I disagree with the option that we were any good, miss sitters against good or bad teams, we won't win. Totally lacking in any creativity. Redmond and Ings the only bright sparks for me, I also actively dislike Hoedt, seems to be acting as entitled as VVD with none of the talent.
Seriously what the **** did people expect? We were playing Chelsea not bloody Cardiff. A Chelsea side who have only dropped points thanks to a last minute Liverpool goal last week I might add.
Just let Tom have his usual little 30 minute meltdown and then we can get back to normality , whatever that is.
We are poor at converting chances, so you cannot just attribute our lack of goals to bad luck. We also got away with at least one, possibly two pens and assorted other fouls. If you are going to say with better luck we could have scored, you have to say that with worse luck, we could have played the majority of the match with ten men. A lot of things could have happened. But the bottom line is that Chelsea were in control the entire match and aside from maybe one or two very fleeting semi-scary moments, it never looked like they were in danger of losing. The scoreline is whatever Chelsea wanted it to be. I’m not disturbed by this, because Chelsea is clearly way, way, way better than us. But I would not say we put in a particularly scrappy effort and nearly stole some points, or that we gained momentum by figuring something out. I expected us to get dominated, and we were dominated. And 3-0 probably reflects the general level of dominance.
Obviously for the first 20 minutes, there was only one side in it. Hazard and Willian controlled the game, and we barely touched the ball. But for the other 70, despite conceding all of the three goals during that time, I thought we largely matched them. We created chances, we just didn't take them. It's worrying that we didn't score - but then, it is of no surprise (for me, it continues to be the case that our attack worries me more than our defence - if we had an attack to scare opponents, then that actually helps a weak defence because opponents can't focus as much on hurting that weak defence). It's also worrying that we tried three different formations. But yeah, I don't think we played particularly badly - especially when you consider the opposition - and again, I'm not finding too much to criticise Hughes on. (I thought our three worst players vs Wolves were Vestergaard, Austin and Ely. Now whether injury played any of part, but all three duly didn't feature in Hughes' XI today.)
It’s a terrible mentality to think that performance is good. Yes they are a good side, but I guarantee they will be beaten by a bottom half side this season, or at least run close. We are a complete walk over for any side we play at the moment. They beat us at a canter, the same as wolves and probably Newcastle and Bournemouth will next
If pretty baked right now, but if you think we played well, can you sort me out with whatever you’re on?
In seasons gone by we would have been disappointed not to get a point today, unfortunately of late the result was so inevitable that we are almost resigned to the defeat before a ball is kicked. So inevitable a result that I had put Chelsea down as one of my 3 aways on my coupon. I think the real test of "have we improved" comes against Bournemouth on the 20th away, and on current form I can only see one result......Home win!
What did people expect? Fair question Tom but I would counter it was only Chelsea,sure they're a good side but they ain't that good,we could have had four goals two for sure. Of course I'm from an era where we gave these teams a right go and that includes all of the media's favourites,not just those perceived to be lesser (Cardiff) etc.. Now we just don't bother most of the time til it's too late,oh well,two weeks before I can get worried about playing Bournemouth! (FFS).
I would say it was a pretty average performance both in terms of quality of play and effort. Hoedt did have a decent game. Redmond and Lemina were alright. Yes, it does often look like Lemina isn’t trying all that hard, but I don’t know if maybe that’s just his style or if it is because he’s surprised he has to help out on both sides so much or if maybe he yeah, he’s not that into the team. But in the end he was fairly effective today regardless. But mostly, there wasn’t anything in this game that I feel like should change any one’s minds about the team or individual players. Haters will keep hating and the dreamers will keep dreaming.
I find it completely reasonable. We *were* dire and inept. The only debate is whether we were more dire and inept than expected, or if our level of direness and ineptitude is not so awful that maybe we can stay up. But we are a ****ty team and played like one.
