How are you feeling about Spuds this season anyway? I was impressed with Pochettino's work with Southampton, but then I was also impressed with AVB's work with Porto! I bet you wish he'd had the Bale transfer kitty though, seem to have had a quiet window.GHoddle said:
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Chelsea Thread 2014/15
- Thread starter malg
- Start date
Castiel said:How are you feeling about Spuds this season anyway? I was impressed with Pochettino's work with Southampton, but then I was also impressed with AVB's work with Porto! I bet you wish he'd had the Bale transfer kitty though, seem to have had a quiet window.GHoddle said:That's one reason why I don't think City will win the league (though I know City fans will disagree with this of course), I have a suspicion that they might do what they did last time after they won the league - wasn't it a drop off from 89 to 78 points? I just think there may be some potential for complacency since they've just won the league, and it's a difficult thing to repeat. Some star players might not give their all in less glamorous matches imo. I could just see United, Liverpool, and Chelsea having a bit more motivation, but I might be wrong.
Whatever happens, it's going to be a fascinating season imo, really can't wait to see it play out.
AVB impressed at Porto but not at Chelsea as you obviously know haha. I think it's important to get a manager who has implemented his system effectively in a top league, preferably in England which Poch has done imo. As long as there seems to be gradual improvement, I'm hoping we'll give him time to implement his ideas.
We've flown under the radar this summer but I think we've done some good business. Dier I think is a good signing and will be an excellent CB in the future, Davies I think isn't the finished product either but also a very talented young defender, Vorm an excellent backup to Lloris, and Yedlin is an exciting young RB. I think it's pretty likely that we'll complete a deal for Musaccheo as well this window, though that might be the end of the incomings unless we can get the right price for Schneiderlin or maybe Depay.
Anyway we seem to be addressing the defensive issues first which is a good strategy imo. If we sign Musaccheo I think our defensive options look very good overall, with a pretty solid midfield and attack in front of them. I doubt though that we'll finish in the top 4 so for the first time in a while I'll just be watching us play to hopefully enjoy good football. I think our best route into the CL next season would be through winning the Europa League anyway so I hope we focus our efforts on that.
supercity88
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 9 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 13,810
GHoddle said:Castiel said:I don't understand it tbh. The bookies don't put much in it but as champions you should be favourites. Our squads are comparably strong on paper but you produced the goods where we came short. Most of our fans over at our forums think you're favourites. Better odds to bet on your own team though!
The thing with City is you have this tendency to get complacent. Last season you should have run away with the title if you ask me, pulling off a points tally like ours in Mourinho's first spell. But you made your relatively easy early start much more complicated than it needed to be when you could have pulled away (like we did back then). We saw this again against Arsenal. City are their own worst enemy in this respect and it almost cost you. When we defeated Liverpool and opened the door for you, your poor run of form suddenly reversed and you stormed to the finish line.
With us there was a clear weakness in personnel, we needed a striker. With you it was more to do with mentality, there were no obvious weaknesses in your squad. Whatever the cause of that phenomenon, I think that's what makes pundits doubt you. During your best spell you looked completely unstoppable, particularly at home, but when things aren't working you look like a different team. Pellegrini could also adopt more pragmatism in the big games IMO, this is particularly key to succeed in Europe which I would guess is the next big priority for your club.
In any case I don't think there's much between us and Pellegrini now has plenty of PL experience, and both managers have had time to mould their teams. With Arsenal looking like they actually mean business now, United free of European distractions, and Liverpool being a surprise package - we're all going to be in for some serious competition this year. I prefer it to the 2 horse races of the past.
That's one reason why I don't think City will win the league (though I know City fans will disagree with this of course), I have a suspicion that they might do what they did last time after they won the league - wasn't it a drop off from 89 to 78 points? I just think there may be some potential for complacency since they've just won the league, and it's a difficult thing to repeat. Some star players might not give their all in less glamorous matches imo. I could just see United, Liverpool, and Chelsea having a bit more motivation, but I might be wrong.
Whatever happens, it's going to be a fascinating season imo, really can't wait to see it play out.
The reason we didn't make the most of an easier start on paper was largely down to early injuries and issues defensively. Pellegrini altered our defensive system from the rigid style Mancini installed to a high pressing game that required our defenders to step up and intercept and pressure the player receiving the ball. We struggled to adapt to that until things clicked when we beat Bayern away in Munich and went on a decent run. We had the best team last season undoubtedly but with a change in management and quite a few injuries it wasn't as clear cut.
The complacency argument is a little bit generic. We weren't so much complacent as poor in the transfer market. We refused to pay money for Hazard's agent, Van Persie chose the rags and Mancini threw his toys out the pram and we ended up with Sinclair and Javi Garcia as opposed to Hazard and De Rossi. From the very start of the season Mancini was angry at our failure in the market. Indeed after we lost to the Rags 3-2, with V.P scoring the winner, he put the sole reason down to V.P going there. That's despite the fact that our goal scoring hadn't been an issue the season before and a creative player was more necessary. The squad lost morale and Mancini was on his last legs.
This time we have strengthened well, we've added competition in all places and have a centre half who potentially can become Kompany's partner for a number of years. The manager has a good squad of players who are on the same page and I doubt complacency will be an issue. Our issue this season is right not. We need to make sure we start well, with Liverpool at home and Arsenal and Chelsea away in our first 5 games. That being said, Kompany, Demichelis, Zabaleta, Fernandinho and Aguero haven't played since the World Cup. If we can get them up to full fitness and match sharpness quickly and can get positive results from those key games, we will be in a great position.
supercity88 said:The reason we didn't make the most of an easier start on paper was largely down to early injuries and issues defensively. Pellegrini altered our defensive system from the rigid style Mancini installed to a high pressing game that required our defenders to step up and intercept and pressure the player receiving the ball. We struggled to adapt to that until things clicked when we beat Bayern away in Munich and went on a decent run. We had the best team last season undoubtedly but with a change in management and quite a few injuries it wasn't as clear cut.
The complacency argument is a little bit generic. We weren't so much complacent as poor in the transfer market. We refused to pay money for Hazard's agent, Van Persie chose the rags and Mancini threw his toys out the pram and we ended up with Sinclair and Javi Garcia as opposed to Hazard and De Rossi. From the very start of the season Mancini was angry at our failure in the market. Indeed after we lost to the Rags 3-2, with V.P scoring the winner, he put the sole reason down to V.P going there. That's despite the fact that our goal scoring hadn't been an issue the season before and a creative player was more necessary. The squad lost morale and Mancini was on his last legs.
This time we have strengthened well, we've added competition in all places and have a centre half who potentially can become Kompany's partner for a number of years. The manager has a good squad of players who are on the same page and I doubt complacency will be an issue. Our issue this season is right not. We need to make sure we start well, with Liverpool at home and Arsenal and Chelsea away in our first 5 games. That being said, Kompany, Demichelis, Zabaleta, Fernandinho and Aguero haven't played since the World Cup. If we can get them up to full fitness and match sharpness quickly and can get positive results from those key games, we will be in a great position.
Yeah you could be right and I can't claim to know the reason why a drop off happened in the 2012/13 season - your explanation certainly makes sense but might not be totally inclusive.
I would just imagine that it's, in general, more difficult to motivate a squad of champions. For the other teams, the motivation comes from their disappointment the year prior. I think that will be Pellegrini's biggest challenge this season, which (I don't believe) he's really had to contend with before at least in a major league, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
prestonibbo_mcfc
Well-Known Member
Castiel said:I think you've spent slightly more than us with Mangala, if not close to the same amount considering we robbed PSG for Luiz.Blue Haze said:Nice to not be the favourite this season.
A Mourinho second season has always guaranteed the league. Pressure is on them, not us. We didn't even splash big cash this summer if you net our sales against spending.
I don't understand it tbh. The bookies don't put much in it but as champions you should be favourites. Our squads are comparably strong on paper but you produced the goods where we came short. Most of our fans over at our forums think you're favourites. Better odds to bet on your own team though!Helmet Cole said:That's two years in a row they have won the BBC/Sky 'Champions before the season has even started' trophy - do they get to keep it if they win it 5 times?
The thing with City is you have this tendency to get complacent. Last season you should have run away with the title if you ask me, pulling off a points tally like ours in Mourinho's first spell. But you made your relatively easy early start much more complicated than it needed to be when you could have pulled away (like we did back then). We saw this again against Arsenal. City are their own worst enemy in this respect and it almost cost you. When we defeated Liverpool and opened the door for you, your poor run of form suddenly reversed and you stormed to the finish line.
With us there was a clear weakness in personnel, we needed a striker. With you it was more to do with mentality, there were no obvious weaknesses in your squad. Whatever the cause of that phenomenon, I think that's what makes pundits doubt you. During your best spell you looked completely unstoppable, particularly at home, but when things aren't working you look like a different team. Pellegrini could also adopt more pragmatism in the big games IMO, this is particularly key to succeed in Europe which I would guess is the next big priority for your club.
In any case I don't think there's much between us and Pellegrini now has plenty of PL experience, and both managers have had time to mould their teams. With Arsenal looking like they actually mean business now, United free of European distractions, and Liverpool being a surprise package - we're all going to be in for some serious competition this year. I prefer it to the 2 horse races of the past.
Just a couple of points. Why should anyone run away with the league, it's the hardest league top to bottom. We had injuries to key players
at key times that cost us. IMO. As for pragmatism we'll let Jose do the bus parking, some teams like to entertain their fans ;-)
Well it can be done. United have done it recently with a weaker squad than yours. We've done it twice, and Arsenal did it before us. Last season was a good opportunity to blow the league away with our striker issues and United in free-fall. Liverpool weren't in contention for half the season, they were concentrating on top 4 (especially after consecutive defeats at the Etihad and Stamford Bridge) before the 3 of us let them back into it while we were trying to outdo each other on conceding the lead. Supercity makes a fair evaluation though, you did undergo a complete transformation in style from Mancini's system and your defenders took a while to adapt to it. This coupled with injuries to your key players would have stunted you. We struggled in the runin with key injuries, well, except against Liverpool.prestonibbo_mcfc said:Just a couple of points. Why should anyone run away with the league, it's the hardest league top to bottom. We had injuries to key players
at key times that cost us. IMO. As for pragmatism we'll let Jose do the bus parking, some teams like to entertain their fans ;-)
I found our matches in Barcelona and Muinch pretty entertaining!
malg
Well-Known Member
For Castiel.
How has your closed season gone? Apart from signings, your friendlies seem to have gone under the radar. Mourinho, apart from advertising for BT (I think it was a BT advert), has been alarmingly quiet. So, how have the new signings fitted in, how do you see Chelsea lining up as opposed to last season, and do you think you'll win it (honestly, and don't hold back because you're on here)?
How has your closed season gone? Apart from signings, your friendlies seem to have gone under the radar. Mourinho, apart from advertising for BT (I think it was a BT advert), has been alarmingly quiet. So, how have the new signings fitted in, how do you see Chelsea lining up as opposed to last season, and do you think you'll win it (honestly, and don't hold back because you're on here)?
We had a quiet preseason in Europe because of the world cup, I suppose Jose didn't want to rack up the air miles and tire players out. We didn't play any glamour matches, the best was Real Sociedad, so it looked to be all about getting fitness up. All the new signings have settled in quickly though, particularly Costa who has been a monster. I've posted a few reports on previous pages.malg said:For Castiel.
How has your closed season gone? Apart from signings, your friendlies seem to have gone under the radar. Mourinho, apart from advertising for BT (I think it was a BT advert), has been alarmingly quiet. So, how have the new signings fitted in, how do you see Chelsea lining up as opposed to last season, and do you think you'll win it (honestly, and don't hold back because you're on here)?
I think we have a good chance of winning it but we'll be relying on Costa staying fit or not getting suspended. We've got a 36 year old Drogba and Torres as his backup. I'd say the strongest team we could field now is:
--------- Courtois ---------
Azpili - Cahill - Terry - Luis
----- Matic - Fabregas -----
Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard
---------- Costa ----------
Matty
Well-Known Member
GHoddle said:Castiel said:I don't understand it tbh. The bookies don't put much in it but as champions you should be favourites. Our squads are comparably strong on paper but you produced the goods where we came short. Most of our fans over at our forums think you're favourites. Better odds to bet on your own team though!
The thing with City is you have this tendency to get complacent. Last season you should have run away with the title if you ask me, pulling off a points tally like ours in Mourinho's first spell. But you made your relatively easy early start much more complicated than it needed to be when you could have pulled away (like we did back then). We saw this again against Arsenal. City are their own worst enemy in this respect and it almost cost you. When we defeated Liverpool and opened the door for you, your poor run of form suddenly reversed and you stormed to the finish line.
With us there was a clear weakness in personnel, we needed a striker. With you it was more to do with mentality, there were no obvious weaknesses in your squad. Whatever the cause of that phenomenon, I think that's what makes pundits doubt you. During your best spell you looked completely unstoppable, particularly at home, but when things aren't working you look like a different team. Pellegrini could also adopt more pragmatism in the big games IMO, this is particularly key to succeed in Europe which I would guess is the next big priority for your club.
In any case I don't think there's much between us and Pellegrini now has plenty of PL experience, and both managers have had time to mould their teams. With Arsenal looking like they actually mean business now, United free of European distractions, and Liverpool being a surprise package - we're all going to be in for some serious competition this year. I prefer it to the 2 horse races of the past.
That's one reason why I don't think City will win the league (though I know City fans will disagree with this of course), I have a suspicion that they might do what they did last time after they won the league - wasn't it a drop off from 89 to 78 points? I just think there may be some potential for complacency since they've just won the league, and it's a difficult thing to repeat. Some star players might not give their all in less glamorous matches imo. I could just see United, Liverpool, and Chelsea having a bit more motivation, but I might be wrong.
Whatever happens, it's going to be a fascinating season imo, really can't wait to see it play out.
I think the whole "City didn't defend their title as they became complacent" argument is a huge red herring if I'm honest. Behind the scenes (and not so behind the scenes if we're being honest) the relationship between Roberto Mancini and pretty much everyone had soured to the point it was irretrievably broken. From the Director of Football down through the players and even the support staff, he was almost universally disliked by the end. With that going on within the club, eating away at everything like a cancer, it's hardly surprising we didn't perform in the way we should have done on the pitch. That won't be a problem this time around. Pellegrini is a very different character, polite, charming, erudite, and pretty much universally liked. Even opposition fans can't find anything negative to say about him, apart from "he's a bit dull" which after the days of Balotelli, Tevez and Mancini is a Godsend for City fans! I think people will be surprised by how focused we are on the task at hand, when compared to our last title defence.
uwe rosler 28
Well-Known Member
Castiel said:We had a quiet preseason in Europe because of the world cup, I suppose Jose didn't want to rack up the air miles and tire players out. We didn't play any glamour matches, the best was Real Sociedad, so it looked to be all about getting fitness up. All the new signings have settled in quickly though, particularly Costa who has been a monster. I've posted a few reports on previous pages.malg said:For Castiel.
How has your closed season gone? Apart from signings, your friendlies seem to have gone under the radar. Mourinho, apart from advertising for BT (I think it was a BT advert), has been alarmingly quiet. So, how have the new signings fitted in, how do you see Chelsea lining up as opposed to last season, and do you think you'll win it (honestly, and don't hold back because you're on here)?
I think we have a good chance of winning it but we'll be relying on Costa staying fit or not getting suspended. We've got a 36 year old Drogba and Torres as his backup. I'd say the strongest team we could field now is:
--------- Courtois ---------
Azpili - Cahill - Terry - Luis
----- Matic - Fabregas -----
Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard
---------- Costa ----------
So no ivanovic? I've always been a big fan but always thought he'd make a monster of a center half? And are you worried about the reported schurrle transfer to athletico as I think he's another player who is underrated?