Chelsea Banter Archive February 02 2019

02 Feb 2019 20:35:30
What seemed to be different today from other recent League games is that ball the ball did not get stuck in triangles of passes sideways and backwards between Jorginho and others but moved forward more swiftly, including by Jorginho himself. Even if he still has to discover defence splitting passes himself, he did not slow our play down today and especially in second half had some good moments in launching attacks. Perhaps this was partly because Huddesrfield did not press us as well as some other teams have, but let's be optimistic and think that it may have something to do with tactical rethink by Sarri and that Kovatic coming on for Jorginho also part of this. Thought like others that Barkley had a very good game, Hazard at his best and great to see Higuain score two goals, the first excellent. Yes, 'only Huddersfield' some in media may say, but though our defence looked a bit shaky at times and Huddersfield had some chances (especially in first half) overall this was the encouraging response to Bournemouth result we wanted and needed.

02 Feb 2019 22:10:44
Against arsenal first game, the Liverpool game and city game. Also spurs llast week, because teams pressed us we had to be direct, no time on ball, and forwards would be higher up or not have time to take touch so would be ready to go forward, jorginho was brillliant in those games. The reason we have so many sideways passing and pointless triangles is players too often want ball with back to goal and not on the move so we pass and pass and pass waiting for opposition to press or for that one ball over or through which never comes, i completely think there are teams jorginho doesn’t need to play against. But he is the target and scape goat for when the forwards offer nothing. Today he done his job and had so much going on in front.

02 Feb 2019 22:22:11
FYI i do believe kante is more than capable of playing instead of jorginho. Would free up 2 creative / attacking roles.

03 Feb 2019 06:45:04
Well put Matt and let's hope Sarri can become flexible with selections or substitutions depending on who we're playing and how they play against us.

02 Feb 2019 17:49:43
Agree with the both of you, just to add I think Lova can make that role his own, better defensively and can drive either ball of necessary. Very much mobile. Barkley was immense.

02 Feb 2019 18:03:08
ELI he does look more than capable to do that role but credit to Jorhinho as he was quality today. Its nice knowing we have someone who could play that role or atleast provide competition for it.

Barkley finally showed he has the required skill to be playing for Chelsea. Its the mind set for him. Immense is the right word.

02 Feb 2019 14:14:47
Is Emerson injured?

Rudiger on the bench

WTF.

02 Feb 2019 14:42:00
Rudiger has a knee injury apparently, but no Emerson in the bench not sure

Cannot believe Hudson-Odoi still doesn’t get a start. Quite unbelievable really.

02 Feb 2019 18:40:32
Emerson pre-match fitness test, so I assume he is injured.

02 Feb 2019 13:05:16
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Top 10 Strikers

02 Feb 2019 16:47:22
No Messi Ed001?

02 Feb 2019 16:48:56
My bad, i sent that too early, strikers*, not necessarily goalscorers, tends to play everywhere nowadays lol.

Also, if i could ask, are there any websites/ books on the net that could help develop the understanding of tactics and gameplay etc or how the 'normal' person could, to a lesser extent, see the game in the way you do? Which is mesmerising, you're incredible at that mate.

{Ed001's Note - ah ok no worries.

I would suggest possibly Coaches Voice, that has some interesting stuff. Other than that you would be looking at scouting sites, such as Wyscout or Scout7 but I am not sure how much you can see on them without subscribing.

Books are difficult as they tend to focus on narrative, rather than the tactical side of things, so you are better looking at academical papers. Are you on LinkedIn? There are a hell of a lot of football people on there, particularly those trying to become coaches and scouts etc. They will often give out links which can then lead you to other links and so on, where you can get to those academical papers.

The FA website has some good resources as well, though their coaching courses are not the best, as they were created with ex-managers, such as 'Arry and Fergie, that never actually coached anyway. Still they do give you a bit of something to get started with and a different viewpoint. It is possible to do some free courses on there and get your Level 1 in scouting through the site, which does give a good basic platform to build on.}

02 Feb 2019 19:16:22
Thanks Ed001, talking of Messi, he's just scored another two. And will also talk a look at the necessary sites.

{Ed001's Note - Messi wants to play from deeper and be a playmaker rather than goalscorer, but it seems a waste to me when he is that good a finisher.

The big thing to do is not watch the ball when a game is taking place, which can be difficult, but you will not see the tactics and formations clearly by following the ball. If you can find the videos, George Graham did a series of tactical discussions on Sky Sports back in the early days of the Prem. He explained how he wanted his defence to work, the full backs covering back etc, then you watch the modern day game and you will see massive differences. It does give you some insight into the thinking he had and the positioning a defender should actually have. Makes for a good comparison and also makes you think about how a backline moves as a unit, something which then makes it easier to see when you watch a game.}

02 Feb 2019 23:08:27
Maybe it's just his personal preference ED001. Could be getting 70 odd goals a season if he played upfront, currently gets around 50 but couples that with assists, creating chances etc. His passing fro m deep is extraordinary, one touch play, movement, vision and going upfront would lead to some of that being diminished/ seen less often which would be a shame.

Will also take a look at the videos, just really interested about this side of the game, rather than just seeing the 'usual' every game.

{Ed001's Note - it is a personal thing, he says he gets a bigger buzz from playing someone else in to score than he does from scoring himself.

If I see anything else useful I will drop the links on this site from now on for you. Not that I tend to see much very often these days and a lot of the best resources get closed off due to the footage being used is always taken down due to copyright infringement unfortunately.}

02 Feb 2019 11:14:36
Looking forward to Huguain scoring today and media going with. it's only Huddersfield. Also don't want players keep coming out saying how we need a big response, it's not good enough etc etc. Start showing that in the pitch. They say The right things but need to shown to fans, 3-0?

02 Feb 2019 12:57:34
Let's hope CHO starts, Tripe H front 3 would be good.

02 Feb 2019 15:30:10
3-0? To Huddersfield?

02 Feb 2019 05:46:59
I saw a comment down the page where someone said your club is the worst run by the Board. I think we’d give you a run for you money right now for that. No coherent strategy, short term decisions, no long term planning, we have a lot in common right now.

However, what did you all make of Sarri’s comments? Jose lost your dressing room, as he then lost ours but some of Sarri’s comments suggest the players hold all the cards. Everything is happy and shiny at OT right now but seeing what is happening at Chelsea, I worry that if we have a rough patch and the Manager makes unpopular decisions, we might see tools downed again.

Is it poor management or is it just the modern game? We saw Argentina’s players pretty much ignore their Manager at the World Cup, do Managers now have to tread very carefully and persuade and cajole as opposed to telling and instructing?

I was quite shocked by Sarri’s comments, how are you all reacting to them?

02 Feb 2019 07:18:35
Sarri was spot on and I think he’ll win them over.

I don’t think sport is changing as such where players hold all the power but for some clubs/ teams it’s like that.

In nba you have Steve Kerr (their gm) in control of 5 all stars but last year with the cave, LeBron (the player) was basically running the show and telling plays instead of the gm. It’s becoming more player oreintated but managers still are mostly in control I believe, they just need to gain respect from the players instead of demand it.

02 Feb 2019 08:53:44
Once upon a time managers all but ran the playing side, coaching, picking sells and buys and being involved in everything but nowadays the players know his role is seen as a coach and very little else. Managers that could do everything are rare now and many are happy to be the trainer/ coach and leave the rest to others. Sarri's comments were interesting but you could tell the players also said their piece to him as there were several references to their performance and "I don't decide the tactics" and "we were better defensively last season" and one we all complain about "we kept losing the ball up front and were countered". BIG game against Huddersfield for more reasons than one.

02 Feb 2019 09:34:19
I have always maintained something, which is that:
Sarri never knew much about the Chelsea board, the league (EPL- that it can be unbelievably difficult) or the character of the players at Chelsea, before he came to Stanford Bridge- he just saw them from the other side and off course the lawn is always greener from the other side. I remember at some point Sarri said- he can, but he won't talk to Antonio Conte- to know about the players- which means that he wants to discover for himself (indeed he's now discovering for himself) .

Sarri's recent comments show that he's now beginning to understand the players at Chelsea (the same players that messed up two world class coaches in Jose Mourinho and very regrettably Antonio Conte) . I always blame Sarri cos I feel he should have known a bit about the players that he is coming to manage and how the Chelsea board reacts to issues concerning the players. Honestly, I think Sarri could have sold some of the players when he arrived at Chelsea.

If you think back, there was a comment that Hazard made when this Chelsea team was playing well (still unbeaten) and getting good results: He said that, 'all is going well now cos the results are good but we will see how good we are (manager included) when we turn a rough patch'. From this comment, I can deduce that Hazard expected that there would be a rough time ahead and wasn't confident (in what? ) from the start of the season, the question is why?

Whatever happens, I want the board to support Sarri (he's a top manager) to bring or use young, vibrant and hungry players- build a new core and don't hold back anyone that wants to leave. We can't be sacking good coaches every now and then (at the moment, I am thinking that sacking Antonio Conte was a mistake) .
NB: I don't support Sarri using Hazard as a point man.

02 Feb 2019 10:06:55
AJH, Sarri is spot on. He is only saying what the two previous managers have said.

We lack leaders and have players who. are mentally weak.

Having said that, we are still a lot better that Utd and we always will be.

02 Feb 2019 10:09:22
I think, because it's now happened with multiple managers, it's definitely largely due to the players. We have some serious primadonnas.

Eden, while I love him, isn't about 100% effort consistently. Willian is sulky as all hell, and we saw with Conte how he turned on him with the emoji disaster. Morata wasn't up for it mentally sadly. Luiz has brianfarts still, which is a shame. Alonso hasn't been good enough for weeks now, and it seems like he isn't giving it his all.
The team still don't play the system.

Similarly, your club also employs some primadonnas. Alexis, Pogba, Lukaku, Martial (to a certian extent), they all seem a bit fickle in their efforts on the pitch. So yeah, you're in the honeymoon phase and you have too much talent to miss out on top 4 (which I've said all along) . But the underlying issue with player mentality will still exist with those players, and once things start getting more difficult the same tension will likely arise again.