laura90

I never wanted AVB to be appointed in the first place, if that would mean keeping almost the same squad. I would rather spend those millions on new players. I never wanted us to sign Torres. I wanted that money to be spent on winger and playmaker. I don't trust AVB and I would rather have Hiddink at his place year before. I have always stated we will play Europa League with him and this squad. But, right now the most important thing is rebuilding the squad. And it seems to me this club is changing it's ways. What if we are in proces of changing standards? Changing profile of players we are signing, changing of payment policy. If we are moving from signing expensive and established players to not so expensive and established? What if we are prepaired to not play in CL ? We need 4-5 players, will we really pay 40 mil for one? If board is so desperate for CL why haven't we signed anybody big in January? When we set some standards and achieved success on them, in order to keep that success at this moment we need to keep the same standards. Big fees and big paychecks. What if we won't? Than we need to fail. And that would be Europa League. And on AVB, maybe in time I will want him sacked but right now changing manager wouldn't mean anything to me. Especially if that means disturbing much needed rebuilding process. And on Europa League, I don't want this competition for Chelsea, but I would hate the fact that we are not allowed to play in it.

I honestly believe that there is no Chelsea football fan who believes sacking AVB would be solution to everything. Even make a significant impact. We are now dealing with squad with disturbed relationships within, without leadership, without team spirit, unity, desire, motivation and I could go on and on. It's not all up to coach. Simply, the backbone we used to rely on is not reliable any more and we don't have another one. Rebuilding that had to take place, did not. Now we are paying the price. Untill we rebuild the squad and say goodbye to some players, there is no manager who can be successfull here. Not even Mourinho without 4 new players. If AVB believed he could, he was naive. And at this moment he is having hard time. And he makes mistakes. He is just not up to this complex situation. It was a posibility. No matter how bad he seems, this squad structure and relationships within are as bad. That must be solved first. Scouting for new players and signing them would make me much happier than sacking AVB. And maybe, just maybe we can't afford both.

Negatives: - his team selections. Is there any way to justify Bosingwa over Iva at RB with a healthy Cahill available at CB? - repeated inclusion of Raul and Bosingwa with their obvious deficiencies. - buffling substitution patterns...Mata, the only creative force is off. Malouda first off the bench time and time again? - The 4-2-3-1 against ManU worked , then against Everton he reverted back to the 4-3-3 with our single creative player stuck on the LW with absolutely no creative force in the center. He insists on 4 3 3. - not parking the bus with 3:0 result against united. - he brought Mata but he doesn't play him on the position best for him and this squad - a streak of 4-7 matches played so poorly, with basically the same cast of characters? - He doesn't seems able to bring the best out of players or motivate them. But than again, who would? Given that many are on their way out. - Talking about next year project is more important than this season, although we are struggling . That is not a proper way to motivate current players. - Alex and Anelka treatment Positives: - has potential to become great manager and he is a scout, what can be handy in our situation. - he is good looking, can increase female fan base. - he appointed good looking physiotherapist to distract male fans from bad display.

Only by people who were not aware of the quality and structure of our squad. Most people even then knew that we would struggle for CL spot, never mind title. That doesn't justify AVB though. Had he did everything right with this squad and with Arsenal' and Liverpool' poor form so far, our chances for the forth place would have been much higher.

I am not dissappointed with AVB. Since transfer window closed, I have been saying we will play in Europa League with him. So far so good. Due to decline in form of our the most important and the most influental players, we have had disturbed hierarchy in the team for quite some time. That led to lack of leadership, lack of team spirit, lack of unity and in the and lack of motivation. Mix that with not so talented players and you get yourself the mess bigger than bad coach. Couple of months older and inexperienced AVB couldn't cope with this squad. Suprise, suprise. The only way he could have chance to succeed is with new players. This board and unfortunately team will pay for bad decisions taken in the past, especially during last year. It's inevitable. It will take much more from AVB sacking to repair the damage. I believe he will stay. I also believe we don't have to play CL next season. And I am looking forward seeing our youngsters in next season Europa League. If he get sack, Hiddink will come. He will cost less.

I don't rate Sturridge very much. In spite the fact that he is our best striker, I don't like his attitude. I consider him selfish football player Malouda-like, arrogant, lousy team player, and "glory hunter" on the pitch. But I'm aware of the fact that many Chelsea fans rate him very much and I respect that. And I want him to succeed here rather than in Liverpool. Therefore I believe bringing another top striker, many of you are craving for, would put Sturridge career here in jeopardy. I believe that only way Sturridge career here can progress is by giving him chance as our main striker during this or at least next season. Why? - At this stage I find that opposition teams are handling him better because they have learnt more about him. The more time pass, his liabilities as a winger will come to light. He has much to learn and improve, but will he be willing to? - He does not want to be a winger. - Only player who can have his qualities and become fantastic footballer is a striker. - And because he has more potential to become world class striker than natural winger.

There is no truth in articles like these. This story is, like many others, published in order to undermine AVB and put him under additional pressure. Like he doesn't have enough of that already. Nowdays AVB finds himself in a very difficult situation, which is understandable when one looks in our team and it's structure. Since he is young and unexperienced, it is human for him to make mistakes. And expected. We have no choice but to support AVB to the end of the season and let him bring in his kind of players to implement his style. Then we will see his true colours. I just wish that in the meantime AVB had some experienced assistant manager, like Steve Clarke or Ray Wilkins. That is what he is missing the most, in my opinion.

His mental strenght, as Wenger calls it, is gone. As simple as that. I wasn't defending Torres. I have never done that. As I previously said, I believe he is finished. I haven't been able to be dissapointed with him for quite some time. I truly don't have a bit faith in him. I prefer Chelsea without him on the pitch. The day we signed Torres was the saddest day in my life as a fan ( after CL final). Not only becouse I'd believed he wouldn't make it here , but becouse for me it was the clear message in which direction this club' transfer policy is heading. I was so dissapointed we didn't sign midfielder and winger instead. I knew that decision will have negative consequences on future transfers, and this team in general. Lukaku signing didn't help. Mata alone wasn't enough. So lately we have watched 4 games which Chalsea fans considered the worst they have ever seen. It was a combination of bad management, bad display and bad player's attitude. Torres was awfull. But he wasn't the only one. There were at least 6 players as awfull as him. And that was the point. My disappointment started the day we signed Torres. It was different with Sheva, we had a team back then. But year before we needed team players and we signed him. I honestly expected him to fail and was never able to blame only and only him for that. In the end he is replaceble. That is why I don't find him as my biggest issue with this team.

It's funny how after those displayes people only write about Torres. It's all his fault. Like he is the biggest problem. After sad news, it will stop for a while, but I will post my opinion anyway. Well, it seems I was watching different games. In last couple of games I saw : - 8 or 9 completely unmotivated and disinterested players per match ( bar Cech and Luiz) , no cohesion, no team play - players who ( bar Mata and Cech) are all in: he is past it; he is still learning it; he never had it; categories. - manager who insist on formation he does not have players for - players who work very little in attempt to create something together, they rather try by themselves and if it works it works. Of course if they are not in the position to shoot, they pass, but sideways or backwards to the closest teammate. - many attempts of crosses after which one thing is certain - possesion is lost. - arguable the worst midfield in the Premier League, maybe with exception of relegation candidates, with: Raul Meireles - was bench warmer in Liverpool, impact sub at best Lampard - has fantastic instict to shoot and best striker in this team, but when it comes to midfield his contribution is poor Ramires - he can run, he can shoot, but can't pass or create in the box Romeu - as much as we want to make new Makelele out of him, he is still kid Malouda - he can shoot the stands and lose possesion and does it very effectively. Can he pass or cross? No. - Not one single natural winger and famous 4 3 3 formation How is all this Torres fault I don't know. Anyway, This club is opsesed with people who can shoot. We bought Torres, Lukaku, this new kid and I'm sure Kevin de Bruyne is here becouse he can shoot. OK he is a fantastic winger in making. Trouble is we ignored players who create ( bar Mata) and we didn't have any. That leaves us only with Mata who is already surprised by the weight of expectancy on his shoulders. We spent 100 mil on people who can shoot and new manager, and only 25 mil on creators of this game. It should have been reversed. Did I mention that new manager is not by any means better than previous one ( he just didn't have misfortune of having all the most important players, pitch leaders , Lampard, Terry and Drogba, injured at the same time for a while ) like Carlo did. But we can simply ignore this things and look forward to the day when Drogba, Sturridge or Lukaku start leading our attacking line. I personally can't wait . Torres will be benched soon enough. The trouble is, he won't take problems with him.

And bar him everyone else have been fantastic today, very usefull, had several proper actions and done a lot of good. Fantastic effort, team spirit, exceptional passing, a lot of creativity, plenty of chances and amazing attacking football. Lukaku would have scored hat trick if played today. Had it been Higuain there, he would have scored 5 with our killer passes that unlocked QPR defense so briliantly and all the chances we created. But Torres ruined it all with playing so awful. That is why we are only one more striker away from being world beaters again . Everything else is simply briliant. Wingers, midfielders, briliant. Just a new striker, please. I watched the game today, and if Torres was my only problem, I would feel much better about this team.

Sturridge: when he doesn't score, he often offers nothing. His ball distribution and passing are very poor at best. His team play is from zero to nothing. He cares more to be the star than for the team to play the best . He should be a striker. Only like that we could succeed with him. I can't see him as a successfull winger with his selfishness and desire to stand out. Ramires: He is quick and can be very pivotal in quick transferring the ball from defence to attack. He is very needed in counter attack and he can score. On the other hand his passing is very poor . He can be very useful midfielder, but as the worst one, surrended with much more creative midfielders and wingers, who can pass and who will make the best out of Ramires' speed and quick ball transferring. Mata - he is very creative and our most talented player who can pass but not the type that can do it all by himself. He needs help. It is hard to keep creativity at top while other players pass ball back to defenders or left right to the closest player. Torres - His Chelsea carrer was gone during his first month here. He should have never come here and he realized it early. But thinking it is all his fault and our team and management had nothing to do with it is very narrow minded. Lampard- - had he played yesterday, we would probably won. I missed him very much. But that is the problem. When he doesn't score, he often offers nothing in midfield. On the contrary he makes it even worse. Meireles - was much better and much more usefull in Liverpool. He is not creative, his defensive abilities are poor, his passing is poor and he is trying to find his scoring boots too often. Even if he succeed, he will be in " only usefull when scores" group. Altought it is very popular to say that bad finishing brought us here, poor finishing has his cause. And that is playing without proper winger and without any creative midfielder with average players for so long.

First, I doubt Hazard will be sold during January transfer window. They don't have to sell. Even if they do, Hazard will not come here. For various reasons. He won't move untill he is sure that Real Madrid is not an option. Or Barcelona. Further, I doubt he is interested in coming here. Simple, we don't play attractive football to attract players like him. Our best players are lousy passers, pretty limited and selfish to certain extent (bar Mata) and our football is kinda boring. I don't mind, but it doesn't make us top target for players of his calibre. To improve we need more various players, not just one . One world class player wouldn't make much difference in this team, despite popular opinion. Hazard and world class midfielder to play with Mata would be great, but Hazard alone not that much. But we fear for CL spot, hence we will probably get someone. I just hope he won't come alone.

Are you going to stop talking about Torres? It's pretty obvious AVB wants him out and he is trying to make him want to go anywhere, under any condition including wage reduction. As simple as that.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ll/16061362.stm Quotes: “The criticism of us has just been over the top. “To be fair, from the coverage there only seems to be one team in the country at the moment, which is Manchester City. “Now I do hope they qualify, sincerely, but the approach to Man City seems to be 'well, if they qualify they qualify and if they don't qualify, they don't' - basically, we don’t get that kind of margin from you guys [the media]. “I will never criticise your editorial choices, but this is the reality - people are taking perspectives which are out of this world, from criticising our players to criticising our choices. “Some of this comes from a former Manchester United defender [Gary Neville] who sits up top [in the commentary box] and in his preparation for the game says things like 'I wouldn't want to be one of the Chelsea players today, I couldn't play this game, it is a difficult game for them' - this is out of this world, I can't believe this sort of thing. “This is all a continuous persecution of Chelsea and continuous aggressiveness towards the one club. “We have become your target and we accept that, but now you have to accept that today was a brilliant win and now it is unfortunate for you guys because you have to report on a brilliant win for Chelsea qualifying in first place. This must be difficult for you all to do.” Can't help but love his complete hatred of the press. Although I hope that future results will continue to support his statements and views.

I despise Liverpool. I really do. But Liverpool are a shit side that won't finish near to us in the league? Really? Maybe, if they finish 4th and we 6th or 7th... I respect your opinions, althought I rarely agree with them. But, this shitty Liverpool won against Arsenal and Chelsea, draw against United and City, and were on the brink of win in both games. They've lost some stupid points, I know, but they miss true goalscorer. They are bunch of average players but they play like a team, for only one aim, and for Queen Kenny ( who seem to be better leader than tactician). If nothing, that is the reason why they are better than us right now. Together with United, City, Spurs, Newcastle and Arsenal.

Transition? No, we are not in transition. When we have a new players ( or youngsters) on the field, then we will be in transition. Untill then, we are in "Bad moment". About this season, we will not finish in the top four. No way. The sooner you get used to it, the less you have the urge to break a laptop or drink a bottle of whiskey after every Man Utd, Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle match. We will play Europa League ( my favourite Europe competition) next season( or few). The good thing is we will be there together with Arsenal (Liverpool) and Newcastle. I know missing out of Champions League will be big blow for this club and to most fans. However this is something through which we have to pass. Mainly becouse of our board. They are making one bad decision after another. And they don't learn from their mistakes. For example, after Torres transfer, they bought Lukaku. I know he is for future, but you take care of future after you sort out your present. - Salaries are too high given the contribution on the field. - Most of our transfer are not enough, pointless and needs are not addressed properly. - We do not have enough money to repair damage with it all the time. - We set the standards that we can no longer follow ( wages, transfer fees). - We change managers, but not the players. With our last move we've replaced decent manager with by no means better one. Some are saying we can't afford not playing CL. Very true. But we also can't afford all these mistakes. Policy of this club is poor, and should be changed. And what better to initiate changes from such „failure“? As for world class players that might leave, such as Mata ( or Luiz), they depend on form of their teammates, regardless of CL. As for FFP rules, we didn't buy properly without them. I am sure all clubs will find ways to work with them. So will we. Besides, whether we will be the top four team and tittle contenders, depends on ambition of our owner and wise decision making, not season or two without CL . But, we will experience some kind of bad moments - transition - better moments cycle.

We don't have players who are able to perform style and type of a play that is asked from them. Who posses skill, tehnique and football brain required for succesfull attractive attacking football in the Premier League. That might seem like a little, but that's EVERYTHING. Not as many as we need, anyway.

I find it difficult to agree with people who are convinced in our CL spot. I doubt it ever since the transfer window. For me it's like this: 1. City - obvious reasons 2. United - obvious reasons 3. Tottenham - people underestimate them. They were good 2 years before, as I recall, but since then they've only improved. Their signings are spot on: VDV, and now Parker, Freidel, Adebayor. They also have Modric, Bale, Lenon, etc. I can't stand them, but if remain without major injury blow, this is the top three team. 4. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle Liverpool and Arsenal have issues, but we have too. Right now we have: - some players who play a system that they are not technically or tactically able to play. - young and unexperienced manager who is world class in making, but needs time. - defence that struggle to cope with high defensive line. - midfield that struggle to carry this attractive attacking football we are supposed to play. They are good midfielders, no doubt, but question remains whether they are good enough for what is expected of them. ( Mata is an exception) - attack - our strikers can't score for some reason. Is Sturridge ready to be the main striker for a team like Chelsea? It remains to be seen. I agree this is decisive year for us. For many reasons. We are in the middle of some kind of a transition and rebuilding process. However we've spent around 125 mil this year and signed only one reliable starter( Mata). Maybe (Luiz or Romeu too). Players have been signed for the wrong reasons. The top four place is not guaranteed. On the contrary, it will be very difficult to achieve, given the circumstances and competition. If AVB and the team succeed in it, it will be incredible achievement.

If AVB is set on changing our style and system, and maintaining high defensive line with our current players as his only options, we will see matches like this the rest of the season I'm afraid. Given that most of the players are the same, this is no "Evolution", but a 'Revolution" that will have severe growing pains.

I respect AVB and I am fully aware of the fact that he is now doing the toughest job in the world of football. I also know that he is a very young manager with very little experience. I love this club, I suffer on days like this but as long as he is Chelsea coach, I will fully support him and hope for the best. But, for his sake and sake of this club I hope that he he at least learned something from today's defeat and that he will never ever : - play high defensive line again (doesn't suit to our defenders, or Premier League in general ). - play Bosingwa at right back position again ( the man can't defend, neither can cross) - play Ramires - Mikel - Lampard midfield again ( Not creative enough. Oriol or Meireles should play instead of Mikel, or whatever, but these three together - are one of the worst midfields in the Premier League. With this midfield we have played our worst games ). People tend to forget that so far we have played and won against weaker opposition , not particulary good at converting their chances. So this game must be the one to learn from. I believe he will figure out our weaknesses and problems . I also hope he is not reluctant to change . He should start on his January shopping list . We lack quality in certain areas to master his new style. I also hope he will get enough funds for that purpose.

But we will not. I said it before games have started. And it is OK. We don't have the players for title. We didn't have them 10 games before, and we don't have them now. As simple as that. I don't expect title at all. My only concern is top four place, not becouse of me ( I prefer Europa League ), but becouse of money and bad consequences of not playing in the Champions League. I want Chelsea to offload certain players we all know, introduce some youngsters and to buy players on positions needed. To create team for the future without Malouda, Kalou, Bosingwa etc. That would make my season. Not title. I can't expect title in these conditions. And I will not.

Before this season has begun, I was concerned for our spot in top four. I'm so sorry for this. Indeed, our top four spot seems to be in jeopardy. That is the price of keeping some players too long in the club. AVB has made one tremendous mistake, introducing Bosingwa as a right back and automatically putting Ivanovic out of his ( right back) position. That way we lost solid right back, which have cost us big time. High defensive line is a mistake for both, premier league and our defenders. I know that high defensive line suits attack, but no attack is good if don't have trust in defence. -Good attack has always been based on good defence. If players are not confident in defensive line, it presents enormous weakness. We got out from last year crisis with solid defence, it was our trademark and losing it can be big blow for the entire team. However, it's not late. Things can still be repaired. - I don't want to see Bosingwa at right back again ( altought Ivan will need time to adjust). We need to play defense Ivanovic- Luiz(Alex)-Terry -Cole( Bertrand). - Luiz and Bosingwa should never play together ( that leaves right side too exposed). -Terry-Ivanovic as CBs also is bad combo. I hope AVB will realize that. This first. - In January, we need to buy proper right winger, and Sturridge needs to be second striker or to challenge Torres for main striker place. He is a striker with instinct to score not to create chances what winger is supposed to do. He can be a superb winger against lower teams where he will get enough space to score, but against tougher opposition, where his ability to create ( not only for strikers) comes first and where he won't get that much space, he might dissapear. He is a bit selfish too, and that is very bad thing for wingers. - Forget about Modrić, is there any other player of his type avaliable? - We might need CB in winter transfer window too, but right winger is a must, so that our fullbacks stay back! -We need to offload Malouda, Drogba, sorry maybe Anelka, Ferreira or Bosingwa and Kalou to make space for new players, or even our youngsters! They will make more effort , if nothing.

That is the main problem here at Chelsea. We have significant number of players who seem to be past it (Drogba, Malouda, Kalou-not in age sense, maybe Anelka ). They have important roles in our squad, they are starters ( when needed) or impact subs - who, in the top teams, are as important as starters. (Impact subs are supposed to make the difference or to raise the level of the game of the whole team when needed). However we expect them to play at the top level. Therefore, it is quite possible that sometimes they play below the expected, make mistakes, or become frustrated with their poor play. After all, it does not matter whether you play for Chelsea .What matters is whether you can deal with it with your abilities and qualities. About the game, Ref and David Luiz lost it for us. I can't talk about that basta*d. David Luiz. Soft penalty. I know. However that was unacceptable. I know most refs wouldn't give it, but why to put yourself in that position when it's completely unnecessary ? Especially under those conditions. This match was tough from the very begining. We felt that, and players felt it too. It happens. Sometimes matches are difficult from the start, without reason. The last thing player should do then, is to make things even more difficult. And that is excatly what he did. He must reduce that kind of behaviour when things don't go our way in order to become world class CB for us. He was dedicated afterwards, trying his best to repair damage.

I'm not good at leaving links, but this should be link for this game: http://www.firstrowsports.tv/ FirstRowSports.eu. Not sure in quality of this stream , though. I came across it by chance. As manpe said, this might be shitty one. PS. Given that people are saying there will be no links, if this is not correct, sorry. I've already said I have no experience with streams.

Why? It's simple... The most impact in the shortest time on the field. My MOTM is David Luiz. He was exceptional against Valencia.