20 Jan 2021 11:31:07
For the last 9 / 10 games we've played 433, this hasn't worked, made worse with low confidence
Front 3 play so high up the pitch there's no link to midfield, werner was criticised for his play on the wing but pulisic is having the same problems, and statistically werners been our best winger yet a flop
Kovecic jorgingo are players who I don't know what they offer, what's there strengths, none can play killer passes or set a tempo to a game, yesterday twice in first half Hudson odoi was running from deep and werner in last 5 was between the lines and started to make a run and both times no pass came, we've seen with Leicester/ vardy it hasn't got to be a phenomenal pass but at least it will stretch and pull defence apart and give us chance to win a second ball, high up,
Crossing the ball constantly shows lack of ideas, at one point in the game James got the ball on right wing and amongst lcfc back 4 we had a line of pulisic werner Tammy ziyech, once we crossed it snd lcfc defended it we had kov and mount alone 40 yards from front line to defend a count attack,
We look built for 4231, we have kante and should build around him but we lack an enforcer, a ampadu / rice / Bakyoko even / matic / Allan whoever, someone who can protect, let kante leave his position in a two and attack players, win the ball break up and still have the protection there in a player, v lesser teams we can have gilmour or mount partner back but we need protection
Havertz - he is a quality player who's low on confidence but let's get him in his role and show the trust frank shows in mount, his taking his time on ball he still doesn't realise that no team in prem will give him time to turn and get his head up but we see glimpses of nice touches and passes but need to show a bit more
Tammy - not quick, his all round play is poor, his first touches never look in control snd in the air his weak, has he ever scored a goal we've said " that's why his starting cos giroud doesn't score them " no, has giroud scored headers or front post goals and we've said " that's what he does that Tammy doesn't ' yes, his not much better than Michy,
CB's - silva and zouma was working, some tough games results but things have gotten worse now we're changing again each week. Pick a back 4 and stick to it
Mount - has such a good engine, gives everything. Is good in the ball and pops up with a goal or two., problem with mount - it genuinely looks like his trying too hard, pressing and covering ground BUT you can't press on your own, he leaves his position and leaves kante / kovecic whoever alone, the corner that lead to the goal. He was two v one and ran towards the ball, got passed around, what did he think would happen, hold your ground until help comes, to eager, good player though can't blame him for giving it everything
Werner - play to his strengths, early passes, long balls over or wide, stretch and pull there back line, early passes like the two v Southampton, any crosses to him should be low and low to attack, not crossing it like we did when he was stood between Dias and John stones.
My view is clear that franks out his depth, Jody Morris too, players low on confidence and so are those two, but frank can go on 2 3 4 winning run but not by playing Same formation and spamming crosses in.
20 Jan 2021 12:39:53
Wonderful post Matt. Agree on all countsðŸ‘.
20 Jan 2021 12:54:56
Tip top post Matt.
The day after the match posts are so more measured and constructive and yours is multi dimensional. First class.
20 Jan 2021 13:03:48
Brilliant post.
20 Jan 2021 13:15:12
Can't argue with most of that Matt.
I will say that Mount often has to close the ball, especially with Kante out of the side. Much like Kante he needs his teammates to support that press and do so as a team, not as individuals. He needs that support, it's not a role for Havertz, doesn't come naturally and would take some serious coaching. As for Kovacic, I'm just not convinced by him for many reasons.
20 Jan 2021 14:03:50
Personally I'd play Havertz to his strengths which is the main reason the club went in for him this season. He was a player they didn't want to miss out on and the C.V. gave us the opportunity. Play around Havertz.
20 Jan 2021 14:11:00
Great post Matt. So many things we see as Chelsea fans which appear so basic. Individually motivation, Mentality, application and belief is weak, as a team the shape out of possession is awful, support for each other is sporadic and not natural to the players.
Tactically At 0-0 two balls over the top caused Leicester problems, I thot there is something there for the guys if they get one or two of them right, yet Chelsea abandoned that for the back 4 keep ball for minutes at a time allowing the opposition to get into shape. The front three were all easily dispossessed when facing up to any Leicester defender it was awful. Giving them an old fashioned foot race was the better option.
I thot Havertz should have been left on the pitch, and I thot I saw something in Werner’s movement and touch that gives me hope for him. In a years time I am not so sure that Tammy or Kova, will ever be in the first team .
20 Jan 2021 14:29:34
Basic stuff from the corner for the first with James asleep for the second but there were lots of other moments in the game that gave me cause for concern.
Hard work is the minimum we should expect from a player or the team.
20 Jan 2021 15:57:25
Brilliant post Stephen. I totally agree.
It's the basic stuff that are letting us down.