Always been proud.But never thought I would see such a great team as the one we have now cockboy hope you enjoyed you boring day at home saving you massive £55.
Dembele went off injured for Spurs today, can't imagine he'll play on Monday. He's been brilliant for them. They'll still have Dier and Alli in midfield but Capoue and Watson might have a bit too much for them.
I wasn't overly impressed with Watford or Chelsea today, it very much looked like two mid table teams and i'm glad we ended up with something. Overall thought our performance was ok, it seemed a really average display from us but an entertaining game. We are still on course for survival, however if there is ever an opportunity to grab something higher, then this season is it! Even if we have only just arrived and a win today I really think we may start to get on a few more radars. Still I'll take it, keeps the run unbeaten run in five going.The next match will sort the men from the boys. It will be a shock to quite a few, I just hope the Championship conditioning is still there to take on the spuds with a full tank.
Didn't want to spend £55 on a ticket, so was invited along in a "Professional" capacity. Thought we played very well against a resurgent Chelsea side, we fought very well in the battles that needed to be won. Missed our second due to having to move around the stadium, but Oscar's penalty was hilarious after the nerves. Fantastic result, but the fans were incredible too, people I was with today always work at Stamford Bridge and said they hadn't seen anything like it in a few years, even at supposed derbies. Brilliant work lads.
Anyway - impressions of my first trip to Chelski FC and some random observations here and there regarding the game... I did enjoy the journey to the ground and the location is not bad compared to most London football stadia but the bad reputation this club has earned in treating the away fans with contempt in more ways than one is certainly not unwarranted - unless I can get a decent ticket for £40 max in the upper tier or somewhere round the right hand corner of the lower section, it's definitely not a matchday experience I'd want to repeat in a hurry. Ground is poorly signposted (probably would've found our stand quicker if I'd been blindfolded) and in trying to locate my seat in row 15 of the (Cow)Shed End when wandering round the monochrome labyrinthine corridors I felt like I was transported to one of the more complex levels in a Sonic the Hedgehog game. The problems in that stand are multifold, especially for a 6'4''er like me - stand up and you can't see the pitch unless you want to give yourself permanent neck ache, and people behind you can't see what's going on, yet if you sit down you can't see with people ahead of you standing! The only chance of getting a half-decent view from that section is if you're lucky to be right in the centre and able to stand throughout without obstructing anyone's view, as any further down you're too close to the pitch. I'm not sure why everyone needed to be stood up when we were defending a corner our end when stats show we have a 1 in 20 to 30 chance of conceding from them (OK, we did concede this time round, but still) but as a compromise I dutifully sat on my upturned seat so most people behind me and myself (just about) could see the action. Stamford Bridge still looks a pretty impressive stadium from what we could see of the remaining three quarters of it and no doubt like any club they have their fair percentage of decent and genuine fans, but they still represent to me, and I daresay most of us right-minded football fans everything that's wrong with football - the outrageous ticket prices, fans seemingly treated as a cash cow rather than the life and blood of the club, a bunch of overpaid mercenaries who have no real passion for the club and were instrumental towards Jose's sacking (the boos when the home team sheet was read out were richly deserved), a largely apathetic home crowd who apart from the last 30 minutes (and pretty much all from the Matthew Harding Stand) made next to no noise apart from after their first goal and when booing Deeney for his penalty. So needless to say, this trip would've been pretty miserable were it not for another great performance from the Golden Boys as opposed to the customary heavy scoreless defeat, even in once again unusually warm weather that felt closer to the end of the footy season than mid-winter. Enough has already been said about the impressiveness of our display in more than holding our own against a team who are slowly but surely beginning to look more like defending champions (the fact that some of their own fans thought their team put on a good performance second half alone shows how proud we should be of our team) and as I wasn't paying full attention to the match throughout as I got caught up in some of the chants round me, I'll just add some mostly glowing comments on some of our players, with just the tiny bit of constructive criticism here and there: Holebas - simply outstanding performance, and second/third only to Ighalo and Deeney in the potential MotM stakes. It really is a pleasure to behold the strength in depth we have in defence, with so many players who have the perfect combination of physique, height (all of our key players being at least 5'10''), awareness and skill on the ball - amazing to think not so long ago we could count ourselves lucky to have even one decent fullback! Great in the air, on the ball (both in his dribbling and passing) being a vital link between Jurado and the front players, and his last-ditch interceptions (including a wonderful sliding block in the first half) were a joy to watch. Who'd have thought a few years back we'd have a nice selection dilemma in the left back position? If he hadn't been out for so long, Ake could have a real fight on his hand to get his place back for Spurs (could still do). Britos - quite apart from his natural ball skills, this guy seems made for his position. Tall (meaning great heading ability), the right build and weight with long legs making him swift and athletic with abundant mobility and alertness to every situation. Again, Prodl will have to work bloody hard for his place in the starting XI if such form continues. Cathcart - covered the danger of Costas well despite him scoring twice, but seemed to be running dry towards the end of the game, an uncharacteristic long punt to Anya not helping matters. Nyom - strong in the tackle and good link-up play though distribution was a bit shaky at the start when he seemed to be channelling Lloydinho (nothing against the guy but it's agreed that passing wasn't his strongest point). Jurado - whoever the idiot was calling for him to be subbed clearly isn't a regular on here. Yes, maybe he was a bit hesitant in possession when Chelsea robbed him of the ball and broke for their second (hardly surprising though given he isn't the biggest and therefore paciest and strongest) but who could he have passed to other than Deeney? Still no reason to make him a scapegoat for conceding an equaliser against the title holders in a game most of us would've have been over the moon with a low score draw, let alone what we actually got - might as well blame half the team for Chelsea's first if that's the case! Unfortunately for some fans certain players for reasons best known to them will never redeem themselves in their eyes. Anyway, a great display from a player who may not be a natural winger but worked hard to keep in position, only going more central when needed to help out our forwards, did a good job of closing down their offensive players and showed variety and adaptability in his passes (far more than just short ones played sideways/backwards) and supporting runs, always trying to make something happen no matter how awkward the situation. Capoue - the classic understated yet masterful team performance - he may not have the best pass completion rate or play many killer balls, but the work he does off the ball, and his skill in picking up 50/50s, stopping the ball and getting it under control to resume play/keep it going and knack at being in the right place at the right time is what has made him undroppable. If he keeps up this standard, Spurs should be a cracker. Abdi - is arguably our midfield engine, was a ******* for Oscar to play against - just imagine what he'll be like if/when he gets back into a more conducive central position. Deeney & Ighalo - do these two need any further commentary? I'd just add that Troy's workrate was phenomenal as always but that's certainly not at the expense of his skill and constant threat in the oppo half, which are part and parcel of the same glorious package. Every positive thing he does enhances the other, whether it's his leadership, teamwork, defensive play, movement, driving the team forward. As for Iggy, he's become the master of making the unpredictable look easy and defenders look foolish with dazzling footwork and twists and turns, quite apart from the clinical precision of his finishing. Anya - don't want to single any player out as a weak link, as all our boys have played an important part, but like Jurado coming off I didn't quite see the point of bringing him on in a tiring team. Good at receiving the ball to feet and worked hard going forward, but seemed a bit lightweight and not very convincing defensively, though good enough in helping us see the game out. Anyway, I'm certainly not disappointed in the result from a very entertaining game which was pretty fair given Chelsea looked quite dangerous at times, mainly the first 10-15 minutes and after they made it 2-2 and brought Hazard on (should have been playing at the start, but hey I'm not complaining). We'd have more than settled for it before kick-off and it keeps our unbeaten run with two games already into this so-called tough period nicely ticking. Two goals away from home at the champions, our front two remaining on fire, one point from a European slot - what more could you want?
I just had a look out of curiosity and saw it was just over 2 years ago we lost 3-0 at home to Yeovil. Today we are 85 places above them. Make no mistake this was a huge result. No doubt our expectations are higher these days, but we came up against a class outfit today, a team of champions. They dominated the ball, but we always looked dangerous going forward, defended and battled admirably, and got the luck we deserved with the pen. Very proud of a great result, and special mention to Jurado and Ben Watson today.
Another night to enjoy, I was optimistic at the start of the season but this feels dream like. it feels ridiculous to think I feel slightly disappointed we didn't win but given the circumstances (Chelsea players now putting in effor) a point is good but most importantly we should take confidence from the performance whilst remaining humble
You said you was not overly impressed with Watford today?looked like mid table team lol.They all gave 100% today got a good result against the champions what more do you want?
I just looked that game up. It was 30th November 2013 and after that result we were 10th in the Championship. I remember how frustrated I felt after that game, but roll on 25 months to see we've beaten Liverpool 3-0 and draw 2-2 at the Champions Chelsea to confirm 7th place in the Premier League....it's just mental.
Compared to recent performances they were not at their best. They gave the ball away too much and when you play Chelsea its going to be tough to get that back because they are the Champions! Granted we got a result against last year Champions but I try not to get caught up with historical performances because this team has been slaughtered by many before us. That's why they are where they are and where we are. Of course it raises expectations, i would like us to maintain that so can only be right to be slightly judgemental of the performance. You really think that was 100% today? It didn't look like it but hey I'm not unhappy. Did you not think we were lucky to get a draw? Did you not see the mistakes? The challenge that Behrami gave away?
It was not pretty at times but I believe they did give a 100%.Chelsea are on the up now and to get a result is unbelievable after what has happenend in recent years of playing them at the bridge.
Highgrade, I am the ultimate pessimist and still feel uncomfortable that we possibly could get relegated. All I wanted his season is to stay up and beat Muff at home ( obsessed with muff for personal reasons). If we can achieve this I will be very happy.
Chelsea forums are a good laugh. Majority of the people who posted all want Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic, Matic, Fabregas, Oscar and Costa all gone by January or the summer. Some even suggesting to cash in Hazard for £70mil. Absolutely ridiculous, but definitely a good laugh.
They seriously are an embarrassing bunch at Chelsea. Gone are the days of their loyal following throwing celery onto the pitch. This is a new batch, based overseas and watching vis stream or similar. Everything about their club stinks of everything that is wrong in football . Makes Man Utd supporters appear as die hard fans. Fecking embarrassing bunch.
I was sat in the home end (West Stand), surrounded by tourists. No atmosphere at all! I didn't think our fans were massively loud though! Split tiers never helps. Managed to sit on my hands for our goals but couldn't help but jump and cheer when the penalty was missed!
This'll be the result of the "loyal faithful" STHs from Surrey selling out to touts and ticketing companies to fund their cocaine habit and trips to Marbella.
Talking of last season, on a not entirely unrelated note (and as someone mentioned Yeovil as an example of how quickly the fortunes of two teams can diverge) since we beat Bolton 4-3 at their place (probably THE game if not performance of the season) they have taken just 28 points from 38 games, the same amount we got in Aidy's PL season, only in a lower division! Shocking really, especially when after playing them we thought they'd be useful for taking points of our promotion rivals (didn't happen, but hardly mattered in the end) and would be among the promotion contenders this season (oh dear).
I think you will be a very very happy man at the end of the season.No way in this world Watford will go down.Sunderland & villa are absolute dog****e and are defo going down.,and for me I think Norwich or Newcastle will go down.I would love it to be norwich cheating bastards after last years 2 games.
I would like to see Newcastle, Sunderland and Villa go down. It would feel significant, like an ushering out of the old, stale teams and the start of a new period for the Premier League, with a new TV deal to boot.
Lol if we beat a very good Spurs side we could actually be 4th depending on Palace's result because United aren't beating Chelsea. How bloody bonkers!
Prioritise the Spurs game and pray and hope that we can wrap up a deal for a new striker on the 1st of January and chuck him in against City on the 2nd giving Deeney or Iggy a rest I'm only joking but imagine how great it would be if The Pozzo's pulled that off!
Good point. Closed the gap on the top two, extended gap to 18th. Deeneys touch let him down a few times, Capoue should consider NOT trying a nutmeg if there's a better option, but in general we did ok. Shame we didn't catch them at the end of the Mourinho farce like Bournemouth did. Ighalo benefited from defenders backing off him in fear of his chop. Like Capoues nutmegs, it looks like he'd rather get off a trick sometimes than shoot (or pass). Astonishing that he could still have scored a hat trick in this game, which I seem to think every week.
I saw that quick delete Hornet! My bad though, didn't realise the window didn't open till midnight January 2nd!
