CL Semi Final - Post Match Musings

[andyinswinton]

Why was Alonso putting in tackles and Mascherano fedding through balls, it was all arse about face

Fair point.

[Exiled_red]

Sorry but I'd rather see the scumbags win it. Chelsea deserve nothing, they are a bunch of cheating cunts.

Man U have played some great football this season and Ronaldo is no where near the diver Drogba is. I'd absolutely hate to see Chelsea win this now.

The best result would be neither to win it and the game to be abandoned but unfortunately that aint going to happen.

Terry constantly gets away with leading with his arm, for that alone they deserve to lose. They are more hateful than Man U, as individuals

I don't like either much but I'd much rather the Chavs win it than the scum

[hamshanks]

for me it was Rafa's fault within 10 minutes it was obvious he had to change things and he didn't. Pennant seems to have got a lot of stick on here but for me he should of started and i'm sorry, lovely lad, but Kuyt is no wide player. Where was Crouch? A quality player driven out of the club. Poo game, two poor teams, and no dominant tactics

[Kronenburg1892]

First of all I think tonight proved the 4-2-3-1 doesn't work. The goal aside we created very little and what we did create usually ended up with a lone striker in the box competing against two or three defenders. Torres got run into the ground and ended up injuring himself by the sounds of it on a bog of a pitch when the aerial route to Crouch would have made sense.

Sorry, but utter rubbish. If we had Aurelio in that team, with say Babel in the first half, the central defence would have been stretched to make room for either Gerrard or Torres or Kuyt to get into the box. It's a system that has worked for us for the later half of the season. Just because we lose one game with this formation, you call it rubbish? You're not seeing what I'm seeing. If we had four in the middle, do you still think we could have controlled Chelsea in the first half?

The introduction of Pennant was for me a puzzling one. Babel is clearly the great goal threat and a better player overall, so why he didn't come on and why it was Yossi that went off I'll never know.

I'm puzzled with this comment too. Pennant came on for Yossi. Babel came on for Torres. What do you think happened to Chelsea's shape as a result of those substitutions? We were all over them. We just couldn't break them. Although we went pretty ****ing close.

All in all this was definitely an opportunity missed. We played poorly in the first half but could have won it in regulation time if we'd gone for it. Instead we didn't and Chelsea got re-organised and that was where things chagned.

We lost the game at 90 minutes. They re-grouped. But up to that point we were the stronger team. The dice didn't bounce in our favour

[slimbimjim]

First of all I think tonight proved the 4-2-3-1 doesn't work. The goal aside we created very little and what we did create usually ended up with a lone striker in the box competing against two or three defenders.

I disagree that the formation doesn't work. I think it's the players that don't make it happen.

Chelsea always had an extra man running so there was a one two then a swept ball forward. We get the ball and dally waiting for someone to come for the ball. Most of the time it is a sideways or back pass. Depressing.

If we get some players with more strength and pace about them (another Babel for example) and a playmaker (Elano, Diego or Aguero) then we could be in with a shout.

[Joe King]

We don't have the players for the system. The system does work. It has been proven. I am worried we can't change into different systems in order to bamboozle the opposition. Flexibility within the squad is very limited so some versatile players would be needed in order to progress.

[FatTony]

Harsh, and the timing could be better, but fair.

I don't think its harsh to be honest, Chelsea's back four is fantastic, with Cech, Carvalho and Terry. We have Reina, Carra and Skrtel. Carra is passed his best but still very good, Skrtel has to prove himself over a season and has been poor - good this seaon, Reina is a great keeper. Cech, Carvalho and Terry are all better than those 3 IMO and in most neutrals.

Then you have Cole and Essien, against Riise and Arbeola. No contest at all, this is a huge gap.

Midfield, Ballack, Makelele, Lampard, Cole against Alonso, Mascherano, Benny and Kuyt. Alonso has been very hit and miss (due to injuries but other than last week he's been pretty uninfluential). Mascherano has a great work ethic and tracks the ball carrier, but gave the ball away continuously. Kuyt is not a winger and Benny is a good squad player. Ballack and Makalele are quality though Makelele is passed his best.

Gerrard does disappear in the big game against the english clubs.

Drogba is IMO a better all round forward than Torres. There, I've said it. Drogba is one of those players who causes all sorts of problems, he doesn't have to score to influence a game, he's a ****in menace.

[stuartb]

Anyone but Manure. Absolute no brainer. To consider anything else is absolutely shocking.

Wash you mouth out with soap and water....

and bleach if you want Manure to win the final

[JPK]

Loss came down to Riise's goal in the end. Knocked the stuffing out of us.
Terrible yet again tonight. Jogged to Drogba for the first and took the lazy way out for there third. Should never wear our shirt again and I hope his career crumbles when we **** him off.

[andyinswinton]

I hope his career crumbles when we **** him off.

Thats too harsh mate.

[JPK]

Sorry but I'd rather see the scumbags win it. Chelsea deserve nothing, they are a bunch of cheating cunts.

Man U have played some great football this season and Ronaldo is no where near the diver Drogba is. I'd absolutely hate to see Chelsea win this now.

The best result would be neither to win it and the game to be abandoned but unfortunately that aint going to happen.

Terry constantly gets away with leading with his arm, for that alone they deserve to lose. They are more hateful than Man U, as individuals

That's just wrong

[tufty]

Loss came down to Riise's goal in the end. Knocked the stuffing out of us.
Terrible yet again tonight. Jogged to Drogba for the first and took the lazy way out for there third. Should never wear our shirt again and I hope his career crumbles when we **** him off.

You'll hopefully regret putting that in the morning when you've cooled off

Yes, he's past his best and should be moved on but .........

[Marky]

We have to stick together.

[El Jefecito]

mine, gerrard not turning up and rafa playing ginger

[Craig_H]

Drogba and Terry missing the final would hand it to the mancs. No thanks.