Another 1-1 draw would be perfect.
Chelsea 2017/18 thread - FA Cup Champs, League chumps
- Thread starter duffer
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Likewise Old Trafford for us, Roman's takeover seems to have swung the pendulum in these clashes to home wins.
i always seem to remember youd do well at OT, and Utd at the bridge.
Im not sure about the exact figures, but i think we have been beaten at OT twice as many times in the Roman era than the half a century prior to his takeover or something ridiculous like that. We had wretched records at Highbury and Anfield but for some strange reason we pulled the rabbit out of the hat at Old Trafford despite being the inferior side for most of that period
The margins are so thin and certainly not sufficient enough to reasonably conclude that United has been better, in my opinion.
Luckily we don’t require your objective opinion to measure these things.
Hazard better not even think about doing his usual game raise against us. You just know he will though so we better ready to deal with him.
What’s the overall vibe at Chelsea at the moment? Seems to change by the game, much like us.
What’s the overall vibe at Chelsea at the moment? Seems to change by the game, much like us.
You said yourself that the difference is marginal yet you seem agitated by the claim that the said marginal difference doesn't sufficiently support the idea that United having been better. It sounds to me like you're experiencing cognitive dissonance.
And yet it still exists. You can continue to ignore factual evidence if you like.
Does this guy ever shut up? Seems like everytime I look at the news he's mouthing off about something. Today he's talking about keeping his bags packed as with the nature of this job you never know when your time is up. He's really angling for the sack isn't he, I home abromavic doesn't sack him so he never gets that massive payout.
They're the same weak livered bunch who made 15/16 happen. Never in a million years would that disgrace of a season have happened under the old guard. I mean, those guys dragged clueless Avram Grant to the CL final and almost won the bloody thing. This squad have won't fully redeem themselves in my eyes until they win the CL.
If you’re gonna cherry pick what each manager says, it won’t take much for you to realize you hate every manager.
Managers mouth off about everything. What the big frigging deal?
Exactly. They all need to stfu.
So one admitedly awful season mainly down to a manager breakdown overrules two league titles? Funnily enough they made easier weather of securing the league both times than the old guard did in 2010 and the old guard themselves were also widely accused of sabotaging AVB. If they are as weak willed as you claimed we probably wouldn't have won the title atall, let alone so easily.
Now don't get me wrong, i am not saying they weren't great for us, but this nostalgic clouding that 2004-2012 was a non stop perfect era of great results and players sweating blood and tears every single game is getting beyond ridiculous.
Fancy our chances against United this weekend, Giroud or Morata needs to start up top with Hazard or Willian wide. My biggest dilemma would be who to play in the middle as the rest of the team pretty much picks itself.
We've picked up our form the last few games and judging by the mid week performances we should definitely be going into it somewhat confident. Cahill out and Christensen back in makes the world of difference to our defense.
We've picked up our form the last few games and judging by the mid week performances we should definitely be going into it somewhat confident. Cahill out and Christensen back in makes the world of difference to our defense.
Agree to an extent though never sure about Conte's team selection when he uses the wider squad. I can just see Cahill coming back in.
Yeah you need to stop projecting opinions you probably heard from others on me. I've never said 04-12 was a non stop perfect era of great results. Stop throwing hyperbole about just to make your point.
Also, you don't get to just gloss over that dreadful season like it was just 2 weeks. It was 9 whole bloody months. An ENTIRE season. We finished 10th. TENTH. The old guard had to compete with Fergie for titles. Never an easy task. Ask any team that competed against Fergie's United teams in title runs. We had to go three straight seasons of United winning the title before fighting back to win it again. The fact that despite all our terrible luck in 6 straight semis and our entire CL runs in that period they still had enough determination and fight to give it one last go even on their last legs in 2012 should tell you all you needed to know about them. They weren't perfect of course. But this new bunch don't hold a candle to them in terms of resilience. If/when they win the CL (which is a herculean task), then all will be forgiven in my eyes.
Of course this is just my opinion. You don't have to take it seriously. I don't have to take yours seriously either. We're just stating our points of view.
Oh and AVB deserved to get sabotaged. He's a clueless git and his time at Spurs further proved that. Guess where he's managing now? China. Plus we ended that season with a CL trophy and an FA Cup so there you go. Not exactly the same as TENTH, was it?
Chelsea did reasonably well, especially after the 30th minute. You are for long stretches going to have to defend deep against Barca cause most of the time they don't even try to play the ball into the attacking areas of the pitch, instead pass the ball sideways for no reason when they can't find the passes. It got frustrating to watch. Chelsea though, do things that we don't do and that's what's frustrating about us. The pressed Barca high from goal kicks. When they got the ball they tried to knock it about and build attacks. What we do is hoof it out and we drop back immediately apply no pressure on the opposition at any stage of with them in possession. That's a big part of the modern game and unless we try to incorporate those things we're going to continue to look clueless.
Playing Hazard as a false 9 in such games is ridiculous imo. He never gets the ball and has to contend with defenders breathing down his neck all game. Also normally Hazard contributes a lot to Chelsea's ability to advance further up the pitch and he's never going to do it when he's up there. When Morata came it it immediatly became obvious how much trouble he could cause barca by beating their press.
I guess the reason was defense. Hazard takes time off defending every game, while Pedro and Willian are hard workers throughout the whole match. Conte wanted these two to support the wingbacks and the two man CM, so Hazard got shifted into the only position in that formation where contributing less doesn't create instability.
That said, I absolutely agree Hazard is much better when playing deeper and participating more in transition. But I thought Conte's defense first approach was understandable considering the opponent. And it worked on the whole, Chelsea had more and better chances.
Good points Syncho I have often pondered this too.
It is definitely the case.
However our strongest front three regardless of opposition would be Hazard - Giroud/Morata - Willian
For me there is no doubt that Hazard is our best player yet I'm sure I recall times where Hazard wasn't fit and we were still winning with Costa, Willian and Pedro.
Is that selective memory or do you recall something similar?
Well tbf they have won the league twice now using these tactics.
I agree our record without Hazard is still a lot better than you would've thought and we didn't seem to have too much of a problem scoring when he was out injured at the beginning of the year. I just think recently he has looked so motivated and up for it but maybe hes not being utilised as well as he could be. In the 3-5-2 he becomes too isolated and the game is compact with no spaces for him to get into, and when he plays as the number 9 he is having to challenge for too much in the air.
Somebody strong like giroud or morata inbetween willian and hazard who are both in great form should do it this weekend.
Agree on Hazard's motivation and the need for him to play behind a central striker in a front three. For me preferably Giroud at this time.
Morata needs to start big games. His confidence is already rock bottom. Should have started against Barca. We aren't doing anything in the cl anyway. Mistake by Conte, meta game.
He joined us to play. Already has two cl medals, 4 leagues, 4 cups and more. Didn't come for more bench.
I think he was unsure over England, but figured London was workable.
If we're not careful he'll do a Diego Costa on us and be off in the summer.
He joined us to play. Already has two cl medals, 4 leagues, 4 cups and more. Didn't come for more bench.
I think he was unsure over England, but figured London was workable.
If we're not careful he'll do a Diego Costa on us and be off in the summer.
Rumors they want LvG take over from Conte..
https://www.google.nl/amp/metro.co....me-replace-antonio-conte-chelsea-7339972/amp/
https://www.google.nl/amp/metro.co....me-replace-antonio-conte-chelsea-7339972/amp/
Hoping for a game raising Hazard
Given our recent record at OT, I am not expexting too much.
I'm so apprehensive about this match.
Hopefully Matic is knackered, and we don't see Bakayoko!
Hopefully Matic is knackered, and we don't see Bakayoko!
Hey.
Just remember, no matter how bad you think we are, this Chelsea side are jokers.
So the chances of Chelsea finishing above united have diminished massively. Would the fans want to see Conte moved on if he finishes outside the top 4, or give him another shot next season?
I thought they were decent today. Morata was appalling though.
They will most likely get rid of Conte. But they will struggle to find someone better than him.
They will most likely get rid of Conte. But they will struggle to find someone better than him.
Hopefully they give him another season. And sell Hazard and Courtouis. And keep signing Bakayoko type of signings.
They have gone from having a championship winning team to a top 4 team
May not even make top 4 this season which will be a disaster
Who ever is in charge of signings there needs to be sacked
Conte will 100% not be there next season so they need a new manager and better players
May not even make top 4 this season which will be a disaster
Who ever is in charge of signings there needs to be sacked
Conte will 100% not be there next season so they need a new manager and better players
Will win the Europa next season if they qualify for it.
Conte can get to feck. Taking Hazard off with 2 to go was ridiculous. Joke of a decision.
Taking Hazard off was a stupid decision. Made to look even more stupid by Pedro's performance.
Probably won't make top 4, we wouldn't do anything in the CL anyway. Looking on the bright side! It's just the extra ££. We don't compete for the top transfers these days. We need to play more youth products.
Roman has final say, fairly sure he let Matic go to Utd maybe for a personal reason. Cech transfer was similar.
We've won plenty recently. Going to be tougher in future with City.