Good to see the old CBK back... I couldn't cope with it when you came over all happy and optimistic. Vin
Mourinho sent them out to score from freekicks? Not sure what else he did, unless he had some magical influence to make Saints players give the bloody ball away every 10 seconds.
I don't think anyone's saying that Chelsea were far too good for us, the consensus that I seem to be getting is that Mourinho tactically got it right in the second half and didn't allow us to play. With two up front they could have both strikers pressing our centre backs, meaning our distribution to the midfield was squeezed, therefore not allowing us to put too many passes together.
Osvaldo does have something about him, he's certainly better than Ramirez, but yeah, he's not really a team player and tries all this fancy stuff.
Don't even panic at all. I thought we gave a very good account of ourselves, and Chelsea really had to step it up, beyond their safety zone, to win. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Mourinho admits that's the best team he's faced at Stamford Bridge this season, notwithstanding WBA. It probably does show us where we are at present. even the early surprise goal was a marker. We're a bloody good team, and let's be proud of that fact, so far in the season. I think we're a little bit goal shy and the strength of depth is a tad shallow, when substitutions are taking place. What's needed is either to go out into the market in January, or to bring the youngsters, waiting in the wings through, to give them experience at this level. If our European ambitions are real, then perhaps we need to do some buying, otherwise let's see those kids.
They took the ball away as often as we gave it away, so his tactics certainly played their part. Over, around or through...still need to find a means to generate chances on those occasions where teams are taking away space effectively.
Its because of my "illness" that I expected Saints to take advantage today of what I saw as a tired Chelsea team there for the taking. We should have done much more after scoring, but in the end, we looked like the team who had played 2 games in a week. Huge missed opportunity today, that's why I'm disappointed.
I thought the defender (Lovren was it?) could have done more, all he did was a little nudge to try an put Ba off, but Ba wanted it more and got there. Ofcourse, Gazza possibly could have done better himself, but I felt more could have been done to prevent him actually having to make a save.
They were average, Saints played right into their hands. Our players were not strong physically or mentally enough.
I thought we lacked real attacking options on the bench today, other than Rickie, none of the others I would be confident in saying could change games. May need to strengthen this in January to give ourselves more options when behind.
I think some of you have a "small club" mentality. You think getting a goal at Chelsea and not being thrashed is a result and are blind to the obvious shortcomings of the team. And how ironic that many of you constantly preach about being "positive" and having "ambition"... talk the talk, but don't walk the walk.
