21 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

I agree with this. He'll get a second season based on fortune, lets see what he can do now.

I disagree with the likes of Dubair and Chapo trying rewrite history like the last 5 months haven't been some of the most boring football we've witnessed and like he didn't try his best to throw away a European cup final.

HOLD THE BACK PAGE!!!

We agree on something. Does this make us best friends?

19 hours ago, The Rising Sun said:

Palmer said everything you need to know about our tactics when he described his 2 assists.

He was fed up with passing sideways and backwards. He disobeyed what Maresca wanted and played to his strengths instead.

You don't need to know anything else about Maresca's tactics after hearing Palmer say that. It's stifling our players.

They were talking about that comment in At the Bridge -pod and everyone agreed it probably wasn't a dig towards the coach but the way players played in the game. Maresca can't play for the players, he lays up the framework, players operate in that framework. I am sure the players are not implementing the style of play like the coach wants just yet, let alone in a pressure game like Betis was.

I think we played very well after the goal which opened up the players. Same was against Liverpool and MU after taking the lead. This is why I think starting quick in the first half needs to be one thing Maresca has to fix next season. We need to want score early so the players then have the courage to attack and not just recycle the ball.

Again I am not defending Maresca here. I just want to bring some balance to the conversation.

8 hours ago, Chapo said:

I’m just sick to death of people bringing down what the boys have done this season. I respect the reply but if someone is being disrespectful then I’m going to reply no?

Tbf I didn't read the start of your whole skirmish to see what really triggered you. I think most fans are happy and give him credit but some are rightfully still not convinced. I can easily see in 6 months time, fans calling for the managers head..

Me personally, as I said, he deserves credit but this season he literally shattered my confidence. I stopped watching games because when I did, my mental health went down due to the fact I wasted 90 minutes of my life.

For the first time ever, I literally didn't celebrate the wins against Liverpool and Utd because I was convinced that it was a false dawn.

It's been rough but all in all, fair play to Maresca. Prove us wrong and take us even further now.

1 hour ago, KonaKai Blue said:

Tbf I didn't read the start of your whole skirmish to see what really triggered you. I think most fans are happy and give him credit but some are rightfully still not convinced. I can easily see in 6 months time, fans calling for the managers head..

Me personally, as I said, he deserves credit but this season he literally shattered my confidence. I stopped watching games because when I did, my mental health went down due to the fact I wasted 90 minutes of my life.

For the first time ever, I literally didn't celebrate the wins against Liverpool and Utd because I was convinced that it was a false dawn.

It's been rough but all in all, fair play to Maresca. Prove us wrong and take us even further now.

The idea that we are back is a bit false. There is no back in this climate. Naturally we are there or thereabouts as a club because of the resources and recent success as a club but it is very hard to do what City did for example. In this Prem you can easily fluctuate between 1-8th. Hopefully we can narrow this down to 1-4th but it is very hard.

We can very easily call for Maresca's head in 6 months time. Same goes to Liverpool and Slot even though it seems very improbable. Summer is very important to each top club.

Especially now when we have resetted the entire club I personally think it is more beneficial and sane to just cheer the lads more than have the attitude that we had under Roman "Nothing is enough, we have to win every game and this small cup is not good enough for our prestige".

3 hours ago, evissy said:

They were talking about that comment in At the Bridge -pod and everyone agreed it probably wasn't a dig towards the coach but the way players played in the game. Maresca can't play for the players, he lays up the framework, players operate in that framework. I am sure the players are not implementing the style of play like the coach wants just yet, let alone in a pressure game like Betis was.

I think we played very well after the goal which opened up the players. Same was against Liverpool and MU after taking the lead. This is why I think starting quick in the first half needs to be one thing Maresca has to fix next season. We need to want score early so the players then have the courage to attack and not just recycle the ball.

Again I am not defending Maresca here. I just want to bring some balance to the conversation.

I see it as I described, but fair points you make, cheers mate

11 hours ago, Chapo said:

Not once have I said I’m a fan of blue co at all. No owner in football is comparable to Roman so I had a realistic view when the yanks took us over to expect us to drop off. I did not expect us to drop as hard as we did but I wasn’t expecting fixes straight away. I don’t agree with the strictly youth buying as this squad is crying out for experience. What I can say is that I know we have had an up and down season but I think we need to stick with the gaffer. I hate the fact everyone is on his back when he has done the job this season. If he fails next season then I’ll change my view.

Thanks for your reply mate.👍

The football leaves a lot to be desired at times, but he is learning. Hard to argue top 4 and winning a European trophy at your first attempt, albeit we were heavy favorites. The flip side is he underachieved, questionable selections, and is restricting the natural abilities of players.

He has earned the right for another season and support from the fans. Please though Enzo, take the handbrake off!

12 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

HOLD THE BACK PAGE!!!

We agree on something. Does this make us best friends?

10 hours ago, evissy said:

The idea that we are back is a bit false. There is no back in this climate. Naturally we are there or thereabouts as a club because of the resources and recent success as a club but it is very hard to do what City did for example. In this Prem you can easily fluctuate between 1-8th. Hopefully we can narrow this down to 1-4th but it is very hard.

We can very easily call for Maresca's head in 6 months time. Same goes to Liverpool and Slot even though it seems very improbable. Summer is very important to each top club.

Especially now when we have resetted the entire club I personally think it is more beneficial and sane to just cheer the lads more than have the attitude that we had under Roman "Nothing is enough, we have to win every game and this small cup is not good enough for our prestige".

I generally agree with a lot that you post but you always seem to Bury some nonsense within your comments to trigger everyone.

What is this comment?

than have the attitude that we had under Roman "Nothing is enough, we have to win every game and this small cup is not good enough for our prestige"

Perhaps you're one of these entitled younger fans that grew up in the Roman era, I don't know, maybe you are maybe you're not. Trust me the vast majority of us fans that watched Roman come in and save our club and then not only build a dynasty for our club but also be a major contributor in making the PL the elite product it is, never took any game for granted. The vast majority of us that had childhoods and young adulthood of dross football from average players and sh*t managers were just enthralled by seeing football being played by Zola, Gullitt, Vialli, Drogba, Lampard, etc in our Blue, regardless of results and cups.

I don't understand why you feel the need to constantly negative comments about our previous regime to validate your comments on how the current regime are running our club. Frankly it's both lazy and disingenuous

25 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

I generally agree with a lot that you post but you always seem to Bury some nonsense within your comments to trigger everyone.

What is this comment?

than have the attitude that we had under Roman "Nothing is enough, we have to win every game and this small cup is not good enough for our prestige"

Perhaps you're one of these entitled younger fans that grew up in the Roman era, I don't know, maybe you are maybe you're not. Trust me the vast majority of us fans that watched Roman come in and save our club and then not only build a dynasty for our club but also be a major contributor in making the PL the elite product it is, never took any game for granted. The vast majority of us that had childhoods and young adulthood of dross football from average players and sh*t managers were just enthralled by seeing football being played by Zola, Gullitt, Vialli, Drogba, Lampard, etc in our Blue, regardless of results and cups.

I don't understand why you feel the need to constantly negative comments about our previous regime to validate your comments on how the current regime are running our club. Frankly it's both lazy and disingenuous

Roman's takeover was a brilliant thing for us. For sure.

I was one of those fans here that couldn't stomach the idea we were in a Carabao Cup final and to play the strongest lineup as it wasn't Champions league final. Many here felt similarly here. Only the best would suffice. Only the best of the best would be up to our standard. That was the feeling around here. At least I was like that.

Now in a complete new circumstances we are idiots to expect something like that. Maybe it is just me. Maybe I live too much in my own head.

I started following Chelsea 1996-97. I remember when Roman took over I thought a long time I'd find a new club as I thought this is unfair. That was 20+ year old me.

4 minutes ago, evissy said:

Roman's takeover was a brilliant thing for us. For sure.

I was one of those fans here that couldn't stomach the idea we were in a Carabao Cup final and to play the strongest lineup as it wasn't Champions league final. Many here felt similarly here. Only the best would suffice. Only the best of the best would be up to our standard. That was the feeling around here. At least I was like that.

Now in a complete new circumstances we are idiots to expect something like that. Maybe it is just me. Maybe I live too much in my own head.

I started following Chelsea 1996-97. I remember when Roman took over I thought a long time I'd find a new club as I thought this is unfair. That was 20+ year old me.

Okay. I understand more of your comments now. I'm not being patronising, I promise. I have a son, born in 92, so a little younger and he has more of an entitled attitude than me. But as he explains to me he cant it because he didn't know anything else.

League Cup final day, 1972 for me. Lost that, followed by 25 years of general sh*t. A few highs, John Neal, bless him, and I really thought Eddie Mac was onto something with our youth based approach!.

I, and I suspect many others of my generation that went through the Mears and Bates years with the false dawns and more lows than I care to remember, have never underestimated the value of every competition. Pre Glenn Hoddle the highlight for me for my former years was the Full Members Cup.

I have never had any doubts that Roman was a god send for us. Let's not forget Jack Walker, Sir John Hall, Gillette and Hicks, Gibson at Boro, they were all pumping dough in. Roman just took it to another level.

Luis Enrique has just well and truly killed the nonsensical dumb stupid boring passing passing crap football that Maresca is trying to copy from Pep and and I truly happy.

A lot of us are losing perspective on why the conference cup was important. Firstly after losing so many cup finals in recent history to pool this was required for the confidence.

Most importantly you can’t appreciate something if you have never had it . Having won something this group will now understand how great it feels to be a champion and I bet you they will try 2x in every competition- the reason that these Spanish and Italian and French clubs do better than English is because of how much they win domestically and it breeds a mentality- something we had under roman.. I mean the 2012 final we had no right to win that but our mentality got us thru..

hence this cup is extremely important for the likes of a Colwil Caicedo Palmer etc .. watch out for a different Chelsea next season - this couple with victories over pool utd spurs will propel us .. is my early season prediction.. up the chels!!

23 hours ago, evissy said:

The idea that we are back is a bit false. There is no back in this climate. Naturally we are there or thereabouts as a club because of the resources and recent success as a club but it is very hard to do what City did for example. In this Prem you can easily fluctuate between 1-8th. Hopefully we can narrow this down to 1-4th but it is very hard.

We can very easily call for Maresca's head in 6 months time. Same goes to Liverpool and Slot even though it seems very improbable. Summer is very important to each top club.

Especially now when we have resetted the entire club I personally think it is more beneficial and sane to just cheer the lads more than have the attitude that we had under Roman "Nothing is enough, we have to win every game and this small cup is not good enough for our prestige".

I can tell you now. You will not see Arsenal, City or Liverpool fluctuate between 1st and 8th anytime soon and it's easy for them not to do so. Have a title winning/challenging squad with a good manager in place and you dont have to worry about making top 4.

On 31/05/2025 at 17:12, evissy said:

In this Prem you can easily fluctuate between 1-8th. Hopefully we can narrow this down to 1-4th but it is very hard.

😂😂😂

I don't think pep has ever finished lower than 4th.

The only time Klopp finished lower than 4th after his 2nd/3rd season was when all their CB went down the injured.

On 30/05/2025 at 23:46, Chapo said:

Glad im considered a clown even though the gaffer proved me right. I’ll just sit here and wait for you lot to begin your next agenda.

At least you got the first 5 words of that post right. 🤡

20 hours ago, evissy said:

I remember when Roman took over I thought a long time I'd find a new club as I thought this is unfair.

Absolutely bizarre but not surprising.

On 30/05/2025 at 23:46, Chapo said:

Glad im considered a clown even though the gaffer proved me right. I’ll just sit here and wait for you lot to begin your next agenda.

But it wasn't Mareca that got it right, he in fact got it very wrong. He started Gusto and Badiashile when everybody said it was a bad idea, Gusto then made a mistake that cost us the first goal, we played a terrible half of football and then Maresca corrected his mistake and threw James on. But there was nothing tactical from Maresca that changed the game for us, it was all Palmer. Palmer himself confirmed this when he said he was sick of playing backwards and sideways after the game. We won thanks to the players, Palmer specifically, because they ignored the manager.

Edited June 1, 20251 yr by Scott Harris

13 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Absolutely bizarre but not surprising.

Why? No one else had those thoughts? Russian billionaire took over the club and the first transfer window we had...to me it would be massively bizarre if you didn't feel that on a human level.

However to me your comments don't really hold that much water as we see things a bit differently.

15 minutes ago, evissy said:

Why? No one else had those thoughts? Russian billionaire took over the club and the first transfer window we had...to me it would be massively bizarre if you didn't feel that on a human level.

However to me your comments don't really hold that much water as we see things a bit differently.

Feel what? Was i supposed to feel bad that our club was spending a lot of money? Weird comment to make with how openly happy you are about BlueCo's strategy when they're spending significantly more. I don't care who buys the club and at the time i felt nothing other than excitement when Roman took over, I'd never consider supporting another team. You don't just 'pick' a team like you're going out looking for a new car.

I always had my suspicions about your support and these comments just confirm it, you're a surface level consumer that doesn't particularly care about the club.

1 hour ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

1. Feel what? Was i supposed to feel bad that our club was spending a lot of money? 2. Weird comment to make with how openly happy you are about BlueCo's strategy when they're spending significantly more. I don't care who buys the club and at the time i felt nothing other than excitement when Roman took over, I'd never consider supporting another team. 3. You don't just 'pick' a team like you're going out looking for a new car.

4. I always had my suspicions about your support and these comments just confirm it, you're a surface level consumer that doesn't particularly care about the club.

1. The sport going to a direction what governing bodies are now trying to correct and control. In America they've done much better work with that. Especially Ice Hockey that I watch a ton as well. In European football there is no level playing field, couple of teams winning it every season and so on. I don't follow any team in Ice Hockey in the NHL. I enjoy the whole package. I love to watch the top games and games with my favourite players. Losing is not as excruciating naturally as it is with Chelsea that ruins my week by losing. So it is different. I think many Chelsea fans also follow other sports and teams.

2. Well times have changed since Roman started this with Chelsea. These Americans actually have bottom line even though at this first phase they replaced most of the squad. Roman didn't. Boehly stated they already spent the bulk and now it is more of squad tweaking. Not 10 in 10 out every summer transfer window.

3. Well if you are like the bulk of Chelsea fans worldwide that is how you do it. As a kid you start following a club for some reason. Usually a player, a match, something that got you into it. Doesn't need to be a big thing even. For me it was; my friends follow Liverpool, MU or Arsenal. No Chelsea fans. I saw Ruud Gullit sign for Chelsea, who I loved as a kid, I started following Chelsea. Years rolled on and it deepened, this forum came and I started using unhealthy amount of time to this thing. Now I listen to podcasts every week about Chelsea and read/write here...I am not one of the small number of people who live around Stamford Bridge, London or around those quarters as most of Chelsea fans are world wide.

4. Not too keen on calling people with labels on the matter. I don't want to label you in the way you enjoy/suffer this thing. What I appreciate about your style is you are pretty one-minded which naturally makes everything very simple and clear for you. The attitiude towards what the new owners are doing seems to be a sea apart from the time you just said when Roman took over. Hopefully you get some of the bliss back from those times.

23 minutes ago, evissy said:

1. The sport going to a direction what governing bodies are now trying to correct and control. In America they've done much better work with that. Especially Ice Hockey that I watch a ton as well. In European football there is no level playing field, couple of teams winning it every season and so on. I don't follow any team in Ice Hockey in the NHL. I enjoy the whole package. I love to watch the top games and games with my favourite players. Losing is not as excruciating naturally as it is with Chelsea that ruins my week by losing. So it is different. I think many Chelsea fans also follow other sports and teams.

2. Well times have changed since Roman started this with Chelsea. These Americans actually have bottom line even though at this first phase they replaced most of the squad. Roman didn't. Boehly stated they already spent the bulk and now it is more of squad tweaking. Not 10 in 10 out every summer transfer window.

3. Well if you are like the bulk of Chelsea fans worldwide that is how you do it. As a kid you start following a club for some reason. Usually a player, a match, something that got you into it. Doesn't need to be a big thing even. For me it was; my friends follow Liverpool, MU or Arsenal. No Chelsea fans. I saw Ruud Gullit sign for Chelsea, who I loved as a kid, I started following Chelsea. Years rolled on and it deepened, this forum came and I started using unhealthy amount of time to this thing. Now I listen to podcasts every week about Chelsea and read/write here...I am not one of the small number of people who live around Stamford Bridge, London or around those quarters as most of Chelsea fans are world wide.

4. Not too keen on calling people with labels on the matter. I don't want to label you in the way you enjoy/suffer this thing. What I appreciate about your style is you are pretty one-minded which naturally makes everything very simple and clear for you. The attitiude towards what the new owners are doing seems to be a sea apart from the time you just said when Roman took over. Hopefully you get some of the bliss back from those times.

1. Not really sure what Hockey has to do with anything.

2. So what was your false outrage with Roman then? Was it the money he spent?

3. I support Chelsea because my dad did before me. None of this is relevant to what you said about you reconsidering your support and choosing a different team to support because of false outrage against the owner at the time. Just a bizarre train of thought.

4. I have no issue with owners doing what is best for the club.

I want to be confident going into the next season I just can't.

I'm really trying... I was never keen on Maresca when we brought him in, don't like the style, I think he's extremely inexperienced, not the direction I wanted the club to go down. But he almost had me on the train before the sh*tty results started at the end of December.

Even his biggest supporters can't deny the football has been absolutely garbage since then, It's hard to watch, I just don't see the direction we're going in. Okay, Mourinho would shut up shop sometimes and it was horrible to watch but we always played some good football for the majority of the season under him. Also with Tuchel we got some exciting counter-attacking football, this? I don't know what it is, it reminds me of Sarri ball again, extremely hard to watch.

If we're picking up good results I can get let it slide but I don't see it getting any better next season, despite the good results every game was nail and tooth to the very end. Either the players still haven't got up to grips with Maresca ball, or Maresca ball is just sh*t, either way this is not good.

I'm sorry to say but I don't have high hopes next season, I hope I'm very wrong on that, I don't have any agenda against the manager or club I want whats best for Chelsea but I can't lie to myself and say we're going to be title challengers or serious top 4 contenders next season. The league will get harder, we have to improve.

Any true fan of any club in the country, in any division would never consider switching allegiances.

Some stop being a fan of their club but they don’t go and support a rival. I know loads of people who stopped going to see their team and none of them supported another team afterwards. They just found something else to do.

The only time I’ve witnessed it happen was when Man Utd fans started FC Utd because of the Glazers.

Evissy…… just out of interest. Did you have a shortlist of clubs that you’d choose your new club from when Roman took over?

On 02/06/2025 at 21:04, 19seventyone said:

Evissy…… just out of interest. Did you have a shortlist of clubs that you’d choose your new club from when Roman took over?

Roman took over around the same time Arsenal went invincible, i assume they were high on the list.

Good job his morals didn't overcome him or he could have had a very miserable couple of decades after that.