Sciatika

I have been accused of being a tad optimistic recently, not without some justification. However, I would like to point out that I am not the Chelsea fan on Reddit who suggested that we might still get into the top four and qualify for CL next season. He argued that Spurs could lose to Sheffield and Villa lose to Palace, placing us fifth if we beat Bournemouth. So far, so good, but then they thought that Villa might get a large deduction for PSR breaches, leaving us fourth. Even I am not that optimistic. 

I am not saying you aim to only win against the bottom ten. You should play every game to win. I am saying that you don't need to win all the games against the hardest competition to advance up the league. Of course, the benefit of winning games against the leading clubs is that you impact their chances of overtaking you, which can be important. But you should still always approach every game trying to win, which is why it does not impact enjoyment; I am with @McCreadie on how I feel at the end about it. For me, the club that gets the most points across a season deserves to win, irrespective of who they did or did not beat. The margins are so fine at the elite level that beating anyone is an achievement.  

To be in the top 4, you don't need to win games against the top four. If you win all the games against the bottom ten (60pts) and most of those against the other six (24pts) you would have 84 points, which would get you third this season.

No doubt, their fans' websites will post tables of what would have happened had VAR not been used, which inevitably leads to them winning all the available trophies. The derangement is strong with LFC fans.

In the reverse fixture between Spurs and Sheffield United at White Hart Lane, Sheffield were 1-0 up at full time. Spurs were given 12(!) minutes of injury time and won with 90+8 and 90+10 goals from Richarlison and Kulusevsky (sp?). Wouldn't it be nice if Sheffield got their revenge?

I would be OK with that if they didn't mention anything to do with LFC on the other channels, but sadly, that won't happen. At least it provides material for the 4-hour Summer special on the Klopps time, how his tenure was an extension of the famous Liverpool boot room and how the new manager was a childhood Liverpool fan who idolised Ian Rush. 

All PL refs are homers. Our guys have to learn that (Including Reece). 

Blimey. That's a blast from the past. 

Yes. A little worried now. 

1 minute ago, Spawton said:

To finish 5th, yeah. But 6th will be enough for Europa League provided City beat United in the FA Cup final. 

Ahh. But I want to beat Spurs.

So, we just have to win on Sunday and hope Spurs lose away to Sheff United. Now, who said I was being overly optimistic.?

Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Webster, Dunk, Igor; Gross, Gilmour; Buonanotte, Enciso, Adingra; Pedro.

Subs: Steele, Lallana, Moder, Welbeck, Barco, Baleba, Fati, Offiah, Atom.

Presumably, Atom is a small chap. [ Apparently, he is a big, German CB.]

8 hours ago, NoblyBobly said:

I am that average Chelsea fan who can watch it online. 
Im going to climb a tree near the Amex to see if I get a view 🤭
Hoping our ex Brighton players have a good game to shut up annoying seagulls fans whittering on about how we have paid for their stadium. 

If that's how much their stadium cost, it must be a bit of a dump.

According to the BBC, FIFA is considering the implications of playing some domestic fixtures overseas. There'll be a riot. Can anyone imagine what extensive travel is going to do to players' health? If I were running Chelsea, I would quickly announce that we have no interest in doing this because our fans and players deserve better.

It would be so good if United could beat Newcastle. Maybe Almiron will get a second yellow for diving, and Man United will score the only goal of the game when a Dubravka clearance bounces off Tripper's bum and nestles in the bottom corner.

It was meant as a joke. I often post things that unintentionally bamboozle people. To misquote Douglas Adams, some might say they are apocryphal or at least wildly inaccurate.

@kev61It has been said. 

Having won the U18 PL South, Chelsea Academy lost to Man Utd (1-2 at the Bridge) in the U-18 Premier League National final. It was, apparently, a close game with Josh Acheampong scoring for us and a Tyrique George effort cleared off the line.

Via VPN

Come on, City. Do us all a favour. 

I can't help but always see the title of this thread as "How would YOU ruin Chelsea FC" 

Last four in the PL2 playoffs. Spurs vs Chelsea and Reading vs Sunderland. 

If Southgate has any sense (yes, I know), he'll play the ones in form rather than the ones just back from injury.