Tricky

Agree with all of this, people have rose tinted glasses. Forget how woeful out midfield was last year. That we are still very narrow in midfield and are just getting used to a new style of play. As for the guy who said "I've played soccer", Jesus no disrespect but it's called football, what lvl of soccer are you playing? International? Sunday league?

This....

Sigh.... He played against three centre halves last night. Our wingers played way to narrow which left him no room to work in. Hence his movement into the channels. He was poor against QPR, but he has played well this season. I expect things to get better when RDM finally realises that Ramirez is no winger. Marin and Moses are going to offer better width, pulling defenders out of position and providing some channels to work in.

Agreed, but your fans are fickle, tend to turn up when your winning. Best fans I've seen are Germans. The way they organise songs, dances etcetra is impressive.

I'm not you were saying he wasn't making any runs, I'm pointing out that he couldn't given the formation and the style we were employing. Besides Torres has played badly once this season. That was last week at QPR. He was okay last night, to say otherwise is to simply jump on the bash Torres wagon so many seem to be sitting on at the moment. Ps - Drogba was bloody awful for us for long periods, people seem to forget that.

It's called TV editing.... Do you go to games?

No disrespect but you've not listened to what I said. He had three centre halves to contend with, there was no space in the middle of the pitch. The fact we played so narrow only helped to limit the space he had to work in. Throw in three CMs and you can begin to see why he was drifting out wide to find some space. If Ramirez or Hazard had hugged those touch lines it would have forced the back three wider given Torres some channels to run into.

I've seen enough since we signed him to know that he is not great in possession, and not disciplined enough to hold in midfield. His stamina, pace and determination make him more suitable for a box to box midfielder. He is dynamic, restrict that and you lose most of his strengths.

Fuck no, Ramirez can't play in the pivot. He is not technical good enough, his strength is that he is an incredible athlete, would suit a 4-3-3.

Agreed sometimes wonder what people are thinking. Guess they jump on bandwagons without looking at the game. We played More of a 4-4-1-1 last night to combat your higher numbers in midfield (you hold your shape very well). Our problem was in possession we should have played wider, exploited the three at the back, giving Torres more space to work in. We maybe just edged the game but I'm talking 52-48. Your a very good team.

?..... be great to go some way towards defending our title. Got a good squad this year do I can see us finishing top four in the league easily (push for title next year IMO).

Don't agree with this. Guy clearly clipped his legs, it's a bread and butter decision. I'm hoping refs are not singling out Hazard; from what I've seen he has incredible acceleration, which enables him to beat people to the ball, they catch up clip / knock him over. I'm afraid it's not deliberate or cynical play by the defenders, just beating by pace.

Or a lack of space to run into. People complain about him drifting wide, well he was up against three central defenders and Ramirez and Hazard never stretched the defence by hugging the touch lines. Where was he supposed to go? Would have been crowded out in the centre of the pitch, especially with Juve having 3 cms.

I'd love to find a site which provides this kind of information, this is the stuff coaches use to choose tactics and personal. Certainly shows up our lack of width.

Nahh I don't think he played well. Even 77% is low for a top flight footballer. I agree though he is not a winger, if RDM wants to play him then it has to be as part of a three man midfield IMO as a box to box type player with Mikel holding and Lampard playing a little deeper.

Nice link (changed my perception of the game.), interesting to see how well Juventus held thier formation. We really should have exploited those flanks, instead our wide players are far to narrow. Need natural width, I'm looking at Marin and Moses. And yes we need to stop with the Ramirez out wide tactic. Think Moses has a good enough work ethic to track back and a lot more going forward. If his pass rate really was 33% then that's appalling. He isn't the best in possession, which is why it's 4-3-3 for me he can't play in the pivot.

Despite the usual hate from some i actually think Torres was okay (held the ball up, linked with midfield, jut needs to stay more central). Hazard wasn't great, Chiellini had him in his back pocket all night, but fair play his head never dropped and kept trying. Fair play to him. Oscar, finally!!! What a goal, that's the best one I've seen at the Bridge in years. Literally no words to describe it for me. I'm glad RDM mixed it up, shows he isn't a stubborn shit like AVB. Great managers generally mix up tactics to suit the occasion and he did that tonight. Let's not forget these guys have not lost in Italy in 42 games. They are a very good team. Mikel was pants (but hey I'm one of the not impressed) and Lampard was average (needs to concentrate on his positioning). All in all I'm happy with that, the late goal was upsetting but our response was to pin them back and look for a win. Been a while since we have done that against a good team, looks encouraging.

After being over run by QPR in midfield I think you'll see a 4-3-3 from RDM. We looked so much better when Ramirez dropped deep. Too soon for Moses, so it's Torres (fucking man up and hold onto the ball), Mata and Hazard. With Fat Frank, Rambo and Sideways (my new name for Mikel) in midfield. Defense kinda picks itself assuming they are fit. If RDM insists on a 4-2-3-1 I'll probably get thrown out for vulgarity!!

Was a little stunned by his use of Ramirez (again) out wide, but to follow that up with Betrand on the other flank was disappointing. Way to defensive..... And Torres, I've defended you against a lot of criticism but your ability to retain the ball was woeful. At one point in the second half you gave the ball away consistently for 20 mins. Can't very well complain about lack of service if you don't help in the link up / build going forward.

I've defended Torres, but today son you have let me down. Replace him now!!!!

Holy shit!!!

All burnt out.... Fuckibg take em now Chelsea!!!

Lol, nicely bowled...

4th time in a row Torres has lost possession, that's not good enough.

What position?