Chelsea (A) | PL | Post-Match Thread

[Brightwell Bros.]

Good points. Pep obviously thought the Walker and Cancelo combo was worth a punt. It didn't work and he changed it. Maybe the timing was wrong with it being their first game back?
I went last night and I thought Ake was excellent defensively but take your point about the overlapping. Maybe Cancelo should have played LB? But like you say his form is on the floor.
Phil was properly off it. There were two Chelsea attacks in the first half down our right. When the ball went through to the left Phil was caught napping the wrong side of his man. He left Ake to deal with a two on one early in the second half. I put it down to just rustiness.

Yeah, we can spend as long as we want analysing formations but neither Phil nor Cancelo did the basics right yesterday. Touches were heavy, passes had too much weight on them, they gave it away too cheaply, Phil didn't have his usual energy in tracking back, and Cancelo's crossing was all over the place. They both have enough good will in the bank and there are mitigating circumstances, so they won't be getting too hard a time from me, but that isn't Pep's fault.

 

[ancoats]

the weight of the world was on our shoulders last night and that first half we could not carry it, but football is a game of 2 halves and Champions find a way to win, Yes players have off days or spells when you're under par, they are not superhuman as we like to think they are,

I don't know why, but this season feels like a different ball game, maybe it's the media pressure, maybe it's the fans demand's ?, maybe it's the other teams are better, but something feels different,

God only knows how big them 3 points were last night at Chelsea, you could see it on the faces of the players at the end, they knew, we knew, it was a BIG result,

PS

I am going back to the doctors this morning ? I want him to double the strength of my blood pressure tablets for the rests of the season.

 

[IcriedwhenTueartleft]

Weird match, Chelsea were there for the taking for spells of that match. Dreadful 1st half from us, Walker, Cancelo, Foden, KDB and Bernardo all miles off it. Stones was outstanding and kept us in it during that rocky 1st half.
2nd half, came out firing and the changes seemed to have worked as we played really well for 20 minutes, scored and then reverted back to the form of the 1st half.
Those of you who think Silva is playing well need to reconsider, he has been off it for months yet continually avoids any jip, primarily because he runs around a lot and argues with the ref (thus awarding him instant "look at Bernardo, he cares and is passionate" status. Not surprised he was hauled off last night, he has mentally left the building months ago.
Last 15 minutes were not great, no control, could not hold the ball for more than a couple of passes.
Special word for Ederson, took about 2 minutes to get down for their shot that hit the post and then came charging out like an absolute feckin idiot in the 2nd half, almost taking out Akanji in the process, almost a year to the day he did the same at Arsenal with Laporte.
Stones was immense, Lewis did well when he came on, Grealish made the goal and held the ball well (Foden's 1st half ball control was frankly abysmal in comparison)
Another shocker from KDB, passing was way off most of the game but involved in the goal.
Akanji did well when he came on too, Ake was good until he somehow became unable to head the ball properly in the last 15 minutes.
Delighted to get away with the 3 points and full marks for resilience last night.
Word for Sterling.....walked past the City support as he was heading off, loads of City fans were clapping him and he just ignored them...sums him up....mercenary and a Man Utd fan...

 

[Dribble]

Good analysis (and thought provoking) agree about the lfc game, the pace of it probably hid a thousand sins (tactically) no CL football for the three teams you mentioned tells us the mentally & physically draining nature of the PL CL & a World Cup combined is affecting others heavily, with Chelsea Spurs & Liverpool outside the top four, we are the anomaly, all things considered Pep & the boys are performing miracles, given we are fighting on all fronts. The interesting angle is coaches turning to youth to solve any issues, we’ve obviously used Rico very well & Cole will get plenty of minutes too, Chelsea’s young guns did very well last night also

The young Chavs played without fear. They had fuck all to lose anyway & may as well have lost 0-2 as 0-1.

Lewis is an absolute revelation & I couldn't be happier for him & what it means for our aspiring academy graduates.

Palmer's been used centrally a couple of times & looked anonymous, however the couple of times he's played on either wing, he's looked seriously dangerous.

Everyone started with a spring in their step after the WC, but now it feels like the business end of the season's come early, as teams seem more focused on results rather than performances.

I still feel this season will provide unexpected opportunities, challenges & more surprises from unlikely teams.

As for City, last season we lost Zinchenko, Sterling, Jesus & Fernandinho. We've replaced all four bar Sterling, with Gomez & Philips struggling to make a meaningful impact so far.

Essentially this is a season where we're starting another transition with question marks over Gundog & Bernardo, & in the knowledge that KDB ain't getting any younger.

We've more transitioning to do, & as we've seen previously, it generally takes at least a season or two for most players to adapt to Pep's way of thinking & playing.

Add in the early start to the season & it being fragmented with a World Cup in the middle, this season carries a lot of jeopardy going forward, as we, the Chavs & Dippers are finding out.

This summer could realistically see both Gundog & Bernardo depart.

We NEED a Left Back

We'll need to replace Gundog & Bernardo

Do we buy 2 midfielders?

Or do we move Foden & Grealiah inside & buy 2 specialist wingers?

Regardless, we could end up with 5-7 players next season in that "Needs a season or two to get used to Guardiola".

Next season won't bother me as much as this season, & that's because of the early start & mid-season World Cup.

This season's one of upheaval because of the aforementioned & all the changes of players last summer. There's more twists & turns to come yet.

Some teams are as equally worried about a European qualifying finish, as they are with relegation which seems to be a direct result of this very odd season.

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

Weird match, Chelsea were there for the taking for spells of that match. Dreadful 1st half from us, Walker, Cancelo, Foden, KDB and Bernardo all miles off it. Stones was outstanding and kept us in it during that rocky 1st half.
2nd half, came out firing and the changes seemed to have worked as we played really well for 20 minutes, scored and then reverted back to the form of the 1st half.
Those of you who think Silva is playing well need to reconsider, he has been off it for months yet continually avoids any jip, primarily because he runs around a lot and argues with the ref (thus awarding him instant "look at Bernardo, he cares and is passionate" status. Not surprised he was hauled off last night, he has mentally left the building months ago.
Last 15 minutes were not great, no control, could not hold the ball for more than a couple of passes.
Special word for Ederson, took about 2 minutes to get down for their shot that hit the post and then came charging out like an absolute feckin idiot in the 2nd half, almost taking out Akanji in the process, almost a year to the day he did the same at Arsenal with Laporte.
Stones was immense, Lewis did well when he came on, Grealish made the goal and held the ball well (Foden's 1st half ball control was frankly abysmal in comparison)
Another shocker from KDB, passing was way off most of the game but involved in the goal.
Akanji did well when he came on too, Ake was good until he somehow became unable to head the ball properly in the last 15 minutes.
Delighted to get away with the 3 points and full marks for resilience last night.
Word for Sterling.....walked past the City support as he was heading off, loads of City fans were clapping him and he just ignored them...sums him up....mercenary and a Man Utd fan...

Great write up! Thought Bernardo better in second half. There are also times when Gundo gets into the position or had an important duel to win and he’s all a bit “after you Claude”.
Must say though that Stones apart, the first half was worryingly dismal and we should have been behind and might have been if they did not have 2 early injuries

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

I don't know why, but this season feels like a different ball game, maybe it's the media pressure, maybe it's the fans demand's ?, maybe it's the other teams are better, but something feels different.

It's a weird transitional season for a lot of premier league teams, and we're trying to change a style of play that has served us well for 2 or 3 seasons. Lots of new players have come in, lots of established players have left. I don't think we'll see a vintage team this year, but could still win trophies, but think we will start to see flashes of what's to come. Add on that the world cup, which is really, really disruptive, and I think it's inevitable we will have weird halves of football. Just need to manage it as best we can, keep ourselves in the mix, and see where everyone in the top four is come the spring.

 

[bluedan]

Only we could have one of the deadliest strikers in the world and appear like we have a plucky Chris Wood working hard up top!

The lad is running himself into the ground and we need to give him a few more early crosses or go over the top of teams and show his pace.

Last season we essentially had 6 midfielders in games having that false 9.

This season with Haaland, we have lost that spare man in midfield. We know how much pep loves a midfielder.

This new formation since the restart is a welcome addition/option. Pep has gone with his way of getting those 6 in midfield again. Haaland's job is to pin the central defenders and create insecurity.

The formation also allows for pep to play more of the centre backs. Now playing with 3 of his central players at the back but the one on the right and left are actually now the wing backs.

We look suspect for the counter but again, we have always looked suspect on the counter when we have a false 9 system of last year

I think this formation is here to stay and the likes of Cancelo need to adapt, fast or face losing out.

Generally I feel our midfielders are simply misfiring and perhaps at times looking too predictable. Grealish and Mahrez can't start games and clearly they look like players to change games when the game is getting stretched and legs are tiring.

Zakaria looks like a player. Wonder if Juve would be open to an offer from us. Looked like Fernandinho and Yaya in one.

 

[M12Blue]

the weight of the world was on our shoulders last night and that first half we could not carry it, but football is a game of 2 halves and Champions find a way to win, Yes players have off days or spells when you're under par, they are not superhuman as we like to think they are,

I don't know why, but this season feels like a different ball game, maybe it's the media pressure, maybe it's the fans demand's ?, maybe it's the other teams are better, but something feels different,

God only knows how big them 3 points were last night at Chelsea, you could see it on the faces of the players at the end, they knew, we knew, it was a BIG result,

PS

I am going back to the doctors this morning ? I want him to double the strength of my blood pressure tablets for the rests of the season.

Good luck seeing GP ;)

 

[HelloCity]

Weird match, Chelsea were there for the taking for spells of that match. Dreadful 1st half from us, Walker, Cancelo, Foden, KDB and Bernardo all miles off it. Stones was outstanding and kept us in it during that rocky 1st half.
2nd half, came out firing and the changes seemed to have worked as we played really well for 20 minutes, scored and then reverted back to the form of the 1st half.
Those of you who think Silva is playing well need to reconsider, he has been off it for months yet continually avoids any jip, primarily because he runs around a lot and argues with the ref (thus awarding him instant "look at Bernardo, he cares and is passionate" status. Not surprised he was hauled off last night, he has mentally left the building months ago.
Last 15 minutes were not great, no control, could not hold the ball for more than a couple of passes.
Special word for Ederson, took about 2 minutes to get down for their shot that hit the post and then came charging out like an absolute feckin idiot in the 2nd half, almost taking out Akanji in the process, almost a year to the day he did the same at Arsenal with Laporte.
Stones was immense, Lewis did well when he came on, Grealish made the goal and held the ball well (Foden's 1st half ball control was frankly abysmal in comparison)
Another shocker from KDB, passing was way off most of the game but involved in the goal.
Akanji did well when he came on too, Ake was good until he somehow became unable to head the ball properly in the last 15 minutes.
Delighted to get away with the 3 points and full marks for resilience last night.
Word for Sterling.....walked past the City support as he was heading off, loads of City fans were clapping him and he just ignored them...sums him up....mercenary and a Man Utd fan...

I agree about Bernardo. It seems quite rare these days that he actually does something productive with the ball, whether scoring, assisting or beating a man. A lot of his input now comes from running around, which isn't too bad for us considering we've got so many good ball players. However, it has definitely been a while since we saw the best of him. Hard to know what to make of it since he may have had an eye on the WC and is now recovering from it, or it could just be that he doesn't feel as motivated to perform here as he once did given his recent comments.

 

[ancoats]

It's a weird transitional season for a lot of premier league teams, and we're trying to change a style of play that has served us well for 2 or 3 seasons. Lots of new players have come in, lots of established players have left. I don't think we'll see a vintage team this year, but could still win trophies, but think we will start to see flashes of what's to come. Add on that the world cup, which is really, really disruptive, and I think it's inevitable we will have weird halves of football. Just need to manage it as best we can, keep ourselves in the mix, and see where everyone in the top four is come the spring.

all of the above is spot on

we easily forget the changes and players in or out and the effect on the squad and first team it must have,
yes, we have to adapt to Haaland and having a main striker instead of the false 9, this is why we sometimes we look on fire and score loads of goals, then look lost and sloppy.

also it's still early doors, 17 games are less than halfway through the season, so we still need a little bit more time on the shape and setup, all the signs are there that we are not far off, once we settle back into the proper shape and setups I think we could fly away from the rest.

VERY BIG WIN and we answer the question last night, MANCHESTER CITY are not going away