Amazing result despite 1st half "back- peddling" display. Sarri found the right words at half time, because we were a different team. My regular punching bag,Jorghino, played his part and really put in, after being pummelled 1st half. Maybe he is learning that the PL needs 90 minutes of flat out effort? Hazard and Cahills' last game at the Bridge?? Higuains farewell?? Kovacic's swan song? Whatever, it only gets harder now we have the CL to play in next season. Might be a revolutionary season for the Club,and some break through players emerging.
Was an odd game of football, were they really good first half or was it just us being terrible? That save from Kepa from the header was unbelievable, game changer. Really good second half though, Loftus Cheek excellent again imo, will be one of the first names on the team sheet when he’s regularly fit. Defence is still worrying mind and hopefully Kanté is fit IF we make the final. I thought we’d win today but there was no way I could see either of United or Arsenal dropping points so I’m amazed we’ve made it with a game left. Big pre season coming up though with doubts over the manager, our best player and the transfer ban. Could be an absolute car crash but won’t be long until we find out.
I think our hand will be forced. UEFA will be their typically hypocritical self and not lift the ban which means we will not be buying any players. We have enough on loan that are genuinely good enough. Not having the luxury of spending millions will be useful, as well as the clear out of several deadwood players. The CL is a write-off. We weren’t winning that in a month of Sunday’s but a run to the quarters, on current standings would be more than expected. Some very, very big changes needed and hopefully coming up at the bridge this season.
Fortunately for us we had the perfect storm to assist us; after all what odds would you have got for Spuds, Gooners and Mancs hitting the wall at the same time? What happens next is anyone’s guess but I guess to plan for worse case scenario would be the best course of action esp as EUFA seem to be on another revenue collection, hopefully we can make better use of our young talent....not beloved time.
You and Super Chelsea seem to say exactly what I am thinking, the involvement in the CL plus the ban just might be a blessing in disguise in terms of actually using the talent we have. We will need to shed some ageing big salary players, adjust the salaries and better look after some of our youngsters, and reinvigorate the Team once and for all. Should be looked at as a positive, not a negative. On Sarri, he has to be seen to have had a successful first season, and despite my strong doubts, looks like he's got a gong for next season. If so, he also needs to take a big step up and try more things. His one dimensional style has so far won him nothing, and I don't think ever will in the PL. If he adds a bit of compromise and creativity to his managing, things can only be better for him and the Team.
Nice to you’ve warmed to what Sarri has attempted to achieve. Could be a good thread, ‘Who should we let go’.
I pretty much agree with the sentiment as well. Its not been a bad season, I said at the start that getting back into the CL was the top priority, and we achieved it, and anything else would be a bonus. For the most part it has been an improvement. We started the season well and seemed to tail off around Christmas. If Sarri can be a little more flexible and a little less stuck in his ways, we may be able to build on this. We have Pulisic coming in the summer, and Hazard will likely be gone, and it looks like we are keeping Higuain too. I think Higuain has done okay to be honest, not a long term solution but definitely a better option than Morata was!
Not sure it will be harder than this season (unless you mean no hazard). Cl footie should be easier than Europy (if we rotate like we do this season) as its Tuesday Saturday, Wednesday Sunday football which is better than Thursday Sunday. Also typically there is less travelling. A good win for the team and its great that we are back in the CL. The only disappointing thing recently was gary cahills disappointing interview which is a small blot on his book for me
I quite like higuain. Unfortunately he's a bit slow so our counter attacking game lacks a bit but i like the runs he makes, the quickness of how he gets his shots off and that he's fairly physical and not collapsing under every challenge and crying about it every 5 seconds
Considering how poor we've been over the last 2 to 3 months,i find it hard to believe we've done it........ Not sure we'll ever win anything with Sarri,obviously hope i'm wrong.
Tbh it would be a struggle for anyone to match what city and Liverpool are going right now. Not even our best championship winning sides have done that well in the past!
Harder because the CL and EPL are extremely tough comps and with the FIFA ban, we will probably be fielding more inexperienced players. That said, I am hoping to see the start of a new look, attacking, younger, faster and more together team (of players, management and fans ) than we had for a lot of this season.
We have quite a few players out on loan who will no doubt be recalled to do a job for us next season as well, such as Pulisic and Batshit. So we can certainly freshen up our squad to some extent. Though I think the CAS will rule in our favour, pretty much everytime a FIFA ruling has been brought before the CAS, FIFA have lost.......