Another game lost then and another piece of silverware out of reach for another season. Much like the last game there was a sense that we were unfortunate to walk away the losing side but we didn't do as much this game to justify claims to a victory.
Things were always going to be tricky against a Chelsea "reserve" side who would probably still be capable of challenging for the league title. And they do have a notoriously strong defence (Chelsea are the new Arsenal in more ways than one?). Having reverted to an at least more sensible team selection with Robert restored to the left and Bellamy, while still not where he should be, at least in a more natural right sided role, with Jenas back to the centre. The defensive line showed changes, Bernard still at left back but O'Brien shoved over to right back for Bramble to reappear in the centre alongside the ageing but capable Johnsen. While Bernard gave what is expected (good attacking options with defence that may be struggling at times but has improved), O'Brien continued on from the last game to show why he vanished from the first team for so long in the first place. Within the opening breaths he played a woeful backpass which almost allowed Chelsea to take the game away before it had begun. When Robben began running to score the second goal, O'Brien may as well not have been there too. The central two did give some hope. Apart from about two dodgy moments---one of which he recovered well himself---Bramble actually looked commanding and once again demonstrated that if nothing else he has the ability to pick out a long ball downfield. Johnsen showed his class and looked assured; if only he were ten years younger. One or both of the central pairing may now well find themselves with a starting roll come Sunday's game.
in a continuation of the very worrying recent trend we played a lot of football around about the attacking last third without really looking like we could produce a sharp enough blade to cut in. Robert was the main threat, and is doing everything he can to impress the manager enough for a regular starting place, but his final ball was lacking. Kluivert strolled through the game in more ways than one. While his technical skills were again a cut above, and at times you felt his bemusement that none of his team mates were able to control a football like that, he did stroll with very little driving energy. And while he might be praised for his control and ability the final product hasn't really come. Talking along those lines it can't be going without notice that there will be no point talking captain fantastic into another season if the return continues to dwindle as alarmingly as it is (and yes, supply is an issue here). Which leaves the third striker, Bellamy. At least, unlike a certain sub we won't mention, when asked to play out of position he is as willing and buzzing as he can be. But Bellamy is not a winger. If Shearer is lacking goals it is partly due to the fact Robert isn't playing enough on the left and Bellamy isn't able to supply from the right. The time must surely be here to either be foolishly bold and play with a true three up front or, more realistically, pick two from three (and I have a suspicion that Kluivert + Bellamy may be the correct answer to that, but Shearer + another seems much more likely and acceptable). Round pegs in square holes is not doing us any favours.
Having huffed and puffed and distinctly failed to blow Chelsea's house down we reached full time 0-0. Having seen Souness go mad chasing the last game one wonders if that wasn't on his mind as he seemed reluctant to add anything new to the mix. In the last quarter of an hour of normal time we were really pressing and it felt we just needed something a bit different. Maybe getting Dyer to play right then and putting Bellamy in the middle may have been that thing. Ah well.
The confusing thing about Chelsea's selection is that Gudjohnson didn't start, given his seeming inability not to score against us. With just that little too much space (maybe partly due to tired legs) on the edge of the box he hit a low drive that beat new father Given to his right. That was that. Even with just one it was felt game Chelsea. Having failed to break them down in 100 minutes when they were still compelled to look forward there was no chance of getting through a truly defensive Chelsea side in the last 20. There remained just time for man of the moment Robben to run past first O'Brien then Bramble without a challenge and slot in the goal to make it certain.
So, were we unlucky, did we just have a bad day, is it just Chelsea are so good? Well, a bit of all of those but something more. It's just not firing rightly. Just needs a tweak here and there. We hope. Partly it must be mental and a victory would do us some good. Unfortunately the fixture list is never kind and it's a struggling Man U, in search of something to get there own season back on track, up next. The league game after against Palace we really would hope to take the three points from but if we don't perform on Sunday then we could well be closer to the easier opponents than the red half of Manchester. And there's the small matter of a european game after that of course. Honeymoon over. Time to head back to work and see if we really can get along living with each other in harmony.
(@13:11)
