20 minutes ago, Argo said:

That's the problem though, even when he plays well he's still phrone to giving us very sharp reminders as to why he was dropped in the first place.

I'm not suggesting he should be elevated to 1st choice keeper. Far from it. But tonight was a decent opportunity to give Kepa a game, and Mendy a rest, before we will have to call on him as first choice for the best part of a month.

1 hour ago, turnyitb said:

so many spoilt brats on here ffs. 

We rested players, we have injury problems, we almost got away with it. 

We are through, that’s all that matters. Who cares who we play if you are going win it you need to beat everyone and anyone! 

support your team, support your manager and support your players.

All this bullsh*t slagging off gets on my nerves !

 

You conveniently forgot that for every progression the club gets prize money, and it is a big difference in terms of money, pride and enjoyment between being knocked out in the round of 16 or in semifinals.

1 hour ago, Sexyfootball said:

It would be quite nice to finally draw Real Madrid in the CL ... that's the fixture I'd like next.

finally? we only played them last year

After such a good start, surprised and disappointed we just went into cruise mode after 5 minutes and allow them to get back into it. With the changes in the team, obviously not playing at the expected level, and defence was shaky all night, never seen us so open since the end of Lampard days. Going forward, we did well in the second half, got the well deserved goal, but couldn't handle their long ball in the end. I think it was Sarr and Azpi against their 6'4 target man, absolutely no chance. Werner played well, Lukaku finally scored despite being average, nice to see James and Saul provide different options. In the end, contend with the result, definitely need to do better and must win on the weekend.

Sloppy errors cost us. December sucks

1 hour ago, dansubrosa said:

Yeah I’m not even angry or mad. Its not realistic to expect us to win every game when we have so many players out.

We’ll be fine.

I am annoyed at the, fact that when the manager places his trust into certain players who ostensibly are champing at the bit to show their brilliance, these same players stroll down the pitch occasionally stopping to peruse about the meaning of life and to enjoy the sight of some people running around them chasing a leather sphere for some unknown reason.

Imagine earning 100k+ a week and putting in performances like that 

Good third goal from Timo. Hopefully that gives him some confidence. Obviously very dejected with the result but our team is really struggling with injuries. Some of our back up will just not cut it.

Two players totally unmarked, count the Chelsea players flatfooted ball watching.

 

 

On the plus side Timo 2 - Dodgy Russian keeper 0

 

Bayern, or maybe Real but I think Bayern, next then. Well done festive Chelsea, you just got us a really horrible last 16 draw.

We made that so easy for Zenit, every player bar Kepa and Werner were absoutley garbage and looked like they did not give a cr@p about this game.

28 minutes ago, Scott said:

Two players totally unmarked, count the Chelsea players flatfooted ball watching.

 

 

On the plus side Timo 2 - Dodgy Russian keeper 0

 

Defending a lead deep in stoppage time, one that would have saved us having our away leg being second, and where is our midfield? What a joke we have become defensively since Watford.

Well, it's fair to say that we are in a slump at the moment. Injuries are taking their toll and nothing seems to be going our way. The fact that Juventus game was only 15 days ago makes the whole thing more outrageous.

Today was pretty much all about Kepa and Werner against 11 Zenit players. In terms of tactics everything is pretty much already said. Another weak performance, especially from the back three. Tuchel has to sort that out as soon as possible because conceding six in two games is a worrying sign. We could've easily conceded more here.

However, I still believe this is just a sudden blip in form. Leeds on Saturday is a must win and I'm sure we can turn this around. Keep the faith!

5 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Defending a lead deep in stoppage time, one that would have saved us having our away leg being second, and where is our midfield? What a joke we have become defensively since Watford.

I only caught the end of the game but that was the thing that struck me. Why commit so many players forward when we're leading in added time? Doesn't make a lot of sense.

Have read Zenit rested a few players ahead of their game at the weekend as well. Made it sound like their reserves held ours. Lovely.

 

40 minutes ago, Scott said:

Two players totally unmarked, count the Chelsea players flatfooted ball watching.

 

 

On the plus side Timo 2 - Dodgy Russian keeper 0

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This one is probably the best indicator of how important Kante and Jorginho are for us.

Man rhe lack of effort, desire and drive from the players was frankly depressing. Seen this story too many times.

6 hours ago, Valerie said:

Give them time...still a 3-3 in it somewhere

I see what you did there @Valerie, nice jinx in the hope the 25% chance lands us they who cannot be named so you can go to the second leg 😉

8 hours ago, Stas1 said:

You conveniently forgot that for every progression the club gets prize money, and it is a big difference in terms of money, pride and enjoyment between being knocked out in the round of 16 or in semifinals.

oh diddums, i forgot about your enjoyment! 

Be thankful we are in the champions league in the first place instead of all this self entitlement that the majority of fans seem to have nowadays.

 

That also is a statement from the manager to the board to say we need to strengthen. We also need to sell off a few players that really aren't on the level we require.

Can we also stop acting like Utd fans by constantly sh*tting on Rom, he's trying to get match fitness & sharpness back. 

4 hours ago, axman2526 said:

I see what you did there @Valerie, nice jinx in the hope the 25% chance lands us they who cannot be named so you can go to the second leg 😉

I know, I completely f**ked up 😞

We're probably going to be paired to Bayern 

So we played our I want to say b team but that wasn't b team,it was more like Tuchel said  I want to rest player a b,c and player d,e,f needed minute,now let see what I can come out with.

So what can you learn from the team or individual after using such team ? Nothing.

As long as we don't get Bayern the rest of the draw is not that bad. 

 

1 hour ago, Valerie said:

I know, I completely f**ked up 😞

We're probably going to be paired to Bayern 

Lol happens to the best of us.

Oh we are definitely getting Bayern imo, is what it is.

Still reeling about this match.

Hard to believe we thrashed Juventus only a few weeks ago, but somehow they've topped the group.

Knowing our luck, we'll probably play Bayern Munich in the last 16 

3 hours ago, Bob stark said:

So we played our I want to say b team but that wasn't b team,it was more like Tuchel said  I want to rest player a b,c and player d,e,f needed minute,now let see what I can come out with.

So what can you learn from the team or individual after using such team ? Nothing.

As long as we don't get Bayern the rest of the draw is not that bad. 

 

That is how it seemed with James in central midfield, where some things he did were good though positioning was suspect for the goals conceded.

We had little pace except for up front yet did not seem to make the most of it until late on.

I felt at times we were playing a back 4 as Azpi seemed to be running back so often to stop a break. 

Kepa made a couple of decent saves though thought he should have done better for the third.

 

5 hours ago, Jezz said:

Still reeling about this match.

Hard to believe we thrashed Juventus only a few weeks ago, but somehow they've topped the group.

Knowing our luck, we'll probably play Bayern Munich in the last 16 

Aye the quick turn around leaves an even bitter taste in the mouth. 

Past two matches have been like watching the defence at the end of Lampards reign. We know how that ended. 

We Need our attack to fire, but if our defence and keeper fall apart it will mean nothing and TT will face the same fate as Frank imo.