Roy said after the game that we lost to one of the best teams in the world .

This is just trying to pull the wool over the fans’ eyes.

In reality that was the weakest Chelsea team we have faced in years, and I doubt we will face a weaker Chelsea team for some time.
They were without Sanchez, James, Chillwell, Cucerella, Fernandez, Sterling and Palmer.
That was the least experienced team they have fielded for years with a rookie back four who have made few appearances for the team.
They are not the team of Mourinho.

On the other hand we had our arguably our strongest team out other than Doucoure and possibly Edouard and Ward.

It was a patchy performance by us with some good spells, but we looked shaky at the back and I think we can finally dispel the myth that Hodgson is some kind of supreme defensive coach.
We looked vulnerable to balls over the top and behind the defence all game and this was never addressed.
Others may disagree, but Richards is not the answer in defensive midfield.
His crunching tackle led to our goal and he’s a good defender.
But he’s like a fish out of water in midfield.
His positioning is all awry and he can’t pass.
This unbalances the midfield and prevents us getting a foothold in midfield.
Play defenders in defence and midfielders in midfield.

On the positive front Mateta continues to impress and I thought Clyne had another decent game. He’s faced some difficult opponents in recent weeks and hasn’t been found wanting.

In the bigger picture I think Sheffield United and Burnley are doomed , but the third place looks up for grabs.
Luton remind me of Pulis’s Palace and are effective at what they do.
They will get some wins along the way whereas we appear to see a draw as the limit of our ambitions.

I have watched extended highlights now because I was stupid enough to book to go out last night!
The stats say that we did okay but the reality is that we are at least three players short of competing with a very poor Chelsea team.
That is not Roy's fault but not making substitutions after the 80th minute is his fault.
One sub before we went 2-1 down and one after - pointless.
Eze is not match fit and yet he stays on despite being knackered and lo and behold makes a tired to challenge and gives away the penalty!
Chelsea made 5 substitutions and were there still full of energy and we were not.
Roy must go and let someone take charge who can disrupt and manage a game of football while getting the best out of the resources available.
I am not sure whether it better to be relegated and lose our 5 best players or stay up and lose them anyway.
either way - Saturday is a real 6 pointer for us and if we lose we could well be in 18th position on Saturday evening with a team that is ill equipped for a relegation dogfight.

Edited by The Dolphin (28 Dec 2023 7.30am)

Needless loss when we could so easily have got something from the game. Not sure what the little 'fracas' between Roy and the officials was about at the end but once again, his substitutions were ill timed. What further evidence is required for the need to reinforce the team next month?

Denial is not just a river in Egypt

Is it my imagination, or did I see a high boot on Andersen which should’ve been given as a foul, immediately before the Eze tackle which gave away the penalty? Roy Hodgson looked decidedly unwell last night. I wonder if ill health may lead to his resignation?

I thought we started with a flourish and, knowing this was a poor Chelsea side, reckoned we might get something from the game.

But, a very tired tackle by Eze just before the final whistle, led to a VAR penalty and another point was lost. It could, should even, have been 3 points on the board. The Chelsea we played last night were anything but a star spangled side and it was a frustrating result.

I've been a big supporter of Roy and his ability to carve out unlikely points, but he is back to the 'first era' tactics when we all became irritated with his distinct lack of substitutions. Surely, as others have already written, he could have used some of the energetic, young talent from the bench sooner to shake things up a bit. His usual reasoning that it would disrupt our game begins to sound a tad hollow.

We not only needed fresh legs last night, but also fresh management tactics. The Brentford game is now a must win or else. Some huge decisions need to be taken at a senior level if we are to retain our place at the top table.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

poxy VAR again, after we broke to me it looked like the players knew it would get called back eventually, clear and obvious error my arse!

Sometimes I set out for Ludlow
Sometimes I end up in Chepstow