laura90

RDM knew how to defend with right players while playing defensive football. He won trophies playing like that. He didn't know how to defend properly while playing attacking football. That is what got him sacked, and us out of CL group. In that, he was similar to AVB, shaky, clumsy, sloppy, desorganized defence combined with attractive and attacking football. Against solid teams , we often looked out of shape. Talented individuals chasing shadows without plan and organization. Against Juventus he tried to play defensive, looking for remi, but didn't manage to do it with current crop of players. It was different during last CL, there even Drogba played RB as often as a striker. But that's Drogba - one of the kind. I don’t agree with people who claim that he would take us to the top four next season for sure. He wouldn't imo. Even if he got a striker . He would just last longer and would have been treated better, but he was not, from the very beginig, right man to take this club forward. Robbie was treated unfair, I agree. But that’s because he didn’t have a striker and CM at his disposal. He was in bad place from the day one. But with his lack of experience, it took natural born menagement skills and tactical nouse to lead the group of young, talented players to play effectively football different from the one he won CL with. To take and lead the new team of players where the most important ones haven’t played together, through Premier League without dropping out of CL. Experience matters. Because, if you are not born talent, that is the only way to gain knowledge. I realized that RDM is not born talent after the way he handled big games and our defence. Without experience, he is the coach with amazing potential who is still learning. I wish him all luck and success in the world. But can we afford: owner who is still learning players who are still learning manager who is still learning all at the same time? I can see why RDM, Chelsea legend, was fired. Benitez is appointed to make CL spot, that's it. I guess, he has some experience. He also had time to look back and realize what he he was doing wrong in his career. I personaly believe we will play Europa League this season and the next one. In that case, RDM firing could turn to be a mistake. I don’t criticize Roman because he is bad owner who hurt my pride. Just because, with all the money he spent, he shouldn’t face problems he is about to face. How important managerial longevity really is, we shall see after core of Terry, Lampard, Cole, Essien and Drogba is completely gone. Just my opinion.

Didn't manage to watch the game so I've just seen the replay. This has been going through my head while watching it. 1. Really hope Benitez finds the right balance between defence and attack asap. Like tomorrow. 2. City players easily outmuscled our players in a 50-50 context. City are like the Chelsea of old. Remember how we used to bully and outmuscle other teams and had the steel and power. Certain Essien was like their Yaya Toure. Now all we seem to have are short, lightweight players who sometimes can't win the ball and just fall. 3. If we have to play with these short technical players how can we do it with the pivot we currently have? We need technically sound players in the pivot who can keep possesion under pressure and pick out the right passes. We don't nee both, the energy of Ramires and slow and short passing from Mikel in the pivot . The problem with Mikel is that he has very little long, diagonal forward passing ability. Ramirez is not famous for his passing abilities either. Our pivot can't find front three with quick one touch passes or defense splitting passes and that slows down our attack. We can't get at teams while they are out of shape. Until we get a better quality passer or two in the pivot we might be ,not so likeable, old Chelsea who take a year to get to the opposition's 18 yard box, despite our maestros On the other side, how easily Man City, (Shaktar, Juventus etc.) were able to get close to our 18 yard box like whenever they wanted to. Better pivot is as vital as new striker in January, if we want good results against stronger teams, and if we don't hope for wins like against Spurs and Arsenal where their players were scoring for us. Striker and quality CM pretty please.

Well, since we got all those new people around Torres in order to get his speed, acceleration, instict, motivation and scoring boots back, the next logical step is to get Xavi Alonso or Xavi Alonso type of midfielder. I mean, everybody knows he needs that kind of playmaker in the team, final step to get the old Torres back. (Besides, our attacking trio could use one, just to get more space without having to drop deep in order to get the ball .) I agree, we have insisted with Torres way too much this season. I still don't understand why we didn't get new striker back in the summer. I'm confused just like everybody else. Nevermind, experiment failed and we are about to pay the price. Think we are going to watch replay next spring? No, No, No, No and No. For God sake, nobody is so hopeful and naive to lose even more than this. This will end in January. We are getting new striker regardless of Benitez appointment. And that striker will play. I can't be sure if Torres is leaving, but he will be benched. (How do you know that Benitez' task isn't to 'revive' Torres before we get new striker, in order to get us some decent deal for him? Or interested party?) People who run this club have made many mistakes as well as success, but they are not idiots who will continue to lose games and money with this tragedy.

This is becoming a joke now. He is not past it striker , he is an evil agent who put a spell on our owner in order to have his full support to destroy our club. Lets blame it all on Torres. We let Drogba go because of him. Not because we refused to give him contract longer than one year. AVB was sacked because of him. Not because AVB lost the dressing room and almost every player hated him. RDM was sacked because of him. Not because he was never Roman's first choice, and Roman was looking for the first chance to fire him. And Yeah, we want Benitez because we think he can get Torres firing again. Not because Pep or whoever we want is not available at this moment. After all, before we signed him we had been known for our managerial stability, smart board decisions and total support of our managers in charge, regardless of how successful they had been. Who bought Shevchenko when Mourinho wanted other players? That led to the sacking of Mourinho. If he had let Mourinho lead this team and bring his own players , we would have played that attractive football eventually, like Real today. Who released the players Ancelotti wanted to keep in the summer? If that had not be the case, maybe we wouldn't have been so out of depth in the squad and maybe injuries wouldn't hurt us that much and we wouldn't have had to buy Torres, but waited till the summer to make better decisions. Who signed Torres anyway when we actually needed playmaker instead? Ancelotti? He told you himself? We hadn't listen him in summer, we hadn't got him replacements, but we did listen to him in January after bad run. Makes sense. Nevertheless, we have had this poor underperforming employee for 2 years and after countless amount of times of having the chance to hire replacements for the underperforming employee, we don't. At this point, I can't blame the employee for the company's poor performance and I blame the owner and board for not replacing underperforming employee, or letting the managers, especially the last one, to do so. Here is the catch. Owner have known that employee is not good enough for 18 months, but despite that he decided to stick with him and not hire anyone else just to prove his point, risking results, manager and new signings in the process. And that is what should worry you all, not the striker whose best days are far behind him.

This man is just so uninspiring. He makes Avram Grant look like an inspiring Greek god.

Entering season without proper striker was kinda Europaleguesque. Putting all eggs in Torres' black hole was suicidal. That even tops paying 50 mil for mentioned. The other positions we lack quality are CMs. Ramires and Mikel together are not good enough for offensive football in continental Europe. Juve and Shakthar have dominated them. They've offered no goal threats; no passing outlet and very little passing ability . I was scared as soon as the draw was made because both teams are stable - play to a system that has proven to be effective against us - pace in midfield and quality finishing. Mikel made very little interceptions against teams like Juventus, Shaktar, Athletico madrid, he cannot keep up with the midfielders. Ramires had to do it single handedly, and his pace helped. Mikel is useful when we sit back as well against slower teams with little pace. Fernandinho in Shakhtar and Vidal in Juventus. Both hurt us. We could use a player of that ilk. And unfortunately, it's when the chips are down, that you see the real measure of the man. But having no striker didn't help .

WoW! I felt sincerely sad and worried due to our lack of a striker who could score from chances our attacking trio created week in week out. But browsing trough this thread made me realize we have world class striker in our hands, actually we have had him for more than a year, but our coaches were unbelievable blind to see that, so they insisted to play him as a winger or not to play him at all. I will never understand why. Was it really because of Torres all along? I remember seeing Torres on the bench quite often last season but that hasn't provided Sturridge striker role he craves for . Seriously why? If he has shown glimpses of world class striker in training sessions how come he wasn't given a chance to be lone striker, at least after 60 minutes onwards? I am well aware of the fact that AVB and RDM aren't world beaters in the coaching department but to overlook genuine, skilfull, fast, tricky finisher while chronically lacking any finisher at all is a serious mistake. Nevertheless, I am left only to hope that Sturridge will be as good striker as people here make him to be . He will get his chance I'm sure of it. Danny must not start next 5 games. He must start, as a lone striker, every single game untill January. Anything less is unacceptable. As well as not buying a striker in January.

Is he the only proven finisher we still have? He is also the best tempo midfielder in our team and he does do some work defensively. I think we need him but not as DM, in advanced role. I know very well he is not attacking midfielder he used to be, but I would feel more comfortable through december with him up front and Terry in defence and Sturridge as a striker in 4 3 3 formation. At least untill striker comes in. And our attacking mids will be much more efective with quality deep lying midfielder behind them but with some luck we will have KDB or Josh playing there.

We can blame RDM as much as we want but the sad state of affairs is that he is the only top club manager who DOES NOT have a striker on his disposal. Or a strange mix of winger- striker who can't have game without at least one goal a la Messi or Ronaldo. And before you start about Sturridge, he was a winger when he was scoring for fun at Chelsea . A speedy,skilled and tricky WINGER who had little difficulties to outplay one full back he usually was against and make space for himself to score or to make an assist. And he was quite succesfull until he thought he is the lone striker with exclusive right to shoot . At Bolton he was second striker in midtable team, if I'm not mistaken, which means less pressure, less defenders against and more space than Drogba had as a lone striker at Chelsea. How many games of Danny as a lone striker we have seen? To claim that RDM is so wrong for not playing him there? As a lone striker, you have to make off the run and create space for yourself with 2 center backs breathing on you and make the right move and remain efficient and accurate in a very small space. That requires innate sense and intelligence only world class strikers have. We will see if Danny have those, but anyway, if we don't bring a decent striker on 1. January we're doomed. And Torres. Lost case. Nothing to add. This club somehow had to/believed in him and we're paying the price. Second time around. On the other note, David Luiz needs to make Torres company on the bench.

Well there you have Sturridge. Could have been perfect assist to Mata, but instead he shoots. Give him 10 starts and 8 goals and you will see nothing but endless shooting even when pass is thousand times better option. We have no striker but I would still like him to start every single game untill January. We have no striker and that is sad.

I said no due to the lack of experience, but I wish I could judge him once he had a decent striker like City's or United's third choice.

Neither are Man City.

There are few misleading facts about RDM's time here. - His poor form in the League last year. It could be due to his incompetence to maintain on high level or simple fact that he gave up on the League and put all eggs in Champion League and FA cup basket. In first case he is mediocre manager; in second he is tactical genius. - Champions League and FA Cup. Winning those trophies with that squad is stroke of the genius. No doubt about that. However, ability to remain around top and to justify all high expectations success brings makes great manager. Trophies won in one season don't make great manager. Continuity does. Not continuity in winning trophies very next year. Continuity in winning in tough and easier matches and ability to do that by getting the best out of squad manager has. Ability to make change when things aren't working well and learning from mistakes in the process. Great achievements - yes. Great manager - not yet. - We are on the top of the League. Misleading. Yes we are, but after four fixtures against relatively easy teams, we were favourites against. It takes much more time and games for this fact to have meaning. It's not that I think RDM is not good enough anymore. He has potential to be great. However, I truly believe that this Chelsea job is dificult and requires experienced manager with proven and successful attacking philosophy.

In 4 2 3 1 formation we improved attacking mids/wingers. We didn't improve double pivot role ( no quality DM, no genuine playmaker who can retain the ball and dictate the game). We didn't improve our striker options. We kinda improved our defence, but only if Azpi is indeed good enough to become a starter. In my opinion, in 4 2 3 1 we significantly improved only 3 behind the striker, which is good, but won't win us tough games single handedly. We will see the best of our attackers, against difficult and easier opponents, only when we get world class DM/ playmaker and striker capable to convert their chances on regular bases. That is not the case now, so we should lower our expectations. I'm sure we will improve in January window and don't forget these players need time to gel. This is transitional period no club can avoid when is trying to change almost complete team in such a short term. My prediction is that we will fight with Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs for 2 CL places. With Real as CL winner, 4th place would be fantastic achievement, for this season. That is not me saying our team sucks. We have decent team with couple of talented players. Great, talented players like Hazard, Mata, Oscar are able to make their team mates better. But for that we need expert manager who is able to recognize strengths and weaknesses of each player and incorporate them into a whole with proper formation and tactics. And I wouldn't put RDM in that category. Not because of titles he won. Because of experience and consistency in good results he does not have , despite the titles he won. Like it or not, we have team in transition and learning manager this season. Results will be consistent with that. As long as we are in top four, we are good.

Hope this can help. HOW CHELSEA LOST AGAINST MILAN IN PRE - SEASON Chelsea was playing its fourth preseason meeting at its mercantile summer tour to promote the United States. If the goal of a pre-season at a big club is primarily to return the group to a physically homogeneous given the delayed return from holiday (due to competitions by the International) and the arrival of recruits, it also acts as first developer tactic early in the season regarding the establishment collective. MyPremierLeague offers a novel approach by dissecting a goal with fifteen patterns. 1. State of Play in Chelsea 2. The goal in 15 frames 3. Lessons and Perspectives State of Play in Chelsea The departure of Carlo Ancelotti after a 2011 season below that achieved last year (championship and cup double) despite a second place in the Championship, Chelsea decided to entrust the keys to the club in a former supervisor of the opposition at the time of Jose Mourinho, Andre Villas Boas, who became the darling of the media and placed under the spotlight after his historic quadrupled his first full season with Porto (1) (a ') This former student of Bobby Robson comes the wallet full of sketches tactics and game ideas that convinced Abramovich to raise the termination clause of the manager at the age of 33 years. Inspired by the Dutch school, "AVB" really likes 4-3-3, possession of a game based on a block and a high dynamic pressing. His lack of experience and decisions dryly written down (2) will weaken its position at the club especially as his tactics does not gradually as the season progresses, producing week after week comedy shows on the phases of including defensive transition. At the juncture where Chelsea were to enter the knockout lanes of the FA Cup and Champions League (3) and on the "run in" Championship, the London club returns the Portuguese and replace it with his now ex-Deputy Roberto Di Matteo (4). Returning to the basic tactics in all areas of the game (4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 passage, reducing the space between the lines and stopped work on phases), Di Matteo will enjoy overwhelming motivation of the group as and as trophies approach to win the FA Cup and the Champions League especially at the price of bravery on 90 minutes and hyper defensive tactics. Where some see a result, the end of Championship will be played in flip-flops with no intention of taking the initiative of the result, leading to a sixth place that will ultimately inconsequential because of the qualification (essential point of view financial) automatic Champions League final victory gained. The departure of Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa opened the door to a renewal and strengthening of the workforce with the arrival of Eden Hazard (Lille OSC, € 35), Marko Marin (W. Bremen, 7.5M €) and Oscar (I. Porto Alegre, € 25, who missed the tour due to participation in the London Olympics). After a late season 2012 and performed selective piecemeal, Roberto Di Matteo must now demonstrate that it can develop a coherent game plan on how long after getting a one-year contract plus an option year. If the preseason allowed to see the changing of young players like Lukaku (holds four meetings during this time), Sam Hutchinson, Lucas Piazon (scoring against PSG) or Nathaniel Chalobah, Todd Kane, Josh McEachran and Jamal Blackman, it is gradually replaced by teams start becoming closer with an 11 least types of substitutions during a game However, the guideline is not obvious to grasp and the first lessons of this pre-season already reporting problems recurring in the recent past, namely a lack of organization on the defensive transition phases or propensity too large to concede chances. The Blues have not succeeded in making the matches, while some sequences have shown the need to have a player capable of putting his foot on the ball (nipping in the bud the idea of ​​bringing a fanciful offensive compartment), d Others have emphasized especially the void between offensive attacks rare sequences placed handle and hand created on 4 meetings. Conceding its second straight loss against an opponent affordable (after the MLS All Star, 3-2) AC Milan face a "jet-laggué" (5) despite a consistent starting composition on paper; Chelsea Di Matteo (surprisingly quiet on the bench) seems clearly running without a clear improvement is notable for the series of meetings. The purpose of this analysis seems to show the defensive mistakes that can not be compensated or caught by the uneven distribution of incoherent and spots between defensive players losing possession. __________ (1) : Super Portugal, Championship, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Europa League 2011 (1 '): See Chelsea FC Season Review & Preview (2) : The media will be meat and drink of the conflict between the Portuguese and the "frameworks" including Frank Lampard's locker room, now more than the first player lying on the game sheets. Villas Boas will also restrict access to the building's main training center at Cobham only professional players while sending Alex and Nicolas Anelka, awaiting departure, train with the reserves. (3) : After a draw at home to pitiful Birmingham City (1-1) and a heavy defeat in Naples in consequence 1/8th final of the Champions League (1-3). (4): 119 games for 15 goals between 1996 and 2002, winning the FA Cup in 1997 and 2000, the League Cup in 1998 and the 1998 Cup Winners Cup and European Super Cup 1998. Chelsea assistant since the beginning of season 2011/2012. (5) : AC Milan began his preparation and Chelsea played after a meeting in Germany a few days earlier. Following a release of Marco Amelia reached the head by Ramires, the ball arrives at the feet of Bakaye Traore. Frank Lampard leaves the Malian middle while Marin puts to lock the angle passes inwards. Bakaye Traore transmits Igniazio Abate. Step 1 Kevin Prince Boateng wins and just call for the ball between the lines. Having seen the appeal of his partner, the Ghanaian is served by Abate. David Luiz out of the defensive line (light blue dotted arrow) to play the duel. The ball returns to Marko Marin (dotted gray). It is interesting to note in this picture that John Obi Mikel is in the center of the circle representing their area of ​​play in this situation. Aligned "double pivot" with Frank Lampard, Mikel posirionnement covers of his captain. Thus, it also keeps an eye on Boateng and Montolivo while Ramires is close to Nocerino (blue bubble). This strategic positioning of Nigeria and especially the rapid response of David Luiz does not require that Mikel slides instead of Luiz to compensate for his release from the defensive line, visible dotted light blue. At the top of the image appears Branislav Ivanovic marking Stephen El Shaarawy (invisible). The Italo-Egyptian adopts a very high position in order to occupy the Serbian side who should be attentive to its placement relative to the line of defense. Step 2 Marko Marin plays directly on Frank Lampard, David Luiz continues its climb to complete the triangle. At the prospect of launching an offensive, Ramires is projected forward quickly with the aim of bringing the surplus with its characteristics races forward ("late run", which corresponds to an arrival launched Late in the penalty area, marked by the blue dotted arrow). John Obi Mikel finds herself equidistant from Boateng, Montolivo and Nocerino now on it must ensure that any remaining cover of Lampard. Step 3 David Luiz to Marko Marin pass that attempts to take the ball but it is properly enclosed by Abate passes and gets the ball. Until the loss of control of Marin, Ramires continues its forward stroke. Step 4 Abate restarts behind Daniele Bonera receding to pass his guard. Although the attack is aborted, Frank Lampard (in square teal) who recovered the captain's armband a few minutes earlier indicated its partners to mount the block and positioned above. Eden Hazard triggers its pressing on Daniele Bonera (thick arrows). Igniazio Abate will replace Marin while continuing his run. Near the center circle, Ramires continues to advance. Ricardo Montolivo returns to its penalty area. Step 5 Daniele Bonera passes Marco Amelia who is awaiting a second stimulus solution as Fernando Torres and Mario Yepes Ramires monitor and Djamel Mesbah (blue bubbles). Abate will replace Igniazio while Daniele Bonera proposes a solution recovery. Eden Hazard during its continuous pressing, Ricardo Montolivo changes direction and is positioned at the forefront of the green triangle. Frank Lampard fires its dry spell and the Italian environment. Step 6 Amelia goes to Ricardo Montolivo which transmits a key to Daniele Bonera. As the keeper of AC Milan did not choose to restart on Yepes (who had taken a step back), Fernando Torres to trigger a dry Montolivo. Step 7 Daniele Bonera can find Abate before him, Frank Lampard its momentum will block the angle changes from side to Montolivo (orange corner). Marin puts in not hunted to block the angle passes (orange corner) to Traore and inside the field. Torres continues his laundry while Hazard was replace. Step 8 While Frank Lampard and Marko Marin are placed to block transmission to the interior by passes (orange corner), Abate has field before him and takes his lane with the ball (red double arrow). Lampard reacted to the decision of the Italian (thick dotted line) but is too far away to intervene. Step 9 Boateng picks up again from its position and comes to ask below. David Luiz had remained in contact with the Ghanaian, he goes back to his old position and is now in the opposing half. Bakaye Traoré puts as Mikel who followed the Malian. Note the replacement of Nocerino to the center circle while Ramires stopped (in the yellow star). The opportunity to eliminate an opposing defender (central, additionally) in his own half is too good; Boateng plays of his body (orange curve) and neutralizes David Luiz without touching the ball that continues to race ahead. Step 10 The ball arrives on Paulo Ferreira puisqu'Urby Emanuelson has not felt the blow, too busy staring at the geometric patterns of the lawn, the Dutch did not anticipate the feint of Boateng. The situation presented to John Obi Mikel plot thickens as Luiz is out of position (position "default" is the blue dot). Ramires would begin the replacement of materialized by the yellow arrow, yet it remains fixed in its position. Result, John Obi Mikel can not compensate for the release of David Luiz because it must monitor (red bubbles) Traore and Nocerino that reverses direction and moves towards the axis of the right field. This creates an abnormal area (dotted orange) where Mikel can position themselves (the dotted blue squares moving materialize if Mikel Ramires was descended from a line) but which is totally free Emanuelson marking the outposts. Checking the placement of Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill takes a step back in order to intervene if the ball reaches Emanuelson. His new project area is green (to work on a player facing him), positioned lower, it may trigger the offside trap as he is the leader of this defense and specialist exercise. (1) Paulo Ferreira made the choice to restart straight forward and chose Frank Lampard at the expense of Marko Marin in the gap formed by Boateng and Traore (green band). The blue dots indicate the three options available to the Portuguese side. Step 11 Frank Lampard is back in the game, the lack of automatic instinctive with his new partners and Marine Hazard (both summer signings non-English speakers) that no captain does alert (phylacteries) of the explosive output of Montolivo (thick red dashed ). Ramires is always proudly planted near the center circle and let Mikel still torn between three players (Nocerino, Traore and Emanuelson). The proximity of Frank Lampard prevents swapping of Paulo Ferreira and David Luiz, the speed of the action leaves not used to replace David Luiz backwards. The two Lusophone retreating toward their goal, David Luiz in the most perfunctory of ways by walking and Paulo Ferreira as default positioning top of Luiz Ferreira does not come to "tighten" Boateng (both players would then have been a line two players, or a range of passes, instead of a "cameraman" covered by a player back). The Brazilian defender is in front of his goal when he should be back on the Boateng to prevent it from returning. Step 12 Montolivo opposed with his leg and the ball comes on Boateng (dotted gray) while trying to replace Luiz crash (blue dots). While the Brazilian had to paste the Ghanaian middle (yellow dots), Boateng has now Luiz space and no longer trying to make a facade of opposition between the ball and the goal. This plan illustrates the broader problem situation that Mikel can not intercalate into the red zone since then leave the inside free since Ramires did not make his return on defensive Nocerino (yellow arrow). His case is hopeless; of two possible solutions (decline in the area or stay there), two situations lead to intractable imbalance faced. If Mikel was positioned in the red zone, Boateng would send the ball to Nocerino who would be in an ideal situation; launched against three defenders isolated whose two extremes are positioned on the outside of their marking. The previous frame, we see Ferreira put backwards leaving Emanuelson covered by Gary Cahill in front of the Interstate 96 (Highway 2 × 5-way through Miami) in direction of the goal of Cech. At the top of the image, we see a similar investment of Branislav Ivanovic. Already hampered by the high positioning of the striker Milan, it is also possible to link the tactical mistakes of his Serbian frequent changes of position for several seasons, alternating between the right hinge and the right back position. Stephan El Shaarawy starts a diagonal run (red) which instinctively activates the departure of Branislav Ivanovic (blue dots) that work will be to catch up with her two meters behind. Step 13 Gary Cahill stepped back to be master of the offside line for his team, he began to realize the movement of the offside trap (dashed blue squares) before Boateng transmits the ball. This tactic involves quick exit just before the start of the ball, so it requires a synchronization failure watch since it is difficult (especially for a central defender) to make a sudden change of direction to head back to his goal; the backlog at the start are rarely recovered thirty yards away. A split second later and Gary Cahill's maneuver would have succeeded in reaching the line of yellow spots while putting offside before the pass Emanuelson Boateng. But the Englishman has not seen the reverse stroke of Ivanovic who finds himself at the orange dotted line at the start of the ball and is a few decimetres Emanuelson (if one can consider Ivanovic Cahill cover the Dutch with their heads) That triggered the trap out of play, Cahill is no longer in a position to cover, leaving Boateng with a huge range to find Emanuelson (green triangle). Since Mikel has chosen to protect the interior, Boateng therefore chooses the depth. Transmission Password exactly where Mikel would set upon return of Ramires. Milan striker El Shaarawy performs a movement of school with a run in S allowing it to gain speed on the first loop, keep the speed on the side passage along the offside line and then change again Executive in due course. Step 14 English defender (who missed Euro 2012 because of broken jaw) is totally disillusioned by seeing the play to continue. He thought lie last defender (dotted yellow) at the start of the ball. Since the wizard does not raise his flag, Cahill changes direction while Prince Boateng launched Urby Emanuelson depth. Ferreira marks a slight pause, seeing his teammate claim a bench and thus takes even further behind. Note the passivity of the two former Benfiquistes Ramires and Luiz (in the yellow stars) that did not move a hair. El Shaarawy is always at stake and accelerates towards the goal. END OF ACTION Following the action constitutes a training exercise against 2 of 2 perfectly realized by the attackers Milanese (assuming Ferreira is now out of the race). Seeing the late Gary Cahill and therefore benefiting from being at full speed for about twenty yards, Ivanovic made the choice to try to intersect the trajectory of Emanuelson. The lack of automation of the pair-Ivanovic Cahill (aligned only 6 times in this configuration in the Championship last season) likely explains why Cahill then does not cross the path of the Serbian (light blue, that the English would from doing) to return to the El Shaarawy happy with the vertical stroke to the left can now fully demarcated. The Dutch managed to drag the ball to his teammate by eliminating two defenders at once. Because, Petr Cech comes out of his goal. Ivanovic then moves to the goal line, Cahill comes to "cover" out of Petr Cech. The Italo-Egyptian attempts to wrap the ball but Cech pushes his attempt to shoulder, the ball reaches Emanuelson can now finally taking against Ivanovic to walk. _________________ (1) In 2010/2011, Gary Cahill was an important link in the organization of his Bolton team. Aligned to 4-4-2 and focusing its game on ball possession and perpetual motion, this system required a high defensive line where English has been particularly successful in "winning" 53 offsides or opposing the second best total in the championship behind Fabio Coloccini (62). We had already spent a Brief from the situation of Bolton (in comparison with that of Blackburn) during the winter. Due to the loss of key players and injuries in their squad, Owen Coyle has returned to more basic direct this season, as his main concerns lay in the density of his midfield. However, we note that Wheater and Knight are yet in a good position with their 36 and 19 games off "earned". While Villas Boas had developed a high defense that malfunctioned on the first part of season, winter recruitment Cahill is due to this faculty. However, the return similar (relatively speaking) to direct more fundamental led Chelsea to play lower court's Portuguese manager then wait patiently error opponent without taking the initiative under the leadership of Roberto Di Matteo. Which may explain the total of nine (!) Sets out "won" by the International English on the season. LESSONS AND PERSPECTIVES The organization is the key, if this precept applies in most situations on land, by its necessity is emphasized to the extent it would face a classic situation. Dropping out of an offensive player causes the output of a defender of his line of defense, all creating a space that must be compensated (since this is an avenue to achieve a diagonal run for a player outside). The Chelsea midfielder is organized into double pivot on this situation. Unlike 4-3-3 (4-1-2-2-1) that allows a rule from midfield and permanent protection of the "back four" for one day between the defense line and environment field, the 4-2-3-1 gives way to another division of labor. The double pivot consists of a pair of midfielders we want the fullest possible to transform the defensive midfielder by trade in another offensive player, leaving the axis of the midfield players to two, not three. An example of this implementation is the German team whose pair Khedira-Schweinsteiger had included a player who will push its shares and to project forward component and a more defensive player assigned to cover the climbs her partner. The range of expertise of these two players makes a timely reversal of roles in different situations. Thus, the situation can be extremely simplified by imagining the two midfielders attached by a rope. In the 4-3-3, the defensive midfielder's role is to work with his central defenders, it's the middle runner mounted to compensate for the support player (or "box-to-box). An illustration of this organization can be the mid-Mikel Ballack-Lampard in 2009/2010 whose roles were precisely these. In the 4-2-3-1, the medium to defensive component (the difference in terminology is the broader role of that player, but also able to boost to get support) works primarily with his partner of "double pivot ". Primarily responsible for the cover of his partner, his compensation outputs defenders can not be achieved if the lines are sufficiently close to each other and the game of musical chairs can be done fairly quickly. Here, Mikel can not slip into the space created by the outputs of Luiz if a midfielder (Ramires) down one line, which was not the case. From the perspective of an application of this system of 4-2-3-1 on the season, Roberto Di Matteo must strike a balance and weigh the pros and cons between a loss of dominance of middle ground to more support to offensive players. The key is also in the volume game of attacking midfielder and his ability to turn into the third midfielder on defensive transition phases. Juan Mata played the second half of the season at that position but has (logically, for a first season in England) not yet demonstrated an ability to set foot on the ball and influence the game by mastering the pace. The Spanish environment is hampered by its low propensity to keep the ball, why is the fact that further enhance its ability to speed the game Mata seems predestined to a role of attacking midfielder launched its habitats from the center circle (similar to the role asked Ashley Young against Switzerland at Wembley a year ago) According to the rumors at Stamford Bridge, Eden Hazard had obtained his manager an axial position in this game system (identical to that with which he played most of the season with Lille). However, although it is one of the players most physically sharpened, Hazard has not demonstrated the ability to get low enough not to fall back quickly on the first match of the tour. Just like most of his chances against Seattle ten days ago, this is a chain and a rapid turnover in the middle of the opponent's half Belgian middle made ​​the difference. Roberto Di Matteo began the meeting with the Portuguese Raul Meireles in this position of attacking midfielder. At its good post-winter with Liverpool, the middle hipster made ​​a remarkable display of its management area by making it available at the right time at right place and finding himself in position to finish the action. This season, Meireles was more disturbed by the apparent absence of instructions to his post which has made ​​for interesting debut (playing in a mobile relay key) players scattered among all the spots in the midfield. His late season will be punctuated with brilliant performances, however, when the towers of the Champions League to a position more akin to that of a third midfielder in front of two others. However due to its later recovery (semi-finalist of the Euro with Portugal), Portuguese has not succeeded in making this meeting, due to its replacement by halftime while Marko Marin Eden slipping hazard in the axis. With rookie Brazilian Oscar (able to play this role), Di Matteo has a new solution for this post. However it must find a collective cohesion (absent at the end of last season as evidenced by far too many opportunities granted) while reflecting on the use of Ramires . If the midfield is guilty of non-withdrawal of this action, it is nonetheless an essential part of his team for a year and a half. Its position on the right side protects the right side of the corridor defensively as he compensates the imbalance caused by dézonages Mata (to do this, the medium comes to work in the central-right side leaving the corridor, this Malouda on the left that is when he plays). However, its ability to conduct cons going up and the ball piercing the curtain opponent is underused in this position. To the extent that Chelsea has rarely been successful without an efficient Ramires for two years, letting its importance, it is not excluded that the 4-3-3 is to reimpose itself after the start of the season.

Well I liked only the second sentence, not the first one. But I agree, if Modric goes to United people will see that he is worth 40 mil just so United don't have him. He will be 50 mil player there alongside Kagawa, Valencia, Young, Nani, Rooney ,Chicharito or Levandovski. That team could dominate big time. I never expected Ferguson or Glazers to spend that much. Something really infuriated them. It's clear that Ferguson didn't take well loosing title to City and he is spending big trying to make sure he won't see it again. They are getting stronger and whoever thinks we are good with Hazard and Hulk with Modric or Martinez in United needs to think twice. I would change Hulk for Modric or Martinez in heart beat. Anyway, I believe that Levy will try to sell Modric abroad, and I realy hope that Martinez will not go to United. Modric type of player isn't indispensable for titles but is for that attractive and beautiful football our owner seems to crave for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X52D9Zx9-io

Football is unpredictable you say? Five years ago I would probably agree with you. But now tell me... When can we expect Atletico or Valencia to win La Liga again? I'm not saying surprises won't happen in future, but will happen much less frequently than before. From game to game we can see surprises more often, but when it comes to winning the League, favourites are pretty strong in both, England and Spain. TX and Sloth have a point, and the rest of us will see that in 2 or 3 years time. Two main differences between us and Man City are: - Man City is learning from our mistakes. - When Europe crisis hits again unlike Roman those Sheiks will only get richer. (Sounds ugly, I know). Besides, City's loss today against 10 man QPR with all that money spent would have been big blow for their winning mentality from which they wouldn't have been able to recover easily. On the other hand winning League in this manner is likely to have similar impact but opposite one. However, if we manage to win on Saturday we would surpass City in success and I'm pretty confident, in winning mentality . That would be big positive blow for our club in every aspect with which City's title couldn't be measured. We would find ourselves in the pole position again.

I like RDM. Unlike AVB, who tried to make Mikel, Lamps, Ramires and co to play tika taka football, this guy knows how to use their strenghts better. He was the right man for the job at the time he took over. To be fair, his task was to correct a malady that was already on ground, the damage had been done before his appointment. The fact that we haven't defeated a team in the top half of the table since he took over could mean all sorts of things but I'd guess that it means that we don't have the players to do so. We have a very noticable lack of depth. It almost comes down to 11-12 players and nobody else. Absence of key players is noticable in almost painful way. His PL record isn't remarkable, but he had to collect points against Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle while preparing players for decisive CL matches and upcoming final. He didn't have much space given the circumstances and tiny miny squad we have. It all comes down to the 19th after all. As annoying as it is, it's extremely dificult to judge anybody who has to achieve the result with our subs. He will stay if he wins on 19th. Rumour goes that he is not famous enough to bring all those fancy players? For God sake, who would come to the team that sacked CL winning coach? No way. I would love to see him getting one more year, regardless. One can only hope that this is the year when Chelsea board learns that the most important thing is who will wear Blue kits with golden stripes next season. If it's extremely similar group we saw this year, they shouldn't expect anything remotely resembling glory. As a Chelsea fan, I can never get tired of saying that.

The question isn't whether or not he has those skills. We know he does. The question is whether ( when) this squad or Chelsea FC benefit from those skills. Because Sturridge use his pace, trickery ,unpredictability, ability to beat a man and versatility only to get himself in the position to shoot and score , especially around the box. If he doesn't score, his pace, trickery ,unpredictability, ability to beat a man and versatility are poorly used and frustrating to watch .The fact that he can do better, but he is not willing to, makes it even worse. So at this rate, he is pretty much usefull only when he scores.

We were worried that Liverpool would finish above us because we were afraid they were better than us. At the moment they have their Micky mouse trophy and we are yet to win our trophy. Judging by league points they obviously are not, but two remaining games will put things in better perspective. FA Cup final will show do we have reasons to smile or not, Justin. Then again, if we win CL we can donate them FA Cup, I wouldn't care.

While disappointing, this result is far from a surprise. We have a history of mucking-up opportunities, especially this season, so nothing new there. Front four of Meireles, Ramires, Torres and Kalou is a mid table attack and nothing more. We could not string 3 passes together all night. We never looked like scoring in open play. It's hard for our defense to remain focused for 90 minutes with such a poor midfield, unable to keep the ball, and not much better attack. We have such a tiny squad in terms of depth and quality, and yet so many distractions in FA Cup and CL. We have to choose our priorities and one can only hope we chose them right. We have like three players imo, who are able to stand out and bring something more in the match: Mata, Sturridge and David Luiz. Nobody started last night. Without these players on form next four games could be extremely difficult to watch. Of course we can expect Drogba to make an impact at Wembley and against Barca. I voted Cech MOTM because he made some really nice saves, but Ryan Bertrand was the only positivity from the game. I tend to believe that he would definitely get better playing alongside a better wide man. He would be able to develop a good understanding with wide man, Kevin de Bruyne perhaps, and together they could make our left side quite interesting. The boy can already whip in some good balls. His game as a young LB is truly inspiring. Shame he is the only that inspires at the moment. The future will definitely bring changes if we stay without CL football. Things will improve, even if we don't make the top four. We need changes more than we need CL .

Isn't that funny? Like they were trying to show him what it was like to be in their shoes when Sturridge refused to pass and provide a simple tap in. I once said that Sturridge has very little skill for a winger and that he mainly relies on tricks. I realized how wrong I was during Man City game. He has skill, he has pace and he is very needed. But what use of that if he puts himself first and doesn't use those skills to make the best for his team. Because he can, unlike most of others, therefore he is responsible even more. When I look at Malouda I'm not even sure if he can. I blame the board for having him still. When I Iook at Sturridge I know he can. But he lets his ego and selfishness to endanger his cooperation with teammates and the quality of game at the position he occupies. Even his place in starting XI. The irony is, if he tried his best he could be our best winger game in game out this season. He had skills but not the will to try. He prefers striker glory over improving himself as a football player at such early stage of his career. Which is too bad, given there are many top strikers out there but very few wingers.

He has always been selfish and had the same attitude but you criticize him now. How come? Earlier when a person says that Sturridge is selfish somebody would brought a statistics of his goals and assists conveniently forgetting all the times he refused to make an assist in favour of shooting himself from almost impossible angles. And discussion would have begun about how talented and promising winger he is, only needs to mature. But now he is not scoring and almost everybody finds him selfish. The lad has striker's place taken for himself, and that's it. He will do whatever it takes to prove he is worth of that place in the team , and English squad. It's not the question of immaturity it's a question of aims. Unlike many of you, he is not interested in becoming winger. My opinion, anyway. As a winger he has pace and trickery, but that's it. He is a good player but the lack of any kind of football brain makes him suspicious to be genuinely top level winger. He is characterized laughably poor decision making but with pace and tricks that make him look a lot better than he actually is. Also has a selfish, unpleasant side as well and a massive ego/attitude problem from what I can tell. He sulks often and wants to have the side built around him, playing to his strengths. He honestly does think he is that good , which remains to be seen. People seem to want to forgive him his attitude, decision making, lack of effort (yes, I do mean that) and self-styling himself as a goal-machine , and refusing to pass the bloody ball. I'm not saying he's a bad player, he isn't, and he is certainly talented in terms of his pace, acceleration and skill but has very little else to offer as a winger and a lot of attitude problems. Should be a striker . And will score against City to prove me wrong.

Torres is terrified of scoring. He would rather do anything else. Sturridge is obsessed with scoring. He rather wouldn't do anything else. Misses like that are common in both cases.