True. But i feel you're not giving them enough credit. They were able to impose their football on every game, regardless of the opponent. They weren't at their best all the time but they still play the same way. I think we are still too reactive in playing, so when the opponent doesn't do anything, there's nothing to react on. It's something we have to work on. Overall I have to say we have improved over the course of the season. It's very clear that we are not the finished product yet, but I'm sure things will get sorted out by next season.

lol..Untited slump bound to happen when you talking about replacing the great SAF, but to overly praised Liverpool..nope..not me..but I will still congratulate them because they get the job done.

remember, liverpool also played less matches compare to us and man city. they can really focus on the league title...

Just as I predicted...we suck against a bottom team..

The good thing, lets just focus 150% on UCL

Liverpool win simply bcoz of Suarez and Sturridge, and also only focus in 1 competition.

Next season will truly test their squad's depth.
Sakho - meh
Skrtel and Agger - Good, but sometimes Skrtel comical defending
Toure - I still rmb his own goal.

Pool really nid to bolster their defense next season if wanna excel in both PL and CL.

And also, Citeh and us dropped points, Liverpool has been consistent. So yea, credits to them.

But 1 thing I dun like bout BR, kip alternating between 433, diamond, 4231. haha. let's see how he fares next season.

watching lukaku against utd now. Kinda poor against crowded defence. Heavy first touch most of the time. Dunno if he can lead our attacking force.

maybe this is the concern with lukaku early in this season..and why we let him go on loan after he asked for it..

dont get me wrong..he is outstanding striker, but maybe lack in certain area..that he can improve on loan..

but I believe in that kid..he must be in our squad next season..maybe as 2nd striker..giving that he now can play as Left Striker..more option for Jose.

This post has been edited by Ichighost: Apr 21 2014, 01:21 AM

yup. bring in costa, lukaku will return next season and either torres, ba or eto'o can stay. two of our current strikers must make way...

200% agree with u bro.

Among the 3, I hope Eto says. He can still be super sub or big match player. For Torres, so sorry for him, his time is simply up. For Ba, I would not keep him to rot on our bench. I still rmb Ba was on the bench for about 2/3 of the whole season. Only recently Mou picked him.

yeah bro. i'm hoping eto'o will stay as well. maybe he's a little bit old but his experience can make up for that. still a valuable player in any team he plays for...

With the title out of your hands now even with a victory over Liverpool this coming weekend, it's fair to assume on the balance of probability Jose will prioritise the Atletico tie over the Liverpool game. If you progress from this tie it will only be ONE game to glory which makes it easier considering you have fate in your own hands whereas you are still dependant on both City and Liverpool to drop further points in the league. The prize money, publicity and prestige is worth the sacrifice of the PL I would say, of course anything is still possible just not likely. Unless of course you win or lose so big the 2nd leg is effectively meaningless.

So looking at this scenario, here's a question for you Chelsea fans. How would you lineup against Liverpool at the weekend with the Atletico tie in mind?

When I was looking at the Chelsea squad list, can't help but notice a few odd situations.

1. Who is your backup RIGHT BACK? Azpi is a natural RB yes but he plays on the other side now and who do you play in RB when you need both Azpi and Iva rested?

2. Who are your backup CENTRE BACKS? Apart from the youngsters I only see David Luiz as a natural CB but you will surely rest him because he is probably the 2nd best you have in Matic's role since Matic will be cup tied.

3. Who is your backup for Oscar? I could only see Willian playing in this role effectively but I would prefer to rest Willian with Hazard still out. Maybe Lampard?

4. Would you rest even Cech? Probably not but you never know when you will pick up an odd injury in football.

Cech - RB??? - CB??? - CB??? - A. Cole - Mikel - Ramires - Lampard - Schurrle - Salah - Torres?

This is my guess if Jose does intend to rest ALL key players bar Cech and I'm predicting a CL final between Chelsea and Real Madrid.

ive accepted the fact that we cant no longer lay our hands in the premiership trophy. what i need to do now is to tahan my ears ler...

Kalas.

Luiz and Ivanovic, no one else other than Luiz and Ivanovic in the 1st team considering both rested, we will see a youngster play.

Willian, Hazard..Lampard rarely play that role..but yes..he can.

Cech maybe.

Cech
Kalas,Christensen,Ivanovic,Azpi
Matic,Mikel
Salah,Lampard,Schurrle
Ba

well..not that relevant because we will play Atletico 1st leg first then Liverpool..so must see how the result of the 1st leg before considering possible resting of players.

we must collect max points in the league, need to seal the UCL top 3 spot asap.

knowing Mourinho, we rarely throw the towel, we still have a say in the tittle race.

if u guys watch liverpool game,especially last night,


its very simple.guard as hard as u can in the first half.even if concede 1 goal,its not a big deal

then sub in 1 or 2 fast attacking player,like schurle,and bombard them with relentless pressure in 2nd half

especially on glen johnson side.dont go thru middle.skrtel too formidable

that should be enough to win against liverpool

ps:and this is coming from one who pray liverpool win EPL this season

This post has been edited by amon_meiz: Apr 21 2014, 09:40 AM

Can't argue with that. I would even say Flannagan's side is vulnerable too. Liverpool's weakness is crosses and target men. Mignolet can't catch crosses and full backs are weak at closing down on crosses. Liverpool this season is notorious for their fast start to the game but loses steam as soon as they go maybe 2 goals up. Stopping the early game onslaught is key.

correct.a team that excel and crosses,corners and headers should be problematic for liverpool

and dont try to counter them,they would out-counter u

just maintain a constant flow of pressure and attacking runs

shouldnt be hard for chelsea with their adept passing prowess.

keep possession,keep pressuring

Back up RB is Azpi. If Iva injured, Azpi will move to RB, Cole will move into LB. Kalas can back up at RB too, he can play CB or RB.

For Oscar role, no direct back up. But Willian and Hazard can play the middle role too.

Rest Cech? Almost impossible for Mou. Cech only miss game when he is injured. He missed the Sunderland game due to picking up a virus iinm.

My prediction against Liverpool

------------Cech---------
Iva---Cahill---Terry---Azpi
-------Ram----Matic-----
--Salah---Oscar---Willian
-------------Ba----------

Iva will start coz he is suspended for the match against Atletico. Matic and Salah cup tied, so will play the PL games. Cole might start depending on his performance against Atletico. If he perform superbly, Mou will stick with him.

And also Ram......Mou like him for his energetic display albeit being a headless chicken.

Knowing Mou, I think Mou will not rest too much of the key player. He would wan the players to maintain match fitness.

Chelsea's weakness is also crossing. lel! The attacking players like to play short passes, triangle pass etc. They like to combo well with ground pass, run and gun. Not much crosses. And Iva's crossing has been of low standard lately.

Hope Mou realizes Pool's weakness and capitalize on it. Judging by your analysis, if Mignolet is not gud at catching crosses, Ba shud start against Liverpool, then we just play the long ball tactic.

so you're basically saying Liverpool are at the top because Chelsea/others drop points. what if Liverpool/Man City suddenly lose all their games and Chelsea win all? In this case did Chelsea win it because they're good or because others drop points?

This post has been edited by talker: Apr 21 2014, 10:58 AM

duh..I'm talking in the Chelsea perspective. our point of view..I'm countering the fans here that talk about they deserved this or that..dont be too naive mate..managers yes come out and say we dont depend on others result..but the reality is they need that to happen.

Why not have a look at the table? Liverpool played 35 games with 5 draws and 5 defeats. Chelsea played 35 games with 6 draws and 6 defeats. If Chelsea were to win against us at the weekend that would put Liverpool's record at 5 draws and 6 defeats. The difference is just ONE game in which Chelsea has gotten 1 point instead of 3.

So yes Chelsea dropped points against easy teams but so did we. Swansea, Hull, Newcastle, Villa, Soton are among the teams we dropped points against. Remember that crazy Kolo square pass blunder that gave West Brom a draw? That was 2 valuable valuable points that we shouldn't have given away and might come back to haunt us.

Chelsea dropped points against the likes of West Brom, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Villa and Stoke that you can argue they should have won but many of those are teams fighting for their lives.

I firmly believe though whoever ends the season topping the table fully deserves it for their consistency.