DS Forums

 
 

Chelsea Supporters Thread (Part 4)


Closed Thread
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 04-09-2013, 11:16
The_don1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,430
Disagree with you that the title is beyond us The_don1. If we don't win it then we should at least be coming very close to it. If we narrowly miss out on it, we'll perhaps be able to look again at our failure to strengthen the right positions over the summer, and think what might have been. We didn't have to spend silly money, we could have just spent the money we did a bit more wisely. Only time will tell though.
Maybe its not beyond us but we going have to perform at the highest of our abilty every single week and hope the other 2 dont come close to theirs. We should be nearer I agree (single points). We always needed to take this season to steady what has been a very rocky ship and see where we are, It was not a season to run around, See where we are, see where the other 2 teams are, See whats around (one big spending club has started a fire sale and can see Monaco doing the same) and take it from there. Lets slow down, I rather wait 2 years and win 3 titles in a row then win 2 titles in those 5 years
The_don1 is online now  
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 04-09-2013, 11:25
codeblue
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: A Sound Expert
Posts: 13,881
We have been successful over the past 10 years, probably all but united fans would swap in a heartbeat. We have success that 90 other clubs in the league can only dream of.

However that success came at a price, one of changing players and managers. Along the way, we have lost games (and champions league finals) by a lick of paint, terrible referees, players getting sent off and penalty shoot-outs. We could easily have doubled the cup count, but thats cup competitions!

Now we have finally got winning the 'big one' out of the way, hopefully now we can concentrate on building for the future. Even with all the resources at our disposal, we are in a league with some HUGE teams fighting for the same thing.

City have almost unlimited amounts of money.
United have a dynasty and generate huge income.
Arsenal make the most money per home game than any other sporting franchise in the world.
Spurs have just sold the worlds most expensive footballer.

Competing with teams like this is no joke. Its not like Scotland, Spain or France. It is a real dogfight and true competition. The difference between the top 5 has never been so slight.

Replay this years PL competition with the same players 5 times and you may well get 5 different champions! What we have to learn is perspective. Coming 4th is not terrible, rather coming 1st is lucky - even if you deserve it.

I wouldn't mind finishing 4th, as long as i can see the team and club doing their very best. I see spending £52million on willian/ schurrle as the club not doing its best. That money could have been better invested. That is the true frustrating part.

Sell Torres, spend that 52m saved from above on Cavani.
Sell Mikel and Moses, buy Fellaini for 23m
Keep Lukaku
Dont bother with Eto'o, buy good young prospects.
Play Apzi instead of Ivan at right back

Our team easily could have been:

Cech
Apzi, Ivan, Terry, Cole
Fellaini Luiz
Mata Oscar Hazard
Cavani

Instead we have

Cech
Ivan, Cahill, Terry, Cole
Lampard Ramires
Schurrle Oscar Hazard
Torres

A massive difference there, which disappoints me
codeblue is offline  
Old 04-09-2013, 11:39
The_don1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,430
I can see what your saying but I still think 4th would be bad.

Cities unlimited money is only a problem because we bought badly other the last 10 years, We should be in a place where we looking at them but because they very new kids on the block we should be still in front,

Spurs are way behind, They bought well but they not got the x factor yet that moves them to the next level, Couple of years there will be there (unless they sack AVB and then its a step back) and Arsenal well they are Arsenal, Yes they bought a great player who will make a difference but still have the same issues as before, He will help cover some of them but I dont think enough to make that much of a difference.

For me 3rd and single figures behind the winners (as well as a couple of semi finals) is the measuring stick for this season. We have the players,We have the manager so there is no excuse for failing.
The_don1 is online now  
Old 04-09-2013, 12:47
TheFridge
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,053
I disagree that 3rd would be acceptable. Even an inferior manager in Benitez achieved that, with a weaker squad than Mourinho has at his disposal this year. At the very least we should be improving on last season's finish, but to be honest this is as good a chance of winning the title as we will have had in a few seasons, especially with Fergie having left United. If we don't win it then it'll be because we didn't strengthen in the right areas over the summer. Don't get me wrong, i'm not advocating sacking Mourinho if we finish 3rd this season, but I don't think we should be satisfied with it.



Yet you have no problems with spending £30m on Willian? Sorry, but it makes no sense to me.

Rafa inferior to Jose? interesting, he usually got the better of the head to heads especially the ones that really mattered.

Their cv's are both excellent but im guessing Rafa not winning the PL goes against him although if he had the money Jose had available im sure he would of done it.
TheFridge is offline  
Old 04-09-2013, 12:53
The_don1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,430
Lets not get into the boring "is Rafa a good manager" rubbish again, Its been done to death in many many different topics

Some people think he is some think he is not.
The_don1 is online now  
Old 04-09-2013, 13:06
carefree_blue
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,731
I'm not taking the Liverpool fan's bait, boring subject. All I will say is it's a minority view that Benitez is a better manager, held by Liverpool fans for the most part.

Roll on 10 days' time, when we've got another game to talk about.
carefree_blue is offline  
Old 09-09-2013, 10:44
Heavenly
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 30,890
If Lamps plays tomorrow, it will be his 100th cap.

Fantastic achievement and a consummate professional, would always put his country first, above his club, and I respect him for that.
Heavenly is offline  
Old 09-09-2013, 11:01
The_don1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,430
Will never be able to praise Lamps enough.

Fantastic player,Fantastic bloke and a real credit to English football, Its a shame he was in the same era as JT as would have made a great Capt for us. I hope he ends is career with us and his statue joins The King outside SB (or our new ground when/if we move).

Will gladly admit I thought we was insane when we bought him but its turned out to be the best buy we have ever made, Ken Bates made alot of mistakes but signing off a fair amount of cash in those days for Frank was a gamble but one that more then paid off,

Long may he wear the Chelsea shirt
The_don1 is online now  
Old 09-09-2013, 11:15
kana
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NW London
Posts: 925
If Lamps plays tomorrow, it will be his 100th cap.

Fantastic achievement and a consummate professional, would always put his country first, above his club, and I respect him for that.
Frank has been a great professional and it is a huge achievement. Does make you wonder if we've missed a generation of international players somewhere though since there has been very little churn with the England team over the past 10 years.
kana is offline  
Old 09-09-2013, 11:21
codeblue
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: A Sound Expert
Posts: 13,881
Lampard was captain when he lifted the Champions league trophy and Uefa/ Europa cup.

He was captain when it mattered most.
codeblue is offline  
Old 09-09-2013, 21:39
dend
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,130
Cant be bothered with internationals much anymore, only the major tournaments interest me, and even then i still prefer the CL/PL. Wish it would hurry up back to premier league games again!

But still Lampard should be applauded for his dedication to his country. Well done Super Frank!
dend is offline  
Old 09-09-2013, 22:44
carefree_blue
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,731
Cant be bothered with internationals much anymore, only the major tournaments interest me, and even then i still prefer the CL/PL. Wish it would hurry up back to premier league games again!

But still Lampard should be applauded for his dedication to his country. Well done Super Frank!
Exactly how I feel too. I don't bother watching the international qualifiers or friendlies.... boring!

Still, it's a great milestone for Frank so congrats to him!
carefree_blue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 13:52
codeblue
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: A Sound Expert
Posts: 13,881
Cech to Barca?

Not a bad idea, with courtois coming back to the bridge.
codeblue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 14:15
The_don1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,430
Cech to Barca?

Not a bad idea, with courtois coming back to the bridge.
But then we in the same place as we have been over the last few season, No back up keeper.

We need another Carlo/Cech combo.

We at the level now where we fight on 4 fronts (league,Champions League,FA,League Cup).

Cech for me is still vital for the next 2 or 3 seasons.
The_don1 is online now  
Old 11-09-2013, 14:56
codeblue
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: A Sound Expert
Posts: 13,881
Cech for me is still vital for the next 2 or 3 seasons.
i dont think we can keep them both happy
codeblue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 15:26
The_don1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,430
i dont think we can keep them both happy
Cech is not silly, He know's in a couple of seasons he not going to be a number 1 at a top club, Its about planning it right and so far we have handled our keepers very well. I dont see him as someone who would drop down a level just to keep playing (more someone who would go to his first club or hometown club to give something back), and if he good enough to attract the likes of Barca then he 100% good enough to do a job at Chelsea.

Courtois is a long term project,
The_don1 is online now  
Old 11-09-2013, 15:58
batdude_uk1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 69,132
Just a quick question fellers, where do you see Eto'o in the pecking order of your strikers?

Will he be the number one, or is that Torres?
batdude_uk1 is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 16:07
carefree_blue
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,731
Courtois is a long term project,
In theory that's all well and good but the question is how long would Courtois be prepared to remain out on loan?

If he has another great season for Atletico Madrid I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the bigger clubs sniffing around him (they probably are already). If say Barcelona wanted to buy him next summer and we're still not ready to offer him the number 1 spot here he might feel he's ready for the step up from a team like Atletico and be prepared to move for that.
carefree_blue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 16:20
carefree_blue
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,731
Just a quick question fellers, where do you see Eto'o in the pecking order of your strikers?

Will he be the number one, or is that Torres?
No idea until he plays, although I'd hope he's still good enough at this sort of level to become our number 1 this season. I suspect we'll start with either Torres or Ba on saturday with Eto'o on the bench though.
carefree_blue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 16:25
RichmondBlue
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Richmond, Surrey.
Posts: 13,811
Cech is not silly, He know's in a couple of seasons he not going to be a number 1 at a top club, Its about planning it right and so far we have handled our keepers very well. I dont see him as someone who would drop down a level just to keep playing (more someone who would go to his first club or hometown club to give something back), and if he good enough to attract the likes of Barca then he 100% good enough to do a job at Chelsea.

Courtois is a long term project,
Petr Cech is still only 31, relatively young for a keeper, Buffon is 35. It's a difficult one, Cech remains one of the best in the world in my opinion, and I haven't seen enough of Courtois to judge.
What a dilemma, we might very well have the two best keepers in the world on our books !
RichmondBlue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 16:29
RichmondBlue
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Richmond, Surrey.
Posts: 13,811
Just a quick question fellers, where do you see Eto'o in the pecking order of your strikers?

Will he be the number one, or is that Torres?
To be honest, your guess is as good as ours.
If only we could wave a magic wand and bring them both back to their best. That would be one hell of a strike force !
RichmondBlue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 16:37
carefree_blue
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,731
Petr Cech is still only 31, relatively young for a keeper, Buffon is 35. It's a difficult one, Cech remains one of the best in the world in my opinion, and I haven't seen enough of Courtois to judge.
What a dilemma, we might very well have the two best keepers in the world on our books !
Indeed. Cech might still remain at the level needed for a top club for several seasons more for all we know. Van Der Sar was 40 when he bowed out at Man U, wasn't he?
carefree_blue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 16:53
The_don1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,430
In theory that's all well and good but the question is how long would Courtois be prepared to remain out on loan?

If he has another great season for Atletico Madrid I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the bigger clubs sniffing around him (they probably are already). If say Barcelona wanted to buy him next summer and we're still not ready to offer him the number 1 spot here he might feel he's ready for the step up from a team like Atletico and be prepared to move for that.
If he was being loaned out to random clubs then yea I would agree, but he playing for a top club and its a club he seems to enjoy playing for and knows his value is only going to go up no matter what he does, He knows he either be playing at Chelsea in a couple of seasons or would be able to move to one of the elite clubs on a freebie. He in fact has sad many times now how happy he is on loan at the moment and I dont see why that would change that much
The_don1 is online now  
Old 11-09-2013, 17:26
carefree_blue
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,731
If he was being loaned out to random clubs then yea I would agree, but he playing for a top club and its a club he seems to enjoy playing for and knows his value is only going to go up no matter what he does, He knows he either be playing at Chelsea in a couple of seasons or would be able to move to one of the elite clubs on a freebie. He in fact has sad many times now how happy he is on loan at the moment and I dont see why that would change that much
The lure of the elite clubs and regular CL football is massive for most players. Atletico are a decent club but not one that consistently qualifies for the CL. This season he's probably still content to be there because they're in it, but if they don't qualify again for next season who knows? Would he be prepared to go back to playing in the Europa League, even for a season or two? Not sure to be honest, especially if he has a good World Cup next summer for Belgium.
carefree_blue is offline  
Old 11-09-2013, 17:33
batdude_uk1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 69,132
Speaking of Courtois, what is the arangement, if you were to meet Ath Madrid, in the Champions League, presumably he will be ineligable to play in both legs?
batdude_uk1 is offline  
 
Closed Thread




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 07:42.