04 Apr 2024 11:42:09
Reckon tonite has a draw all over it personally.
There are similarities between Chelsea and Utd, two huge clubs who went on a new journey a few years ago even if it feels like Utd have ben on one for much longer.
However where it feels like Chelsea have spent 1bn to get their dream team with it looking anything but, I'd like to think our better signings are in the seasons ahead for us. Fair enough, we've also spent 1bn over a longer period with little to show for it. Love Poch, but I reckon he's up against it more than EtH.
04 Apr 2024 12:40:26
I think Chelsea tried to change too much too soon and should actually as a warning for ourselves if trying to do that.
They had a massive squad turn over, moving on the majority of the older, more experienced players with a big focus on signing younger up and coming players.
I'm also not convinced they hired the right manager in Pochettino (who I think is a very good manager), or at least they've made signings that don't quite fit how Pochettino has tended to play.
They've also had their fair share of injuries this season, which has also made it difficult for the new players to get any traction and build those workings relationships and start to come together as a team.
That's why it's important that we get this summer right, we need to move on several players and start to refresh the squad. But we shouldn't try and do all of that in one or even two windows.
We need a smaller squad as it's currently too big, there are players who hardly ever play and they need to move on. I'd expect to see 10-14 players leave this summer, although the majority of them will be fringe players like Donny or Hannibal. I'd then expect us to sign 5-6 players maximum.
We need to look at the examples set by Liverpool and Arsenal, two big clubs that had fallen behind. They got the right set up behind the scenes, found the right manager, then spent 3 seasons slowly rebuilding their squads, allowing them to come together and develop as a group. They had challenging times, both Klopp and Arteta were laughed at and questioned during their first couple of years. The problems in their squads were highlighted, and used as sticks to beat them and for the media to say they are failing. Yet their clubs stuck the course, kept faith with the plan and vision and it all came together in the end.
That's the sort of path we should be looking to walk over the next few years.
As for tonights game, I'm really not sure how it'll go. On one hand Chelsea struggle to finish their chances, on the other we tend to give teams far more chances than we should. I think we will score, it just depends on whether we'll concede. I'd expect a low scoring game, 0-0, 1-0, 1-1 or maybe a 2-1 to either team.
I don't think the football will be high quality, but I think there is a good chance the game could be entertaining. Both sides looking to press high, but struggle to defend well, so it could end up being an end to end basketball type game, won by whoever does the best at taking their chances.
04 Apr 2024 13:47:15
Shappy
There us a good chance it will be wet tonight if it rains if it doesn't rain it might be dry.
But it might be windy but if the wind doesn't blow it will be calm and if the flood lights are on it might be bright.
The score might be nill all 1 all or if its not a draw one of the teams might win.
04 Apr 2024 15:27:16
I think we will lose handsomely
Team full of blaggers and bluffers
Sick to death of em all
The only one who can hold his head high is an 18 year old.
04 Apr 2024 15:55:45
Indeed Blackpool Red, midfield will be interesting.
Ours went missing in a major way last time out - shocking. Mainoo's rise has been one of the only positive things I can remember about this team for a while (ok, plus Garnacho) .
Chelsea have one of the best midfields in the world on paper in Caicedo and Fernandez but you wouldn't know it based on this season, they've been underwhelming to say the least.
Shappy I'm not convinced Poch is the man for them either. Other than a brilliant season at Spurs where they should probably have pipped Leicester to the league I don't think he's done enough to be at a top club. I suspect he's a manager all the players and fans love but his trophy cabinet is pretty bare.
04 Apr 2024 16:48:04
Agree with Blackpool Red. I will be surprised by any other outcome.
04 Apr 2024 16:55:11
Wouldn't argue with any of that spenno.
I like poch but as you say he has not been great in terms of trophies.
I think every new manager at a top club should get 2 seasons to see how they are shaping up unless they are really screwing up.
If there is obvious sustainable progression then you are on right track.
I agree Chelsea have a very good midfield but are poor in defence and attack despite their spend.
Poch should be doing better with what he has at his disposal no doubt. He will be lucky to get another season imo.
04 Apr 2024 17:30:03
Class ken ?.
04 Apr 2024 17:56:54
£1bn spent and one out and out young raw CF each.
04 Apr 2024 17:57:42
I like Jackson tbf. Both he and Radmus have been put in tough spots.
04 Apr 2024 19:46:14
I see ETH has dropped his "favourite" Rashford.
04 Apr 2024 20:08:33
Shappy.
We are that dire at the moment we could change the whole playing staff and every other person in the club and it would not be immediately obvious that we had done so other than different names on the shirts.
That is how far we have sunk over the last 10 years or so.
04 Apr 2024 22:44:23
Pity he didn't drop him for the full game.
05 Apr 2024 06:00:53
Totally disagree Shappy. We’ve had the same dross far too long and they need shipping out now.
Back ETH and let’s build a new squad, or sack him now and announce a new coach in the summer. Enough is enough. Last night was a joke.