Jase

No offence but perhaps others are more calm and composed not to completely overreact and press the panic button after just 1 defeat...

You're welcome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UvaU4eSDNQ

That defeat away to Basel? This is probably right up there with it. Worst performance since that defeat.

Maybe it's because we should rest 1-2 players with Galatasaray coming up 3-4 days after this match!

Sometimes you do wonder in games like today where Hazard is being heavily marked that it will be best to actually have a proper LB, and not a RB playing at LB(!), supporting him offensively to cause problems. Too often Azpi just sits back, most likely being asked to do so by Mourinho, and there isn't enough support for Hazard. Can't remember when was the last time we actually see a proper combination play or 1-2 move consistently between our wide player and FB, that is playing on the same side, causing damage to the opposition. Probably in the 09/10 season!

Would say the approach at Basel was even more of parking the bus than at City today as that wasn't even the case at the Etihad. If you have players not performing and turning up, then you will always gonna have issue regardless of what the manager tells the players to do. When you see the players can't even keep possession properly, hurried the passes, losing challenges, then the problem is more than just instructions from the man in charge.

Two pointers to make: 1. Ever since we drew 1-1 against West Brom on Tuesday, have seen people used the excuse of 'tiredness' for the two points dropped and again, the same excuse being thrown about after the defeat today. While I agree that maybe a factor in why we suddenly experienced two poor performances and results, it is only valid till a certain extent IMO. It's too easy after performances and results like this to say it's down to fatigue. Had some people pointed out to me that today's match was our 4th game in 13 days but am not exactly buying it especially when we had a range of 2-4 days of rest in between those matches to rest and prepare. If anything, this could well be the inevitable drop in form after having played so well and achieved many positive results over the past 1 1/2 months. That of course lead to the point of why Mourinho hasn't rotate the starting XI a little bit more. While I do agree that he should be playing the likes of Schurrle, Cole etc more, one could also argue that because the starting XI put out today has been performing well and got us to where we are and hence Mourinho probably didn't see the need to change and disrupt any consistency especially when we have been pretty much playing one game per week since the start of January. One, however, suspects Mourinho will probably rotate a tad more (hopefully) over the coming weeks tough games in the league and Champions League match coming up as well as not forgetting Matic and Salah are suspended for the latter competition. 2. Said this before and not doubting Terry's influence and leadership in this team for one moment but if we are THAT reliant on him, then I fear for us when he retires. It's a bit concerning that when you look through this team and there isn't a standout leader that takes charge in the manner that Terry does or one that does in their own way but vocal and commanding enough to make himself trustworthy and reassuring to other players and us fans watching the game. Look through the team and we can probably see some that can be a leader but not necessarily a standout one to lead us in the future. There doesn't seem to be one that is stepping up to the plate and take complete charge when Terry or even Lampard isn't even playing. At this rate, we may well have to simply pick one fella to be captain and hope he does a good job.

Blimey! Are you seriously suggesting that Mourinho had intentionally asked the players to pass the ball around slowly?! People wouldn't disagree with you about your point that Mourinho should play the kids (at least some) but to say he didn't want to do that because he didn't want to be seen as throwing the game away is ridiculous when he has always take every competition seriously, however small or big.

Honestly, whoever brought up the idea of playing Ramires out wide needs to be crucified. He's completely useless in that position and AVB, RDM, Benitez and Mourinho have all used him to stifle the opposition threat on the RW and/or when we play on that counter. However, once that plan goes out of the window like today after we conceded so early, then Ramires practically becomes a useless and disposable player. He doesn't even have the skill, ability and technique to take on and beat players with the ball especially when the opposition is defending. He's only useful out wide when there are spaces and gaps to break into!

Bertrand was injured most of the time and Mourinho never seem to trust anyway to begin with. As for Cole, he was already being dropped after that poor performance at Newcastle and doesn't seem to be trusted since. Both not even comparable with Schurrle's case. Mourinho's fallout with the other players you mentioned there is, again, not even the same situation as Schurrle's. They all fell out with him for different reasons and it would be rather idiotic and petty of Mourinho to have Schurrle in his bad books just because of one party. That is just ridiculous. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I agree that Schurrle probably should have played today but who on earth would expect us to play that poorly with that best XI out there today? Had we won or draw, would you even be complaining about this point? And how is that Stoke game something he doesn't care about? If he doesn't care about it, if he doesn't care about the FA Cup, he would have played all the kids to begin with. If anything, Mourinho is just picking the side based on the opposition we face.

Yeah. Pick one or two..

Thing is, we have played lots of important games recently and a squad player like Schurrle was never going to start much especially when the others were doing well. Hence why Schurrle played in the FA Cup against Stoke and probably should have done so today again but perhaps because it's City, Mourinho ended up wanting to play the first team. I would find it ridiculous of Mourinho if he seriously tossed Schurrle aside just because he hanged out with the Arsenal players.

Should take a rest then and perhaps I could help you with that..

Like it or not, Schurrle was bought for that purpose. Whether or not Mourinho sees the need to use him is another issue and let's not forget that only not too long ago he was still being utilized. Clearly Mourinho sees something that he didn't like in Schurrle and wants him to improve first or prefers to stick with the same side (perhaps stubbornly) that has been performing.

Chelsea vs Everton PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT English Premier League 22nd February, Saturday, 2014 Stamford Bridge 12:45 Kick Off (UK time)

Chelsea 1-0 Everton POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS English Premier League 22nd February, Saturday, 2014 Stamford Bridge 12:45 Kick Off (UK time)

@Barbara, I have absolutely no intention of putting down Oscar here in any way, just to clarify. Just find it strange that despite Mourinho said he wants to build the team with Oscar as the No.10, like the focal point in the team. Of course, Mourinho would not tie himself down to that and change his approach when necessary but the issue with that is if the counter attacking game plan is thrown out of the window like today after we conceded so early, then it becomes a problem when you have someone like Ramires out wide. He has all the energy, stamina and pace but his horrible lack of ability and skill probably overshadows that particularly when he's out of form like now.

Am I even comparing? Oscar may not be THAT quick but he's not exactly the slowest either. Anyway, the main point probably being Oscar was supposedly to be the main guy in the team but yet doesn't seem to start these games away from home. His lineup seem to suggest that. Only 1 ST this time. Have a proper DM and workhorse in Milner outwide to do a job on Hazard.

Well, Oscar is not exactly slow is he?

Form aside, strange not to see Oscar start this big game again. Same already happened with Arsenal in December and City last week.

Precisely my point. Could have just said something like "Already said what is needed. Won't say anything more till it's decided"...

Don't you mean 'sly old fox'...?

I'm sorry but does he or his dad ever stop talking? They are almost behaving like parrots repeating the same thing over and over and over again!

:confused: Meant to say the arse is so tempting you just feel like 'exploding' it. Just couldn't find a perfect 'needle to balloon' gif for that.