So, another disappointing season is about to end. It has been a disappointing season in many ways but realistically, what did we expect? Since Abramovic was hounded out of our club just before the Champions League tie with Madrid in April 22, our club has been in turmoil. The early optimism after the Clearlake takeover quickly disappeared thanks to a suicidal transfer policy and a revolving door of managers. We've seen an exodus of top players replaced with inexperienced raw talent and key areas of the squad left unstrengthened despite a huge outlay on players.
I know that many will disagree with me, but I actually feel sorry for Poch. He faced an uphill challenge from the start, not least because he is ex-Spurs, and we are not really accomodating people when it comes to old enemies. However, he has never shied away from the reality and the truth. But he inherited a shambles both on and off the field and I actually think he has done a fair job.
It seems unbelievable after our outlay on players that we are so deficient. We need an imposing goalkeeper, I think Petrovic has a future but I don't believe he is a top keeper. Our defensive woes are not down to our system but the fact that we do not have a dominant centre back who is capable of attacking the ball in defensive situations. A John Terry type player would have made our defence a lot tighter. Disasi and Badiashille are too passive and Silva reads the game well and makes blocks but he is not that aggressive player we need at the back.
Our midfield was too easy to play through for much of the season, mainly due to losing the ball too close to our own goal and players not getting back into their positions quickly enough to close down spaces. Much of this is down to inexperience in the Premier League but I believe that maybe some players are not capable of forming partnerships.
Our wingers and Jackson, who have vastly improved, were too raw, too selfish and did not play for the team, shirked their defensive responsibilities. We have missed a lot of big chances throughout the sesson, which caused a lack of confidence on the pitch and between the players. It must be said that we have had an unbelievable amount of injuries to important players throughout - Fofana, James, Lavia, Nkunku, Colwill, Chilwell have hardly kicked a ball between them.
However, there have been positives. Good performances in the cups. Cole Palmer, our one constant bright spark. Gusto is going to be a real player too. And since Christmas, we have improved greatly in our patterns of play, shape and some good partnerships are forming on the pitch. I am slightly more optimistic. If we can somehow get an experienced striker, a dominant centre back, and maybe a dominant keeper, and, of course, keep out players fit and free of injury, we can start to think about the top 4.
I for one would persevere with Poch. I know many will disagree, but we can't keep changing managers every time we get any semblance of stability. Waffle over.
Realistic View
posted on 12/5/24
I honestly think Chelsea are moving in the right direction, providing your manager stays. For me, they have been the best team City have faced in the PL, home and away, this season.
posted on 12/5/24
Hello mate, Yeah at this point in time, keeping Poch for the remainder of his contract does seem to be the right thing to do for several sensible reasons.
1: Its unlikely that there is a real standout replacement that the club could afford, the change would take another 6 months + of transition.
2: The money spent on paying him and his backroom staff out would be better spent on improving the squad.
3: This squad has built up a relationship with Poch, and if we are honest has not yet had a prolonged run at anywhere near full strength and potential.
4; Despite the difficulties of his first season, the squad has shown fleeting glimpses ( cheers Mf ) of progression and quality.
Agreed we should persevere with Poch imo
posted on 12/5/24
This season's had decent moments. There's a few matches that have been great watches for very different reasons.
The 4-4 vs. City was one of the best games between two quality teams involving Chelsea I've seen in a long time, and the Spurs (A) game was one of the most entertaining car crash TV games I've seen in a long time.
posted on 12/5/24
comment by ifarka, (B-C- out) (U8182)
posted 23 seconds ago
3: This squad has built up a relationship with Poch, and if we are honest has not yet had a prolonged run at anywhere near full strength and potential.
4; Despite the difficulties of his first season, the squad has shown fleeting glimpses ( cheers Mf) of progression and quality.
Agreed we should persevere with Poch imo
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Points 3 and 4 for me are key. We haven't had any consustancy of selection, especially in the key back-line. Players injured, recovering, injured again. Nkunku could have made a difference if he had continued his pre-season form into the new season. Some players haven't been rested because we have had no alternatives.
And the "fleeting glimpses" you talk of have been against the better teams in general, showing the level that some of these players, and the manager, have got. Our worst point of the season came after weeks where we dominated games, created a lot of clear chances and just couldn't score. It seemed to really deflate the squad but they came back again.
If the squad believe in Poch, it would be ridiculous to sack him and get a new coach in with his tactical style and favourite players.
posted on 12/5/24
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 12/5/24
A very good article which I agree with in general, I just wish that we could play a bit faster when we are in a good position to, without giving the opposition time to remuster , but this will come I'm sure, also Potch's team management at times pisses me off, he does tend to wait too long for his substitutions.
I think also with this management, that we might be in a state of apprehension throughout this summer with regards to the manager and players ,as to who will be staying and who might be going !
posted on 12/5/24
Chopper
Expectations, well that is it, personally last season I believe the ownership put Poch and the squad in an impossible situation, by not focussing on the here & now.
I.e not ensuring that the young squad had enough balance, strength in depth and journeyman professional role models to learn and develop with.
I am personally over that now, but the legacy of how the ownership have structured the club on and off the pitch will be with us for sometime unfortunately.
I hope Poch stays, i hope the club can bring in three key improvements G/K. C/B & Strkr, who will be effective in the here & now and help the club to mount a strong realistic top 6 challenge.
I hope our medical team & backroom staff get a grip on our vulnerability to injury blight
I hope the club can clear FFP and simultaneously strengthen the squad, fingers crossed.
I hope that the penalties for the FFP failures under Roman for incomplete reporting do not sabotage our season, but until we get that out of the way we will not fully regain our stride imo.
I hope that the club have a good preseason & transfer window.
As this season ends im chopping at the bit for the start of the 24/25 season
posted on 12/5/24
I am Chomping !
posted on 12/5/24
Chomp on !
posted on 13/5/24
know that many will disagree with me, but I actually feel sorry for Poch. He faced an uphill challenge from the start, not least because he is ex-Spurs, and we are not really accomodating people when it comes to old enemies. However, he has never shied away from the reality and the truth. But he inherited a shambles both on and off the field and I actually think he has done a fair job.
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Fully agree