robsblubot

All-out offensive with many attacking players and lampard in CM. It's clear we cannot trust whoever is playing striker. So, we've got two options to score goals: we could try playing two of the mediocre strikers up front (hey it might actually work!) or pack the midfield with attacking-minded players, which we've done before. A draw would be almost as bad as a loss, so we need really go for the win. We need to keep going for top 3 position even if the PL title has become elusive at this point.

He can't say he doesn't want Torres, because that would be stupid. You don't go about saying your car is junk and has this and that problem to potential buyers...

You clearly haven't really read my posts then, because I am a firm believer of the importance of all tree (areas): technical, mental, physical. Some mention tactical, but I keep it with mental/psychological. I merely said that there have been exceptions; players who have succeeded when lacking in one of them (never more than one though) - they have just demanded a bit of mechanics around them. It's actually quite ironic, because back in Brazil I was the one stating that mental and physical aspects are often overlooked there. I just can't imagine a player, however strong, however smart, however composed, who can't take control of the football can't pick a pass. All players in our squad have good technique, because you don't ever reach this level without it. agreed in most points, but then again you can't say Jose's "blameless." It was his judgment and his system... It was a bet and he lost. BTW, he knew he was going to use Iva on the right from the get go, so he had to know he was going to be a bit short in defense. I can only imagine that Cole's failure further prevented him from rotating...

of course it is! Jose is the manager and is responsible for everything! That's what being the boss means... come 3 seasons and he's got nothing to show for and he's gone like any other manager. If you and others have detected Luiz as an insufficient player for Chelsea, how can you and the same others say that Jose is blameless in not seeing the same? Which one is it? Did he not know Luiz when he joined and turned down the 21m offer from Barca? You know that offer might have been the last one in that figure if Luiz keeps on playing (and not playing) like this. He's been ostracized and the trend is downward save a great performance in the world cup. How about not acquiring a substitute if he, like many here say, does not trust Luiz in defense?! Iva is on the right, Kalas is a youngster. he should have either used Luiz in defense, who's the player he's got, or traded him, and/or signed someone; preferably someone who would have immediately joined the club and not stayed elsewhere on loan. Now if you want to blame our poor form on a single player, who barely plays, that's your prerogative, but at least acknowledge that the manager could have addressed "the problem" that was quite obvious according to you (and a few others). So, Jose must be blind like the rest of us (who see something in David Luiz) and expected more from the player, in which case he was "wrong", again according to you.

Not necessarily about yesterday's match, which I did not see (it was being held hostage by some PPV here in the US), but I am worried about the team. There are way too many players in really poor form. Some look tired as played too many matches perhaps?! Jose should have rotated more even if to use players he dislikes, because that's what he's got until summer. Now I hear Jose berating players in public... that's NEVER good! It works on very few occasions, but once it becomes the norm, players lose confidence as they don't feel supported by the manager. That's what happened in Madrid. It's not the time to kick the bucket just yet, as we still need to finish top 3!

ohhh the horror!!!! He committed a silly foul!!!! Besides his own goal was boring while JT's was class!

Need to score there! That's key so that the home game isn't a freaking ordeal (desperate to score without conceding).

oh well so long to my "deleting this post" plan.

true but that's what makes signing Cavana in the summer attainable: he's not that happy having to play out wide.

My first impression: Salah’s already better than Moses and has a much higher ceiling than him. Moses needs space to accomplish anything: he dribbles long, by sending the ball into space, not completely in possession, hoping to get there before the opponent does. He relies mostly on pace and power to accomplish that. This is the least technical way of dribbling – I know because that’s how I played the game (wing too). Sometimes this is good enough when the player is also good in other areas, but this will never make him a world class winger IMO. Salah on the other hand has far better technique: he does not need much space to play. He can dribble in tight spaces or in wide areas with more pace, but he’s always in possession with quick precise touches (fewer when in pace). Salah’s technique, (first touch and tight control of the football) is rare and combined with the great mentality he has shown at such young age, makes him a fantastic prospect. This does not guarantee anything and it’s really up to him (and a number of other variables including luck) to work hard to fulfill his potential. I’d not rush him this season though. It’s not really about whether he can be effective right now, but to let him develop at his own pace. Imagine how his life must have changed in such a short period of time. please note that if I end up being completely wrong about him I will merely delete this post, thank you.

Great line up with our best striker up front. Hope ramires isn't too hungry coming out from a 2-match ban as we need him to play the 90+ minutes this time around....

Sure, I guess it's just a matter of how to label it. If one needs success to be happy, then by all means. I for one would be happy with what you describe, even without labeling it a "success." I was not expecting a title win this season as we just don't have the squad for it (we only have 11 players). I must confess it's going to be very upsetting if Liverpool win it though as they also don't have the squad. Furthermore we must assume that the long term goals Jose and the owner have agreed upon pertain challenge for the title next season.

Great post, but it's a bit of a stretch to call it a success isn't it? It's progress in meeting established goals, but not success. Success will be achieved (or not) when and if the long term goals are reached (silverware). Arsenal fans might say, "hey! we have an identity too! And yes, it may be called Barca Lite, but it's still an identity. However, I do agree that not changing managers, and philosophy, midway through a season is already progress. [to others who quoted Mourinho] What Mourinho says doesn't really matter, does it? If by next season he's saying something similar, because we are out of title contention, or say in 3 years time we haven't reached a CL final, the owner of the club may want to go in a different direction; that's his prerogative as owner.

indeed as it is difficult to pass the football to a player nearby when there isn't anyone nearby, at least not open. Now, that goes into the quality of the passer too: how precise can he pass? Can he pass into space, where his teammate might get to before the opponent? Can he, with his own movement, open up spaces for his teammates? Like Messi and Iniesta do all the time? Luiz was actually playing well and connecting his (short) passes until he got that knock (check the stats); from then on it went downhill and he was indeed crap. Perhaps (prob) it is what Jose alluded to: that a player must have the mentality to withstand physical punishment imposed by these small sides in the PL. I couldn't agree more, but it's very difficult (as in expensive) to find 11 rounded players who are strong in all areas. BTW, John Terry may consistently show the right determination, but he was also crap, but for a different reason. IMO he has had poor games lately, but not as bad as scoring an own goal out of nothing. And this drop of form stems from the physical aspect of his game. At 33 he can no longer play twice a week. Even more so for Lampard who once could cope with this type of physicality. That's where "wanting" bad enough just does not cut it; when your legs no longer follow your thoughts. people around here will understand this as soon as they turn 40 like me.

My "sure thing" really means "as sure as it gets." Nothing is for sure as the guy can break his leg following day in training and never return to his former form - it has happened many times before. Cost is very relative and long term Neymar and Bale may or may not be worth it. It's impossible for us to assess, because we don't have access to their numbers. If either one reaches the level that Messi is at right now, then I'd say 100m isn't that crazy.

completely agree. Cavani is IMO the most complete striker out there. He's got everything: technique (can even play out wide), physique (pace and power), and the right mentality (loads of determination and work rate). While Costa would be a bet, Cavani is the sure thing.

Believe it or not, Alves is the weak link there as he just does not deliver for Brazil. Rumor has it Scolari isn't too happy about Aves' performances either.

So, we've come full circle to agree that David Luiz is a hell of a gutsy player and that's why he can pick up a pass. I'm certainly not going to enter this childish discussion about who knows more... There is really no point in discussing any further as we don't agree in the most fundamental things. Technique is Technique! You always go back to the mental aspects as if they were the only ones. There are and have been thousands of gutless footballers who were/are great players. I’ve watched Brazil beat England in 2002 world cup with Ronaldinho and Kleberson in midfield, while England had Scholes and Beckham there. Battle of determination or talent? Once again, you only see one aspect of the game, while there are 3: Mental, physical, and technique Really, this is a very basic discussion… we can argue about which one is the most important one, but it’s silly not to acknowledge there are more than one. Good discussion here: http://andagain.websitetoolbox.com/post/TacticalTechnicalPhysicalMental-5832408 "Technique refers to a player's "ability to manipulate the ball". For field players, technique includes dribbling, receiving, passing, shooting, heading, and more." I'd add the most important of all: first touch - very difficult to execute anything without having control of the football. If it takes too long for you to control the football (multiple touches) it gives your opponents time to close you down.

I'm very confused, so you apparently define quality/talent solely by guts/balls/leadership. That's very odd... Kinda implies the Brazilian sides who have won the world cup 5 times were more gutsy than their opponents... than England in 2002. That England lost to Argentina in the WC back then, because Argentina players had more guts, or perhaps because Maradona was more driven, rather than the obvious answer which is that talent was the reason. Teams have to strike a balance between guts, leadership, and talent. Some managers tend to lean one way or another. Jose goes for the mental qualities, where Guardiola for technique (passing). Regardless, saying you need a bunch of leaders to beat Crystal Palace in their domain is kinda crazy because it implies Bayern and Barcelona would lose there. My guess is that City are going to go there keep the football for 90 minutes and beat them - no heroics needed.

What else is to discuss about Luiz? He'll be gone in the summer to either Bayern, PSG, or Barca... hopefully not to another PL club... you and Jose don't fancy him, I and others do. Won't be wearing my boots when he does leave for around 30m though - nice amount of cash for such a terrible defender. BTW, I think you were right when you suggested (on a diff thread) that he's been saving himself for the world cup and I also agree it's a pretty shitty thing to do. Still, merely comparing the intensity level of his game between this season and last would indeed point to that. I specifically wrote that I do understand the point Jose made - it was quite clear. Lee Cattermole has lots of balls and he's still an awful player. Now, the important discussion here is the one I'm trying to have: what kind of team is Jose trying to build and whether the type of player he fancies would indeed give us the edge we need. Once again, I look to City and Liverpool (and Arsenal) and the type of players they got are not the type of players Jose says he needs and doesn't have. I question whether he's right. Because, like I said, the other top teams in England, including the ones sitting above us in the standings, also lack the qualities he and you keep getting at. Liverpool and attacking side with players of even questionable character. While City is a possession side.

I completely understand what Jose has been saying about mentality and all. I do NOT understand who the fuck he is talking about though. Because I look around us, and specially ahead of us, and don't find the qualities he's speaking of. All I see is extremely technical players in City... like Silva, Nasri. Fernandinho's first season... Demichelis (8m bargain buy)? Yaya who's actually known to lack concentration. The cool Dzeko. Or Liverpool with diminutive players (Coutinho, Allen) who value pace and keeping the football, not to mention employing two strikers and no holding mid. Talking about no holding mid and there is Arsenal. While I completely understand a head coach must seek balance (mental, technique, and physical), I'm getting worried... I mean Lee Cattermole and Andy Carrol would be available at the right price. You know, perhaps our players are not good enough?! Or we don't have enough good players on the squad? Yes, I know we don't have strikers, but our defense line is comprised of 4 players who play twice a week. Any surprise 33yo Terry scored an own goal - beautifully struck btw. Or that Azpi has finally shown signs of fatigue? Not to me. Or maybe it's all just Mourinho playing mind games not only with the supporters but his own players as well.

For me, success does not necessarily demand silverware, depending on circumstance. The season isn't over yet, so say if we don't make CL next season, or even a 4th place, will be very very far from a "success." On the other hand, reaching a CL final-win or not- would definitely be considered a success by anyone with half a brain. However, I must confess that I am jealous of the way Liverpool have been performing. And it's not just their striking force (Sturrige, irony not lost on me), but the way they try and keep the football, movement, even player rotation... They've lost their only proper holding mid (thought that would be the end of) and are still topping the league!

I disagree Oscar's form has been very consistent. Consistently poor in the last two months or so, but he is never a player to shine in one match just to vanish in the next. The reason for Oscar's consistent poor form might be known within chelsea... I say this because he hasn't been used much lately as if they won't even try to get him to improve by giving him a sequence.

Biggest quack in football

Yup and he will have to tone down his tackles a bit for the cl and then the wc because pl refs are far more conservative concerning cards and penalty calls as it should be (my fav thing about the pl). Well aside from the horrible Chris Foy that is.