Superblue

Yeah Kova bless him I don't think will ever be a threat in that regard. I don't mind James doing it because we've seen the strike he has on him, but it is something Mount and Havertz should be looking to do when central far more often and if the likes of Werner, Pulisic, etc are cutting in from wide then have some more efforts on goal around the edge of the box. Since Sarri, it does feel like we've become more and more like Wenger's Arsenal with an insistence to get in behind a team to score. It's not always possible.

Something we should definitely be doing more is taking shots on around and outside the box. It's something I find bemusing when our manager was quite possibly the best, certainly of his generation, at this and the amount of games won and deadlocks broken by this. You only have to look back at Mount's goal against West Brom as the spark to get us a draw in that game. We should have players capable of having efforts on goal. Even if we don't score from them, it helps apply pressure on to the opposition and potentially draw a team sitting deep out a little as they need to engage sooner and close down quicker to stop shots being taken. It can also lead to corners, free kicks, etc to present better goal scoring opportunities and we also have players such as Werner and Pulisic who are quick and sharp enough to follow up on deflections, goalkeeper parries, etc. Lampard always took responsibility in this regard. He would have at least 2-3 shots a game from distance, usually more but it provides a threat that teams have to deal with. Some of our players have to start taking that element of responsibility upon themselves.

Yeah I agree, my point is more we shouldn't be fearful of any of these teams even after the last 2 poor performances. It's obviously not as straightforward as flicking on a light switch but ultimately if we play well and to what we are capable of then we should be winning all 3 of these and building some momentum before the City game.

For me, the most disappointing aspect of the past two games is the inability to get something out of them when playing poorly. The performances have dropped significantly in the last 2 games with attacking options dwindled and those ones that are fit to play showing major signs of wear and fatigue. But we've still had a mixture of bad luck (woodwork in both games) and poor decision making and mistakes which have cost us. We had the same problems last season which was we seemingly have to play well to get a result. Liverpool have probably had more poorer games than us this season but have been grinding some results out, and United even more so. It is definitely something that we have to address because we'll never be title contenders without that and top 4 will end up even being a struggle like last year. I know it feels all doom and gloom this week and we could be mid table for the weekend, but also if results go a particular way we'll also be only 4 points from the top of the table. This season so far has been something like a scene from the Championship. We only had to win a 2 or 3 on the spin previously to suddenly be right up at the top and being talked about as title contenders. Hopefully we can get a spark back in the next game, and start moving back up the table. I know West Ham have been on a decent run recently but our next 3 are hardly Liverpool, City, United. It's West Ham, Arsenal and Villa. They are very much winnable games and we also have a week free after this weekend to hopefully help give players some rest and get others fit. Onwards and upwards...hopefully.

But the issue is the same as 4-3-3 it involves one playing on the right and Werner not central.

Understand the reasons. The other problem though with it is Pulisic becomes the square pegs unless we play 3-4-3 then we're back to werner or havertz wide again.

I wouldn't go that far because with Pulisic back we did have the players to still play a 4-3-3 and having had a good run with it i think it would have been hasty to change off the back of one bad result. Its hardly like these performances and results have looked like coming. A change during the game perhaps should have been made in the second half when we were struggling. Unless Ziyech and CHO are miraculously fit for West Ham though Frank needs to have a long think how to approach that game.

We're pretty hamstrung at the moment with the options available to play a 4-3-3. I suppose the only other option is Pulisic left, Havertz right and Werner central. But Havertz is well off the pace himself at the moment and we can't just flog Pulisic back to another injury. The only other option I can think of to 'change' it up which may work with the players we have is 3-5-2, pushing Chilwell and James into wing back roles (they are our sole wide options anyway at present), bring Azpi into the back line and play Werner up top with Giroud or Tammy or if Lampard wants to try it, play Havertz in that position and allow him a free role to drift around.

During that period though we were playing well and winning games. Tammy looked like he was giving a bit of balance to the team as a focal point for Werner to play off. I think the longer term plan for Lampard was to always play Pulisic, Werner and Ziyech but I can understand a few weeks ago that Lampard stuck with what was working at the time. As players return I think long term Werner should and will play centrally, because I don't think Tammy or Giroud are good enough to be the first choice, they're both squad players. Hopefully we can get players back as soon as possible to allow us to do this.

Whilst he should know better and deserved to be sent off, the tackle he received for a reserve game is bordering on ridiculous as it could very easily have broken his leg. It's also a pretty damning indictment of the state of football nowadays that a 16 year old is writhing around in agony holding the wrong leg that Drinkwater lashed out at.

It's lazy to think spending such money on a 21 year old will immediately reap dividends. People are quick to forget that footballers are human and all will take different times to settle into new surroundings. Havertz even more so being younger than our other signings and he's never had to deal with a transfer move before either, so Leverkusen has been his life. This season more than most will impact adaptation also with no pre season, covid restrictions making it more difficult to settle into a new country and to top it off he contracted Covid too. My mate was recently positive, who is far fitter than I am, and said it's the worst illness he can ever remember suffering from and literally wiped him out. It sounds like Havertz has reacted in the same way to it and he looks really off the pace at the moment, not in sync with teammates and has lost confidence. The area of the pitch he plays he's going to get closed down quicker and less time on the ball and he just needs to adapt to that pace. It's a different situation to say Werner, who has such ridiculous pace that teams will stand off him rather than go up against him, affording him more time and space usually to operate. Before Covid whilst he wasn't pulling up trees he looked like he was growing as a player and there's certain aspects of his game which are almost effortless. When he's in full flow I've no doubt he'll offer something that other players in our team don't offer and will be a big player for us. If that isn't until later into this season, or even next season then so be it, I'm happy to remain patient because I think he'll be worth the wait. Some really key players for us in recent years took a long time to settle (a whole season for some) and were far more experienced and mature than Havertz. The likes of Makelele, Essien, Ivanovic, Pedro. Even English players like Ashley Cole and Lampard himself took a long time to get going. It's pretty embarrassing if some people are that short sighted to consider him a bust or waste of money within 3 months.

Worst draw possible I think, although perhaps Real Madrid burst their bubble a little at the weekend. At least we've shown this season that we can play a game of attrition and nullify top counter attacking teams. It'll be hard work, but its by no means mission impossible.

I don't like the idea of keep throwing (big) money at essentially squad players. It's left us in a mess before and when everyone is fit the likes of the above would be struggling for game time whilst also potentially restricting someone else's chances. We need to keep following the recruitment plan we have been with much more specific acquisitions who are looking to improve our starting XI, not just another squad option from the bench. Neither of the three look like being out long term and hopefully worst case is we're without some or all for Wolves and West Ham. Surely there's an option within the reserves or academy that Lampard could bring up for these couple of games for the bench and at least then present us with an option that could be turned to if the game wasn't working out? Today we were crying out for someone to provide us some width and run at the full backs. Hopefully Lampard can monitor this before the Wolves game, he had no qualms throwing Gilmour on last season and put Lamptey on against Arsenal.

Really poor game, hopefully one of those every team has sometimes and we move on. I think the only player that could really say they had a decent game was Reece. The likes of Chilwell, Mount, Kovacic, Werner, Giroud it was the worst I've seen them all play this season and Havertz since Covid has looked alarmingly off the pace. These sort of games we need that bit of luck to help pull us through and unfortunately we didn't today, hitting the post twice but even then we frankly didn't deserve anything tonight. No pace, urgency to our game. No one seemed to want to take responsibility on the ball and to drive the team forward. Hopefully it's just a one off and we can get it out of our system against Wolves midweek.

Goodison Park has always been a horrible place to go and will be something a bit different for our lads playing in front of away supporters again, but I think this should be a good time to play Everton. They don't look the same side they did a month ago. I would have Kante, Mount and Kova as the midfield three as I think they will overrun the Everton midfield. Werner and Giroud and then one of Havertz or Pulisic. To be honest both need managing somewhat still, so can be rotated between each other for this and midweek.

I was actually going to ask this question. If Kante were to get injured (heaven forbid), who would be people's preference to fill in for him? Jorginho obviously has the experience, but I think Gilmour's mobility and tenacity would give him the edge for me.

Difficult choice here. On one hand like most have pointed out, to fit all the squad players in, realistically we need to play a back 3. On the other hand however, I think we should stick with a 4-3-3 and keep hammering that into the whole squad. There may be instances where these players are needed at times throughout the season and we need to see how they fit in this system. I think we could play in this game Alonso at left back and Emerson higher up in front of him. It would be good to give Gilmour a run out, although I assume Jorginho would play so Gilmour may play as one of the '8's and I'd probably start Havertz again too as he needs the minutes to build his fitness back up. I guess the main conundrum will be which 2 of our 3 central defenders not playing at the moment will play. I think it'll be Christensen and Rudiger but would like to see Tomori get a game. I wouldn't be surprised though if Werner had some sort of involvement in the game. I would imagine he is chomping at the bit to play again and get the weekend out of his system and try and get back amongst the goals because he seems that sort of player.

Quick assessment just after the game: Overall very pleased. We really showed some fight and steely determination today against a difficult opponent with the worst possible start. There is so much more character and fight in this side this year, it bodes well. Realistically should have won by 4 or 5 at least but pleased with the chances being created because sooner or later they'll be scored. People worrying about Werner shouldn't. One of his best traits seems to be that misses won't affect him mentally, he keeps making the same runs and isn't afraid to get chances and his assist at the end of the game was an excellent, willing run in the 93rd minute. Hopefully Ziyech isn't too bad and Silva is ok. Man of the match for me was Mount. Incredible effort and hopefully he's made that central position his own now because he is so much better in there.

This is very important. I don't think it's a coincidence that upon rebuilding this squad in the summer, Lampard has a lot of versatility across his midfield and attack and effectively 2 senior players for every position on the pitch now. It's the most depth we've had at the club since Mourinho's first stint. When everyone is fit, that amount of competition can only push players to keep standards high and perform when given chances. December is critical with the volume of games to be played in short spaces of time but if we come out of that period relatively unscathed, we could be a serious contender for the top trophies this season.

There was an incredible backlash after the Sevilla and United games and I was very positive about the results and performances because it created a solid defensive base from which to build upon, and we've done this. The Spurs game in my opinion has to be taken in isolation. They have just mugged City off a week before playing with 10 men behind the ball and picking their moments on the counter and bar a couple of half chances in the first half we completely nullified this threat. We also created chances and played on the front foot, unlike the Sevilla and United games. The biggest thing yesterday was not losing and letting Spurs open up a gap against us. Lampard has started to mature a lot as a manager the last couple of months. We are set up to play on the front foot and attack, but their is now a far more responsible and balanced approach to our play and Lampard has shown he's happy to be a bit more reserved in our approach if the situation warranted. It's always been my biggest negative against Pep. It's all fine and well to have your approach and be confident in your beliefs but how many times has his teams been done against the same approach (we did the same under Conte against him twice). His team gets caught out on quite an alarmingly regular basis and never seem to learn from those mistakes. I was worried Lampard would fall into the same boat as this but he's shown a side to himself that should help him stand in good stead of being successful here and hopefully remain for the longer term.

In Jose Mourinho's words, I'm not saying this is a game we must win, but it's a game we must not lose.

I've got no concerns over Werner. He had a really poor game last night where nothing seemed to go right but the biggest positive was despite that, he never hid. He was still prepared to track back when we were under pressure and still made himself available for the ball including in the last minute leading up to the goal. Similarly against Newcastle, despite missing a couple of chances he kept going and didn't let it affect him which led to a superb assist to kill the game off. I'm comparing this to the likes of Torres and Morata who when short of confidence would hide and not want the ball, effectively leaving us with 10 men. I think over the next couple of weeks Werner will get some rest as the Sevilla and Krasnodar games can afford Lampard to do that, as well as I believe a free week shortly after for the league cup games.

Chilwell has trained for England today so seems the injury and substitution were more precautionary. Hopefully Southgate doesn't feel the need to risk him this week and then he's fully fit for us at the weekend.

I think Southgate is a pretty abysmal manager, piggy-backing off one of the easiest world cup runs to a semi final ever known. However, he seems a pretty reasonable and professional person when it comes to managing the players. I could see him wanting to keep a good relationship with Premier League managers. Like you said, that midweek game looks like it'll be a dead rubber and as a result I can see him not starting anyone who's played in both games, so hopefully he'll also give Mount a rest in that one too.

We'll see, Chilwell tried to carry on but it seemed Southgate withdrew him as a precaution. It didn't look particularly serious, hopefully it's just a bang and a week's chance to heal will hopefully be ok.