Chelsea Banter

07 May 2024 22:21:55
Congratulations to all the Chelsea award winners tonight.

Probably the biggest certainty ever that Palmer would win POS from his peers and the fans! Well deserved.

07 May 2024 21:00:46
Two questions on the Champions League.

1) am I the only fan who thinks the away goal rule was ok?

2) the team at home in the semi final 2nd leg, is that all down to the luck of the draw?

07 May 2024 22:03:53
Tom, I agree with you I favoured the away goal rule. I don’t know the answer to your second question.

07 May 2024 16:29:49
Just a group of season ticket holders chatting and having a few beers 🍺.

I was somewhat surprised to be the only STH who think Gallagher could still be playing next season for Chelsea.

We even got the, "Ive been categorically told" comment "he is definitely being sold. "

Makes me nervous when fans are so sure about the situation.

07 May 2024 17:35:18
I am sure they would love to get a fat paycheque as he's an academy player.
He might decide to see his contract out of course which would be interesting!

07 May 2024 19:36:42
Gallagher has not agreed a new contract, if he doesn’t he should be sold. If he decides to see his contract out as a coach I would be looking to to integrate one of our other midfielders in to replace him and use him as a sub. There is no point trying to set up a team playing as a cohesive unit and including someone who will be off in the next season.

07 May 2024 20:31:57
I personally haven’t got a clue if Gallagher has been offered a contract or will be offered a contract.

I have no idea what CG’s terms are or what the club sees as reasonable.

The point I was making was one of genuine surprise that I was the only STH who thinks he will be playing for us next season.

06 May 2024 12:59:44
A defence to my opinion on players needed to improve or maybe not being good enough

32 games - not good enough

3 games - really good, really seemed to have improved on what's expected

I wouldn't make 3 games out of 35 your ammo to come at people.

But yes. Been brilliant last few games, shading brilliant opposition, West Ham 15 goals conceded in 5 and Spurs 5 losses on the bounce,

06 May 2024 14:33:31
Matt, I’m told the last 10 home games have achieved 8 wins 1 draw and one loss.

Virtually every player and the team in general has improved throughout the season.

We have had a ridiculously high injury count and unfortunately we still can’t be sure how much talent we have got within the club.

It’s been an up and down season and my guess is that is common with a young squad. We are just about where I expected but I do expect us to improve next season.

06 May 2024 14:48:16
Since the start of the year we’ve played 24 games across all competitions. Won 14 of them, drawn 6 lost 4. Some terrible games such as the Arsenal one, the playing for penalties against Liverpool in the final and the Liverpool game in the league. A very respectable draw against City 1-1. Some poor draws against Brentford, Burnley and Sheffield. But great wins on the bounce now against Spurs and West Ham and were unlucky to draw against Aston Villa (which is still a respectable result)

Saw a stat that said if the league started in January we’d be 4th in the table. I think that shows clear improvement over the season. Yes in the past we’ve had managers come in and make an instant impact, but that was with a squad of players at their peak. Poch has come into a young, inexperienced and disjointed team which had relatively no experience of playing with each other. That alongside our massive injury list the entire season (which was mostly our experienced players) has delayed the progress. Maybe it’s too little too late but I’d be inclined to give him another year.

06 May 2024 20:06:52
If we play like this in the final 3 games, get 6th. Should poch stay? We are really looking a lot better.

06 May 2024 21:15:20
The worst problem was that we drew with Sheffield and Burnley. If ww won those two games we would be fighting for n.5 with Spurs.

06 May 2024 09:09:21
Hutchinson has been nothing short of fantastic second half of the season. With Madueke getting better I really don't see any point in us signing any more players for the attacking midfielder/ winger positions.

Hopefully we leave Hutchinson another season at Ipswich in the premier league and see how he does. We also have Paez coming in a couple of years and he looks fantastic.

If Mudryk or Madueke don't progress one year down the line maybe one could be moved on for Hutchinson or Paez. But I really do think if we spend it needs to be on a quality ST, CB and goalkeeper not a winger or attacking midfielder.

06 May 2024 09:27:17
Barnet, if I remember correctly Hutchinson will only have one year left on his contract. So there is probably a choice to be made by all parties.

06 May 2024 22:21:17
I still think we need an attacking player or a midfielder who has different skilset. Left back may also benefit. These in addition to the obvious need for the s, cb.

I feel we should stick with petrovic as he's shown hecan improve and secure the position. He's not ready the problem, imo.

05 May 2024 22:45:19
I spoke about how much I rated Noni on here a while ago, most are polite but I got a few pelters from 1 or 2 on here. Why? Can I ask, as Chelsea fans we respect opinion's? I'm sure you didn't mean it Matt Martin?

05 May 2024 23:05:19
G8, we can all agree or disagree with other posters opinions. Surely that’s why it’s a banter page.

06 May 2024 08:43:44
Exactly my point Tom. But I'm asking for it to be done in a nice manner. The banter is great but it can be done in a nice way. that is all I'm asking.

06 May 2024 09:32:25
G8, that would be nice but let’s see how many people rush to defend the personal abuse of owners, management and players throughout the season. Criticism is ok in my opinion and that includes poster to poster.

06 May 2024 12:23:07
Bit rich G8, you've had countless unfair goes at me and stated that I'm a liverpool fan or something because I've stated my view that the board have wasted a collosal amount of money.

But yes agree, discussion shoukd be done in a nice way. Madueke has ability but he has a lot of work to do to continue improving.

06 May 2024 13:02:22
Couple things g8,

During the Tottenham game I tried posting, it was directed to you, I said how I’d be critical of noni for his off ball, his attitude at times and decision making, I said how his turned a corner and I was so impressed with his work rate - it wasnt posted, I’d say most what I post doesn’t come up actually, especially if I mention wonstanly / Stewart, but I was fully endorsing madueke’s improvement in recent weeks and his work rate and even complimentary of you who have always endorsed him


2) as usual you’ve directed at me likely smug.
It’s game week 35, you are smug for 2 weeks, I was critical and fair with it, for 32 games. Let’s not get cocky just yet hey, his had a lot more bad games than good, I hope in the end your right as it’s best for club, but. A West Ham that’s conceded 15 in 5 and spurs team who are getting thumped, could of been good for us when we were drawing to Forrest and Burnley or Everton when we lost 2-0, I believe he was injured posting videos in a nightclub….

07 May 2024 05:47:17
Matt, I can find zero confirmation it your last sentence.

He is a young lad and like lots of young lads he will go to clubs. Although the matter of him attending a club was dealt with internally I repeat I can find nothing to suggest he got injured at that club.

07 May 2024 17:08:32
I don't think that's what Matt meant, Tom. I think he meant while Madueke was injured he was pictured out clubbing. Presumably clubbing not great for recuperation/ recovery is Matt's point. But agreed, he's young. To me his attitude seems to be loads better, and steadily improving – Poch has handled him superbly. There's a clip of them chatting. after the Spurs game I think? Really worth looking up. He's showing passion now for me, and has really stepped up these past few weeks. First half of the season I think Poch was holding him back due to perceived attitude. It's working now. His pass to Jackson when he could have shot was a case in point of a more mature perspective being formed.

07 May 2024 17:43:47
Aah, I get it now. I’m a silly old s#d. On that we can all agree!