6 minutes ago, JPH said:

It was somehow sensed right from the start that it wouldn't be our day today. No real fighting spirit. This also showed quite clearly that we need a lot of new classy players to fight for both PL and CL.

I has a bad feeling all day 

Gutted about losing to them.

Just gutted.

However,we have come a long way this season and are the 2016/17 Champions.

Blue is the colour.

which county?

Limerick (it's a long painful story!)

We lost to the team that wanted it more today. Urgency and hunger. We were poor in and out of possession in the first half. Actually thought there wasn't much between the two teams at the point of the sending off, but it knocked the wind out of our sails.

Arsenal were better and today was their day, it was still our season though.

Remember that, don't dwell on today. 

our fans at Wembley were quiet today...

4 minutes ago, ChelsaePirate said:

our fans at Wembley were quiet today...

Well it didn't help that the players were abysmal from the first whistle.

I was really hopeful that Conte would sort us out at halftime but he didn't. I think if we get the equaliser with 11 we still probably would have lost we were that bad.

We were a total shambles first half. Players were off the pace and lacked intensity. We looked shellshocked after their first goal and never really recovered. The ref screwed up in not noticing the handball but we were lucky really to be only a goal down at half time. 

Can't help feeling that Conte got his team selection wrong in not starting Fabregas over Matic. But we were outplayed and outfought all over the pitch.

Much better second half but Moses sending off made it difficult. We did well to get back in it but we switched off and it was all over really.

It just wasn't our day. 

 

Please don't be offended by my thoughts; they are not a criticism of CFC. 

I don't think there were any problem performances from individual Chelsea players, Moses aside. Collectively, the team was off the pace and 'laggy' in the first half. CFC were much better in the second half and, but for Moses being sent off, would have won, imo. As it was, Arsenal struggled against nine outfield players and Willian in particular was a handful. 

The Moses dive was an example of a player going to ground when he still had options, had he stayed on his feet. Being honest, I can understand (though not approve) diving when you've run out of options but Moses achieved nothing and a CFC goal was coming anyway [Second half, Arsenal were on the back foot until the sending off, imo]. 

The Final highlighted the biggest issue facing a successful team - complacency. That's not a criticism of CFC, it's just human nature. Conte will need to buy, pour encourager les autres. 

It was a great game for neutrals; sorry the outcome was not what fellow Shedenders were hoping for. 

Edited May 27, 20179 yr by Spudulike

5 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Please don't be offended by my thoughts; they are not a criticism of CFC. 

I don't think there were any problem performances from individual Chelsea players, Moses aside. Collectively, the team was off the pace and 'laggy' in the first half. CFC were much better in the second half and, but for Moses being sent off, would have won, imo. As it was, Arsenal struggled against nine outfield players and Willian in particular was a handful. 

The Moses dive was an example of a player going to ground when he still had options, had he stayed on his feet. Being honest, I can understand (though not approve) diving when you've run out of options but Moses achieved nothing and a CFC goal was coming anyway [Second half, Arsenal were on the back foot until the sending off, imo]. 

The Final highlighted the biggest issue facing a successful team - complacency. That's not a criticism of CFC, it's just human nature. Conte will need to buy, pour encourager les autres. 

It was a great game for neutrals; sorry the outcome was not what fellow Shedenders were hoping for. 

As I said earlier, he cost us the game. Unfair goal aside, we were lucky to be down only 1 at the half but we could have gotten a smash and grab in the 2nd the way it was going. 

Big summer ahead.

Just now, Barrettinator said:

As I said earlier, he cost us the game. Unfair goal aside, we were lucky to be down only 1 at the half but we could have gotten a smash and grab in the 2nd the way it was going. 

Big summer ahead.

Just a gut feeling but, with 11 men, CFC win. Arsenal struggled to put chances away, even with a one man advantage. It was clear that CFC were in control, imo, until Moses' dive.

Arsenal were sometimes dreadful in front of goal, despite the win. 

12 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

I was really hopeful that Conte would sort us out at halftime but he didn't. I think if we get the equaliser with 11 we still probably would have lost we were that bad.

im certain we would've won with 11 men, second half you can feel arsenal starting to get nervous, we were knocking on the door, but then moses decided to be a damn idiot

It is a worry ahead of next season imo. This core group are still some of the ones who showed no fight or hunger last season. It showed again today, or sounds like it did. I hear conte will sort them out, but that did not work today. 

 

Honestly I fear a new long term deal for conte, the players stop listening to him and we get guus back again for another spell...

Bottom line as I see it. Man for man we are better than arsenal in every position. Only way they could beat us if by motivation. That is a bad sign. 

8 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Please don't be offended by my thoughts; they are not a criticism of CFC. 

I don't think there were any problem performances from individual Chelsea players, Moses aside. Collectively, the team was off the pace and 'laggy' in the first half. CFC were much better in the second half and, but for Moses being sent off, would have won, imo. As it was, Arsenal struggled against nine outfield players and Willian in particular was a handful. 

The Moses dive was an example of a player going to ground when he still had options, had he stayed on his feet. Being honest, I can understand (though not approve) diving when you've run out of options but Moses achieved nothing and a CFC goal was coming anyway [Second half, Arsenal were on the back foot until the sending off, imo]. 

The Final highlighted the biggest issue facing a successful team - complacency. That's not a criticism of CFC, it's just human nature. Conte will need to buy, pour encourager les autres. 

It was a great game for neutrals; sorry the outcome was not what fellow Shedenders were hoping for. 

Pretty fair assement I think most on here agree we were not up to it today. I also think that Arsenal defended the best I had seen them all season. 

However I would maintain that Moses second yellow was harsh. Yes he went down easy but there was contact and he didn't roll around in agony screaming penalty. It was more of a hope look up that it might be given. As it is the final I reckon a word would have done surely ? Maybe I am just biased 

 

1 minute ago, andy said:

Pretty fair assement I think most on here agree we were not up to it today. I also think that Arsenal defended the best I had seen them all season. 

However I would maintain that Moses second yellow was harsh. Yes he went down easy but there was contact and he didn't roll around in agony screaming penalty. It was more of a hope look up that it might be given. As it is the final I reckon a word would have done surely ? Maybe I am just biased 

 

I think you might be Andy. For me a clear dive in order to win a pen. Blatant cheating which needs to be stamped out of the game. Second booking was right decision and ref was ballsey enough to carry it out even in a final. Doesn't excuse his complete f**k up over the handball first goal.

3 minutes ago, andy said:

Pretty fair assement I think most on here agree we were not up to it today. I also think that Arsenal defended the best I had seen them all season. 

However I would maintain that Moses second yellow was harsh. Yes he went down easy but there was contact and he didn't roll around in agony screaming penalty. It was more of a hope look up that it might be given. As it is the final I reckon a word would have done surely ? Maybe I am just biased 

 

A fair point re. Moses. My first thought was that the Ref probably had in mind recent publicity about simulation. 

Perhaps, anywhere else on the pitch, Moses gets a talking to for trying to get a free kick. But a dive for a penalty, in the current climate, seemed a split second lapse of judgment. It's easily done however. 

honestly i'm not THAT disappointed that we lost the FA cup, i think we have exceeded the original expectation this season (for me it's top four)
but one thing that bugs me is the fact that we lost a final, when usually we're so good in them. granted i haven't support Chelsea as long as some of you here, but i struggle to remember other finals that we were unable to capitalize. (of course Moscow came to mind but that was a case of total unluckiness rather than being thoroughly outplayed)

1 hour ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

I has a bad feeling all day 

You must have felt ok yesterday to start a topic called Chelsea's greatest doubles.

1 hour ago, EmeraldBlue said:

Limerick (it's a long painful story!)

well I hope if they reach the All-Ireland they don't choke like Chelsea today, good luck!

on reflection that defeat might turn out better for us in the long run than a victory would have - it proves that there is more work to be done to make us an elite side.

on the other hand, a win today might have suggested that we need little more development 

Conte has been given the perfect example to point to of how it can go pear shaped if you underestimate your opponent and fail to turn up from the kick-off

roll-on 2017/18, it's going to be a cracker!   

 

4 hours ago, EdinburghBlue said:

Hahahahahaha embarrassing Chelsea, f**king shambles

Always annoying to lose to that set of plonkers but to be honest it's the worst we have played in three or four months so we probably even deserved it (handball aside). We were in party mode and it showed.

Poor decision from Moses but I hope he doesn't cop too much criticism. He had a great year and doesn't deserve to be defined by this one moment. 

More work to do next season, but this doesnt spoil an epic turnaround from 12 months ago. KTBFFH.

 

1 hour ago, Spudulike said:

Please don't be offended by my thoughts; they are not a criticism of CFC. 

I don't think there were any problem performances from individual Chelsea players, Moses aside. Collectively, the team was off the pace and 'laggy' in the first half. CFC were much better in the second half and, but for Moses being sent off, would have won, imo. As it was, Arsenal struggled against nine outfield players and Willian in particular was a handful. 

The Moses dive was an example of a player going to ground when he still had options, had he stayed on his feet. Being honest, I can understand (though not approve) diving when you've run out of options but Moses achieved nothing and a CFC goal was coming anyway [Second half, Arsenal were on the back foot until the sending off, imo]. 

The Final highlighted the biggest issue facing a successful team - complacency. That's not a criticism of CFC, it's just human nature. Conte will need to buy, pour encourager les autres. 

It was a great game for neutrals; sorry the outcome was not what fellow Shedenders were hoping for. 

We have no problem with criticism mate, and everything you said is quite right, despite the rep Chelsea fans have I think being posting on here for a while you have seen, on this forum anyway, we are quite reasonable, and unbiased criticism is welcome it makes for a better discussion. For example when I saw the card I was cursing the life out of the ref, who to be fair has cost us the game with that bogus goal call, although we were outplayed, they still only scored one good goal, and so did we, however as soon as I saw the replay I saw how clear a dive it was, to be fair though, I don't think he went in looking to cheat I think that as part of the game all players go down under contact, there was slight contact he was expecting more and had already planned on going down when the defender pulled out, he didn't have to give the yellow and after seeing his count call when he went in at half time he should have known he owed us a decision and in my opinion should have let it go 

Edited May 27, 20179 yr by DonAntonio

18 minutes ago, DonAntonio said:

We have no problem with criticism mate, and everything you said is quite right, despite the rep Chelsea fans have I think being posting on here for a while you have seen, on this forum anyway, we are quite reasonable, and unbiased criticism is welcome it makes for a better discussion. For example when I saw the card I was cursing the life out of the ref, who to be fair has cost us the game with that bogus goal call, although we were outplayed, they still only scored one good goal, and so did we, however as soon as I saw the replay I saw how clear a dive it was, to be fair though, I don't think he went in looking to cheat I think that as part of the game all players go down under contact, there was slight contact he was expecting more and had already planned on going down when the defender pulled out, he didn't have to give the yellow and after seeing his count call when he went in at half time he should have known he owed us a decision and in my opinion should have let it go 

I can't argue with that. Re. the Ref, he did indulge Arsenal as they were - unexpectedly - physical at times and he let some things go. 

I've read this thread and, at the point where Moses got sent off, the comments made by posters are to the credit of Shedenders. There are many forums where the comments would have been 'eff the Ref' etc. 

Some posters have written that this loss might help Conte to make decisions about Summer selling and buying. I agree; it might allow Conte to head off some problems. I reckon it should help Wenger make some decisions too because Arsenal's chance to goal ratio is terrible. Whether Wenger does anything is another matter. 

Edited May 27, 20179 yr by Spudulike

One thing I'd like to touch on is what conte said in the post match interview, now Mou was slated for his conspiracies by the media, in conte you have a guy who never complains, very classy, respectful, he has just said I noticed in the latter part of the season a lot of these decisions have gone against us and gave Bournemouth as another hand ball example, so f**k it let's call it how it is, the influential powers want to make the league more competitive by closing the gap when we have one, want to keep arsenal happy by letting them win something, but beyond that, we never get pens, we are always on the wrong end of decisions, refs must chat to each other, and I think it's become ref culture, they don't f**king like us, and we should raise a complaint and produce evidence, there is more than enough, then although nothing will come of it, at least it is out there in the media, so when we get a sh*t call there is a spot light on it, not brushed off as Chelsea moaning about conspiracies.