Performance wise I don't think we were awful though you had a sense that City controlled the game throughout. But the defence held up better than I expected, perhaps bar Gusto who had a hard time with Doku. But my biggest worry after yesterday is probably that Fernandez is still going to be shoehorned into this side when we'd once again be far better off without him. We are shunting Palmer and Nkunku far wide to accomodate him as a 10 and I dare say we would have had a much better chance yesterday if Madueke was the winger and Palmer was in Enzo's place.

Don't give up on Enzo just yet. On the ball he has something that none of our midfielders have. He can ping a very accurate pass; short or long. We just need to utilize that asset better in a game. 

I would be amazed if Maresca lasts the whole season.

I think he's out of his depth, but we can only hope it all works out.

19 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

So do you really think that booing the manager, the owners and the players on the first game of a new season is the way to do make fans "feel something again"? How can you honestly sit there and say that this is useful in any way? Fans creating a hostile environment towards their own team to the point where players prefer playing away from home. If you can't see that this is a problem then I can't help you.
 

It's all well and good being intent on having a negative mindset like some of you guys on here where it has no effect on the players, but to hear your own fans booing you at home, first game of the season under a new manager against the best team in the country is just self serving garbage and shows they don't give a sh*t about the club.

Did you really infer all of that. Granted I was concentrating more on the game, but I only really picked up on some uneasiness when Sanchez was standing on the ball killing any tempo, and then some boos at Anthony Taylor at half time presumably for him not giving us a penalty (which was the correct decision for a change from him).

I wasn't there so didn't notice the amount of booing that you mentioned or who it was directed at, but it is crazy doing that in the first game, if that's what was happening. 

3 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

Did you really infer all of that. Granted I was concentrating more on the game, but I only really picked up on some uneasiness when Sanchez was standing on the ball killing any tempo, and then some boos at Anthony Taylor at half time presumably for him not giving us a penalty (which was the correct decision for a change from him).

I wasn't there so didn't notice the amount of booing that you mentioned or who it was directed at, but it is crazy doing that in the first game, if that's what was happening. 

I think the booing at half time was towards Taylor, but there were times where we were passing it around the back that the fans started booing. The fans should be there to pick the team up, not put them down. You've all probably read the interview below but I think it's important. The players feeling like they don't want to play at home because of the fans but the fans want Stamford Bridge to become a fortress again, the cycle has to end and this group of players need our support.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/the-fans-were-attacking-us-moises-caicedo-prefers-to-play-away-due-to-chelsea-fans/ar-BB1pBWrF

1 hour ago, gurru991 said:

It was very strange for me. Maresca has always maintained  that he will stick with his system come hell or high water but he definitely changed it today. I did see some positives today but felt Maresca doesn't know what his best team is yet.  I don't think the USA pre season tour helped one bit.

He might have seen the squad wasn't ready to play that away against Man City's pressing after what he saw when we played them in pre-season. I definitely think the USA tour was a hindrance, hard to instil the tactics he wants when we spent a lot of time flying around and playing on sub-par pitches.

22 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

I think the booing at half time was towards Taylor, but there were times where we were passing it around the back that the fans started booing. The fans should be there to pick the team up, not put them down. You've all probably read the interview below but I think it's important. The players feeling like they don't want to play at home because of the fans but the fans want Stamford Bridge to become a fortress again, the cycle has to end and this group of players need our support.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/the-fans-were-attacking-us-moises-caicedo-prefers-to-play-away-due-to-chelsea-fans/ar-BB1pBWrF

Oh okay. I didn't hear any particularly loud booing at slow build up play. In fact i saw no difference in the game set up here than  i have in countless other matches of ours where very few of our players make the runs needed and other players have the speed of thought and perspicacity to make incisive forward passes. If the natives are restless already its going to be a bumpy ride.

A small point as well though. Whilst i get the reason why you put the word fans as "fans" for the point you are making, which is valid. What i would say though is how much of our match going crowd are what we would class as fans, supporters, dyed in the wool lovers of the club, and how many are casual visitors paying big bucks on a one off, the Roy Keane prawn sandwich brigade. Its a very different customer base now i suspect.

 

17 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

Oh okay. I didn't hear any particularly loud booing at slow build up play. In fact i saw no difference in the game set up here than  i have in countless other matches of ours where very few of our players make the runs needed and other players have the speed of thought and perspicacity to make incisive forward passes. If the natives are restless already its going to be a bumpy ride.

A small point as well though. Whilst i get the reason why you put the word fans as "fans" for the point you are making, which is valid. What i would say though is how much of our match going crowd are what we would class as fans, supporters, dyed in the wool lovers of the club, and how many are casual visitors paying big bucks on a one off, the Roy Keane prawn sandwich brigade. Its a very different customer base now i suspect.

 

Totally get what your point and I do massively respect that there's fans that put their hand in their pocket on going to games, but I would say that if they're going then their first priority should be backing the team, especially at this point. Young players, new young manager and against the best team in the league. I think there's a time and place for putting pressure on the team/manager/owners but yesterday was certainly not the time.

1 hour ago, timetowaste said:

I think the booing at half time was towards Taylor, but there were times where we were passing it around the back that the fans started booing. The fans should be there to pick the team up, not put them down. You've all probably read the interview below but I think it's important. The players feeling like they don't want to play at home because of the fans but the fans want Stamford Bridge to become a fortress again, the cycle has to end and this group of players need our support.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/the-fans-were-attacking-us-moises-caicedo-prefers-to-play-away-due-to-chelsea-fans/ar-BB1pBWrF

I think that you're making a mountain out of a molehill. I was in the MHL and did not notice any booing other than that directed at Taylor. There was some impatience when the players started playing backwards rather than going forward, yes, but to make it such a big story is strange because it wasn't a general booing to the team. Sometimes what you hear on tv is not the general noise at the stadium, mics pick certain noises and filter out others, maybe that gave you the impression of the crowd booing the team.

Maresca looks a decent manager to me. The thing I like is that it's his way or the highway. Having a strong leader like that is essential and a fantastic base to build upon.

Needs time of course, and it's not his fault the mess he's inherited from the blundering ownership and co-sporting directors ( aka Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee).

2 hours ago, Jezz said:

I would be amazed if Maresca lasts the whole season.

I think he's out of his depth, but we can only hope it all works out.

He will last because the 🤡🤡 in charge have to persist because he is on a 5 year contract and this would be there 5th manager.

At someone point the money men will start asking questions and they will be gone hopefully.

2 hours ago, timetowaste said:

So do you really think that booing the manager, the owners and the players on the first game of a new season is the way to do make fans "feel something again"? How can you honestly sit there and say that this is useful in any way? Fans creating a hostile environment towards their own team to the point where players prefer playing away from home. If you can't see that this is a problem then I can't help you.
 

It's all well and good being intent on having a negative mindset like some of you guys on here where it has no effect on the players, but to hear your own fans booing you at home, first game of the season under a new manager against the best team in the country is just self serving garbage and shows they don't give a sh*t about the club.

I'm over feeling sympathy for any of them, they don't deserve it. At the stadium is the only way the fans can make their feelings known. It's the only place the players, coaching team and owners will be forced to hear it. If they don't like what they hear, then react. Show some passion, take a shot in anger, show anything but looking like you don't care, because that is what most of these players look like. I watched most games this weekend, we were easily one of the least inspiring, again. It's not like this is the reaction to one game, this is the reaction to watching the club become a laughing stock. Chelsea is certainly toxic right now, but it's not the fans that caused that, it's everything we have to put up with that has caused it. All we can do is watch as our club continues to be stripped of everything we grew familiar with.

12 hours ago, timetowaste said:

The fact that there were a group of 'fans' at the ground today booing is an absolute disgrace by the way. First game of the season under a new manager against the best team in the world, the fanbase is so unbelievably toxic right now.

Could you imagine if there was a crowd for Tuchels first game? *shudder*

Unfortunately after all my prep to sit down and watch the match I missed it!!!

Kid was ill all weekend (i was up all night saturday) and then spent Sunday morning fixing washing machine.

2pm...I manage to setup the spare room, snacks, drinks, TV then ZZZZZZZ.

Woke up at 8pm...I'm going to try and watch highlights, or if I can find the whole match somewhere etc but going by the threads on here it's mostly negative. 

Guys...its the first game of the season, with a new manager, we will improve. 

By how much...I don't know, but give the guy a chance. Especially with the extremely bloated squad and transfer window still open.

I honestly don't think he knows who is in his 25 man squad. If the owners/SDs are still tinkering and they don't know then how the fk will maresca know...lol

 

4 hours ago, gurru991 said:

It was very strange for me. Maresca has always maintained  that he will stick with his system come hell or high water but he definitely changed it today. I did see some positives today but felt Maresca doesn't know what his best team is yet.  I don't think the USA pre season tour helped one bit.

This is one of the positives I really liked...I hoped it was like he said in the press conference a few days ago. He will adapt to the team they are playing. Maybe he was too cautious today, maybe the team isn't ready to play his way against man city and tried something new out. It probably didn't go the way he wanted and he will learn from that. We have a young squad but we also have a "young" (like the team new but with potential) manager.

 

***posted this before....100% USA trip made everything harder. He said no tactics, it was just about fitness. 

Anyone watch Maresca presser post game he is convinced we competed with City 🤣🤣

1 hour ago, RMH said:

I think that you're making a mountain out of a molehill. I was in the MHL and did not notice any booing other than that directed at Taylor. There was some impatience when the players started playing backwards rather than going forward, yes, but to make it such a big story is strange because it wasn't a general booing to the team. Sometimes what you hear on tv is not the general noise at the stadium, mics pick certain noises and filter out others, maybe that gave you the impression of the crowd booing the team.

These were some of the bits I was referring to, you can just sense the impatience already 

1 hour ago, Scott Harris said:

I'm over feeling sympathy for any of them, they don't deserve it. At the stadium is the only way the fans can make their feelings known. It's the only place the players, coaching team and owners will be forced to hear it. If they don't like what they hear, then react. Show some passion, take a shot in anger, show anything but looking like you don't care, because that is what most of these players look like. I watched most games this weekend, we were easily one of the least inspiring, again. It's not like this is the reaction to one game, this is the reaction to watching the club become a laughing stock. Chelsea is certainly toxic right now, but it's not the fans that caused that, it's everything we have to put up with that has caused it. All we can do is watch as our club continues to be stripped of everything we grew familiar with.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on it because I disagree with almost everything you've written here.

38 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

These were some of the bits I was referring to, you can just sense the impatience already 

Impatience and sounds of being scared when Sanchez gets on the ball yes, but no booing. Of course we want our team to play faster and with more intensity when chasing the game, especially since we never felt that we were out of the game until their second goal. 

I dislike any booing of our players so many of our players have been booed at home.

Yesterday I mostly heard booing of the ref to be fair on TV which can be mistaken for booing of the players.

2 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I'm over feeling sympathy for any of them, they don't deserve it. At the stadium is the only way the fans can make their feelings known. It's the only place the players, coaching team and owners will be forced to hear it. If they don't like what they hear, then react. Show some passion, take a shot in anger, show anything but looking like you don't care, because that is what most of these players look like. I watched most games this weekend, we were easily one of the least inspiring, again. It's not like this is the reaction to one game, this is the reaction to watching the club become a laughing stock. Chelsea is certainly toxic right now, but it's not the fans that caused that, it's everything we have to put up with that has caused it. All we can do is watch as our club continues to be stripped of everything we grew familiar with.

This, one hundred percent. 

43 minutes ago, RMH said:

Impatience and sounds of being scared when Sanchez gets on the ball yes, but no booing. Of course we want our team to play faster and with more intensity when chasing the game, especially since we never felt that we were out of the game until their second goal. 

interestingly, last season, this was a fairly consistent criticism of our team.   There was zero change in intensity, regardless of the score. if we were 1-0 down with 5 minutes to go... same, slow, possession based build up.  We never really seemed to change gears.  Enzo wants games to be controlled, not chased. 

it's REALLY infuriating as a fan! 

 

36 minutes ago, Kev56 said:

This, one hundred percent. 

Would say I agree about 30%.

Largely, the players deserve our support still, they finished last season well and are a random collection of young players assembled in a slap dash manner. 

Maresca deserves time, he's one game into his spell here. 

I'm sympathetic to calls to get the ball forward faster, take a shot from range etc but ultimately I don't agree with it.

Doing low percentage things to give the impression of caring is exactly what this team needs machined out of it. No successful football team at the top level plays like that, and though it feels counter intuitive, it is proven that playing patiently and trying to work fewer high percentage chances is a better route to sustainable success. Those clips posted above are instructive. The ball isn't being moved forward (or at all) because colwill / sanchez are waiting for the players ahead of them to move into position before the move can start. Whether maresca is a good enough coach to make it work remains to be seen - no one, including Leicester fans, can be totally sure if he is at this point. 

Where I do agree is that the jury is most definitely in on the ownership and quite probably on the sporting directors acting on their behalf. These lot are vindictive idiots, and it is they who ultimately are responsible for the discontent their actions have provoked. The Chelsea support is not a customer base, regardless of what the ownership thinks, and deserves to be able to voice it's disapproval. How to seperate that from the players and coaches isn't easy, to be fair. 

Edited August 19, 20241 yr by g3.7

3 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I'm over feeling sympathy for any of them, they don't deserve it. At the stadium is the only way the fans can make their feelings known. It's the only place the players, coaching team and owners will be forced to hear it. If they don't like what they hear, then react. Show some passion, take a shot in anger, show anything but looking like you don't care, because that is what most of these players look like. I watched most games this weekend, we were easily one of the least inspiring, again. It's not like this is the reaction to one game, this is the reaction to watching the club become a laughing stock. Chelsea is certainly toxic right now, but it's not the fans that caused that, it's everything we have to put up with that has caused it. All we can do is watch as our club continues to be stripped of everything we grew familiar with.

I feel it, but I just think getting onto the players or managers back now is not going ot help anything, in the ground or online. If anything, I'd say we should be rallying behind our loveable misfits and giving hell to the board. Yes Jackson is a wild card, yes defence is an issue, goalkeeper howlers week in and out, signings havent got on with it, but its now our dysfunction to love, with side ways passes, dont see anything vastly different between Potter, Poch or Maresca, all employ the same styles. 

happy to see where Maresca takes us this season and if it isnt an improvement Im sure the owners will do something about it. glad the seaosn is back tbh. Thank you chelsea. 

 

2 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I'm over feeling sympathy for any of them, they don't deserve it. At the stadium is the only way the fans can make their feelings known. It's the only place the players, coaching team and owners will be forced to hear it. If they don't like what they hear, then react. Show some passion, take a shot in anger, show anything but looking like you don't care, because that is what most of these players look like. I watched most games this weekend, we were easily one of the least inspiring, again. It's not like this is the reaction to one game, this is the reaction to watching the club become a laughing stock. Chelsea is certainly toxic right now, but it's not the fans that caused that, it's everything we have to put up with that has caused it. All we can do is watch as our club continues to be stripped of everything we grew familiar with.

Listen Scott, I am sorry to tell you, but you are wrong on this one. Maybe we were one of the least inspiring, but at the same time we were up against one of the best in the world in Guardiola's 9th season at the club. Who did others play? Liverpool scored with their first shot on target in the 60th minute against Ipswich. Arsenal were average at best against Wolves and United very lucky to grab a late winner against Fulham.

Give Maresca a chance. We are not going to fight for the league title, so at least we got one of the two matches against City out of our way very early. People expect Chelsea to make an instant impact just because of all the money invested, but have a look at at the starting line-up - Cucurella and Nkunku the oldest ones at 26! Other than those two, nobody was older than 23. And the subs were 18, 21, 24 and 25. And these guys played against Haaland, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Doku, Kovacic, Ruben Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol and managed by the greatest of all time, Guardiola.

And we did not even play a bad game, it's just that City managed to neutralise us because they are a top club with world class players. This team will improve, but it takes time and to draw any conclusions after a manager's first official match in charge against the juggernaut that City is, to me it feels very wrong. The most important football rule is that teams are not built during a one month pre-season, nor some official matches in August and September, but hard work during the week at the training ground. 

Let Maresca work more and see how we look in four or five months. We play Wolves and the Swiss side two times next. There will be two routine wins against the Swiss side and if we beat Wolves away, I tell you that the atmosphere will improve at the Bridge for the Palace game. And everything will improve once results are on board. This is a talented squad with a very good manager IMHO, but you can't do anything w/o confidence and Chelsea lacks confidence big time. Once we get a few consecutive wins, I tell you everything will change.

3 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I'm over feeling sympathy for any of them, they don't deserve it. At the stadium is the only way the fans can make their feelings known. It's the only place the players, coaching team and owners will be forced to hear it. If they don't like what they hear, then react. Show some passion, take a shot in anger, show anything but looking like you don't care, because that is what most of these players look like. I watched most games this weekend, we were easily one of the least inspiring, again. It's not like this is the reaction to one game, this is the reaction to watching the club become a laughing stock. Chelsea is certainly toxic right now, but it's not the fans that caused that, it's everything we have to put up with that has caused it. All we can do is watch as our club continues to be stripped of everything we grew familiar with.

So, if I have this right, you think the best way forward and out of the current sh*t show that the owners, not the players or the manager, have put us in is for the players to show passion by taking a shot in anger? 

We are sh*t. We have been for some time. We are beyond the point of passion saving us. We showed passion last season, we finished 6th. People still moaned and complained. 

Our new manager, wether you agree with his hiring or not, has a system and way of playing that involves being patient. Its pretty embarrasing to boo and moan and groan at us passing the ball between defenders in the first game of the season when we are losing by 1 goal to the best team in the world. Even Gary Neville who takes every possible chance to sh*t on the club and the owners said he was impressed that we kept our composure and didn't get baited into playing with emotion, which is exactly what city want when they take the lead. 

I've said it a million times and ill keep saying it. Moan at the owners, protest, sing about Roman and 'the good old days' all you want, thats fine. But theres zero point booing the team and manager at the start of a new season, its pathetic.