What is it that's missing

[The Silver Surfer]

Eye of the Tiger imo - we havent got it. Players need to be hungrier and that is a fall out from being champions imo and has happened before. Injuries and loss of form to key players havent helped.

But! It CAN be cured! So dont dispair!!

Fernandinho is PIVOTAL.
Mangala imo is worth persevering with - he needs game time to adjust for a start but he also allows us to play 20 meters further up the pitch if everyone is on their game. The left back needs to protect him and with Kolarov's instinct to attack thats the best way - and if Fernandinho is playing he can cover the hole. Or even Nasri or Milner depending on who is playing.

Fernando I had assumed was brought in to shore up things either when we were in a winning position or to beef up the midfield in the tougher games though itd mean losing a striker . He is not a starter most of the time IMO.

Forget Yaya and doing defensive work now he doesnt want to know. He IS a legend but time waits for no one and we need to get the best from him till summer.

We lost Negredo but Jovetic is his direct (and better) replacement.

So basically just play like last year! Too many teams big and small, fuck up changing things a year after they have done well when theres no need.

A team like this puts even more emphasis on attack, playing further up field and has even more fluidity with Jovetic playing up front.
And next year all you have to do is replace Yaya with Pogba ;)

Hart

zab kompany mangala kolarov

fernandinho
silva nasri
yaya
jovetic
aguero

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Not fit enough, something I have felt for a couple years.

We are able to coast for long periods and struggle when teams have the temerity to outwork us.

It becomes all the more pronounced when the teams in European competition are able to combine this with pace and technique.

 

[kenzie115]

Fernandinho.

Was immense last season but can't get a look in this year. Anyone that thinks Fernando is better in a midfield two needs to give their head a wobble.

As for whether we should actually be playing a midfield two when no other decent side in European football does, well that's a different matter.

 

[KingBilly]

My refund from Uefa for cska game :{

 

[crystal_mais]

Pace & Power -

 

[NQCitizen]

Continued runs in the team for Demichelis and Kolarov the two most unflappable leaders in the team.

A steady back 4 would be a huge help.Wasn't yesterday the first time Chelsea had a different fullback on the pitch,an enforced change?

I don't get all this rotation,especially when it does fuck all to counter the opposition.

Yeah exactly. We've bought fernando and mangala who are keeping two of the stars of last season out of the squad regularly. I don't get how we rotate so much yet rarely start Jovetic either who with Yaya off form is more likely to turn a match than anyone.

 

[Rascal]

A bit of faith

 

[penalty spot]

We seem to have become predictable in our tactics and other teams notably West Ham have changed theirs . Instead of sitting back they attacked and it worked. Maybe some raucous support would not go amiss at home .

 

[cibaman]

The disappointing factor on Saturday was the lack of urgency until we were 2-0 down. Okay, we didnt get the 2nd and 3rd goal but I was more than happy with the tempo and intensity in the last15mins. But why couldnt we play like that from the start? We seem happy stroking the ball about at a slow pace, just assuming that the goals will come.

It was much the same against Stoke. We were so laid back it was untrue, until they scored. And we started the second half against CSKA apparently believing the game was in the bag.

We have terrific players, can play some great football. But we can also be very complacent at times.

 

[aguero93:20]

A bit of faith

This. A bit of luck too, near impossible to win trophies without it.