference before the game, in my mind the game has already started.
Jose Mourinho
That's so bad! lol
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 1:51 AM GMT up reply actions
One of the funniest things ever...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL3fORWKnIY&feature=related
When I go to the press conference before the game, in my mind the game has already started.
Jose Mourinho
I miss that show :c(
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 2:13 AM GMT up reply actions
I'll second that one...
…I miss The Boy and Puppet Ronnie. :(
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:33 AM GMT up reply actions
I miss Sven
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 2:35 AM GMT up reply actions
King of the Pimps!
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Editor/Writer for Managing Madrid & Writer for Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Feb 22, 2012 2:39 AM GMT up reply actions
Classic:
Becks:….They have, like. the indianapolis 500, which I think is a disgrace
Sven: Do they still have the reservations?
D. Becks: No, they just walk in like everyone else…
When I go to the press conference before the game, in my mind the game has already started.
Jose Mourinho
I love that guy!
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 2:23 AM GMT up reply actions
Ahh
back when Craig Ferguson was a bit funnier. He has hosted our Fourth of July events here in Boston and it makes me sad that it’s a family atmosphere.
Just watched the first half
Yikes… our chances weren’t all as convincing as I’d hoped, Cech made some great saves though. I was shocked by the mistakes Ramires made. I mean, that was really not like him. Hopefully that was just today’s match and he’s feeling back on track again next game, because I much like when he plays well! I wish we could put Bosingwa’s speed in Bran. That would be helpful for him. As for our goal… their keeper pretty much fell on his bum and accepted that. I had to believe he was so stunned by Cannavaro’s poor handling, that he forgot he had to watch his nest.
Will see what I think of this next half.
I saw
Cech joined him, however. And then everyone, except Napoli’s players, appeared to be running in slow motion to cover.
We had so much space to work with for awhile there. Shame we didn’t really exploit that. They most definitely did with ours. We gave them quite a bit of room behind that defense. Looks like they drew us out a bit more than I’d hoped we’d fall for.
Sidenote: Am I the only one that is concerned for AVB’s voice? He talks too low.. sounds like he’s about to lose his voice on a moment’s notice. It’s strange… sounds like it hurts. But he talks a lot, so it must not matter a bit to him.
Im I the only one who feels we should've
done some parking of the bus? Specially when we went up first. I mean we had an away goal, and plus according to what I’ve read on here, Napoli is like us when they face a team who don’t come at them, the struggle breaking down defenses. Ugh it doesn’t matter now.
by Kunta Kinte on Feb 22, 2012 2:35 AM GMT via mobile reply actions
Yes, we "should" have have, maybe
But the plan was working until Meireles decided to go walkabout. And then we were still “ok” until Sideshow’s Moment (hell, we were dominating at that point).
meireles should be publicly stoned
for running in fear and allowing the first napoli goal
by TheColorIsBlue on Feb 22, 2012 3:09 AM GMT up reply actions
Everyone here calling for AVB's head and wanting Jose/Rafa
Do remember to quit supporting Chelsea when this guy leads us to a quadruple.
Not too distant in the future that’ll happen.
If he says he has a project for next year and the ownertrusts him,why cant you fuckin trust him.
Decide on whether to keep him or sack him depending on how he delivers this project.
This team has been clumsy this season to say the least and no manager in the world could have lead them to glory
I watched only the second half vs. Napoli and it exceeded my expectations.(sans a few moments)
We are also all set for a CL place finish this season now that Arsenal have blown their Short Fuse.
Liverpool are a team that play to the level of the opposition,expect them to pick points against us but drop at the Hawthorns.
The Toon have serious depth problems.
If we finish 4th/3rd,have a CL and Fa cup run I won’t consider it a bad season.
We do have have these winter troubles every season.
Re:Mereiles,if AVB feels he should start,it cant be without reason,he’s not that dumb to feel Mereiles sucks and still persist with him,he may be better at training but having a kinda match sickness.
Just trust AVB for this season and the next,see if you are pleased then and then feel whether he should stay or go
by RamStamford on Feb 22, 2012 3:40 AM GMT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Cech says
“We know he
[Villas-Boas] keeps working hard
for us.He prepares every game
with 100% commitment and we
appreciate it as players. But if you
have players on the pitch making
mistakes he can’t help it.”
by RamStamford on Feb 22, 2012 3:44 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Thanks
And yeah Cech better include himself as he has been no better than Raul performance wise
by RamStamford on Feb 22, 2012 4:59 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions
That's a bit harsh
He’s been poor, but not THAT poor.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 22, 2012 6:30 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions
anyone have any idea why Meireles did start?
i can see starting him over Lampard in that role, although Meireles has been poor. earlier in the season Lamps was benched in big games and it turned out to be the right decision.
but why start Meireles over Essien there? is Essien still not fully fit? i’m just wondering.
That is the truly baffling part and AVB got that seriously wrong
Compounded by the fact that he once again paired him with Ramires. We saw how shaky that duo looked before and that clearly has not improved.
I sure hope Essien was not “fully” fit. I never in a million years would’ve predicted that we’d start without neither Essien, nor Mikel, nor Romeu out there.
Damn
I forgot all about Mikel and Romeu. If he has this much options at midfield, why would he pair those two? if he really wanted to play one of them, he should have played one of them out wide or something, but please never again, together in the middle
by Kunta Kinte on Feb 22, 2012 4:41 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions
yeah i like AVB and want him to stay
but that sht baffled me. someone mentioned that Rami and Meireles both speak Portuguese so maybe there was a communication concern but frankly that’s not enough justification for starting someone who has been as shite as Meireles has for the past couple months really.
Essien looked good when he was on, though not at his explosive best yet. Romeu has been shaky so i can see him not starting. Mikel i coulda lived with starting too. Meireles was absolutely horrible, not just for Lavezzi’s first goal but all throughout the game his positioning was all fucked up and every time the ball came into his area it was nerve-racking. what really bothered me was that he seemed to have a distinct lack of effort, not closing down people, not really cutting out passes that he had a chance to, not really taking any initiative with the ball at his feet. really poor.
join the basket crew Meireles. AVB, PLEASE do not do start that guy again.
AVB is the least of our concerns right now
the squad needs a major overhaul. he has only been able to bring in a handful of players so far and there is a long, long way to go. seriously, if you gave man city the chance to buy any of our players right now, with the clause that they had to start 75% of their games, who would they take? only mata and ramires would be in the running. we have a long way back to the top and AVB is being made the scapegoat.
that said, AVB seems to get a lot of tactical things wrong. guus came in 2009 and took a team in disarray and made it his own overnight. even avram grant jumped into a mess and righted the ship somewhat. AVB had all summer to get to know the squad, assess its strengths, and figure out a way to keep us in the top 4 for a season while allowing the younger generation to slowly take their places in the lineup. he hasn’t done any of that. he relies on the wrong parts of the old guard while also failing to turn to younger, more explosive players when the moment is right. he’s opted for an attacking style (that hasn’t produced goals) while sacrificing the pragmatic defensive approach of the past.
we have no identity or soul right now. i hope AVB can bring it back, and i hope that he has time to do so. we’ll be very lucky to stay in the top four though…
Grant was in no mess
He overtook Jose’s well-drilled side and it play as it wished.
Guus came in a mess alright but Scolari created that mess by playing them outta position,Guus just placed them back in position.
AVB has a side who’s core is past its sell-by date
by RamStamford on Feb 22, 2012 5:46 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Am I the only one who thinks our biggest problem was
that we didn’t seem prepared at all for the conditions? Aside from our fluke goal, we seemed much more put off by the slick surface then Napoli was. Our players didn’t make quick turns/cuts and couldn’t accelerate, leading to them being caught out of position and unable to quickly recover. I thought this was the main reason for their first and second goals – Meireles not being able to plant and turn and stick with Lavezzi and then Ivan not being able to catch up with Cavani’s run to the back post. Not to mention the many times we lost possession by dribbling/running straight into a defender because we could not cut around them. Maybe it is just me but it didn’t seem like Lavezzi, Cavani, Hamsik and Maggio were having the same problems.
well to be fair our player have been slow and clumsy
many times this season in both dry and wet conditions.
those dudes in the picture are gangsters
wish we could sign them all. was really impressed w/ Lavezzi. Cavani is awesome too, love the intensity. w/ all due respect to Drogs who has been the man for Chelsea, he is obviously at the tail end of his career and we need to have a striker who strikes fear into the heart of opponents again. Drogs deserves to hand over his crown to another badass.
The age difference of almost a decade b/w Cavani and Drogba is unfortunately entirely obvious...
How’s that old ballad go? “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”
true and that's not a knock on Drogs at all.
he’s a legend. would love to see a Chelsea striker who terrifies opponents once again. Cavani is a warrior, he’s made for Chelsea. Falcao same. damn wish the club hadn’t spent 50 mill on … wait, who was that again? forget it let’s get Cavani.
Incidentally
I was going through a pile of unlabeled DVDs that have been sitting on my desk for ages and unearthed a burned/archived copy of the 2nd Leg CL Quarter Final at Valencia, from way back in 06-07. The one with the Essien winner from a marauding run from right back in the 90th minute (2-1, 3-2 on aggregate). Besides putting me in a better mood (hooray for past glories!), I did get struck by a few things:
A.
Five years can be an eternity in professional sports, yet we could still easily count half that team as starters: Cech, A.Cole, Terry, Drogba, Lampard, Essien, Mikel. That’s 7 of the 11 (slightly less depending on the status of the last 3-4). Of the remaining four, Ballack, Carvalho, Shevchenko have all faded away. Diarra (who started as the emergency right back) continues his search for regular first team football, while J.Cole (who come on for Lass for the 2nd half) hit a wall and no trying to resurrect himself.
None of our major opponents from that time retain as many. Valencia & Arsenal (whom we beat for the League Cup) are almost unrecognizable. Liverpool (who knocked us out in the CL semis) retain the old core of Reina & Gerrard & (maybe Agger & Kuyt). ManU, who beat us to the title, but came up second best in FA Cup, retain the most, but they’re certainly dabbling in some dark voodoo magic to keep Scholes & Giggs going.
In any case, my point is nothing new and nothing that hasn’t been said…but wow. That core has had an amazing run, but now we’re paying the price for failing to line up proper replacements ahead of time and slowly integrating them into the team. We’re in scramble-mode (“transition”, “rebuild”, whatever) with the appropriate results to show for that.
B.
My god, what a glorious midfield that was. Lampard, Ballack, Essien with Mikel as the holder. It was not necessarily “creative” in the truest sense, but with both Ballack and Mikel destroying people, Essien bullying, and Lampard doing a bit of everything, it was a fun spectacle. Down by a goal at the half, Mourinho went back to a 4-3-3 by bringing on Cole (who still had all his enthusiasm and will), pushing Shevchenko out wide, and had those two swapping wings freely. Tapes of the Ballack-Lampard midfield duo could’ve been shown to later incarnations of Chelsea midfield pairings, most notably the Lampard-Meireles clusterfucks of this season.
C.
Ashley Cole used to be soooo good. Sigh…
D.
David Luiz is Carvalho reincarnated. But as with any copy, mutations will happen, thus the insane moments of madness and the extra hair.
E.
At one point Cech berated Mikel for doing something stupid on a Valencia chance. I can’t recall the last time Cech did that (maybe last season at Ivanovic, but certainly not since and certainly not so “publicly”). What happened, Petr? Where’s the fire?
man i wish i had a pile of DVDs like that
after this game i felt ok but now it’s lingering like a girl you thought you’d get over quickly but don’t.
A – so so true. i feel Ancelotti and now AVB are both taking a lot of heat for something they can’t control, namely the decline of Chelsea’s core. during the prime for this team and its star players, there was never any building for the future. the new additions were only ever temporary (Ballack, Deco, Shevchenko) and the squad was never adequately restocked with what it had lost. whereas you see Barca with its ridiculous youth academy seem to have new players (Thiago, Pedro, Busquets) just waiting to get into the starting 11, or teams like R. Madrid and Man City just stockpiling talent continuously, Chelsea followed up its early spending spree by easing off the brakes. we’re definitely paying the price for that now but i still feel that a coherent plan is in place for the future if we can just grind through this present.
B – truly glorious midfield. Essien in particular was my favorite Chelsea player, the heartbeat of the team IMO. the blend of physicality, intelligence and skill in that midfield was wonderful. such a contrast with the crap we are witnessing right now. i love Ramires but he needs some help.
C – seriously wtf.
D – * and i also think he’s a bit better than Carvalho in attack.
E – i think w/ Cech as w/ anyone, you can only berate others if you are holding up your own end. there must be a bit of self-consciousness w/ Cech at the numerous errors he’s made this season, such that he doesn’t feel as comfortable chewing out his defenders for their mistakes.
* also, Essien saved our bacon with that amazing run/shot
same year as the goal v. Arsenal right? ESSIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!
After some rather philosophical thinking about the starting 11, I have a theory..
Think about who was omitted from the starting line-up today.. John Terry, Ashley Cole, Michael Essien, and Frank Lampard (granted, not all of them were fully fit). If asked who have been Chelsea’s staple players for the past several years, all of those names would probably be around the top of near everyone’s list. AVB was handed the difficult job of phasing out the old guard and giving Chelsea a new identity. I think AVB was trying to make a statement that he was doing just that with the line-up today. Can you imagine what kind of testament it would have been had he won one of the biggest games of his Chelsea career without any of the aforementioned names? It would have gone a long way in proving that he can get the job done. Unfortunately the players did not get the result. Again, this is just a theory. Any thoughts?
disagree
JT is about to have surgery and would have certainly started had he been available. Cole was just returning from injury. Essien returned from a 6 month layoff and hasn’t looked fully fit yet but would have liked to see him start yes. Lamps has been on the bench for a number of big games already this season. also, Drogba would certainly have been near the top of this list and he also did start. i think you’re reading into that a bit much. 3 of the 4 players you mentioned were injured/just returning from injury.
That is true. Petr Cech would also be up there on that list with Drogba and the others.
And I totally agree that had Terry and Cole been fully fit they both would have started. My main point was, had Villas Boas won with this line-up I think it would have been a very strong statement that he is moving the club in the right direction. I just wonder if that crossed his mind at all.
i honestly don't think he did
he doesn’t need to make that statement to Roman or anyone. he just needs to salvage this season for the time and space to put his plan in effect. i think he just wanted to win (which makes starting Meireles all the more curious).
Didn't our fortunes change after AVB introduced Oreo as a stater?
Our fortunes need changing now, so bring him out again.
AVB must go, but not for RAFA
The guy has no management acumen. Everyone here before the match was weary of Meireles, tireless runner that he is, he is not effective as a DM and when you play him when you have Essien on the bench????. Meireles plays as a Ramires/Lampard type box to box midfielder, that is where he plays best, our best performances with Meireles were when he was in for Lampard, along side Rami as the midfield box to box guys. Romeu is shaky yes, but he would have been better at the DM position. Then to play Bosingwa out of position instead of A. Cole is weird. we should get van Gaal, UCL Champ and finalist, league championships in the dutch, spanish and german leagues, is attacking without being naive. the problem with AVB is that someone somewhere gassed him up so much that he has a bloated ego. He will one day become a good coach, but that is at least a decade away. If we do not get rid of AVB, next season we’ll be languishing mid table. People say that he needs time to get “his” players right? I believe we can glean the bigger picture by looking at little things, for instance, who would these players be if he figures Meireles is better at DM than Essien for the biggest game of his Chelsea carreer? Falcao, Moutinho, Hulk, were playing for him in Porto, but they were there before him, so was Rolando and Perreira, he is a fraud guys and the longer he continues at Chelsea, the more he’ll be exposed at our expense, I just wish he’d quit now so we can get van Gaal with his 21 yrs coaching experience (AVB was probably a zit faced teen when Louis won his first major trophy) bring in Zola as assitant in training to take over after two years. If we do that, we’d become a dynasty. Zola loves Chelsea, and the fans love Zola. AVB should have been a philosopher not a coach.
No management acumen?
Oh, that’s right, I forgot we picked him off the streets after he submitted a resume of his accomplishments in Football Manager (with screenshots, no doubt, as well as the number of saves!).
Might wanna bone up on the definition of “fraud” as well, before you continue on your one-man crusade to brand AVB as such.
Van Gaal
likes a high line and high pressing? Wonder who else tried that with this Chelsea team? Oh yeah, the guy with no management acumen.
And naturally, because he’s young he can’t be successful. It’s like we’ve ever had young successful Portugese managers before.
Total Football Ajax Style
van Gaal is not a one trick pony, he adapts, he adapted when he lost both Robben and Ribery in Bayern. He adapted when Barca lost the first leg to Chelsea 2-1 and thumped us at the Nou Camp 3-0 in 2000. He adapted with the emergence of Rivaldo, and played him over his own countryman Kluivert (which is more than we can say about AVB with the love he feels for Meireles and Bosingwa). The thing is we all want the same thing, we have differing opinions, but to keep it civil (coz we not like the mancs, nor the scousers nor the spuds) try address those differences by addressing the issue at hand and not by just stating something without proper research van Gaal favoured the high line in Bayern because they have athletic defenders. Also the name of the game in the Bundesliga is pressing and great off the ball movement, he never employed a high line in Barca unless if he was chasing the game. Ajax in the early nineties was like Barca now, so obviously a high line could be implemented when you have de Boer in your back four. And yes youth and immaturity can be hinderance to success, only if you’re a genius will it be not a factor, as was the case with Mourinho. And no you cannot compare AVB to Mourinho, it is easy to make that mistake, but don’t, JM WON the UCL before coming to Chelsea, bouncing out SAF and MANURe (with a red hot van Nistelrooy) on the way.
by GianfrancoZola on Feb 22, 2012 9:55 AM GMT up reply actions
As I said before
The key players in the treble winning Porto side were there while AVB was at Academia. But let’s give him that success and pin it solely on him particularly that none of the side that he utilized made its way here. AVB had certain players and was successful, he either should have insisted, after watching Chelsea Videos and based on his legendary rep as an excellent opposition scout while he was here at Chelsea, on bringing in some players that he could adapt to that style of play, either from out in the market or from Porto, or he should have adapted his tactics to fit the players at his disposal. Carlo came with the midfield diamond, when it became redundant he ADAPTED. You have to say that Adaptation is a key essential in being a good manager. Also, the guy played Meireles over Essien at the DM position…these two points show me that he is not a good coach, but he profiles like he is.
FRAUD=Pretending to be something that you’re not. AVB is a mediocre coach at best, he is not a good coach as he pretends to be.
by GianfrancoZola on Feb 22, 2012 10:12 AM GMT up reply actions
Trying to keep it civil....
Firstly, AvB tried to bring players across – Periera, Moutinho, Falcao were all linked with us all after his arrival. He did try to bring in players for his style of play – got Mata, whose arguably our best player. It’s not anyone’s fault we didn’t get Modric, but that was another target who very comfortably fits the style he clearly wants. He’s not been perfect in adapting, but he’s better than you give him credit for.
Furthermore, you claim evidence that Carlo adapted on the basis of the diamond. However, it’s arguable that the African Cup of Nations forced his hand into switching to the 4-3-3 anyway, due to available personnel. Even if we do give him credit for adapting, Ancelotti barely strayed from the 4-3-3 during his second season, and very rarely made any modifications to his template beyond like-for-like changes in selection and substitutions.
Also, you claim one selection error in picking Meireles over Essien, which has been proved a bad decision by benefit of hindsight, proves he is not a good coach. I don’t think I need to expand on the failings of logic here.
Finally, I hardly believe AvB is “pretending” to be a good coach. He’s struggling, sure, but he’s clearly a good manager; his hiring at Chelsea based on his widely publicized managerial attributes and his history at Porto indicates this, despite what you may think of his efforts in Portugal.
It's not that I hate AVB, I was just very skeptical of his wonderkid following
Jose did his work in the champions league, AVB in the UEFA cup. I analyze and read certain situations/people/organizations and make predictions for a living (Finance) and taking into account the rise of Tottenham and City it would just make the PL twice as hard, and then lump in the crazy pressure, Older baby players, and the overall culture at Chelsea he had a 9/10 chance of failing. His job is 10 times harder than carlo, and Carlo also crashed out of the round of 16 in his first year (Roman has eyes on CL), the double bought him another year. We should not keep making the same mistake over and over again, we have to get rid of some of these players soon anyways. The best thing to do is give him another year, save the money and trouble of sacking and hiring and rebuild and maybe he will pull through. Attitude adjustment of AVB if this were to happen will have to be of foremost importance to make it work.
Before we go on
Understand this, if we keep AVB and he becomes successful, I will be the first to admit I was wrong, just as I did at the advent of the sacking of the man who brought us Lampard over the bringing in of Mourinho, Ranieri. I was wrong then, I hope to God that I am wrong again and nothing would make me happier. Firstly, Carlo adapted his style to a 4-3-3 when his diamond proved useless, before the AFCON, secondly I agree yes hindsight is 20/20, but in all the blogs about Chelsea, when asked about a Line-Up many ppl were begging for Meireles not to start. Even on this blog. Here on this blog also I have seen numerous ppl seething at every Malouda first team selection, Bosingwa has been the bane of CFC fan’s happiness. To play Bosingwa out of position over Cole is another which many did not understand. The reason that Ancelotti barely strayed is because there had been a mid field clear out in that summer after the double win, Ballack gone, Deco gone, Cole gone (say what you want about Joe Cole, but in Chelsea blue he was a menace) Belleti gone, only Ramires in, so his formation was constrained to that owing to not having personnel and also to him being too afraid to play any of the young guns Lalkovic, Stoch, McEcheran and Clifford. But hey, I’m no Carlo Apologist, I’m no AVB Apologist, I’m just a guy at the bottom tip of Africa who’s too afraid to go home because my neighbor is a ManU supporter and he laughs at me at every Chelsea loss and his laugh is like pin picks to my heart. If we do not make it to the Chapms League next season, the rebuilding will be nigh impossible because we will lose on revenues and FFP will bite us in the transfer market, Man City; Man U; Spurs and whoever is above us will out bid us for the cream and will be fighting for scrubs with the rest. Also has he any experience in actually building a squad rather than tweaking one, I know van Gaal can build a squad, he had to rebuild in Ajax after losing Dennis Bergkamp and a host of players to Arsenal and Barca respectively.
by GianfrancoZola on Feb 22, 2012 11:38 AM GMT up reply actions
For all the Americans
This Situation reminds me all too much of my hometown Washington Redskins fall from glory. Ego driven filthy rich owner buys the team, can’t stop talking to the press, keeps driving coaches crazy and undermines them whenever he gets the chance. Refuses to care about the draft, signs other teams players who were either overrated, old or lost their hunger with a big squad/big contract achieved. Hires a new coach, goes 8-8 in first season and fires him after leading to 5 years of 4-12/5-11 finishes. Instead of building a solid foundation, culture, philosophy he keeps name dropping every season by signing the next big thing to the point where as soon as you put on the uniform your doomed to fail, we need to stop this because unlike the NFL, finishing 5th could become the first nail in the coffin.
Do not compare Daniel Snyder to Abramovich
If we equate playoff appearance to Champs League Football then we can at least say at CFC we have not been that poor, hell we were league champions 3 times since Roman came, where were we before; the Redskins were legendary and they regressed. Roman gave us that all too necessary push at great expense to himself personally, the redskins are making money for their owner owing to their great fan base. But you’re right in your final sentence. I for one love Roman, he can be weird, but hey he spent a huge fortune just so I could, for three years at least, laugh at ManU fans, and also (a big plus) we got to look down at Arsenal for the last seven years
by GianfrancoZola on Feb 22, 2012 12:17 PM GMT up reply actions
I agree, Snyder has actually had 0 success compared to Roman
but I am conflicted, because I enjoy thinking if we will win the treble rather than praying to make Europe. I feel as if Roman isn’t really doing it for us, Chelsea is his billionaires toy to stroke his ego which if I had that money I would do the exact same thing, I just would try not to ignore reality. You guys on here know 10x more when it comes to tactics and the game of football, but while I was getting my MBA I took extensive classes on management and a lot of the rules apply to sports, more than half the battle is won in man management and the dressing room through cohesion, belief, culture, stability that goes beyond tactics at this level. Avram for example did a lot of questionable things, but he had better than expected success because players were actually executing and playing with some passion at least….that also brings me to lack of leadership that we used to have with Ballack, happy Frank and even makellele that makes a managers job much easier. Now we have distant frank and our captain who can’t stay out of the headlines and racial abusing people…THATS NOT GOOD
My point is
I have been in a similar position being under 30 in charge of people who are up to almost twice my age. If I walked in arrogant and started throwing where I went to school and my prior achievements in their faces, they would care less if I sink or swim. Another year should be given to AVB because now that he has been humbled, some new players and a fresh attitude might do everyone wonders. New management would only be under the same situation and same pressure which would cause them to repeat similar mistakes
If you can understand American Football and the Tactics
therein then soccer is a piece of cake, I mean so many plays and so many permutations, I love the NFL I understand the rules, but I would not pretend to have a full understanding of the tactics. It is difficult I know to assert yourself with ppl who are older than you or in the case of an AVB ppl your age when they are not supposed to be. But for me that is not a question, the real issue is from what we have gleaned in these few months from his mannerisms and his man management, is he the man we want Abramovich to entrust untold millions to? Is he for instance mature enough to know that in order to get the best out of your players, there needs to be dialogue, as in if ppl question your tactics do you get personal and bench them for inferior talent, Modric put in a transfer request, but Harry Redknapp was mature in his dealings with him, he made him know that he understood and did everything to comfort the lad calling him a good lad a professional lad at every opportunity. AVB froze out Anelka and Alex, Alex when we were running thin in the back with injuries to Terry, Luiz and Ivanovic, and Anelka who would have still been useful to us I think. But I respect yoursand everyone elses opinion on the matter as we all bleed royal blue and have the hearts of red tongued upright lions at heart.
by GianfrancoZola on Feb 22, 2012 1:47 PM GMT up reply actions
Umm
by that argument…
Most of the key players from the double winning side of Chelsea are here… they don’t seem to be succeeding in carrying the team now, do they? You cannot have a sports team where the success is only granted to the players, and the failures only belong to the manager. It is a team for a reason.
Raul Meireles has just replaced Kalou as my most hated Blue
He was worthless. Seriously. If I am Roman, I am cutting Raul and buying hot pockets or something with his salary.
"Walter is a quality 2nd receiver. Jacoby is so bad that the two of them together is less than just Walter by himself." -Toolshed1
I was on here seven months ago, reading all you guy bullshit about how AVB is going to be the next sir Alex, Meireles was the best summer signing, Danny is going to be the best etc etc blah blah blah blah…I challenged this and you assholes attacked me and laughed me off the site because since I don’t jack off the 16 year olds playing youth games I was clueless.. instead I saw all this bullshit coming…I told you when you have no plan or identity stuff like this will never change…. Roman is Jim Jones and all you suckers are drinking the kool-aid….i wasn’t going to rub it in, but I can no longer watch you flip-flop like this, I would have gladly ate my words….I think you bunch of jokers should eat yours
and since then you have been biding your time
throwing darts at a picture of AVB on the wall, muttering curses and sht?? lol maybe check back in 7 months time again to see if AVB ever had a plan. until then, keep it sunny!
I felt like coming back on as soon as the Cahill signing, but I figured what is the point. You guys will like me more if I let the signings disappoint you first, then come on here with my views as the majority rather than the minority.
I often look for validation on the Internet as well.
I’ll just wait until you tell Graham to “watch more football” again. That was fun.
I didn’t mean for it to be taken that way, I wanted it to come off as if he keyed in on a certain aspect…..not that he doesn’t watch at all, but I can’t blame him because everyone back then had Blue fever and I didn’t so I was the black sheep.
so in your mind this is like the
return of the prodigal son or something?
by dojothecat on Feb 22, 2012 8:40 AM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
No, I finally had it with them today and wanted to check back to see the attitude from the real chelsea fans (this is the best site) and just went crazy when I saw the same ones cussing me out saying that they want to fire AVB for Benitez and Miereles should never step on the field again. I thought I’d just come on here for a little history lesson, and if they think the current staff makes bad signings just look at Rafa’s signing record (I know he had financial constraints, but still)
You should just do what I do
Make money from your misery, whenever you see Chelsea (-2) put 500 on the other team, that way you can still cheer for chelsea to win by a goal. When they disappoint you and lose or draw all the time you can at least buy next years Carlos Tevez Chelsea kit and treat yourself to dinner once a week.
Nah, next year's kits are horrid.
I’d rather a Torre Andre Flo Autoglass kit.
"Walter is a quality 2nd receiver. Jacoby is so bad that the two of them together is less than just Walter by himself." -Toolshed1
by RocketsAstros on Feb 22, 2012 9:21 AM GMT up reply actions
Actually
the ones that were upset with you are not the same ones suggesting that AVB should be fired. They are simply upset with some of the choices he has made and that is perfectly acceptable, even when you support a manager. The ones calling for Benitez are totally different folks, and probably never wanted AVB from the start- in that sense, they fall in your bucket.
The ones that were upset with you months ago are now upset with Meireles, as most every one is, but that is because he’s severely downgraded his performance from the beginning of the season and what he is actually capable of. He could have just as easily performed beyond expectations, like he did in the beginning of the season more. I don’t believe anyone expected him to be amazing.
What I am trying to figure out is why you seem to want an award for this? You want a damned cookie for predicting the demise of the team you supposedly support? That certain players would never succeed? You know, I am not a hippie new age person or anything like that, but that kind of attitude just continually emanating from the “fans” is just tempting fate. I do believe that sometimes you can will things into existence, which is precisely why I try not to say harsh things on the employees of a team I support (beyond a couple of jokes here and there, and even then I try to limit it). With supporters such as yourself doing quite the opposite, and looking for some sort of personal redemption out of it (you should join the Fox Soccer pundits), it’s no wonder this season has turned into the clusterfun it has.
There is a difference between airing concerns and being realistic about circumstances and yet still supporting your team and hoping the best for them, and actually wishing bad things to happen to prove your own points. I’m seeing more of the latter type of fan on here as of late, and it’s a damned shame, if you ask me.
*will things into existance*
Nonsense, lets leave the superstitions out of this.
Either way, if the guy predicted this decline he just might have more soccer sense then most of us here. I’ve seen AVB and previous managers try all my ideas on how to improve the team and they didn’t work. At this point I really don’t know how this team could have gotten so broken and I have no idea as to how we can recover. If this Mkent guy has some ideas I don’t mind listening to them, even if he states that there will be darkness before the dawn.
His ideas involved
slating the players and manager before things even went anywhere (and when we were actually doing alright) this season. They were less informed with footballing know-how, and more just rants and feelings. So if you think my thoughts are superstitious, his certainly were on another level. His ideas also involved calling people here “gay”.
I just wish we would start playing better
Failure brings blame and conflict. Clearly fans are as affected as the team is.
True that
Although, there was probably a fair amount of sparring over opinions here, even when we performed well. At least this site is generally better behaved than most fan sites I’ve seen. Most folks here a good apples that just want to discuss things or throw thoughts around. Sometimes things get a bit out of hand when there are misunderstandings, but that’s the internet for ya.
Winning would be nice, though :)
Ahhh
the guy that made homophobic sounding comments, no?
He did
I guess he felt he might as well go out with a bang.
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 22, 2012 5:29 PM GMT up reply actions
Good for him
and anyone in the same bucket. They’re all welcome to go out with a bang, if they actually go. :)
He went
I think you can rest assured of that
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 22, 2012 5:42 PM GMT up reply actions
I like the 4-2-3-1 we started with
I think we looked ok even if we conceded atleast two goals based on individual errors (1&3, Goal 2 was cavani brilliance imho).
Malouda thrives in the offensive left midfielder and he had one of his better games for us this season. Also the whole trio (Flo-Mata-Studge) linked up well between them.
Meireles was just horrible. He gave away so many posessions when we were in transition he should never be allowed on the field again for us against quality opposition. Drogba looked hungry again, which was nice.
This is probably insanity but I would like to try Studge up front with Mata behind and Kalou on the right wing. Essien and Mikel as holding MF’s. Remember how good they were together early last season?
Swede that like the Houston Texans and Chelsea FC
Hehey, that's what I was advocating, too - Essien & Mikel in the middle. Oh well.
One quibble…Malouda and “thriving” haven’t belonged in the same sentence for at least like a year… :P (He wasn’t “as bad” as he has gotten generally this season though.)
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