WSL Chelsea (A) - 16/11/24 - KO 17:30

[Mon Autre]

Gutted about last night. We actually held our own for most of the game but ultimately we didn't take the half chances we created and Chelsea took theirs. We weren't terrible but we didn't do enough to not lose the game either.

Missing Hemp and Aleixandri was a huge loss. Obvs Miedema too but I don't think we can count ourselves too unlucky as we knew she was injury prone when we signed her.

There are weaknesses and a lack of depth in our squad which haven't been addressed.

Disappointed in Fujino so far but I kind of get why we're persisting with her. She's very young and has impressed playing for Japan. We've clearly decided Kelly's time is up.

Our left side was a mess yesterday. Fowler was wasted out there and whilst Ouahabi is decent enough, she isn't quite at the level required against top class opposition. It's one position we really could have improved on in the summer and we didn't. Obvs we have Tara O'Hanlon who is supposed to be a decent prospect but I haven't a frigging clue where she is or what's wrong her with thanks to the club's bizarre policy of radio silence and blatant lies about injury situations.

I'm also increasingly perplexed by our goalkeeping situation given Keating was the best goalie in the league last season and has found herself needlessly sidelined.

 

[moomba]

No not at all, it's since he's been there to be honest, the players he's had should have done a lot more than they have, under achievers, his tactics are lacking.

It's still our first loss for the year. We've beaten Barcelona. We're still at the top end of the league and champions league.

There may have been an argument in the past (although I'm not sure we automatically should be doing a whole lot better than the squad we have, Chelsea look far better). But no club is sacking a manager with our record and performances this season.

It seems though that we need to be perfect, the second we get a bad performance or result it's all down to Taylor. Any good performance or result is down to the players. I'm not sure that has a lot of merit.

 

[Bridgejunky]

When you play lesser teams do you dominate the ball control games or do Chelsea always play to defend and hit teams on the break

Horses for courses. We usually have the lion's share of possession but the squad has shown itself capable of staying calm while other sides take control of the ball. We are not, in my opinion, a great passing side but we do seem able to survive the smaller share of possession when the quality of the opposition makes it necessary.

This was illustrated by our midfield last night. I thought they were outstanding out of possession but terrible with the ball. So many makeable passes missed. City's passing wasn't great last night, but ours was woeful. Even the pass which led to the first goal was under hit. It worked out because the lack of pace drew Kennedy to the ball which caused her to allow Ramirez to drive Infield on to her right foot.

 

[gray740]

It's still our first loss for the year. We've beaten Barcelona. We're still at the top end of the league and champions league.

There may have been an argument in the past (although I'm not sure we automatically should be doing a whole lot better than the squad we have, Chelsea look far better). But no club is sacking a manager with our record and performances this season.

It seems though that we need to be perfect, the second we get a bad performance or result it's all down to Taylor. Any good performance or result is down to the players. I'm not sure that has a lot of merit.

I agree with you on most of your post ,I am just looking at the time he has been there ,yes they have improved somewhat of late and yes it is a difficult thing to sack a manager after one loss ,I was thinking more of at the end of the season to be honest ! More of an issue is the unrest that is frequently mentioned with certain players ,then them players are gone and we start another rebuild ,in my opinion a refresh of the management team would probably do the team the world of good especially with a fully fit squad ,we were totally bullied yesterday by Chelsea and the rugby style they play ,not for me but they get results with it , underachieving is what he does best .

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

November: poor month for Manchester City Football Club, really. Good that the EDS and the kids are still doing pretty well. (Doesn't really console me, if I'm honest…)

 

[ancoats]

We have to learn to be ruthless and toughen up. We get into so many good places and open teams up but lack the end product. That little bit of the dark arts won the game for Chelsea last night, the second goal was a great finish.

If there is one good thing, it is nothing was won last night and the title will go down to the wire again

 

[Oystercatcher28]

We;ve dropped 4 points and ground on a relentless Chelsea. The pitches will start to tear up, teams will raise their game after the winter break, something will happen, surely!

Long time left and the Women's Super League winner's Chelsea last season dropped 11 points (goal difference decided the title).
7 points the one before it (2pts over ManUre);
10 before that in 2021/22 (+1pt over Ar$enil;
7 in 2020/21 (Chelsea +2pts over City);
6 in 2019/20 (won on pts per game; Chelsea over City);
6 in 2018/19 (Arsenal - 7 pts pver City);
10 in WSL 1 (2017/18: Chelsea - 6pts above City).

Room for error is so fine in this league. Stay as tight to Chelsea and when they slip up, be ready for a tough home game. One game at a time though. Tough, tough league.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Chelsea and Arsenal take their womens team far more seriously than we do otherwise we'd have probably taken on one of their new coaches instead of giving Taylor another contract.

We've got the squad to challenge but leadership is missing when we need it most off the pitch.

I expect we'll do the same as last season, maybe get a cup but we need to kick on and get someone in who wants to dominate here and Europe.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Personally I've always wondered how much the club is committed to the women's team ?
Because wouldn't you be looking for the best management you ?
I sometimes think , the women's team is good PR exercise for the club

Agree.

What happened to the approach the club was treating as equally as the men?

We have the foundations to be dominant yet don't want to use them.

 

[Mon Autre]

It's still our first loss for the year. We've beaten Barcelona. We're still at the top end of the league and champions league.

There may have been an argument in the past (although I'm not sure we automatically should be doing a whole lot better than the squad we have, Chelsea look far better). But no club is sacking a manager with our record and performances this season.

It seems though that we need to be perfect, the second we get a bad performance or result it's all down to Taylor. Any good performance or result is down to the players. I'm not sure that has a lot of merit.

Aside from the Barcelona game (which was outstanding) I don't think our performances have been that great. It's all been quite solid and steady but we haven't been scoring enough goals or blowing teams away, and given how often these things come down to goal difference, you need to.

Beating Barcelona at home is all well and good but our failure to properly put the weaker teams to the sword will mean we still probs finish second in our group on goal difference.

It's Taylor's decision to drop Keating and I think we're missing her distribution. Hasegawa looks absolutely knackered and he hasn't given her a rest once this season. Still not convinced we're getting the best of Park by playing her as deep as we are. I know we have to fit her in somewhere but she was a right winger this time last year. I wonder if she would have been a better option than Fujino on the right. With Fowler pushed out of position on the left and Fujino never really taking people on/running with the ball, we had no real attacking threat or zip on the wings.

If we go another season without a major trophy (and I'm not counting the conti cup in that) then it is time to part ways and freshen things up. Our new DoF might have her own thoughts on the direction we take anyway.