24 Oct 2021 10:29:39
Well yes Norwich were awful, offered little or nothing, even worse than Malmo which is saying something. It was possible to relax about the result very very early on. in the game which is not something I've been able to do too often in last few seasons.

What I did really enjoy was the way that in both games, if particularly yesterday, we continued to play with considerable intensity even when games clearly won, moved the ball around so quickly, and put together some really impressive attacking moves and goodly number of impressive finishes. While also looking rock solid at the back, and pressing Barcelona style to win the ball back as soon as we lost it.

I don't think I've ever attended two CFC games in a row (and I've been going to the Bridge for more years that I'd care to say! ) when we have scored 11 and let none in.

Yesterday was particularly impressive in terms of all round team performance, almost as if each player felt liberated to play the situation as they saw it, and i wondered whether the absence of RL and TW at least in part gave them the freedom to play like this - not feeling they had to find the/ an obvious target man but look for the player best positioned.

So pleased for some of those who might have been pre-season 'fringe' players like RLC, TC and RB who now seem to fit into the groove either when starting or in RB's case coming on for cameos. As reported after the Malmo game, I do think CHO is beginning to grow in terms of necessary confidence to make a difference in attacking third, but of course these have been two games against very poor opposition. But perfect for him to gain that confidence.

Kai may have had a tough game yesterday, but we know his qualities and some of his off the ball movement was sublime.

Saul's cameo versus Malmo the only real disappointment, hard to tell if even he knew where he should be playing, his positioning on the pitch so poor, but presumably he will get another chance and start v Southampton.

1.) 24 Oct 2021
24 Oct 2021 10:54:59
JBS, as I always say, I enjoy a summary from posters who went to the match.

Sadly I had to watch the game on TV but it was obvious that the movement of Havertz was creating gaps all over the pitch. Sometimes it’s not about scoring goals.

As I said in an earlier post I will judge Saul, success or failure, at the end of the season. I also think he will start in midweek.

2.) 24 Oct 2021
24 Oct 2021 11:12:00
Thanks Tom, and sorry that you were not able to be there too. The team misses you! And, yes, you are right to hope that Saul can still come good and that we would be careful with early judgments.

3.) 24 Oct 2021
24 Oct 2021 17:31:34
I don't think Saul deserves to start at midweek I would rather RLC and barley started.

4.) 24 Oct 2021
24 Oct 2021 18:08:39
It could be all three.

5.) 24 Oct 2021
24 Oct 2021 18:18:28
Lrdit I agree Saul doesn't deserve to start on his form compared to the other two but perhaps Tom is right and all three will start. Point is of course that if Saul has zero game time he has no chance to improve and be a useful member of the squad. But if judging only on performances we have seen so far you are right.

6.) 24 Oct 2021
24 Oct 2021 18:33:11
I haven’t got a clue if he will a success at our club but we can’t just jump to judgement after less than 200 mins on the pitch and only about half of that in the Premiership.

I remember well some fans saying Lamps wasn’t good enough after his first few games for us.

We are all guilty of judging players far to quickly and that’s in a positive and negative way.

7.) 24 Oct 2021
24 Oct 2021 18:47:23
True Tom.

8.) 25 Oct 2021
25 Oct 2021 10:24:00
I think you have to trust what Tuchel is seeing in training.

If Saul isn't getting mins it's because Tuchel probably doesn't think he's at the level he was a couple of years ago. I'm sure he will get opportunities, most likely in midweek. But, if he hardly plays the rest of his time at the club, I'll trust Tuchel's judgement.

9.) 25 Oct 2021
25 Oct 2021 11:18:50
Absolutely “J”.