closed Wolves 2-1 Chelsea

[Blue Armour 4,165]

5 hours ago, Superblue_1986 said:

For me, the most disappointing aspect of the past two games is the inability to get something out of them when playing poorly. The performances have dropped significantly in the last 2 games with attacking options dwindled and those ones that are fit to play showing major signs of wear and fatigue. But we've still had a mixture of bad luck (woodwork in both games) and poor decision making and mistakes which have cost us.

We had the same problems last season which was we seemingly have to play well to get a result. Liverpool have probably had more poorer games than us this season but have been grinding some results out, and United even more so. It is definitely something that we have to address because we'll never be title contenders without that and top 4 will end up even being a struggle like last year.

I know it feels all doom and gloom this week and we could be mid table for the weekend, but also if results go a particular way we'll also be only 4 points from the top of the table. This season so far has been something like a scene from the Championship. We only had to win a 2 or 3 on the spin previously to suddenly be right up at the top and being talked about as title contenders. Hopefully we can get a spark back in the next game, and start moving back up the table.

I know West Ham have been on a decent run recently but our next 3 are hardly Liverpool, City, United. It's West Ham, Arsenal and Villa. They are very much winnable games and we also have a week free after this weekend to hopefully help give players some rest and get others fit.

Onwards and upwards...hopefully.

I made a similar point in the West Ham thread.

You only need to look at United who were all doom and gloom earlier in the season, and are now seemingly ready to overtake. 

We can take solace that these 2 results happened in away fixtures, and is the same kind of chaos that can hit the other teams too.

 

[Blue Armour 4,165]

3 hours ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Something we should definitely be doing more is taking shots on around and outside the box.

It's something I find bemusing when our manager was quite possibly the best, certainly of his generation, at this and the amount of games won and deadlocks broken by this.

You only have to look back at Mount's goal against West Brom as the spark to get us a draw in that game. 

We should have players capable of having efforts on goal. Even if we don't score from them, it helps apply pressure on to the opposition and potentially draw a team sitting deep out a little as they need to engage sooner and close down quicker to stop shots being taken. It can also lead to corners, free kicks, etc to present better goal scoring opportunities and we also have players such as Werner and Pulisic who are quick and sharp enough to follow up on deflections, goalkeeper parries, etc. 

Lampard always took responsibility in this regard. He would have at least 2-3 shots a game from distance, usually more but it provides a threat that teams have to deal with. Some of our players have to start taking that element of responsibility upon themselves.

Especially Mount 

The kid has really a good right foot, and he has a had a few good shots from distance that have turned to goals.

Needs to do it more often 

[Superblue 6,331]

Just now, Blue Armour said:

Especially Mount 

The kid has really a good right foot, and he has a had a few good shots from distance that have turned to goals.

Needs to do it more often 

He needs to be prepared to take on this responsibility. It's easy to say that when he's a young kid less than 18 months into his Chelsea first team career, Lampard wasn't that player in his first year or two at the club and was a couple of years older and far more experienced at that stage too.

But he definitely has that in his locker. 

[Atomiswave 6,072]

Damn, still feels like I was punched in the gut these last 2 games, proper shithouse of performances. He better get them in tune for WH or the knives will be out from all angles.

[Atomiswave 6,072]

younes is always fair and level headed and I agree with his views on this one for sure.

 

[Muzchap 8,966]

After all that moaning- 3 points off 2nd place 👍

[DANILA 290]

31 minutes ago, Muzchap said:

After all that moaning- 3 points off 2nd place 👍

This is a wrong mentality long-term. There are clear fundamental issues with the team and other poor results here and there should not conceal this

[Muzchap 8,966]

11 minutes ago, DANILA said:

This is a wrong mentality long-term. There are clear fundamental issues with the team and other poor results here and there should not conceal this

Yes which all teams are exhibiting in this 'extraordinary' season.

[DanP2311 65]

12 hours ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Something we should definitely be doing more is taking shots on around and outside the box.

It's something I find bemusing when our manager was quite possibly the best, certainly of his generation, at this and the amount of games won and deadlocks broken by this.

You only have to look back at Mount's goal against West Brom as the spark to get us a draw in that game. 

We should have players capable of having efforts on goal. Even if we don't score from them, it helps apply pressure on to the opposition and potentially draw a team sitting deep out a little as they need to engage sooner and close down quicker to stop shots being taken. It can also lead to corners, free kicks, etc to present better goal scoring opportunities and we also have players such as Werner and Pulisic who are quick and sharp enough to follow up on deflections, goalkeeper parries, etc. 

Lampard always took responsibility in this regard. He would have at least 2-3 shots a game from distance, usually more but it provides a threat that teams have to deal with. Some of our players have to start taking that element of responsibility upon themselves.

Once the ball got forward Mount was in the box with the forwards. He can get those shots (and support the attack better) by not out running the forwards.