Barbara

This thread should be merged with Diego's and renamed The Twilight Zone. I'm surely confused and lost reading the posts. I don't know where I am and please don't ask my name. I can't even say what I came here for in the first place and believe me I'm not kidding. Good goal, that's all I've got to say now. When I'm not that confused I'll probably have more to say, but in the meantime I'll avoid Diego's thread (haven't been there yet) because it might make me even more confused.

I think he did okay. We can't expect a player who has just arrived to win us every match, still he got an assistance. The following part of my post may be filled with blind hope or excessive optimism, take it with a grain of salt, or hold onto it for dear life, lol. I can't wait for us to play Matic - Oscar - Cesc; Hazard - Costa - Pedro. With his pace, dribbling skills and pressing qualities, Pedro is an improvement to Willian in the right wing with the goals and assists added. Surely for when Oscar is playing like crap and unfortunately that is almost a given due to his inconsistency, we can have Willian replacing him, but fact is Pedro is an upgrade to Willian all things considered. Maybe we still need an upgrade for Oscar (that isn't Willian), but we got at least half of the job done. I really hope when Oscar is back he comes on his best form and helping the pressing, setting the tempo, making himself available for passes exchanges our midfield will look more solid and compact. This leaves space for Cesc to split defenses with his through balls, Hazard and Pedro to take onto opponents on both flanks and Pedro is an improved Schurrle, being a great target for those Cesc passes. Pedro is everything Schurrle should dream of becoming (and don't know if he will ever). He gets between the lines, he's fast, he's direct, he has a flair for goals (and important and decisive goals on big matches nonetheless). If we fix our midfield and that could be with Oscar or some new signing, someone to share the dirt work properly with Matic, help our pressing and start properly our attacks, Hazard - Costa - Pedro will be deadly. Jason said in the Mourinho thread that this is the most un-Mourinho team he's ever managed and while I disagree with some points, I definitely agree about the counter-attack thing. Pedro is the player to fix our attack setup and I agree with DYC. (or was it Pizy?) about us needing to fix our attack drills. It looks like we don't have any sort of identity, it looks like whatever player gets to do whatever he wants as he don't seem to have any kind of style and philosophy when attacking. With Pedro's presence that could change. He has the ability to replicate Hazard to a certain extent on the right - which gives opposition a much bigger problem and while Hazard is definitely more talented and technical than Pedro, Pedro is years ahead of Eden in terms of finishing, directness and experience - which makes him not only the perfect partner in crime for Eden, but also a damn good mentor. Pedro isn't our savior - I don't think our attack needs any saving to start with (only organization), but he's definitely the answer. Mourinho should now be able to implement some sort of identity to our attacking phase - whatever that is, but I think we just have the right players center, left and right to play counter-attack and the players we have are definitely capable of delivering what Mou expects from them. In many positions I think Mourinho is a victim of the lack of the quality needed for what he plans (whether he miscalculated the signings or had to deal with players already here is another discussion), but now this excuse can't be given anymore and with Kenedy and Willian I think we even have some decent depth in the attacking positions. So if we fail again to build a convincing attack, with some philosophy in place, it's going to be all on Mourinho (not that it wasn't before, as he's the one who signed the players we had, but he now definitely has the right players for a deadly attack imo). So either I'm sober and this makes a lot of sense, or we're just in such a dark place with the team now, that I'm holding onto blind hope and on straws... I really hope the former is the case.

excuse me? One is a striker, the poacher kind, the kid has a way to get the ball into the net. The other is an attacking midfielder, with a hell of a left foot for long range shots, a lot of pace and dribbling skills. How does one compete with the other? That's the same as saying the moment Pedro arrived, Costa could start counting his days in the team. No logic. My main problem with the kid is his decision making. If he can work on that like Ramires couldn't, I'll be impressed. Elasticos, pace, dribbles, don't impress me, but his personality and the way he approached the match certainly did. If he can develop well to improve his vision and decision making, then I think we have a great player in our hands, if not, we'll have a utility player - like Ramires - atrocious passing except for the odd day, but with some things that might help in certain matches. Also, I'm not saying they're the same player, they're completely different, they just showed to have the same problem. Kenedy is definitely more talented than Ramires.

there are two aspects of Oscar that are as clear as day, but only one of them is overstressed by most (there's a minority who stresses both or the other one). 1) Oscar in form is one the key players for our team because he gives the balance for players much better than him to shine (Cesc, Hazard, Matic) 2) Oscar isn't in form nearly long enough. So we've played shit with him when he was shit, but we NEVER and I say that very emphatically and absolutely sure of myself, we NEVER played as good as we did when he was at the top of his form. Every time someone points out the good stretches of good football we played in the last couple of seasons it had always been the same time Oscar was playing his best (so I guess we're supposed to believe this is nothing but a big coincidence?). He has a huge problem which is his consistency. The fact he isn't creative enough or doesn't have a brilliant vision for a #10 aren't that much noticeable if he's on form because he compliments and complements players more talented than him. Also he isn't as bad in those two aspects as people make him out to be. When he's playing well, he would get a 7-8 on both things imo. When he's playing bad 2-3. We desperately need Oscar now, but only if it's the good Oscar and as we never know how long we can count on the good Oscar, we have a problem. Oscar needs to fix it, José needs to fix it and the club needs to have an alternative. Willian isn't it no matter how much you guys lick his crouch. It's funny all of you have been saying he's been one of our best players since the New Year, but the exact same people and some others say we haven't been good enough since New Year. What does it say to you? That Willian is our best performer (let's exclude Hazard from the talk altogether as he's our best player) when we're playing like shit and instead of addressing it the right way - which is Willian doesn't contribute directly to improve our play - you guys prefer to take the route I can't follow: Willian should be our #10. Even in the matches he didn't play in the wing and played as #10 we continued to suffer... we have never - as far as I remember - played really well, outplaying opposition, being creative, fast, direct and all the other adjectives you could find about us in the first 3-4 months last season when Willian has been our #10. We were playing bad and with him in this position we slightly improved but he has never been or will ever be a game changer. It's not that hard to be the second best performer when the team has been playing bad for months. Oscar dropped his level horribly, and it was the time for Willian to take matters into his own hands, bring us back to where we were before (although not all by himself because Cesc and Diego were missed too through suspension, injuries and Cesc dropping his level as well), but he wasn't able to do that. Yes, I know being Ivanovic babysitter detracts his chances, but in 10 years of senior football he has never been the player to shine with stats, but neither with carrying a team towards the right direction, and Ivanovic has been part of only 3 of those years. I'm able to give Willian some credit today - something I wasn't in the past. But while most people here recognizes and cries about Oscar inconsistency, they aren't as ready to recognize the heights he brings when he's in form. I partially blame this because Oscar isn't flashy and his work is more about enabling others to do their best rather than him shining through and through, but I also see a veiled reason, especially from some members, and well, Oscar has been born the way he is, he may change his football profile someday, but he won't change who he is. It means some people will always look at him in a certain way.

they were both cut from Brazil NT after being called upon, so I don't think that's the problem at all. They are injured, that's a fact, if they're going or not to Juventus is yet to be seen, but they're injured.

I think we finally got caught. Earlier this year when the performances were bad, the results still came because Mourinho is a great motivator and it doesn't take much to motivate players to win a title that was well within their hands. Now, not only they relaxed a bit - probably resting a bit on their laurels - but our limitations caught up with us. His motivation skills haven't been enough, we got our technical and tactical limitations exposed and it'll take a great problem solver to fix it and certainly different players in a couple of positions. Mourinho used to be a great problem solver, long term and short term. He had a way to change matches with a sub or a new setup that we have rarely seen since he came back. He also had the ability to change the way the team played after longer periods of things not going the way he wanted. He's lost it (my guess is because he's trying too hard to be Fergie, that he thinks player loyalty - not to say favoritism - and stubbornness is what made Fergie win so much and stay so long, I'm not sure about either - him wanting to be the new Fergie and Fergie's success coming from those things - either way football changed and not even Fergie would have started winning nowadays, but once a team is a winner, and has this aura and mentality after many years, it overachieves). Speaking of overachieve, that's what we did last year. motivated by the title possibility, some of our players played out of their minds and covered for many other players' limitations. Now it's the time for everyone - manager, players, board and even fans show their true colors. We all need to react, they more than us, of course. We won't get away with our weak defense - it has always been weak, does anyone remember the first couple of months last year? We didn't concede as many goals as we should have because we were lucky, opponents missed a lot, and goalies made some miracles, but we were just as unstable, this year with less luck. Ivanovic and Cahill are liabilities that depend a lot on how much players such Willian and Matic will cover for them, but neither is playing so well yet, so the defenders are exposed. Cesc needs both Matic and Oscar to perform at their best level for his defensive and physicality limitations not to be exposed and for his geniality to be maximized. That means we need players to replace Iva and Cahill and alternatives for when things aren't working on Cesc's favor because when they aren't, he works against us as he exposes us. Mourinho needs to see if he can find the answers within our squad or still do some key signings, but the truth is we got caught and as he says all the time, we are in a league that is more competitive than ever... we need to react.

there you go, not even the bandwagon who says he never takes responsibility can say shit now. He's making mistakes, no one questions it, but let's talk about the real mistakes instead of the pre-fabricated ideas that sprout here all the time? Also, he's our manager, we could and should criticize him, but a little bit of support and faith is what supporting a football team is about. So let's hope he figures things out soon. And for Ivanovic to be gone next summer. I'll be happy if he's gone from the next match though

seriously, that was the worst post I've read here, and don't come say 'sarcasm', 'jokes' to hide behind it, there's none of it... I expected this comment from the two guys I've just mentioned, not from anyone else... maybe the guy who spoke like Yoda and who's been banned a long time ago... but that'd be it, only those three. Sorry Jason, but that has been awful. Not even MrBlueGuy would be able to come up with this.

I support the mods and I think they do a great job, and the rules are crystal clear about what gets someone banned. But there are a couple of guys in this forum that I wish weren't here anymore. I disagree with a lot of people, I have a huge ignore list, but that's just because I lack the patience to deal with some kind of people. But this MrBlueGuy and many times this Excalibur guy behave like the most obvious trolls. Come on, democracy is a big fallacy, some clean up wouldn't hurt

there are problems and Mourinho is losing the plot with a few things, but you guys need to get even more a grip than him. You come him to complain we're predictable, he doesn't throw the team to the attack when we need the result. Then he does that. You come here to complain he doesn't risk playing youth, then he does it, you continue to complain. You say he doesn't let the 4-2-3-1 go and is too stubborn, then he changes, you complain. He can't win with you. That said, I think there have been many problems today. 1) Ivanovic isn't the only reason we're losing matches, but he's one of the biggest reasons we concede so much 2) Fabregas has been a huge liability in our midfield and Matic is struggling to be the solid player he normally is 3) José should have subbed Iva off and not Azpili for the 3-5-2 4) We look lost and have absolutely no organization in any phase (that's on Mourinho too) 5) our players are poor piss, in general, at this moment 6) Remy has been the aim of the greatest injustices Mourinho has been doing Positives, only Kenedy (showed a lot of character there) and RLC. Pedro tried, but we were too bad. Good for Falcao he scored, Remy should still play ahead of him. We literally look like a mess, I don't know what's going on inside the club, surrounding Mourinho. I won't buy third season shit, but it doesn't mean he isn't messing up because he clearly is. I just think we should also talk a lot more about the players. They've been beyond poor. Mourinho has to own his shit and take some responsibility, but he doesn't play in the pitch. Hazard, Fabregas, Matic, our defense, players and areas we were so solid last year have been playing worse than Championship. And as much as Mourinho should find answers, those players can't say they unlearned how to play football. It's a 50-50 problem imo - Mourinho hasn't been able to provide answers and has been making some bad choices, and the players have been worse than I've seen most of them. It's a tragedy, but in all honesty, those things happen. Remember United, Arsenal, Liverpool? They all had recently looked clueless for a stretch... too bad we decided to join in the carousel.

happy for Kenedy and RLC though. They played really well in their cameos coming in a complicated situation...

Ivanovic has been a fucking, bloody coward now. He knows he's been awful and all players are destroying him, so instead of man up, he's barking orders around so he doesn't look so bad, but then he does nothing... just watches and barks... I don't know which is worse, being destroyed by opponents or hiding away being a 'captain'. FML

we look clueless defensively...

and have to admit it, that was a class goal... and an amazing long ball and an amazing cross

well, at least some people here won't be able to keep their shit on a broken record about Mourinho not bringing youth... Falcao scored LOL

I still don't understand Mourinho's insistence with Falcao - except his big ego thinking he can rebuild a player's career... Baba may not be ready to play yet, so we can sort of understand the Iva case, although I hate every second of it. The Falcao shit is nonsense... can't try to defend him

Kenedy and Ruben? Mourinho is definitely taking the piss

as long as Ivanovic plays for us, there's no chance for us to keep a clean sheet. He's been a walking liability and I want to know when we'll react to solve it. He shouldn't even be given the one year contract renew if you ask me. I want him out of Chelsea completely, not only from the starting XI

I'm starting to resent Ivanovic.... not to use a worse word...

not true. In the first half, they attacked much more on Azpi's side than Iva's. That said I can't stand Iva playing for us anymore. He's a walking liability Decided to come from my avoidance to the forum to praise Pedro. What a player. As a cule, I hated him almost as much as I hated Cesc, and just like the first, I'm coming to love him really fast. In most cases, I automatically associate the word cunt to any Barça player, so yeah, my hate is unfounded. What a difference a player with a working brain makes! And Iva wasn't any further exposed because in addition to thinking, dribbling, having pace, Pedro also works his socks off. I didn't read beyond the third page (or the post I quoted) or anything else on the forum, but I haven't seen in other places or in the few posts I read here, people commentating on how he improved our pressing 10 times fold. He aced it under Pep and he showed he can still do it wonderfully. How many times has he tacked, blocked, or forced an error from opposition to recover possession for us in the attacking half? A considerable number if I might add. Nothing wrong with Willian (except his inability to assist, score or do anything relevant at the edge and especially inside the box - which makes the idea of him being our best #10 laughable, but well, just different opinions) who's clearly still far from his best form, but he was the down side to our attack today. Costa made a few mistakes, but looked lively and dangerous, Hazard (who also missed an easy goal, although not a sitter as Willian) was more involved and Pedro was superb. An in form Oscar or Willian and our attack looks really dangerous (when will Mourinho stop insisting on Falcao? Even when the match was all designed for a player with Remy's pace and who's already proved himself in the past, Mourinho insists on his stupid and egomaniac attempt to make Falcao a star again... that's unfair, and there's only so much we can mildly complain about it, I was afraid he was going to be the reason for us dropping points today). I see a lot of people throwing stones on Cesc. While he was poor defensively, I saw the glimpses of the player from last season with the through balls and amazing vision. He's still out of form, he needs more matches under his belt, and he will never be a defensive prowess, but can we really talk only about him or mainly about him when we look like a league 1 (not even championship sides defend as bad as we do) when defending? Azpili was much better today than lately, but he's still not there yet. Matic has a whole world to improve. Cahill, Terry, Zouma all made mistakes, some small some big in those three matches and I refuse to comment on Iva. I can't wait until the time comes when he's not a regular starter for us and it gives me hope the board is refusing to give him further than one season contract as his current deal ends at the end of the season. We look clueless defensively, like we can't even do the basic well anymore. Every cross on our box - especially on set pieces leaves me with my heart on my mouth. We look shaky, vulnerable and easily beaten defensively except for our keepers who have showed some great work in those three matches. We need reinforcements, and we need them fast. I don't care if it's John bloody Stones or not. We need more depth and actually quality to start there. I hope we haven't put all our eggs in one basket as Everton seem adamant on not selling, but we can't go another season with those four. Only Zouma and Azpili are long term options and until we ace our defensive system again, Terry's slowness will continue to be exposed in a bad fashion, even if he's one of the best CBs in the world. Iva has to leave the team and so does Cahill and against fast attacks Terry. We need a reliable CB. José will never change 3/5 of our defense in one single season, but Iva, Cahill and Terry (JT only depending on the opposition) need to start making their way for better players. We overachieved defensively with those guys basically because Matic was incredibly effective protecting them, but also because we were lucky. We need to stop compromising the team fluidity (and right now even results) because of our reluctance in replacing soldiers that served us great well in the past, but that aren't that good anymore (Terry is still good, but only works well against some kind of teams). Really happy for Pedro and I hope the huge amount of goals, the numerous saves by our keepers and chances wasted by opposition will make the board and the club react about the defense the same way they reacted about Pedro. I said many times I didn't see much need of getting a better winger, but how wrong have I been. I have no doubt we still need a CM and CB - which have been the position I've been crying out for signings since the window is open.

the media isn't on his back for that. Except one comment from someone at Sky Sports, nobody commented on it. And much more important than the media relations and what they publish or air, it's his relationship with the player. It makes no sense for him to have lied about, but Mourinho now even breathes in the wrong way, I suppose. And with that newest BS, count me in the list of people that got fed up with this place. TalkChelsea is worse than any tabloid we have. I definitely don't have any more reason to come here... this place is barely a shadow of what it used to be. It really became a tabloid - of the worst kind.

Filho da puta is literally son of a bitch, so the word puta is there, and for the professionals those guys have, I'm sure none of them could translate that into anything other than slut. Seriously, there's no more hope for media in England. There has never been for Spain to start with.

I don't defend his behavior at all but people saying she was just sharing her feelings are as naive as she was (to use a nice word). Then others say he's using her to whatever, he isn't and he actually had a better excuse if he wanted one. And we both know the decision isn't his...

Dude, give up. They don't know how the grownups world works. They're probably filling their all FB pages now with all their cute feelings and if/when they get a job in a slightly big company they'll probably throw a tantrum when they read the social media policy... Don't try to explain economy or electricity physics to a child, they don't have the tools to understand it...

And the club like most companies in the world have social media guidelines. Yes, it was passive aggressive and not something your employers expect from you (doing your laundry publicly through social media) . This circus has been caused because of her reaction. Had she said nothing the media would have already let it go. But she had to say that, the club and not Mourinho, took a decision and the bad PR continues. Mourinho WAS wrong to talk about it. But a lot of lies has been said on this thread for people to have yet another reason to criticize him beyond what happened. He NEVER blamed the performance and dropped points on that. He was asked a straight question and he answered. The videos of his reactions show how pissed he was the EXACT moment they got into the pitch, before the free kick, before any potential consequences and the end of the match. That was his true reaction not deflection... He should have avoided answering the question, as he does when he wants. That's his one mistake here. He didn't blame her, he didn't deflect anything, during the actual post match press he acknowledged some things, he admitted the bad result. If he wanted excuses he would have mentioned the red card, which did cost us. Unlike many here he has a working brain, if he wants to find excuses, he'd given a buyable one, not some half arsed insignificant episode. Then the media and most people here transformed it into a circus. People criticize DM journalists, but they should have a reality check because they write even worse shit here and would do as bad if they worked there. Also, Mourinho's power in the club isn't what people make it out to be. He personally probably doesn't give two fucks about what she said, but in all honesty in the world, how many other docs and phisios in the last 12 months made it to the media in a negative way as Chelsea's? Maybe the power to be got tired of her actions in the pitch making the headlines every few months. The social media teenager behavior must have been the last straw, but let's blame it all on Mourinho and decide that he's been the person that took her job requirements away because that's what managers do, right? She doesn't even report straight (or in any form) to him. She's a Chelsea FC employee and while Mourinho could tell his superiors to go get another one because she's not up to his expectations, it's still a club decision, not his. This is not like his assistants, but I'll overlook some comments because I'm positive many here has never even stepped on a real life company, let alone a world wide one like Chelsea. They're obviously talking about things they don't remotely have a clue about.