27 Dec 2019 08:47:45
I didn't get to see the game yesterday, as I was together with my family. Seems like I didn't miss anything.
I feel like the day after the game is the best time to ask this - were we really as bad, as some of the comments here would have me think?
Also, how do you think we can possibly change this negative curve? I spoke with my uncle, he thought buying a real bully of a target man would be wise, as we seem to struggle against teams that play very defensively.
I don't really know myself. A part of me says we shouldn't buy top class players, as it could perhaps hinder some of our young player's progression. Another part of me says that top class players are very much needed, and that bringing in players that will be more likely to secure top 4 is more important than giving our young players an extra chance.
Thinks that I HAVE noticed is that I don't think Tammy gets enough to work with in many of our games. Perhaps a player like Isco could change that? I also must admit that while Jorginho was amazing at the start of the season, I too think that he has fallen off drastically. He also had very bad spells last season. Perhaps we need to consider selling and buying a young player? Perhaps Sander Berge? (although I have never seen him play, and don't know if he's the same role - I just think Ed01 maybe mentioned him as a player with a bright future once? )
Hopefully we get better in the near future! - Merry Christmas.
27 Dec 2019 09:22:49
You didn’t miss anything that was worth leaving your family for EmilSC.
Since the international break we have at best been average. IMO, this is what happens with young players, they have hot and cold streaks. Let’s hope we start hitting some form soon.
27 Dec 2019 15:42:32
Unfortunately, it was our poorest performance yet under Frank Lampard. Usually, fixtures on boxing day are challenging due to one reason or another and yesterday was no different.
The game followed the same footprints of the losses we have had to West Ham, Everton and Bournemouth. We conceded first and then the game became all rushed and disorganised - Felt like somenody pressed the panic button.
I suppose this is expected of young players who will learn from these experiences. You need cool, calm collected individuals when you are coming from behind and that is not what we had on the pitch yesterday.
In terms of what needs to be done, in my opinion we should go with a midfield trio of Jorginho, Kovacic and Kante. That is the best we have from a creativity prospective. It's not stella but the best we can afford. We need the link up play between Kova and Jorginho like we had at the start of the season to break down defensive blocks. Kante isn't technically gifted like his peers and like Mount has a good engine and can create space etc but it leaves us further deprived of creativity in the midfield. I would rather Kante over Mount in a midfield 3. Obviously, as many of you would point out Jorginho can be a liability when defending and his recent dip in form doesn't help.
Pulisic, Willian and Abraham are no brainers unfortunately given that there is no other competition in my opinion. CHO will come good, he needs time. I've heard his asked for reassurance from team mates due to the level of abuse he has received from some Chelsea fans.
That is quite disappointing given that his come back from a massive injury and is 19. Even I had pop at him and said could he be all hype? But intake that back and will give him time.
But definitely need a creative midfielder, winger and a striker If we can in January.
{Ed047's Note - why do you talk about Kante as though he’s not the 1st name on the team sheet.
It should be whose lucky enough to play with him and Jorginho ought to feel lucky he plays at all.
27 Dec 2019 16:02:37
For me, no one deserves to be the first name in the team sheet right now because the players have been poor collectively for the the past 7 games or so. Yesterday everyone was poor.
Yes Kante is our only world class player and I suggested a midfield trio of Jorginho, Kovacic and Kante.
Recently, Jorginho hasn't played many games and that is probably justified (poor form) but we haven't won many either so removing him hasn't solved the problem. So my suggestion is playing the trio and see if it works because from a creativity perspective it's probably the best we got. The pivot of Kova and Jorginho worked brilliantly at the start in breaking teams down. Its become a massive issue now.
27 Dec 2019 19:14:08
I was at the match yesterday and Jorginho was one of the better players. Mind you the bar wasn’t set very high.
27 Dec 2019 21:00:31
I actually think kanye has been quite poor since returning from injury (bar his performance vs tottenham) . His first touch has let him down a lot, and his decision making in finding a pass has been too slow.
It makes me wonder if he's actually back to full fitness yet, as we all know he's easily one of, if not the best midfielder in world football on his day.
27 Dec 2019 21:50:05
Well, I have been sitting at times, almost screaming out of pure enjoyment from some of the things Kante has been involved with this season. Guess that just shows how football can be viewed differently!