Are we going to finish in the top 4? - Achieved!

[Styles 9,790]

After the weekend games we are 1 point ahead of Spurs, 4 ahead of Everton and 5 ahead of Arsenal. Had Liverpool held on today I would have put them back in the race for the top 4.

Next round of fixtures:

Chelsea vs Wigan

Tottenham vs Newcastle

Sunderland vs Arsenal

Man Utd vs Everton

[bluephoenix 1,131]

As long as the Fat Spanish Waiter is the manager, top flight seems like a Himalayan task ! Giving up on 2 goal leads, loosing at Bridge.

Come to think about its scary ! .

[The only place to be 11,313]

Would missing out on the Top Four be the worst thing in the world? It might actually give us a chance to stop and breathe for a moment, rather than continuing this relentless assault on the Champions League. I've said it before, but last year's win papered over a lot of cracks.

One could easily argue that we haven't been running this club properly for a number of years, keeping the ship together with duct tape rather than rebuilding it from the hull up. We finished sixth in the league last season and that was about right, but maybe this summer is the right time to blow it up and build something brand new.

We've started doing the right things in the transfer market and we're moving towards a point where youth team graduates could slot into the team. Missing out on the CL might actually force us to build something long-term rather than patch a broken system up and go again. We might even enjoy watching the games again (wouldn't that be nice?).

I'll admit I'm looking for silver linings in a very dark cloud, but sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can do the right things in future.

[Hamilton 2,120]

I see your point, but missing out on the CL millions??

[Funkyflashman 187]

Would missing out on the Top Four be the worst thing in the world? It might actually give us a chance to stop and breathe for a moment, rather than continuing this relentless assault on the Champions League. I've said it before, but last year's win papered over a lot of cracks.

One could easily argue that we haven't been running this club properly for a number of years, keeping the ship together with duct tape rather than rebuilding it from the hull up. We finished sixth in the league last season and that was about right, but maybe this summer is the right time to blow it up and build something brand new.

We've started doing the right things in the transfer market and we're moving towards a point where youth team graduates could slot into the team. Missing out on the CL might actually force us to build something long-term rather than patch a broken system up and go again. We might even enjoy watching the games again (wouldn't that be nice?).

I'll admit I'm looking for silver linings in a very dark cloud, but sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can do the right things in future.

I get your point completely but I think the financial implications of finishing outside of the top 4 are too big to ignore especially with FFP becoming more of an issue (see Malaga - ed)

[Funkyflashman 187]

I see your point, but missing out on the CL millions??

Great minds...

[SinineUltra 1,170]

Would missing out on the Top Four be the worst thing in the world? It might actually give us a chance to stop and breathe for a moment, rather than continuing this relentless assault on the Champions League. I've said it before, but last year's win papered over a lot of cracks.

One could easily argue that we haven't been running this club properly for a number of years, keeping the ship together with duct tape rather than rebuilding it from the hull up. We finished sixth in the league last season and that was about right, but maybe this summer is the right time to blow it up and build something brand new.

We've started doing the right things in the transfer market and we're moving towards a point where youth team graduates could slot into the team. Missing out on the CL might actually force us to build something long-term rather than patch a broken system up and go again. We might even enjoy watching the games again (wouldn't that be nice?).

I'll admit I'm looking for silver linings in a very dark cloud, but sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can do the right things in future.

Financially it would be disaster but then again your last sentence sums it up. We have built our team around age and experience,hence the Pensioners. A model that was never self sufficient and youth-friendly. Time for a change, off with the driftwood. I get your point, but a bit hesitant with FFP kicking in.

[bushman 2,043]

We already hit the rock bottom by finishing 6th last year. Roman spent 1 billion to deserve that ?

Chelsea needs to clean their house. Starting in the office with the board, I feel.

[Styles 9,790]

Would missing out on the Top Four be the worst thing in the world? It might actually give us a chance to stop and breathe for a moment, rather than continuing this relentless assault on the Champions League. I've said it before, but last year's win papered over a lot of cracks.

One could easily argue that we haven't been running this club properly for a number of years, keeping the ship together with duct tape rather than rebuilding it from the hull up. We finished sixth in the league last season and that was about right, but maybe this summer is the right time to blow it up and build something brand new.

We've started doing the right things in the transfer market and we're moving towards a point where youth team graduates could slot into the team. Missing out on the CL might actually force us to build something long-term rather than patch a broken system up and go again. We might even enjoy watching the games again (wouldn't that be nice?).

I'll admit I'm looking for silver linings in a very dark cloud, but sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can do the right things in future.

I have long thought this but consider this. Last year we finished 6th and were way off the pace yet we fluked the Champions League and found ourselves in Europe once again. We were very close to having potentially lost millions and no longer having top players wanting to come to the club. Wouldn't that have forced the club into realising they can't allow that to happen again? Wouldn't they have smartened up and ensured that we wouldn't find ourselves in that position again? You would have thought so but here we are yet again. I'm afraid to think what will happen if we do miss out now.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Financially it would be disaster but then again your last sentence sums it up. We have built our team around age and experience,hence the Pensioners. A model that was never self sufficient and youth-friendly. Time for a change, off with the driftwood.

Financially it would be bad, but we'd have to count ourselves lucky that it would coincide with the new TV deal. That should mean we could keep hold of most of the big players but we'd have less to spend which might force us to use what we have already.

Maybe it's time to blow this team up.

[Thomas Williams 166]

When we have Hazard, Mikel, and Luiz back I'm sure we'll start doing a lot better than this. Our players are obviously burnt out now, they've played so many games. With more player to cycle with and fewer fixtures I'm sure we'll be top 4. We have a very thin squad (not really, they're just all out on loan) and with all the trophies we've been competing for, it has really hurt us.

Our starting 11 is definitely at least top 3, and with Ba in, probably top two.

[FriendlyMailman 15]

I see your point, but missing out on the CL millions??

Not a problem when you have mr roman backing us

[Hamilton 2,120]

Not a problem when you have mr roman backing us

Isn't this all coming to an end with ffp?

[Rmpr 8,977]

Would missing out on the Top Four be the worst thing in the world? It might actually give us a chance to stop and breathe for a moment, rather than continuing this relentless assault on the Champions League. I've said it before, but last year's win papered over a lot of cracks.

One could easily argue that we haven't been running this club properly for a number of years, keeping the ship together with duct tape rather than rebuilding it from the hull up. We finished sixth in the league last season and that was about right, but maybe this summer is the right time to blow it up and build something brand new.

We've started doing the right things in the transfer market and we're moving towards a point where youth team graduates could slot into the team. Missing out on the CL might actually force us to build something long-term rather than patch a broken system up and go again. We might even enjoy watching the games again (wouldn't that be nice?).

I'll admit I'm looking for silver linings in a very dark cloud, but sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can do the right things in future.

I see where you are going, but the positive impacts dont cover the huge amount of financial loss and worldwide image damage a 5th place would do.

Players might choose PSG or ManCity over us simply for the fact they will play on UCL (for instance). I really doubt Falcao would go to Chelsea if we dont qualify...

[Santiago. 1,500]

Should have went for Benat and recalled Lukaku for a guaranteed secure and stability until Moses and Mikel get back.

Benat for us would be magical and once he would of hit the Premier League, everybody would be calling him world class