30 Sep 2020 11:57:07
I thought last night was the worse performance since Frank became manager.
It is incongruous that we had so much possession in the 1st half but the ball hardly left our half. Kova and Jorgingo were sitting so deep that the gap between them and Mason Mount was huge as was the gap between Mount and Giroud. Mount was up against 5 midfielders and Giroud was up against 3 CBs. The only way we were ever going to score was through a Spurs defensive mistake - and so it turned out.
Jorginho only plays in a 10 sq. yard area half way between our penalty box and the half-way line; we all know why this is: if Jorginho ventures into the opposition half, his lack of pace will see him treading water on the half-way line if the opposition counter-attack. How a big club like Chelsea allows it's tactics to be dominated by the inefficiences of 1 player is ridiculous.
After standing off in the 1st half and allowing us the ball, Spurs pressed from the off in the 2nd and our defence disintegrated under the pressure. Bergwin, Kane and Regulan (twice) should all have scored before Spurs eventually did. And, once again, we were all over the place from a set-piece; Aspi is dragged inside / the ball is played wide to an unmarked player / both Timori and Zouma seem to duck under the cross / and Lamela cruises in to the edge of the 6 yard box totally unmarked.
Our defensive frailities began when Frank took over. Under Sarri, with the same players, we had one of the best defensive records in the PL - now we have one of the worst. Whichever combination of players is chosen, our defence is still all over the place. This has to be down to coaching not the players.
Also: I'm sorry but I don't think Tammy will ever be good enough for a top club; Mount looked knackered from the off which isn't surprising as it seems like Frank would rather die than have Mount miss even 1 minute of playing time; Werner took his goal well but huffed and puffed and was mostly ineffectual; CHO demonstrated once again that he is only 10% of the player that he believes himself to be.
Only 3 players are above criticism: Chilwell, because he looked only 50% fit; Mendy, who was making his debut and, although he missed several punches, at least he came for the ball; and N'Golo, whose impact was astonishing and showed that he was in a different class to every other player on the pitch including Kane.
Havertz and Werner must be having very serious private doubts about joining Chelsea.
Frank Lampard is a true Chelsea legend and we all hope that he succeeds as our manager. But, as another poster has said, if our tactics and especially our defence is not sorted by Christmas, then Frank will be in line to be sacked. And I'm sure that a certain RA will be thinking along the same lines. Frank has had over a year and, if anything, we are more in disarray now than a year ago.
OK - rant over / mike drop / leave stage left.
30 Sep 2020 12:26:03
MDW that is a fantastic post mate. Very good read and I agree.
Summary;
- Frank can't organise a defence
- Abraham not good enough ðŸ‘
- Mount needs a god damn rest
- Werner and Havertz may start questioning their decision if they are continously played out of position once we have a fully fit squad.
30 Sep 2020 12:41:55
Lost the plot much lads?
30 Sep 2020 12:41:59
Haven’t Werner and Havertz both commented positively on fact they won’t have a set position and can roam across the front three. I’m sure one of them said in first interview that they discussed that with Frank and it was a positive thing. Also Werner on the left isn’t out of position and Havertz was regularly played in Germany in different positions because of his talent. Not sure on that argument.
My view is have faith, we seem to be improving incrementally off the ball.
30 Sep 2020 12:42:53
Interesting post MDW.
Plenty of disarray at the moment but I think to a certain extent that was to be expected.
Roman has never been slow to pull the trigger but I think Lamps has until after the Champions League games to sort the issues out.
30 Sep 2020 13:09:24
I have never believed Lampard would succeed from the off.
If you look at the management team they have zero top flight experience between them.
I blame the club for appointing a novice and more so for not insisting on having one experienced coach like Steve Holland as part of the team.
30 Sep 2020 14:30:07
CFCShak; I think you are right by saying Frank Lampard’s flaw is organising his defence, but I think he deserves some time to get it right.