3 hours ago, Dr. Socrates said:

I think we’ll look back on that Jackson sending off as a textbook case of how to blow up your career at a football club. How does he come back from that? Really sad for the lad but what’s done is done.

Scoring the winner in the Conference League final will be enough for some, getting his head down and becoming a better and more mature footballer will do it for others. I don't have much belief that he will ever manage it though.

3 hours ago, Chippy said:

I'll try mate, good to see you still on here.

Let's make the shed end great again😃

Good to see you back @Chippy . Hope you are well mate.

Edited May 11, 20251 yr by just

22 minutes ago, just said:

Good to see you back @Chippy . Hope you are well mate.

Good to know you're still on here mate,

Health's pretty bad, I thought popping on here might cheer me up but looking at some of the threads I'm not so sure☺️

Without getting into too much details, we were pretty awful when Jackson was on the field. After he departed, we actually done well to hold them at bay, and created couple of real good chances. Eventually, the energy bar ran out and we conceded an unlucky second goal. But in hindsight, if Jackson didn't play and we had George or Sancho ( or the cleaner) to start, may get a point if not all 3 . This is one game I can't fault the rest of the team, and even Maresca ( apart from picking Jackson)

We don’t deserve the CL, we are a shower of sh*t IMHO. Let’s win the conference and then try the UEFA. Let’s not knob ourselves off in the CL. For f**k sake people…!

1 hour ago, C3blue said:

We don’t deserve the CL, we are a shower of sh*t IMHO. Let’s win the conference and then try the UEFA. Let’s not knob ourselves off in the CL. For f**k sake people…!

In many ways I think Europa League makes most sense for next season in terms of steady progress. It would also give us another possible path into Champs League next season. I won't be unhappy if we make Champs League of course, as it will mean we finished top 5. But I doubt we would get much further than last 16.

8 hours ago, SFL82 said:

Yea but they will be prime class of 92 just for us maybe even rebuy rashford on a 1 game contract to score a wordlie into us then go back to being useless

Not so much that they will show up. They won't want to risk any injuries before the final. But we will almost certainly make hard work of it if we do beat them. Even if they have their U18's starting.

I only watched 35 min onwards. The performance in the 2nd half was very good. Pressing was good, Caicedo and the two CB were very good, Cucu was good. Lavia on the ball was just ridiculous. He can bring the ball left, right, forward, get the angle that he want then just punch it or even reverse it.

We still have box presence problem but that is same old story.

Having said this, performance at this stage of the season mean nothing. Just get the 6 points to be in cl, the rest is irrelevant.

Newcastle will probably get to cl now and finish higher than us. That is impressive by Newcastle, it is hard to argue that Newcastle has better player than us.

Edited May 12, 20251 yr by Bob stark

15 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

I only watched 35 min onwards. The performance in the 2nd half was very good. Pressing was good, Caicedo and the two CB were very good, Cucu was good. Lavia on the ball was just ridiculous. He can bring the ball left, right, forward, get the angle that he want then just punch it or even reverse it.

We still have box presence problem but that is same old story.

Having said this, performance at this stage of the season mean nothing. Just get the 6 points to be in cl, the rest is irrelevant.

Newcastle will probably get to cl now and finish higher than us. That is impressive by Newcastle, it is hard to argue that Newcastle has better player than us.

Impressive in some aspects but we failed to create any genuine opportunities. We were so slow in progressing the ball, Dan Burn had little problem catching Neto for pace.

Caicedo made a number of stellar plays in midfield, catching Newcastle out relatively high up the field, but our disorganisation and slowness meant he was rarely able to turn that into a genuine attacking chance.

The eyes are deceiving IMO. Yes we had a lot of the ball and played in their half, but we did not create. They were happy to concede space to us known this was true and it did not stop them from nearly catching us out a few times either. That's the problem with trying to be in total control.

I think we could have done better had we dropped a bit deeper and sprung them on the counter.

After better recent results, I was hoping we could go there and somehow get the 3 points yesterday. But when you look at it, you realise Newcastle have a 100% better coach than we do. They have a 100% better striker than we do (they actually have a striker - we have a f**k-wit). Their keeper is better than ours. Their wide players are better and more consistent than ours. And to cap it all, in their squad they have Liveremento and Hall, both getting plenty of game time who we deemed not good enough. In short, as much as it pains me, Newcastle are currently a much better run football club than us and right now, more worthy of CL football.

Lets just hope we address that pretty soon.

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

After better recent results, I was hoping we could go there and somehow get the 3 points yesterday. But when you look at it, you realise Newcastle have a 100% better coach than we do. They have a 100% better striker than we do (they actually have a striker - we have a f**k-wit). Their keeper is better than ours. Their wide players are better and more consistent than ours. And to cap it all, in their squad they have Liveremento and Hall, both getting plenty of game time who we deemed not good enough. In short, as much as it pains me, Newcastle are currently a much better run football club than us and right now, more worthy of CL football.

Lets just hope we address that pretty soon.

I don't think that any of their players are, on paper, better than their counterpart in our squad, with the obvious exceptions of Isak, Pope and maybe Sven Botman. In fact, I'd go as far as to say we are better in every department except ST and GK.

The difference is that Howe gets a lot more out of his team than Maresca does out of his. On no planet should Gordon, Barnes and Murphy being fed by Sandro Tonali be more productive than Neto, Sancho and Madueke being fed by Cole Palmer. Their best player in Guimares is nowhere near the class of Caicedo in the same position. Two of their first-choice defenders are literally our rejects, and Botman is at-least on par with a (fit) Fofana.

And yet, Howe has them with an almost-identical record to us in the league, winning a major trophy vs the most in-form side in Europe, and clearly in the ascendancy.

9 hours ago, Chippy said:

Good to know you're still on here mate,

Health's pretty bad, I thought popping on here might cheer me up but looking at some of the threads I'm not so sure☺️

Sorry to hear about your health issues Chippy. It's sh*te getting old. Me and the missus live permanently in Spain now and I have lost two stone since we arrived. It definitely offers a healthier more active lifestyle out here.

1 minute ago, just said:

Me and the missus live permanently in Spain now and I have lost two stone since we arrived.

Dodgy Paella?

18 minutes ago, just said:

Sorry to hear about your health issues Chippy. It's sh*te getting old. Me and the missus live permanently in Spain now and I have lost two stone since we arrived. It definitely offers a healthier more active lifestyle out here.

Sounds great mate, definately sh*te getting old but the alternative isn't too appealing either.

I used to have a place in Hungary and spent a couple of months out there every year, it really used to recharge my batteries.

12 hours ago, RMH said:

And i don’t think that we deserve champions league or are ready for it.

ARE MAN U or SPURS?

7 hours ago, C3blue said:

We don’t deserve the CL, we are a shower of sh*t IMHO. Let’s win the conference and then try the UEFA. Let’s not knob ourselves off in the CL. For f**k sake people…!

IF WE STICK WITH COCO THE CLOWN IN THE DUGOUT WE WONT DO ANY BETTER NEXT SEASON

2 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Impressive in some aspects but we failed to create any genuine opportunities. We were so slow in progressing the ball, Dan Burn had little problem catching Neto for pace.

Caicedo made a number of stellar plays in midfield, catching Newcastle out relatively high up the field, but our disorganisation and slowness meant he was rarely able to turn that into a genuine attacking chance.

The eyes are deceiving IMO. Yes we had a lot of the ball and played in their half, but we did not create. They were happy to concede space to us known this was true and it did not stop them from nearly catching us out a few times either. That's the problem with trying to be in total control.

I think we could have done better had we dropped a bit deeper and sprung them on the counter.

2 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Impressive in some aspects but we failed to create any genuine opportunities. We were so slow in progressing the ball, Dan Burn had little problem catching Neto for pace.

Caicedo made a number of stellar plays in midfield, catching Newcastle out relatively high up the field, but our disorganisation and slowness meant he was rarely able to turn that into a genuine attacking chance.

The eyes are deceiving IMO. Yes we had a lot of the ball and played in their half, but we did not create. They were happy to concede space to us known this was true and it did not stop them from nearly catching us out a few times either. That's the problem with trying to be in total control.

I think we could have done better had we dropped a bit deeper and sprung them on the counter.

I agree we barely create any chances but considering we played with 10 man, it was a good performance.

But like I said at this point of the season performance is irrelevant. I don't care if we play like crap. Get the 6 points and the CL spot.

1 hour ago, SydneyChelsea said:

I don't think that any of their players are, on paper, better than their counterpart in our squad, with the obvious exceptions of Isak, Pope and maybe Sven Botman. In fact, I'd go as far as to say we are better in every department except ST and GK.

The difference is that Howe gets a lot more out of his team than Maresca does out of his. On no planet should Gordon, Barnes and Murphy being fed by Sandro Tonali be more productive than Neto, Sancho and Madueke being fed by Cole Palmer. Their best player in Guimares is nowhere near the class of Caicedo in the same position. Two of their first-choice defenders are literally our rejects, and Botman is at-least on par with a (fit) Fofana.

And yet, Howe has them with an almost-identical record to us in the league, winning a major trophy vs the most in-form side in Europe, and clearly in the ascendancy.

Yep, without doubt Howe is a way better coach than Maresca. Really wish we had Howe or someone like him. It also helps having a great No.9 and a decent keeper who doesn't constantly gift the opposition goals.

And you maybe right, it could all be down to Howe getting the best out of good players. It has been well documented on this forum how inconsistent all of our wide players are. On Paper, Modueke, Neto and Sancho look great, but right now I would swap them for Gordon, Murphy & Barnes (who I have always liked). They are all certainly a lot more hard working and consistent than ours but maybe put them under Maresca and they wouldn't be as effective?

Performance is irrelevant? What performance , we lost 2-0 away from home. We’re a goal down after 2 mins. Had 2 shots on target. We have been brain washed into accepting this sh*t. The performance as was the result un except able. Simple as that. The team set up, their mentality, the final line up? Newcastle were never bothered by us at all. They probably felt even if we scored theyed just go get another. I must be watching a different Chelsea cos I ain’t splitting hairs I’m say shave this sh*t off.

14 hours ago, Chippy said:

I'll try mate, good to see you still on here.

Let's make the shed end great again😃

Wow - Chippy is back!

Great to see you back on here Chippy - members like yourself are sorely missed. Keep on posting fella - look forward to having some good natured discussions!

WHEN DO WE EVER SEE THIS AT CHELSEA, FREE PINT OF BEER FOR THE FANS BEFORE THE GAME TO RALLY THE TEAM, FLAGS WAVING AND NON STOP NOISE AND APPEALING FOR EVERYTHING, COMPARE THAT TO THE MORGUE THAT IS STAMFORD BRIDGE

2 hours ago, just said:

Sorry to hear about your health issues Chippy. It's sh*te getting old. Me and the missus live permanently in Spain now and I have lost two stone since we arrived. It definitely offers a healthier more active lifestyle out here.

Nice. Well jeal.

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

And you maybe right, it could all be down to Howe getting the best out of good players. It has been well documented on this forum how inconsistent all of our wide players are. On Paper, Modueke, Neto and Sancho look great, but right now I would swap them for Gordon, Murphy & Barnes (who I have always liked). They are all certainly a lot more hard working and consistent than ours but maybe put them under Maresca and they wouldn't be as effective?

I think it's a matter of systems that suit players. Gordon, Barnes and Murphy have a hell of a lot less to do, especially against big teams, than our lot.

In our game, the trio ran the counter-attack, acting as an outlet for the long ball. They don't need to beat their marker from a standing start, but through movement they get beyond the defender and try cut the ball back for Isak and Tonali. They don't need skill, just pace and energy which they have in spades.

In comparison, our trio have to dribble from a standing start, usually against two defenders, and almost always against a set defence that can manage any cross or pass. Our focal outlet "relies" on the interplay of Jackson, whereas theirs merely relies on Gordon to outpace a fullback.

Now switch the trios. Our trio would not just improve they would excel, because their job becomes a heck of a lot easier. Meanwhile Newcastle's trio would be even worse, since none of them have the skill to beat a man from a standing start. There's a reason why Newcastle wanted Madueke, as inconsistent as he is for us he would be a quality rotation player in Howe's system.

5 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

I don't think that any of their players are, on paper, better than their counterpart in our squad, with the obvious exceptions of Isak, Pope and maybe Sven Botman. In fact, I'd go as far as to say we are better in every department except ST and GK.

The difference is that Howe gets a lot more out of his team than Maresca does out of his. On no planet should Gordon, Barnes and Murphy being fed by Sandro Tonali be more productive than Neto, Sancho and Madueke being fed by Cole Palmer. Their best player in Guimares is nowhere near the class of Caicedo in the same position. Two of their first-choice defenders are literally our rejects, and Botman is at-least on par with a (fit) Fofana.

And yet, Howe has them with an almost-identical record to us in the league, winning a major trophy vs the most in-form side in Europe, and clearly in the ascendancy.

There's also a pretty big disparity of maturity and experience between both squads. This squad is specifically built to sh*t the bed in high stake matches.

From a mentality standpoint, it was piss poor. None of our players turned up that first half. They'd rather fight players than fight to turn around the game. We were never going to get anything that 2nd half.

On 11/05/2025 at 19:57, 19seventyone said:

It’s one big group so not to worry. We also need the money that goes along with CL football.

You're right of course. I forgotten UEFA had changed the format of the CL. Still think we'd struggle in the latter stages with our current squad tho.

Edited May 14, 20251 yr by BewareoftheDrog