There was no way we were getting top four even before the Spurs game!
Where did it go wrong? It started from last season with potentially this culture that if you win the league nothing much needs to be done. I know it's common opinion now but in the midst of when we won the league if you suggested trying to improve on the likes of Moses, Alonso, Willian/Pedro, there'd be a lot of vitriol directed your way. The team did very well last season but it was also clear, like with Leicester, we were performing above ourselves, at least for me. You could tell (again, like with Leicester), which starting XI players probably weren't actually that good and who the actual, top quality, good enough to start for a title challenging club were. You could also see we did have some good factors that undeniably helped us - no Europe the major one. Like with Leicester we sat on are laurels, kind of did a half hearted attempt at improving the team and no surprise, team goes back to performing at the level they should be at. Depends on how highly you rate our squad - but I think we are only 5-6 points off where we 'should' be ie scraping top four.
As you said with Conte's squad management, this kind of lack of progression in the squad can also be linked to how he treats squad members. There's squad players he uses and squad players he doesn't, and no wonder Ake and Chalobah left. PL standard footballers who will only improve and cost us zilch.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Sorry for big wall of not-so-concise text. Find it interesting because if Conte made subtle changes to his management and approach to games I feel he could have been here for 3 years minimum (which would be a positive as far as our relationship with managers goes since Roman!)
comment by Kunta Kinte Kante Conte (U1641)
posted 1 minute ago
Sorry for big wall of not-so-concise text. Find it interesting because if Conte made subtle changes to his management and approach to games I feel he could have been here for 3 years minimum (which would be a positive as far as our relationship with managers goes since Roman!)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You’re right though, Conte has shown a complete reluctance to use young players in those roles, he keeps talking about experience. Whoever comes in next needs to be someone who has no fear of throwing younger players in.
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 6 minutes ago
You make some good points and I just said similar on Don's thread on our board.
You're right about the short termism. When you had that spine of Cech, Terry, Lampard and to a certain extent Drogba, it gave you the longevity and consistency within the club required to be consistently successful regardless of the off the pitch issues. Now that's gone, the strategy seems less effective.
You've also echoed a point I made - you had the nucleus of a title winning side, minus Matic & Costa, and should've been looking to spend big on quality replacements for them, rather than what you actually did by spreading your budget around on average players like Zappa, Bakayoko, Drinkwater & Barkley. Up top, a player like Vardy would've been a much more sensible target than all the big fella's you seemed to be chasing.
It looks like a new manager and squad overhaul is required, but it's mad that a club that has had Chelsea's success should have to keep going back to the drawing board to try to get it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolutely, we’ve got to start looking to a long term strategy and get a manager who fits in with that.
Top 4 wasn't lost yesterday, It was lost against Bournemouth and Watford IMO.
I think next season with a couple of additions we will turn the Burnley, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford defeats into wins.. Its the results against the smaller sides which really determine where in the table you end up.
Its imperative we have a good transfer window.
comment by The Chavy One (U12176)
posted 36 seconds ago
Top 4 wasn't lost yesterday, It was lost against Bournemouth and Watford IMO.
I think next season with a couple of additions we will turn the Burnley, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford defeats into wins.. Its the results against the smaller sides which really determine where in the table you end up.
Its imperative we have a good transfer window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You’re right, but yesterday just made it obvious how far off the top 4 we are in reality. After Eriksen’s strike, we wilted totally.
comment by The Chavy One (U12176)
posted 3 minutes ago
Top 4 wasn't lost yesterday, It was lost against Bournemouth and Watford IMO.
I think next season with a couple of additions we will turn the Burnley, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford defeats into wins.. Its the results against the smaller sides which really determine where in the table you end up.
Its imperative we have a good transfer window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If i could 5 a comment.
Conte''s mismanagement & underutilisation of squad.
The End. I have no sympathy.
Should have gone, a while back.
Pisspoor at (in) game-changing tactics/subs
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 2 minutes ago
Pisspoor at (in) game-changing tactics/subs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This was he criticism of him when he arrived last summer and I’ve not seen anything to say that it’s wrong. We often seem to start strongly then get pegged back in games.
Let’s be honest though, when I looked at the bench yesterday, there weren’t really any game changing options available to him.
We need a young vigorous and astute new manager........Tommy Tuchel ? maybe,
but it ain't gonna happen until the guys in suits shift their fat asses and think of football,instead of spread sheets.
When we've had a good start in matches, opposing coach has managed to alter tactics which reverses/momentum every single time and Conte has never adapted. Just stuck in reactive rigid approach.
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 2 seconds ago
When we've had a good start in matches, opposing coach has managed to alter tactics which reverses/momentum every single time and Conte has never adapted. Just stuck in reactive rigid approach.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair comment.
We were always going to end up losing to Tottenham at some point at the bridge. They've got a much better, more resolute team than us at this point. They seem to know what they need to do in each and every game. They have a set first XI. Yes they might lose the odd game here and there but they then get right back on it.
We seem to go through patches of complete and utter shıt every so often. As much as I like Conte and for what he did last year, I've not liked his management or his actions this season. It points to someone who wants to run off back to Italy.
I don't think we're in turmoil. Just need a few additions and a manager who can give us a style of play that we will play come rain or shine. If it's counterattack so be it, if it's the high press so be it but it needs to be consistent in most games and not the wishy washy style that's been served up by Conte this year.
Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Emerson are all capable of making an impact/effect given enough time on the pitch, by that I mean not ludicrous 5-10 mins at the end of matches.
And we cant use the lack of funds compared to the Manchester clubs as an excuse. Spurs and Liverpool have shown what can be done with a smart transfer policy and managerial appointments. No need to have a 500m transfer budget just so that we can play some decent footy, win or lose. It can be done by being shrewd so Conte really has little excuse...
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 1 minute ago
Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Emerson are all capable of making an impact/effect given enough time on the pitch, by that I mean not ludicrous 5-10 mins at the end of matches.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hudson-Oslo possibly but I couldn’t see Giroud having an impact or Emerson in the game yesterday. We’d lost control of the midfield, that’s where the game needed changing.
I agree with the point around the lateness of subs though, he leaves it far too late.
To echo what Mr C has said as well, there have been times when Conte has almost lacked professionalism this year at points and thrown in the towel which is disappointing.
comment by The Chavy One (U12176)
posted 41 minutes ago
Top 4 wasn't lost yesterday, It was lost against Bournemouth and Watford IMO.
I think next season with a couple of additions we will turn the Burnley, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford defeats into wins.. Its the results against the smaller sides which really determine where in the table you end up.
Its imperative we have a good transfer window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fully agree with this
comment by Mr Chelsea. (U3579)
posted 4 minutes ago
And we cant use the lack of funds compared to the Manchester clubs as an excuse. Spurs and Liverpool have shown what can be done with a smart transfer policy and managerial appointments. No need to have a 500m transfer budget just so that we can play some decent footy, win or lose. It can be done by being shrewd so Conte really has little excuse...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s the way we’ve spent it though, bang average squad players for depth rather than real quality.
Brilliant article. I totally agree.
comment by SWTN - Judas is number 1 (U7916)
posted 37 seconds ago
Brilliant article. I totally agree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Biggish i 5 this article.
But now it appears inevitable that we have at least one season in Europa League, we have to use it as an opportunity imo.
If whoever the head coach can blend 4 of the younger players in to the first team, using that competition, the short term pain could yet be for the greater good.
OMG i've just quoted Dumbledore
Why are other players able to look like worldies at other clubs but never had a fair chance with us. Even though we have lack of squad depth. E.g Kennedy, Batshuyai...
We need to completely change our transfer policy. We spent loads on the summer but mostly on bang average players. No more Drinkwaters or Zappacostas, give those squad roles to the younger players we’ve been sending out on loan or selling. Then spend that money on two or three top quality players who will improve the first team.
For example, if instead this year we had not spent £50 million on Drinkwater and Barkley and instead given those squad roles to, for example Chalobah and RLC, we could have brought a real quality central midfielder with that money instead. We should be looking for quality, not quantity - look to the youngsters for that.
----------------------------------------------------------
This is exactly the problem In a nutshell.
Sign in if you want to comment
So, where did it all go wrong?
Page 1 of 3
posted on 2/4/18
There was no way we were getting top four even before the Spurs game!
posted on 2/4/18
Where did it go wrong? It started from last season with potentially this culture that if you win the league nothing much needs to be done. I know it's common opinion now but in the midst of when we won the league if you suggested trying to improve on the likes of Moses, Alonso, Willian/Pedro, there'd be a lot of vitriol directed your way. The team did very well last season but it was also clear, like with Leicester, we were performing above ourselves, at least for me. You could tell (again, like with Leicester), which starting XI players probably weren't actually that good and who the actual, top quality, good enough to start for a title challenging club were. You could also see we did have some good factors that undeniably helped us - no Europe the major one. Like with Leicester we sat on are laurels, kind of did a half hearted attempt at improving the team and no surprise, team goes back to performing at the level they should be at. Depends on how highly you rate our squad - but I think we are only 5-6 points off where we 'should' be ie scraping top four.
As you said with Conte's squad management, this kind of lack of progression in the squad can also be linked to how he treats squad members. There's squad players he uses and squad players he doesn't, and no wonder Ake and Chalobah left. PL standard footballers who will only improve and cost us zilch.
posted on 2/4/18
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 2/4/18
Sorry for big wall of not-so-concise text. Find it interesting because if Conte made subtle changes to his management and approach to games I feel he could have been here for 3 years minimum (which would be a positive as far as our relationship with managers goes since Roman!)
posted on 2/4/18
comment by Kunta Kinte Kante Conte (U1641)
posted 1 minute ago
Sorry for big wall of not-so-concise text. Find it interesting because if Conte made subtle changes to his management and approach to games I feel he could have been here for 3 years minimum (which would be a positive as far as our relationship with managers goes since Roman!)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You’re right though, Conte has shown a complete reluctance to use young players in those roles, he keeps talking about experience. Whoever comes in next needs to be someone who has no fear of throwing younger players in.
posted on 2/4/18
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 6 minutes ago
You make some good points and I just said similar on Don's thread on our board.
You're right about the short termism. When you had that spine of Cech, Terry, Lampard and to a certain extent Drogba, it gave you the longevity and consistency within the club required to be consistently successful regardless of the off the pitch issues. Now that's gone, the strategy seems less effective.
You've also echoed a point I made - you had the nucleus of a title winning side, minus Matic & Costa, and should've been looking to spend big on quality replacements for them, rather than what you actually did by spreading your budget around on average players like Zappa, Bakayoko, Drinkwater & Barkley. Up top, a player like Vardy would've been a much more sensible target than all the big fella's you seemed to be chasing.
It looks like a new manager and squad overhaul is required, but it's mad that a club that has had Chelsea's success should have to keep going back to the drawing board to try to get it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolutely, we’ve got to start looking to a long term strategy and get a manager who fits in with that.
posted on 2/4/18
Top 4 wasn't lost yesterday, It was lost against Bournemouth and Watford IMO.
I think next season with a couple of additions we will turn the Burnley, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford defeats into wins.. Its the results against the smaller sides which really determine where in the table you end up.
Its imperative we have a good transfer window.
posted on 2/4/18
comment by The Chavy One (U12176)
posted 36 seconds ago
Top 4 wasn't lost yesterday, It was lost against Bournemouth and Watford IMO.
I think next season with a couple of additions we will turn the Burnley, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford defeats into wins.. Its the results against the smaller sides which really determine where in the table you end up.
Its imperative we have a good transfer window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You’re right, but yesterday just made it obvious how far off the top 4 we are in reality. After Eriksen’s strike, we wilted totally.
posted on 2/4/18
comment by The Chavy One (U12176)
posted 3 minutes ago
Top 4 wasn't lost yesterday, It was lost against Bournemouth and Watford IMO.
I think next season with a couple of additions we will turn the Burnley, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford defeats into wins.. Its the results against the smaller sides which really determine where in the table you end up.
Its imperative we have a good transfer window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If i could 5 a comment.
posted on 2/4/18
Conte''s mismanagement & underutilisation of squad.
The End. I have no sympathy.
Should have gone, a while back.
posted on 2/4/18
Pisspoor at (in) game-changing tactics/subs
posted on 2/4/18
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 2 minutes ago
Pisspoor at (in) game-changing tactics/subs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This was he criticism of him when he arrived last summer and I’ve not seen anything to say that it’s wrong. We often seem to start strongly then get pegged back in games.
Let’s be honest though, when I looked at the bench yesterday, there weren’t really any game changing options available to him.
posted on 2/4/18
We need a young vigorous and astute new manager........Tommy Tuchel ? maybe,
but it ain't gonna happen until the guys in suits shift their fat asses and think of football,instead of spread sheets.
posted on 2/4/18
When we've had a good start in matches, opposing coach has managed to alter tactics which reverses/momentum every single time and Conte has never adapted. Just stuck in reactive rigid approach.
posted on 2/4/18
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 2 seconds ago
When we've had a good start in matches, opposing coach has managed to alter tactics which reverses/momentum every single time and Conte has never adapted. Just stuck in reactive rigid approach.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair comment.
posted on 2/4/18
We were always going to end up losing to Tottenham at some point at the bridge. They've got a much better, more resolute team than us at this point. They seem to know what they need to do in each and every game. They have a set first XI. Yes they might lose the odd game here and there but they then get right back on it.
We seem to go through patches of complete and utter shıt every so often. As much as I like Conte and for what he did last year, I've not liked his management or his actions this season. It points to someone who wants to run off back to Italy.
I don't think we're in turmoil. Just need a few additions and a manager who can give us a style of play that we will play come rain or shine. If it's counterattack so be it, if it's the high press so be it but it needs to be consistent in most games and not the wishy washy style that's been served up by Conte this year.
posted on 2/4/18
Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Emerson are all capable of making an impact/effect given enough time on the pitch, by that I mean not ludicrous 5-10 mins at the end of matches.
posted on 2/4/18
And we cant use the lack of funds compared to the Manchester clubs as an excuse. Spurs and Liverpool have shown what can be done with a smart transfer policy and managerial appointments. No need to have a 500m transfer budget just so that we can play some decent footy, win or lose. It can be done by being shrewd so Conte really has little excuse...
posted on 2/4/18
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 1 minute ago
Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Emerson are all capable of making an impact/effect given enough time on the pitch, by that I mean not ludicrous 5-10 mins at the end of matches.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hudson-Oslo possibly but I couldn’t see Giroud having an impact or Emerson in the game yesterday. We’d lost control of the midfield, that’s where the game needed changing.
I agree with the point around the lateness of subs though, he leaves it far too late.
To echo what Mr C has said as well, there have been times when Conte has almost lacked professionalism this year at points and thrown in the towel which is disappointing.
posted on 2/4/18
comment by The Chavy One (U12176)
posted 41 minutes ago
Top 4 wasn't lost yesterday, It was lost against Bournemouth and Watford IMO.
I think next season with a couple of additions we will turn the Burnley, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford defeats into wins.. Its the results against the smaller sides which really determine where in the table you end up.
Its imperative we have a good transfer window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fully agree with this
posted on 2/4/18
comment by Mr Chelsea. (U3579)
posted 4 minutes ago
And we cant use the lack of funds compared to the Manchester clubs as an excuse. Spurs and Liverpool have shown what can be done with a smart transfer policy and managerial appointments. No need to have a 500m transfer budget just so that we can play some decent footy, win or lose. It can be done by being shrewd so Conte really has little excuse...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s the way we’ve spent it though, bang average squad players for depth rather than real quality.
posted on 2/4/18
Brilliant article. I totally agree.
posted on 2/4/18
comment by SWTN - Judas is number 1 (U7916)
posted 37 seconds ago
Brilliant article. I totally agree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Biggish i 5 this article.
But now it appears inevitable that we have at least one season in Europa League, we have to use it as an opportunity imo.
If whoever the head coach can blend 4 of the younger players in to the first team, using that competition, the short term pain could yet be for the greater good.
OMG i've just quoted Dumbledore
posted on 2/4/18
Why are other players able to look like worldies at other clubs but never had a fair chance with us. Even though we have lack of squad depth. E.g Kennedy, Batshuyai...
posted on 2/4/18
We need to completely change our transfer policy. We spent loads on the summer but mostly on bang average players. No more Drinkwaters or Zappacostas, give those squad roles to the younger players we’ve been sending out on loan or selling. Then spend that money on two or three top quality players who will improve the first team.
For example, if instead this year we had not spent £50 million on Drinkwater and Barkley and instead given those squad roles to, for example Chalobah and RLC, we could have brought a real quality central midfielder with that money instead. We should be looking for quality, not quantity - look to the youngsters for that.
----------------------------------------------------------
This is exactly the problem In a nutshell.
Page 1 of 3