The Roberto Di Matteo Thread

[capriccioso 2,545]

imo you just cant read the game, because it was clear we were playing a better attacking football...

We played the same basic slow 4-3-3 in the second year of Ancelotti's tenure, but we were nowhere near as good, because that key trio of Malouda-Drogba-Anelka were off form.

[Joker10 946]

My biggest worry before RDM was appointed, was simply the question "Is he capable of building a style of play to get the best out of our new signings." That is the biggest question...so far i think our players are being under utilized.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

What Roman wants is "entertaining football" according to newspapers, I've been reading this since Mourinhos days. The talk is he likes offensive football. This is the first time I read that Roman wants a "high tempo passing style game". It seems we have Romans close advisors here.

From what we've all heard, Roman wants "sexy football" which implies more than just offensive football. When Ancelotti was sacked, Chelsea were in second place and we had scored the 3rd most goals in the Premier League. He was sacked because Chelsea weren't playing the type of exciting football Roman wanted. Mourinho's teams have never played sexy football and our best players of the previous/older generation (Drogba, Lampard, Terry) were not as exciting as Roman would have wanted. Which is the worry I have. Sexy football doesn't win.

[Styles 9,790]

I have a lot of respect and admiration for Di Matteo but there are some worrying signs. He has a lot of tough decisions to make with players like Lampard, Ramires, Mata and a few others. It's going to be interesting to see what he does in the next few weeks.

[Kezza 1,965]

I hope he mainly focuses on the league, Club World Cup and FA Cup (that cup belongs at Stamford Bridge).

League win would be great. Although its a tall order.

[capriccioso 2,545]

I don't think we have it in us to win the league, regardless of who manages us.

Unless said manager buys a new, world class back 4 in January.

[Styles 9,790]

I hope he mainly focuses on the league, Club World Cup and FA Cup (that cup belongs at Stamford Bridge).

League win would be great. Although its a tall order.

I think our main priority should be finishing in the top 4 before anything else.

[Jase 43,479]

I hope he mainly focuses on the league, Club World Cup and FA Cup (that cup belongs at Stamford Bridge).

League win would be great. Although its a tall order.

Would be absolutely livid if we do not win the Club World Cup in December. Have already tossed 2 trophies down the drain so easily.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Would be absolutely livid if we do not win the Club World Cup in December. Have already tossed 2 trophies down the drain so easily.

You can livid all you want, cause I would toss that milk cup and the Capital One cup to the trash as well!

CL, PL, and FA Cup only cup of important.

We are not like under Mourinho that we like to count every single meaningless cup.

Big team, and we only care about the big trophies.

[HRiver 1,512]

If we're not in the top 3 by December and we fail to win the Club World Cup, Roman will in all likelihood show RDM the door.

[Styles 9,790]

If we're not in the top 3 by December and we fail to win the Club World Cup, Roman will in all likelihood show RDM the door.

Guardiola is just lurking in the shadows at that point.

[gary gordon 1,777]

If we're not in the top 3 by December and we fail to win the Club World Cup, Roman will in all likelihood show RDM the door.

I love Robbie and wouldn't be happier for him to be the most successful coach in the clubs history, but lets face it, his contract is probably riddled with performance based clauses.

[themightyblue 443]

What a joke. Win 3 games on the trot and then a bad performance and all of a sudden he's not the right man. Give the guy a chance for fuck sake. I honestly think he can't win, he get criticised for every little thing whether it's team selection, playing Bertrand. Unbelievable

[Rowan_Osborn 58]

What a joke. Win 3 games on the trot and then a bad performance and all of a sudden he's not the right man. Give the guy a chance for fuck sake. I honestly think he can't win, he get criticised for every little thing whether it's team selection, playing Bertrand. Unbelievable

Its got to be the biggest knee jerk reaction to a game I've seen. We are top of the league for crying out loud.

[DYC. 7,542]

I only blame RDM for one thing. Since the 4-2-3-1 is obviously his main formation, he should've recognised our vulnerable double pivot.

Of course when facing lesser sides we won't face too many problems but against good opposition, we're bound to struggle. You need at least one dynamic player in there. Oscar is not the answer as you need to be very sound defensively. The role is also too restrictive for a player like him. He'd be fine in a free role against the lesser sides though.

That said, giving Romeu a shot alongside Mikel might bring a positive suprise. And maybe Meireles could surprise by performing well and consistently but I'm not counting on it.

[Jase 43,479]

You can livid all you want, cause I would toss that milk cup and the Capital One cup to the trash as well!

CL, PL, and FA Cup only cup of important.

We are not like under Mourinho that we like to count every single meaningless cup.

Big team, and we only care about the big trophies.

Whatever. That's your opinion.

We don't get to play in this competition very often and I want to see us win it. Plus, we have not win it before and we didn't get all the way here just to toss another competition out of the window. It may not be the most important and biggest of trophies but winning it will breed confidence and continue the winning mentality of the club.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Whatever. That's your opinion.

We don't get to play in this competition very often and I want to see us win it. Plus, we have not win it before and we didn't get all the way here just to toss another competition out of the window. It may not be the most important and biggest of trophies but winning it will breed confidence and continue the winning mentality of the club.

We've won it before. I'm not even upset we lost this cup, shit happens, Man utd lost to Zenit in this cup a couple seasons ago.

It's just the way some players performed was really frustrating.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Whatever. That's your opinion.

We don't get to play in this competition very often and I want to see us win it. Plus, we have not win it before and we didn't get all the way here just to toss another competition out of the window. It may not be the most important and biggest of trophies but winning it will breed confidence and continue the winning mentality of the club.

Well a certain Mr. Mourinho you have in your avatar, says such things are not important....