In many ways, Chelsea should have lost last night’s game by more than one goal. For lack of a better term, the class divide between a team that has averaged less than a point per game in its last nine league games and one that threatens to clinch the Premier League title is often too stark. It’s been a boys versus boys game at times, literally, with Arsenal going all out while Chelsea have three of our absolute best players out (Cole Palmer, Reece James unfit; Moises Caicedo suspended) while others are dealing with illness. It’s a small miracle that we’re still tied and the second leg is three weeks away.
However, two of the three goals we conceded were the direct result of rare schoolboy errors. Roberto Sanchez may have many flaws, but handling crosses is one of his greatest strengths. It’s unlikely that he would have another game in his career in which he was able to deliver two penalties, first with a full slap in the corner and then with a simple low pass going through his hands. He made up for one of those mistakes with a ridiculous save to prevent the game from getting out of control, but it’s hard to overcome such catastrophic mistakes against a quality opponent.
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Of course, Liam Roneyall isn’t really interested in making excuses or pointing fingers afterwards. Responsibility is collective, responsibility is first and foremost his own, and the focus is, as always, on the positive.
“The first goal was disappointing. It was a team goal. It wasn’t just Rob’s goal.
“I asked Rob to do something that he hadn’t done before. I said it to him before the game and I made it very clear that when my players make mistakes, I take responsibility. That’s my responsibility. He made an absolutely world-class save in the second half. It would have taken us out of a draw. His understanding will improve. He’s had a very good season. There were very, very good moments with him. I will stay positive with him, as I did with him. My job is to help them, not blame them. [and] There were a lot of positives to Rob’s performance today.
“You’ll know I’m going to protect my players. I ask him to do something. If he makes a mistake, do what I ask him to do, that’s my responsibility. I have a lot of confidence that in the long run we’re going to improve as a team with the message we send him in all our games.”
I don’t think dealing with the cross has anything to do with any personal directives, but then again, I don’t practice the kind of toxic positivity that Ronnie Orr preaches. I would have been a really bad, really old school head coach.
That said, we’ve certainly seen some things to be happy with in his short time here, and if he can imprint his personality and attitude on the team, we could end up with some good things coming out of it.
“Of course I’m never happy about losing a football match, but I saw the energy of determination and intensity.
“[…] I want us to be known as a team that never gives up, that runs, that fights, that presses. I thought we pressed really well in the first half but unfortunately we conceded the ball from a set piece. This is where we need to improve.
“[…] I’m proud of the players for their bravery in trying to implement some of the aspects I asked of them. We played two games in six days. I’m not asking for time because I think the team is good enough now to win. But I also need to leave my mark on the team. Otherwise there would be no point in me coming here. So it’s a good balance and hopefully fans can see the team’s progress. But we need to win at the same time.
“[…] The players have been fantastic with me and the message they convey. I’m making some small adjustments. My style is very similar to my previous coach. But you always have to have your own way of playing and your own ideas. They are working hard to put it into practice. The biggest problem for us was we had a lot of illnesses and injuries and we were playing against a really, really good team.
“[…] I hope we keep the pace high. I want us to be the front foot. I hope we can control and dominate the game. We created chances in transition, but today we also created chances in build-up and possession moments, which was really pleasing. We faced a very good defensive team. I was inspired by a lot of things I saw today. I’m not happy to lose any games, but as far as Saturday’s game is concerned, I can show a lot to the players so that they can continue to improve. “
-Liam Ronoit; Source: London Football News
Saturday’s first Premier League game is against an in-form Brentford side. Things aren’t going to get easier, so we have to get better.