Super Frank Thread

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

49 minutes ago, Tomo said:

LB will hopefully get sorted from within (Maatsen). As for backup GK, i imagine Cech and Christophe will be able to identify an appropriate one pretty easily.

You really think Maatsen has what it takes? i dont really see it yet even though he still is super young so might have huge upside still. i think if we want to win something this season or even make top 4 we need to be safe and at least get a backup goalie unless Cech really still got it. But for next season where there is an AFCON and we need to win stuff, we 100% need a PL-class backup goalie and LB.

[killer1257 3,282]

It is time to go...

 

 

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[Tomo 21,751]

He learned his lesson from Wilder outcoaching him twice last season. Had us penetrating the wings (especially on the right) to stretch SHU's back 5 and they simply had no answer.

[Jase 43,479]

I don't want to jump the gun and jinx anything because we are by no means a complete team yet but did something happen between Lampard, the coaching staff and players after the Southampton game?

Because the last few games and performances have been unrecognizable, for the better, from those games and performance prior to the Sevilla game. The new signings have partly helped but it feels like Lampard, the players etc suddenly just went back to the drawing board, pressed the reset button and go again. 

Tougher tests will come after the international break (we really do have a horrendous run of games coming up) but the last 6 games and performances as a whole have been encouraging. 

[Superblue 6,372]

38 minutes ago, Jason said:

I don't want to jump the gun and jinx anything because we are by no means a complete team yet but did something happen between Lampard, the coaching staff and players after the Southampton game?

Because the last few games and performances have been unrecognizable, for the better, from those games and performance prior to the Sevilla game. The new signings have partly helped but it feels like Lampard, the players etc suddenly just went back to the drawing board, pressed the reset button and go again. 

Tougher tests will come after the international break (we really do have a horrendous run of games coming up) but the last 6 games and performances as a whole have been encouraging. 

I agree.

After the game, although Souness was very complimentary he did say that there would be more difficult tests and he's completely right.

This does though have a bit of a feeling to Conte's first season when we switched to a back 3. Immediately something just clicked after that but because we beat some of the fodder at the foot of the table it was being relatively dismissed outside of the club. But the momentum that was building could be seen. That season we were almost not taken seriously enough until it was too late and we were tanking away with the league.

I'm not saying we'll do the same this season as that but it does feel like we're quietly going about our business very much under the radar, looking very dangerous in attack, whilst solid and organised in defence and midfield and we're building some momentum.

[Tomo 21,751]

11 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

I agree.

After the game, although Souness was very complimentary he did say that there would be more difficult tests and he's completely right.

This does though have a bit of a feeling to Conte's first season when we switched to a back 3. Immediately something just clicked after that but because we beat some of the fodder at the foot of the table it was being relatively dismissed outside of the club. But the momentum that was building could be seen. That season we were almost not taken seriously enough until it was too late and we were tanking away with the league.

I'm not saying we'll do the same this season as that but it does feel like we're quietly going about our business very much under the radar, looking very dangerous in attack, whilst solid and organised in defence and midfield and we're building some momentum.

Would be typical if it does as i have to attend a wedding on the weekend of our last home game

It would proper blindside me if it actually happens though, i had us as a title contender the minute Conte was announced back then and was 90% sure we had it after the United/Saints/Everton games but it genuinely isn't crossing my mind as a possibility this time tbh, i still feel we need time to properly gel, 

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Still remains to be seen if Lampard now keeps playing the same formation or does he switch again to a back 5 or something like that vs the bigger sides.

Otherwise the decisive moment of the season could be that last 15 minutes of the Krasnodar game.

[Superblue 6,372]

13 minutes ago, Tomo said:

Would be typical if it does as i have to attend a wedding on the weekend of our last home game

It would proper blindside me if it actually happens though, i had us as a title contender the minute Conte was announced back then and was 90% sure we had it after the United/Saints/Everton games but it genuinely isn't crossing my mind as a possibility this time tbh, i still feel we need time to properly gel, 

Consistency will be the biggest question mark this season that hasn't been answered yet. We had a run early last season after a shaky start and the wheels suddenly came off.

I think we have much more quality and experience this season to hopefully prevent that from happening, but winning the league will be a big ask. We'll see, I'm fairly optimistic so far that we could have a very good season, and build well on last year.

Again comes down to injuries and form deeper into the season, but I see us as a bit of a dark horse for the Champions League too. Again, definitely not favourites but i think if we continue to develop as the season progresses we'll be a side in the knock outs (assuming we make it to that stage as expected) that no one will want to play. It would be beautifully ironic if we did with Thiago Silva here after all the failed years he had with PSG.

[Azul 1,615]

My dream is coming true and that's Lampard massively improving as a manager. We are seeing a pattern of play and everything coming together. Even though the criticism was fair, I still believe he deserves massive respect. 

Before this season, I was struggling to see what our identity was but now I can clearly see where we are heading. There's nothing better than seeing our club hero succeeding as a manager . Let's hope he continues this, and also performs against the bigger sides. That's what matters at the end of the day.

[Tomo 21,751]

37 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Consistency will be the biggest question mark this season that hasn't been answered yet. We had a run early last season after a shaky start and the wheels suddenly came off.

I think we have much more quality and experience this season to hopefully prevent that from happening, but winning the league will be a big ask. We'll see, I'm fairly optimistic so far that we could have a very good season, and build well on last year.

Again comes down to injuries and form deeper into the season, but I see us as a bit of a dark horse for the Champions League too. Again, definitely not favourites but i think if we continue to develop as the season progresses we'll be a side in the knock outs (assuming we make it to that stage as expected) that no one will want to play. It would be beautifully ironic if we did with Thiago Silva here after all the failed years he had with PSG.

I agree with that it's not so much winning it but a deep run will be such a boost going forward, we need to start chalking quarter and semi appearances back on the board as a minimum.

That's why finishing top is crucial in my opinion, avoiding Bayern (along with City and Liverpool) in the RO16 will be massive.

[Ledg 643]

19 minutes ago, Tomo said:

I agree with that it's not so much winning it but a deep run will be such a boost going forward, we need to start chalking quarter and semi appearances back on the board as a minimum.

That's why finishing top is crucial in my opinion, avoiding Bayern (along with City and Liverpool) in the RO16 will be massive.

I agree but one correction - we can't play with Pool and City in the RO16 anyway.

[Tomo 21,751]

9 minutes ago, Ledgi said:

I agree but one correction - we can't play with Pool and City in the RO16 anyway.

Yeah that's what i meant we'll dodge Bayern aswell as those 2.