They were in a different class and we were very lucky not to get thumped.
"If's" are all well and good but when you can't simply pass the ball, you're in trouble.
Chelsea dictated the game from the kick-off. We sat back (god knows why?) and it was inevitable that they would score.
C'mon Dave, yeah I've seen worse performances but we've gotta get the basics right. We have a depleted squad so the only way to have any chance against the top sides is to to play fast to feet. We couldn't/wouldn't do it. It was like Boro all over again for me. I wanted to switch off at half-time cos I knew what was coming, truly
It wasn't a good penalty either, Nobes run up telegraphed to the whole of London which way it was going and Cech being 9ft tall was always gonna get there.
I remember talking to Begs at the Boro game and whenever we sit back or play it slowly and invite teams to hit us, we get punished. Why the fuck would you play like that against Chelsea. For once they had a depleted squad (kind of) and if we had hit 'em hard and fast we would have had a chance. Really disappointed.
Positives are that Dyer looks hungry and wants to play, Neill is playing well again, LBM is playing like a man possessed.
Negatives - Noble (forget the pen) he can't hold the ball or pass it. He's our dead ball man and he's shite at that too. I've really had enough of him.

Chelsea game aside Noble has been in good form. He was asked to play defensive against Chelsea and revels in an attacking role alongside Parker, Behrami etc. You might see a better side of him alongside Kovac. He played very well against Villa in the previous game and scored against Blackburn to gain us a point.

I agree Dave, I was frustrated by him cos I thought he had returned to earlier in the season where he was pretty dire.
Maybe the weight of having most of the midfield out got to him against Chelski cos that was the old Nobes out there on Satdee.
Running around a lot but just endlessly giving the ball away, mind you the whole team did that pretty much.
Apart from the back four, it's amazing how light weight we look as a team right now, glad it's the end of the season to be honest. Feel like we're just about hanging on. Europe could be a dual edged sword with the amount of extra games we'd have to play but of course I'd love us to get there. One thing I will say is that Lucas Neill is really stepping up as is LBM, both dirty little shites but fun to watch