lionsden

This

THIS is the crux of the matter.

These people yapping on about difficult weather conditions and lack of fitness still haven't given a logical reason why we struggled and only managed to win by a controversial goal against the same team that conceded 6 goals and 4 goals to Liverpool and arsenal respectively under the same conditions. meanwhile Fulham, an inferior team compared to us, are flying high in Europa qualifiers under a new manager. . . . some arguments on here simply holds no water. bottom line: Considering the quality gap between both teams, our performance against Malaysia's team B is simply unacceptable.

Yes they are. . .Ron Gourlay for one hasn't made his satisfaction with the current squad a secret hence his public statement "The core of the squad will more or less be the same"

That's because the board and AVB haven't given them the indication that their future at Chelsea hangs in the balance. . .when a first team player hears or reads assertions like "we don't need to overhaul" "The core of the team will be more or less the same" "we have great squad already" that doesn't particularly send a strong message to under performing senior players, does it? . . .they have been offered no incentive to buckle up and give 100% commitment. So you are right, the problem lies with the board not willing to overhaul the squad. If the core of the squad remains the same next season, The Chelsea board, AVB and the optimistic fans are in for a rude awakening and reality check but unfortunately the realistic fans such as yourself,henrique and myself would be forced to endure the same humiliation and frustration of last season again this upcoming season.

It's amazing how some people try to defend the "indefendible" Man Utd, Real Madrid, Borrusia Dortmund et al too played pre-season under similar conditions to Chelsea. . . humid conditions, playing combination of fringe and youth players with some regulars and still managed to dominate their more competitive opponents and won convincingly. if Chelsea are struggling because it's pre-season, why are other/most top teams not catching the pre-season bug as well? like I already said, the pre-season argument is just a lame attempt at defending the indefensible" period

Does anyonelese find it extremely worrisome that we have started pre-season in identical fashion to how we played for majority of last season, performance wise. Nothing has changed bar a new manager- same players, same pattern of play and no plans to overhaul the squad. As Justin said, I will become optimistic when I find a genuine reason to be. I don't allow my love for the club to cloud my judgment or distort reality and the reality is that we are still as shit as last season.

Even with the extra man advantage, we still couldn't dominate the midfield and opponent's final third. . .this team has serious issues

On reflection. I'm beginning to think lack of creative players is responsible for our continuous shambolic display. when you see teams like Blackpool,Swansea and Lorient et al who have comparably lesser quality players than Chelsea and their combined squad value is a fraction of ours, play some wonderful, attacking football that makes our senior team look like a semi-professional team. then you begin to wonder why we play so poorly when we have better quality players than these teams. The problem I feel lies with the culture at the club which has been embedded in most of our players as we have always relied on Drogba's physical dominance in the final third and now that the Ivorian has faded, we have been forced to change our style of play which most of the players aren't used to. until our players grasps the concept of "appreciation of space" "timing" and "quick transition", we will continue to struggle to play well- create chances and dominate games . for example if we buy a Luka Modric, I doubt his addition would change anything as the lack of movement from our strikers and wingers in the final third would render most of his passes ineffective

Another 30 year old player- great, just what we need Remy and Ayew are the only marseille players I had welcome

No youngster regardless of his quality will get the nod ahead of a rapidly fading Lampard (a senior and highly regarded member of a team). . .99.8889% of managers simply don't have the balls to do so and this sort of mentality is consistent with the BOD's and fans alike. Meanwhile Has anyone noticed how Josh's game play has gradually worsened since Ancelotti forcefully turned him into a DM. . . He has lost his attacking instinct and trade mark through balls, unlike before, most of his passes are either backward or sideways. Perhaps, the teams negative style of play has rubbed off on him. it's quite a shame really.

He definitely cannot perform any worse than his highly experienced counterparts- Malouda, Kalou and Anelka. . . .unless we buy a quality winger, kakuta seems the only worthy candidate amongst the current crop for that position as the so called "senior players" are so unproductive and crap.

Blimey just realised he has incredible work rate and tenacity as well. . . I wish I can say the same about majority of our current players.

Someone needs to remind AVB that he doesn't have players like "Incredible Hulk", Falcao, Moutinho, Valera and Guarin at his disposal anymore.

Not only our board of directors share that rather delusional opinion, look around this forum as well.

What's more pathetic. Our shambolic display against a 3rd tier team or some Chelsea fans trying to defend our woeful display?

The players weren't even trying to impress the new manager which is a big cause for concern.

Nothing surprises me anymore about some of our fellow fans

I will cyber-slap anyone that claims this team does not need major overhaul.. . . .the same ole boring, lifeless,uninventive and rigid shit Even Liverpool that we were made to believe cannot challenge for the title put 6 goals past this same Malaysian team and did so with style and flair. AVB has major major work to do

Why did I cancel an appointment to watch this piece of crap?

No cohesion, poor movement, heavy touches, slow paced, few chances created. . . story so far.

Roman should file a law suit

Thanks for the links mate :tophat:

Absolutely nothing can beat Carlo's Ferreira for Bosingwa substitution whenever we are short of ideas and desperately chasing a game.

kk I thought as much. . . . hopefully him and kakuta will both have a great and injury free tourney