Closed Chelsea 1-1 Southampton

[Chelsea Buzz 487]

Well, at least that first half is over and hopefully we do not see one like it again. Second half as most everyone has noted was much better with 3 or 4 clear opportunities that just did not find their way in, especially the one from JT late.

Fabregas is either distracted, tired, uninterested or something because he has been poor of late. Match commentators continually highlighted his poor passes and giveaways. I could not disagree. After such early promise, he needs to pull it together. Agree that Oscar seems to not even be on the pitch most of the game.

I realize that Cuadrado has rarely seen the pitch since coming over, but wow, just wow. I was afraid he was going to wet himself. There is a difference between playing poor and not belonging. I think we would have some youth team players that would have had more composure today. Salah would have done better today than Cuadrado and I am not saying we need him back, just using as a comparison. I also know Schurrle did not fit with Jose's system, but he would be a nice change of pace compared to what we have now. How many true options do we have? Drogba, love the guy, but the game has passed him by. Cuadrado? Maybe next year. Maybe. Remy is a legitimate choice off the bench as is Ramires. Zouma and Luis in the back and that's it.

If we can get 4-6 points out of Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal, we will be okay. Anything less and it will be real close at the end.

The season probably comes down to the other 7 games: at Hull, Stoke, at QPR, at Leicester, Crystal Palace, at WBA and Sunderland. Can we take 18-21 points in those?

The team from last year's stretch run is starting to show up again. We are not scoring any more goals than with Torres and Eto'o. Need to get back to form and win some easily for a change.

Come on you Chelsea!! :blue scalf: :blue scalf:

[chrismada9 1,948]

Schneiderlin was fantastic. For Mourinho's approach, he would make a fine signing. I find it hard to say how good he actually is, how he'd do at an elite club. But he would definitely make a great squad option. One thing's for sure, I'd much rather have Schneiderlin in the middle than Mikel or Ramires in the big games.

You know what would make sense?

If we had Matic and Schneiderlin as CDMs, push Fabregas further up the middle, have Hazard and Willian either side, that would be perfect for me. Then Oscar can be sold for £40m to either Real Madrid or PSG, giving us another £20m profit in the summer.

Honest to christ, I never fail to get a splitting headache watching Oscar. He just looks so lightweight going up against brutal opposition most times.. almost to the point that it looks unfair on the lad. Also his passing vision and ball control is abysmal! I don't understand at all how Mourinho can "like" him.

[Fulham Broadway 17,362]

At this rate that will disappear into thin air.

Nah have faith, as in your username, the phoenix, it rose triumphant from the ashes

[bluephoenix 1,131]

Nah have faith, as in your username, the phoenix, it rose triumphant from the ashes

Yeah I am not in a good mood. 2 draws at home back to back .

[Laylabelle 9,539]

We best win that game in hand.still annoying how far away it is

[DYC. 7,542]

You know what would make sense?

If we had Matic and Schneiderlin as CDMs, push Fabregas further up the middle, have Hazard and Willian either side, that would be perfect for me. Then Oscar can be sold for £40m to either Real Madrid or PSG, giving us another £20m profit.

Honest to christ, I get a splitting headache watching Oscar. He just looks so lightweight going up against brutal opposition most times.. almost to the point that it gets ridiculous. Also his passing vision and ball control is abysmal! I don't know how Mourinho can "like" him.

I'd prefer a replacement for Willian.

Selling Oscar for 40 mil would rival the Luiz deal.

[zolayes 14,489]

A genuine question ... Is anyone enjoying watching our games now ? I got more pleasure today watching Man Utd .

[Muzchap 8,966]

I have always defended him - but Mourinho isn't working for me anymore

I don't care about his record - I care about NOW - he just cannot get this group of players to play well consistently

He is picking the same players over and over again and expecting a different outcome!

Go look up the definition of insanity...

Zouma should have started

OSCAR should not be allowed on the pitch

Ivanovic is a fucking shit RB and between him and Cahil 99% of the reason we concede - Azpi and Luis are much better options.

Long shots have all but disappeared from our game - just one fucking long shot today could have had us 2 extra points. But no - we dick around with the ball and lose it cheaply.

Our subs look like they have no idea when they come on - that's poor integration - just what the fuck are we doing in training? It isn't attacking or defensive work!

I'm sorry - but our football is shit - and our manager is stubborn prick who refuses to adapt or change. I'm genuinely concerned about our present and future under him now. Did Southampton have one shot on goal in the second half?

[chrismada9 1,948]

I'd prefer a replacement for Willian.

Selling Oscar for 40 mil would rival the Luiz deal.

I don't think I can see Willian getting sold. I mean he can have a bad game, but I feel he delivers a lot more than Oscar does. That's my honest opinion.

Plus a fact, Mourinho can replace Willian in the squad with Cuadrado if he wants.

[Starman60 1,343]

A genuine question ... Is anyone enjoying watching our games now ? I got more pleasure today watching Man Utd .

I have to agree with you. Fast free flowing attacking football, scything through the Yids defence time after time. reminds me of a team who were playing like that at the start of the season. I think they were called "Chelsea". But you wouldn't recognize them now

[DYC. 7,542]

I don't think I can see Willian getting sold. I mean he can have a bad game, but I feel he delivers a lot more than Oscar does. That's my honest opinion.

He wouldn't have to be sold. Just replaced by a superior player. This small squad and reliance on the first XI annoys me. Even Real can't manage it with all the quality in their first XI.

Willian does not do much for me. Offensively that is. The only difference between him and Oscar is his first touch hardly failing him. Oscar used to score and assist a bit, but that's gone.

Willian does provide balance though, I think. The almighty balance.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

I have to agree with you. Fast free flowing attacking football, scything through the Yids defence time after time. reminds me of a team who were playing like that at the start of the season. I think they were called "Chelsea". But you wouldn't recognize them now

But even at the start of the season we couldn't apply watchable style of play against any good side.

[DYC. 7,542]

I have always defended him - but Mourinho isn't working for me anymore

I don't care about his record - I care about NOW - he just cannot get this group of players to play well consistently

He is picking the same players over and over again and expecting a different outcome!

Go look up the definition of insanity...

Zouma should have started

OSCAR should not be allowed on the pitch

Ivanovic is a fucking shit RB and between him and Cahil 99% of the reason we concede - Azpi and Luis are much better options.

Long shots have all but disappeared from our game - just one fucking long shot today could have had us 2 extra points. But no - we dick around with the ball and lose it cheaply.

Our subs look like they have no idea when they come on - that's poor integration - just what the fuck are we doing in training? It isn't attacking or defensive work!

I'm sorry - but our football is shit - and our manager is stubborn prick who refuses to adapt or change. I'm genuinely concerned about our present and future under him now. Did Southampton have one shot on goal in the second half?

Quite a turnaround, Muzchap. Have you been hacked?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Boo hiss boo, we're only six points clear. Pathetic reaction from some people.

We only need to match City's points return between now and May. This weekend we picked up more points than they did. That represents a good point from my perspective.

Is nobody else encouraged how, despite us going through something of a blip, we're still comfortable at the top of the league? If we were only a point ahead of City and we drew, I'd be concerned. But we're six points clear. Even if we lose the game in hand we have we're six points clear. Six points.

Some of you need to get a fucking grip.

I have always defended him - but Mourinho isn't working for me anymore

I don't care about his record - I care about NOW - he just cannot get this group of players to play well consistently

He is picking the same players over and over again and expecting a different outcome!

Go look up the definition of insanity...

Zouma should have started
OSCAR should not be allowed on the pitch
Ivanovic is a fucking shit RB and between him and Cahil 99% of the reason we concede - Azpi and Luis are much better options.

Long shots have all but disappeared from our game - just one fucking long shot today could have had us 2 extra points. But no - we dick around with the ball and lose it cheaply.

Our subs look like they have no idea when they come on - that's poor integration - just what the fuck are we doing in training? It isn't attacking or defensive work!

I'm sorry - but our football is shit - and our manager is stubborn prick who refuses to adapt or change. I'm genuinely concerned about our present and future under him now. Did Southampton have one shot on goal in the second half?

LOOOL Mourinho out!

You're a fantastic contributor but this post is pure AIDS. I hope its just a knee-jerk reaction. I accept Mourinho has his faults, but if you can name me a better coach in world football I'm all ears. Simeone maybe? Can't think of any more.

Imagine if we had Pellegrini LOOOOL

A genuine question ... Is anyone enjoying watching our games now ? I got more pleasure today watching Man Utd .

Will anyone give a fuck if/when we lift the title? I know I won't.

[Viper22 2,418]

Oh my good god. You'd think we'd just lost 8-0 and had 3 players sent off and Mourinho had drop kicked a baby across the pitch judging by the reactions on here.

People are so annoyingly negative at times. And to think I thought I was negative before this xD.

Mourinho isn't perfect, nowhere near, but he's by far the best manager in the world for us ATM and any suggestion of us sacking our manager when we're 6pts clear at the top of the league with a game in hand, have a trophy in the bag already and a team that is 5x better now than it was when he joined for no monetary loss is just moronic.

[iseah100 5,612]

Oh my good god. You'd think we'd just lost 8-0 and had 3 players sent off and Mourinho had drop kicked a baby across the pitch judging by the reactions on here.

People are so annoyingly negative at times. And to think I thought I was negative before this xD.

Mourinho isn't perfect, nowhere near, but he's by far the best manager in the world for us ATM and any suggestion of us sacking our manager when we're 6pts clear at the top of the league with a game in hand, have a trophy in the bag already and a team that is 5x better now than it was when he joined for no monetary loss is just moronic.

Lol @ dropped kicked a baby across the pitch.

[zolayes 14,489]

Boo hiss boo, we're only six points clear. Pathetic reaction from some people.

We only need to match City's points return between now and May. This weekend we picked up more points than they did. That represents a good point from my perspective.

Is nobody else encouraged how, despite us going through something of a blip, we're still comfortable at the top of the league? If we were only a point ahead of City and we drew, I'd be concerned. But we're six points clear. Even if we lose the game in hand we have we're six points clear. Six points.

Some of you need to get a fucking grip.

LOOOL Mourinho out!

You're a fantastic contributor but this post is pure AIDS. I hope its just a knee-jerk reaction. I accept Mourinho has his faults, but if you can name me a better coach in world football I'm all ears. Simeone maybe? Can't think of any more.

Imagine if we had Pellegrini LOOOOL

Will anyone give a fuck if/when we lift the title? I know I won't.

WELL I will

[robsblubot 3,595]

Oh my good god. You'd think we'd just lost 8-0 and had 3 players sent off and Mourinho had drop kicked a baby across the pitch judging by the reactions on here.

People are so annoyingly negative at times. And to think I thought I was negative before this xD.

Mourinho isn't perfect, nowhere near, but he's by far the best manager in the world for us ATM and any suggestion of us sacking our manager when we're 6pts clear at the top of the league with a game in hand, have a trophy in the bag already and a team that is 5x better now than it was when he joined for no monetary loss is just moronic.

Completely normal end of the season slump... City anyone?

I do think our main problem is the small squad and lack of rotation... Playin cups, cl, and pl with the same players is crazy to me. That's the only complaint I have about Jose and very specific one at that: lack of rotation specially in cup games.

The squad is tired. First it Oscar (as usual) but now it's all players.

[Illegitimate 6]

I don't know if Mourinho has given too much of a "let's not lose this game" we have really forgotten how to keep the ball and let me not mention how sh*t the defence is yet again. I'd be very happy if I don't have to see Cahill, Oscar or Ivanovic start another game for us. Cesc doesn't have options to pass because they don't move quickly. We just don't learn!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

WELL I will

If you want to win trophies by playing good football I suggest you follow a Spanish side, it rarely happens in England.

Our football was utterly abysmal at times in 2009/10, but 7-0 and 8-0 wins here and there disguise that fact. And what about our football under Mourinho the first time round? Yaaaawn.

It doesn't say LEAGUE TITLE WINNERS - CHELSEA, BUT THEY PLAYED SHIT FOOTBALL in the record books, does it?

Just be grateful for what we have, our would you prefer slick football and no trophies, á la Arsenal?