Graham Potter Thread

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

7 minutes ago, Gundalf said:

100% win percentage with 3atb 😂 

 

I just hope that Potter doesnt switch back to back 4 just bc we have some momentum now. 

 

He did today last 20 mins. 

[Costa19 858]

3 weeks ago we would have lost this game after going 1-0 up and then hit the post only to concede afterwards. 
 
Today the players kept playing and instead of heads down they went on winning.

Great mentality and you can see how big difference a small portion of confidence does.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

Need more consistency in performances and results now. 3 games is 3 games, Everton & Villa next another 2 winnable games. Then Liverpool squashed in after them before we play Wolves & Brighton, who again, we should be looking to beat. If we can build up some momentum and promising performances people, including myself, may be a bit more optimistic about next season but again, the managers nowhere near out of the woods yet for me - needs to finish strongly this season. Still been a very poor season collectively and I don’t think how he’s handled things has been entirely convincing. 

Edited March 11, 2023 by OneMoSalah

[Blue Armour 4,436]

8 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Need more consistency in performances and results now. 3 games is 3 games, Everton & Villa next another 2 winnable games. Then Liverpool squashed in after them before we play Wolves & Brighton, who again, we should be looking to beat. If we can build up some momentum and promising performances people, including myself, may be a bit more optimistic about next season but again, the managers nowhere near out of the woods yet for me - needs to finish strongly this season. Still been a very poor season collectively and I don’t think how he’s handled things has been entirely convincing. 

The biggest issue he still needs to sort out is how the team presses when they don't have the ball.

The organized press is still lacking and that results in our defense being put under pressure more often than needed.

[TheHulk 2,404]

Wish we changed to 5 at the back a few games before this run, would challenge for the Top 4 right now need miracle..

[kellzfresh 7,229]

The 6 keys to our recent form are because: 

1. Potter has gone to a 3-4-3 formation which the players already are used to, helps cover the half spaces in defense, provides enough cover defensively to prevent counterattacks

2. Most importantly he is finally playing the same group of players, who have formed some chemistry and understanding of each others game. 

3. He has removed Havertz from the striker position and he is playing as a free role attacking forward now.

4. Kovacic-Enzo is a great midfield pairing as Enzo is a massive upgrade to Jorginho.

5. Ben Chillwell making runs from the wingback has provided us with a massive outlet to switch balls to the flanks and play long balls in behind defenses. 

6. Lastly Potter is now making tactical switches in the second half to adapt and react to the opposition changes and secure our wins. Against Leeds he put in Gallagher, Zakaria to shore up the midfielder and secure the win. Against Dortmund he put in Gallagher again to shore up the midfield and secure the win. Against Leicester he noticed that they were going through the middle and Felix wasn't pressing so he removed Felix and put Gallagher to make some tackles and block the midfield from being overrun

[Clockwork 1,794]

Need to have a great finish to the season imo to justify Potter staying. 

[Fernando 6,585]

On 12/03/2023 at 06:05, kellzfresh said:

The 6 keys to our recent form are because: 

1. Potter has gone to a 3-4-3 formation which the players already are used to, helps cover the half spaces in defense, provides enough cover defensively to prevent counterattacks

2. Most importantly he is finally playing the same group of players, who have formed some chemistry and understanding of each others game. 

3. He has removed Havertz from the striker position and he is playing as a free role attacking forward now.

4. Kovacic-Enzo is a great midfield pairing as Enzo is a massive upgrade to Jorginho.

5. Ben Chillwell making runs from the wingback has provided us with a massive outlet to switch balls to the flanks and play long balls in behind defenses. 

6. Lastly Potter is now making tactical switches in the second half to adapt and react to the opposition changes and secure our wins. Against Leeds he put in Gallagher, Zakaria to shore up the midfielder and secure the win. Against Dortmund he put in Gallagher again to shore up the midfield and secure the win. Against Leicester he noticed that they were going through the middle and Felix wasn't pressing so he removed Felix and put Gallagher to make some tackles and block the midfield from being overrun

Awesome analysis. 

That part of Felix for Gallagher I wasn't aware of it but makes sense. 

I'm sure Mount would have been better but too bad he wants to leave. So i guess potter will use Gallagher, which I'm fine, I rather give Gallagher a chance like the way we did with Mount. To me, Gallagher desires to be here, Mount does not care. He can go! 

 

[Strike 7,474]

On 12/03/2023 at 04:01, OneMoSalah said:

Need more consistency in performances and results now. 3 games is 3 games, Everton & Villa next another 2 winnable games. Then Liverpool squashed in after them before we play Wolves & Brighton, who again, we should be looking to beat. If we can build up some momentum and promising performances people, including myself, may be a bit more optimistic about next season but again, the managers nowhere near out of the woods yet for me - needs to finish strongly this season. Still been a very poor season collectively and I don’t think how he’s handled things has been entirely convincing. 

There is still the Champions League. Get a fit Kante alongside Enzo and we could be competitive against any of the remaining teams

[Mário César 1,232]

18 minutes ago, Strike said:

There is still the Champions League. Get a fit Kante alongside Enzo and we could be competitive against any of the remaining teams

I woud prefer not play against city and real. avoid this two teams and the rest I think we can handle some of the others teams 

my problem is kepa. I think is not good enough

[robsblubot 3,595]

Potter has an EXTREMELY expensive squad at his disposal. It's pretty evident at this point that he will be given time, but next season will be interesting: reckon Chelsea will need more than play OK football as we've been doing in the past few matches.

Leicester performance was OK/decent... IMO it said more about Leicester than us, but still, the team showed resilience.

The defense looked a bit better. I think Thiago Silva is showing his age at times... I know... unpopular, but he lacks pace at times, and his fantastic positioning can't always make up for that; I think his injury helped Potter, but Cucurella as the Azpi of the left was a smart move.

[Vegetable 830]

4 hours ago, robsblubot said:

Potter has an EXTREMELY expensive squad at his disposal. It's pretty evident at this point that he will be given time, but next season will be interesting: reckon Chelsea will need more than play OK football as we've been doing in the past few matches.

Leicester performance was OK/decent... IMO it said more about Leicester than us, but still, the team showed resilience.

I think the important question is how low can the club drop to stay sustainable. Missing out on Europe this season is bad, but doing it twice would be catastrophic, especially given the never ending transfer lists, so there must be a safety switch somewhere.

IF we had a good run until the end of season, it would still make Potter's stint a 50/50 terrible and okay-ish. We are playing "ok football" compared to this horrendous 15 games run, but is it ok football compared to City, I'm not sure. But hopefully there is some upward trajectory, yet it's still just 3 games. 

Still feel like GP job is hanging more on availability of good replacement, compensations and PR, than GP himself now. I just hope it won't be a Tuchel 2 aka trust the bs, have a preseason, buy even more Brighton players, spread more midtable mentality and sack him 6 games into new season. Very interested in how it will play out and how will the next games go.

Edited March 13, 2023 by Vegetable

[robsblubot 3,595]

38 minutes ago, Vegetable said:

I think the important question is how low can the club drop to stay sustainable. Missing out on Europe this season is bad, but doing it twice would be catastrophic, especially given the never ending transfer lists, so there must be a safety switch somewhere.

IF we had a good run until the end of season, it would still make Potter's stint a 50/50 terrible and okay-ish. We are playing "ok football" compared to this horrendous 15 games run, but is it ok football compared to City, I'm not sure. But hopefully there is some upward trajectory, yet it's still just 3 games. 

Still feel like GP job is hanging more on availability of good replacement, compensations and PR, than GP himself now. I just hope it won't be a Tuchel 2 aka trust the bs, have a preseason, buy even more Brighton players, spread more midtable mentality and sack him 6 games into new season. Very interested in how it will play out and how will the next games go.

Oh we are not yet competitive against the top clubs. Would not bet a dime on us against City or Arsenal atm... even if tbh City has not been firing in all cylinders this season; I think they have a lot good players, a couple mediocre ones, and lacking any real talent in midfield without KDB.

This season is a bust, but beating Dortmund helped a bit -- tbh I think Dortmund is one of the easiest clubs to beat at this level. They play good football, but are on the softer side.

Regarding next season, it's difficult to speculate. Reckon the squad will change quite a bit, as the manager will have his favorites, and personal preferences as style and characteristics. CL would be the bare minimum after spending so much.

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

8 hours ago, Strike said:

There is still the Champions League. Get a fit Kante alongside Enzo and we could be competitive against any of the remaining teams

Our best bet is playing rock solid defence like 2 seasons ago. Back then in 7 knockout games we conceded just 2 goals. Benzema after corner and last minute screamer against Porto when it was already over. 

We definitely have quality to do something similar. KK, Fofana, Cucurella rising their game lately is very positive sign. Silva should be back. James and Chilwell are already there, massive players for us. Enzo is phenomenal and Kante should start from next game after being out all season. We know what Kovacic can do. Trying to break all these guys and score against us it will be extremely difficult task. For attack we have Havertz who started performing plus Felix, Sterling and Mudryk. This is way better front line than 2 seasons ago when Havertz, Mount and Werner mostly started games. 

I thought we have a great chance to win CL when QF and semifinal draw happened and we knew road to the final was open (Liverpool and Madrid struggled that season massively). So let's see what happens on Friday. 

[Strike 7,474]

5 hours ago, Vegetable said:

I think the important question is how low can the club drop to stay sustainable. Missing out on Europe this season is bad, but doing it twice would be catastrophic, especially given the never ending transfer lists, so there must be a safety switch somewhere.

IF we had a good run until the end of season, it would still make Potter's stint a 50/50 terrible and okay-ish. We are playing "ok football" compared to this horrendous 15 games run, but is it ok football compared to City, I'm not sure. But hopefully there is some upward trajectory, yet it's still just 3 games. 

Still feel like GP job is hanging more on availability of good replacement, compensations and PR, than GP himself now. I just hope it won't be a Tuchel 2 aka trust the bs, have a preseason, buy even more Brighton players, spread more midtable mentality and sack him 6 games into new season. Very interested in how it will play out and how will the next games go.

even in the bad run - in 8 of the first 9 league games after the World Cup, Chelsea had the better xG than the opponent. The results were terrible but the team was not totally off the boil. There were few games that were inexcusable - Spurs for example but I never worried that we're in a point of no return here. Clearly, its a squad of talented players. Hoping this 3-4-3 shape suits everyone (except Mudryk and Madueke but can't help that) and that there's a good end to the season