Closed Chelsea 2-4 Bradford

[chrismada9 1,948]

Let me make this abundantly clear: I'd be happy for Liverpool to stuff us on Tuesday and PSG to do us 6-0 on aggregate if it means we win the Premier League. Four years is too long for a club of our size not to win a league title. In the grand scheme of things, the domestic cups mean nothing.

Yep I'd go along with that!

[BlueLyon 9,359]

And Im even more pissed because in the end we will spend another 20m for that Costa guy who I already see will do fuck all in games where he will be expected to prove himself.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I suppose you can tell "such traits" if.. he was, as you say, "filling in because of injuries". It's those sorts that want to prove a point... that they deserve to play more, and not just someone doing the latter, so they try and make their voice heard. Players like Mikel, Azpilicueta, and others should be doing that, because they need to prove that point to Mourinho. Instead, they show no promise, particularly in games we can (and should) win.

And this is the problem. The complacency in this team is going over Mourinho's head at times because he's a man of loyalty. If you're loyal to Mourinho, he returns the favour. Guys like Ivanovic and Cahill shouldn't be the core of this team but they persevere. I was, in fact, amazed that Essien was allowed to leave because of the paternal relationship José had with Essien.. But you see a 36-year old Drogba leading the line, when Loiic Remy is right there more than capable of doing the same job! With Drogba set to retire this season, it wouldn't surprise me if Mourinho convinced the club to offer him another year.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Mourinho praises Bradford's attitude, and says the upset is part of "the beauty of football" but adds that his side "must feel ashamed" by the manner of their elimination.

[MichaelDance 552]

We need some new blood to freshen the place up

We've been bad for a while - and we've done well to be where we are now..

Couple of players out, some new in and we could kickstart the season Again!

Our start has really fucked us up - over confident - now paying the price.

We need to buy a couple of 'winners' to get us over the line and show the team how to win - once they get that mentality, will be hard to stop us...

Yeah I think we need a new defender and a new midfielder or a right winger and we should be good to go next season.

[Laylabelle 9,535]

Mourinho praises Bradford's attitude, and says the upset is part of "the beauty of football" but adds that his side "must feel ashamed" by the manner of their elimination.

agree.to be 2-0 up as well...however that happened

[The Mak 4,459]

http://footyroom.com/chelsea-2-4-bradford-2015-01/

Fair play to Bradford, but that was absolutely disgraceful from Chelsea. Maybe the players will learn what it means to really give 110%.

We probably have the best starting 11 in the league, but in terms of the overall squad? I think today has answered that we could be screwed if even one of Hazard, Fabregas, Matic or even Costa become injured for a long period. For example, if we sold Schurrle and Hazard got injured, who the hell would we play there?! Players who are totally uncomfortable in the position. The thought certainly doesn't inspire confidence.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I didn't watch the game, nor did I listen to any commentary. I went to watch Derby-Chesterfield with my mate and thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon.

When I heard the half-time score of 2-1 I was pleasantly surprised as our first half performances in cup games are usually staid and uninspiring. When I saw the 4-2 final score, I could barely believe my eyes. Then I saw City, Southampton and Spurs are all out. Add United's draw with Cambridge last night and you can see this competition still has a bit of the old spark left. Whoever said the FA Cup is dead?

However, this is the calmest, most ambivalent I have ever been about a Chelsea defeat. I wouldn't go as far as saying I don't care, but when I say I was more upset at the fact we "only" won 5-0 at Swansea than I am about this result, I'm not lying. In fact I'm almost relieved.

With City losing, us going to a replay and then potentially staying in the FA Cup could have been disastrous, especially with a potential League Cup final on the horizon. City will punish every misstep we take in the Premier League and stretching our clearly thinner-than-first-thought squad across four competitions throughout the season would only lead to disappointment, the same way it did in 2007/08.

However some of the reactions on here are hilarious. Yes, José rotated too many players and we were incredibly poor after half-time. But this is the FA Cup. Bradford were absolutely magnificent and I just have to say we were simply beaten by the better team on the day. I'll support them for the remainder of the competition.

Let me make this abundantly clear: I'd be happy for Liverpool to stuff us on Tuesday and PSG to do us 6-0 on aggregate if it means we win the Premier League. Four years is too long for a club of our size not to win a league title. In the grand scheme of things, the domestic cups mean nothing.

I get the sentiment but come on... Losing to Liverpool at home in a semi? ugly. I want the league this year too!

[ZOS 580]

did this really happen?

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Let me make this abundantly clear: I'd be happy for Liverpool to stuff us on Tuesday and PSG to do us 6-0 on aggregate if it means we win the Premier League. Four years is too long for a club of our size not to win a league title. In the grand scheme of things, the domestic cups mean nothing.

I agree with the sentiment but absolutely not.

The mark of a big team is being able to compete on more than one front. For the amount we pay our players and for our players there's no excuses not to have the depth to be able to juggle PL, CL & LC commitments. That's why it frustrates me when guys like Van Gaal and even Mourinho at times complain about the schedule. It's pretty weak that your players who make over £70,000/week aren't fit enough to play 2 matches a week lmao.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Jose's PC:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30969481

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Anybody who watched the game did he close down after 2:0 or did he play open till end? If thats so, do we have so bad defence and mentality that we cant keep such lead even against lower teams while playing more open?

It happend several times now; City, United, Totenham, Bradford, Liverpool; we were leading, but didnt win in end, bit worrying.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I agree with the sentiment but absolutely not.

The mark of a big team is being able to compete on more than one front. For the amount we pay our players and for our players there's no excuses not to have the depth to be able to juggle PL, CL & LC commitments. That's why it frustrates me when guys like Van Gaal and even Mourinho at times complain about the schedule. It's pretty weak that your players who make over £70,000/week aren't fit enough to play 2 matches a week lmao.

I'm obviously speaking hypothetically. If someone offered me the Premier League and that only, I'd bite their arm off.

[Laylabelle 9,535]

Didn't seem to close down no chance to really.second half Bradford were a different side and was just go go from them

[Cosmin 2,484]

Everytime I see people complaining like "see, I told you that this is what happens if you keep asking for the youth to be given a chance" I want to punch myself in the face and throw my laptop out the window.

[herpthederp 122]

Right now, can people PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop calling for youth and 10 players to be rotated for every game?

Mourinho has been proved right today, no rotation = better results.

If that's proof that he's right not to use other players, then it's also proof that he's not up to the job. Because a second string Chelsea side should be able to put Bradford to the sword no problem. The idea that Mourinho's failures are proof that you shouldn't use youth is absurd.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Right now, can people PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop calling for youth and 10 players to be rotated for every game?

Mourinho has been proved right today, no rotation = better results.

This might actually be a blessing in disguise in the long run, if we can focus on other competitions more.

I will be ok with this ONLY, ONLY, if we win on Tuesday and Saturday now. If so then this will be forgiven.

Absolutely. Introducing two new faces in the back 4 obviously showed its downside. No more drastic rotation please, at least in the back 4 ( should go with our usual 5 players for those 4 positions)

[Cosmin 2,484]

If that's proof that he's right not to use other players, then it's also proof that he's not up to the job. Because a second string Chelsea side should be able to put Bradford to the sword no problem. The idea that Mourinho's failures are proof that you shouldn't use youth is absurd.

I agree with you, but I wonder which youth are people talking about. Is Cech youth? Is Cahill youth? Is, basically, anyone who played today, except Christiansen and Zouma, youth?

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Respect for Jose for that PC.

[chrismada9 1,948]

And this is the problem. The complacency in this team is going over Mourinho's head at times because he's a man of loyalty. If you're loyal to Mourinho, he returns the favour. Guys like Ivanovic and Cahill shouldn't be the core of this team but they persevere. I was, in fact, amazed that Essien was allowed to leave because of the paternal relationship José had with Essien.. But you see a 36-year old Drogba leading the line, when Loiic Remy is right there more than capable of doing the same job! With Drogba set to retire this season, it wouldn't surprise me if Mourinho convinced the club to offer him another year.

This is what worries me the most. I fear we will end up with a team that shows hardly any loyalty at all... someone that can touch the heart of Mourinho, like Terry and Drogba have done. This is the reason why we've been able to see success at our club. You could be right.. I reckon Mourinho will convince either Terry or Drogba to see out another year at the club when this season ends... unless he can see improvement from the other folk, I can see this as a reality.

Fabregas shows some signs that he can lead the line, particularly when he's had previous experience at it with Arsenal. What's more, he qualifies as a homegrown player. I'd like to see players like him develop a relationship with Mourinho. I mean it's not exactly a difficult thing to do. Any top-quality player would love to play for Mourinho, you just got to look at all the trophies he has won with the clubs he's managed!