Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:56 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

Their game changed and improved when Sturridge came off the bench, it also brough Mata and Malouda into the game more as well. Chelsea's best spell was just after they scored, they had a good bit of the ball and had you on the back foot but after that it settled into the game it had been before. I don't think it was as special as Neville was making it out to be though.

Chelsea need to have a midfield trio of Ramires, Meireles and Mata. Essien could do with coming back but until then, that trio needs to play. Give Mata a free role and utilise the energy or Ramires + Raul to cover the space behind.

The problem Chelsea have got is they have no wingers, Malouda is the closest they have but he looks a shadow of his former self. Play Sturridge through the middle, but then you can't stick Drogba/Anelka/Torres out wide.

Drogba and Anelka are past their best, and Torres will head back to Spain within 12 months with Chelsea cutting their losses.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:01 pm  

Roddy B wrote:

It was, but I don't think AVB is a bad appointment. He's a good manager and his Porto side were immense. In fact, I'd go as far to say his Porto side were better than this Chelsea side, yet they cost a fraction of the amount, which for me points to bigger problems than AVB himself.

It's been said time and time again, but how much longer can Chelsea persist with the same players? Most of them have had their pomp and they've all failed to reach Roman's target - the champions league. For me, Chelsea should look at moving on some players instead of moving on another manager. Ancelotti was a great manager who had a proven record of getting the best from his players, yet he was somehow made to look a mug by the bratty Chelsea players. I think AVB deserves more commitment from the club and they should back him in the market, and that doesn't necessarily mean funds, but letting players go.

good post, but as you suggest the owner isn't famed for his patience, hiddink is in the mix again too.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:03 pm  

Lord God Jose Mourinho wrote:

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Getting rid of Mourinho was the dumbest decision in the history of football.

Possibly but then how much longer would Mourinho have stayed? Even if he hadn't gone then it doesn't mean he would've still be there now. Surely it'd be extremely dumb to get rid of AVB already? sitting 4th in the league, albeit 12 points off City, quarter final of the Carling Cup and currently topping your Champions League too. Surely it'd be stupid to let AVB go now when he hasn't had a chance to develop the squad, there's a lot of players that need moving on in that team and there are also some really good players. Sturridge is looking really promising as is Mata too. How feasible is it really to remove AVB and ask another manager to take over with more than likely the same outcome.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:21 pm  

Roddy B wrote:

It was, but I don't think AVB is a bad appointment. He's a good manager and his Porto side were immense. In fact, I'd go as far to say his Porto side were better than this Chelsea side, yet they cost a fraction of the amount, which for me points to bigger problems than AVB himself.

It's been said time and time again, but how much longer can Chelsea persist with the same players? Most of them have had their pomp and they've all failed to reach Roman's target - the champions league. For me, Chelsea should look at moving on some players instead of moving on another manager. Ancelotti was a great manager who had a proven record of getting the best from his players, yet he was somehow made to look a mug by the bratty Chelsea players. I think AVB deserves more commitment from the club and they should back him in the market, and that doesn't necessarily mean funds, but letting players go.

I do think that AVB should be given the length of his contract to make the side his and there be no pressure on his job. We simply cannot keep going through the same thing time and time again.

I don't think the lack of the CL means anything. We were the width of the post away from it in Moscow, we would have had another final against United of it wasn't for one of the most ridiculous reffing performances ever. The players have been good enough, they just haven't had the luck that's needed when it comes to the CL trophy.

The constant changing of managers has meant that we haven't been able to ship players out, but TBH I'm not sure that those players are the problem that people are saying anyway. Terry and Lampard still have plenty to offer, Drogba would still be scaring defenders if he was treated as he should have been. I think our problem players are Malouda, Kalou, Bosingwa. I think that Mikel and Anelka are fine players who are mis-used and therefore useless. The rest of the side contain some fine talent, but they need to be properly managed and they just aren't right now.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:31 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

Possibly but then how much longer would Mourinho have stayed? Even if he hadn't gone then it doesn't mean he would've still be there now.

I think he would've probably left within a couple of seasons - after he won the CL with us.

That would have been fine with me. And even if things had gone drastically wrong and we'd have been mid-table and Mourinho had been fired becaue of that it would have been better. But getting rid of Mourinho when we did was just so wrong that it has left the shadow of Mourinho over us even now.

Surely it'd be extremely dumb to get rid of AVB already? sitting 4th in the league, albeit 12 points off City, quarter final of the Carling Cup and currently topping your Champions League too. Surely it'd be stupid to let AVB go now when he hasn't had a chance to develop the squad, there's a lot of players that need moving on in that team and there are also some really good players. Sturridge is looking really promising as is Mata too. How feasible is it really to remove AVB and ask another manager to take over with more than likely the same outcome.

I don't believe we will be thinking of getting rid of AVB. I think it's just paper talk, especially because Hiddink has just become available.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:12 pm  

inside_man wrote:

Then you must class every foul that's committed as cheating, as that's breaking the laws of the game.

Well you could say that by fouling someone, be it pulling them back or taking their legs, you have cheated to win the ball.

It isn't blatant or obvious cheating, but it is cheating.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:18 pm  

Conroy wrote:

Well you could say that by fouling someone, be it pulling them back or taking their legs, you have cheated to win the ball.

It isn't blatant or obvious cheating, but it is cheating.

Oh come on, it was yesterday. Get over it son

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:45 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Oh come on, it was yesterday. Get over it son

Knowing our luck we'll go down by a point

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:08 am  

Conroy wrote:

Knowing our luck we'll go down by a point

Only if you improve dramatically

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:43 am  

Catalancs wrote:

Only if you improve dramatically

We've an easy run of fixtures coming up it's ok.