Got exactly what we deserved - Nothing.

Jose did alot for us and he keeps harping on about how this is still his Chelsea.

Well he probably did us the best thing ever tonight - Opened our eyes to "his" Chelsea being over the top.

Yes we had injuries to key players and suffered another terrible decision in Milan when we should have had a penalty n there player sent off, but the pure truth of the matter is, we just arnt good enough anymore.

This manager isnt filling anyone with confidence as he continues to play players out of position, but he has to be given time to bring in his own players - Unless the Special one wants to come home lol.

Some very important decisions have to be made at the end of this season on playing personnel.

It will be interesting to see if this pain reaches the owner & hurts enough for him to want us to be good again?

The plus side - The youth set up is wonderful and with some luck we will get a very nice crop over the coming years. Its going to take bravery to use them, but the fans will give home grown more time than say buying in the like.

The club is at a huge crossroads - This squad has under achived with only 6 major wins in 5 seasons - We have suffered terrible luck in both Injuries and injustices by officials - Committing suicide by removing the best manager this country has seen since Cloughy will have to be taken into account too - So self inflicting wounds have culled the trophy count too.

Was surprised at how poor Chelsea were really. Failed to get the ball down and pass for it for all but 10 minutes of the game (just before half time).

I fully expected Chelsea to go through, albeit in scrappy fashion, since the form is just not there but it was not to be.

Chelsea could argue that they should have had a penalty for a foul on Drogba as well, but we rarely see those given despite how blatant they are.

I would hvae thought Chelsea get as many decisions in their favour as against them, but the ones against seem to be more high profile. Perhaps because they occur in games Chelsea manage to lose.


You make a good point about young, home grown players being given the chance by fans more than the bought in ones. Perhaps, with Chelsea sporting such an aging squad, a chance for these players next season might be a welcome change? But that prompts a transition phase.

Like you say Tick, 6 major wins in 5 years, and much less in the last 3, would Chelsea fans rather have the instant turnaround? Instant success in return for a big summer spend?

Or is there the case, that Chelseas current crossroads, has more than one acceptable path to go down?

I would prefer we build with the kids - Our club has always had a steady flow of youth products making their way into the first team. The last 8 seasons that has slowed to almost nothing.

We have alot of good talent coming through and I have often said on Chelsea TV we need to be brave and play them in the first team.

We still have a fantastic spine - Cech Terry Lampard Essien and Drogba - all can play for at least 2-3 years and in Essien and Cech, case alot more years.

Throw in Ashley Ivanovic Alex Mikel Maluada & Sturridge and we have the begginings of a great squad.

Anelka Joe Cole Ballack Kalou Calvalho and a couple of others should all be let go.

As I have already said in this thread - Lots of very important decisions have to be made - I dont think we will win the league, havent done for some time now and we are still in it cause the other teams still in it arnt very good either. Id like us to play Kacuta Bruma - Blood Tore to play wide left and get young Stich back from Holland to play wide right.

Of course it wont happen while we still have a chance of winning the league - but id bloody play em!

I just want to add something about playing the young players who have come through the system.

When u have grown up with a club you have the club running through your viens and u fight for the club.

Kakuta grew up a Chelsea fan and knows more about us than any French team.

Last night - there were a couple of our players who I dont think give there all.

Its those players who should be replaced by these youth products - cause at least we know they are trying there heart out - and I dont know about your club - but us Chelsea fans would kill for our own (Well maybe not kill - you know what I mean)

This was Romans idea all along - Just hope Carlo is brave enough.