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

[Hutcho 8,443]

Better GD than Spurs, game in hand on Arsenal. I still feel good about our chances.

The win today would've eased my burgeoning concerns.

A win today just gives us a safety cusion, if something goes wrong... Now one bad game and we could be sitting in 5th and being the ones playing catchup.

[bloody 209]

Ok. Deep Breaths. Upon reflection, If we win vs Spurs, we will get 4th ...

yes, IF

[Hutcho 8,443]

If we beat liverpool, we could lose to spurs and still be ahead of them. But we didn't. Bale didn't play last time we played them, and they want to beat us as much as we want to beat them so doing that will not be easy. Hopefully we get in a position where a draw is enough, as we will have a cushion, but we will see.

[laeth 527]

Our goal difference is far superior to Spurs; were effectively 2 points clear. This makes me feel better =).

[Styles 9,790]

Wheels starting to fall off. Us finishing out the top 4 has been obvious since January. The fact the club have done nothing to halt the decline just lets you know everything you need to about the clowns in charge. Taking the Europa seriously when any other club in our position would have binned that rubbish at the first available opportunity.

[Henrique 9,133]

Wheels starting to fall off. Us finishing out the top 4 has been obvious since January. The fact the club have done nothing to halt the decline just lets you know everything you need to about the clowns in charge. Taking the Europa seriously when any other club in our position would have binned that rubbish at the first available opportunity.

I dont see problems in taking Europa League seriously. The team needs to know their place in football world first, we have many examples of teams that ignored the Europa League in recent years but were poor in UCL or didnt even qualified for the tournament, like Aston Villa and Spurs.

Chelsea wont win the UCL next year, there will be a new manager, and for me its better to build a team without the pressure coming from UCL. So imo playing in UCL next year is not a big deal at all.

[Henrique 9,133]

imo if Chelsea dont finish in the top 4, it means the team dont deserve to play in UCL at all, I think 3 results were the key for the current situation:

Newcastle 3 x 2 Chelsea: Chelsea were leading, 2-1, just to see Sissoko score the winning goal for the home side with the clocking showing 90 minutes.

Reading 2 x 2 Chelsea: Chelsea were winning 2-0 until the 87th minute, and they conceded 2 goals in 5 minutes to let the home side equalize the scoreboard.

Southampton 2 x 2 Chelsea: Chelsea scored 2 goals in the first half, but could not handle the situation in Stamford Bridge, and the final result would show 2-2.

I mean, at least 5 points dropped, we could be with 67 points, 6 ahead Spurs. In order to finish in the top 4 we have to win the match against them in Stamford Bridge.

[Korea 734]

I dont see problems in taking Europa League seriously. The team needs to know their place in football world first, we have many examples of teams that ignored the Europa League in recent years but were poor in UCL or didnt even qualified for the tournament, like Aston Villa and Spurs.

Chelsea wont win the UCL next year, there will be a new manager, and for me its better to build a team without the pressure coming from UCL. So imo playing in UCL next year is not a big deal at all.

I agree. I don't see Chelsea, let alone anyone in England winning the UCL for the next few years....(Unless Man City gets a better manager and Cavani)

To me, Bayern, Barca, Madrid, BVB, Juve and even PSG are all going to be favorites moving forward for the next few seasons...

[Styles 9,790]

I dont see problems in taking Europa League seriously. The team needs to know their place in football world first, we have many examples of teams that ignored the Europa League in recent years but were poor in UCL or didnt even qualified for the tournament, like Aston Villa and Spurs.

Chelsea wont win the UCL next year, there will be a new manager, and for me its better to build a team without the pressure coming from UCL. So imo playing in UCL next year is not a big deal at all.

It will have huge ramifications for the clubs finances if we miss out on Champions League football. Also the prestige of Champions League attracts quality footballers. It's embarrassing that we spend so much and struggle to finish top 4.

[Jase 43,479]

imo if Chelsea dont finish in the top 4, it means the team dont deserve to play in UCL at all, I think 3 results were the key for the current situation:

Newcastle 3 x 2 Chelsea: Chelsea were leading, 2-1, just to see Sissoko score the winning goal for the home side with the clocking showing 90 minutes.

Reading 2 x 2 Chelsea: Chelsea were winning 2-0 until the 87th minute, and they conceded 2 goals in 5 minutes to let the home side equalize the scoreboard.

Southampton 2 x 2 Chelsea: Chelsea scored 2 goals in the first half, but could not handle the situation in Stamford Bridge, and the final result would show 2-2.

I mean, at least 5 points dropped, we could be with 67 points, 6 ahead Spurs. In order to finish in the top 4 we have to win the match against them in Stamford Bridge.

I wouldn't look too much into that Newcastle away game but the other 2, definitely and would throw in the QPR games for good measure. I mean from 6 games against QPR, Reading and Southampton, we only got 6 point out of 18 from there. Only 6! And as you pointed out, had we not threw away 2-0 leads against Reading and Southampton, we would be just 2 points behind City now, 3 ahead of Arsenal and 5 clear of Spurs!

[Ollie 4,400]

I think Tottenham still have very tough games but Arsenal are nailed on because they always get so lucky and get run ins against teams that don't have anything to play for. We really need Villa to win today so Man Utd can win the league at Arsenal. If Man Utd win today, which they will then there's no way they'll beat Arsenal on Sunday. Gotta stay positive though boys n girls.

Sunday, Chelsea vs Swansea, Wigan vs Tottenham and Arsenal vs Manchester United. This could be a big day for us. Believe!

[The only place to be 11,313]

Wheels starting to fall off. Us finishing out the top 4 has been obvious since January. The fact the club have done nothing to halt the decline just lets you know everything you need to about the clowns in charge. Taking the Europa seriously when any other club in our position would have binned that rubbish at the first available opportunity.

You're talking out of your arse if you think it's been obvious since January. It hasn't. We're still in control of our own destiny and all of our remaining games are winnable.

It's going to be tough though. I agreed with you on the Europa League thing, but we've got a chance at silverware now and we should go for it. If we don't get Champions League football next year, it's not the end of the world. This club is going to make a run at the league whatever happens because we've got great players and there are good managers out there.

As for the clowns in charge, yes I agree that where we are is a result of bad decisions but the ones in charge now seem to have a better plan for us going forward than the ones 5 years ago.

[Styles 9,790]

You're talking out of your arse if you think it's been obvious since January. It hasn't. We're still in control of our own destiny and all of our remaining games are winnable.

It's going to be tough though. I agreed with you on the Europa League thing, but we've got a chance at silverware now and we should go for it. If we don't get Champions League football next year, it's not the end of the world. This club is going to make a run at the league whatever happens because we've got great players and there are good managers out there.

As for the clowns in charge, yes I agree that where we are is a result of bad decisions but the ones in charge now seem to have a better plan for us going forward than the ones 5 years ago.

That run of games against QPR, Southampton and Reading where we managed to lose two 2-0 leads and lose to the bottom placed team at home sealed our fate in my opinion and that was around January if I recall correctly. You say we control our own destiny but that can change in one game and with our fixture list that is likely to happen.

You talk about plans going forward but what about the here and now? These idiots have managed to screw things up at every turn and you think bulk buying the best kids in Europe and loaning them out solves everything.

[The only place to be 11,313]

That run of games against QPR, Southampton and Reading where we managed to lose two 2-0 leads and lose to the bottom placed team at home sealed our fate in my opinion and that was around January if I recall correctly. You say we control our own destiny but that can change in one game and with our fixture list that is likely to happen.

You talk about plans going forward but what about the here and now? These idiots have managed to screw things up at every turn and you think bulk buying the best kids in Europe and loaning them out solves everything.

I don't think it solves everything. But in players like Mata, Azpi, Luiz, Cech, Hazard and Oscar we have the framework for a title-winning side. Throw in Lukaku, Ba, Schurrle, Rami and possibly De Bruyne and you've got something special.

I honestly believe that with the acquisition of a strong midfielder and a solid CB we've got a team capable of winning the league, so long as we have a guy in charge who can unify the club. I also think we've got a lot of exciting young talent coming through to sustain this club for years to come.

The priority for next season is winning the league. I think whatever happens in the next five games we've got a good shot at doing that and focusing on the top four as the be all and end all is a little myopic.

[The Skipper 20,609]

I think we'll get it. If anything, yesterday's events should add fire to every single player's belly to finish in the top 4. I think Arsenal, despite having the easier run in, will miss out - it's us & Spurs for top 4 I think. We still have 5 games left - If we get 11/15 pts (with us crucially beating Spurs) it'll be enough to see us through.

[Styles 9,790]

I don't think it solves everything. But in players like Mata, Azpi, Luiz, Cech, Hazard and Oscar we have the framework for a title-winning side. Throw in Lukaku, Ba, Schurrle, Rami and possibly De Bruyne and you've got something special.

I honestly believe that with the acquisition of a strong midfielder and a solid CB we've got a team capable of winning the league, so long as we have a guy in charge who can unify the club. I also think we've got a lot of exciting young talent coming through to sustain this club for years to come.

The priority for next season is winning the league. I think whatever happens in the next five games we've got a good shot at doing that and focusing on the top four as the be all and end all is a little myopic.

I would love to be as optimistic as you but I just can't see it. All I can see is the club continuing to underachieve because of incompetence at management level.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I would love to be as optimistic as you but I just can't see it. All I can see is the club continuing to underachieve because of incompetence at management level.

We've shown at times that we're capable of beating the best teams. We outplayed United at their place, we beat Arsenal twice, we should've got more against City in the semi, we beat Spurs at their place and we've played some beautiful stuff this season. Some players like Mata and Luiz have grown in stature. We've got players out on loan doing the business and our youth teams are arguably amongst the best in the world.

If you can't be optimistic about Chelsea at this point in time then I don't know what to say to you. We've been poor overall this season, yet we're still fourth in the table with a manager no-one likes and few rate but who is definitely leaving and there will be a queue of good managers waiting to take over (we pay millions and have a strong squad).

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Why has that late goal yesterday changed so many people's opinions? Most of you would have taken 4 points from Fulham and Liverpool 5 days ago. Nothing has changed much really. It is going to be tough like we knew it would be and we're going to have to get something from the Tottenham game like we were always going to have to.

Hopefully that late goal works in our advantage and the players have more of the "us against the world" mentality and come out with a bit more fight.

[Styles 9,790]

We've shown at times that we're capable of beating the best teams. We outplayed United at their place, we beat Arsenal twice, we should've got more against City in the semi, we beat Spurs at their place and we've played some beautiful stuff this season. Some players like Mata and Luiz have grown in stature. We've got players out on loan doing the business and our youth teams are arguably amongst the best in the world.

If you can't be optimistic about Chelsea at this point in time then I don't know what to say to you. We've been poor overall this season, yet we're still fourth in the table with a manager no-one likes and few rate but who is definitely leaving and there will be a queue of good managers waiting to take over (we pay millions and have a strong squad).

You see even in those games a pessimist like me finds something. We outplayed Utd after going down 2-0 and it could easily have been 3 or 4 before we got our act together. Arsenal are rubbish and even against them we were hanging on for long periods. We beat Spurs without arguably two of their best players and I'm not looking forward to the game at the Bridge on current form. City took the piss the first half and should have been ahead by 4 or 5. We play some good football occasionally but so do many other teams. This team is weak, it lacks cohesion and quality in many areas. We don't have a strong squad. If we did we wouldn't be battling for 4th with Spurs and Arsenal. That's our level now and it perplexes me to see you talking about a title challenge!

[magicrico 175]

Definatley signs for concern. Was a huge 2 points dropped. Very Very tight for us, with the hardest run in IMO.

I don't belive that finishing 5th is an option, we HAVE to finish 4th. Finacially it's a no brainer. Young players/Worlds best don't want to waste a season playing for a team not in CL anymore. Times have changed.

Chelsea will get by without it, but at what cost? Look at Liverpool, struggling to attract the best. Finishing outside the top 4 for the second season running is inexcusable with the standards we have set ourselves. It is a must. Scary times ahead.

Time will only tell.