The Chelsea Thread

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19 touches in 80 minutes in a game which we controlled from start to finish possession wise, that is what we are questioning!

That tells something about your inability to find him in the proper areas? That perhaps Swansea defended so well that your players werent able to find the space for the pass which would have reached Torres? Perhaps he was in bad positions aswell, not trying to save him from any critics, but it is not his responsibility to pass to himself in the proper area. Its the rest of the team that needs to find him, but in order to do that he also must move around, which he basically does. And if a striker doesnt get the ball in the goalscoring areas, how can you expect him to score goals?

Now Im not trying to defend Torres, im trying to be more like neutral. But I believe you all know where the true problem lies. Just watch him play in the games. He has the talent, but the confidence in what youre doing is the thing you need to have. Thats whats gone as we have witnessed long time ago. If I watch Torres play, I see a player, but he doesnt have that something. That something is missing, it feels like hes forced to play, like he doesnt know what to do. hes basically clueless at times, thats what Im saying. And now make a guess why is it so? Own fans boo him off the pitch, media criticised him for his performances for year or so. Confidence makes you certain of your choices, you know what youre going to do and you have faith in your own abilities, but this aint the case for Torres if you ask me. He said it himself year ago or so that he almost quit football. Thats the sign of losing the last bit of confidence and its not easy to regain it back and it will not come back if everyone keeps criticising a player for his inability to find goals, when theres many more factors included, not only him. How can everyone blame Torres, when your playmakers aint finding him in the box, in the areas where he wants the ball, in the areas where he could manage to get a good chance? I dont want to repeat myself tho. To me it seems like that the quality names you have in the midfield department makes some think that it automatically brings awesome key passes and 100% awesome goal scoring chances, yet it doesnt. Even if they have the quality to do it, they still have to do it. When they do it, everyone is happy. When they dont, Torres gets blame for not scoring when he didnt even have a single quality chance at goal.

Of course, I wont only blame your midfielders for his lack of goals. There is blame in Torres, but the way I see it, he avoids chances. This ties with the loss of confidence. My opinion is that he avoids the chances, cos as I said, he doesnt have the confidence in his own ability to find the net, to control/hold the ball, to do the things he did in the past. He fears that he makes the mistake like takes a heavy touch and then he faces the might of criticism and stuff from the stands where tens of thousands fans blame him and since he starts thinking/fearing it, he makes the mistake and the result is clear as a day.

My conclusion to this is that its the flame thats missing at the minute, the thing where you want to go there without pressure to succeed everytime, have fun, enjoy and do the thing you have wanted to do your whole life -> Playing football. I mean, they wouldnt do it if they dont want to.

I tried to be as neutral as possible and this is my own view of things and if someone wants to prove me wrong, then do so. :)
 
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I dont think it was wrong to put him on the bench, I do think he waited too long though, should have been on by 65th minute.

typical Rafa, doesn't like to make subs, and when he does he does it late.
I didn't catch the whole match, but what's with all the hate? Two mistakes, cost two goals. You missed a bunch of chances, not the end of the world.
 
That tells something about your inability to find him in the proper areas? That perhaps Swansea defended so well that your players werent able to find the space for the pass which would have reached Torres? Perhaps he was in bad positions aswell, not trying to save him from any critics, but it is not his responsibility to pass to himself in the proper area. Its the rest of the team that needs to find him, but in order to do that he also must move around, which he basically does. And if a striker doesnt get the ball in the goalscoring areas, how can you expect him to score goals?

Now Im not trying to defend Torres, im trying to be more like neutral. But I believe you all know where the true problem lies. Just watch him play in the games. He has the talent, but the confidence in what youre doing is the thing you need to have. Thats whats gone as we have witnessed long time ago. If I watch Torres play, I see a player, but he doesnt have that something. That something is missing, it feels like hes forced to play, like he doesnt know what to do. hes basically clueless at times, thats what Im saying. And now make a guess why is it so? Own fans boo him off the pitch, media criticised him for his performances for year or so. Confidence makes you certain of your choices, you know what youre going to do and you have faith in your own abilities, but this aint the case for Torres if you ask me. He said it himself year ago or so that he almost quit football. Thats the sign of losing the last bit of confidence and its not easy to regain it back and it will not come back if everyone keeps criticising a player for his inability to find goals, when theres many more factors included, not only him. How can everyone blame Torres, when your playmakers aint finding him in the box, in the areas where he wants the ball, in the areas where he could manage to get a good chance? I dont want to repeat myself tho. To me it seems like that the quality names you have in the midfield department makes some think that it automatically brings awesome key passes and 100% awesome goal scoring chances, yet it doesnt. Even if they have the quality to do it, they still have to do it. When they do it, everyone is happy. When they dont, Torres gets blame for not scoring when he didnt even have a single quality chance at goal.

Of course, I wont only blame your midfielders for his lack of goals. There is blame in Torres, but the way I see it, he avoids chances. This ties with the loss of confidence. My opinion is that he avoids the chances, cos as I said, he doesnt have the confidence in his own ability to find the net, to control/hold the ball, to do the things he did in the past. He fears that he makes the mistake like takes a heavy touch and then he faces the might of criticism and stuff from the stands where tens of thousands fans blame him and since he starts thinking/fearing it, he makes the mistake and the result is clear as a day.

My conclusion to this is that its the flame thats missing at the minute, the thing where you want to go there without pressure to succeed everytime, have fun, enjoy and do the thing you have wanted to do your whole life -> Playing football. I mean, they wouldnt do it if they dont want to.

I tried to be as neutral as possible and this is my own view of things and if someone wants to prove me wrong, then do so. :)

I see where your coming from mate i do but to say we aren't finding him is wrong. It's his job as a striker to find space for himself and with the likes of Mata, Oscar and Hazard they WILL find you before too long. He is getting in the wrong areas not getting the ball and then because he is not effecting the game takes up positions he shouldn't be in.
 
My latest Blog:
Stability is a must now Roman!

When Roman sacked the special one in 2007 all of us thought why did you do that, we were dominating English football what will happen now? I suspect like me most of us wouldn’t have believed we would have won another league title, 3 FA Cups and a Champions League especially if we were told this would happen with us chopping and changing managers on a regular basis. But now that I look back at the success we have gained under various managers since the departure of Jose its clear to see why we did manage to compete at a top level even without stability.

I believe this is because we had a core or a backbone if you will consisting of Cech, Terry, Lampard, Drogba and Cole (added a bit later). These players are all have massive egos and although that can cause problems at times, in times of crisis, confusion and instability that is where they earn their pay packet. We also had a certain style of football under these players which had not changed which makes manager changing not so important if you keep the same tried and trusted backbone and system. A system that made us strong and physical all over the pitch but deadly on the counter attack with the ability to also shut up shop if we needed too.

May 19th​ 2012, a date that every Chelsea supporter will never forget as against all odds we beat Bayern Munich in their own stadium to win Romans holy grail, the Champions League. This is the one Roman had always wanted and he got it and was he satisfied with it? Was he heck! Roman had decided that although he got what he wanted it was not got the way he wanted to get it that was the Barcelona way. I am old school and believe in the win at all costs mentality but its clear to see Roman wants to be entertained and wants Barcelona in SW6. Could this be attained? Yes it could, course it could but it takes a number of things to get to that level and the club have no understanding of what needs to be done.

Mr Abramovich as a businessman obviously there is no questioning the man, if you do question him then you are a bitter man/woman. Mr Abramovich as a football/Chelsea fan I don’t think you can question him here either, financially bankrolling the club, kicking and heading every ball himself and meeting up with supporters clubs abroad shows he has some love for the game and the club. But Mr Abramovich understanding how football works and what needs to be done to get the results you want he is totally clueless. As I touched on earlier his chopping and changing managers formula worked for him as we stayed successful but as I pointed out there was reasons why we stayed successful (same backbone and system). But there is a massive difference now, the once backbone is starting to get fazed out for this new system which is fine but a club changing its backbone and system needs stability!

As Pep Guardiola wasn’t available in the summer (lets face it if he was he would have got the job) the board had no choice but to give Roberto Di Matteo the job permanently and with that he should have had the task of changing this team slowly over a number of seasons. Flair players such as Oscar, Hazard and Marin were bought in and old system players such as Drogba, Bosingwa, Kalou and Essien (loan) left which started the transition period. A transition which takes a lot longer than the 5 months they gave Di Matteo and this just highlights my point that Roman and his yes men do not understand football in the slightest. When we flew out of the blocks at the start of the season as much as I enjoyed it I was cautious and knew we would hit a blip. Some fans thought wow transition over already but that was not the case, the real test would be when we hit a blip but unfortunately Roman and his men bought into the early season results and thought the transition was complete. This was however not the case and as soon as we hit a blip they couldn’t wait to get rid of a man they didn’t want in the first place.

If you need more evidence that our owner and his sheep fail to understand football their next move sealed it by appointing Rafa Benitez as manager! Appointing a man who personally attacked us the fans an average manager who continued to make the same mistakes at Liverpool which shows his inability to change which all good managers have. The fans showed what they thought of Rafa when he was linked with the job last February when AVB was sacked with banners and chants away to Birmingham in the FA Cup 5th​ round reply. So why appoint this hated, tactically inept dinosaur of a manager I hear you say? To get the best out of one man, a certain 50million pound Fernando Torres that is why! You have to realise Roman didn’t get to where he is in life by being a loser and a laughing stock, he is used to winning and making the right calls time and time again. So when his 50million pound investment is not working he will try anything no matter how many people it upsets to get his investment to pay off even if it means appointing a man hated by majority of Chelsea supporters. Again this underlines his lack of football knowledge believing Torres will just magically play well again just because he is playing under the last manager to get any sort of form out of him.

Until Roman and his disciples appoint someone who has some knowledge for football that works upstairs who can assist them or the less likely the penny drops between them all and they suddenly realise stability is needed I can only see a very unsteady future for the club. Will it matter to the majority and me? Course it won’t because we love our club win lose or draw but it is annoying seeing our club run this way when the answer is very simple………STABILITY!!!

Thanks for reading and if you want to engage in discussion with me I am all ears.

Carl Jackson




 
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That was good until you called Rafa average, it most certainly falls down on that point.
 
That was good until you called Rafa average, it most certainly falls down on that point.

Well that's down to opinion which, but for me a manager who keeps making the same mistakes is not a good manager.
 
Well that's down to opinion which, but for me a manager who keeps making the same mistakes is not a good manager.

He's got things right far more often than wrong.

Inabilty to change? Thats arguably his strength.
 
I see where your coming from mate i do but to say we aren't finding him is wrong. It's his job as a striker to find space for himself and with the likes of Mata, Oscar and Hazard they WILL find you before too long. He is getting in the wrong areas not getting the ball and then because he is not effecting the game takes up positions he shouldn't be in.

Yet I've seen numerous times where the fellow compatriot MATA could have played the ball to Torres where he could have spurted for a goal but no, it didnt happen. Tho, as I said, they have the quality to find him and stuff, but at the end of the day if you only find him once or twice in a match, its not enough for a striker. As you pointed out, he must find space for himself and others -> Thats what hes doing. Juan Mata wouldnt have never got the superb chance he got unless Torres hadnt moved away from the position where Mata was having the chance. He does move around quite a lot and Ive seen him pointing out the runs, but the ball has either been sucky, no-one has noticed him or dont want to play the ball there or then he gets it and its either a mistake or a goal. These things happen, but I wasnt blaming anyone, but what I was trying to do was wake everyone up here who blame Torres only. His positioning is sometimes **** and he is behind the players, where they cant get the ball to him. I agree, Ive multiple times said myself '' Come on, why are you there, you should be over there! ''. But its still harsh and wrong to blame a guy whose confidence was smashed to non-existence. If you really want him to be like you have wanted, then you must not blame him for everything. Blame Mata, Hazard & Oscar instead for not finding them.

I wish Chelsea would try it, tell Mata, Hazard & Oscar to look always for Torres, even if he is behind 10 players, still make the pass to him. Im sure he will try his best to get the balls and as he sees that aha, they are now throwing the ball over to me more often than used to, maybe he gets encouraged and actually makes the proper runs. Then we would actually see things. Also, he does take **** positions but your players have the quality to chip in the pass even into that **** position. if the pass is perfect, he might score. Its like playing football manager with possession styled tactics. Raikan said that you need to be prepared to sacrifice your possession to score the goals. Catch my idea? Maybe Chelsea really need to play more risky passes to Torres even when he is in either a good or a bad position.

You must also note that he is creating space for other players to exploit with his movements as he moves around the box and he also chips in some good crosses and passes at times.
 
He's got things right far more often than wrong.

Inabilty to change? Thats arguably his strength.

How can it be a strength when its a weakness lol?

Yet I've seen numerous times where the fellow compatriot MATA could have played the ball to Torres where he could have spurted for a goal but no, it didnt happen. Tho, as I said, they have the quality to find him and stuff, but at the end of the day if you only find him once or twice in a match, its not enough for a striker. As you pointed out, he must find space for himself and others -> Thats what hes doing. Juan Mata wouldnt have never got the superb chance he got unless Torres hadnt moved away from the position where Mata was having the chance. He does move around quite a lot and Ive seen him pointing out the runs, but the ball has either been sucky, no-one has noticed him or dont want to play the ball there or then he gets it and its either a mistake or a goal. These things happen, but I wasnt blaming anyone, but what I was trying to do was wake everyone up here who blame Torres only. His positioning is sometimes **** and he is behind the players, where they cant get the ball to him. I agree, Ive multiple times said myself '' Come on, why are you there, you should be over there! ''. But its still harsh and wrong to blame a guy whose confidence was smashed to non-existence. If you really want him to be like you have wanted, then you must not blame him for everything. Blame Mata, Hazard & Oscar instead for not finding them.

I wish Chelsea would try it, tell Mata, Hazard & Oscar to look always for Torres, even if he is behind 10 players, still make the pass to him. Im sure he will try his best to get the balls and as he sees that aha, they are now throwing the ball over to me more often than used to, maybe he gets encouraged and actually makes the proper runs. Then we would actually see things. Also, he does take **** positions but your players have the quality to chip in the pass even into that **** position. if the pass is perfect, he might score. Its like playing football manager with possession styled tactics. Raikan said that you need to be prepared to sacrifice your possession to score the goals. Catch my idea? Maybe Chelsea really need to play more risky passes to Torres even when he is in either a good or a bad position.

You must also note that he is creating space for other players to exploit with his movements as he moves around the box and he also chips in some good crosses and passes at times.

I never just blamed Torres and anyone who understands football knows its not just him either. If we fail to win i know its more than just Torres to blame an blamed many for yesterday including Rafa in that.
 
How can it be a strength when its a weakness lol?



I never just blamed Torres and anyone who understands football knows its not just him either. If we fail to win i know its more than just Torres to blame an blamed many for yesterday including Rafa in that.

No, as in he is good at changing and adapting.
 
How can it be a strength when its a weakness lol?



I never just blamed Torres and anyone who understands football knows its not just him either. If we fail to win i know its more than just Torres to blame an blamed many for yesterday including Rafa in that.

Ye well just saying to those who actually keep blaming him here in the forums.
 
No, as in he is good at changing and adapting.

But he doesn't do that lol. I am all for rotation too but at the right times including the correct players. No manager would drop his two most creative players for a derby game regardless of the opponent. He did the same whilst at Liverpool, changing the wrong players at the wrong times and making subs far too late in games. He either knows the system/players aren't working yet is too stubborn to change it or he doesn't see its not working. Either does not shout of a world class manager im afraid mate, you know as much as i do he was appointed for one reason and one reason only.

Ye well just saying to those who actually keep blaming him here in the forums.

Yeah and you will get that because of the fee he cost. I think last season when he wasn't scoring but was busting a gut we backed him because he was trying which is the minimal we ask for as fans. He isn't even doing that now and you can see it in his face and body language he believes this will never work. Just need Roman and his sheep to realise it now.
 
But he doesn't do that lol. I am all for rotation too but at the right times including the correct players. No manager would drop his two most creative players for a derby game regardless of the opponent. He did the same whilst at Liverpool, changing the wrong players at the wrong times and making subs far too late in games. He either knows the system/players aren't working yet is too stubborn to change it or he doesn't see its not working. Either does not shout of a world class manager im afraid mate, you know as much as i do he was appointed for one reason and one reason only.



Yeah and you will get that because of the fee he cost. I think last season when he wasn't scoring but was busting a gut we backed him because he was trying which is the minimal we ask for as fans. He isn't even doing that now and you can see it in his face and body language he believes this will never work. Just need Roman and his sheep to realise it now.

I believe he can still come good.

You said he aint even trying anymore, well I think he is but if we have it your way then whats the point of trying when you know theres a higher chance that no-one will notice it (you wont get the ball)? Its like playing Black Ops 2 Zombies in a public match where you want to get to high rounds and when you are far enough, someone leaves/ragequits/disconnects from the game, which means the rounds wont count to leaderboards and its been a waste of time. Catch my drift?

But I do believe he tries, but your midfield aint just picking him up at the times when he looks for the space.
 
But he doesn't do that lol. I am all for rotation too but at the right times including the correct players. No manager would drop his two most creative players for a derby game regardless of the opponent. He did the same whilst at Liverpool, changing the wrong players at the wrong times and making subs far too late in games. He either knows the system/players aren't working yet is too stubborn to change it or he doesn't see its not working. Either does not shout of a world class manager im afraid mate, you know as much as i do he was appointed for one reason and one reason only.



Yeah and you will get that because of the fee he cost. I think last season when he wasn't scoring but was busting a gut we backed him because he was trying which is the minimal we ask for as fans. He isn't even doing that now and you can see it in his face and body language he believes this will never work. Just need Roman and his sheep to realise it now.

Lots of managers do. You're just desperate to pin your dislike of him on it.

The system is actually getting there, again you are desperate to pin your dislike of him on this.

This perception of him over rotating is nonsense. Ferguson actually rotates more than any other manager in the league, and has done so for some time.

Rafa is a very good manager, and frankly you are lucky to have him.
 
I believe he can still come good.

You said he aint even trying anymore, well I think he is but if we have it your way then whats the point of trying when you know theres a higher chance that no-one will notice it (you wont get the ball)? Its like playing Black Ops 2 Zombies in a public match where you want to get to high rounds and when you are far enough, someone leaves/ragequits/disconnects from the game, which means the rounds wont count to leaderboards and its been a waste of time. Catch my drift?

But I do believe he tries, but your midfield aint just picking him up at the times when he looks for the space.

I kind of agree with you i do but when you have a new striker who comes in its hard not to compare them. Ba made runs last night and saturday which Torres does not do anymore and that's sad.

Lots of managers do. You're just desperate to pin your dislike of him on it.

The system is actually getting there, again you are desperate to pin your dislike of him on this.

This perception of him over rotating is nonsense. Ferguson actually rotates more than any other manager in the league, and has done so for some time.

Rafa is a very good manager, and frankly you are lucky to have him.

Like i said i don't disagree with rotation but certain players at certain times he gets wrong, fergie gets it right because he is a world class manager. I blame anyone who i believe is to blame and blamed multiple people yesterday and i have never rated Rafa as a manager so why would i change my opinion of him now? A midfield two of Luiz and Ramires was never going to work yesterday and you have to agree with that. He should know that too. If i could see some progress then maybe i would cut him some slack but i see the same mistakes i laughed about and enjoyed when he was Liverpool manager. If you rate him so much put in a word and i'll quite happily do a manager swap with you, and for good measure we will throw his love child in the deal lol.
 
I think he is above average, actually. But I will have to agree with Carl - he keeps making the same mistakes.
 
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