Blue Armour

Reece James and Mason Mount take a bow....James was imperious in defense today., total unfazed Well done to Giroud for repaying the faith with a brilliant goal. His experience helped him time his run perfectly for James' cross Hope Ziyech's condition is not worrisome, but glad Pulisic came back to the fold with a well deserved goal The team is slowly developing an attitude for becoming relentless. Exciting.

Agree with you., but I'm expecting to see Tammy up top again. Lampard's post game comments about Pulisic tell me that he is likely to going to ease him back into the team slowly. Hopefully Tammy's pace will help with our counter attacks. Werner and him combined beautifully once this season.

I think the chances we created today are decent enough, considering the type of opposition we played today. You won't create too many against teams like these. Especially when in the second half they sit back, thus eliminating our chances to counter. In those instance you want your attackers to make the most of the half chances they get. Giroud in the center could have helped in the 2nd half. If we had Pulisic fully fit and starting, that might have also helped unlock their defense, but he didn't have enough time to make an impact today.

Its only because they're top of the table currently. Fucking annoying, but I'm already starting to forget about this game. We have more interesting games ahead of us.

Yeah, the script was already set. You can already see in the match reports how they are saying they got the result to move to top of the table. Thank goodness, they couldn't win though. It would have made those reports even more nauseating.

I'm curious about the Spurs-Arsenal match. Two sides that like to park the bus. Only problem is one side is slightly more stupid.

Regardless of the result, I'm hugely impressed with the defensive side of our game. Looking at how we've improved from last season. Kept the golden children of Kane and Son on a leash, unable to create anything of note.. Kante, Mount and Kovacic were SUPERB! Same goes for our back 4 and Mendy

Seesshh....Spurs were awful in that second half, just sitting back like a boring West Ham side. I know Frank kept Tammy on to press the opposition and attack on the counter, but the way Spurs were sitting back for the majority of 45-70 minute of the game, we could have had Giroud on sooner, especially at the end of the crosses from James. Disappointed at the lack of 3 points,..it would have been a well deserved advantage at this stage of the season, but good that we prevented from Spurs getting further ahead. I would have smashed my screen if Zouma's mistake had led to a goal in the end. Referee was a freaking dumbass.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts, Kante and 1 of the CB's will have to keep a leash on Kane, while the rest of the back four keeps an eye out for their runners.

Hmm...26th, and then a game again on the 28th? I remember it being always crazy this time of year, but having just a 1 day gap between games? Seems a bit much.

Around the same time last year, we were in poor form, especially at the back and I hoped we would revert to a back 5 formation against Spurs. Thankfully Lampard did just that. This time though, I think we should just give up the pretense and attack with our 4-3-3. Changing to a 3 atb will not help, as Mourinho will expect and plan for it this time around. We've used that same formation in the last 3 games against him. Of course, City also used a 4-3-3 and failed, but this is where I hope we learn from their mistakes and be smarter with our play. As is customary of late, Mourinho is likely to play with a mid block, congesting the midfield., have Kane drop deep and have runners like Son & Bale primed to latch onto long passes coming from a counter attack. This is where players like Mount, and especially Ngolo Kante will have to work extra hard. A lot depends on Kante and one of the CB's restricting Kane's game, while the rest of the defense keeps their eye on the runners like Son,Bale & Lo Celso. Our full backs will also have to be extra careful when pushing up. In no instance should we have both fullbacks up the pitch simultaneously, especially if we lose possession. Meanwhile our CAM's and forwards will have to be incredibly efficient trying to navigate around their tight midfield. I think Kovacic is probably a better option than Havertz this time around, considering the latter is only getting back into playing fitness. Good to have Pulisic returning as well. The one thing I hope we take advantage of is their back line., which despite their record in the league, doesn't scream impressive. Alderweireld is also out, which leaves Eric Dier again at the back. Come on.

Said this before, and I think a lot of us will agree that we need to do everything we can to hold on to Giroud this season. Pulling us out of the fire on numerous occasions. I just hope we can give him the playing time he wants.

According to Carragher, he's the best British coach in the game

Dont mind if we end up doing it ourselves., as I recall they were the ones that ruined ours.

Played well today, came on as a sub when Everton were leading 3-1 and almost dragged Fulham back into the game. Won the penalty which Fulham couldn't convert, and then later nabbed a goal for himself. Wish he went on loan to a slightly better side, but at least this way he is guaranteed to get game time. The 4-3-3 formation we play now, is actually well suited to his strengths. Still like to think there is a place for him when he returns.

Time to rotate. Giroud, Azpi., CHO in. Maybe give Kai also a chance to regain match sharpness? Just need to do enough to secure qualification.

Tammy for sure deserves to start in the league on current form. But I hope Frank starts Giroud in some of the midweek games, especially in the one coming up again Rennes. You need keep squad members match fit and performance sharp, because you never know when you will need them.

No Frank, we do not release DVD's for being top of the table for a few minutes. There are other clubs in London that love to do that.

Tougher fixtures ahead no doubt, but after that Southampton draw the fans had laid down the gauntlet to Frank and his team, and they have delivered. 100% record in the matches that followed, with the best GD in the league, best attack & defense, despite a few banana skins en route. Possibly the best run that could be put together in preparation for the matches ahead.

So who do you think will partner Zouma as CB? I would like to see Tomori, but its most likely going to be Christensen or Rudiger.

Mount will be fine. On the plus side he's probably our fittest player who doesn't seem to have an injury proneness and the playing regularly and scoring for England will no doubt increase his confidence which will be good for us. When it comes to that aspect, he really is Lampard's "son"

Just for my understanding, why does Silva get pulled out of league games immediately following international break? Is it because of fitness/training concerns, or a covid related precaution?

I have a feeling we will drop the 3atb strategy against Spurs this time around. In fact, I thought we would have abandoned it (but didnt) when we played them in the league cup. Mourinho seems to expect it these days, and he countered by playing 3atb himself during the league cup. If our best back 4 is fully fit, I don't see a need to revert to a 3atb formation

Azpilicueta says no. Would sacrifice some attacking guile down the left in favor of defensive solidity. We have James and Ziyech on the other flank. Hope Lampard agrees. And hope Pulisic is also fit by some miracle

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8931393/Mourinho-names-time-XI-players-worked-EIGHT-former-Chelsea-stars-in.html Jose Mourinho names his all-time XI of players he has worked with - as EIGHT of his former Chelsea stars make the cut