So on reflection....

I never thought we'd win the cl but I thought we'd get further than this. Going out to this bunch of c**ts is disappointing but I suppose there's an upside to having less games now.

Hopefully it's a learning experience for a lot of players and lights a fire under some of their arses.

That banner we unfurled was OTT in my opinion.

You can't win everything and we're at the start of a long journey with José and some of these players.

Our squad is too small and lacking quality. Some of that can be solved with young players but we need to spend this summer.

This isn't a knee jerk reaction but last night saw problems many of us had with this team come home to roost, but they're all fixable and we have a great structure in place to do that.

Maybe it will give us the kick up the arse we need to go on and win the title

We were beaten by a better side. They were better on the day. We were negative. Costa was an idiot. Tibo, Cahill and Hazard were good. Premier League to concentrate on now.

Just wish we could start playing more Football, like we were at the start of the season.

 

We're playing for referee decisions.

Has to stop. 

Conceded on set pieces and didn't actually lose either leg. This end of the world vibe is embarrassing. Now we gotta sell half the squad and any player we did sell has become twice the player in some peoples eyes.

Don't need to sell anyone, need a bigger squad not a smaller one.

99% of the time the most sensible voice in the room

Conceded on set pieces and didn't actually lose either leg. This end of the world vibe is embarrassing. Now we gotta sell half the squad and any player we did sell has become twice the player in some peoples eyes.

 

Don't need to sell anyone, need a bigger squad not a smaller one.

 

Why do some people label posts that were critical of aspects of the game as 'end of the world' when it's usually decent fans bemoaning aspects of the club which aren't perfect?

 

I haven't seen half of the squad being told they need to leave, but a few consistently under-performing players have had their usefulness questioned. That happens at football clubs around the country. 

 

As for us not losing either leg, that's such a ridiculous point. Do you know that the 2012 CL Final actually finished as a draw too? These are two-legged ties so saying you didn't lose either leg is just weird. It completely ignores the tactics that go into qualifying, which is actually the goal here.

Conceded on set pieces and didn't actually lose either leg. This end of the world vibe is embarrassing. Now we gotta sell half the squad and any player we did sell has become twice the player in some peoples eyes.

 

Don't need to sell anyone, need a bigger squad not a smaller one.

While I agree mate, with the height in our team we should not concede 3 set piece goals over a two legged game, we may not have lost but we were outclassed across both and one we had an extra man.

I do my agree with those saying sell half the team but in my honest opinion Willian, Oscar & Ramires are not good enough to be starters if we want to challenge for the CL.

I get Jose loves athletes I. The team and I love watching players buzz about and strike on the counter but you've got to be able to pass or have an end product. (I'm not saying they were the only poor players btw)

Bitterly disappointed with us last night.

It's just my attempt at playing down this apparent outclassing of us by PSG. They couldn't do a thing in open play (The only one I can remember is the one Cavani fluffed) and scored their goals stoke like. Brilliant set pieces. Something we have done to teams countless times.

 

They out chelsea'd us. They defended well and in numbers, taking their chances on the break and via set piece. They are the dirtiest team we have faced all season too.

 

They aren't mugs, no shame in being eliminated by them, especially with such a knackered and overplayed tiny squad which is something that needs addressing. 

Edited March 12, 201511 yr by Stim

Not huge differences in terms of quality, but they were quicker to every ball and sometimes that's all you need.

By trying to play through the middle time & again, we played straight into their hands. They were defending really well and we should've tried to play wide more often.

Why did we look so knackered?

in all honesty, it seemed we had the "it's okay" attitude and just accepted they were better. until Zouma came on, I didn't see anyone press as much as he did! we were piss poor last night, and I think some signings are required and sales. I really liked the look of matuidi, much like a rich mans ramires! oh well we'll have to settle for the double eh!

Why do some people label posts that were critical of aspects of the game as 'end of the world' when it's usually decent fans bemoaning aspects of the club which aren't perfect?

 

I haven't seen half of the squad being told they need to leave, but a few consistently under-performing players have had their usefulness questioned. That happens at football clubs around the country. 

 

As for us not losing either leg, that's such a ridiculous point. Do you know that the 2012 CL Final actually finished as a draw too? These are two-legged ties so saying you didn't lose either leg is just weird. It completely ignores the tactics that go into qualifying, which is actually the goal here.

 

 

Well lets have a quick look, this season we have seen the following players are not good enough,

 

Willian

Ramires

Drogba (current version)

Oscar

Gary Cahill

Mikel

Even Costa has come in for it a bit although no one has quite said  he’s not good enough,

 

I know you rates Oscar, so this is not a finger pointing exercise, but when every second post is, this player is sh!t and that player is sh!t it can create a picture of people generally wanting half the team sold. Personally the only player from that list I have an issue with is Rami as I think the club is well above his level. But that includes 4 first teamers and 2 go to back up players. That’s quite a shout for a team top of the league all season to date.. even if we don’t win the league, to be carrying that much dross? Again its accumulative opinions. I’d say only some a select few think of of those need to go.

 

For me, I think the problem is what we haven’t got rather then what we have. And that quite simpily is Frank Lampard. I remember I had an argument with a friend a few years ago, before the cesc barca move who was the better player, lamps or cesc. Having now seen cesc regularly, as great as he is, he is in no way a prime lampard quality. Great player yes lucky to have him yes, but thin back to our truly big games, Bayarn, Barca matches, over the last 10 years Lampard was always there, ok he also had bad games but he had bottle, he scored big big world class goals. And chip in with a sh*t load of assists as well, underrated outside of Chelsea and maybe even underrated inside because I’m only now appreciating just how good he was. Almost impossible to replace. 17 of our league goals have come from defenders this year. We need more from the men infrount of them, Lampards 20+ a season needs to be replaced. 

The problem with changing or replacing players is the new ones will come in and be stifled by the way Jose sets up the game.

He needs to learn not to be afraid of going out and winning all the time. You don't see Barcelona, RM or BM going out and playing like we do and you have to admit they are on the pedestal we should be aiming for.

Last year I read loads of people suggesting that Jose was back in his defensive ways due to his lack of confidence in the midfield. But this year, despite now having the team he wants, he still does the same old thing.

Well lets have a quick look, this season we have seen the following players are not good enough,

 

Willian

Ramires

Drogba (current version)

Oscar

Gary Cahill

Mikel

Even Costa has come in for it a bit although no one has quite said  he’s not good enough,

 

 

 

Willian isn't good enough. I've said all season against a top, top side that you need to have a threat from both wings and the only way he's going to endanger the opposition is if he's got a cold and doesn't cover his mouth.

 

Ramires - been evident for a while.

 

Drogba - yep. Gonna retire though.

 

Oscar - slightly unfair but he's been sh*t in the second half of two consecutive seasons. His age might save him.

 

Cahill - went through a rough patch and most people recognised that. 

 

Mikel - yep. Passenger.

 

So that's four players and I think that's about right based on our annual turnover. Don't think there's much unfair criticism except for Cahill and Oscar, although I can certainly understand the frustration with the latter.

 

 

I know you rates Oscar, so this is not a finger pointing exercise, but when every second post is, this player is sh!t and that player is sh!t it can create a picture of people generally wanting half the team sold. Personally the only player from that list I have an issue with is Rami as I think the club is well above his level. But that includes 4 first teamers and 2 go to back up players. That’s quite a shout for a team top of the league all season to date.. even if we don’t win the league, to be carrying that much dross? Again its accumulative opinions. I’d say only some a select few think of of those need to go.

 

I like Oscar, but I totally get the criticism for him and if he wasn't 23 then I'd say it was time to cut our losses on him.

 

Ramires is who he is, and that has it's place now and then but most of the time he's useless. 

 

 

 

For me, I think the problem is what we haven’t got rather then what we have. And that quite simpily is Frank Lampard. I remember I had an argument with a friend a few years ago, before the cesc barca move who was the better player, lamps or cesc. Having now seen cesc regularly, as great as he is, he is in no way a prime lampard quality. Great player yes lucky to have him yes, but thin back to our truly big games, Bayarn, Barca matches, over the last 10 years Lampard was always there, ok he also had bad games but he had bottle, he scored big big world class goals. And chip in with a sh*t load of assists as well, underrated outside of Chelsea and maybe even underrated inside because I’m only now appreciating just how good he was. Almost impossible to replace. 17 of our league goals have come from defenders this year. We need more from the men infrount of them, Lampards 20+ a season needs to be replaced. 

 

 Fair point, although it's hard to replace one of your greatest ever players and it's going to be even worse with JT. The amount of times we were screaming shoot and you could see an opening....just frustrating. Fabregas doesn't have that shot on him and never has, but he still makes a contribution in every game.

 

Maybe it would be worth taking a punt on someone like Bale.

It's just my attempt at playing down this apparent outclassing of us by PSG. They couldn't do a thing in open play (The only one I can remember is the one Cavani fluffed) and scored their goals stoke like. Brilliant set pieces. Something we have done to teams countless times.

 

They out chelsea'd us. They defended well and in numbers, taking their chances on the break and via set piece. They are the dirtiest team we have faced all season too.

 

They aren't mugs, no shame in being eliminated by them, especially with such a knackered and overplayed tiny squad which is something that needs addressing. 

 

 

Problem is Jose famously likes to work with small squads, since porto, he trys to have 22/23 players in a squad

It's just my attempt at playing down this apparent outclassing of us by PSG. They couldn't do a thing in open play (The only one I can remember is the one Cavani fluffed) and scored their goals stoke like. Brilliant set pieces. Something we have done to teams countless times.

 

They out chelsea'd us. They defended well and in numbers, taking their chances on the break and via set piece. They are the dirtiest team we have faced all season too.

 

They aren't mugs, no shame in being eliminated by them, especially with such a knackered and overplayed tiny squad which is something that needs addressing. 

 

Whilst I agree to an extent I think the fact they went down to 10 men early in the game, means there is a bit of shame in losing. Shameful that we never used that one man advantage to totally dominate the game and stretch them. It was all too familiar on how games have panned out this season. The mind-set of "if we don't concede we go through". It was a horrible performance and as the game went on, the fact they had a man less seemed to galvanize them and they got better and better whereas we looked clueless. Putting on Zouma and Drogba when we needed to win the game were very disappointing tactics and ultimately wrong ones.

Well lets have a quick look, this season we have seen the following players are not good enough,

Willian

Ramires

Drogba (current version)

Oscar

Gary Cahill

Mikel

Even Costa has come in for it a bit although no one has quite said he’s not good enough,

I know you rates Oscar, so this is not a finger pointing exercise, but when every second post is, this player is sh!t and that player is sh!t it can create a picture of people generally wanting half the team sold. Personally the only player from that list I have an issue with is Rami as I think the club is well above his level. But that includes 4 first teamers and 2 go to back up players. That’s quite a shout for a team top of the league all season to date.. even if we don’t win the league, to be carrying that much dross? Again its accumulative opinions. I’d say only some a select few think of of those need to go.

For me, I think the problem is what we haven’t got rather then what we have. And that quite simpily is Frank Lampard. I remember I had an argument with a friend a few years ago, before the cesc barca move who was the better player, lamps or cesc. Having now seen cesc regularly, as great as he is, he is in no way a prime lampard quality. Great player yes lucky to have him yes, but thin back to our truly big games, Bayarn, Barca matches, over the last 10 years Lampard was always there, ok he also had bad games but he had bottle, he scored big big world class goals. And chip in with a sh*t load of assists as well, underrated outside of Chelsea and maybe even underrated inside because I’m only now appreciating just how good he was. Almost impossible to replace. 17 of our league goals have come from defenders this year. We need more from the men infrount of them, Lampards 20+ a season needs to be replaced.

Mostly my thoughts however I don't feel any of our players are not good enough.

But last night we could have done with someone to boss the midfield a bit a Balack or Lampard would have done it. I like Cesc don't get me wrong he was brilliant at the start of the season but you can see why Arsenal and Barca let him go he just comes up short of being a great in consistency terms.

Agree with most ... We were bad so no complaints, only the league to focus on however I feel there is a few twists left there we have to be at our very best to get it.

Willian isn't good enough. I've said all season against a top, top side that you need to have a threat from both wings and the only way he's going to endanger the opposition is if he's got a cold and doesn't cover his mouth.

 

Ramires - been evident for a while.

 

Drogba - yep. Gonna retire though.

 

Oscar - slightly unfair but he's been sh*t in the second half of two consecutive seasons. His age might save him.

 

Cahill - went through a rough patch and most people recognised that. 

 

Mikel - yep. Passenger.

 

So that's four players and I think that's about right based on our annual turnover. Don't think there's much unfair criticism except for Cahill and Oscar, although I can certainly understand the frustration with the latter.

 

 

I like Oscar, but I totally get the criticism for him and if he wasn't 23 then I'd say it was time to cut our losses on him.

 

Ramires is who he is, and that has it's place now and then but most of the time he's useless. 

 

 

 Fair point, although it's hard to replace one of your greatest ever players and it's going to be even worse with JT. The amount of times we were screaming shoot and you could see an opening....just frustrating. Fabregas doesn't have that shot on him and never has, but he still makes a contribution in every game.

 

Maybe it would be worth taking a punt on someone like Bale.

 

 

Which calls in to question the move in the January for JC. It looks like for all money Bale's time at Real may be coming to an end. If he becomes available then we need to be in for him. United would be favorites but I have a feeling they will miss out on CL football, then it becomes about us and City (unless Arsenal have a hidden stash) and he would be a massive massive coup... but again it kinds of makes Jan's business seem premature. 

Problem is Jose famously likes to work with small squads, since porto, he trys to have 22/23 players in a squad

 

This season he's got maybe 14 players. Not enough, especially when you won't use youngsters. No variation, no competition.

 

Which calls in to question the move in the January for JC. It looks like for all money Bale's time at Real may be coming to an end. If he becomes available then we need to be in for him. United would be favorites but I have a feeling they will miss out on CL football, then it becomes about us and City (unless Arsenal have a hidden stash) and he would be a massive massive coup... but again it kinds of makes Jan's business seem premature. 

 

If Cuadrado stays and we ship off Willian then it makes sense, but you have a point about it seeming premature. Probably made sense to get the money for Schurrle when it was there and bring in cover.

 

Problem is he hasn't hit the ground running.

 

For all the pessimism, we do have a very good foundation of a team. The goalkeeper, the defence, the midfield of Matic and Cesc, Hazard, Costa.....that's NINE players so we're looking at small improvements in the first eleven and a bit of depth.

 

If we bring through a couple of youngsters, sell Ramires, Mikel, Willian and let Drogba leave then you probably only need to bring in four players and we've probably got between £100-120 million we could comfortably spend. 

general concensus on what the team should be according to last couple pages:

 

 

              messi

 

 

messi    messi   messi  messi

 

 

ronaldo   ronaldo zidane messi

 

           pele    zico 

 

 

bench:

 

u guessed it, messi ronni, messi

 

 

lolz

Who is lolz & how much can we buy him for?

This season he's got maybe 14 players. Not enough, especially when you won't use youngsters. No variation, no competition.

 

 

If Cuadrado stays and we ship off Willian then it makes sense, but you have a point about it seeming premature. Probably made sense to get the money for Schurrle when it was there and bring in cover.

 

Problem is he hasn't hit the ground running.

 

For all the pessimism, we do have a very good foundation of a team. The goalkeeper, the defence, the midfield of Matic and Cesc, Hazard, Costa.....that's NINE players so we're looking at small improvements in the first eleven and a bit of depth.

 

If we bring through a couple of youngsters, sell Ramires, Mikel, Willian and let Drogba leave then you probably only need to bring in four players and we've probably got between £100-120 million we could comfortably spend.

Slightly disagree with the defence even though we have a fix on the bench. Ivanovic & Terry in the same lineup needs keeping an eye on IMO; Ivanovic gets caught up far up the pitch too often and can't get back while JT's lack of pace means we can't play a high line. Luis at LB and Azpi at RB would fix this, but I doubt Jose would ever make this change as long as Ivanovic is fit.

This season he's got maybe 14 players. Not enough, especially when you won't use youngsters. No variation, no competition.

 

 

If Cuadrado stays and we ship off Willian then it makes sense, but you have a point about it seeming premature. Probably made sense to get the money for Schurrle when it was there and bring in cover.

 

Problem is he hasn't hit the ground running.

 

For all the pessimism, we do have a very good foundation of a team. The goalkeeper, the defence, the midfield of Matic and Cesc, Hazard, Costa.....that's NINE players so we're looking at small improvements in the first eleven and a bit of depth.

 

If we bring through a couple of youngsters, sell Ramires, Mikel, Willian and let Drogba leave then you probably only need to bring in four players and we've probably got between £100-120 million we could comfortably spend. 

 

I'm mixed on that one. When everything clicks (like Swansea away) we do. Yet for the majority of 2015, I look at us and if you took Hazard out of the side we would actually look very average. It might just be a combination of a bad spell and fatigue but it needs resolving pretty damn quickly or I worry we aren't going to get over the line in the PL.

Edited March 12, 201511 yr by Nibs

Whilst I agree to an extent I think the fact they went down to 10 men early in the game, means there is a bit of shame in losing. Shameful that we never used that one man advantage to totally dominate the game and stretch them. It was all too familiar on how games have panned out this season. The mind-set of "if we don't concede we go through". It was a horrible performance and as the game went on, the fact they had a man less seemed to galvanize them and they got better and better whereas we looked clueless. Putting on Zouma and Drogba when we needed to win the game were very disappointing tactics and ultimately wrong ones.

 

Blanc deserves a lot of credit for adapting to that dismissal, because I kept looking at the pitch trying to work out where our extra man advantage was. We didn't look to stretch the pitch, we gave them time to get back behind the ball...it was very amateurish which is not a word you associate with Jose.

 

The thing is we've been playing like that for a while and getting results but eventually you either get unlucky or you just face a team who are too good to simply stroll over.

 

I'm mixed on that one. When everything clicks (like Swansea away) we do. Yet for the majority of 2015, I look at us and if you took Hazard out of the side we would actually look very average. It might just be a combination of a bad spell and fatigue but it needs resolving pretty damn quickly or I worry we aren't going to get over the line in the PL.

 

Take Ronaldo out of the Madrid team and they'd suffer, same goes for Messi at Barca. Great players are irreplaceable. 

 

But we definitely need another match winner and whilst Oscar has done that a couple of times, we desperately need a right-winger who at least draws attention away from Hazard and gives him a bit more space.

Awful performance last night just never got going, we deserved what we got trying to defend a 1 goal lead which this team clearly cannot do. Not to blame Jose but the sooner he realises that about the team the better. The players looked absolutley shattered after half time f**k knows what our fitness coaches are doing in training but this needs to improve. Scary how bad Costa's touch is aswell the whole team need picking up and given a confidence boost in time for the next game.

 

Shame a large majority of the 'fans' were booing Luiz last night they seem to have short memorys they loved him when he was here and helped us to 2 European cups.

 

On to Southampton Come on the Chels.

I like Willian, but it's got to the stage where you've got to ask: what does he offer us when we're attacking?

For a £32m attacking midfielder, that's not really good enough.

 

Shame a large majority of the 'fans' were booing Luiz last night they seem to have short memorys they loved him when he was here and helped us to 2 European cups.

 

 

Those same 'fans' applauded him at the start of the match, and only booed him when he acted the c**t. 

 

Not a single supporter around me was oblivious to what he did here, but reacted to what he did last night. 

Edited March 12, 201511 yr by Blue Daze