kellzfresh

Thats why we've scored more with his introduction in the second half against westbrom and four goals against palace. Width is important

I'm happy with Anthony Barrys introduction, i can see signs of our improvements in defending. Tactical fouls to prevent counters, set piece defending, etc. The only thing is that the improved defense has come to the detriment of our attack, which looks stale compared to the beginning of last season. But once Pulisic and Ziyech come back and play a few games together with Havertz, I know the attacking fluidity will instantly improve because lampards system in attack largely depends on the quality of players and their form on the day. Its not a practiced system like Leeds who Bielsa grills to play a certain pattern no matter who is in the lineup.

Hopefully we manage to overcome a pressing team. All he needs is to be releasing the ball quicker and switching it to the wings.

Now maintain that back four. Stop rotating, let them get to know themselves better. I like that we are making more tactical fouls when we lose the ball. No need to allow a counter fester when you can stop it early at source immediately. Now put Werner back in his position and Pulisic on the left with Havertz in the middle and Odoi on the right and we have a very dynamic team in attack.

Wow his best performance in a year for us. He was switching play to the wings and playing a lot of forward passes. Where has this Jorginho been all this while??

He's being played out of position but he was poor today. Hope he is shifted back to the centre as Pulisic is back

Its been fantastic to see. That's the way to stop all these teams that only play on the counter. Our defending this season has actually improved, if you put some context to the goals weve conceded, you'll see they were all individual mistakes. The only goal we've conceded this season that was a well worked goal was Mane's first goal against us for Liverpool.

He's sticking with Jorginho so expect Sarriball. I actually think our defending has improved but our attacking has become worse

Maybe I got my numbering wrong, but when I said he's a No. 6, I meant Mount is a box to box midfielder. Not defensive sitting midfielder. Taking mount deeper away from the goal will not weaken his game, I think it plays to his strengths. He does not have a keen eye for a defense splitting pass, so why should he play in Havertz position when we have better? And even against Westbrom he was almost man of the match because of his second half performance when Kovacic was removed and Mount had to play the box to box role beside Kante. That is Mounts true position imo. Yes Mourinho's tactics played a big part in our lack of spaces. But if we played the right players in their right positions we could have overcome that. Do not underestimate the importance of intelligent players who know how to find spaces between the lines. They positionally disrupt defences with their passing and positional sense. The problem of Kovacic and his lack of forward progression I have spoken about it before here and I think Mount should take his position on the team. Theres no point of having all the dribbling if you cant use it to progress the team up the pitch. Mount at least can make things happen when he's deeper while I cant say the same about Kovacic.

Honestly if we dont get Rice, I wouldnt be against giving Reece a try in midfield. He has the calmness, is strong, can tackle and take long range shots. His traits are much better suited to the midfield role.

I actually think mount would be good in the No. 6. He is a runner, tackler, energetic and a lot of midfielders have had his traits and gone on to become great footballers. But he's not a no. 10 and Lampard has to realize this sooner.

Exactly. Mount is a runner, has high energy, presses, but he's not a No. 10 or Attacking mid. That role is for quick thinkers, passers and players who recognize space between the lines like Havertz.

This is the formation we should play. We need a winger (CHO) to stretch play if they sit deep. We need Chilwell and Mendy to start and build some chemistry with the rest of the defenders as they will be a mainstay in the backline this season. We need Werner up front with Havertz. Let's stop playing games and let the two German boys get to know themselves. After all once Ziyech and Pulisic come back, the Germans will eventually play through the middle with each other.

Wow we really sold him at the right time. Hes broken now

All these mount problems we are seeing now is Lampards fault. Mount is an average player, he can't suddenly improve his talent to Havertz levels. Lampard should be protecting Mount, and playing him occasionally. Not every single minute and he certainly shouldn't be central to our team, he doesn't have that quality, he should just be a cog in the wheels of the team.

It really is. That's why any match Mount plays well, we play well in attack. When hes poor, we are poor in attack. We cant have a system like liverpool where Firminho is poor but Liverpool still look solid and win the match. Van dijk made a mistake against leeds just like thiago silva did but Liverpool still won. Robertson made a mistake against arsenal like emerson but Liverpool still won. The system of Liverpool accommodates for player error and allows them to still win in those situations. You rarely see one touch passing linkup play from our attackers which is very strange, given how Lamps is seen as an attacking manager. Its so clear there is no attacking patterns coached and Lamps is making it worse by not allowing the players to form an understanding or have chemistry.

I feel the same too. Lamps system is basically a formation change and no real plan, so it usually depends on the form of the players on the day. So if more consistent players like Pulisic and Ziyech come in, we should do much better in attack automatically.

Any match where we are ponderous and slow in attack, with a lot of sideways passing just check if Jorginho is in the lineup. He basically controls the tempo of the team once he starts

The bold is where the problem lies for me. For some reason, Lamps thinks he can create a formidable team without any team chemistry. Chopping and changing the starting lineup every match will be the end of him. I can accept changing formations to cope with opposition, but not having different set of defenders every game, different front 4 every game, different midfield every game. I hope he turns this around, its sad to see.

Not in the slightest.. Energetic Lamptey >>>>>> Cautious James

Proper wingback. very happy for him, dont know how we picked James over him. There's no competition between the two talent wise. Lamptey is a proper modern wingback.

Sadly Arteta is a tactically sound manager and I wouldnt be suprised if he beats Liverpool. He actually sets up his team tactically against the opposition.

He's so much better in the central midfield role. In fact, I somewhat prefer him to Kovacic. He brings much more attacking impetus than Kovacic who is even more inept in attack than Kante. Lamps should play this midfield going forward Mount - Havertz Kante

He's an average crosser. Never understood the hype

Just imagine. Azpi never gets respect on this forum, hes 10 times the player James is.