closed Chelsea 1-0 Norwich

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, Superblue_1986 said:

2 wins away from a major trophy. I think you'll find a lot of people care.

The FA Cup might not have the same romantic pull that it has in previous years but going to the old Wembley as a 10 year old to watch Chelsea beat Middlesbrough in 1997 is one of all time favourite Chelsea moments, perhaps only bettered by the first league win and Munich 2012. The FA Cup still matters to me.

Can't believe am having to ask this question but which would qualify as a success this season?

• Finish in Top 4 but fail to win the FA Cup OR
• Win the FA Cup but fail to finish in the Top 4

I know people will say "why not both?" but just between those two choices, which would you consider? 

[DDA 9,941]

Not the best attacking performance but obviously the 3 points gained is the most important thing. We dominated them tbf. Well done lads. If we can nick a point of Liverpool then that should be enough for top 4. 

[Vesper 30,200]

the following assumes Leicester shit out

 

if we draw verses the dippers and Wolves win the next 2 by 3 (so by one and by 2) or more

we are going to fucking rue the day we did not score more tonight

we are +4 GD with them now

and they have a game in hand

if we come in +1 or worse after a draw with vpool

all they need to do is beat us by a goal and we crash out on GD

if we are +2 (plus +3 is impossible with a draw by us as they would carve off 2 at a minimum with 2 wins ) coming in (we would have 64 points, and they would be on 61) they would have to win by 2 or more (as if level on points and GD we go through as we have more goals scored ,+16 atm)

[OhForAGreavsie 6,076]

5 minutes ago, DANILA said:

I hope you're the minority here... We need the energy to win the last two games. Willian and Pulisic, our only two decent attacking players, are already exhausted

I'm not buying that. It's Tuesday. We play Sunday - Wednesday. Tell them they're exhausted and they will be. Don't get this wrong Frank.

[Atomiswave 6,117]

3pts all that matters but fuck me it was not a performance to remember, all our guile and fast pacy footy has been thrown out.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,076]

6 minutes ago, Simon1991 said:

If it was the carling cup, i'd get it, but we're talking FA cup here, that's a big trophee. Frank will definitely see it this way as well and align a strong squad.

I agree about Frank. I think he get's Chelsea and will respect the club's tradition.

[LAM09 7,056]

Got over the line, but it should have been so more comfortable. Have to be grateful Norwich were so poor, they offered nothing.

I think we're going to need win one of our remaining two games to secure CL football.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

1 minute ago, Superblue_1986 said:

2 wins away from a major trophy. I think you'll find a lot of people care.

The FA Cup might not have the same romantic pull that it has in previous years but going to the old Wembley as a 10 year old to watch Chelsea beat Middlesbrough in 1997 is one of all time favourite Chelsea moments, perhaps only bettered by the first league win and Munich 2012. The FA Cup still matters to me.

Our chances to win vs Utd AND City in the final are minimal, both are much better than us. We should play the youngsters, but keep the defense that started today to not break it up. It was just norwich but they were excellent today. Even Alonso was decent in defense.

We were knackered today. We need to be fresh vs Liverpool and Wolves, otherwise weare without a chance

 

[Superblue 6,372]

4 minutes ago, Jason said:

Can't believe am having to ask this question but which would qualify as a success this season?

I know people will say "why not both?" but just between those two choices, which would you consider? 

Champions League football is more important for the long term of the team, especially financially and potentially from a recruitment position.

However I wouldn't want that to mean we just give up on the FA Cup and rest a number of players. If we were able to beat United it could be a huge confidence boost going into the Liverpool game. 

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

8 minutes ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Again, I thought Willian earned praise for his working back even though today wasn't one of those days where he made a difference going forward.

I though we looked a bit sharper when Ross replaced Ruben. Rubes get a pass for the remainder of this season but next term will be important for him. He has to start making significant contributions or the clock will begin to run out. 

True maybe his working back helped him out but in attack at times he looked like he was more than contempt to slow it down as well as the fact maybe the movement wasnt there also.

totally agree with the point about Ruben, think next season he will be better but he also has to try do a bit more at times. Hes another guy who can ghost past players but he didnt do it very often today.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,076]

6 minutes ago, Jason said:

Can't believe am having to ask this question but which would qualify as a success this season?

I know people will say "why not both?" but just between those two choices, which would you consider? 

J,

You can't choose results, you can only choose how you approach matches. I demand that Frank approaches both United and Liverpool as must win occasions.

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, Superblue_1986 said:

Champions League football is more important for the long term of the team, especially financially and potentially from a recruitment position.

However I wouldn't want that to mean we just give up on the FA Cup and rest a number of players. If we were able to beat United it could be a huge confidence boost going into the Liverpool game. 

True but the one issue is we have Liverpool 3 days after the semi-final and depending on the results over the next 2 days, we may need a result at Anfield. Does this team still have enough left in the tank to play 3 very tough games in 7 days against United, Liverpool and Wolves? 

[Laylabelle 9,535]

1 minute ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Champions League football is more important for the long term of the team, especially financially and potentially from a recruitment position.

However I wouldn't want that to mean we just give up on the FA Cup and rest a number of players. If we were able to beat United it could be a huge confidence boost going into the Liverpool game. 

I thought beating City was a confidence boost then we lost to West Ham lol..who knows. I cant see us getting anything from Liverpool and if we do no doubt we'll mess up at Wolves.

Weird to think this barmy season is nearly over

[Vesper 30,200]

15 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said:

City is coming in the FA cup final. So there's a chance. 

yes, so true

hopefully we have 3rd or 4th clinched before that

so although it would be irritating to fail in a final (the Bayern game is a lost cause barring a true miracle) I really would MUCH rather have CL next year than an FA Cup this year

I know some may disagree but the long term spillover from missing out on CL is FAR worse than losing an FA Cup final

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, OhForAGreavsie said:

J,

You can't choose results, you can only choose how you approach matches. I demand that Frank approaches both United and Liverpool as must win occasions.

It's a hypothetical question. Of course we want to win all the games but what is our top priority right now? The team already starting to look gassed out.

[Vesper 30,200]

1 minute ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

J,

You can't choose results, you can only choose how you approach matches. I demand that Frank approaches both United and Liverpool as must win occasions.

AND Wolves (it really may be barring a win versus the dippers and a Leicester further implosion)

that NUFC last kick of game loss is THE number one haunt from the year if we lose out on CL by GD to Wolves or a point to any team

so fucked

[Tomo 21,751]

Today shown exactly why we're buying a lot of attackers before we "fix our defense". I wouldn't have blamed the defense if this ended 1-1 even if one of them made an absolute howler, it would have been all on the attack.

Unless a bonafide WC safe bet CB option comes along then it can wait. Get a proper LB, competent keeper, play Zouma and Rudiger together and stick with them and i don't think things will look half as bad as they are currently, and that's before we mention Ziyech, Werner and (hopefully) Havertz will kill games like tonight and Arsenal at home off before the defense have a chance to self combust.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

7 minutes ago, Atomiswave said:

3pts all that matters but fuck me it was not a performance to remember, all our guile and fast pacy footy has been thrown out.

early on in the season we look great at times but also completely drifted out of games when our steam ran out. we can not afford that this late in the season. The important thing is whether we will be able to turn the switch in a few week. No we are obviously more concerned of making no mistakes and grinding out a goal or two, it's Sarriball 2.0.But it worked last year and might work again. the playersclearlydont have the fitness atm to press the shit out of teams like we did early on. We will still play quick when we can like we did vs City or when villa gave us space. It is not gonna happen very often from now on tho.

[Vesper 30,200]

2 minutes ago, Jason said:

It's a hypothetical question. Of course we want to win all the games but what is our top priority right now? The team already starting to look gassed out.

CL, all the way

its a £60m or so net loss of revenue and hurts recruiting and also forces us into the Europa league meat grinder next season

[Tomo 21,751]

10 minutes ago, Jason said:

It's a hypothetical question. Of course we want to win all the games but what is our top priority right now? The team already starting to look gassed out.

For United do what Conte did against Spurs in 2017 when he put Hazard and Costa on the bench and unleashed them late on. Replace Hazard and Costa for Pulisic and Willian.