'Let’s be clear, we’re not basing our standards against Chelsea' - Bradley offers perspective after drubbing
Europa England Conference London, Phase, Uefa League 19/12/2024 League Stamford Bridge,
Stephen Bradley insisted Shamrock Rovers’ lack of regular competitive action contributed to their 5-1 drubbing by Chelsea.
This was only their fourth match since the end of the domestic season on November 1 marked and the Hoops manager was adamant it contributed to their first-half sloppiness.
Just as Markus Poom had brought the Irish side level at Stamford Bridge, an uncharacteristic blunder by Dan Cleary gifted Marc Guiu the chance to make it 2-1.
The Spaniard collected his hat-trick by the break on a sobering final match of the year for the team that stitched four titles together before being dethroned by Shelbourne on the final night.
“Look you know when you come to places like this against this level of opposition, you’ve got to be faultless in your performance,” said Bradley afterwards.
“You cannot give Chelsea the goals we gave them in the first half. You can accept moments of quality that are going to hurt you, that’s normal against this level.
“But we can’t give them goals we gave them and then compete. That’s the learning tonight. At this level, a slight mistake and you get punished.”
Rovers were already guaranteed a playoff before concluding the league phase at Chelsea and they’ll be pitted against either Molde or TSC Backa Topola in Friday’s draw.
They’ll have Christmas off before that round emerges in the same February week as their 2025 league campaign kicks off against Bohemians at Lansdowne Road.
“The spaces to play were still there tonight,” the manager said about his side getting caught by Chelsea press.
“In the first half against Rapid Vienna you could see we weren’t playing regular games and you lose that mental sharpness like seeing balls around corners. Those little bits only come with regular football.
“We were up a level against Chelsea and their press was more intense but there were spaces to play through and we just didn’t see the pictures. It was a combination of an intense press and us not playing competitive games for over a month.
“Our principles and how we play definitely won’t change.
“Let’s be clear, as a team and club, we’re not basing our standards against Chelsea.”