Official Chelsea Supporters Thread

[Maverick Jester]

I don't understand why you are being so hard on Fab and Ramires. Fab was trying to be everywhere trying to cover, In my opinion he worked harder than what Hazard did. Hazard had some good runs going forward but other than that he was kept quite. It was two fantastic midfields counter acting one another. so Fab and Ramires would be hard pressed just like Silva, Toure and Fernadinho were. With that type of pressing game it was going to get a little bit more open in the latter stages of the game as players tired.

Because he offered little in the way of slowing down the game, putting the ball into space and allowing our players to run at the City defence. And his defensive ability is not really that great, which is understandable- I didn't expect him to do much on that front. I suppose it didn't help that Matic had his hands full with Fernandinho and Toure, and Willian and Hazard especially, didn't do enough defensively. Our fullbacks were often overloaded, notably by Milner and his ability to constantly switch flanks and find space. Biggest disappointment for me was Ramires- he was neither here not there.

Costa, too, was often too deep to really trouble City's backline, especially the superb Mangala. It was only once they went down to 10 men that the space opened up for him to do so- had a hand in the goal, and a great turn and shot that came off the post.

For the way we set up, their play didn't cost us. But we could have been more positive and beaten them, because tactically and in terms of discipline, we know that Mourinho knows his ****.

Also thought that Mangala had an exceptional game. Quick and powerful and seemed to know his lines even though he hasn't played that much for Man City yet. What a defense at the back now for Man city with Kompany, Zabaletta and Mangala. If Mangala kept playing like that I would have him over Demechelis any day of the week.

I can see Mangala only getting better. An absolutely fantastic specimen.

 

[smokey]

I don't agree with Fabregas being the main culprit defensively. You already mention Hazard - he was woeful. Truly woeful. I mean he really needs to start helping out properly, and not halfheartedly like he does now. At times it was like we were playing two men down because of how utterly woeful he is when we need to defend. Willy was much better (and it seems he's just there to get punched about - people love beating up on our Willian) and while not THAT great - he was FAR better than what Oscar would have been.

 

[goofball]

So far Hazard has not had the best of season for me.

 

[Maverick Jester]

I don't agree with Fabregas being the main culprit defensively. You already mention Hazard - he was woeful. Truly woeful. I mean he really needs to start helping out properly, and not halfheartedly like he does now. At times it was like we were playing two men down because of how utterly woeful he is when we need to defend. Willy was much better (and it seems he's just there to get punched about - people love beating up on our Willian) and while not THAT great - he was FAR better than what Oscar would have been.

I'm not suggesting that Fabregas was the main culprit. I didn't expect him to do much defending, unfortunately he was forced to do more than he should have, and it stunted his role in the team.

Hazard: attack wise, he was average, but it was also down to the lack of support he had. It doesn't help that our fullbacks didn't push up at all to stretch the City defence, so he often found himself marshalled by Zabaleta (who was superb for the most part), Milner or running at Kompany.

Defensively, he was atrocious. Gave absolutely no cover to Dave whatsoever. I'm still impressed that despite being 2 on 1 for such extended periods of the game, he wasn't the player at fault for conceding the goal.

Willian was better, sure, but he drifted around too much for my liking- but I put this down to Ramires leaving holes in central midfield far too often. Oscar would've done more, actually- he is very good defensively, and very underrated offensively.

I would have actually subbed Ramires for Oscar and Hazard for Schurrle- if Mourinho's plan was more consistent defending and hitting on the counter, he should have put on more players to do so. Hazard only woke up when Zabaleta went off, and duly assisted the goal. So a mixed bag overall.

But, considering that as a whole the team didn't play all that well, and had the best chances to win it against a team that played very well- I'm not too displeased. Shows our strength off pretty well.

 

[Maverick Jester]

So far Hazard has not had the best of season for me.

I think that we are expecting too much from him too soon. The team as a whole are still finding their feet and chemistry as a unit. When it matters (towards the latter part of the season) they should be firing on all cylinders.

 

[smokey]

I think that we are expecting too much from him too soon. The team as a whole are still finding their feet and chemistry as a unit. When it matters (towards the latter part of the season) they should be firing on all cylinders.

Expecting too much? we bought him for 35 million, he's getting a pay bump to (reportedly) 200k a week. Bloody hell if expecting his best every week isn't top of the bloody agenda.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Expecting too much? we bought him for 35 million, he's getting a pay bump to (reportedly) 200k a week. Bloody hell if expecting his best every week isn't top of the bloody agenda.

I mean that we are expecting top form from the guy, in a different role to the one he had last term, after less than 10 games. It's not reasonable.

I think that the fact that he was our best player by a long way is hurting his perceived performance this season. I'm willing to give him a chance. Messi and Ronaldo have often started their seasons slowly

 

[Helghast]

So far Hazard has not had the best of season for me.

I disagree, stats wise probably not, but most of the goals we have scored he has either assisted, scored or assisted the assister. Watch the Swansea match, man was everywhere. Same thing with Everton and Schalke, actually all the games. I will admit he didn't do that well on Sunday, however I think that was more a team problem. We couldn't string together a few passes and our attacking was woeful. Also add to the fact that City presssed really hard and were super physical made it difficult for him and everyone else in attack.

 

[Helghast]

I mean that we are expecting top form from the guy, in a different role to the one he had last term, after less than 10 games. It's not reasonable.

I think that the fact that he was our best player by a long way is hurting his perceived performance this season. I'm willing to give him a chance. Messi and Ronaldo have often started their seasons slowly

He even started off slow last season.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Not something that you will see everywhere, but a really nice gesture by JT:

http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/23/john-...t-chelsea-fan-as-she-grieves-for-mum-4878619/

 

[goofball]

Has Torres pulled his finger out of his ass?

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/h...pulls-off-silky-zigzag-dribble-v-empoli-vine/

 

[Helghast]

Has Torres pulled his finger out of his ass?

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/h...pulls-off-silky-zigzag-dribble-v-empoli-vine/

Torres did stuff like that for us, but like 1 in 40 games.

 

[petrusp]

Has Torres pulled his finger out of his ass?

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/h...pulls-off-silky-zigzag-dribble-v-empoli-vine/

i was waiting for the goal... guess not... ?

 

[smokey]

i was waiting for the goal... guess not... ?

No such luck

BTW - our game is on SS6 Yay!

 

[goofball]

Our defense is killing me.

 

[fishfly]

No such luck

BTW - our game is on SS6 Yay!

lol zigzag against Epoli is like Chelsea playing against Leeds...

 

[goofball]

That was utter crap by that Bolton goalie. Should never have been beaten from that distance at his near post.
We were lucky there.

 

[smokey]

That was utter crap by that Bolton goalie. Should never have been beaten from that distance at his near post.
We were lucky there.

Then again, one was bound to go in after all the shots that went his way. He pulled off some amazing saves. I mean seriously... you say it as if he was utter rubbish the whole night and he couldn't catch a ball.

 

[goofball]

Then again, one was bound to go in after all the shots that went his way. He pulled off some amazing saves. I mean seriously... you say it as if he was utter rubbish the whole night and he couldn't catch a ball.

Lol.
No that's not what I meant. Was just surprising seeing him let that particular one go in.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Torres did stuff like that for us, but like 1 in 40 games.

More like one in every five games, yet either scored nothing or ended the dribble by kicking it into touch.