Hallowe'en Horror In Rome

Well that was one scary performance from the English champions, as befitting Hallowe'en. Okay it wasn't quite as crushing as a six-nil drubbing at Rotherham on this very date in 1981, but it was embarrassing nevertheless. Nobody in the team emerged well after this debacle. At one end the team couldn't defend properly, and at the other end the team couldn't convert any chances. In midfield the team was overrun. To rub it all in, the other English clubs had a party in their matches, scoring goals and helping themselves to morale-boosting wins. Chelsea by contrast can't seem to string two good seasons together, so their fans will have to brace themselves for a year of under-achievement. Maybe the team just might push the boat out and win the League Cup and scrape a fourth place in the Premier League. However, on the evidence of tonight's fiasco, even that seems a bit optimistic.

Of course Chelsea will raise their game for the visit of Manchester United, but any attempt to throw the kitchen sink at a solid ManUre defence may just play into Mourinho's hands. The Mancs are nothing if not resilient this season. Maybe we should take a leaf out of their boring book and park a bus or two. To go hammer and tongs after them sounds wonderful, but what happens when Bakayoko gives the ball away yet again and our moves break down. The away team just might fill their boots, like Roma did.

Even more ludicrous will be the calls to buy El Showaddaywaddy and Edin Dzeko in the January transfer window. Sorry Chelsea fans, but you can't keep throwing money at your problems. We did after all have all summer to find some stellar new acquisitions. It's time now for the manager to soldier on with the twenty or so internationals he has at his disposal. In other words let's see him 'manage'. 

AS Roma 3 CHELSEA 0; half time: 2-0

CHELSEA: Courtois; Cahill; Azpilicueta; Alonso; Luiz; Rudiger; Pedro; Bakayoko; Morata; Fabregas; Hazard. Used substitutes: Willian; Drinkwater; Batshuayi

CHELSEA leading scorers:

Batshuayi seven

Morata seven

Hazard three

Pedro three

Alonso two

Azpilicueta two

Bakayoko two