Another wasted season? Think again

[YankinBlue42 72]

I like to be optimistic. But your argument that Chelsea's fans have been spoilt and that Chelsea's old times were much worse and that winning an FA cup should be a great season just doesnt make sense for the following reasons:

Team is bankrolled by Roman Abromovich's billions

We have the highest Wage Bill amongst all the Top European Clubs.

Expectations have risen ever since Roman came in. Its no more the Bates Era or the one before.

You, me and our club would be the butt of all the jokes for having won just an FA cup when Lampard is earning 140k, Terry is earning 150k, Drogba earning 140k, Ballack earning 140k and so on.

This team by Roman was built to acheive something much bigger. And winning an FA cup is just a consaltion for a Club thats one of the Top 3 in Europe.

Now then, You'r argument makes an absolute sense had our team been built on a homegrown talent. Or a team full of youngsters ala Arsenal. Or a team built without Roman's billions. In that case reaching an FA cup would be an absolute acheivement and a very good season.

this is a good post. It's completely fair to put the weight of expectations onto a team when so much is invested in them. They are getting paid top dollar to win. Nothing less. At the same time, that doesn't mean were going to turn our back on Chelsea should they falter.

Edited March 25, 2010 by YankinBlue42

[Blueboy 14]

It is, essentially, a matter of confidence rather than form. As you say these games are like finals. I know it was only Portsmouth we beat yesterday but the second half was incredibly positive. I even hasten to say we looked as good as we did in January when we beat Sunderland 7-2.

Confidence is one of the things that makes form imo, together with preparation/training, distractions etc. Our win against Pompey should definitely give us a mental boost for the coming games. Second half looked good, as we could see we still have our quality, we only have been too inconsisten this season. Once we are behind or the opponent scored the equaliser, we start playing and creating chances, looks like we need some motivation on the pitch. Players should accept that the competition is getting better and that they have to put more effort in to win!

[chrismada9 1,948]

Reading stuff like this makes me proud to be a Chelsea fan! Well done Alex for inspiring us all! Great post!! KTBFFH :blue scalf:

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I like to be optimistic. But your argument that Chelsea's fans have been spoilt and that Chelsea's old times were much worse and that winning an FA cup should be a great season just doesnt make sense for the following reasons:

Team is bankrolled by Roman Abromovich's billions

We have the highest Wage Bill amongst all the Top European Clubs.

Expectations have risen ever since Roman came in. Its no more the Bates Era or the one before.

You, me and our club would be the butt of all the jokes for having won just an FA cup when Lampard is earning 140k, Terry is earning 150k, Drogba earning 140k, Ballack earning 140k and so on.

This team by Roman was built to acheive something much bigger. And winning an FA cup is just a consaltion for a Club thats one of the Top 3 in Europe.

Now then, You'r argument makes an absolute sense had our team been built on a homegrown talent. Or a team full of youngsters ala Arsenal. Or a team built without Roman's billions. In that case reaching an FA cup would be an absolute acheivement and a very good season.

Winning any trophy is a success. It doesn't go down in the history books as having won the FA Cup, 'but only because of being bankrolled by billions.' Money does not come into it; it doesn't automatically earn you success. The immediate examples of Real Madrid and Manchester City are examples of this. Expectations have risen, but so has the attitude and arrogance of Chelsea fans. Other teams would give anything to be in an FA Cup semi final and be one point off the top of the Premier League. When I began supporting this club, a mid-table finish would be fantastic. And we're hardly top three in Europe. I wouldn't fancy us against Bordeaux, let alone Bayern Munchen or Barcelona.

However it depends on how much you respect the FA Cup as a competition. I rate it as important as the Champions League, personally, because its a trophy that has given us more success than any other piece of silverware. My memories of a Chelsea fan are dominated by great FA Cup moments. A reason why I chose to support Chelsea in the first place was partly because of their success in 96/97 - and that included the FA Cup.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I agree with Kostas.

If we don't win the league, then it'll be another case like the one in 2008. Only it'll make me feel worse because we basically let Man Utd win the league 4 times in a row.

I think that's a very unfair statement since they haven't won it yet.

[zolayes 14,489]

Winning any trophy is a success. It doesn't go down in the history books as having won the FA Cup, 'but only because of being bankrolled by billions.' Money does not come into it; it doesn't automatically earn you success. The immediate examples of Real Madrid and Manchester City are examples of this. Expectations have risen, but so has the attitude and arrogance of Chelsea fans. Other teams would give anything to be in an FA Cup semi final and be one point off the top of the Premier League. When I began supporting this club, a mid-table finish would be fantastic. And we're hardly top three in Europe. I wouldn't fancy us against Bordeaux, let alone Bayern Munchen or Barcelona.

However it depends on how much you respect the FA Cup as a competition. I rate it as important as the Champions League, personally, because its a trophy that has given us more success than any other piece of silverware. My memories of a Chelsea fan are dominated by great FA Cup moments. A reason why I chose to support Chelsea in the first place was partly because of their success in 96/97 - and that included the FA Cup.

beating LEEDS in the replayed final, who were top dogs then made webbie a legend. THE F A cup is the top domestic cup in the world and

it is still a trophy to cherish

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Come on how could you not love the FA Cup? Just this season's FA Cup has been memorable, Leeds beating Manchester United 1-0 when they our three leagues below them, Readings run which included knocking out Burnley and Liverpool and leading 2-0 at Half time in the quarter finals (although unfortunately run out of luck against Villa), Arsenal being tamed and controlled by Stoke ect.

[Rambo 1,729]

Best thread in the forum, that's exactly what I'm saying.

[Laylabelle 9,407]

One sense be annoyed amount of times we've lead the league slip but hey ho I'd happily take the FA Cup.Retaining it and all and to go with the Community Shield which yeh may not be an amazing trophy but the fact we won it on penatlies does make it pretty good seeing our luck with shoot outs.

And dont get a monkeys if people say 'oh its only Pompy blah blah' they beat Liverpool and are giving it their all.5-0 win still 5 goals and 3 points is what matters no matter who its against

I dont think we've let Man U at all win it 4 times in a row.One season we had god knows how many injuries and Cech with a damaged skull for parts..then came Grant and we came so close but didnt quite get it.Last season.Again injuries/change in manager blah blah.And this one aint over till its over

[.Cee 50]

I think that's a very unfair statement since they haven't won it yet.

I put an 'if' at the beginning.

[.Cee 50]

One sense be annoyed amount of times we've lead the league slip but hey ho I'd happily take the FA Cup.Retaining it and all and to go with the Community Shield which yeh may not be an amazing trophy but the fact we won it on penatlies does make it pretty good seeing our luck with shoot outs.

And dont get a monkeys if people say 'oh its only Pompy blah blah' they beat Liverpool and are giving it their all.5-0 win still 5 goals and 3 points is what matters no matter who its against

I dont think we've let Man U at all win it 4 times in a row.One season we had god knows how many injuries and Cech with a damaged skull for parts..then came Grant and we came so close but didnt quite get it.Last season.Again injuries/change in manager blah blah.And this one aint over till its over

Yes, we have because those problem could be avoided.

We could've rest our key players more often to minimized injuries, except for Cech's. Surely if we've killed a game, it'd be the time for youngsters to come in.

We should've gotten a good keeper as back-up in January, Cech was injured in October. Someone like Brad Friedel or a mid-table club's first team keeper. I'd try for Van der Sar had he still been a Fulham player.

We shouldn't have sacked Mourinho before we have a replacement for him ready. Heck, we shouldn't have sacked him at all and back him instead.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Mourinho's in the past and he's not coming back. Great manager though he was, I'm over him, and all Chelsea fans should be now.

I concede we've not had the best season under Ancelotti, but this is a learning curve for him. When United went three years without a title, instead of sacking their manager they stuck by Sir Alex Ferguson, and he built a team that has gone and won six major trophies in just under four seasons. Sacking another manager is us going back to square one. We have to stick by Carlo, and stick by the club. It's not over yet.

[Steve 10,227]

Yes, we have because those problem could be avoided.

We shouldn't have sacked Mourinho before we have a replacement for him ready. Heck, we shouldn't have sacked him at all and back him instead.

Its about time some people move on. How long has it been now?

Yes he was the most successful manager in Chelseas history and yes he will always be remembered and yes he is a great coach. But now its a new era and its time everyone gets behind our current manager...

Mourinho's in the past and he's not coming back. Great manager though he was, I'm over him, and all Chelsea fans should be now.

I concede we've not had the best season under Ancelotti, but this is a learning curve for him. When United went three years without a title, instead of sacking their manager they stuck by Sir Alex Ferguson, and he built a team that has gone and won six major trophies in just under four seasons. Sacking another manager is us going back to square one. We have to stick by Carlo, and stick by the club. It's not over yet.

I said this a week a go and i agree 100 percent with everything said.

[.Cee 50]

Mourinho's in the past and he's not coming back. Great manager though he was, I'm over him, and all Chelsea fans should be now.

I concede we've not had the best season under Ancelotti, but this is a learning curve for him. When United went three years without a title, instead of sacking their manager they stuck by Sir Alex Ferguson, and he built a team that has gone and won six major trophies in just under four seasons. Sacking another manager is us going back to square one. We have to stick by Carlo, and stick by the club. It's not over yet.

Yeah, I know. I was responding to Laylabelle's post.

I'm saying we shouldn't have sacked him and back him instead so we wouldn't have gone through a few managers. Or at least not sack him until we have a quality replacement like Ancelotti available. And definitely not sack the replacement and allow him to build his team.

Edited March 26, 2010 by .Citra

[Blueboy 14]

Yes, we have because those problem could be avoided.

We could've rest our key players more often to minimized injuries, except for Cech's. Surely if we've killed a game, it'd be the time for youngsters to come in.

We should've gotten a good keeper as back-up in January, Cech was injured in October. Someone like Brad Friedel or a mid-table club's first team keeper. I'd try for Van der Sar had he still been a Fulham player.

We shouldn't have sacked Mourinho before we have a replacement for him ready. Heck, we shouldn't have sacked him at all and back him instead.

Lmfao, " I'd try for Van der Sar had he still been a Fulham player.", pretty relevant isnt it .

[.Cee 50]

Lmfao, " I'd try for Van der Sar had he still been a Fulham player.", pretty relevant isnt it .

LOL.

It'll also help Cech to be on his toes, knowing if he doesn't perform Van der Sar would be ready to take his place.

[Blueboy 14]

LOL.

It'll also help Cech to be on his toes, knowing if he doesn't perform Van der Sar would be ready to take his place.

Well you could also immediately send him to the Chelsea Museum at the bridge, would be a great fossil to show of

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Yeah, I know. I was responding to Laylabelle's post.

I'm saying we shouldn't have sacked him and back him instead so we wouldn't have gone through a few managers. Or at least not sack him until we have a quality replacement like Ancelotti available. And definitely not sack the replacement and allow him to build his team.

Totally agree with you there. Roman should have stuck with Mourinho - and he knows it. But that's in the past and now we have to stick with Carlo.