icecoolguy22

A really poor game. Arsenal was well below their level, and we without Palmer seemed to accept the 0:1 after going behind. There was just no urgency to do anything, I recalled their GK made one real save ( a flop) against Cucu, other than that the GK was a spectator. The last kick of the game, nobody even tried to charge into the box for a bit of a scrap, their defender made an easy knock down and waved arms up like scored a goal 🤨 Then there was that bizarre moment Maresca shaked Timber's hand with a minute to go. I mean good sportsmanship or whatever, you aren't there to make friends, not when you are behind in a derby. You would never see a good manager doing something like that in that scenario, the least you could do is to stay silent ( like the past 90 minutes)

Mathematically, we are doing pretty well in the top 4 chase. But with the run of tough games coming up, could be down to 6th or 8th if we don't improve. The last 2 teams we beat are going to get relegated, so it's not like we really improved in recent weeks. The Arsenal game was basically a no-show, Arsenal walked through the whole game, probably wondered why we never tried to land a punch on them. Their player even got a handsake from Maresca with a minute to go in the game 🤐

The club ( owners and SD) wont pay 70M for a 27 year old striker even he scores 25 goals a year. But, for a 17 year old who scored 2 goals in his career, maybe a different story.

Second to that. I mean he's not a bad player for most teams. But after almost 2 seasons with the club, had to see a 100M player in him, Would I believe an European ( or Saudi) giant bid 100M+ for him? I will only believe it when I see it.

Yes, the amount of 'superb long range strike' he conceded is absolutely ridiculous. Although between him and Sanchez, it's a difficult choice to pick the worse one.

I think he may have to abandon the RB or RWB position due to his limited physical conditions. We aren't overloaded with options either in midfield without Levia, unless we count KDH as a serous option. I'm just happy to see James play without breaking down, to be honest. He's still a much better footballer than many of the current rosters, even playing as a striker.

I think he had enough chances to prove that he's NOT a top class player. If his technique were top class, he didn't need that much time to bring the ball under control, and fire a good shot. I mean he played for some pretty good teams and good managers, common denominator seems to be him, all the former employers were better off ( or at least not worse off) after he left

No idea why the last minute Haaland goal wasn't given, after 4 minutes of delay, not even a proper explanation , just a goal kick. This is exactly why VAR is so hated, not only it's great at spoiling the fun of football, but not even proper justifications on why key decisions were made. Let's face it, unless you are big Angie , you won't complain about the goal just looking at it in real time.

He got the blue balloon out - to be honest, i'm ok with it, and for a change he actually threw him self at somthing and showed a modicum of bravery.

That's a really odd message to sent in public. Behind close doors, you could say whatever needs to be said, but said it our loud in public is just asking for troubles ( and different interpretations). Considering how poor the others are in front of goals, it's just unfair and unrealistic to think Palmer will get every one of his shots on target into the far corners? Even Ronaldo or Messi couldn't score from every shots.

That's a really odd message to sent in public. Behind close doors, you could say whatever needs to be said, but said it our loud in public is just asking for troubles ( and different interpretations). Considering how poor the others are in front of goals, it's just unfair and unrealistic to think Palmer will get every one of his shots on target into the far corners? Even Ronaldo or Messi couldn't score from every shots.

Beat the hapless Saints 3:0 and we will be back in the top 4 chase again 😆 Not taking anything for granted, but they looked like 3 points on Uber delivery, if we don't mess up that is.

Am I the only one who thinks Kepa is probably our best GK, next to Petrovic ( who's also on loan)?
There are good reasons why nobody wanted him in the summer, we aren't the only club with scouts ☹️

Am I the only one who thinks Kepa is probably our best GK, next to Petrovic ( who's also on loan)?
There are good reasons why nobody wanted him in the summer, we aren't the only club with scouts ☹️

Am I the only one who thinks Kepa is probably our best GK, next to Petrovic ( who's also on loan)?
There are good reasons why nobody wanted him in the summer, we aren't the only club with scouts ☹️

After spending so much money buying players we don't need, we still got no GK and striker, plus the defence looked incredibly thin. God fore lose a Cucurella or a Colwill, we may as well play with 2 Gks. It's probably unfair to point out Enzo. First of all, a needless foul for the free kick ( when he had no chance to catch up with the attacker), then lazily not get back on side to allow the goal. Palmer is fast losing his magic, thanks to the manager's chop and changes. Nkunku, not sure what's the point in this game apart from making up the number? Neto was the sharpest on the day, but still lacked the finishing touch.

That's another positive he didnt even mention during post game talk 😆
Most of us had the feeling something like this would happen, again referring to the Leicester's last season. My biggest is he's not getting much out of the players, I can't say anyone has really improved this season.

Need to either get to top 4 or at least win the conference league ( seems to be ours to lose). After Potter, I'm really skeptical of sack a manager during this time of the season. If we do, is basically another season written off as a transition. There are no proven managers to come in at this time of the season, and abide all the rules our supreme leaders assigned. I may change in mind if 4-5 loses come up, but I hope we stick with him until the season ends, at least people running the club could pretend to spend time finding a proper manager for next season.

Let's face it, we aren't going to attract the best managers out there. I'm going for an Iraola or even Silva ( from Fulham).  The type of managers who play good football with limited resources, and got good game plans. I mean we already got a manager without EPL experience until this season, so how much worse could Iraola do?

It's really a walk in the park, for them Brightons. First time since September 2021 for a complete shutdown like this, just to rank how incompetent this bunch among the bad and worse Chelsea teams. After 30+ games this season, we still have no pattern in defence, apart from concede plenty goals. Somehow Maresca found a way to keep Palmer out of the game and less effective each game, something the other 19 managers in the league had problems for the past season and half. The attitude is all there to be seen, Brighton was pressing hard in the 90th minute, we were just happy to jog. Chasing 3 goals, we still managed to pass 10 times before getting the ball to the half way line, and they only needed 1 or 2 passes.

It's really a walk in the park, for them Brightons. First time since September 2021 for a complete shutdown like this, just to rank how incompetent this bunch among the bad and worse Chelsea teams. After 30+ games this season, we still have no pattern in defence, apart from concede plenty goals. Somehow Maresca found a way to keep Palmer out of the game and less effective each game, something the other 19 managers in the league had problems for the past season and half. The attitude is all there to be seen, Brighton was pressing hard in the 90th minute, we were just happy to jog. Chasing 3 goals, we still managed to pass 10 times before getting the ball to the half way line, and they only needed 1 or 2 passes.

It's really a walk in the park, for them Brightons. First time since September 2021 for a complete shutdown like this, just to rank how incompetent this bunch among the bad and worse Chelsea teams. After 30+ games this season, we still have no pattern in defence, apart from concede plenty goals. Somehow Maresca found a way to keep Palmer out of the game and less effective each game, something the other 19 managers in the league had problems for the past season and half. The attitude is all there to be seen, Brighton was pressing hard in the 90th minute, we were just happy to jog. Chasing 3 goals, we still managed to pass 10 times before getting the ball to the half way line, and they only needed 1 or 2 passes.

To be honest, now look back at our last season, With that many injuries, Poch has done a pretty decent job, despite losing the cup final ( deserved the criticism) . We had a good run when everyone was fit, even for 24 hours we looked like challenging the title. As soon as Maresca told people to calm down, and a few players started to drop in form , we looked a completely different team worse off. The January window was a disaster as far as reinforcement, but then again Macresca need to get more out of the current bunch.

Good points raised, but don't think any top line managers want a job where promoting youth ( for profits) is the priority. Kids don't win anything, we are half way into the third season of the project and haven't got much to show for, after spending billions.  Yong players are more like icing on the cake in my humble view, if you have a 8-9 core players to rely on, much easier to blend couple of young players in and watch them prosper.

To be honest, now look back at our last season, With that many injuries, Poch has done a pretty decent job, despite losing the cup final ( deserved the criticism) . We had a good run when everyone was fit, even for 24 hours we looked like challenging the title. As soon as Maresca told people to calm down, and a few players started to drop in form , we looked a completely different team worse off. The January window was a disaster as far as reinforcement, but then again Macresca need to get more out of the current bunch.