that's about it really.

Haha...now this a knee-jerk if there ever was one but at the moment I have to agree. Subbed off to Mikel so RDM agrees as well.

It's not just bloody hell meireles,it's what the f**k Chelsea,god there is so much work left for Chelsea,roll on getting some players back.

Awful performance today. Not expecting much vs Citeh

really hasn't looked great so far has it? though i do remember having a pretty shocking pre-season the year we won the double i think so can't look too far into it i guess... and as you said there's a fair bit of quality to come back in. We do look very lethargic though. They really need to improve drastically before next weekend or it could be a bit embarrasing

He was sloppy for their goal when he gave away possesion but what is our excuse for the sceond half when he wasn't on the pitch??

We really can't use Meireles as a scapegoat for that loss/performance, he really wasn't much worse than anyone else.

Edited August 4, 201212 yr by mclovin83

As a Brighton based Chelsea fan this result really sucks

I think it is not fair to punish him with making a new topic of him.

The whole team failed,I shoud more say "bloody hell torres" if you really wanna say something.

Crying and be frustrated on your coach in the public is more painfull than the result of raul.

I think it is not fair to punish him with making a new topic of him.

The whole team failed,I shoud more say "bloody hell torres" if you really wanna say something.

Crying and be frustrated on your coach in the public is more painfull than the result of raul.

I agree with you that Meireles doesn't deserve special mention for the loss but I dunno how you can say that about Torres I think with the amount of service he got he was actually quite decent and even improved when on the ball or running at players Shooting was a bit rusty but how many chances did he get? He obv wernt happy with coming off or the service he got but that just shows how hungry he his to do well for the team. A couple mins after he came off I saw him laughing and joking with JT on the side so he soon got over it. Seriously like I said in the topic I just posted it wasn't down to any particular player ,it was more general team issues like shape and organisation.

I'd rather see players disappointed to be subbed out (even in training matches) rather than acting apathetically about the situation. I agree that he should do the talk in private, but a little enthusiasm is for me appreciated when the rest of the team don't seem to care.

I don't agree with the enormous Meireles-critic some people are giving here. He is (must be) in good shape coming from a good run in the Euro's, so I think it's more down to the negativity the whole team showed today. He had one terrible mistake, but the best left back in the world didn't exactly look sharp either (neither did Iva, Cahill, Essien, Lampard, Terry, Hazard, Ramires or Torres).

Edited August 4, 201212 yr by Ozztheboss

Even though I'm not much of a fan of Meireles it's a bit harsh to call out just one player on their performance today.

I agree with you that Meireles doesn't deserve special mention for the loss but I dunno how you can say that about Torres I think with the amount of service he got he was actually quite decent and even improved when on the ball or running at players Shooting was a bit rusty but how many chances did he get? He obv wernt happy with coming off or the service he got but that just shows how hungry he his to do well for the team. A couple mins after he came off I saw him laughing and joking with JT on the side so he soon got over it. Seriously like I said in the topic I just posted it wasn't down to any particular player ,it was more general team issues like shape and organisation.

If torres is coming off like that ,complaining about the bad service he had.I at least expect that he did more running and give 200 %,only after that you can complain.

And he is not the only one in the last games that got a bad amount of service

By the way, what did Torres actually do/say? I didn't get to see the game.

I've said this on quite a few threads now...RDM cannot continue to rely on the senior players...lampard might have scored today but he cannot get around the pitch anymore...meireles simply is not good enough we all know that and I can't see who in their right mind would farm mceachran out on loan when he miles better at such a young age! And again if you look at our bench and you have benayoun sitting smug...he may have been a quality player but we cannot rely on him! I feel sorry for Oscar who is going to co e in and be lucky to see the bench at this rate! I'm beginning to think AVB was on the right path after all...

I've said this on quite a few threads now...RDM cannot continue to rely on the senior players...lampard might have scored today but he cannot get around the pitch anymore...meireles simply is not good enough we all know that and I can't see who in their right mind would farm mceachran out on loan when he miles better at such a young age! And again if you look at our bench and you have benayoun sitting smug...he may have been a quality player but we cannot rely on him! I feel sorry for Oscar who is going to co e in and be lucky to see the bench at this rate! I'm beginning to think AVB was on the right path after all...

Bit of a contradiction there mate.

With Oscar, Marin, Mata & Sturridge unavailable who of the younger players were you hoping to see in he line up that you think would have made a major difference?

McEachran & Piazon are the only contenders I can think of?

I've said this on quite a few threads now...RDM cannot continue to rely on the senior players...lampard might have scored today but he cannot get around the pitch anymore...meireles simply is not good enough we all know that and I can't see who in their right mind would farm mceachran out on loan when he miles better at such a young age! And again if you look at our bench and you have benayoun sitting smug...he may have been a quality player but we cannot rely on him! I feel sorry for Oscar who is going to co e in and be lucky to see the bench at this rate! I'm beginning to think AVB was on the right path after all...

Well he was undefeated in preseason. That's what matters, right?

Come on, give Meireles a break, it wasn't as bad as the McEachran back pass earlier on out in the states and there wasn't a designated topic for that.

Bit of a contradiction there mate.

With Oscar, Marin, Mata & Sturridge unavailable who of the younger players were you hoping to see in he line up that you think would have made a major difference

McEachran & Piazon are the only contenders I can think of?

Well mceachran is my main grievance but I suppose a case could be made as to why we are sending KDB on loan? I just think RDM seems to be showing loyalty to the senior players who let's be quite honest, if it wasn't for a champions league final that was pulled out the bag, would be getting heavy criticism on this site for there unacceptable league finish. The problem is obvious that we are struggling in midfield, individual errors RDM put today's defeat down to put if those 2 midfield players cant get up and down the pitch to help the attack out they need to be replaced by players who will. The greatest sides defend from the front

Well he was undefeated in preseason. That's what matters, right?

I think it's unfair to compare the pre-seasons RDM obviously had the tougher games but when your club sign attacking players is it too much to ask to go out and attack teams?

I think it's unfair to compare the pre-seasons RDM obviously had the tougher games but when your club sign attacking players is it too much to ask to go out and attack teams?

I think it's unfair to criticize a manager who just won the Champions League because we haven't looked good in preseason. The entire point of these games is to build fitness and allow the players to develop a rapport with each other. With all the new signings we've made and the absence of Juan Mata, who was the linchpin of our offense last year, it's no surprise that everybody isn't clicking on all cylinders yet. Furthermore, why would you want them to? It's going to be a very long season. You do not want players rounding into top form this early, it's a pretty good indication that they'll fade down the stretch.

Edited August 4, 201212 yr by That Boy Brandinho

I read that there is talk of Spurs going for Meireles now if we got a good offer i think the club should let him go.If not he is a good squad player and i echo most comments on here a bit harsh to single him out nearly every player was poor today.Not only have we been poor in pre season but we have been so boring to watch.

Edited August 4, 201212 yr by jack_super_class

Has Mata come back yet? I know it was a mid September delay but since Spain crashed out he would surely be back earlier, no?

Brandinho hit the nail on the head... We need Mata back soon. With that said though he deserves some rest. Than again he barely played in the Euros and obviously not as much as expected in the Olympics.

What happened with Torres today? Didn't see the match but from the pieces I've been able to put together is that he had it out with RDM? True or is it more media BS fanning any sort of flame that may be there?

"Had it out". He looked happy when he was joking with Terry on the bench two minutes later. Only time will tell, really. But I stand on what I said, I'd rather see players disappointed being subbed out than seeing our players not caring.

Doesn't Mata return to training on Tuesday or have I been dreaming?

Mata and Romeu are back on Tuesday i think.

I would keep Meireles. In the Euro's he would have had 5 assists if Ronaldo had done his job. He works hard, can play multiple positions (and can be a very good player if we wants to play 4-3-3 for some matches) and can score goals. For sure, he isn't Modric, but I don't think he is that bad.

Edited August 4, 201212 yr by Ozztheboss