What did tonight teach us?

[Marky]

I'm not convinced that they are. I think tonight it was a game of very fine lines - we could have been given the offside decision for the first goal, could have had a penalty. Ultimately they edged it.

Strangely, I don't feel that bad about it, and, rather worryingly, am less ill-disposed towards Chelsea than I would ever have thought possible given the circumstances. I think both teams showed great character, and it could have gone either way.

On the negative side, I think it's clear that we are just not as good as Chelsea or Man U defensively, and that has finally caught up with us. We were very disappointing in both full-back positions, with neither Arbeloa nor Riise offering anything as an attacking force and always likely to be caught out positionally when put under any kind of pressure. The lack of a settled defence has really cost us this season.

Similarly, it's folly to play the 4-5-1 system when the wide midfielders cut inside every time they have possession. Tonight was crying out for width, to keep Chelsea's midfield stretched and allow Gerrard the freedom to make runs beyond the back four, but we got horribly bogged down and failed to keep possession for long periods (particularly in the first half).

I've always disliked Lampard intensely, but have to admit to some grudging respect for the way he took that penalty. Showed a lot of bottle. Fair play.

I've also learned that it would be handy if I brushed up on basic mathematics, given that I spent most of the extra time period screaming at rafa to bring Crouch on, throwing all the colourful epithets that I could muster at the telly, before realising that we'd already used all 3 subs.

We're out. It hurts, but we keep our heads up and go on. With the right additions we'll be stronger next year. It's not the end of the world.

No disrespect or anything but he's not really going to lose the touch of scoring a penalty because of a family bereavement is he?

[Joe King]

No disrespect or anything but he's not really going to lose the touch of scoring a penalty because of a family bereavement is he?

It might have. You could see he was quite emotional today.

[zimbo]

No disrespect or anything but he's not really going to lose the touch of scoring a penalty because of a family bereavement is he?

It requires focus, composure and decisiveness and a fairly large set of bollocks to take a pen in those circumstances, discounting everything else he's had to cope with this week. Not easy.
Look at Ronaldo in Barcelona to see how players can be affected by the big occasion.

[Kronenburg1892]

It requires focus, composure and decisiveness and a fairly large set of bollocks to take a pen in those circumstances, discounting everything else he's had to cope with this week. Not easy.
Look at Ronaldo in Barcelona to see how players can be affected by the big occasion.

It's funny how that sort of stuff galvanises focus. Bit like Drogba scoring from not diving!

[Welhung]

****ing hell get a grip some of you.

We lost, it happens

I really had great reservations about our ability to make it through this game. And to be honest, if we had, does anyone truly think we currently have what it takes to beat UTD? I don't, we are not at that level yet.

Strangely enough, as much as I hate the Chavs, they played a fair game, and just showed more desire to win. Even Drogba was well behaved. Amazing.

That said, yes we do need to change the squad. Rafa obviously has a way of playing that he prefers. We just don't have the right players for those positions yet.

I wish people would stop slagging Riise. He has (in the past) been wonderful for us, and has been one of my favorite players. Its sad that his career has come to this with our supporters calling for his blood. His frailties are clear, so he needs to move on. I wish him all the best though

This lone striker role for Nando will never work if we don't have proper wingers. That, along with a higher class of full backs is what we need for next season. More creativity and strength. We don't have anyone who can hold up teh ball besides Crouch, and he never plays! With 2 defensive mids we end up sitting too deep. We cant play like that against top quality like Chelsea and Utd, we'll get found out. Players like Essien (who is immense), and Ballack are needed in these physical games. Tough/strong players who still have great technical ability.

Babel needs to be a striker next season. End of discussion. He has all the attributes of a great striker. Play him in that role for ****s sake!

Pennant and Kuyt offer much to the squad. They are good players. Not world class, but both deserve a place in our team. Stop looking for someone to blame people.

Lady luck just wasn't on our side today. Thats the way it goes. I think we have done well considering the turmoil our club is still going through, and I just want to thank all the boys for doing a great job. I know they must all be devastated, much more than us. Give them some support guys, not your childish bitching. Next year they will be stronger

YNWA

[Marky]

****ing hell get a grip some of you.

We lost, it happens

I really had great reservations about our ability to make it through this game. And to be honest, if we had, does anyone truly think we currently have what it takes to beat UTD? I don't, we are not at that level yet.

Strangely enough, as much as I hate the Chavs, they played a fair game, and just showed more desire to win. Even Drogba was well behaved. Amazing.

That said, yes we do need to change the squad. Rafa obviously has a way of playing that he prefers. We just don't have the right players for those positions yet.

I wish people would stop slagging Riise. He has (in the past) been wonderful for us, and has been one of my favorite players. Its sad that his career has come to this with our supporters calling for his blood. His frailties are clear, so he needs to move on. I wish him all the best though

This lone striker role for Nando will never work if we don't have proper wingers. That, along with a higher class of full backs is what we need for next season. More creativity and strength. We don't have anyone who can hold up teh ball besides Crouch, and he never plays! With 2 defensive mids we end up sitting too deep. We cant play like that against top quality like Chelsea and Utd, we'll get found out. Players like Essien (who is immense), and Ballack are needed in these physical games. Tough/strong players who still have great technical ability.

Babel needs to be a striker next season. End of discussion. He has all the attributes of a great striker. Play him in that role for ****s sake!

Pennant and Kuyt offer much to the squad. They are good players. Not world class, but both deserve a place in our team. Stop looking for someone to blame people.

Lady luck just wasn't on our side today. Thats the way it goes. I think we have done well considering the turmoil our club is still going through, and I just want to thank all the boys for doing a great job. I know they must all be devastated, much more than us. Give them some support guys, not your childish bitching. Next year they will be stronger

YNWA

I think that's a very good post, esp your last few paragraphs.

The way some are going on it's as if we were beat 3-0 which i thought could happen after our very poor and unspirited first hald display.
I know we're a super team when we want to be but i honestly didn't expect us to run Chelsea as close as we did.

We finally scored at the Bridge and thank ****. The players gave it their all.

[Fiddy]

I'm still getting my head round people slagging Yossi when it was his moment of brilliance that got us back in the game

[Marky]

I'm still getting my head round people slagging Yossi when it was his moment of brilliance that got us back in the game

That was a quite marvellous run and it came out of nowhere. He was having a very quiet game up till then but what a part he played in our equaliser.

[Punk]

Not to go to Stamford Bridge on a semi final night, if you're allergic to plastic.

[Guest]

I'm not convinced that they are. I think tonight it was a game of very fine lines - we could have been given the offside decision for the first goal, could have had a penalty. Ultimately they edged it.

Strangely, I don't feel that bad about it, and, rather worryingly, am less ill-disposed towards Chelsea than I would ever have thought possible given the circumstances. I think both teams showed great character, and it could have gone either way.

On the negative side, I think it's clear that we are just not as good as Chelsea or Man U defensively, and that has finally caught up with us. We were very disappointing in both full-back positions, with neither Arbeloa nor Riise offering anything as an attacking force and always likely to be caught out positionally when put under any kind of pressure. The lack of a settled defence has really cost us this season.

Similarly, it's folly to play the 4-5-1 system when the wide midfielders cut inside every time they have possession. Tonight was crying out for width, to keep Chelsea's midfield stretched and allow Gerrard the freedom to make runs beyond the back four, but we got horribly bogged down and failed to keep possession for long periods (particularly in the first half).

I've always disliked Lampard intensely, but have to admit to some grudging respect for the way he took that penalty. Showed a lot of bottle. Fair play.

I've also learned that it would be handy if I brushed up on basic mathematics, given that I spent most of the extra time period screaming at rafa to bring Crouch on, throwing all the colourful epithets that I could muster at the telly, before realising that we'd already used all 3 subs.

We're out. It hurts, but we keep our heads up and go on. With the right additions we'll be stronger next year. It's not the end of the world.

Great post mate.

[Joe Le Toff]

How anyone, irrrespective of goals against Arsenal, Inter and Chelsea, Can still maintain tha Kuyt is good enough is beyond me. For me he is the personification of Benitez's football philosophy and it's now obvious that he simply is not good enough. His passing and overall play were pathetic tonight. His lack of pace was evident as was his lack of intelligence. Giving away stupid free kicks in the opposition's half .

At ****ing last, someone mentions Kuyt without the words "worked hard" in the post!!!!!
Totally agree with you, I dont recall ever seeing a player at the top level surrender possession in one game so much as Kuyt last night, Heskey had a better first touch and thats saying something. He offers nothing, nothing, to us bar an ability to run and thats enough to secure him in a place in our supposed strongest 11.
Its beyond belief that people here are calling on Alonso to be sold but theres a place in the squad for Kuyt. Xabi's been poor for a while now i agree but for me its down to injuries and a lack of confidence that comes with that, his ability isnt in question and i think he should be kept.
Kuyt is a striker playing at right half who cant do either and proof that other than one signing, Torres, aside, the manager will always take a player who shows endeavour over ability.