CHOULO19 24,332 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Thought he did fantastically well in defense yesterday. I haven't seen the numbers, but he made several crucial tackles and interceptions in midfield and at the edge of our box. DYC. and The Skipper 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara 15,149 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Thought he did fantastically well in defense yesterday. I haven't seen the numbers, but he made several crucial tackles and interceptions in midfield and at the edge of our box. 5/8 tackles, 0 interceptions, 2 clearances according to Opta. CHOULO19 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nike 373 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Mikel can handle the coming game, he is not good going forward but can provide the same stability as Matic.Cesc on the other hand has been our playmaker, dictates our whole game. He doesn't have a direct replacement, he will be missed very badly.Mikel cannot provide the same stability as Matic.Mikel can provide another body when a team parks the bus....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHOULO19 24,332 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 5/8 tackles, 0 interceptions, 2 clearances according to Opta.Shows how reliable they are. I'm watching the rerun and I just saw Cesc make an interception in the 63rd minute! Barbara and Muzchap 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas Lion 1,223 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Cesc has always been a great tackler of the ball, surprised so many people are surprised by that He started out as a holding midfielder at Barca's youth academy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyalBlues 4,050 Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stroey 2,525 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Yellow for him today, suspended for the next game right? (Hull) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDN Blue 7,903 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Today really showed me something about Fabregas. His off-the-ball positioning is almost woeful! Don't get me wrong, I love what he brings to us and I'm not saying he shouldn't play or anything like that, so I'm not being ungrateful to his contributions. But today, alongside Mikel, he showed the one weakness in his ability to play in that position ahead of defenders.. He's seldom in the right position to break up the play or sometimes even make space for himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stats 7,147 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 When we play really good teams in the UCL, I really would prefer to see him in the no.10 role as I believe we will be caught out defensively. Especially away from home. Let him do what he does best but playing against teams who will counter us at pace, we don't really need him in the double pivot. stroey and The Chels 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolhead23 1,147 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Today really showed me something about Fabregas. His off-the-ball positioning is almost woeful! Don't get me wrong, I love what he brings to us and I'm not saying he shouldn't play or anything like that, so I'm not being ungrateful to his contributions. But today, alongside Mikel, he showed the one weakness in his ability to play in that position ahead of defenders.. He's seldom in the right position to break up the play or sometimes even make space for himself.Thats the risk that we have taken ... I m sure the coaching staff is pretty aware of .. I believe thats one of the reason why Matic and Oscar fills the defensive void for Cesc ... But one positive is that he is trying hard (damn! i dont believe i saying that) just like Mata did but then the defensive thing doesnt come naturally or easily to players with flair... Having said that he is an intelligent player... He reads the game well like he did with the goalkeeper's position today ... rushes out everytime and was a very good drop for Drogs ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vybz Kartel 1,613 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Really needed the rest, im glad his suspended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
didierforever 7,349 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 its cesc's MO. starts a season brilliantly and then tailors off. doing kind of the same thing here. probably needs a rest!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheva. 5,373 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 He played good in the first half, i saw him win the ball back more than 3 times.2nd half was a mess, so nothing to talk about there. Sir Mikel OBE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Mikel OBE 4,920 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 He played good in the first half, i saw him win the ball back more than 3 times.2nd half was a mess, so nothing to talk about there.Agreed, but even then his pass created our only goal.Really think he will be at his best in a midfield where he does not have to be as defensively aware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo 21,751 Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 When we play really good teams in the UCL, I really would prefer to see him in the no.10 role as I believe we will be caught out defensively. Especially away from home. Let him do what he does best but playing against teams who will counter us at pace, we don't really need him in the double pivot.I can't see him playing number ten, if he plays further forward it will be part of a 4 3 3, and that didn't really work (defensively) at Everton which is why Mou put Rami on the right at Eastlands and Anfield.He's been a great signing not for one second saying otherwise, however where/how he plays against Real/Barca/Bayern will be the biggest tactical headache of the season. Stats and Blue-in-me-Veins 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDN Blue 7,903 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Thats the risk that we have taken ... I m sure the coaching staff is pretty aware of .. I believe thats one of the reason why Matic and Oscar fills the defensive void for Cesc ... But one positive is that he is trying hard (damn! i dont believe i saying that) just like Mata did but then the defensive thing doesnt come naturally or easily to players with flair... Having said that he is an intelligent player... He reads the game well like he did with the goalkeeper's position today ... rushes out everytime and was a very good drop for Drogs ... Yeah that's true. But like you said, he is intelligent so I kind of expect that he could do better off the ball, especially cos of were he plays? I mean it's okay when he partners Matic because the Serbian does enough that he can cover Fab's defensive duties. But perhaps it's worth having Ramires in when Mikel has to replace Matic, so we have a central 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Picked up his 5th yellow card today. Will be out against Hull next Saturday. Doubt he'll play any of the next 3 games. So, we are likely to see him back against Stoke in two weeks time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xPetrCechx 13,571 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Ramires now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tautvix 1,321 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Picked up his 5th yellow card today. Will be out against Hull next Saturday. Doubt he'll play any of the next 3 games. So, we are likely to see him back against Stoke in two weeks time.That's too long. Long time without football is never good. I think he will get some time vs Sporting or Derby, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 That's too long. Long time without football is never good. I think he will get some time vs Sporting or Derby,Possibly Derby, if I'm pushing it, since we have 5 days rest between that game and the Stoke clash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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