Rupert

Trying "to entertain" is what got Di Matteo in trouble. The manager's job is to produce a winning side. Rafa is in the top 5 managers in terms of winning percentages. Besides some of us are more entertained by a powerful, well organised side shifting from defence to attack quickly than one which flatters to deceive by pouring into attack helter skelter and giving away goals at the back. Mourinho ground out a lot of one goal victories with a strong defence.. Rafa's side scored more goals at LFC and Valencia than ever before in those clubs history. So, to answer your question - no you cannot expect to see a mid-table negative side. You can expect to see a powerful winning side once the Chelsea players get themselves comfortable with a faster-paced attack and a consistent defence.

I am a neutral. I was impressed by Chelsea against Manchester City - both defence and attack - especially given the lack of support and negativism from the terraces. I was impressed by their defence and organizaton against Fulham, but not by their attack. Against Fulham there were too many failed passes and losing of the ball by the likes of Oscar. The interchanges between attacking players was too slow. Torres was obviously trying to find space falling back and going to the wings and he played an OK game in a generally poor attack. Rafa demanded a pressing high-line and for most of the match Chelsea pinned Fulham in their own half. But I can see Rafa's dilemma. If he gives the signal for all out attack he will get a repetition of the defensive failings of the last six weeks. Against Fulham we saw two examples of that where defensive players were caught out of position on the Fulham breakaway. I like Luiz but he's got to prove again that he is consistent over several games in keeping the defensive shape befoe he can be given a licence to go forward. I think all the players have to readjust to the idea of a team which has a strong defence first of all and then an ability to move forward very quickly as a unit and overcome the opponents in the final third. In the last six wedeks they have slipped into some bad habits of neglecting defence.