manpe

Terrible WB or not, he's still a far superior defender. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I think he played Cahill on the right so that Azpi could help him, and Rüdiger on the left to compensate for Alonso's slowness. Perhaps he just didn't want to say publicly that it was a tactical attempt to cover his flaws by playing him closer to a superior defender. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Don't agree. Against Bournemouth Azpi put in a MOTM worthy performance if it wasn't for Hazard.

Tbh we did it to devastating effect last season. This season teams are closing us down much better and we can't enjoy the freedom around the box we did last season. That, plus the fact we seem more static and laborious in our movement.

This might have something to do with the fact that we never build on our successes. Instead we tend to ignore obvious flaws and let the squad grow stale and complacent with little to no upgrades. Then the new manager comes, everybody wants to impress and play to their best for a while, once established they down their tools and the cycle continues with the manager's head on the chopping block. Mourinho and Conte both stressed many times that every successful team needs fresh blood and improvements every year, a message that our board wants to hear none of.

Exactly. When Willian replaced Cahill yesterday I thought we were finally risking it and throwing more bodies forward and reverting to 4 at the back. Soon it became clear that Pedro was shoehorned into the WB position, which doesn't take advantage of his strengths at all, and poor Willian merely replaced Pedro's position. That made us even more toothless! I'm still asking myself what was the point in doing that? Why didn't any of the CBs push forward as target man? Why do we still play 5 defenders when losing hopelessly? I would love for journos to ask those questions, but they are more interested in sensationalist drivel than actual football discussion.

The board cannot sack Conte. We need him more than he needs us. There is one way he's leaving and that is by him sacking us, not the other way around.

It was outside the penalty area, no?

Oap?

Not gonna happen. Our policy is to sell and replace like-for-like. For example I can see us selling Christensen because he's very talented, this board hates talent and loves money, and then will replace him with someone older and more experienced around the same price, but not necessarily better or more talented. There will be zero signings in January unless we sell someone, I can almost drink poison on that. In fact even that is not a given, we flushed our team last January and signed no one... The board actually tried pulling the rug from under Conte's feet, but even that didn't stop him from dominating the league. They finally succeeded in doing so with a shit show of a summer though. If January is not an improvement, if I was Conte I would leave in May and find a club that matches my ambitions.

Azpi should never be moved. He is our best defender Yeah and he's not half as effective on the wing.

You might have a point there Leif. But my god, what is happening in this game? How are we losing 2-0?

Same. It's like Conte wants to fold by playing Alonso and Cahill next to each other, I don't understand it. Azpi left, Zap right and the obvious CB choices in the middle - that is something I think would be solid defensively AND skilled on the ball. Or just simply keep GC away from the team and replace with Rüdiger, defence would be 20% stronger already.

Hope for the best, expect the worst with that midfield and Cahill.

So he came here only for Conte, that much we knew. Now after only 3 months he apparently already decided that London isn't for him. When Conte leaves, what happens? He loses motivation, starts playing shit and we sell him for a big loss? We didn't pay 60-70 mill for him just so he could leave after 1-2 seasons, we kept a much worse striker on our books for much longer and he costed less.

Second season he is supposed to be at his best and win the league. You are refering to the 3rd season syndrome.

The reason for their demise is lack of Rüdiger this season [emoji41] Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

He should stay there! Rüdiger offers so much more, surely Conte must see that.

Needs to improve a lot and quickly. Can't have him being a passenger in bigger games, today I felt he was in hiding. We conceded quite a few chances from his mistakes, he wasn't nearly aggressive enough on either end. I don't feel like he's using his physical power to the fullest, kinda backs away too much for my liking and sometimes goes in too soft, misjudges and mistimes quite a lot. Haven't seen any of his striding runs forward either, mostly strolling around in walking pace. Needs to stop thinking about his hair and more about his game.

Liked what he offered in those 15 minutes. Looked better than Bakayoko already and the guy is far from full fitness. Definitely more comfortable at passing. If Baka doesn't improve quickly, then I'd be tempted to play Drinkwater Kante midfield considering their history together.

Hazard back to his best, so is Azpilicueta. Both were the best players for me today. Azpi allowed nothing past him and Hazard was overwhelmingly our most dangerous player. Rüdiger must permanently replace Cahill, he is just infinitely better. Zappacosta is growing on me, he may look a bit clumsy but seems quite intelligent and his crossing is definitely better than Moses'. Thought Danny did very well after he came on, shored up our midfield and allowed nothing through. Bakayoko and Alonso I thought had stinkers. Bakayoko mostly a passenger and Alonso just not good or quick enough on either end.

We are usually better in 2nd half. Hopefully we up the tempo and intensity.

Bournemouth closing spaces well. The type of game I wish we had the capacity to switch to 4 at the back and bring more bodies forward.

He was okay. Livelier and better as a starter than usually.

Did he really say bullshit? EDIT: Yeah, Conte was angry.