Morata upsets me

Awful match and another limp peformance lacking pace, creativity and class. Rudiger was steady and just for that was our best player. Midfield was shocking again. Giroud as poor as Morata. Sad thing is, if fit the piss poor Kova will start the next game. At last more and more are starting to call out Jorginho.

2 hours ago, Phillip said:

Pawson is the ref, that scares me as he always screws us 

I wondered why a Fulham player never got a booking, Dave got booked for a perfectly good tackle and they got a corner from an offside position. 

59 minutes ago, BenCFC19 said:

Sad to say but we have some of the worst match going fans in football 

So you'll be there next Saturday leading all the singing then... 

Fulham had a good spell at the beginning of the second half but it was never a tough game. We scored two, could have had a couple more, and kept a clean sheet without ever shifting into top gear. It's important to get back into winning ways after last week, so it's job done as far as I'm concerned.

Good to see RLC continue to impress. We really have got great strength-in-depth in midfield this season. Good logical substitutions by Sarri as well. It's unusual to see a fullback hooked off and replaced by another fullback playing on his weaker side, so it will be interesting to see if Alonso keeps his place in the next match.

 

11 minutes ago, Dixon said:

Awful match and another limp peformance lacking pace, creativity and class. Rudiger was steady and just for that was our best player. Midfield was shocking again. Giroud as poor as Morata. Sad thing is, if fit the piss poor Kova will start the next game. At last more and more are starting to call out Jorginho.

And yet you don't mention kante who had a huge part to play in both goals, almost as if you have an agenda. 

I can't believe someone has said our midfield was over run, which game where you watching, their midfield did absolutely nothing. 

Edited December 2, 20187 yr by dkw

5 minutes ago, dkw said:

And yet you don't mention kante who had a huge part to play in both goals, almost as if you have an agenda. 

I can't believe someone has said our midfield was over run, which game where you watching, their midfield did absolutely nothing. 

Kante had a better game and got the assist., but  still not right for that position. I woudn't say our midfield was over run, but when this poor Fulham team did have a go they cut thru it  easily. Why aren't you calling the other fm's idiots for saying exactly the same things as i've been saying about Kova and Jorginho?

Crucial 3pts.......but man we just look much slower now.....without idea and just go mute when we hit the final 3rd. May god help us when city come to town.

An uninspiring win, but it's better than an inspired loss, so I'll take it. 

My thoughts:

1) The first goal sums up why Chelsea has kept Kante as a first XI player - whatever else you can say about him, he is IMO the world's best ball-winner, winning the ball in their end before starting a counterattacks, which Pedro's movement and finishing turned into a goal. That's why Pedro should be in the starting team. Willian has nowhere near the movement or the finishing to exploit that opportunity. 

2) Yes, Alonso wasn't particularly good going forward today. He's never been a great crosser, but today he couldn't seem to get any on target.

3) One theme is that Giroud is too slow to get to chances close to the goal, whether being played in by Hazard or another player. If Giroud's aerial ability isn't going to be used then all he can do is bully defenders. Not that Morata did much when he came on, wasting opportunities. I feel for Sarri RE the striker department. The best he can do is horses for courses. Against big, strong defenders or deep defensive lines, play Giroud. Against smaller defenders or against sides leaving space in behind, play Morata. Unless its a big game, in which case you would start Giroud and hope that Morata does something from the bench, as with Real Madrid/Juventus. 

4) RLC again showing predatory instincts and good movement to collect the ball from Hazard and coolly finish. Where does he come in now?

5) What to do about Kovacic/Kante? Kovacic is technically impeccable and works hard, but he doesn't have that much creativity and while his dribbling causes difficulties, his movement/finishing aren't great. Kante has shown why you can't not play him, but it's not clear that he can fully perform the Allan role either, given that Allan was a bit better technically. I hope that Sarri can help Kante to improve his technique, or Kovacic is movement/finishing. Combined they'd be one hell of a player. Moreover, where do RLC/Barkley fit into all of this? Has RLC brought himself into contention with Kovacic?

6) As for Fulham, Chambers was energetic and Rico made a few good saves. Not much else to comment on though. 

Not looking forward to the game against Man City BTW. 

Edited December 2, 20187 yr by DaRick

27 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

I wondered why a Fulham player never got a booking, Dave got booked for a perfectly good tackle and they got a corner from an offside position. 

So you'll be there next Saturday leading all the singing then... 

When I go I sing loud and proud and do not care how stupid I look to those around me. It shouldn't be controversial to criticise the absolutely appalling atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, it's bothered me for a long time now but twice this season it's really gotten on my nerves: United at home and today. It just baffles me how our supporters can't seem to be vocal in matches against one of our bigggest rivals and one of our neighbours. It's embarrassing to hear fans sing Jose's right your fans are sh*te and if we had any self respect we'd try to actually create an atmosphere. The players' awful performance today is of course down to them but it certainly doesn't make things easier when the only noise they can hear is the away end. 

Re the atmosphere I think the cost of tickets, and possibly at least in the EPL the game becoming less and less a working class type of social attraction.

Sometimes when I see shots of our supporters the majority seem to have grey or white hair.

It makes me wonder where the next generation will come from at times.

4 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

Re the atmosphere I think the cost of tickets, and possibly at least in the EPL the game becoming less and less a working class type of social attraction.

Sometimes when I see shots of our supporters the majority seem to have grey or white hair.

It makes me wonder where the next generation will come from at times.

Sadly the next generation are taking cameras to the matches and vlogging. You're absolutely correct in what you say and sadly my interest is slowly declining week by week 

A comfortable 3 points and a great second goal.No moans from me.....UP THE CHELS !

44 minutes ago, BenCFC19 said:

When I go I sing loud and proud and do not care how stupid I look to those around me. It shouldn't be controversial to criticise the absolutely appalling atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, it's bothered me for a long time now but twice this season it's really gotten on my nerves: United at home and today.

There’s a common theme there, Sunday 12 o’clock kick offs. 

The atmosphere picked up in the second half after people had got another beer inside them. 

8 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

There’s a common theme there, Sunday 12 o’clock kick offs. 

 

That's a good point but we shouldn't kid ourselves, it's poor every home game

Edited December 2, 20187 yr by BenCFC19

1 hour ago, CFCCAN said:

job done ...need a result from Arsenal and Everton...

Watching the north London sh*thole derby, it really is a cracking game played like a derby should. Hate to say it but really played with passion.

1 hour ago, dkw said:

And yet you don't mention kante who had a huge part to play in both goals, almost as if you have an agenda. 

I can't believe someone has said our midfield was over run, which game where you watching, their midfield did absolutely nothing. 

Compare the start of the season to now, we were much more comfortable in possession, now we aren't. We aren't producing the football that we were earlier in the season and look a lot more vulnerable without the ball. 

I still think there is a lot of work to be done, but on the bright side RLC looks like he has a future here with the way he has been playing lately. 

 

Scrappy game.

Yet will happily take a 'scrappy game' that we win every week. Good to get back on track wit the win today after the draw with Everton and that loss to Spuds last week.

Thought Kante looked good today. Same with Pedro.

Good save by their keeper from Giroud in the 43rd min.

Thought it was funny that when Loftus Cheek scored his goal the Fulham fans  were in full voice.

The second goal was our best move of the match. Some great movement and inter-change in it.

Oh and happy we kept a clean sheet too.

Blue is the colour

14 minutes ago, Slojo said:

Compare the start of the season to now, we were much more comfortable in possession, now we aren't. We aren't producing the football that we were earlier in the season and look a lot more vulnerable without the ball. 

I still think there is a lot of work to be done, but on the bright side RLC looks like he has a future here with the way he has been playing lately. 

 

We are nothing like the team we were.......we dont press the same, dont pass as fast, dont close down space as well and etc.......clearly gone 2 gears the wrong way. We can only hope we get going come soon.

We beat Arsenal, Spurs beat us, Arsenal beat Spurs...that's just the way it is at the minute in the fight for top 4.

We have a bit to do and we're not going to challenge for the league this season. 

The Europa League shouldnt be underestimated but if we finish top 4 and Hazard signs a new contract, that would be a good year.

Good three points, clean sheet and RLC being trusted with minutes on the pitch. Worked back towards our goal which Sarri wanted. Pedro was positive and scored again.

I was disappointed with the atmosphere from where I sit in the MHU. Having Fulham take the piss when 20-30 years ago we used to take their ground over. I’m 50 and going grey but still like sing! Good to see fellow Shed Ender Boyne  at the game.

A wins a win 3 points and the spuds losing is a pretty good day, would definitely be starting Ruben next week looks bang in form great to see. 

Was at the game and as others have said the atmosphere wasn't great but picked up a little second half, always nice to shut those cringey twats up with a win.

Big week ahead UTC.

Hazard is out of shape, Kovacic is useless, Alonso is terrible last month, Jorginho is either tired or they have his number, Pedro can't deliver a good pass, Willian can't deliver a good finishing, Morata and Giroud have flashes but unfortunately in garbage time of the games...

Clearly it's all about the points December. I don't care about the performance. We got three, I'm happy. 

9 minutes ago, Giordano_Bruno said:

Hazard is out of shape, Kovacic is useless, Alonso is terrible last month, Jorginho is either tired or they have his number, Pedro can't deliver a good pass, Willian can't deliver a good finishing, Morata and Giroud have flashes but unfortunately in garbage time of the games...

Clearly it's all about the points December. I don't care about the performance. We got three, I'm happy. 

You don't seem very happy

2 hours ago, BenCFC19 said:

Sadly the next generation are taking cameras to the matches and vlogging. You're absolutely correct in what you say and sadly my interest is slowly declining week by week 

As an old timer with health issues and a very limited budget I have to agree with this.

I used to go regularly in the 70's, 80's and 90's, and even the early 2000's. Quite often to away games as well.  During that time I gradually found myself being priced out of going to the games so relied on TV coverage and was eventually priced out of that option a good many years ago.

I rarely get to see anything of our games now, just a few brief highlights if we're lucky on Match of the Day. For those reasons alone my interest has been declining far more than I would like but it is what it is.

 

Sorry for the moan, just had to get it off my chest.