Chelsea (a) post match thread

[Edwin Edwin]

We forget that this for them was an absolutely massive game. A game after a home defeat. A difficult hurdle for them on the way to the league title when getting the 3 points was everything. They did what they needed to do to get the 3 points, but the goals we have them were gifts - as usual.

Exactly..Were under huge pressure and had they lost,the gap would've been just 4 points and had to execute their game plan to perfection.Actually more surprised after we gifted them the penalty that some were expecting Chelsea to let us impose ourselves on them and make it end to end stuff.How dare they defend their lead? How dare they not make it an open game of football? Easy to get lost in the moment,with us having played some exhibition football at times this season,but we have nothing tangible to show for it,so far in terms of trophies.There's no right or wrong style of playing football and winning trophies.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Yeah Stoke at home being the hardest

yea i except that. the other games though were pretty tough games though..............

 

[City_Sean]

It's far from shite and as others have already alluded to, if you can't see the progress that's occurring then you're not looking hard enough. If you think also think we've been shite in the 2 games v Chelsea then you should start watching Lacrosse.



You can't be debated with, you're entrenched in your view that it's shite, the fact you're so wide of the mark is why it's not worth discussing.

If we just changed the fullbacks this summer we'd be 10 points better off so god help the rest of the league once the wholesale changes at the back have been be made.

We had one shot on target in the whole second half. We created nothing yet because we passed the ball from side to side people are claiming that it was this great performance to be proud of. It wasn't, it wasn't good enough as has been the case for the majority of the season. The problem is people are willing to accept mediocrity. That wasn't a great Chelsea performance, but they were always going to win that game.

 

[Benarbia]

yea i except that. the other games though were pretty tough games though..............

Yeah you're right. But it's been the same for years against top 6 teams. There is a fragility about this team and thy isn't going to be fixed in one summer

 

[Marvin]

I was obviously disappointed with the result - but fuck me. Some people need to give their heads a wobble. We had the most chances and its only our incompetence in front of goal that cost us points.
Sane - 1 on 1
Aguero - 2 chances
Fernandinho & Stones
Kompany - hit bar

We in some ways gave Chelsea the hardest game of their lives which forced them to go defensive. Once Pep gets his men, watch us fly

Possibly an exaggeration. I felt Chelsea decided to play safe at half time, and we didn't really manage to threaten them in the 2nd half. It was a very risky thing for them to do - to let us have the ball. And we were unlucky not to equalise at the death.

I actually thought we were quite dangerous from corners too. Vinny attacks the ball very well, and that means players like Stones can get through unnoticed. Stones could have had two last night. We need players like KDB, Fernandinho to start weighing in with a few goals and not leave it to Aguero to get all our goals. It was telling for me that our approach play was good last night, and yet still we couldn't get Aguero in. he had some opportunities to shoot on the edge of the box, but nothing clear cut

 

[carlosthejackal]

It was certainly a lesson in how to defend

 

[willipp]

Possibly an exaggeration. I felt Chelsea decided to play safe at half time, and we didn't really manage to threaten them in the 2nd half. It was a very risky thing for them to do - to let us have the ball. And we were unlucky not to equalise at the death.

I actually thought we were quite dangerous from corners too. Vinny attacks the ball very well, and that means players like Stones can get through unnoticed. Stones could have had two last night. We need players like KDB, Fernandinho to start weighing in with a few goals and not leave it to Aguero to get all our goals. It was telling for me that our approach play was good last night, and yet still we couldn't get Aguero in. he had some opportunities to shoot on the edge of the box, but nothing clear cut

You say we didnt manage to threaten but could of scored 3 goals (Vinnie hit the bar, stones had two good chances). People seem to think the only way to score is with a free flowing 20 pass move or lighening quick counter attack. We came up against a superbly organised defensive team in that second half and on reflection were unlucky not to take one of those chances. Story of our season i know.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Yeah you're right. But it's been the same for years against top 6 teams. There is a fragility about this team and thy isn't going to be fixed in one summer

i kinda agree mate. we did batter arsenal at home and played well at old trafford. chelsea away we were always second favourites.

 

[Father Paul]

In 12 months time there will be a lot of f*ckers on here eating their words , Pep's had 9 months with an ageing squad which has had poor acquisitions for four seasons , he will identify the players needed and take us to the next level , anybody doubting Guardiola's credentials really needs to give their head a wobble. A real shame that our success has attracted so many glory hunting dickhead supporters , but i suppose if you have witnessed a lot of shite in the last 50 years like myself a couple of seasons rebuilding is a mild distraction and not the nightmare some appear to be experiencing on here.

I am just judging the evidence of what I have seen and factoring in that Pep still needs to finish off his squad. However, while I remain hopeful I just can't see that those who are howling and screaming on here will be eating their words this time next year. I hope they are but they are just as likely to be calling for the managers head next April with us out of Europe and the title race again. 95% of the time (maybe an exaggeration) the PL is won by solid defending and an ability to finish off the opposition when presented with an opportunity to do so and to close out games. Pep so far has not only failed to address these fundamentals but seems to go out of his way to insist that he has no intention of sorting things out in any manner that departs from his beloved philosophy. Viewed in this context the rebuilding process may not turn out to be very successful. Sadly perhaps I believe we have entered into an era of pragmatic functional football that is fast moving away from what has been termed the"beautiful game" and the romantic notions in Pep's head. From a practical perspective Pep badly needs to win the Cup to keep the internal and external critics off his back and establish real belief that he can drive this project forward to a successful conclusion.

 

[inchy14]

We had one shot on target in the whole second half. We created nothing yet because we passed the ball from side to side people are claiming that it was this great performance to be proud of. It wasn't, it wasn't good enough as has been the case for the majority of the season. The problem is people are willing to accept mediocrity. That wasn't a great Chelsea performance, but they were always going to win that game.

Kompany was unlucky with his header, Stones could (should) have scored, same goes for Fernandinho volley, we out classed them, took the game to them and with a bit more luck, something they had in both their goals, we'd have got something out of the game. And that's without me asking for Riley to actual referee the game in a fair and correct manner.

 

[wythenshaweblue£££]

It's Peps first season we will be a lot better next season. Last nights game sums up our season. Main thing is we get top 4 and win this fa cup.

 

[Marvin]

It was certainly a lesson in how to defend

Was it? had Fernandinho done better, or Stones been a little luckier we would have taken a point at least. Very dangerous game to concede possession and that's what they did. I prefer the Guardiola strategy of all out attack. As long as we make good on our weaknesses at each end, which I am sure we will then I would prefer Guardiola to stick to his guns. Taking control of a game is better than giving the pitch to your opponent but you need to be strong in every area of the pitch to make it work.

We should be excited because Guardiola is going to make it work and I can see it happening. It will take time, and he maybe wont be able to do it with 34 year old defenders and without players like Kmpany, but he will get better, and young players will come through, and Mansour will write us the odd cheque when required, I trust. Why not? he gets it back in spades. Money gets money

 

[vmsuhail]

Pep is fucking shite so far. He is a fraud. He is worse than Pellers last season, which is some achievement! Team of bottlers!

Non-sense. Pellers would never have won a game against Barcelona. Our players are the problem.

 

[asahartford1]

Main issue at present is the number of players in the box as the last pass is made. One [Aguero] sometimes Two.

Needs to be 3 or 4. Then when pass not perfect or a deflection, there are forwsrds to take advantage.

One thing making the pitch big so you retain possession but you also need plenty of people in the box.

Sometimes it looks like the aim is to retain possession rather than score a goal.

 

[Marvin]

We had one shot on target in the whole second half. We created nothing yet because we passed the ball from side to side people are claiming that it was this great performance to be proud of. It wasn't, it wasn't good enough as has been the case for the majority of the season. The problem is people are willing to accept mediocrity. That wasn't a great Chelsea performance, but they were always going to win that game.

No one is accepting defeat or mediocrity. And no one to my knowledge is saying it was a great performance. There were however aspects to our game which were good, and positives to take. We got a point at Arsenal, but played a bad game. Yesterday we played better but lost. Many thought we would and yes we are flawed at both ends. But we know we are re-building

Enjoy being a City fan right now and stop going to war with everyone. there's no need.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Was it? had Fernandinho done better, or Stones been a little luckier we would have taken a point at least. Very dangerous game to concede possession and that's what they did. I prefer the Guardiola strategy of all out attack. As long as we make good on our weaknesses at each end, which I am sure we will then I would prefer Guardiola to stick to his guns. Taking control of a game is better than giving the pitch to your opponent but you need to be strong in every area of the pitch to make it work.

We should be excited because Guardiola is going to make it work and I can see it happening. It will take time, and he maybe wont be able to do it with 34 year old defenders and without players like Kmpany, but he will get better, and young players will come through, and Mansour will write us the odd cheque when required, I trust. Why not? he gets it back in spades. Money gets money

Good post. Chelsea tried to manage the game by closing the spaces and defending the edge of the penalty area.

Despite, this, and our lack of quality in some of our personnel, we still have them concerned enough to hold on and hope to pick us off late.

It's parasite football and solely reliant on a world-class player always being in the mood like Hazard.

He wasn't in the mood last season and subsequently, this supposed class outfit were 25 points off the pace at this stage last season.

 

[Sheikh rattle and roll]

Was it? had Fernandinho done better, or Stones been a little luckier we would have taken a point at least. Very dangerous game to concede possession and that's what they did. I prefer the Guardiola strategy of all out attack. As long as we make good on our weaknesses at each end, which I am sure we will then I would prefer Guardiola to stick to his guns. Taking control of a game is better than giving the pitch to your opponent but you need to be strong in every area of the pitch to make it work.

We should be excited because Guardiola is going to make it work and I can see it happening. It will take time, and he maybe wont be able to do it with 34 year old defenders and without players like Kmpany, but he will get better, and young players will come through, and Mansour will write us the odd cheque when required, I trust. Why not? he gets it back in spades. Money gets money

The good thing is Pep will now have realised the job is bigger than he thought , he will not want to fail so will hang around longer and change the face and ethos of the club and we will dominate for the next decade
We are in a transition but the vision and half of the squad required is already there the future is bright and blue

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

Its a spoon fed media narrative and some just lap it up.

You will hear something said on the tv or written in the papers and within minutes on here its being trotted out as fact by someone.

Absolutely agree. Even worse they go to the game and start booing/jeering our own players I suspect based on the shite that is put out there by pundits and press.

 

[MCFC1993]

Someone needs to say it as it was.

Mancini like Pellegrini had one decent season and the rest was mainly fucking turgid. It wasn't that long ago not to remember the crap performances and defeats yet its like history is being re written on here yet again.

Fans constantly longing for his return are a complete fucking embarrassment and i will tell you why. Not a fucking peep from any of them when things are going well, not one peep yet as soon as we lose a game they are back on moaning and whining.

Some are far more interested in being proven right on an internet forum at times than they are City doing whats required and moving forwards.

We played well last night. Some of the attacking play is on a different level to anything else seen in this league and but for some lax finishing and the final ball, we are not far off. Kun, Sane, Jesus, Sterling, KdB, Merlin gracing the pitch yet its moan fucking moan. "Should have backed Bobby" is the cry yet you all forget one thing. he would have spunked money on Van Persie and whilst it might have won a league, we can only guess he too would have been gone now and those players mentioned Merlin and Kun aside probably wouldn't be here and we would be watching the Ballotelli show week in week out or at least we would when he wasn't suspended.

We need new full backs, a keeper and a dominant CM. We can all see it, we have all said it and we have all acknowledged it will happen this summer when several contracts are up and players will leave that are just no longer up to it. What do you want Pep to do in the meantime? Play players he doesn't have? Chelsea barely mustered a shot 2nd half last night and but for a deflection and some poor goalkeeping and a lucky deflection yet again off the penalty save they have actually done fuck all. They didn't out play us, we out played them for large periods yet some just dont want to see it.

Pep came in and said we are going to change the mentality of the club. Not just the tam, the club and he said on several occasions its going to take time. We are competing against clubs with decades of experience at the very top when in reality we have been there for a few years. We went unbeaten at the start of the season but he kept telling us we would lose game, lots of games and he has been proven right. Maybe he knew then the quality in the squad wasn't of the required standard? He told us it wasn't a quick fix and that his job would take several years. Did anyone actually listen to what he said or was it in one ear and out the other?

Best owner in world football, some of the best talent in world football and without a doubt, the best manager in world football as shown by his record and for those that will harp on its easy when you are with Barca and Bayern, his job here is to turn us into those same sort of elite clubs that for the next 50 years will dominate the game because he has changed our mentality into the same as theirs. Winners!

The fans also need to change their mentality. Its not all about the next game or the next few weeks. it will take time but it will happen because everything our owner planned for when he came in and promised he has delivered and in Pep, he will deliver once more. If you cant see the improvements being made within the club as a whole i feel sorry for you. if you cant see what he is trying to do out on the pitch i feel sorry for you. Pragmatism is thown around here like confetti. You want pragmatism? Watch a Mourinho side or a Pulis side because that's pragmatism. Turgid, crap anti football that harps back to the days of muddy pitches, big lad up front and shouts of "get rid" from the sidelines and "get it up to the big man up front".

No fucking thanks because we are better than that and it might win the odd battle but it wont win the war because we will win the war.

Finally refs and linesmen are screwing us over every single game. See that for what it is and accept it and instead or turning on the team, direct some of that anger at them because they are costing us big time. Such fine lines in football and this season we have been royally fucked over and its costs us so many points its untrue. We get what we where due and the league table looks very different and the mood on here is very different. Its not Peps fault they are bent, nor is it Merlin's or Raheem's and like us, the players are fucked off with it as well but its a battle right now and we all have to take the fight to them and win the war.

Its a passionate game and we all love this club but some of the stuff written after a defeat is cringe worthy and downright disrespectful.

Well said, can't disagree with any of it, exactly how I feel.

 

[City_Sean]

Good post. Chelsea tried to manage the game by closing the spaces and defending the edge of the penalty area.

Despite, this, and our lack of quality in some of our personnel, we still have them concerned enough to hold on and hope to pick us off late.

It's parasite football and solely reliant on a world-class player always being in the mood like Hazard.

He wasn't in the mood last season and subsequently, this supposed class outfit were 25 points off the pace at this stage last season.

I've no doubt we'll improve tenfold next season, but it doesn't mask the poor displays we've put in. Chelsea will struggle with CL and Mourinho is finished, but we've got to make sure we sign the right players.