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CHELSEA FC Thread [2006 - 07]
- Thread starter Rob
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Payaah;2305356 said:
I said as much before Pompey beat Man U. So what?
Look at it any way you like, Man U did not show the kind of steely nerve that is needed to keep winning under pressure, whereas we have. Its not so much about tiredness or fatigue at all because if the squad players are good enough, then a team can overcome that difficulty.
The problem with Man U is that the squad players you are now relying on to win you this title are just nowhere near good enough. Your back line for the rest of the season will look pretty much as it did today. With that alone in mind I can see Man U leaking goals from here on in.
We had the same problem when JT was missing. The entire defensive balance that is so important to consistancy and clean sheets is broken, and if a team do not posses the quality in players to replace someone like JT, or Gary Neville come to that, then the entire defensive line including the gK will not feel so at ease with whats going on.
Time and games will improve that of course but Man U are running out of time and games.
I don't see any problem with our remaining fixtures. All we have to do is walk away with 3 points on each occassion, and considering the teams we have to meet over the next six games, I am very confident we will do that.
Like I said, Man U will lose to us at Stamford Bridge, and to compensate us for the goal difference they also need to at least draw one game. That could be against Man City,West Ham, Everton or even 'Boro. I also don't think Sheffield United are gonna roll over either.
This title now is about which team has the quality to WIN and who will hold their nerve. Chelsea look calm and in control while Man U are beggining to look like a team in meltdown.
I'd still tip United to win the thing. We're playing a bunch of teams contending for Europe like Everton, Arsenal, Manchester and Bolton while the only team that United has to play which can give them trouble is Everton. So Manchester will need to perform poorly while we perform the best we have over the last few years in order to pull it off and I don't see it happening unfortunately but it should be fun to watch anyways.
Nah thats just negative man. It's a good job our players don't think like that. Man U have just as many opportunities to slip up as we have. What it comes down to in the end is nerve, desire and the quality to win. We have all that in abundance.
The players and the club will never give it up so easily and neither should the fans.
The players and the club will never give it up so easily and neither should the fans.
The guys know that when we're behind in a game or aren't getting the result we need, we come back. Here's an article from the Guardian regarding the whole quadruple possibility. By the way, can you place bets on it (I don't plan to, just curious):
Chelsea's turbulent season enters a crucial 10-day period in three competitions. By Jamie Carlos*son
Sunday April 8, 2007
The Observer
Following the 1-0 win over Tottenham yesterday, Chelsea embark on the pivotal 10 days of their season heralding unbreakable team spirit at Stamford Bridge as the key to the assault on a historical quadruple. Having beaten Arsenal to win the Carling Cup in February, Jose Mourinho's side are at Valencia in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final in two days' time and meet Blackburn on Sunday for a place in the FA Cup final in May. They then resume their quest for a hat-trick of Premiership titles at West Ham on Wednesday week.
First comes the trip to the Mestalla where Chelsea must overcome the away goal scored by David Silva in the 1-1 draw. 'I thought we did all right in midweek,' says Ashley Cole, who was rested for yesterday's home game against Spurs. 'If we can go there and get the win then we'll go through. Everyone looks at the fact that they've got their goal, but in football you don't go out to draw.' Cole also believes the Chelsea defence will be able to protect a lead. 'Their strike was a great shot, but JT [John Terry] and Ricky [Ricardo Carvalho] dealt with David Villa very well at Stamford Bridge. If we can do that out there then hopefully we'll get the goal.'
Last week's crowd problems in Rome and Seville will add to the focus on the trip. Cole, who played there for Arsenal, is conscious of the hostile atmosphere that awaits in Valencia. 'It's a tough place to go, but these are the kind of games you want to do well in. We did it in Barcelona and scored two goals [in a 2-2 group game this season] so I don't see why we can't go and get two on Tuesday if we need to.'
Chelsea's season has been characterised by a refusal to be beaten, with the late equaliser that prevented Tottenham's progress in the last round of the FA Cup last month and the winner four minutes into injury time at Watford last weekend in the Premiership the most recent examples. 'That's what makes champions, to come back when you are down,' Cole adds. 'It's OK when you are up 4-0, but it's when you're not playing well and still able to pick up the results - that's the sign.'
Their campaign has also been blighted by the spat between Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich and injuries to key players. 'At times it has been stretched,' admits Cole. 'When Joe Cole, Petr Cech, JT and the rest were out, it was hard for us. Michael Essien's out now, so we've never had a full team. But at least Joe is back and hopefully we can push on for the rest of the season.'
At the start of the season Mourinho insisted on a squad of only 19 recognised outfield players. This caused the sale of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Hernan Crespo and left Chelsea with just two frontline strikers - Didier Drogba and the misfiring Andrei Shevchenko. The loan of right-back Glen Johnson to Portsmouth also meant defensive cover was thin for a backline with only three proven centre-backs and Khalid Boulahrouz has found it difficult to deputise for Terry and Carvalho, with Essien chosen for the vital games against Spurs and Porto.
Then there was the fall-out between the manager and billionaire owner that culminated in a dispute over a reined-in financial policy that blocked the Portuguese buying in the January transfer window when a central defender and a striker were needed. Did Mourinho tell the squad then that the team that had to dig in? 'No. It's just the players he's got,' Cole says. 'John Terry will put his head through a brick wall for you and Lamps [Lampard] the same thing, so I don't think anyone needed to motivate us any more. We knew as players we had to win games.'
However Chelsea fare over the next three games, Salomon Kalou, who scored the vital goals against Spurs and Watford, is conscious that the man who brought him to Stamford Bridge in the summer from Feyenoord could leave. 'We're going to see what will happen. Right now he's here so I'm more focusing on the next game.'
If Valencia are beaten then Liverpool, who take a 3-0 advantage into their return leg with PSV Eindhoven at Anfield, would surely be Chelsea's opponents in the semi-final, a repeat of the 2005 tie that Rafael Benitez's team won. 'We have to beat Valencia first,' Kalou adds. 'But every time we have to score a goal or make a result we always fight until the end of the game. So when we go to Spain it's the same and I know then we will win.'
Chelsea's turbulent season enters a crucial 10-day period in three competitions. By Jamie Carlos*son
Sunday April 8, 2007
The Observer
Following the 1-0 win over Tottenham yesterday, Chelsea embark on the pivotal 10 days of their season heralding unbreakable team spirit at Stamford Bridge as the key to the assault on a historical quadruple. Having beaten Arsenal to win the Carling Cup in February, Jose Mourinho's side are at Valencia in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final in two days' time and meet Blackburn on Sunday for a place in the FA Cup final in May. They then resume their quest for a hat-trick of Premiership titles at West Ham on Wednesday week.
First comes the trip to the Mestalla where Chelsea must overcome the away goal scored by David Silva in the 1-1 draw. 'I thought we did all right in midweek,' says Ashley Cole, who was rested for yesterday's home game against Spurs. 'If we can go there and get the win then we'll go through. Everyone looks at the fact that they've got their goal, but in football you don't go out to draw.' Cole also believes the Chelsea defence will be able to protect a lead. 'Their strike was a great shot, but JT [John Terry] and Ricky [Ricardo Carvalho] dealt with David Villa very well at Stamford Bridge. If we can do that out there then hopefully we'll get the goal.'
Last week's crowd problems in Rome and Seville will add to the focus on the trip. Cole, who played there for Arsenal, is conscious of the hostile atmosphere that awaits in Valencia. 'It's a tough place to go, but these are the kind of games you want to do well in. We did it in Barcelona and scored two goals [in a 2-2 group game this season] so I don't see why we can't go and get two on Tuesday if we need to.'
Chelsea's season has been characterised by a refusal to be beaten, with the late equaliser that prevented Tottenham's progress in the last round of the FA Cup last month and the winner four minutes into injury time at Watford last weekend in the Premiership the most recent examples. 'That's what makes champions, to come back when you are down,' Cole adds. 'It's OK when you are up 4-0, but it's when you're not playing well and still able to pick up the results - that's the sign.'
Their campaign has also been blighted by the spat between Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich and injuries to key players. 'At times it has been stretched,' admits Cole. 'When Joe Cole, Petr Cech, JT and the rest were out, it was hard for us. Michael Essien's out now, so we've never had a full team. But at least Joe is back and hopefully we can push on for the rest of the season.'
At the start of the season Mourinho insisted on a squad of only 19 recognised outfield players. This caused the sale of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Hernan Crespo and left Chelsea with just two frontline strikers - Didier Drogba and the misfiring Andrei Shevchenko. The loan of right-back Glen Johnson to Portsmouth also meant defensive cover was thin for a backline with only three proven centre-backs and Khalid Boulahrouz has found it difficult to deputise for Terry and Carvalho, with Essien chosen for the vital games against Spurs and Porto.
Then there was the fall-out between the manager and billionaire owner that culminated in a dispute over a reined-in financial policy that blocked the Portuguese buying in the January transfer window when a central defender and a striker were needed. Did Mourinho tell the squad then that the team that had to dig in? 'No. It's just the players he's got,' Cole says. 'John Terry will put his head through a brick wall for you and Lamps [Lampard] the same thing, so I don't think anyone needed to motivate us any more. We knew as players we had to win games.'
However Chelsea fare over the next three games, Salomon Kalou, who scored the vital goals against Spurs and Watford, is conscious that the man who brought him to Stamford Bridge in the summer from Feyenoord could leave. 'We're going to see what will happen. Right now he's here so I'm more focusing on the next game.'
If Valencia are beaten then Liverpool, who take a 3-0 advantage into their return leg with PSV Eindhoven at Anfield, would surely be Chelsea's opponents in the semi-final, a repeat of the 2005 tie that Rafael Benitez's team won. 'We have to beat Valencia first,' Kalou adds. 'But every time we have to score a goal or make a result we always fight until the end of the game. So when we go to Spain it's the same and I know then we will win.'
Payaah;2305356 said:
haha. dude..u & fergie is funny..u guys are complaining abt spurs 36hours rest time..but hey..if i'm not mistake fergie always said:
"it's not abt chelsea anymore..it's abt us blablablalbaa..we have to keep on winning!"..ok now it seems that u guys are worried abt chelsea's fixtrure rather than urs :mexican:
wtf!
chelsea has won the game vs spurs so what?..man u don't win the game vs pompey so better shut u're mother fuuuck up!
"oh we play like a champion" -fergie vs blackburn
dont blame the fixture anymore..when mourinho is complaining abt the fixture everybody seems against him..now what?
I think we can win the Quadruple, it all starts on Tuesday against Valencia where i think it'll end as a 2-2 draw like it did in Barca , Joe Cole is back, Wayne Bridge is back (dont forget wayne bridge played in left midfield once in the prem) I think we'lll be fine 3 games in 10 days is alot but when adrenaline is in ur body it wont matter.
Things are going well for us that's for sure, and as optomistic as I am, I think the quadruple is more of a wish than a reality. Although you never know in football huh?
I would just be happy to win the league again. The League title comes way above the Champions league for me and thats the title I would like above anything else. Sure it would be nice to win the CL too but somehow that pales into insignificance when put up against the League title.
Don't get me wrong though. I am confident of beating Valencia and anyone else who comes our way, that is not the issue. It's just that domestic success and all that comes with that is more attractive to me than the circus that the Champions League has become.
We'll still fight in all competitions though and with a little luck we could win all four. As they say, "You gotta be in it to win it". And we are.
I would just be happy to win the league again. The League title comes way above the Champions league for me and thats the title I would like above anything else. Sure it would be nice to win the CL too but somehow that pales into insignificance when put up against the League title.
Don't get me wrong though. I am confident of beating Valencia and anyone else who comes our way, that is not the issue. It's just that domestic success and all that comes with that is more attractive to me than the circus that the Champions League has become.
We'll still fight in all competitions though and with a little luck we could win all four. As they say, "You gotta be in it to win it". And we are.
For us to win the quadruple, we'd have to win the next two FA Cup games, probably all 6 premiership games, and most of the remaining possible four Champions League games. That's a minimum of 12 more games in the season, almost all of which we'll have to win so it is a bit unrealistic.
By the way, does anyone know of any team who has been tied for a spot at the end of the season and won on goal difference even when they were behind on goal difference with the team that they were tied with?
The real interesting race in the Premiership that I see is Arsenal and Bolton for the fourth CL spot. Arsenal have a game in hand and an easier schedule but are way off form; I'd still tip Arsenal to get the fourth spot though.
By the way, does anyone know of any team who has been tied for a spot at the end of the season and won on goal difference even when they were behind on goal difference with the team that they were tied with?
The real interesting race in the Premiership that I see is Arsenal and Bolton for the fourth CL spot. Arsenal have a game in hand and an easier schedule but are way off form; I'd still tip Arsenal to get the fourth spot though.
MaestroZidane
YELLOW CARD: Untrustworthy
I'm findind the bottom of the league interesting, along with the top and the arsenal situation
I honestly think Man Utd are gonna stutter, especially with Vidic out , Oshea and Ferdinand so far havent made the best duo in defense. C.L we can go to spain, we prroved it against Barca which is a 90,000+ and we gonna go to Mestalla 55,000. ANd this atmosphere cant be worst then Anfield so Chelsea has had great experience in tense atmosphere and we'll get the job done. FA cup we have gotten the best of Blackburn for a while and the run wont end here, i think we beat blackburn 2-0 they havent scored on us this season yet! 
I think it is realistic, I mean Mourinho is probably tellin them u guys are like 12 games away from history and i think the players have that special feeling inside them which they know that they can make BIG history and im sure thier determination will be great.
I think it is realistic, I mean Mourinho is probably tellin them u guys are like 12 games away from history and i think the players have that special feeling inside them which they know that they can make BIG history and im sure thier determination will be great.Valencia 1 - 2 Chelsea
Morientes Sheva, Essien
(aggregate 2-3)
Brilliant night for Chelsea FC!!! We managed to beat the almost invincible team at home in the CL... Great character shown by the lads, after going a goal down, they didn't panic just slowly got hold of the game and ran Valencia ragged in the second half!! Joe Cole was great coming on, as was Essien returning back producing a man of the match performance!!
what worrying me is Lampard, his delivery and overall passing wasn't the sharpest in tonight an that applies for the last few games, hopefully he will be back to his best against Blackburn on Saturday!! This week is probably going to be the biggest week in Chelsea FC's history!!!
So the pursuit for the quadruple continues!!!
Morientes Sheva, Essien
(aggregate 2-3)
Brilliant night for Chelsea FC!!! We managed to beat the almost invincible team at home in the CL... Great character shown by the lads, after going a goal down, they didn't panic just slowly got hold of the game and ran Valencia ragged in the second half!! Joe Cole was great coming on, as was Essien returning back producing a man of the match performance!!
what worrying me is Lampard, his delivery and overall passing wasn't the sharpest in tonight an that applies for the last few games, hopefully he will be back to his best against Blackburn on Saturday!! This week is probably going to be the biggest week in Chelsea FC's history!!!
So the pursuit for the quadruple continues!!!
good result guys, was cheering you guys on whilst watching the Man U game, which was just amazing. As much as I hate Chelsea and Liverpool I hope we all get through. Will show how good the premiership is.
hopefully this result will spur on our team, they did a fine job. Its going to be very close.
hopefully this result will spur on our team, they did a fine job. Its going to be very close.
SlowSilver
Fan Favourite
Well done fellas. Great result, well played 
Fantastic character shown by everyone in the Chelsea team. Good luck in the CL.
Fantastic character shown by everyone in the Chelsea team. Good luck in the CL.Jose drops exit hint in wake of Valencia win
WTF is this for real or is he just playing mind games, he is not saying he will be quitting after this season directly but thats what it kind of seems like. i don't even know anymore seems kinda screwd up.
artical from ESPNsoccernet.com
WTF is this for real or is he just playing mind games, he is not saying he will be quitting after this season directly but thats what it kind of seems like. i don't even know anymore seems kinda screwd up.
yeah it is bothering and unsettling......I don't know why he said that, Abramovich and Peter Kenyon has to give him more support on this matter....
I don't think he'll leave us since he said it himself that he wants to see out his contract, its more of case of him getting told to leave but then again we'll see in the future....
we're having a great run at the moment so lets not ruin it.....focus on the the football!!!
I don't think he'll leave us since he said it himself that he wants to see out his contract, its more of case of him getting told to leave but then again we'll see in the future....
we're having a great run at the moment so lets not ruin it.....focus on the the football!!!
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