***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

[Bezzey]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Today was the first time ever that I turned a Chelsea game before the end, I couldn't stand to watch it anymore. It's like the team isn't even trying anymore and it makes me sick. I'd rather not have a coach at all then have Rafa for another game. Starting Yossi over Marin? Absolutely ridiculous. The subs he makes are about as worthless as Torres is. Michael Emenalo needs to get far away from this club if we are to compete again. Why the Russian is confiding in this guy is beyond me, he's not the only one in the backroom that needs to go though, we need people with actual football knowledge, who knows the game and people. This upcoming summer will be a big one for the club and it will show how much the Russian actually cares about building a world class team all around.

[Ozil]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Agreed Bez. Emenalo needs to go and Roman needs to know that you need a blend of attack and defense to win, not just straight out flair and constant beautiful football.

The Chelsea boardroom should have known we that there was no depth at striker. Instead of loaning Lukaku, they should have kept him. I know hindsight is 20/20 and no one probably thought he'd be this good with West Brom. Having said that, if he had been given a chance, he could have shown what he could do and we wouldn't have been as reliant on Torres. I like having Ba, but the lack of depth at striker has been a huge reason we aren't as good. Torres is a bust - no first touch, no finish, and no confidence.

While I commend the club signing Hazard and Oscar, the club should have known we needed a strong central midfielder to add some much needed steel to the side. Mikel has shown he's way too limited and Lampard is unable to run the way he used to. Someone like YaYa Toure or Fellaini would have been ideal as they can tackle yet move up the pitch to contribute offensively. The lack of that kind of player in the midfield is hurting us now.

I will always be thankful to Roman for buying the club and investing tons into making the team a world renowned one. As a fan in the days of Bates, it was a nice change to be sure. Having said that, he now needs to invest in a manager who he WILL commit to for more than 1 season and invest in players who will make the team better functionally. We have the the makings of a solid nucleus around Mata, Hazard, Moses, Ivanovic, Oscar, Ramires Ba, Ake, Azpilicueta, and Lukaku. Not to mention we still have Courtois, McEachran, Chalaboh coming back too.

JT may not be the same defender he was, but keep him around with Cahill, and Luiz with Cech as our veteran presence. I think Lampard should stay, but doubt he will as he's not been offered a new deal. We add Fellaini, sign a striker and centerback, and then sell Torres. 2014 should hopefully better. At least I hope so

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

They just tried enough not to lose by more than 1 but didn't want to put the effort to tie the game.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

We need to bring the thunder on Sunday or else we are going to get destroyed

United is going to be all kinds of fired up after the RMA game

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

We'll get up for it because it's vs United.

It will be the standard squad with Ba leading the line. Mata behind him with Hazard & Moses on the flanks.

The big decision is will Rafa have the sack to leave JT on the bench in favor of Cahill/Ivanovic/Luiz. I'd rather see a MF of Luiz/Ramires with Azpi at RB and Ivanovic/Cahill in the middle.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I really feel like Luiz could blossom as a midfielder but Rafa keeps swapping him back and forth from mid to center back and I think it ****s with Luiz's positioning when he is constantly being swapped back and forth.

I like the partnership of Ivanovic/Cahill in the back. It still doesn't seem like Terry is fully ready to be back.

[Bezzey]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I hate to say it but I just don't see this team "getting up" for anymore games this season. After everything that's happened this season just seems like the team has packed in it. It could just be my depressive attitude towards this season though.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I would absolutely love to know how exactly the decision to loan out Lukaku was made.

It better be drugs.

[Bezzey]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Yup.........

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

That 2nd half was what I've been waiting for. Dominating possession, interchanging parts with Mata, Oscar, and Hazard popping up all over the place finding holes. Obi sured up that midfield, Cole woke the hell up, and even Torres showed some life popping up in the right places. He still opted for a side-foot finish from outside the box but the fact that he was there was encouraging.

That finish by Hazard was so classy. Almost as if all Chelsea fans had their fingers on the RB button as he was shooting.

Glad to see Mata continue. I was very nervous since it seemed like a non-contact injury which are usually the worst.

Hopefully this gives us some confidence to finish the year out with determination and purpose.

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Can we say best display of the season (2nd half)? Or close to it... can't top the 8-0 Aston Villa result but we dominated the hell out Man U at Old Trafford. Beautiful sight... just a shame we couldn't get that 3rd goal.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

The substitutions Rafa made were spot on. At first you would scratch your head as to why he would take off Frank Lampard for Mikel but it worked wonders. It really allowed Ramires the freedom to get himself forward which suits him rather than playing in a defensive sitting role.

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

The substitutions Rafa made were spot on. At first you would scratch your head as to why he would take off Frank Lampard for Mikel but it worked wonders. It really allowed Ramires the freedom to get himself forward which suits him rather than playing in a defensive sitting role.

I thought those two should have started the game to begin with along with Terry.

Fortunately he made the adjustments necessary...

[Ozil]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Rafa was spot on with his subs and we were a completely different side in the 2nd half. It was reminiscent of how we played to start the season with the 3 amigos attacking at will. I miss that time of how we were at times unplayable when Oscar, Mata, and Hazard were all in form terrorizing opposing defenses

[ImTellinTim]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

How do you like that Torres guy now?

Edit: Then he misses a penalty. LOL