TorontoChelsea 4,064 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Personally I think Lampard should not play when Mata is at no. 10 simply because the gap in the middle of our team is too apparent when they both start in the middle.I always say we have to play Mikel to allow Mata to orchestrate the attack better, he brings more balance to our side.It's the opposite with Oscar obviously, who'll make up for the lack of balance Lampard creates in the pivot - they both compliment each other pretty well as Oscar does like to come deep and Lampard does like to join the attack still - however; I must say that Frank has tried to discipline himself.Frank obviously doesn't go as forward as much as he did back in the day - and that's why he's more invisible in games, especially this season as Mourinho wants to make him a deep lying playmaker more - it's a tough thing to ask of a 35 year old - to remodel his whole game. It's why I think Jose is sticking with him there as he does have more experience (especially defensively) over someone like a KDB who could potentially play there if he works hard on his defensive game.He hasn't been great of late but SFL will still play a lot of games this season unless we do get a proper metronome in our pivot in January.I agree. Lampard has been OK overall this season. (Tends to get an insane amount of the blame when things don't go right) but he clearly should not be playing every game. He partners up better with Oscar (and for the matter, so does Ramires) but we miss Mata's creativity in the middle. Not sure why central midfield has not been addressed for years. Van Ginkel was an interesting young player but was/is more of a long-term project than an immediate upgrade anyway. I don't think we need to go chasing an elite central midfielder in January, spending big in the winter almost never turns out, but we definitely need someone who can play regularly in the centre. Barbara, The Skipper and The Mak 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo 21,751 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Although i think he should be played a little bit less, Lampard has no way been a big a problem as people have been making out. TOPTB has regularly post stats backing that up.This is probably the best form he has been in since he declined post double season, i think Jose is helping him learn his new pivot role a bit better and while he will never be a natural there, i don't dread seeing him there like i have most of the last two season's.We need to adress the CM problem sooner rather than later, but Lampard, Ramires and Mikel 'will do' until January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsblubot 3,595 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Although i think he should be played a little bit less, Lampard has no way been a big a problem as people have been making out. TOPTB has regularly post stats backing that up.This is probably the best form he has been in since he declined post double season, i think Jose is helping him learn his new pivot role a bit better and while he will never be a natural there, i don't dread seeing him there like i have most of the last two season's.We need to adress the CM problem sooner rather than later, but Lampard, Ramires and Mikel 'will do' until January.I agree concerning the season so far, but not the newcastle game. Didn't he have a very low pass completion rate in last game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidzeret 2,257 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 I agree concerning the season so far, but not the newcastle game. Didn't he have a very low pass completion rate in last game?That's cause he attempts long rangers. I'm sure Mikel would have had better stats since he rarely attempts a risky pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidzeret 2,257 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Can't see anyone we have now who is a better long range threat than Frank is. Except for, maybe, David Luiz. I'd keep playing him just because of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsblubot 3,595 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 That's cause he attempts long rangers. I'm sure Mikel would have had better stats since he rarely attempts a risky passhah! true, pundits would say stats don't lie... After all they make Garreth Barry and Scott Parker look world class.My bad, I don't think it was only completion, but even attempted passes; so Lamps went missing, and that's why he was subbed off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidzeret 2,257 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Just need a goal to bring back his confidence.... Not saying he is a confidence player or anything but it feels that way. He's getting increasingly frustrated and that's reflecting on his game. Watch him bounce right back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Just need a goal to bring back his confidence.... Not saying he is a confidence player or anything but it feels that way. He's getting increasingly frustrated and that's reflecting on his game.Watch him bounce right backJudging by how he has been utilized this season, the only way he's gonna get a goal is through penalties or free kicks. Have hardly seen him getting so much forward like he used to, even less than last season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post! Jase 43,479 Posted November 5, 2013 Popular Post! Share Posted November 5, 2013 Lampard given an award by the PFA for recently reaching 100 caps for England... ╫rue Blue, The Mak, Sidzeret and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidzeret 2,257 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Judging by how he has been utilized this season, the only way he's gonna get a goal is through penalties or free kicks. Have hardly seen him getting so much forward like he used to, even less than last season.Yea.. Pretty much playing the Makalele role this season unlike last year. Never seen him getting so little shooting chances since he started playing. Good thing in a way since it releases Rami (eventhough it doesn't work sometimes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouri_Matic 560 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Just need a goal to bring back his confidence.... Not saying he is a confidence player or anything but it feels that way. He's getting increasingly frustrated and that's reflecting on his game.Watch him bounce right backHis job is not to score more goals though, his job is now to defend really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidzeret 2,257 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 His job is not to score more goals though, his job is now to defend really.Certainly not good at that, it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Mikel OBE 4,920 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Let him Challenge Oscar for the attacking midfield spot. This is the only reasonable course of action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChelseasMessiah 304 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 That's much better from Frank, in a more free role, against tired legs with two players behind him - although Ramires overlapped him and he covered a few times. Even the commentator said the holding roles doesn't suit him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChelseasMessiah 304 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Let him Challenge Oscar for the attacking midfield spot. This is the only reasonable course of action.It's not gonna happen, Mourinho doesn't play Mata there because he needs freedom just like Lampard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Mikel OBE 4,920 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 It's not gonna happen, Mourinho doesn't play Mata there because he needs freedom just like Lampard.Probably, it needs to happen though.Not only is Frank being wasted in the pivot, it is also hurting Ramires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChelseasMessiah 304 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Probably, it needs to happen though.Not only is Frank being wasted in the pivot, it is also hurting Ramires.That's a different story, Ramires is doing fine with Mikel. Sir Mikel OBE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsblubot 3,595 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 not playing this match was punishment - it was an easy game.must not compare this with Newscastle away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHOULO19 24,332 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 not playing this match was punishment - it was an easy game.must not compare this with Newscastle away.You have to be kidding! Schalke are ten times the team that Newcastle are and let's be honest, the scoreline really flattered us. Schalke played very well and defended excellently while the game against Newcastle was probably the easiest match (bar Steaua) that we've played this season. There was so much spaces, no pressing, it was just so easy to go and score but we just failed to perform. Jose himself said so. ChelseasMessiah, The Mak, Barbara and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Driver 503 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 The touch/1st time pass for the Ba goal was world class, what vision and technique only the very best can execute something like that. Lamps is very adequate in his new role but creation and his eye for goal are still there. Bosnian Blue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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