03 Jan 2022 08:23:03
A few things from yesterday.
I would have started Lukaku and used his stupid comments to motivate to perform in front of the fans but I also resorts and understand the approach of the club and TT.
Kovacic was outstanding along with Kante.
I thought generally Alonso (unusual for me) also had a good game.
In the first 45 mins I thought Rudiger was all over the place. He wasn't sure what to do with Salah but to be fair his performance improved in the second half.
Havertz Mount and Pusilic never stopped working and pulled the Scouser defence out of shape several times.
Dave and Silva defended as good seasoned pros always should.
Chalaboa got himself all out of shape for there opener but generally he performed well enough.
Mendy made some of his usual crucial saves.
I also thought TT bringing on Jorginho to match up the Scouser substitution was spot on.
Anyway, a most enjoyable game from two good sides.
03 Jan 2022 09:41:01
Sorry, I forgot to mention the performance of Mr Taylor.
I have read somewhere that in the last fourteen Chelsea games he has refereed we have managed a grand total of three wins.
In fact I can’t remember a Chelsea game he has been in charge of when he hasn’t had a mare.
03 Jan 2022 10:26:13
Good assessment TomB. I’m going to be more blunt. Chelsea haven’t improved in the PL under Tuchel. However, by a mile that was Chelsea’s best home performance since his arrival. It was a Great watch. The intent, speed of play honesty and endeavour to win the football match against at a cracking opponent was not only brill it was refreshing. He must drop Jorginho as his playmaker, and play the boy more tactically. When I seen Jorginho coming on at 2-2 yesterday I thot Tomas had bottled it and was looking at Arsenal, Spurs and United as opposed to City. Add the two wingbacks, bring back Gallagher and sign Rice and Chelsea will be champs of England.
03 Jan 2022 10:28:46
The refs in this country aren't up to scratch Tom. The use of VAR is getting worse. He didn't even look at the Mane incident . shouldn't matter whether it 30 50 mins or 6 secs a foul is a foul and red card is a red card. He swung at Dave. before was anywhere near them. Jamie G defends it saying its OK because it wasn't the elbow. its the intent . he was just lucky his elbow never caught his eye.
I think with the a few tweeks / signing we have a good squad.
03 Jan 2022 10:52:11
Stephen, how about this for your New Year resolution!
You create a post that has NO negative comments about Jorginho!
Also TT has improved us but I’m not a fan of a back three but I acknowledge he had little choice with our current squad.
03 Jan 2022 10:53:37
Wheely, if you go on the Liverpool site the vast majority of there fans think Mane was lucky not to walk.
03 Jan 2022 11:33:30
?……. not going to happen TomB. As Enstein stated definition of stupidity is to do the same thing over and again and expect a different outcome. Yesterday was different to me for one reason, the change of the slow Italian playmaker. Sorry to fans of Jorginho but…. He has to go.
03 Jan 2022 12:00:20
I'm not J5 biggest fan but we just don't have anyone like him that can control games when teams allow us possession. TT knows this hence why he didn't play yesterday. The notion you're giving that somehow he doesn't and that we're better off without him in general is naive.
03 Jan 2022 12:17:05
Stephen, Mr Einstein was correct but obviously that logic also applies to writing the same thing over and over again!
TT had to bring Jorginho on to match up the Klopp change when he brought on an extra midfield player.
The reason Klopp had to do this was because our two totally bossed the Scouser three.
A sensible substitution in my book.
03 Jan 2022 12:49:16
Apologies TomB. You are correct. I am becoming boring on this Jorginho thing. Let me tell you a quick story. I had a mate that played for a PL club. (over 20 years ago) A new manager arrived (very famous boss) and told my mate he didn’t fancy him, told him to get a new club and he would be “let go” no issues. He did. Actually got himself a really good move. Within one season of that move the manager who chased him out got sacked and was appointed at the club my mate had moved to! On the FIRST morning at training he called my mate into the office and told him, “still don’t fancy you…… move on”. This time my mate wasn’t so lucky spiralling down the leagues etc etc. It’s football, it’s opinions, I just don’t get the Jorgi thing at any level. Nothing personal I promise. I’ll try and make some kind of resolution in 2022 not to come on here and pan the boy when he ain’t really been involved.
03 Jan 2022 12:58:40
Hi all and Happy New Year. I’m new to posting but have have been following your threads for some time.
On
Lukaku’s exclusion, I read somewhere that TT consulted with the senior players before deciding to leave Lukaku out of the squad yesterday. Personally, I fully support TT’s decision and the way he has handled the whole thing. I’m guessing that lukaku would not apologise to the team for his actions and this lead to his exclusion. Because TT is professional and keeps discussions behind closed doors (unlike lukaku) we’ll never know the full detail behind his decision.
I think TT has managed to create a real togetherness amongst the players, which is not easy to do. He simply cannot let lukaku cause division amongst the squad through his declared self importance.
Unless he is willing to apologise to the team for his misconduct then he should go, end of.
I was at the game last night (as most home games) and I thought the team were exceptional last night with their work rate, desire and fight, especially mount, kova and Kante who were the engines of the team.
Personally, I think havertz did really well on the false 9 in the first half, especially considering it was his first game back. What he lacks in strength compared to lukaku he excels in first touch and movement. If lukaku had of started this game, he would have slowed our attacks. I do think however, having him available as a super sub at the end of the game could have got us the win. But including him probably would not have achieved the togetherness displayed last night by all players.
I am of the opinion that TT most definitely has improved this team and is getting out of them the best that can be expected. Until we get a Rice or similar as CDM, we will simply leak goals if we go to a back four.
I agree the introduction of J5 was a class tactical change from TT, whose introduction countered Liverpool’s changes and helped pulisic who I thought was struggling to cope as rwb with the pace down Liverpool’s left side.
Despite his efforts and goal in attack, I thought pulisic again looked out if his depth, especially before his goal in the first half. For me, despite his great technical ability on the ball, he seems to lack both the physical and mental strength needed in the prem. I recall in both of Liverpool’s goats, pulisic losing the ball which started their counter moves, and he almost gave them a third goal before half time. I think replacing him and Zyech who I think has similar deficiencies (and possibly cho if he fails to step up) in the future would improve us. Of course as would LB, CB and CDM.
All in all, we have a decent but not perfect squad that TT has inherited. I think he has managed to get the best from the players we have, and considering the injuries and C.V. cases we have had to deal with, keeping second is a pretty good achievement. With the two comeback goals could sense the change last night in the players and fans. This could be the kick start we need fir the second half if the season.
Come on you blues!
03 Jan 2022 13:19:00
Stephen, you certainly have no need to apologise and your opinion on Jorginho was noted a long time ago. It’s a bit like my opinion on Alonso and Rudiger but when they have played well I try to acknowledge it but my generally biased view rarely changes.
03 Jan 2022 13:22:00
I agree with the sentiment and general conclusion of your post TruBlu.
03 Jan 2022 16:30:43
Good post Trublu. Totally agree. Declan is a must for this group. Get him and Chelsea are right in the hunt. Don’t agree with you on Rom ( or the change in midfield, but I’ve been banging on about that so I’ll leave it…) For me TT should have played Rom and dealt with it in the coming days. (Think Kane at Spurs for a second. Chelsea are £100m into this) Re the senior players. I am trying to put myself in the dressing room at SB and Cobham. Silva, Azpi and possibly N’golo are the only seniors at Chelsea that trump Rom. Never judge a book by its cover but Azpi as captain didn’t deal with the Kepa thing a few years back very well, not sure he is political or confrontational by nature. (in fact JT was in the TV studio saying he would have got the boy off the pitch ? ) . Tiago and N’Golo I honestly don’t think would be up or down. Can’t be asking Rudiger because he is offski ( just hasn’t said it) . Although in fairness I do think Rudiger and Jorginho would back Tuchel.
TomB, re Alonso? agreed he is hellish ?. I am not Tony’s biggest fan either funnily enough, but he has been excellent. however I think he is playing for that big move so he has to be in tip top form from now till end of season. Here is hoping he can lift another trophy while he is strutting his stuff.
03 Jan 2022 16:49:11
Maybe Rudiger will be picking up a La Liga or Bundasliga title at the end of the season.
03 Jan 2022 17:05:33
I have just rewatched the second half of the game on sky sports and have to say perhaps my words agains pulisic in my earlier post were a little harsh. You do get a very different perspective on tv. We were sitting in the east stand right next to away fans, so hadn’t quite appreciated how good his attacking was in the final third. Notwithstanding, still stand by what I said of his first half performance as he was right in front of us for that.
03 Jan 2022 15:38:04
Good post Tru Blu.
03 Jan 2022 18:49:47
Enjoyable discussion lads.
We have different opinions but I think the only thing all of us agree on is that we need a change in order to win the league again.
I agree with Stephen that we need a different floor general in the middle of the pitch and I also agree that we need a few tweaks in our tactics and general approach.
I think TT sees this clearly and I hope next season would be much more different.
03 Jan 2022 18:59:23
Ashk, true we won’t win the title but let’s not give up on this season yet- you never know.
03 Jan 2022 20:17:10
I agree Tom he should of gone.
04 Jan 2022 03:22:41
I agree Jimbo, you never know. City could truly throw the title away if they go through the same injury crisis that we had, but with Chilwell and James gone for a long period, I think our chances are not looking great.
I would love to win the FA Cup this year and have another great run in the CL.