Decent game but we are so unconvincing. Can't understand we he wont start RLC.

A deserved result against a very good West Ham side who have a very good blend of physical strength, tactical awareness and skill. Let's be honest, we need more weight, and the likes of Oscar are too lightweight. We need middle weight and super middle weight players in the mould of an Essien or two.

We did the best we could, and Fabregas made a big difference. Key stats are goals, assists and completed passes for a player like him, and he has a high score on those stats. A player to keep. Pedro showed heart, but I'd sell Oscar and bring in a Vidal type player or two.

Carroll's goal came on the right side, against surprise surprise, Ivanovic. A great player in the PAST who his PAST his sell by date. He is no leader, and I'd keep Terry and relegate Ivanovic to the squad for cover. The warning signs were there last season, and he's been a very weak link ALL season. Shame on the board.

If Conte takes over, he will probably demand a final say over transfers, and rightly so. If that means a new director of football on his wavelength, then so be it.

Earlier in the season I called for more chances for youth. Kenedy did well today, as did Traore, and not forgetting Cheeky who got the penalty. Hear, hear to the younguns! We've moved on from Mozza!

A final point. I specifically said that when I'm busy positing on other threads etc, that DIXON is chief poster in my absence. Come on lads, play the game!

He's the only poster who correctly recognised that Claudio Ranieri was short changed when Mozza tweaked HIS squad and claimed the glory for numerous trophies. That was a squad that Ranieri built!

I along with many other genuine football fans are ROOTING for Leicester to win the PL in Chelsea's absence. Come on the blues!

Sell Oscar

Ridiculous, it's one reason why I can't take you seriously

I didn't bother watching any of it, after seeing the starting line-up. The sooner we can't mathematically qualify for Europe the better, as Guus might then actually start playing more of the youngsters from the get-go.

I see there was no Pato again either. Utterly pointless signing.

Do you really think his performances in the first team deserve a starting place? I really not so sure, Can see it for Kennedy but not RLC

Let's see what he is made of. We are playing for so little it's the perfect opportunity.

But should he not have shown us something already? Kennedy and Taroe have had similar or less chances but have impressed. Those two players have shown us what they are made of why has he not? I not saying for a second he is not good enough but I think it's worth asking the question on his performances so far is he good enough? Massive fan of his when I watched the youth team and was my pick to be first to break into the first team but Kennedy and Taroe have gone ahead of him and we need to look at why before we start giving away starting places to those who maybe don't deserve them

Apart from his age and nationality has he done anything that deserves being picked? We complain when players who have not played well this season have been picked.

I think any manager has to pick his team on what he has seen not on what might happen etc.

We have to play the league as we normally would. It's why our league is where it is today, we have a massive say in many teams seasons and we have to be fair to every single team. Us not picking our best team would cheapen the league. If we was going for the title (or top 4) and a team who had a massive say in who gets what suddenly said "let's see what or youth is made of" etc we would not be impressed. We have to play the game in the right way

But how many league games has he actually started ? Much harder coming on as a sub.
Him p,saying instead of Oscar is hardly weakening us much.
Next game has no meaning on anything so I would hope to see him start.

Is that just not a excuse?

I just think you should away's pick your players on merit.

Kenedy and Traore if picked for the rest of the season have done so on merit. Does RLC deserve to be treated better?

What happened today when he came on? Was he fouled or did he trip over his own feet? maybe harsh on him but I think we need to be harsh.

Well you good argue that he earned us a point.

Of course but was that due to his performance or due to a mistake from the official's?

Either of us could have done the same (if he was not fouled)

If he had gone on and scored from that attack (very doable) then yes I think we could call for a start in the Villa but to do the same for tripping himself up?

I can see why people want him to start and to some extent agree and I want him too as well but only when he deserves too.

Why have others started and not him? I personally don't think he has performed well enough when coming on at the moment, Have Kenedy and Taorie started because of what they have done in training (and when they have had game time(? Or have then been "lucky"?

I think Guss is the type of manager who would pick someone like RLC if he had shown him something either on the pitch or during training maybe the reason he has not is because he has not done that.

If Guss has not started him or given him more game time I think there has to be a reason and its more likely to be that he has not given him a reason to then anything else

Is patio the worst signing ever?

Falcao is worse because we had already paid to find out that he was finished but you guys took him anyway.

A carve up from Jose and his agent I would think.

Good luck with Jose, you are welcome

Only watched the highlights yesterday, but from what I've seen before of RLC this season I do agree that he's not quite made as much of an impression as Traore and Kenedy. How many games has he actually started though, as some players do find it harder to do as well coming off the bench?

However, if we're talking about players deserving to start then we'd struggle to even put out a 5-a-side team. You can make a case for the likes of Willian and Fabregas starting, but Oscar? I don't think so. We gain more by having a proper look at the likes of RLC in the remaining games, than playing someone that we should already know by now isn't good / consistent enough and be looking to sell in the summer. The same applies for Remy starting over Traore.

We're in a fairly unique situation where we have a decent number of games left with so little riding on them, and it would be a shame to waste the opportunity to get as good a look as possible at these young players. Traore, Kenedy, RLC, Baba - they should all be in.

On a seperate note, isn't it about time Begovic got a look in again? Courtois really isn't in the best of form, and Begovic played well earlier in the season.

But is the current managers job to prepare for next season? Or is it to finish as far up the table as possible? We don't know what his contract is but I am pretty confident it would be results based.

I still question why he has not picked RLC he must have his reasons I can see why based on performance on the pitch maybe and it's perfectly logical he also has not performing in training if that is the case then Guss is right not to pick him
I just don't think a manager like Guss is not going to pick players if they have done anything to show him they are good enough

We have a new manager coming in so everyone will have a blank slate so apart from maybe Eden (depending on his attitude) I don't see many of the big names being sold unless the manager says so and with regards to players like Oscar I think he will want to look and talk to them first and rightly so

The problem is, young players have got to make an immediate impact these days. They have to grasp the opportunity whenever they get a chance. Kenedy and Traore have done that.
I watched the Everton v Arsenal game yesterday and young Alex Iwobi immediately caught the eye. It wasn't just the goal, that was the icing on the cake of course. But in his general play he was making things happen. I've not seen that in the few appearances from RLC yet. Maybe with Mourinho he was told to keep it simple, and I can understand that. But to break into a team like Chelsea a player needs to show more.

He needs time.

The gap between the youth set up and the first team is just too big.

Even our training games would be tougher then any game he has played in so far in his career.

Is it a coincidence that out of three players trying to break into the first team the two that have impressed have been loaned out? While the one who has been less impressive has not?

Good point. They have both played at a higher level than RLC. Same with Iwobi who I mentioned earlier, he's only 19 but a full international I think ?

RLC IMO has only become a professional footballer this season.

He still learning how to be one. Every single thing is different between the youth set up and and first team set up, Its not even a different world its a different universe and a different reality all at the same time and that is going to take time to get use too. Playing helps but is only a small part of the learning curve, Learning to interact with experienced players (where he is use to everyone being on the same level),Learning to deal with players who have won major trophies etc, The pressures that come with being in the first team dressing room such as a team like Chelsea etc etc etc. Its a awful lot to take in and then we expect them to walk on to a pitch and perform at a standard that is a billion times higher then they have ever dreamed off, Its insane. Education is key and that takes time. For me this is his first year at secondary school and we are asking him to sit down and do his A levels

QUOTE=RichmondBlue;81860498]But you seem to constantly contradict yourself. I say the closest we have ever been to competing at the very highest level in Europe (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich sort of level ) was with Mourinho first time around. You appear to disagree, and consider that was dull football. I think you're crazy and that we played some wonderful football during that period..but of course you're entitled to your opinion. .[/quote]

After winning the title we still had to get to another level to start getting up there with the big boys of Europe. Unfortunately, we quickly stagnated and started to go backwards in his third season. No CL final and two Premiership titles was only about par the for course for what we should have achieved at that time.
The two main reasons why we never went to that next level is that Jose is just too safe and conservative. You have to let your players take it to the opposition and play with confidence and without fear.
The other reason is that he made some terrible signings that clogged up spaces in the team for far, far too long - The dreadful, plodding Mikel. Ramires - awful passer and poor first touch. Malouda and Kalou were Europa league level and all four of them were at least one level below the rest of our otherwise excellent team. You can't join the very top teams with 40% of the outfield players simply not being good enough.

QUOTE=The_don1;81875559]

The gap between the youth set up and the first team is just too big.[/quote]

Then lets stop wasting time and shed loads of money on our youth system. Lets just stick to buying and playing ready made players.

Oscar has the talent, but the sad fact is, this is now his third consecutive poor season.
When Jose left, it looked like he might spring back into life and show the talent he was showing before Jose came in and wrecked him. Sadly, that has not been the case and once again all we see is very sporadic glimpses of what he is capable of doing.
We are in no position to keep carrying players who are not doing the business.

Then lets stop wasting time and shed loads of money on our youth system. Lets just stick to buying and playing ready made players.[/quote]

Do you misread everything people say on purpose? Or is it a wind up?

The youth team set up in its current state (IMO we need B teams in lower leagues) should be used as the first step in a players education. Its all about ability and seeing if they have the raw talent to make it as a football, You then need to start a different part of their education when it comes to the next level and that is seeing if they have the mindset to become a professional player.

Do you blame Jose for everything?