27 Sep 2015 15:28:17
This is a tough one at the moment regarding central defense. Even though there's no pace with Cahill and Terry I think they are our most reliable centre backs. Zouma was great against Arsenal but he seems raw and that's down to his age. I'd mainly just give him all cup matches and champions league games to gain more experience and time balls into the box. I don't think Ivanovic is helping either so I'd like to see us try a back four of Azpi, Cahill, Terry and Baba with the pace at the back coming from our full backs. What does everyone else think?
27 Sep 2015 18:03:57
Don't you think that's a bit of a knee jerk reaction? Zouma has been one of our best players this season, and you want him to be dropped because of one mistake (though I admit it was a big one)?
He was definitely at fault yesterday, but I question if it was only him. He often misjudges the flight of balls, but he never not jumps for them. Yesterday it seemed like he suddenly changed his mind about going for it, and left it for Ivanovic. In no way am I saying it's Brana's fault, but I think there was a lack of communication between the 2. He always at least tries to jump and head balls away, yesterday he didn't even jump. Lack of communication IMO.
Cahill-Zouma should remain the CB pair for me. The midfield is a different story though. Matic-Fabregas was non existent and totally run over. I'd like to see Mikel and RLC get a shot in the league next week. Ramires and Willian could prove to be very useful impact subs though with their limitless energy.
27 Sep 2015 19:30:20
I agree in some parts. Although it wasn't his fault I find most of our lack of confidence down to Ivanovicat the back. Zouma and Cahill would work better if they had Azpi and Baba as full backs IMO. I don't think Jose will do that though. RLC, Matic and Fabregas would be best for me. We have two home games against Southampton and Villa in the league next which I expect wins and clean sheets. I have a funny feeling Jose's persistence in playing out of form players may cost him his job.
27 Sep 2015 20:21:56
Magical I think you should go back and re-watch the match with a focused attention on Zouma for the entire match before you write another knee jerk post like that. I've seen many posting right after the match that Zouma was completely at fault but I agree with Jackson and will reserve judgement or give the benefit of doubt to the 1 of the 2 defenders sandwiching the goal scorer who hasn't been completely terrible in every match this season.
27 Sep 2015 21:02:08
Blue lab you should understand what you're talking about before you open you're mouth.
27 Sep 2015 21:05:03
On the Matic-Fab paring I have noticed that Matic seems to be lunging at players more this season than I've noticed previously instead of picking them up and running with them and using his physicality to ease them off the ball. Of course lunging is a 50/50 prosect and Matic seems to be only winning about 2/10 this season. Fab has been bad defensively, when he's even in position, but then again that's never been his strength. I agree we should play him further up the pitch instead of as a dm but why do we need 2 dms anyway. Didn't we boss the match the last 30 min after Matic was taken off and we pushed up the pitch with a less defensive setup?
28 Sep 2015 21:40:18
why not just put oscar alongside matic and put fab in that cam role. it can be as simple as that. but jose just doesn't see it. just try it for once, even for just one half dammit.
29 Sep 2015 20:42:11
That will not fix the problem. Different formation and different tactics.