robsblubot

yeah I think he touch was intentional, but the ball went a bit higher than expected - he had to hold the shot for a second there.

still trying to figure out whether that first touch was completely or somewhat unintentional. whatever it was, his reaction was well fantastic. Why is it a bad first touch? because it gives opponents time to close him down.

This game is so far out it's just fiction for me. We can't even talk about potential starters since anything can happen in the international break.

I've been saying over and over again to get phil jones. THe hardest thing to find is an underrated English footballer and he was one. He's very similar to David Luiz in that he's very technical and can play in several position because of that. He's younger so you can actually mold him to play in the most important part of the pitch: midfield. There are English players with perhaps more potential, but I reckon Phil is almost a sure thing.

yep, you lose his two-footed passing ability when you stick him to the side of the pitch - he needs to be centered. Whether in defense, or DM, or CM, no matter - as Barcelona proved it's all about mechanics - but he needs to be in the center of the pitch. Although I also think he should be playing, he has been poor and was in need of some butt kicking for sure. Now, if he does not get to play after the atrocious display against WBA, then I'd have to question Mourinho's meritocracy.

BTW, Ramires' Cruzeiro have (practically) won the Brazilian league last Sunday. Yes, Ramires is a fine example of athleticism, but since that's what makes him special, he's a lot less when not at 100%. In other words, Ramires isn't a superior player if talking about his technique alone - personally I think his passing could be improved. However, once you add his good technique (as opposed to great) with his pace, stamina and overall athleticism, then he's a top player. We need better cover for him. Either Essien and Mikel can provide cover or they can't and should be sold. Frankly I don't understand why Ramires has to play every match.

I'd say it's about time we tried to play some football too...

you do know that 5'9" Mascherano plays CB for them right? So, I'd think David Luiz would be more of a pure CB than Mascherano. Plays CB for Brazil too - not a problem.

at work... funny stuff. How about James McCarthy, is he good enough? Only 22 now at Everton.

good read: http://eplindex.com/44085/carmilles-chelsea-column-hazard-david-luiz-joses-preferred-xi.html

There are cultural as well as personal preferences at play here. Just watched Spurs game and the commentator declared that a bad tackle from Paulinho led to Newcastle goal. No mention of the terrible pass to Paulinho, of course. Had it been in Spain for example, I'm sure the focus would've been very different to say the least. While I agree that a player needs both technical and mental traits to win in football, a player who lacks concentration like David Luiz can, as he has in the past (for Brazil and Chelsea) stay focused for some period of time. Yes, it demands a bit of extra effort from him, and it would be difficult to maintain that throughout a long championship. Team mechanics can help too. Not to mention players do tend to develop that aspect naturally as they age. Now, there is absolutely NOTHING a technically inapt player can do to correct that. More dedication, more training, nothing will help him have a better control of the football, or pick a pass. I reckon that's what ChelseasMessiah hinted at with his hyperbole (chap from the stands bit). For me Gary is a bit lacking on interceptions/anticipations and a bit too laborious on the ball for a top side. However, even JT struggled in the WBA match, and TBH when the defense line struggles so much, regardless of whoever plays, it's quite obvious the problem isn't there.

Ivanovic is a good CB and a good *defensive* RB. Expecting him to beat his marker and delivering a great cross is unrealistic to say the least. However, playing him should allow more freedom to someone like David Luiz and/or a winger in front of him. Things aren't quite working atm though.

oh man Hernanes would've been awesome! He's a very versatile player who can play deep, almost DM, or move up the pitch and score goals! Hugely underrated IMO. Song as a ball winning mid would be great too! There are certainly options out there, we just need to make a move. I'd keep an eye on Shelvey as well... I know, risky, but cheap enough to warrant a bet. Prospect of an interesting ball-winning CM IMO.

with MvG's injury, I reckon we need 2 CMs. I'd like some definition concerning Mikel also; either he is good enough or he isn't, in which case we'd also need a DM/CM replacement for him. For me: 1 Deep Lying CM - great passer and decent tackler (like Dembele). A ball-winning/B2B player who is a great tackler (Like Ramires). Honestly, Ramires plays way too much football. Essien is there but he doesn't get minutes. Never thought Lampard would still be 1st choice CM at this point. His lack of form for most of last season IMO was evidence enough he should be used sparingly/rotation at this point. Victor Wanyama looks promising... lots of power and mobility though a bit laborious on the ball at times.

Sarcasm aside , this is actually an interesting point; isn't Mikel a bit too comfortable sitting on the bench for player of his age? Isn't his lack of ambition a bit worrying?

Managers only tell the truth in press conferences when it suits them. They will always work morale and protect the players somehow (diluting blame is typical) esp in press conferences. In other words, Managers lie as they are paid to say "the right" things. They can also put pressure on them, like when he said he made 11 mistakes, or the game was easy (both untrue). It's just their job.

well, we are not really unbiased are we?

I've watched countless matches live, when the home side is pressing very high up the pitch against a smaller side. What I never seen done before is leaving a slow player as the last player defending, which almost costed us the point when Brunt skipped past Mikel as if he weren't there. No fault from Mikel btw as he just doesn't have the speed for that job. Why wasn't Ramires there instead was beyond me. It's usually a fullback, but we didn't have any pacey fullback on the pitch, so the obvious choice should've been Ramires.

I hear you, but when we get Willian instead of (several CMs avail at that price) say Fernandinho, you gotta question whether our board and managers know what they are doing. BTW, that was a ridiculous PK call. We actually lost the match; we didn't due to a technicality, and probably due to the "big club at home factor."

Wasn't he on the ground after tackling Yacob? Of course Yacob was nowhere involved in the play. Nah he did not make any mistakes today. He's certainly not good enough to start for Chelsea, but I didn't need this game to know that. He's just a bit too laborious on the ball to play for a top club and too immobile to partner JT IMO. WBA's CBs for example defended well, but you could see some hesitation here and then, which against a top side - playing better than we've been - should have been deadly. And when I say hesitation, I'm not talking about the mental aspect, but technique (pure and simple): wanting to do something doesn't mean you are equipped to do it. Had the LB had a right foot or better technique, he'd have cleared that ball no problem, for example. Honestly I didn't think David was that bad against Newcastle, and I don't think the CBs were that bad today. The team has been slow, predictable, lacking width, and simply not sharp enough. Defenders will suffer because they are exposed which make them easy targets for critique.

Certain Mourinho's decisions have been questionable. Leaving Mikel as the last man was one of those WTF moments. Brunt skipped past him as if weren't there. Don't get me wrong, Mikel IMO should've been on at half time replacing Frank, but a more pacey player should've been covering counters at the back. Perhaps Ramires for example.

Andre Marriner was MOTM for me. Not only for the ridiculous penalty given, but he allowed us to get away with pretty much anything in the dying minutes until we scored.

Double

Agreed. Playing attacking with lots of possession doesn't meant lots of goals (Spain). Likewise, scoring many goals does not mean possession or attacking football. Plenty times managers have been able to score a lot by defending high up the pitch. Personally never associated Mourinho with attacking football but ymvm

Why is this a tough game? It's certainly not a walk, but I'd not call it tough. Tough is United, City, Arsenal, and Tottenham these days... especially @ the bridge. If we call a match against WBU at home tough, we might not be contenders then. Let me put is this way: if we lose it, it's a freaking disaster; if we tie, it's a bad result.