13 Jan 2019 01:26:01
So much negatively in here at the moment, it's a literally a joke.

As a club we have played defensive football for many many years, over such a long span under managers like RDM, Benitez, Mourinho, Hiddink and Conte and many many fans were not happy with our style of football back then despite us winning so much as a club.

We all wanted a different brand of football, something more eye candy. Finally our board agreed, massive massive change, board appointed Sarri so that he could oversee this massive project and change our philosophy. A bus being knocked down and being replaced by a car.

Sarri's Napoli was the most attractive team in Europe last year, the great Pep Guardiola labelled Napoli as the best team he has been up against who play beautiful football which is massive compliment to Sarri. He can't be that bad of a manager when things are right? Afterall he made a Napoli play some beautiful stuff.

Under Sarri we started brilliantly, attacking football normally takes time when being a bus is in your DNA, it doesn't happen overnight but we were scintillating and scoring for fun. We were title contenders up until November. Everton draw started the rot. We have had a poor Decemeber and now fans are booing the team. It's a flipping disgrace. We are 1 point off 3rd and 3 points off 2nd which is Pep's Man City. 5 points clear from 5th. We are in the semi final of league cup, in the FA Cup and knock out stage of Europa. So far it's been a decent campaign and all of this without a proper striker. Obviously Sarri must feel short changed without being given a proper striker. It wasn't realistic to win the league this year, maybe it was Sarri's fault for starting so brilliantly which obviously has been forgotten by many fans over Christmas, we were scoring for fun back then. His had the best start of any Chelsea manager. It's a disgrace to see all the boos come out.

So to all the boos boys, if your not happy with Sarri then what is it you want? If you don't have the patience with him then who do you want as your manager and why? Who should steer the club? should we be playing attacking football or do you want the defensive approach back?

1.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 02:38:43
The warning signs were there at the start of the season especially against arsenal but I understand what you’re saying. Completely agree with everything.

2.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 08:31:26
It's hypocritical to brand anybody's post as negative/ toxic just because he/ she doesn't share your own views. After all we all want improvements in the concerned areas and the best for the club. We are Chelsea and have no room for mediocrity though not with limitations.

3.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 09:25:20
CFShak: It's not negativity but disappointment. Clearly many of the crowd do not buy into Sarri-ball or what it is normally called 'possession'. Possession helps but goals win games. I would rather get three points each week than play beautiful, get us nowhere football, ideally both but points first and foremost. Sarri's Napoli never won anything under him and he has never won anything so there is an element of myth about him. Clearly he does not know how to change a game, setting us up the same way for 90 minutes. I cannot see how Jorghino has lost confidence as he is doing exactly what he has done all season, hundreds of passes sideways or a short distance, we need penetration in the mould of the old Fabregas, through the middle, over the top. It is a waste not playing Kante in his more traditional role to possibly accommodate one of his favourites and to persevere with Alonso when he not playing well. You say "to all the boo boys" you are referring to a 'lot' of people. I think this was a transitional season and to date we have over performed but have a great chance of that 4th spot but we are a long way short of the finished product.

4.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 09:37:48
don't get me. wrong he needs players that play his style and time to get them players in.

but there was clips of Dave and Alonso both being the highest players up the field and at one point bother being CF positions so something needs to change.

We know teams will defend deep, with that in mind why do we want our full backs cutting in all the team making the pitch even smaller creating less space, instead of keeping them out wide and creating more space for Hazard etc. 40k fans can see it why can't Sarri. we all can't be wrong.

5.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 09:41:04
The warning signs were there yes standard but how long was Sarri in charge for before the season?

The board was at fault for leaving it so late so he couldn't get many of the type of players he needed.

Rome wasn't built in a day, neither was Napoli and neither will Chelsea. It takes time to implement a new system after 5 seasons of defensive tactics.

6.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 09:47:23
agreed it wasn't built in a day correct. however he won't be given that time at Chelsea or even any big team in this day in age. Sorry but that is a fact. it's how the game is now. Sad I know but it is what it is.

7.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 10:01:00
I think sarri will be given time actually. The board fought hard for him and they won’t get rid of him easily they clearly see him as the man.

We need to trust the process. If it’s still looking like this next season fair enough but to be skating sarri already is a bit premature .

8.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 10:47:20
I just don't understand the slating of Sarri. It's so premature knowing that he lacks a quality striker and judging him already is ludicrous. Sarri-ball needs a striker, look no further than Higuain or Mertens stats at Napoli. 5 or 6 years of playing defensively would mean players naturally fall into old habits and that is what Sarri is trying to stamp out. If you watch his press conferences that is. He needs new personel which is what he will get. Pep had a whole new squad in his 2nd season.

Sarri has won nothing. brilliant stat coming from a chelsea fan. Usually that comes from rival fans. Poch has won nothing, Klopp has been at Liverpool a while and is finally having his best season but has won nothing with them yet. Pep won nothing first season? Jose just got sacked for turning Man Utd into a bus, Emery is trying implement attacking football but is 6 points off sarri. Are they all bad managers?

Anyway, there is nothing to suggest he will leave or be sacked. He is having a good campaign. I think so many people just want instant success. Football doesn't work like that. stick by your team. Support them rather branding crap when we are in a decent position.

9.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 11:31:21
Huh? Didn’t we win yesterday? So why the “disappointing” posts? 3 points is 3 points. Gripped tighter on 4th place. Doing exactly what we needed to do this season. It’s the mans first season, could be a lot worse like Jose’s last season in charge with us. Cheer up lads.

10.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 12:36:37
Freeborn, being negative is fine by me as long as it’s accompanied with constructive suggestions.

Calling the manager clueless, players deadwood or Nancy’s is in NO way constructive.

I didn’t want Sarri (not for football reasons) but he is our manager and I will support him. I will criticise him on tactics or selection but I will try and put forward an argument for my criticisms.

11.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 17:42:52
We don’t clamours for instant success. We want entertaining football, and 70% possession with copious a, punt of passes between the back 5 is not entertaining for me.

12.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 17:48:34
I think the issue we have is that Sarri is playing “square pegs in round holes”.

He’s got a Left back that’s too attack minded and gets caught out of position almost all the time. Morata - there’s nothing to say. Giroud is a target man, he thrives on crosses. Which is fine but how often do you see Willian and Pedro cross a ball, they both like to cut inside. So he’s forced to play Hazard in the 9 to give us a goal threat and that doesn’t suit him. He’s better of as a free role, not a key point up front.

We’re also forgetting that Sarri called this, he said his first season would be tough. Let’s remember he also came in late and bar Jorginho has not been able to stamp his authority on the team. I think he’s done a great job to keep us in the top 4 amongst these sort of problems.

I know Higuain isn’t everyone’s cup of team but his goal scoring record is bang up there. He knows Sarri, he knows his system and I for one feel if he signs he’ll be a major success. On the other hand, if Sarri started Odoi and Giroud, I could see that clicking. Odoi is a brilliant crosser if the ball.

Keep the faith!

13.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 18:44:43
RyRy, Sarri made it very clear before the season started that it was going to take time to introduce his methods.

We aren’t playing well at the moment but I think most fans would have taken this at the start of the season.

14.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 18:54:56
He did say that, but he also said it would take two months. It’s a lot longer than that now and we are boring as f***! It’s clear as day that we need a centre forward, but it would also help out a tonne of he told his players to punt it upfield and create chances rather than waste time and our money watching the defenders pass it amongst themselves.

Look at our first goal yesterday, that’s what we want. Just lump it forward.

15.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 19:22:18
Don't go then mate simple isn't it? Entertaining football and all that. go and watch basketball or something. Haha, lump It forward, you're better off supporting Sam Allardyce's next team mate. See ya.

A win is a win. 3 points is 3 points. 4th place, 1 point behind spurs, 6 ahead of Arsenal and United and all you can do is whine about not being entertained.

16.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 19:23:25
Two things RyRy.

(a) I don’t remember any specific time being given by Sarri but he did say that the players are intelligent and are adapting well to his ideas. That comment may have been a bit premature.

(b) If we EVER play “lump” it football I will give up.

You could start a campaign for Big Sam to be our manager!

17.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 19:32:47
By lumping it forward, I mean direct football, we’re the furthest thing from direct right now. All I’m seeing is tippy-tappy crap that wastes time. Ten minutes in and Luiz and Rudiger are exchanging 3/ 4 passes without even thinking of taking it upfield. That’s not football.

18.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 19:35:55
Also, Adam. Can you honestly say that this is what you were expecting last August? Unconvincing performances, and scraping past lower table opposition? 6 points in front of United is nothing given their form and ours. Squeaky bum time.

19.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 19:38:30
Dantheman23. Great post mate, couldn't have said it better.

20.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 19:51:34
Yes to be honest, would have been more had United not sacked Jose. Come on, 4th place, 1 point behind Spurs, 6 in front of a resurgent United. Very happy mate, the performances will come. Top 4 is ALL that matters to me this season.

21.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 20:00:11
RyRy, it is football but not as you know it.

Why squeaky bum time? Arsenal and United are six points behind us not in front of us.

22.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 21:11:41
Did I hear that this poster say he wants Chelsea to play like Stoke City. Lump it forward . ?

23.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 21:17:34
Not as I know it? Football is football. You’d take tedious possession orientated football over direct attack? Because it’s the former we have right now. We look rather woeful, and nothing compared to what was expected back in pre-season. No one expected Napoli of last season, but we expected better than this. Apart from Jorginho, none of the players look in tune with what Sarri wants, not even Hazard on some occasions.

It’d be understandable if minority’s of the starting line-up wasn’t able to play exactly how Sarri wanted to play. but it’s the majority. Why isn’t what he wants not being put across to the players?

Back to my point. Football is football, deeming someone with ‘not as you know it’ is complete snobbery. The match going fans know what they want, and that’s being entertained. We’re not right now.

24.) 13 Jan 2019
13 Jan 2019 21:59:23
RyRy as far as I can remember you the first person I’ve read on this site who wants Chelsea to play play long ball or “lump it” football.

If you consider that sort of football entertainment that’s fine but I remain convinced that the vast majority of Chelsea fans would not!

25.) 14 Jan 2019
14 Jan 2019 07:49:41
Chelsea should never be entertaining such brand of football, lump it forward football is not what Chelsea should be about mate. Beyond belief.

26.) 14 Jan 2019
14 Jan 2019 12:58:59
A bit of help for RyRy - I would imagine that he means a more direct style a la Liverpool rather than lump it forward - and with that I agree - successful football has to be a mix of possession and taking a chance by playing the ball forward quicker (most of our goals / chances lately seem to be coming from long balls from Luiz) - we seem to be stuck in a possession for possession's sake game (which is incredibly tedious to watch) .