23 Oct 2020 01:53:09
The way Chelsea played against Sevilla clearly shows that Lampard is redoing his strategies towards covering up/ making up for the frailties in defensive midfield and central defence in the team. I think: besides that being a smart thing to do, it will toughen the players up mentally and improve the ability of the team to manage games (ie protect their score line) especially when they are ahead. So thumbs up Lampard, I think it's the smart thing to do.
In addition to the way Chelsea played against Sevilla, If Lampard can groom the team to be good on the counter attack, I am sure that the team can hold and produce good results (pending when a proper defensive midfielder and central defender is added to the squad) . The team has got good/ quick skilful player that can be deadly on the break. I think Southampton and Sevilla games would have been straight wins (not draws), if this team was good at counter attacking.
{Ed0666's Note - I agree mate Werner is the perfect Player for the counter attack. He is more productive in a counter attacking team. I think you have to play to you’re strengths.
23 Oct 2020 11:07:10
I think there may be some truth in your post Obinna. It seemed like we wanted to play on the counter.
However, I hope Lampard sticks to his vision and the philosophy he had set out rather than changing the tactics again. He will only change it again in the distant future.
I'm a firm believer that the 4231 system will work as long as we got the personnel fit and ready. IMO no formation or tactics in the world is ready for 9 individual mistakes which led to the dropped points vs WBA, Liverpool and Southampton. Atleast 5 of these mistakes are embarrassing to say the least.
4231.
23 Oct 2020 11:33:45
What’s franks style / philosophy?
23 Oct 2020 12:04:13
Shall I say his INTENDED style of play is to press high up the pitch, win the ball high up the pitch, control possession and score goals. Unfortunately we have seen it in patches to date .
23 Oct 2020 15:38:44
I wasn’t being pedantic asking that shak, but yeah there’s glimpses of what he wants I just worry we’re not seeing any of it consistently enough, we have the pace and skill that if we pressed hard and fast we could hit teams who are not in defensive shape, sort of like Leeds did v Liverpool but it’s end to end and our defence isn’t great, counter attacking is different, are we good enough to soak up pressure and hit on break, I’m not so sure, are we good enough going forward to be patient and hard to break down and rely on the quality of of players, I just think these are problems for a new manger to sort out how we set up etc, franks had 18 months albeit the C.V. and were still not sure what we want,
23 Oct 2020 17:48:13
Thats a very good post Matt, I think there are more questions than answers for Lampard atm unfortunately.
I think with Silva and Mendy we should be able to defend as a unit and attack. I'd hate to revert back to the old school counter attacking football with all 11 men behind the ball. I'm sure RA doesn't want that either.
These are problems Lampard needs to address. I think a good start tomorrow would be to play players in their correct positions.
23 Oct 2020 18:39:54
Lol his already said about ziyech not being match fit so mount will be wide,
23 Oct 2020 19:37:01
Doubtful but CHO might start.
23 Oct 2020 20:12:33
Matt Martin; Introducing or playing the kind of football we played against Sevilla (to this set of players) is the smartest thing should do at this moment of you consider the deficiencies (unstable defensive midfield and porous central defence) in the team. The players have to press high in block and defend too in block; the major question would be, how well can the team transition from defending in block quickly into attack? That's where the necessity for counter attacking comes to play.
23 Oct 2020 20:28:18
Matt for his own sake Mount should be rested. I'd hate to see start ahead of CHO should Ziyech be unfit.
23 Oct 2020 20:58:46
How many players do have in attacking positions that can press like Mason Mount?
23 Oct 2020 21:27:49
Ziyech is one player that can press very well high up the pitch but he’s not match fit according to Lampard, so I would not be surprised if Mason Mount started the game against Manchester United tomorrow unless Hudson Odoi can give Lampard something to think about in training. Hudson Odoi has the skills to be great but his work rate off the ball leaves a lot to be admired (he can’t press high which is important if you consider how unstable our defence and central defensive midfield is at the moment) . If Hudson Odoi improves his work rate off the ball by pressing more, I am sure Lampard will pick him ahead of Mason Mount.
24 Oct 2020 10:05:35
For me Mason Mount can do all the pressing he wants as an attacking winger but what matters is the final details I. e. final pass, vision, composure and the ability to take a man on etc. If his in the team for pressing capabilities then we should play Emerson there. I will never agree to Mount being a winger when clearly his best position is no.8.
I don't blame Mount for this as his doing what his been asked of and is sacrificing himself for the cause of the team. End of the day its on Lampards head and he will be judged on these decisions unless he gets results.