Second half of the season

[srilankanblue]

Thought i start this one.

What a game versus Newcastle.
I thought it was a penalty and we were lucky to get away with that one.
We were poor first half but fair play it was a good turnaround considering that’s a boogie ground for us.

Surprised he dropped Enzo at the start.
What are peoples view on Garnacho?
His shooting and some decision making needs to improve, hopefully that will come.

Have a lovely Christmas everyone!
Speak on the other side

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[Blues1967]

Ultimately a good point at St James Park, better than previous ventures there more recently. Good idea to run with this. I wanted to run with the original HOME page but no one else wanted too and as I only post once in a while on here now, well I simply say whatever!! You are right, we are no longer at ‘start of season’. Villa will be tough but I think we can win it providing we put in a performance matching those v Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG.

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[Ed de Goey]

Villa – We were good in the first half but again we show no ability to score a goal unless it’s from a set piece or an opposition error. Second half was abysmal. Having good possession stats means absolutely nothing if we are toothless. All we do is play down the wings, check back and pass backwards – it’s so easy for opponents to negate.

I don’t care if we keep losing. I want Maresca gone ASAP. We will never succeed with him.

We also most likely won’t succeed with the current owners. We’re fucked.

It’s futile to talk about the potential of the individual players unless there is a culture that breeds success. We clearly don’t have that, and we never will with the current owners and manager.

And let’s face it, whilst we do have world class players, we lack quality in far too many areas. The team that won the Premiership under Mourinho had quality everywhere – not necessarily the very best, but world class nonetheless. We’re not even close with this current batch.

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[pajero]

Totally agree with you ed. Same tactics every game even when they go down the wing they hardly cross the ball or cut into the middle of the pitch and congest the midfield or go backwards.
He makes subs and they do exactly the same it is extremely hard to watch

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[srilankanblue]

I agree with a lot of the stuff you say Ed.

Some games Maresca seems to get his tactics correct.
I didn’t understand his substitutions this weekend, we were worse off!

I will give new players a season or so to bed in but i don’t understand why we sold Noni and bought Gittens

The first 60 mins or so we were on top, Villa changed it up and we did not have a plan B.
We do have poor game management and lack leaders.
I also think some of our players lack intelligence.
Maybe the above is down to young ages plus bad management.

Do they still show videos of the match and point out the mistakes and show them what options they had?
Both our goals in my opinion were defensive issues.

why was fofana not playing?

3 London derbies plus Man City and Bournemouth beforehand.
We need to pick up points, there is not really much difference from fourth to fourteen.

Happy new year all

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[aindro]

Fofana was rested. I did not see the match but from the extended highlights I just saw: our inabilities to finish off chances again cost us points. Palmer still needs more matches to get back to his level. His clinical finishes aren’t there yet after his injury. Garnacho, can run, can create chances but cannot finish. Joao Pedro isn’t a no:9. But Liam Delap hasn’t shown anything neither. Nicolas Jackson would have performed better than those two as he can connect with Palmer.

But correct me if I am wrong, we were denied 2 blatant penalties. Joao Pedro and then a hand ball by Maatsen. The referee did not give any. We are rarely helped / favoured by the referees.

And yes, we do need leaders, we do need world class players. Not a lot, one or two would suffice.

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[srilankanblue]

Happy new year all.

First half Man city were the better team.
There goal i thought Jorgensen should have done better, but overall he did well. I was worried when he hoofed the pass to Heto when he first came on.
I thought starting with Enzo, Cole and Estêvão would leave us open in midfield but we kept them out.
Second half we were the better team once Calum moved Enzo up with Andrey coming in.
If only the chances Pedro, Cole and Estêvão had gone in.
I thought Delap had his best game for us, we also had a focal point.

Lovely to see the team spirit and thought what Reece did at the end, when he went and got Calum. True class!

I don’t really understand why we are poor against the weaker teams

What is everyone’s thoughts on the incoming manager?

cheers

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[aindro]

Wishing you all a happy new year 2026. Health, happiness, success. Best wishes.
We were lucky to come up with a point but what a performance. City dominated but they created very minimal chances. And their goal, as srilankanblue said: Jorgensen should have done better. It’s his near post, a small angle.

But 100% agree, the togetherness, the team spirit, hopefully this team is destined for success. It’s heartwarming to see the goal celebration and on CFC website: the injured players were all there too in the stadium.

The incoming manager is not a secret, it’s Rosenior. Rumours said he is already in London to discuss.

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[aindro]

This second half of the season is clearly not something I was expecting. First the sacking of Maresca and second the appointment of Rosenior. I will try to stay positive, but it’s not easy. This kind of ‘ship’ would need an experienced captain and Maresca’s replacement should have been someone more experienced. We need experience to improve this young team and to improve our chance of achieving the targets (top 4, UCL quarter at least and probably a cup I suppose)

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[pajero]

What was cucurella thinking off! He is always pulling or holding players. Then to look shocked at the decision. The discipline at the club is completely out of control. And caciedo feigning injury is embarrassing

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[Blues1967]

This form and these results continue for the next 2-3 weeks and we will be as low as 13th or 14th in the table. The congestion just below us reveals we are now 8th on 31 points Bournemouth are 15th on 26 points, Tottenham 14th on 27 points. These owners get what they deserve. I am long beyond suffering as a result of poor form and results. The results and performances against the likes of Arsenal, City and Barcelona make these results against much inferior opponents suggest some one within is taking the piss. The commendable City result snatching a 1-1 draw less than a week ago was outstanding and now this. We are a joke. I wish Rosenior well!!

• This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by Blues1967.
• This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by Blues1967.

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[Ed de Goey]

No need to worry 1967 – Rosenior was brought in because he plays similar football to Maresca and is familiar with the BlueCo project and structure. What could go wrong?

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[pajero]

A bit of an embarrassment for our new coach last night. According to the BBC website there was a banner telling blueco were to go, derogatory songs about the owners and sporting directors, and chants about Roman

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[aindro]

I think Liam Rosenior knows what’s expected from him. And about the displeasure of the fans to the owners, I should believe that he is familiar to that, too. After all, BlueCo aren’t popular either with Strasbourg fans.

Unfortunately, club football has changed a lot. It’s Man City IMO who had started this multiple clubs ownership. Chelsea followed suit, and Man Utd followed suit too. And Chelsea brought it to the next level by having Strasbourg as Chelsea’s feeder club, in all senses. Which is not new by the way, under Abramovich it was Vitesse Arnhem. And now with Rosenior “promoted”, the notion of feeder is no longer limited to players, but also to coaches. BlueCo farms players and now coaches. Should Rosenior fail at Chelsea and O’Neil succeed at Strasbourg, don’t be surprised that he would be “promoted” to coach Chelsea.

So yeah I am unhappy with Chelsea impotent like this, no longer able to challenge for Premier League. But what can I say.

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[Bluebird]

No point in speculation just take it as it comes, personally i dont believe we will finish in the top 6 but as they say what will be will be. Theres way so much more serious problems in the world right now and probably in our lifetime too.

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[Blues1967]

The main joy I get these days is the ongoing fall of Manchester United, the latest being bundled out of the FA Cup by Brighton at home. Long may it continue. Doesn’t get any easier for them with City at home this coming weekend. Love it.

• This reply was modified 1 week ago by Blues1967.

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[srilankanblue]

Blues1967 gutted Steve Holland has gone to Man U!
Cant believe Conor has gone to Spurs either!

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[aindro]

With No 1 & 2 already fix (Arsenal & Man City, in any order), and Aston Villa running strong, I think we have almost 0 chance to finish in the top 3. No 4 is still quite open though as we’re only 4 points behind Liverpool. It will all depend on how Rosenior can get the team to the winning ways. Not sure why we aren’t able to get good results. Apart from lack of experienced players: we have almost all players available. Liam Delap is back from injury, so is Cole Palmer.

Tonight will be Carabao semi against Arsenal. I can’t see us winning this semifinal as Arsenal are a solid team. But stranger things happened. We need magic from Palmer or Estevao.

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[aindro]

Look at the quality in Arsenal’s bench. Merino, Havertz, Martinelli, Eze, Jesus who would start in almost other club in the world. And our bench is Tyrique George, Mheuka, Essugo very unexperienced. I think this is the difference between us and other teams above us: Arsenal, City, Aston Villa & Liverpool.

We have good players allright in our starting 11 but we need 1 or two additions of experienced players.

Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
Sánchez | Cucurella, Fofana, Chalobah, Acheampong | Santos, Enzo (c) | Neto, João Pedro, Estêvão | Guiu

Substitutes from: Jörgensen, Badiashile, Tosin, Hato, Essugo, Buonanotte, Garnacho, George, Mheuka

Arsenal starting XI:
Kepa | White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres

Substitutes from: Raya, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Merino, Havertz, Lewis-Skelly

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[Rover]

A bit too early to judge i know but this coach is the same as Maresca, same tactics that only work once out of every 4 games. I dooubt whether he will make much difference. What we really need are capable defenders especially the centre half’s. Not to mention the real Sanchez is back. He had a nightmare besides a couple of decent saves. Both our keepers are thick as a brick. It seems to be the trend amongst keepers this season especially. Sorry but i dont see any positives besides Garnacho’s cameo.

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