Whatever.  Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Whatever.  Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Not really...I think they're would have a lot of positive response to have seen young players coming on...

3 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

If you say so.  And I expect you would have been n here moaning if Ampadu had replaced Christensen and then we'd conceded 2 or 3.  Play the youth at all costs, but don't dare lose or fail to play exciting dynamic football, eh?

Got to disagree with you @yorkleyblue. If we can't bring on our best youth prospects when we're 3-0 up against the bottom team in the division then when do they get a game? I think the consensus is that Cahill came on for Chistensen because Christensen was tired after coming back from injury and a few mistakes had started to creep in. However Ampadu has shown more than enough in previous games to be able to come on and do a job against the tired legs of West Brom.

9 minutes ago, doctorblue said:

12 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

If you say so.  And I expect you would have been n here moaning if Ampadu had replaced Christensen and then we'd conceded 2 or 3.  Play the youth at all costs, but don't dare lose or fail to play exciting dynamic football, eh?

But he didn't did he? Ultimately it was a wasted opportunity to test some of our younger squad members at a time when the game was well won...that sort of cowardice but Conte is typical of an Italian defensive minded manager...just hope the next manager will have the guts to try something different...I genuinely think that Roman will be more sympathetic to a manager who tries that sort of approach...

AVB would suggest otherwise.

I would have liked to see some minutes from Ampadu or Emerson but I also understand Conte's caution. He'd just lost 2 in a row at home where we conceded goals in rapid succession. He is apparently on the verge of getting sacked. Why take any risk at all in that situation?

AVB would suggest otherwise.
I would have liked to see some minutes from Ampadu or Emerson but I also understand Conte's caution. He'd just lost 2 in a row at home where we conceded goals in rapid succession. He is apparently on the verge of getting sacked. Why take any risk at all in that situation?

What risk? Christ is Palmeiri can get a game against the bottom team in the league when we're 3 nil up at home with 20 minutes to go with a RWB playing out of position then why the feck did we buy him...Conte has to go end of...

15 minutes ago, xXRuufioXx said:

Got to disagree with you @yorkleyblue. If we can't bring on our best youth prospects when we're 3-0 up against the bottom team in the division then when do they get a game? I think the consensus is that Cahill came on for Chistensen because Christensen was tired after coming back from injury and a few mistakes had started to creep in. However Ampadu has shown more than enough in previous games to be able to come on and do a job against the tired legs of West Brom.

We could have brought them on, and don't get me wrong, I want to see them and more come through, but we conceded 3 in 8 minutes last week, and Ampadu could well have got as bullied as Christensen, if not more.  I think that Cahill in for experience was the right thing.  I think you could be right about Hudson-Odoi, and wouldn't have minded him getting a run out, but then as @Nibs says, they are also the mainstay of the youth team playing tonight.  No matter what armchair analysts might think, playing a competitive professional football match twice in two days is not something that today's players are trained for or capable of.  Just look how the first team are visibly knackered just playing twice a week.

7 minutes ago, doctorblue said:

13 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

AVB would suggest otherwise.
I would have liked to see some minutes from Ampadu or Emerson but I also understand Conte's caution. He'd just lost 2 in a row at home where we conceded goals in rapid succession. He is apparently on the verge of getting sacked. Why take any risk at all in that situation?

What risk? Christ is Palmeiri can get a game against the bottom team in the league when we're 3 nil up at home with 20 minutes to go with a RWB playing out of position then why the feck did we buy him...Conte has to go end of...

We were 1-1 and starting to control the game last week, and we conceded 3 in 8 minutes.  Pity we didn't have some teenagers on, eh?  We'd have won that 6-1

That's a whole different argument about Conte over training the players...I respect your view but as an armchair critic I'm not convinced that Conte is the right man any more...not sure who I'd like to replace him but whoever it is, I just hope he shows more commitment to our youth players and not keep demanding off the peg multimillion pound players...

1 minute ago, yorkleyblue said:

We could have brought them on, and don't get me wrong, I want to see them and more come through, but we conceded 3 in 8 minutes last week, and Ampadu could well have got as bullied as Christensen, if not more.  I think that Cahill in for experience was the right thing.  I think you could be right about Hudson-Odoi, and wouldn't have minded him getting a run out, but then as @Nibs says, they are also the mainstay of the youth team playing tonight.  No matter what armchair analysts might think, playing a competitive professional football match twice in two days is not something that today's players are trained for or capable of.  Just look how the first team are visibly knackered just playing twice a week.

It may be that they were being saved for tonight's youth team game, but that is no excuse for them not being played last night. If it was the case that they were being saved for tonight's game, then why have them on the bench in the first place? Getting those players first team experience is far more important than the youth team game tonight. And maybe had Ampadu and/or Hudson-Obi played last night maybe two more young players would have got the chance to play against Tottenham tonight which would also have been beneficial.

7 minutes ago, xXRuufioXx said:

It may be that they were being saved for tonight's youth team game, but that is no excuse for them not being played last night. If it was the case that they were being saved for tonight's game, then why have them on the bench in the first place? Getting those players first team experience is far more important than the youth team game tonight. And maybe had Ampadu and/or Hudson-Obi played last night maybe two more young players would have got the chance to play against Tottenham tonight which would also have been beneficial.

Hudson-Adoi  wasn't on the bench last night.

I'm all for integrating the youth but the fact is they will play 90+ minutes tonight so there was no way they were going to be involved last night against one of the PL's more physical sides.

 

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by Nibs

Disappointed Emerson didn't get a run about last night. Especially with Alonso missing i'd hoped to see him for half an hour or so, more so that we were 3-0 up. 

12 minutes ago, Nibs said:

They weren't on the bench last night.

I'm all for integrating the youth but the fact is they will play 90+ minutes tonight so there was no way they were going to be involved last night against one of the PL's more physical sides.

 

Ampadu was on the bench last night. So explain to me why he was if he had no chance of playing?!

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by xXRuufioXx

https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/963125575408906243?ref_src=twsrc^tfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheshed.chelseafc.com%2Fchat%2Fposts%2Fthread.shtml%3F208555199
Ampadu was on the bench last night. So explain to me why he was if he had no chance of playing?!

And explain to me why Cahill did...And why our new £22m LWB didn't play when our other LWB was out with an ankle injury...see you Conte

7 minutes ago, Nibs said:

They weren't on the bench last night.

I'm all for integrating the youth but the fact is they will play 90+ minutes tonight so there was no way they were going to be involved last night against one of the PL's more physical sides.

 

Ampadu was on the bench, and he warmed up in the touchline, although Hudson-Odoi wasn't. But I agree with you, if they are playing tonight, it made no sense to risk them last night. And they'll get the minutes, or so I hope, on Friday against Hull. But those saying these lads don't get first team experience because they don't play against teams in the PL are forgetting that experience is not only about playing, is about getting into the group, learning with the first team players, and being part of the team home and travelling away, whether playing or on the bench.

4 minutes ago, RMH said:

Ampadu was on the bench, and he warmed up in the touchline, although Hudson-Odoi wasn't. But I agree with you, if they are playing tonight, it made no sense to risk them last night. And they'll get the minutes, or so I hope, on Friday against Hull. But those saying these lads don't get first team experience because they don't play against teams in the PL are forgetting that experience is not only about playing, is about getting into the group, learning with the first team players, and being part of the team home and travelling away, whether playing or on the bench.

Again I disagree with you. Yes they're gaining experience by training and travelling with the first team squad. But (and here is the BIG but), they will not improve as footballers by sitting on the bench! And yet nobody has answered why Ampadu was on the bench if he "had no chance of playing"!

 

Listen, I'm not going to go as hardcore as doctorblue, because I don't want Conte to be sacked. But I do want to see him change things up and experiment with the youth. If he's not going to do this now as he's scared for his job, then what's the point on him being here?

I suppose you know the "jobs" that Terry had to do for the first team players when he started integrating into the group. That shaped him as a footballer and made the legend he is to all of us. It is not only about playing minutes as soon as you start being called to the first team, the personality of the player will be formed outside the pitch more than inside. And that is what will define in a great deal his footballing. Why didn't we see Ampadu last night? Christensen, with much more experience, was getting bullied all the time, especially during the second half. That's why Conte made the call to bring in a more experienced Cahill, who is a worse defender at the moment, but is more capable of dealing with the bulling they were getting. And it showed perfectly in our defending after the change. I would have liked to see Ampadu for Fabregas, I like more the lad in the midfield than in the defence to be honest, but he is playing tonight against Spurs in the Youth FA Cup (as said at least a couple of times before). And that is also important for the Club. You can't risk him to play a few minutes against a bottom of the table team. Also, you keep asking why was he on the bench if he had no chance of playing? Well, for the same reason that many others before sit on the bench and are not usually called in to play. Ask Caballero, who sits on the bench week in week out. And as I said before, it is not only about playing minutes, it is about being part of the group, learning from the bench and in the changing rooms is also important for a footballer.

Regarding Conte, I'm fed up of all this moaning and whining going on against him. He is our coach and, thankfully, the majority of Stamford Bridge supports him as we support our players and Chelsea no matter whether we lose or win.

I suppose you know the "jobs" that Terry had to do for the first team players when he started integrating into the group. That shaped him as a footballer and made the legend he is to all of us. It is not only about playing minutes as soon as you start being called to the first team, the personality of the player will be formed outside the pitch more than inside. And that is what will define in a great deal his footballing. Why didn't we see Ampadu last night? Christensen, with much more experience, was getting bullied all the time, especially during the second half. That's why Conte made the call to bring in a more experienced Cahill, who is a worse defender at the moment, but is more capable of dealing with the bulling they were getting. And it showed perfectly in our defending after the change. I would have liked to see Ampadu for Fabregas, I like more the lad in the midfield than in the defence to be honest, but he is playing tonight against Spurs in the Youth FA Cup (as said at least a couple of times before). And that is also important for the Club. You can't risk him to play a few minutes against a bottom of the table team. Also, you keep asking why was he on the bench if he had no chance of playing? Well, for the same reason that many others before sit on the bench and are not usually called in to play. Ask Caballero, who sits on the bench week in week out. And as I said before, it is not only about playing minutes, it is about being part of the group, learning from the bench and in the changing rooms is also important for a footballer.
Regarding Conte, I'm fed up of all this moaning and whining going on against him. He is our coach and, thankfully, the majority of Stamford Bridge supports him as we support our players and Chelsea no matter whether we lose or win.

And I respect your opinion but Conte is stale and time for another manager to step up...Palmeiri, Hudson Odoi and Ampudu would have been a good choice in my opinion and why he took so long to make any changes is typical of his stilted style...on another matter sad news about Ryan Mason today...hope Cahill keeps his head up after that announcement...not my favourite player but nonetheless a but of a blow to him...

Eden was magic and he works well with both Giroud and Morata.A slow start but a better performance all round.Pleased for Conte and hope he is here next season.The vast majority of the team didnt perform in the last two games and they needed to respond.The three at the back look right.Cahill and Luiz need to step up if they want to get back in.Anyway onwards and upwards.

31 minutes ago, RMH said:

I suppose you know the "jobs" that Terry had to do for the first team players when he started integrating into the group. That shaped him as a footballer and made the legend he is to all of us. It is not only about playing minutes as soon as you start being called to the first team, the personality of the player will be formed outside the pitch more than inside. And that is what will define in a great deal his footballing. Why didn't we see Ampadu last night? Christensen, with much more experience, was getting bullied all the time, especially during the second half. That's why Conte made the call to bring in a more experienced Cahill, who is a worse defender at the moment, but is more capable of dealing with the bulling they were getting. And it showed perfectly in our defending after the change. I would have liked to see Ampadu for Fabregas, I like more the lad in the midfield than in the defence to be honest, but he is playing tonight against Spurs in the Youth FA Cup (as said at least a couple of times before). And that is also important for the Club. You can't risk him to play a few minutes against a bottom of the table team. Also, you keep asking why was he on the bench if he had no chance of playing? Well, for the same reason that many others before sit on the bench and are not usually called in to play. Ask Caballero, who sits on the bench week in week out. And as I said before, it is not only about playing minutes, it is about being part of the group, learning from the bench and in the changing rooms is also important for a footballer.

Regarding Conte, I'm fed up of all this moaning and whining going on against him. He is our coach and, thankfully, the majority of Stamford Bridge supports him as we support our players and Chelsea no matter whether we lose or win.

Your're aloud to have your opinion mate, but I still don't agree with it. I could go on about how times have changed since Terry came through the ranks, or about how 10-15mins against a big strong attacker would have done Ampadu the world of good once the game was done and dusted at 3-0, but I don't think you're going to agree with me either. Sol lets leave it at that.

The game at Old Trafford has me shivering. What a huge 6-pointer we need to win or else the gap between us and united will be hard to close with only 11 (?) matches remaining. We need one of lvpool and spurs to bottle it against the smaller teams to give us breathing room as well. I doubt we will win all remaining matches so yh, tense times. 

 

7 hours ago, doctorblue said:

7 hours ago, RMH said:

I suppose you know the "jobs" that Terry had to do for the first team players when he started integrating into the group. That shaped him as a footballer and made the legend he is to all of us. It is not only about playing minutes as soon as you start being called to the first team, the personality of the player will be formed outside the pitch more than inside. And that is what will define in a great deal his footballing. Why didn't we see Ampadu last night? Christensen, with much more experience, was getting bullied all the time, especially during the second half. That's why Conte made the call to bring in a more experienced Cahill, who is a worse defender at the moment, but is more capable of dealing with the bulling they were getting. And it showed perfectly in our defending after the change. I would have liked to see Ampadu for Fabregas, I like more the lad in the midfield than in the defence to be honest, but he is playing tonight against Spurs in the Youth FA Cup (as said at least a couple of times before). And that is also important for the Club. You can't risk him to play a few minutes against a bottom of the table team. Also, you keep asking why was he on the bench if he had no chance of playing? Well, for the same reason that many others before sit on the bench and are not usually called in to play. Ask Caballero, who sits on the bench week in week out. And as I said before, it is not only about playing minutes, it is about being part of the group, learning from the bench and in the changing rooms is also important for a footballer.
Regarding Conte, I'm fed up of all this moaning and whining going on against him. He is our coach and, thankfully, the majority of Stamford Bridge supports him as we support our players and Chelsea no matter whether we lose or win.

And I respect your opinion but Conte is stale and time for another manager to step up...Palmeiri, Hudson Odoi and Ampudu would have been a good choice in my opinion and why he took so long to make any changes is typical of his stilted style...on another matter sad news about Ryan Mason today...hope Cahill keeps his head up after that announcement...not my favourite player but nonetheless a but of a blow to him...

I cant really blame Conte for the subs. Cahill. Morata and willian needed the mins for fitness and honestly i dont think it would be fair to play kids in such a toxic atmosphere regardless of the scoreline. I expect Odoi, Ampadu, Emerson, Drinkwater and BAka to start on Friday against Hull. May be not odoi , he can be a super sub

Yeah I agree. That said, personally I would have been tempted to hook Hazard the second that Claudio Yacob stepped foot on the pitch.

Exactly my sentiments at the time (Jacob!)

Neither Hudson Odoi or Ampudu in tonight's FA Youth Cup team...so why the feck didn't Conte use them last night then? The sooner he fecks off the better...

Just read through the the 90 minute posts and up to now. I think it was better being in the ground than watching it on the net or tv and posting!! It wasn’t top notch but some people I thought were abit too negative. 

8 hours ago, doctorblue said:

Neither Hudson Odoi or Ampudu in tonight's FA Youth Cup team...so why the feck didn't Conte use them last night then? The sooner he fecks off the better...

May be beacause they are going to play on Friday