Tibo seened the busier of the 2 keepers

lucky to get a point. Less said the better. Hope Costa

is fit very soon.

Traore was the only stand out.

The thing that worries me after games like today is that we are starting to have a mid table team mentality and this comes from both the manager and the players.The excuse until now was that we have to collect points, even if it's a draw. to climb up the table, Now the excuse is that we have an important CL game coming up. Accepting results and performances like today is setting the bar low and heading towards mediocrity, as winner mentality and having pressure to win every game is slowly replaced by complacency and excuses. We have :" relaxed "  players  now that apparently think it's acceptable to get paid as if you winning the CL and PL but actually produce mediocre performances and results. 

 

Ivanovic admitted in a interview that they could not handle the pressure of being champions and that says a lot about these players mentality, ambition and desire. I still think without Mou we would have not won the PL with this lot of players, And until a new manager comes and changes this " relaxed " atmosphere and demands a winning mentality every game, we won't see our beloved Chelsea going back to where it should be, 

 

Spot on.

 

But this isn't new. We didn't improve in the summer, we didn't show any ambition and we're paying the price for it now. It's not like the table is lying because we've been playing teams around us recently and there's not much difference. 

 

We're a mid-table team because we let ourselves become a mid-table team. We stood still and everyone else went and tried to get better, and teams like West Ham did get better. That's what top-level sports is about - if you're not constantly moving upwards, then you get overtaken.

Taking a step back the difference between a draw and a win in the whole scheme of things right now is nothing. Top 4 has been out of the question since Guus came in. We went with youngsters leaving key players on the bench clearly showing our intentions this week are on bigger and better things.

 

So yes on the face of it a disappointing result but taking a step back....do the two points really matter in the context of the whole season? The damage was done between August and December.

It all felt very much like no one cared today. The team lineup quite disappointing, with the Matic-Mikel combo we knew what was the attitude from the bench. The team very lethargic and lacking any interest in the game. Traore scored a great goal but the rest of the team was trotting around the pitch. The subs were also a bit pathetic. Remy I'm not sure what he is doing here, he just hasn't got the quality, attitude or interest. Ruben Loftus-Cheek hasn't shown anything that improves Kenedy's performance last week, and I'm not sure that he's got what it takes to play in the PL yet. And Fabregas comes in five minutes before the end. I think today even Guus was thinking of Wednesday's match. And we were very cold in the stands, singing and cheering our Chelsa very little. At least I hope we can give hell to PSG, otherwise we will have given away 2 points for nothing, and above us teams are dropping points. I don't know the rest of you, but today I am a bit frustrated with the attitude.

First time I've really seen Imbula and he was very good. 

 

Him and Payet must've been some pairing at Marseille.

I share my sentiments with most of your comments. Disappointing result.

 

We were mostly looking lethargic. Didn't really see much effort being put in. It actually made to look like Stoke were a better team.

 

Sorry lads, I know you've got CL and FA coming up, but haven't you all had a good rest in the whole first half of the season already?

My jaw dropped when I saw the team choice I thought the Mikel and Matic pairing had been banned never to be seen again. The only positive I could see was Traore and he didn't let us down. Deflated by this draw, a second goal was needed but no one was up for it. Traore should be a starter from now on, he has a lot more to offer than hazard and Oscar. A game to be quickly forgotten. Hope we destroy PSG!

Very disappointed with their late equaliser, but I guess at least Leicester won.

How the hell was that not a penalty....prattenburg 

We looked like a mid table team, like we have all season, nothing more.

 

We seem more interested in keeping the ball than gambling with it. 

 

We can't be relegated, we can't finish in the top 4, so their was no pressure on them whatsoever yesterday, ZERO.

 

Hopefully Roman is sorting out new players behind the scenes with Conte for next season. Because the majority of this lot need overhauling.

No pressure on us so why make a daft substitution like Rubén for Hazzard? Also is it such a crime to have 2 up front these days - seems to work for Leicester. Anyone remember under Ancelloti how we played with a virtual 3 up front with Drog, Anelka and Kalou!

No pressure on us so why make a daft substitution like Rubén for Hazzard? Also is it such a crime to have 2 up front these days - seems to work for Leicester. Anyone remember under Ancelloti how we played with a virtual 3 up front with Drog, Anelka and Kalou!

 

Leicester play with only Vardy up front.

Leicester play with only Vardy up front.

 

Okazaki is a second striker

Okazaki is a second striker

 

Yep. They can go to a one-striker formation especially late in games to close them out, but they play 442 almost exclusively.

Vardy is up front on his own for most parts, do you actually watch them ?

Vardy is up front on his own for most parts, do you actually watch them ?

 

I think the confusion is in how the line them up, with Vardy marking the last defender almost and Okazaki or Ulloa slightly withdrawn. But I think most would still recognise that as a two-up formation, although you're right that they have occasionally used a one-striker system in certain instances.

Edited March 6, 201610 yr by ShedEnder91

Very disappointing result today. Despite us getting a grip of the awfulness of the first half of the season we have only got as far as bare mediocrity. Three games versus Stoke and not a single victory. I really do fear that we won't bounce back from this and this level is where we might be at now for the foreseeable future. The big spending days are behind us, the intelligent buying days also look behind us and we're now content to draw at home against Stoke so we can have a slightly better than a snowballs chance in hell of beating PSG so we can get beaten by Real, Bayern or Barcelona a couple of weeks later.

Another thing that is apparent is that whilst Hiddink has arrested the slide to the Chamionship, he's shown little to make anyone wish he was staying beyond this season. but saying that, I can't see any manager on earth getting this club back as one of Europes top sides any time soon.

 

I certainly share your frustration with regards to the result yesterday but I would also say that of the three games we face within the space of 7 days (Stoke, PSG & Everton in the FA Cup), this was absolutely the least important and come the end of the season the result will make little difference to anything. As many have said, and as yourself allude to, we are going to finish mid-table, we won't be relegated, nor will we make Europe. 

 

I was there yesterday and it was a pretty miserable affair; I would have loved to have seen us win, carry the moment and continue with our drive up the table, don't get me wrong.  

 

Equally however, it was always going to be about the next two games (PSG & Everton) as these are the games that could actually be the difference between finishing the season with a trophy or without. If we win these next two games I doubt many people will still be losing sleep over drawing to Stoke. 

 

Must say I don't agree with your dismissive approach to the PSG game; if all teams/players had that mentality then only 2/3 teams need bother entering the competition each season. 

What is the prize money difference based on positions? Finishing 10th instead of 6th will at least put us back by 10 million. While not big in the larger scheme of things, guess it is still a lot of money.

We looked like a mid table team, like we have all season, nothing more.

 

We seem more interested in keeping the ball than gambling with it. 

 

We can't be relegated, we can't finish in the top 4, so their was no pressure on them whatsoever yesterday, ZERO.

 

Hopefully Roman is sorting out new players behind the scenes with Conte for next season. Because the majority of this lot need overhauling.

 

This is spot on. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. You see it every season among mid-table teams once they've confirmed their mid-table status. It's hard to get motivated for a game that, in the grand scheme of things, is pretty meaningless, especially when you have two important games coming up.

 

 

I certainly share your frustration with regards to the result yesterday but I would also say that of the three games we face within the space of 7 days (Stoke, PSG & Everton in the FA Cup), this was absolutely the least important and come the end of the season the result will make little difference to anything. As many have said, and as yourself allude to, we are going to finish mid-table, we won't be relegated, nor will we make Europe. 

 

I was there yesterday and it was a pretty miserable affair; I would have loved to have seen us win, carry the moment and continue with our drive up the table, don't get me wrong.  

 

Equally however, it was always going to be about the next two games (PSG & Everton) as these are the games that could actually be the difference between finishing the season with a trophy or without. If we win these next two games I doubt many people will still be losing sleep over drawing to Stoke. 

 

Must say I don't agree with your dismissive approach to the PSG game; if all teams/players had that mentality then only 2/3 teams need bother entering the competition each season.

 

Totally agree. Let's face it, many of us fans have been more focused on PSG and Everton too.

 

What is the prize money difference based on positions? Finishing 10th instead of 6th will at least put us back by 10 million. While not big in the larger scheme of things, guess it is still a lot of money.

 

I think it was around 1 million or 1.2 million for each spot last year. For a club as rich as Chelsea, it's not much. That says more about how out of hand PL money has gotten rather than about Chelsea in particular.

  

It all felt very much like no one cared today. The team lineup quite disappointing, with the Matic-Mikel combo we knew what was the attitude from the bench. The team very lethargic and lacking any interest in the game. Traore scored a great goal but the rest of the team was trotting around the pitch. The subs were also a bit pathetic. Remy I'm not sure what he is doing here, he just hasn't got the quality, attitude or interest. Ruben Loftus-Cheek hasn't shown anything that improves Kenedy's performance last week, and I'm not sure that he's got what it takes to play in the PL yet. And Fabregas comes in five minutes before the end. I think today even Guus was thinking of Wednesday's match. And we were very cold in the stands, singing and cheering our Chelsa very little. At least I hope we can give hell to PSG, otherwise we will have given away 2 points for nothing, and above us teams are dropping points. I don't know the rest of you, but today I am a bit frustrated with the attitude.

Be honest, at the end of the season, how much are those two points we "gave away" going to matter? I for one am glad that the focus is more on PSG and Everton, and that players are getting playing time.

 

I appreciate the fan frustration, however. For the wages these guys are getting, we are entitled to expect them to try their best every single game. On the other hand, if even the fans aren't focused on this game, then it's hard to blame the players.

I don't agree, with the points dropped against Watford and yesterday we would be at 46. The 4th has 50, that means we would be drawing closer to the top 4 fight, especially as we still have to play West Ham, Liverpool and City, the other contendents. With the mid table mentality shown yesterday and in a few other games sure we stay mid table, with a winning mentality we could be getting close to the CL positions. But then again, I understand that players are focused on the PSG (being realistic we have less chance of winning that one than getting to the top 4 before yesterday's draw) and the FA, which is a more realistic trophy.

I also agree that the fans yesterday were very much thinking of the Stoke game as a transition one, but we got going when the players created chances and when Traore scored. So it was a matter of seeing more intensity on the pitch for us to start cheering.

Anyway, being understandable I was quite frustrated at not getting the 3 points. And now I hope to be able to see a good game against PSG, and I hope we create the appropriate atmosphere in the stands to motivate the players to give the 200%.

Thought Oscar was average today in a fairly meaningless game. We are not going to finish in the top 4.

Rlc work rate in defense was not good enough. The ball would get lost and he would amble back 5 yards behind the play. I expect a sub to flat out 100% of the time.

Roll on psg.

I can see why Jose talked about RLC's intensity so much. Not that he was at fault for the goal but watch his position when Willian loses the ball. Azpi was near him but he broke a gut to get back to goal while RLC looked like he was walking in a garden like an old man. He has the talent but not the temperament. I don't see him making it unless he changes.

Predictable result when Mikel/Matic started the game. It was one of those ' no one cares' game, and we were lucky to get away with it. Of course, 2 massive calls in the second half, could have helped us to seal it . Our team has serious depth issue, once Cesc is out, we are really struggling to find a midfielder to fill his role. Nice goal by Traore, and why didn't Kennedy get a cameo against tired legs was baffling. RLC looked lost in his role, he should have started as one of DM.

 

40 points, rescue job done.

Nice goal by Traore, and why didn't Kennedy get a cameo against tired legs was baffling.

Not that baffling when you consider he is injured and wasn't even on the bench.

We had less of the ball at home, AGAINST STOKE.

 

Says it all about Saturday. Zero Intensity. This is why Guus is not a longer term solution. Players wont be pushing that extra 5%, as they know they have it easy with him.