Nott'm Forest 0-1 Chelsea

[Mário César 1,274]

3 minutes ago, Vesper said:

spoiler?

dont spam the tpic with other clubs

you can put this in spoiler like this:

Spoiler

this is a spoiler

 

[Vesper 30,189]

6 minutes ago, Mário César said:

dont spam the tpic with other clubs

you can put this in spoiler like this:

  Reveal hidden contents

this is a spoiler

 

what that I posted was a spoiler?

it was just a few season recaps from a live stream

spoilers are when you post results that no one knows about already or ones that people ae trying to avoid as they will watch a game later

[NikkiCFC 8,324]

40 minutes ago, nyikolajevics said:

Now the CL is secured, we can play with no pressure, for Betis the pressure will be much bigger.

They also secured Europa League. So in the end it's a game for trophy and they face big team. They showed in games against Real Madrid and Barcelona how dangerous they can be. 

 

40 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Ange said it was a tremendous season, lolol

U know who are the biggest losers? If we win on Wednesday 6 English teams would lift a trophy this season. City, Newcastle, Palace, Liverpool, Spurs and us. Finishing 2nd but nothing to celebrate 😆

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

Haha Maresca post game conference he said; we are happy, Man City lost here, Arsenal drew here, Chelsea won here! So many people said that we will not get a result and Villa will be in the Champions League. They can all fuck off!!
🤣

Fair play to him, not one pundit picked Chelsea to win. Our away record is bad, 1 win and only 5 goals scored since January on the road. Thank goodness we were strong at home.

[Vesper 30,189]

 

Enzo Maresca’s post-match presser

 

How does it feel to beat your target for this season?

Very happy. I'm very happy for many reasons. First of all, because I think the players deserve it. Since day one they have been working very, very hard. With the club, with the owners, with the sporting directors, the players, we all go in the same direction. And I said many times during the season that the noise was more from outside than from inside.

A very tough game today. How do you manage all the emotions?

Yeah, no, very tough. City lost here, Arsenal drew here, Liverpool drew here and Chelsea won. So it's not easy. It's not easy. The players, they show how good they are, the effort they have been. And unfortunately we are in a business where the people judge us because of the results. And today, in case we were not able to win the game, probably all of you judge this season a disaster. But it was not a disaster.

I said many times that this season was already good. Twelfth two years ago, sixth last year and fourth this season. With probably the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League. So, very happy.

Playing purely for the result today?

The results always count for us in every game since day one until today, every time. But we have our way. We want to reach results in the way we want to play. And I think today the players, they were tough because they also adjust. We also adjust a little bit how to work off the ball. This environment is not easy. But they deal with that very, very good.

Different mentality to Newcastle defeat?

Yeah. But I think that from January on, we played many good games. Probably from some of you, they said that from January, we didn't play so many games. But I think from January, we played many good games. And today we achieved an important target for this club. And we are happy.

Proud of your young squad?

I didn't have any doubt about the players. The doubt was from outside. All the ones that have the answers or the ones that have the truth, they were saying that we are too young, we are not good enough, they were waiting for Aston Villa to drop points for us to achieve the Champions League. They were saying that we were not able to win on this pitch because we are too young, because we are not experienced. Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong. All the ones that have the truth and have the answer to everything. So in English, how you say? F off to all of them, because the players deserve that. The effort they have been doing is fantastic.

Champions League gives you more options in the market?

Now, I'm not thinking about next summer, to be honest. Today is a day that we have to be happy because we brought this club where this club has to be in the most important European competition. And we did today and this is the most important day for them. Now from tomorrow we start to prepare for Wednesday final and then we have days to see for next season.

How much did you know about other scores during the second-half?

No, they told me just once and that's been when Man United scored the second goal. My assistant manager Willy Caballero said Man United scored the second one, it's 2-0. That was the only information I get through the game because I said before, everyone was waiting for us to draw points and see if Man United win. But I said to the players all week, we don't need to watch Aston Villa, we need to do our job. We need to win the game.

If we win, everything is okay. So the moment that we were winning, the negative part of today and how we need to improve and grow is that after we scored the goal, probably we were a little bit afraid to win the game. So we sit a little bit back, but it's also part of the development from the players.

Happy for an academy graduate in Colwill scoring the winner after all the money that has been spent?

Yeah, but I said that in the past I was not here. I don't think since I joined the club, we spent more money than the rest. I think since I joined the club, we spend money, but in the same way other clubs have done. Now in the past, I was not here, I don't know, but for sure we have players that they deserve to play in the best European competition, that is the Champions League.

How proud are you to achieve Champions League qualification?

Very proud because, first of all, because of the players. I feel part of their improvement, the way they grew through the season, and I feel especially proud for that because they are a fantastic group, a fantastic squad. They are good boys, they work hard, they try to help each other. And I said, probably most of the time, I was from outside, that we were not good enough, we were too young, we don't have a leader, blah, blah, blah, these kind of things. But at the end, it all comes from results.

How important is Wednesday night?

We were in four competitions at the beginning of the season. Today we finished in the Champions League, if we are able to win on Wednesday, we are out of FA Cup and Carabao, but I think overall we can say that it has been a very good season. I already said that for me it was a good season, but it can become very good if we are able to get to the Champions League and hopefully we can win on Wednesday.

[bigbluewillie 1,930]

Did anyone else notice that while the team were celebrating with the away supporters, Palmer was standing away to one side and not taking part.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

7 hours ago, Vesper said:

 

Enzo Maresca’s post-match presser

 

How does it feel to beat your target for this season?

Very happy. I'm very happy for many reasons. First of all, because I think the players deserve it. Since day one they have been working very, very hard. With the club, with the owners, with the sporting directors, the players, we all go in the same direction. And I said many times during the season that the noise was more from outside than from inside.

A very tough game today. How do you manage all the emotions?

Yeah, no, very tough. City lost here, Arsenal drew here, Liverpool drew here and Chelsea won. So it's not easy. It's not easy. The players, they show how good they are, the effort they have been. And unfortunately we are in a business where the people judge us because of the results. And today, in case we were not able to win the game, probably all of you judge this season a disaster. But it was not a disaster.

I said many times that this season was already good. Twelfth two years ago, sixth last year and fourth this season. With probably the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League. So, very happy.

Playing purely for the result today?

The results always count for us in every game since day one until today, every time. But we have our way. We want to reach results in the way we want to play. And I think today the players, they were tough because they also adjust. We also adjust a little bit how to work off the ball. This environment is not easy. But they deal with that very, very good.

Different mentality to Newcastle defeat?

Yeah. But I think that from January on, we played many good games. Probably from some of you, they said that from January, we didn't play so many games. But I think from January, we played many good games. And today we achieved an important target for this club. And we are happy.

Proud of your young squad?

I didn't have any doubt about the players. The doubt was from outside. All the ones that have the answers or the ones that have the truth, they were saying that we are too young, we are not good enough, they were waiting for Aston Villa to drop points for us to achieve the Champions League. They were saying that we were not able to win on this pitch because we are too young, because we are not experienced. Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong. All the ones that have the truth and have the answer to everything. So in English, how you say? F off to all of them, because the players deserve that. The effort they have been doing is fantastic.

Champions League gives you more options in the market?

Now, I'm not thinking about next summer, to be honest. Today is a day that we have to be happy because we brought this club where this club has to be in the most important European competition. And we did today and this is the most important day for them. Now from tomorrow we start to prepare for Wednesday final and then we have days to see for next season.

How much did you know about other scores during the second-half?

No, they told me just once and that's been when Man United scored the second goal. My assistant manager Willy Caballero said Man United scored the second one, it's 2-0. That was the only information I get through the game because I said before, everyone was waiting for us to draw points and see if Man United win. But I said to the players all week, we don't need to watch Aston Villa, we need to do our job. We need to win the game.

If we win, everything is okay. So the moment that we were winning, the negative part of today and how we need to improve and grow is that after we scored the goal, probably we were a little bit afraid to win the game. So we sit a little bit back, but it's also part of the development from the players.

Happy for an academy graduate in Colwill scoring the winner after all the money that has been spent?

Yeah, but I said that in the past I was not here. I don't think since I joined the club, we spent more money than the rest. I think since I joined the club, we spend money, but in the same way other clubs have done. Now in the past, I was not here, I don't know, but for sure we have players that they deserve to play in the best European competition, that is the Champions League.

How proud are you to achieve Champions League qualification?

Very proud because, first of all, because of the players. I feel part of their improvement, the way they grew through the season, and I feel especially proud for that because they are a fantastic group, a fantastic squad. They are good boys, they work hard, they try to help each other. And I said, probably most of the time, I was from outside, that we were not good enough, we were too young, we don't have a leader, blah, blah, blah, these kind of things. But at the end, it all comes from results.

How important is Wednesday night?

We were in four competitions at the beginning of the season. Today we finished in the Champions League, if we are able to win on Wednesday, we are out of FA Cup and Carabao, but I think overall we can say that it has been a very good season. I already said that for me it was a good season, but it can become very good if we are able to get to the Champions League and hopefully we can win on Wednesday.

I remember the days we used to take the piss out of Arsenal’s dressing room photos for finishing top 4 🤣

[Blue Armour 4,442]

3 hours ago, bigbluewillie said:

Did anyone else notice that while the team were celebrating with the away supporters, Palmer was standing away to one side and not taking part.

Hope it's nothing, and it's just Palmer being Palmer. He looked a bit subdued in the team pics too.

Hopefully next season he gets his motivation back. 

We absolutely need to surround him with more quality players though. If he has to do another one man job to bring creativity in our attack, he won't be sticking around for long.

[Laylabelle 9,535]

1 hour ago, OneMoSalah said:

I remember the days we used to take the piss out of Arsenal’s dressing room photos for finishing top 4 🤣

Mehhhh its been a few years.

[Mário César 1,274]

I don't think the top four should be celebrated, but this year I think an exception makes sense, but not, of course, effusive celebrations 

Is more relief than something else

Edited May 26 by Mário César

[Mhsc 1,097]

Personally I think we are in a new era where getting CL is far more important and a much bigger accomplishment than it used to be.

Used to be 4 clubs basically nailed on for it, then we had the big 6 concept, now its basically an elite top 8 and then another 4 clubs or so that are pretty damn good too. When any club in that pack gets raided for their top players they buy new top players and maintain their status more or less, maybe even knock on and improve through good investment. Then beneath that you've got Man Utd and Spurs. Spurs are 17th and won Europe's second highest competition and will play in CL next year.

I mean the league is really mad if you think about it, most clubs now have elite recruitment departments that use the best data and scouting networks, and the general standard of management is far higher than it used to be - the "managers" are now really just head coaches for the most part, and subsequently they're much better across the board at tactics/strategy while maybe being a bit less interesting in press conferences. All established PL clubs spend reasonable sums of money on individual players they feel they need, we've even got Brighton offering £30m+ for 17 year olds.

My belief on all of this is also why I am more forgiving than most about our bad results this year, because when you look around basically only Liverpool could consistently win in this league in its current state - and personally I doubt they'll do it again next year. 

[Reddish-Blue 2,509]

1 hour ago, Mhsc said:

because when you look around basically only Liverpool could consistently win in this league in its current state - and personally I doubt they'll do it again next year. 

I think they'll be fine next year, the signings they are getting will only help strengthen their first XI and squad depth. 

[Laylabelle 9,535]

43 minutes ago, Reddish-Blue said:

I think they'll be fine next year, the signings they are getting will only help strengthen their first XI and squad depth. 

Exactly theyre keeping their key players can easily go again. Plus getting their signings in early on. 

Edited May 26 by Laylabelle

[MoroccanBlue 5,382]

1 hour ago, Reddish-Blue said:

I think they'll be fine next year, the signings they are getting will only help strengthen their first XI and squad depth. 

 

36 minutes ago, Laylabelle said:

Exactly theyre keeping their key players can easily go again. Plus getting their signings in early on. 

Disagree. Nuno’s system isn’t sustainable at the top level, and with conference league added it’s going to get worse. 
 

[LAM09 7,056]

3 hours ago, Mhsc said:

Personally I think we are in a new era where getting CL is far more important and a much bigger accomplishment than it used to be.

Used to be 4 clubs basically nailed on for it, then we had the big 6 concept, now its basically an elite top 8 and then another 4 clubs or so that are pretty damn good too. When any club in that pack gets raided for their top players they buy new top players and maintain their status more or less, maybe even knock on and improve through good investment. Then beneath that you've got Man Utd and Spurs. Spurs are 17th and won Europe's second highest competition and will play in CL next year.

I mean the league is really mad if you think about it, most clubs now have elite recruitment departments that use the best data and scouting networks, and the general standard of management is far higher than it used to be - the "managers" are now really just head coaches for the most part, and subsequently they're much better across the board at tactics/strategy while maybe being a bit less interesting in press conferences. All established PL clubs spend reasonable sums of money on individual players they feel they need, we've even got Brighton offering £30m+ for 17 year olds.

My belief on all of this is also why I am more forgiving than most about our bad results this year, because when you look around basically only Liverpool could consistently win in this league in its current state - and personally I doubt they'll do it again next year. 

I believe it's easier in the grand scheme of things. 10 years ago~ only three teams were guaranteed to qualify for the actual CL with the team finishing in fourth having to go through a playoff. Now, you have five teams going directly into the CL, without having a single worry, and on top of that, you have a "get out of jail card" that Tottenham took advantage of. Not to mention what happened to the latter in 2012-2013 (Premier League 2011-12 Table & Standings - Sports Mole).

I agree that the league on the whole has improved drastically with arguably two sides effectively being guaranteed a place by most outsider while the gap between the rest continues getting smaller. However, there's far more opportunities than the previous decade.

[Laylabelle 9,535]

1 hour ago, MoroccanBlue said:

 

Disagree. Nuno’s system isn’t sustainable at the top level, and with conference league added it’s going to get worse. 
 

Eh we're talking about Liverpool 🤣

 

Edited May 26 by Laylabelle

[Mhsc 1,097]

1 hour ago, Laylabelle said:

Exactly theyre keeping their key players can easily go again. Plus getting their signings in early on. 

Perhaps - but ultimately the team is changing and form of individual players comes and goes in a way that is quite unpredictable. No one expected City to fall off this year either and Liverpool have never done back to back PLs (we only managed back to back once in our prime). Van Dijk will be 34 and Salah 33. They are right at that time when decline can come suddenly and "out of no where".

Of course they could go on and dominate again, who knows. Personally I'd expect City and Arsenal will spend well and be competitive. If I was going to bet on anyone it would be City because their success speaks for itself and we know they don't mind cheating to win, so they will not let the rules get in the way of them fixing the squad. Arsenal only need to sign a goal scorer or two to look quite menacing as well.

[LAM09 7,056]

5 hours ago, Mário César said:

I don't think the top four should be celebrated, but this year I think an exception makes sense, but not, of course, effusive celebrations 

Is more relief than something else

It's jarring seeing such celebrations for finishing fourth (just look at James). I do understand this will the first UCL campaign for the majority of our squad, but James' response—or lack thereof—demonstrates that this kind of thing isn't a significant accomplishment for the club based on our recent history.

People might laugh at the trophy up for grabs on Wednesday, but a European trophy of any kind is something to celebrate. We all hope that we will win our seventh European trophy, celebrate something special, and will be the start of what we all hope will be the first of many to come.

Edited May 26 by LAM09

[Laylabelle 9,535]

1 minute ago, LAM09 said:

It's jarring seeing such celebrations for finishing fourth (just look at James). I do understand this will the first UCL campaign for the majority of our squad, but James' response—or lack thereof—demonstrates that this kind of thing isn't a significant accomplishment for the club based on our recent history.

People might laugh at the trophy up for grabs on Wednesday, but a European trophy of any kind is something to celebrate. We all hope that we will win our eighth European trophy, celebrate something special, and will be the start of what we all hope will be the first of many to come.

Exactly I just think if we do all this work..go all that way for a trophy at one point we were favs for and come back with a runners up medal then its a bit shite. Trophy is a trophy end of the day. In it to win it!

[Laylabelle 9,535]

5 hours ago, Mário César said:

I don't think the top four should be celebrated, but this year I think an exception makes sense, but not, of course, effusive celebrations 

Is more relief than something else

Way to look at it is not many pundits etc had us down for 4th..most 5th or below so its nice we exceeded a lot of people's expectations