closed Chelsea 1-0 Norwich

[Magic Lamps 11,430]

1 minute ago, Superblue_1986 said:

2 wins away from a major trophy. I think you'll find a lot of people care.

The FA Cup might not have the same romantic pull that it has in previous years but going to the old Wembley as a 10 year old to watch Chelsea beat Middlesbrough in 1997 is one of all time favourite Chelsea moments, perhaps only bettered by the first league win and Munich 2012. The FA Cup still matters to me.

Our chances to win vs Utd AND City in the final are minimal, both are much better than us. We should play the youngsters, but keep the defense that started today to not break it up. It was just norwich but they were excellent today. Even Alonso was decent in defense.

We were knackered today. We need to be fresh vs Liverpool and Wolves, otherwise weare without a chance

 

[Superblue 6,331]

4 minutes ago, Jason said:

Can't believe am having to ask this question but which would qualify as a success this season?

I know people will say "why not both?" but just between those two choices, which would you consider? 

Champions League football is more important for the long term of the team, especially financially and potentially from a recruitment position.

However I wouldn't want that to mean we just give up on the FA Cup and rest a number of players. If we were able to beat United it could be a huge confidence boost going into the Liverpool game. 

[OneMoSalah 8,606]

8 minutes ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Again, I thought Willian earned praise for his working back even though today wasn't one of those days where he made a difference going forward.

I though we looked a bit sharper when Ross replaced Ruben. Rubes get a pass for the remainder of this season but next term will be important for him. He has to start making significant contributions or the clock will begin to run out. 

True maybe his working back helped him out but in attack at times he looked like he was more than contempt to slow it down as well as the fact maybe the movement wasnt there also.

totally agree with the point about Ruben, think next season he will be better but he also has to try do a bit more at times. Hes another guy who can ghost past players but he didnt do it very often today.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,773]

6 minutes ago, Jason said:

Can't believe am having to ask this question but which would qualify as a success this season?

I know people will say "why not both?" but just between those two choices, which would you consider? 

J,

You can't choose results, you can only choose how you approach matches. I demand that Frank approaches both United and Liverpool as must win occasions.

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, Superblue_1986 said:

Champions League football is more important for the long term of the team, especially financially and potentially from a recruitment position.

However I wouldn't want that to mean we just give up on the FA Cup and rest a number of players. If we were able to beat United it could be a huge confidence boost going into the Liverpool game. 

True but the one issue is we have Liverpool 3 days after the semi-final and depending on the results over the next 2 days, we may need a result at Anfield. Does this team still have enough left in the tank to play 3 very tough games in 7 days against United, Liverpool and Wolves? 

[Laylabelle 9,293]

1 minute ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Champions League football is more important for the long term of the team, especially financially and potentially from a recruitment position.

However I wouldn't want that to mean we just give up on the FA Cup and rest a number of players. If we were able to beat United it could be a huge confidence boost going into the Liverpool game. 

I thought beating City was a confidence boost then we lost to West Ham lol..who knows. I cant see us getting anything from Liverpool and if we do no doubt we'll mess up at Wolves.

Weird to think this barmy season is nearly over

[Vesper 27,260]

15 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said:

City is coming in the FA cup final. So there's a chance. 

yes, so true

hopefully we have 3rd or 4th clinched before that

so although it would be irritating to fail in a final (the Bayern game is a lost cause barring a true miracle) I really would MUCH rather have CL next year than an FA Cup this year

I know some may disagree but the long term spillover from missing out on CL is FAR worse than losing an FA Cup final

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, OhForAGreavsie said:

J,

You can't choose results, you can only choose how you approach matches. I demand that Frank approaches both United and Liverpool as must win occasions.

It's a hypothetical question. Of course we want to win all the games but what is our top priority right now? The team already starting to look gassed out.

[Vesper 27,260]

1 minute ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

J,

You can't choose results, you can only choose how you approach matches. I demand that Frank approaches both United and Liverpool as must win occasions.

AND Wolves (it really may be barring a win versus the dippers and a Leicester further implosion)

that NUFC last kick of game loss is THE number one haunt from the year if we lose out on CL by GD to Wolves or a point to any team

so fucked

[Tomo 21,680]

Today shown exactly why we're buying a lot of attackers before we "fix our defense". I wouldn't have blamed the defense if this ended 1-1 even if one of them made an absolute howler, it would have been all on the attack.

Unless a bonafide WC safe bet CB option comes along then it can wait. Get a proper LB, competent keeper, play Zouma and Rudiger together and stick with them and i don't think things will look half as bad as they are currently, and that's before we mention Ziyech, Werner and (hopefully) Havertz will kill games like tonight and Arsenal at home off before the defense have a chance to self combust.

[Magic Lamps 11,430]

7 minutes ago, Atomiswave said:

3pts all that matters but fuck me it was not a performance to remember, all our guile and fast pacy footy has been thrown out.

early on in the season we look great at times but also completely drifted out of games when our steam ran out. we can not afford that this late in the season. The important thing is whether we will be able to turn the switch in a few week. No we are obviously more concerned of making no mistakes and grinding out a goal or two, it's Sarriball 2.0.But it worked last year and might work again. the playersclearlydont have the fitness atm to press the shit out of teams like we did early on. We will still play quick when we can like we did vs City or when villa gave us space. It is not gonna happen very often from now on tho.

[Vesper 27,260]

2 minutes ago, Jason said:

It's a hypothetical question. Of course we want to win all the games but what is our top priority right now? The team already starting to look gassed out.

CL, all the way

its a £60m or so net loss of revenue and hurts recruiting and also forces us into the Europa league meat grinder next season

[Tomo 21,680]

10 minutes ago, Jason said:

It's a hypothetical question. Of course we want to win all the games but what is our top priority right now? The team already starting to look gassed out.

For United do what Conte did against Spurs in 2017 when he put Hazard and Costa on the bench and unleashed them late on. Replace Hazard and Costa for Pulisic and Willian.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,773]

1 minute ago, OneMoSalah said:

True maybe his working back helped him out but in attack at times he looked like he was more than contempt to slow it down as well as the fact maybe the movement wasnt there also.

Yep, when the magic isn't with him, this kind of performance is what we've come to expect from Willian. The kind that annoys people so much. Me, I'm not in a mood to moan at any of them. Our situation reminds me of the old Irish joke. The one that goes, "If you're trying to get to Dublin, I wouldn't start from here."  If we're looking to attack a season, none of us would choose to start with the squad we have now, but we are where we are.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,773]

9 minutes ago, Jason said:

It's a hypothetical question. Of course we want to win all the games but what is our top priority right now? The team already starting to look gassed out.

I don't believe you mean that. I think you mean you hope to win all the games but if you were picking the side for Sunday, your line up would betray the fact that you don't care all that much. I do want to win them all and expect the manager to pick a side which reflects that he does too.

[DANILA 290]

Do you think international talents care that we won the FA Cup? That will have zero pull with transfers. If we win the cup, it'll be a nice feeling for a day or two but getting top 4 is much. much better for us as a club 

[OhForAGreavsie 5,773]

13 minutes ago, Jason said:

True but the one issue is we have Liverpool 3 days after the semi-final and depending on the results over the next 2 days, we may need a result at Anfield. Does this team still have enough left in the tank to play 3 very tough games in 7 days against United, Liverpool and Wolves? 

I genuinely don't think giving 100% on Sunday is going to make any difference to the results of our other two games. Get out there and try to win at Wembley, then we can think about Anfield.

[El P. 1,354]

Man United will play with mixed squad and we should too. Good thing is - our bench is much stronger than theirs. We have CHO, Mount, Abraham, James, Christensen, Barkley... Shouldn't really bother much about that game.