Chelsea Banter Archive December 07 2014

07 Dec 2014 20:53:33
Theres been a lot of talk about the right wing spot and in particular Willian and Marco Reus but I've been surprised by the lack of attention that schurrle is getting. Willian is a good winger to have for a game where we are countering for most of it and the oppositions fullback is pressing forward. That being said there might be 5 teams in the league that will play an open game against us leaving a lot of Willians flaws to be exposed. For all of his movement rarely do I see him take people out of a play (cesc is absolutely brilliant at this) or make a phenominal run to open the defense (agueros best trait). This renders a lot of this running useless and combined with his lack of end product Willian doesn't really make a major contribution in attack. Now on to the main point of the post. Andre was largely inconsistent last year but after the world cup I had very high hopes that he would raise his game. That said between injuries, illness, and a lack of form he's struggled recently. With that said Andre has some characteristics that can really help our squad and some are somewhat rare for people in his position. To start off he makes some great runs (see burnley wonder goal) off the wing to get behind the defense. This is two fold as it is another way to get behind the defense but it also gives the centre half something to think about which leads to more space for costa and the like. He is also a very good finisher for a winger and is actually someone who can have a whack from outside the area (although he needs to cut down on how many times he does this and figure out when the time is right for it). In addition he has a good deal of pace and is more than capable of putting in a shift. He certainly has his flaws but in my opinion he offers a different skill set and can provide some attacking intent which Willian might lack. In no way do I think he is as good as Reus but I certainly hope he gets a run of games and can get a good run of form going.

Totally agree. Hope he gets some game time. One of the problems is he only gets 10 mins when he comes on, and so isn't really match fit/in-sync with the team. A run in the team will hopefully bring the best out of him.

07 Dec 2014 12:05:34
Game against Hull

Fab out, Ramires in.

Ivanovic out, azpi and luis in

Cahill out, Zouma in.

Couple of points.
We've became predictable. No width again. Ivanovic being the reincarnation of dani alves is not helping. This 'attacking juggernaut' can not cross to save his life, he's also leaving Cahill horribly exposed, and without matic he was even more exposed.

In Mourinhos first stint, We had Teo good, competent wingers, now we have hazard, and Willian. While I respect what he does, why is he always starting, surely playing a fullback like Bertrant in his position would be exactly the same? We need a replacement, and we also need backup for oscar and fabregas. T.Hazard and Van Ginkel imo.

If Fabregas gets marked out, we seem to give it straight to hazard who is immediately double marked. Why are we so predictable?

Willian isn't good enough. Simple as that.

Plus, Rotation!

Must say I do agree in general. Willian is ok and that's about it. This must be Ivanovic's last year and he does stupid things when results don't go our way. Cahill shouldn't have played as he was clearly affected by the head injury. What was all that rubbish about blaming the Newcastle fans? Sometimes Jose behaves like a Victor Meldrew.

I have high hopes for Van Ginkel, but I'm glad he was loaned out. He wouldn't have got many minutes at Chelsea and after his injury, many minutes at a good level is exactly what he needs. Hopefully he can manage to play his way into the starting line up at Milan. He's still young and next year he could be a very good replacement when Matic needs a breather.
I'd like to see Zouma get more minutes as well, and Dave and Luis as fullbacks seems a good option right now. Luis is also kinda tall so helps a little in the aerial department. Unfortunately we all know that Ivanovic won't be dropped.
I like Willian, and I just don't know many wingers that I'd like to replace him (Reus being one but he's not coming. Maybe Cuadrado but I doubt we'll get him). What wingers would others suggest?

Jeez, we've lost 1 (ONE!) game since last April and you lot are calling for wholesale changes - methinks you'd all be happier if we were to go back to being a yo-yo team!

Simple as wanting fresh legs it is a team game after all. I have always thought Willian wasn't what we needed as hard as he works he and brana down our right is more than not flat. Give Rami a run in midfield push Fab forward play Andre do something different. Ffs, it has absolutely nothing to do with us loosing only one game. When would you want us to surprise the opposition or come into every game with a different game plan when we lose two games? Or three?

We were difficult to beat at the start of the season because no one knew what to really expect. Magic and Fab together, Costa, sometimes Schrulle getting a run, Rami against Liverpool. But now we just go in with the same team.
We aren't trying to tell Jose how to coach I sure as Monkeys butt not, but come-on, where is the element of surprise, where is that risk of starting a game against the stokes and West hams. The Newcastle's and and heck even the high flying Saints with two strikers.
Not just at the bridge but at their various grounds and play like we want to win the league. Start with two strikers put them under real pressure get your goals and then Park Romans yacht in front of goal.
Jose is the special one and I'm being honest here when I say this I still believe he is but you all know the Jose of old would have broken that jinx at St. James, 's Park on a season like this where we are flying just to remind everyone who he is but he couldn't no biggie, as I said yesterday rubbish happens.

No one is really complaining we just want to win it this season and sometimes that risk, that believe in your team could do it. I know Jose would get it right he always does, thing is City ain't hanging around waiting till he does.

07 Dec 2014 16:14:54
I don't get why everyone is on Willian's back when Oscar is by far the worse of the two in terms of consistency and what he brings to the team. The majority of games you don't even notice Oscar is on the pitch, he offers very little in the position he plays and I would much rather see Fabregas moved up to Oscar's position and Ramires/Mikel to come in and fill Fabregas's position. At least that way Fabregas can concentrate more on the attacking phase of the game instead of defensive responsibilities.

08 Dec 2014 23:03:32
I liked your post woody tilm the point you said replace fabregas with mikel. Are you serious? doesn't anyone spot that every time mikel comes on the pitch we end up.losing or.drawing? I really believe he is our curse!

10 Dec 2014 20:34:41
Well LRDIt against Sporting Fabregas moved into Oscar's position and Mikel filled Fabregas's place :) This is what I was asking for and I think it works quite well. Would like to see Mourinho stay with it against Hull.

07 Dec 2014 02:32:36
dont worry guys next 3 pl matches are against hull stoke and west ham we should be able to get 9 points from these games and get rolling once again!

although the away match to stoke is looking a little dodgy. I hate it when we have to play these tricky away matches on a saturday lunchtime, evening or a monday night (in this case against stoke) for some reason I think chelsea do better on the usual saturday 3pm kick offs regarding away matches!

I reckon 4 points from 9 imo, a loss to Ham or stoke, and a draw to ham or stoke.

We've improved our players from last year, but we seem to be doing the exact same things.

Aron what are you going on about?

We lost a game and suddenly the world is ending.

IB - totally agree - we have lost 1 game (unluckily!)!

I can see us going on another winning streak now, I think as a group they will be more determined now & realise they can't walk the ball in the net every game & need to keep the tempo up for 90 minutes or keep the ball better when we're 1 or 2 up! Where's the positivity aron haha :)

Personally I see JM using the Newcastle game as a motivator whenever the team starts to look too overconfident. The team against Hull will look totally different to the waywe played against Newcastle.

The home games we have no problem with but our next 3 AWAY games are against stoke, southampton and tottenham! these games especially during the festive period are going to be difficult!

We should get at least six points. Seven is more probable.

I'm going on about my opinion, that we will lose to one of Stoke or Ham, and draw with the other