Chelsea (H) Post Match

[Lecter]

Wasnt the scuffle regarding someone spitting on the Hillsborough memorial??

[Lecter]

I really dont know in which thread this should be as it covers a few different things

Firstly the result was hard to take but I dont have too many problems with Chelseas tactics, its the manner they go about them that annoys me. Tactically we have at times attempted similar things under Houllier & Rafa so its hard to bleat too much, but I dont remember us ever time wasting as much as Chelsea did especially not from the first minute or two because that showed their intent or lack thereof. I have heard some Chelsea fans claim its nothing different to what the Paisley sides did during the 70's & 80's but the big difference is those Paisley sides kept possession they didnt sit back and soak up pressure they kept the ball in their own half and drew people on. That Chelsea performance kind of reminded me of Cloughs Forest side of the late 70's they were rigid, dogged and were happy to constantly disrupt the flow of the game. Still no getting away from it no matter how it looks it worked for them.

Mourinho however I cant stand hes an absolute ****ing cunt and he increasingly is becoming a parody of himself, moaning about teams parking the bus against them and then doing the same, moaning about decisions and referees when conveniently forgetting his own fortunes at time. Cant stand the man

Brendan has worked wonders hes far exceeded expectations I had and its been great to be involved in a title challenge. I cant complain much at how things went yesterday because its hard to see the changes he could have effected that would have made that much of a difference. No matter what happens he deserves an enormous amount of credit

With regards to our title challenge going forward. I always felt it was going to be difficult, despite the mood in here I always felt we would need to win every game on the run in to take the title. I cant see City slipping up now and equally you have to wonder how much that has taken out of us. We have looked leggy the last couple of games at times and have scraped a couple of wins where things could quite easily have been different (I'm not complaining but things havent been comfortable recently). I do wonder how much of an impact losing Henderson was because its looked huge. We have so little penetration and energy from midfield without him. Make no mistake though this was a fantastic opportunity to take our first title but I feel it has slipped from our grasp now

Finally next season, I really dont know where I sit on this. Other teams will improve and so will we. However we have to get it absolutely right in the transfer market and that is something we have only done 1 out of 4 windows so far under Brendan. IMO we have been very hit and miss (which isnt that unusual for teams really). Its hard to see us going on the same sort of run next season but hopefully we can hit the ground running and at least be a part of it again this time next year

All we can ask for is an improvement on this year, if that is once again not enough to take the title then so be it

[RoadEnd]

I just wonder if BR got his tactics wrong yesterday. He must have known Maureen would set Chelsea up that way. Maybe he should have bit his lip and played the same tactics. In hindsight, I'd have preferred a bore draw than a 2-0 defeat.

[Shaggy]

I just wonder if BR got his tactics wrong yesterday. He must have known Maureen would set Chelsea up that way. Maybe he should have bit his lip and played the same tactics. In hindsight, I'd have preferred a bore draw than a 2-0 defeat.

I've thought that this morning but it's obviously easy with hindsight. They had no intention of engaging in an actual game of football - would've been funny to see us go "okay then, **** you, we'll take the draw" and just pass it round at the back for 90 minutes. But obviously Rodgers was never going to do that.

[john316]

I understand people wanting to believe that City will drop points, and how Everton will give them a game, but the same was said of Palace, and they didn't, none of these ****ers will. imo.

It was obvious that the Palace game was going to play out like it did yesterday after our result. Less obvious how the last 3 will go with the pressure able to build on them again.

[Lecter]

I've thought that this morning but it's obviously easy with hindsight. They had no intention of engaging in an actual game of football - would've been funny to see us go "okay then, **** you, we'll take the draw" and just pass it round at the back for 90 minutes. But obviously Rodgers was never going to do that.

The old Liverpool sides of the 70's & early 80's could of done that but I'm not sure its in Rodgers make up

[DKdan]

I know others have commented on this but I really didnt get our tactics for that game.

Having watched Chelseas approach against Atletico - In a stage where away goals are near priceless.
Having heard how Mourinho defended his approach by saying how difficult it was not to lose on their venue - Why should he want to play football at Anfield then?
Having heard him ramble about his weakened team for our game - IMO the same as an invitation to attack them. He wanted us to play like that all day long.

Everybody say thats the game we play, and that we cannot play like them. But we are one of the most fearsome counter-attacking team in the world, and our success this season is a lot about breaking with pace. Of course the best way to defend against us is giving us nothing to counter and they did that.

Now I can understand if we needed the three points, but we didnt - we needed one single point! We should have been the ones with the defensive approach. I think it would have lured them forward and would have given us small gaps that a proper siege will never allow.

[Tee]

We played right into their hands. Was a bit naive of us but you have to admire BR sticking to his philosphy, and if Stevie had not had that moment, well we would not have lost the game.

[john316]

I think we were just taken aback at our defensive they were in a game they had to win. If we could have got in at half time 0-0 then we might have been to adjust the plan and draw them onto us.

[Lecter]

They were never going to come on to us

That imo was his plan all along, it was built around nicking a goal from a set piece, a long throw or a mistake

If it didnt work he had his excuses ready made

It did work and now hes a ****ing genius

[Chris]

We should have been the ones with the defensive approach. I think it would have lured them forward and would have given us small gaps that a proper siege will never allow.

Nah we shouldnt, you dont play one way for the whole season, get top of the league then do the complete opposite 36 games in. And lured them forward? Zero chance, they were time wasting after 60 seconds!! It's hardly like we bombed everyone forward and got done with a stunning Chelsea counter attack, they got a fluke that will happen for them once every 3 or 4 years.

[ronanm]

Gutted for Stevie. Hopefully we'll get another chance, but it will stay with him (and us) if we don't which is unfair! Can't help but think some people were celebrating a bit too soon with so many games to play. The "Make us Dream" banners at the training ground etc. can't have helped.

[cannotmakeit]

wow hindsight

[Lecter]

Nah we shouldnt, you dont play one way for the whole season, get top of the league then do the complete opposite 36 games in. And lured them forward? Zero chance, they were time wasting after 60 seconds!! It's hardly like we bombed everyone forward and got done with a stunning Chelsea counter attack, they got a fluke that will happen for them once every 3 or 4 years.

I agree it wouldnt have changed their tactics at all

The tactic was built around hope more than any devious masterplan

They planned on staying deep and solid and hoped beyond hope they would nick something from a set piece, long throw or a mistake by us

Both of their goals came from errors they capitalised on

I didnt enjoy watching them time wasting so early but you have to acknowledge defensively they were very good and they certainly limited us

[Shaggy]

Gutted for Stevie. Hopefully we'll get another chance, but it will stay with him (and us) if we don't which is unfair! Can't help but think some people were celebrating a bit too soon with so many games to play. The "Make us Dream" banners at the training ground etc. can't have helped.

Might not have helped exactly but I can't see how that sort thing hindered us either.