Not trying to make excuses, but I can't help but feel in some scenarios, if we were just a bit more lucky, we wouldn't be having this discussion
Case in point:
Unfortunate injuries e.g Christensen
Moments that could've decided a match e.g Think of the amount of extra points and games won if Morata had taken some of his missed opportunities.
The sheer dominance of Man City this season.
Remember, Costa already expressed wanting out of the club the season prior and tried to force a move in Jan, I don't think the blame is entirely on Conte.
Plus there's the argument that Conte can only deal with the cards he's given, you know it, I know it, it's a common excuse but let's face it, Conte doesn't nearly have as much control nor funds available as some other "Giants" of Europe.
 

Edited February 1, 20188 yr by TomCFC85

It doesn’t take us long to turn on managers does it? Even the ones who’ve won us titles less than 12 months ago. Of course Conte has his faults, he comes across quite stubborn & some of our defeats this season certainly lie with him (last night for example). However, I don’t understand why/how people are so adamant that he has say in transfer dealings. Why was he appointed head coach, when in the past we’ve always had managers? Why is it that we’ve had countless managers who’ve all said the same things regarding our transfer activity. I’m not going to believe they’ve all lied just so I can side with the club. 

 

Our transfer activity has been woeful since the Costa/Cesc window.

 

I’ll back Conte as long as he’s here. I chose ‘shake it all about’ as I want him in but he has to change, it’s not working and it’s his job to find the solution with the tools at his disposal.

I want him to stay. I don’t see how it’s his fault to have won and dominated last season and still be competing for top 4 this one. Last night was a disaster, yes, but is it his fault that Christensen got injured? Is it his fault the lack of a centre forward for last night? Or the fact that the defence was sleeping during Bournemouth goals? I want him to stay and be backed by the board as much as is economically possible. I don’t see any other coach with the same passion that could come to Chelsea right now or in the summer.

2 minutes ago, RMH said:

I want him to stay. I don’t see how it’s his fault to have won and dominated last season and still be competing for top 4 this one. Last night was a disaster, yes, but is it his fault that Christensen got injured? Is it his fault the lack of a centre forward for last night? Or the fact that the defence was sleeping during Bournemouth goals? I want him to stay and be backed by the board as much as is economically possible. I don’t see any other coach with the same passion that could come to Chelsea right now or in the summer.

I kind of agree with you but it was Conte that decided Bats wasn't ever going to play so left us with no striker, Conte stuck Cahill at the middle CB position even though he is dog sh*t there. He's been shafted by the board with a lot of signings but it is Conte that picks this poor line ups and substitutions.

9 minutes ago, TomCFC85 said:

Not trying to make excuses, but I can't help but feel in some scenarios, if we were just a bit more lucky, we wouldn't be having this discussion
Case in point:
Unfortunate injuries e.g Christensen
Moments that could've decided a match e.g Think of the amount of extra points and games won if Morata had taken some of his missed opportunities.
The sheer dominance of Man City this season.
Remember, Costa already expressed wanting out of the club the season prior and tried to force a move in Jan, I don't think the blame is entirely on Conte.
Plus there's the argument that Conte can only deal with the cards he's given, you know it, I know it, it's a common excuse but let's face it, Conte doesn't nearly have as much control nor funds available as some other "Giants" of Europe.
 

We've had a weird number of injuries this season, particularly hamstring injuries. And we've heard rumours of Conte's tough training methods, perhaps that's the factor in these injuries. 

Also, we look absolutely shattered every time we play 2 games in a week. We didn't look this tired under Jose and he used to play the same players for 180 minutes a week. 

13 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

It doesn’t take us long to turn on managers does it? Even the ones who’ve won us titles less than 12 months ago. Of course Conte has his faults, he comes across quite stubborn & some of our defeats this season certainly lie with him (last night for example). However, I don’t understand why/how people are so adamant that he has say in transfer dealings. Why was he appointed head coach, when in the past we’ve always had managers? Why is it that we’ve had countless managers who’ve all said the same things regarding our transfer activity. I’m not going to believe they’ve all lied just so I can side with the club. 

 

Our transfer activity has been woeful since the Costa/Cesc window.

 

I’ll back Conte as long as he’s here. I chose ‘shake it all about’ as I want him in but he has to change, it’s not working and it’s his job to find the solution with the tools at his disposal.

4

Which managers have been vocal about that? I believe Conte is the first to speak out about it. 

Also, I definitely agree with your middle paragraph, our transfer activity has been dreadful since Jose's 2nd season. We also seem to sign our players very late for some reason, when we signed Fabregas & Costa we wrapped them up very early so they could integrate and settle in. 

1 minute ago, RIP Mourinho said:

I kind of agree with you but it was Conte that decided Bats wasn't ever going to play so left us with no striker, Conte stuck Cahill at the middle CB position even though he is dog sh*t there. He's been shafted by the board with a lot of signings but it is Conte that picks this poor line ups and substitutions.

Agree with it partly. It was clear for most of us for a while now that Conte wasn't keen on Batshuayi (and I think that he's wrong there). Who takes the decision to shift the only forward player we've got right before this match and not bring on time a substitute? Not Conte. How should have he played when Christensen got injured? There was only Ampadu and Rudiger, I guess not many complained to see Rudiger coming on. I would not have played Baka in the midfield, but come on, Drinkwater was the other option. I really don't know how else he could have played. I would probably have substituted Baka for Ampadu, but with Christensen's injury there was little room for change. Fabregas came on, which I thought it was a smart move to break Bournemouth. But then Fabregas was as bad as the others. Hudson-Odoi, on the other hand, provided so much freshness and legs it was a good move by Conte. I don't know, I think Conte is doing what he can with the team we've got. Let's face it, we have a good team but not a top class team, and I don't think that is Conte's fault (if there is any fault indeed, because we can't be spending as City or ManUtd). That is why I want him to stay, I think we are doing well under these conditions (with some flops here and there).

Not going to turn against him.

He's not gone into a full meltdown like Jose and considering he's not getting the players he wants/how poor our transfers have been he is actually doing a good job at keeping us where we are. Any other season where City aren't playing superhuman football and we would be challenging for the title based on ours points so far. Get some perspective. 

Edited February 1, 20188 yr by Remodez

Not to throw out excuses, but I think us having played Newcastle sunday, then again last night took it's toll. Michy leaving yesterday threw a spanner in the works, and then the injuries on top of that to important players like willian, morata, and then christensen during the game didn't help at all.

58 minutes ago, RMH said:

I want him to stay. I don’t see how it’s his fault to have won and dominated last season and still be competing for top 4 this one. Last night was a disaster, yes, but is it his fault that Christensen got injured? Is it his fault the lack of a centre forward for last night? Or the fact that the defence was sleeping during Bournemouth goals? I want him to stay and be backed by the board as much as is economically possible. I don’t see any other coach with the same passion that could come to Chelsea right now or in the summer.

Problem is, does he want to stay? 

51 minutes ago, RMH said:

Agree with it partly. It was clear for most of us for a while now that Conte wasn't keen on Batshuayi (and I think that he's wrong there). Who takes the decision to shift the only forward player we've got right before this match and not bring on time a substitute? Not Conte. How should have he played when Christensen got injured? There was only Ampadu and Rudiger, I guess not many complained to see Rudiger coming on. I would not have played Baka in the midfield, but come on, Drinkwater was the other option. I really don't know how else he could have played. I would probably have substituted Baka for Ampadu, but with Christensen's injury there was little room for change. Fabregas came on, which I thought it was a smart move to break Bournemouth. But then Fabregas was as bad as the others. Hudson-Odoi, on the other hand, provided so much freshness and legs it was a good move by Conte. I don't know, I think Conte is doing what he can with the team we've got. Let's face it, we have a good team but not a top class team, and I don't think that is Conte's fault (if there is any fault indeed, because we can't be spending as City or ManUtd). That is why I want him to stay, I think we are doing well under these conditions (with some flops here and there).

As soon as Christensen got injured i thought we should have shifted to a back 4, kinda like we did towards the end of the game. that 3 at the back needs a specialist in the central role, without Andreas or Luiz we shouldn't be playing it. Conte of all people should know that, with how much he's used it here and in Italy.

If the plan is to hire Luis Enrique/Tuchel this summer and he said he was ready to start right now i’d close the Conte-chapter. For me it could:

-          Rejuvenate the players we have with a more offensive style. Further incentive for Hazard to stay.

-          Have three-four extra months with the team to implement tactics, assess squad etc.

I'm going to say in, although I reckon he will be either gone in the summer or even sooner if we get embarrassed by Barcelona.

I want him to change though. 

I think he has handled quite a few things badly this season, e.g Michy's lack of game-time , not even trying 2 strikers together when we are losing, Bakayoko playing almost every game despite not performing, the argument with Jose and not being more flexible with tactics.

I never want to see the false number 9 again - last night Hazard completely missed a header that any striker at any level (u16's, u18 etc..) would of connected with. 

We need Hazard to creating not waiting for others to create for him!

I wouldn't mind seeing more of Hudson-Odoi as he is more of a attacking threat than Pedro IMO

I would like him to coach us how to score more goals than the opposition, rather than conceding less than the opposition (if you get what I mean).

We played the weakest Arsenal team we have faced in years in the 1st leg of the league cup semi final and we couldn't even get a lead to take into the second leg - he is far too cautious with his tactics.

There is also only so much moaning you can do publicly before it starts affecting the players and the whole mood of the club.

The board has it faults and we all know that, but I believe we have a good enough team to make it into the top 4.

We have a big lead over Arsenal at the moment, so we need to make sure we finish above Spurs.

He needs to look in the mirror this morning and realize that the transfer window is shut for this season and get us back to playing like a team that are defending champions of the premier league.

He is the Head Coach at Chelsea, he needs to start acting like one.

1 hour ago, Slojo said:

Which managers have been vocal about that? I believe Conte is the first to speak out about it. 

Also, I definitely agree with your middle paragraph, our transfer activity has been dreadful since Jose's 2nd season. We also seem to sign our players very late for some reason, when we signed Fabregas & Costa we wrapped them up very early so they could integrate and settle in. 

The very manager you’ve mentioned mate, in fact he done it in both stints with us IIRC.

So, we have this thread full (mostly) of whinging about the manager who won the league last year, some people wanting him gone now, some in the summer and some not wanting him gone, when, at the same time, we have a thread blaming it all on our "officially incompetent board", which seems to get supported in a lot of other threads, and a lot more moaning about Marina and our deep and knowledgeable information about heh internal workings of the transfer market.

My question to you all is who is it?  Manager, Board, Marina or just sometimes sh*t happens and we have no god-given right to be winning every game all the time?

Its obviously a mix of everything. The board/recruiters at this club have with a few good exceptions done a sh*t job the last few years.
Which in turn has led to the manager turning sour, throwing our players under the bus and losing by big margins at home to teams battling relegation.

It’s over now. We just have to accept it and move on to our next manager.
 

I think We need a new director of football to build a young energetic and exciting squad. 

I know there is a lot of disappointment in the signings we have in the last 12 months, but our experienced players have pretty much fallen off a cliff this season aswell. 

Decisions need to be made on Luiz, cahill, Fabregas, and pedro. 

All 4 have underperformed this season, and they all look like only getting worse next season. 

Conte could've done more with ake, chalobah, rlc, musonda, sterling, and even Batshuayi in order to negate the need for signing squad players, but I think he prefers to work senior players. Even if you look at his time with Italy, he picked the likes of giaccherini over berardi. 

We need a manager that can bring through young players, since we aren't in the market for players in their prime, so on that basis i dont think conte is the man for the job anymore, even though I love his passion on the touchline. 

I don't want him sacked.

Then again I didn't want Jose sacked either time or Carlo or Robby.

Sadly when managers who are charismatic like Jose and Conte start to look down, angry and fed up like Conte has done for months then the writing is on the wall. We all know regardless he is off in the Summer if he lasts that long, It's basically a certainty now.

I do think if we fall out of the top 4 after getting put out the CL which is also an inevitability if you look at our current form then he will be sacked. Who comes in I have no idea but it's the blue print for this club...a manager is successful early on, struggles after the board don't back them and once fued is made public they get sacked....rinse and repeat.

It's the Chelsea way

 

I might get flak for this but here goes... I think he should go. I actually think him staying until the Summer (when we know he’s off anyway) is gonna cause us more harm than good. I think it’s clear he’s lost some players and his tactics are stale. Last season I believe we got into a good rhythm because we had no Champions League. This season he’s been found out due to a lack of squad depth and a lack of backup plans with the tactics. The way he’s moaning this season it’s like Mourinho mark II all over again. It’s not good for the team at all.

Ill appreciate the title we won last season always but I’ll amdit I’ve never been I live with Conte like I was Vialli or Mourinho (Mark I). I think his time is up.

For me it's 60% Conte In, 40% Out - his unwillingness to utilise a back 4 at the Bridge and his tactics v Arsenal don't do him any favours but i'm happy to give him until the end of the season to see if he can polish the turd when he has the majority of the squad fit and available.

14 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

I might get flak for this but here goes... I think he should go. I actually think him staying until the Summer (when we know he’s off anyway) is gonna cause us more harm than good. I think it’s clear he’s lost some players and his tactics are stale. Last season I believe we got into a good rhythm because we had no Champions League. This season he’s been found out due to a lack of squad depth and a lack of backup plans with the tactics. The way he’s moaning this season it’s like Mourinho mark II all over again. It’s not good for the team at all.

Ill appreciate the title we won last season always but I’ll amdit I’ve never been I live with Conte like I was Vialli or Mourinho (Mark I). I think his time is up.

Summed up perfectly. Totally agree, this season will drift away with nothing not even a top four finish and the departure of Eden and courtois, we need to act now sadly for the good of the team and club

I feel indifferent about Conte at the minute. If he went, then it’s a refreshing change for the club. If he stays, then he’ll need to change something. I find it really annoying he isn’t looking to change things up, it’s very clear something needs to change and it doesn’t look like he is going to change anytime soon.

I fear if he persists with the same tactics he’ll be shown the door. 

A definite IN from me. Really want him to stay but don't expect it to happen - he looks rather deflated of late and no wonder why with our f**king inept Board.

And so it goes. New guy comes in, whoever that is and we see an improvement for a while but within less than a season we will be back here again. Let's face it, there isn't a Coach / Manager alive, ever existed that can satisfy our board and give them what they want. Success, after success after success but on a shoestring budget. They want to drive a Ferrari but pay the price of a Hyundai.

Edited February 1, 20188 yr by Nibs

30 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

I might get flak for this but here goes... I think he should go. I actually think him staying until the Summer (when we know he’s off anyway) is gonna cause us more harm than good. I think it’s clear he’s lost some players and his tactics are stale. Last season I believe we got into a good rhythm because we had no Champions League. This season he’s been found out due to a lack of squad depth and a lack of backup plans with the tactics. The way he’s moaning this season it’s like Mourinho mark II all over again. It’s not good for the team at all.

Ill appreciate the title we won last season always but I’ll amdit I’ve never been I live with Conte like I was Vialli or Mourinho (Mark I). I think his time is up.

Same here Bobby, I know many will disagree and I might regret what I say. It's always a careful what you wish for when it's someone as good as Conte. 

But it's just how I feel and I'm rarely ever someone calling for the sacking of our managers, I was against sacking Carlo, Di Matteo, Mourinho, but this is just my opinion on Conte. I think it's time for both us and Conte to move on because I can't see anything good coming out of this partnership. 

When he's saying things like he's doing an excellent job with what he has and he's doing all he can I think it's time up, I don't think I even recall AVB saying stuff like that. 

1 hour ago, EdinburghBlue said:

The very manager you’ve mentioned mate, in fact he done it in both stints with us IIRC.

I can't remember Jose being vocally unhappy about the signings made at the club, besides the Shevchenko which was clearly known to be an Abramovich signing. 

Conte is the only one who's made a stand against it, especially in that manner. I'm happy he's made it but he doesn't do himself any favours when he's signing average players for ridiculous fees and chasing Andy Carroll in the market. 

edit: I do recall him saying a few things here and there that he hopes to bring in new players, but he's said the same at United and everywhere he's gone, it's not in the same manner as Conte. Conte has been very vocal about the lack of transfer activity and not getting his targets. 

Edited February 1, 20188 yr by Slojo