12 Aug 2019 10:39:10
Well I wonder if yesterday's performance and result surprised a few of the doom mongers on here.
I say performance as it was funny. Over the 90 minutes I don't think the team played at more than 70% of what this side is capable of. Which when you play at 70% and beat the team that finished 3rd last season 4-0 then I think you have ever right to feel excited by this team.
Young, hungry and learning. When you consider that AWB, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Andreas Pereira, Martial James and Rashford are at least 3-5 years away from reaching their peak that is something to be excited about. Add to that the likes of Dalot, Tuanzebe, Garner, Chong, Gomes and Greenwood who either didn't play or only got a few minutes then there is huge potential in this side.
There will be tougher days ahead, and there will be days where it doesn't click.
A balanced view would be that we looked a little too open in midfield which exposed our defence. Rashford on the left didn't cover Shaw which meant they kept getting in down that side. I also wonder if that group of players could unlock a side that sits much deeper and doesn't play so openly.
To counter those points, this is a new team with new partnerships being developed all over the pitch. The communication looked very good, Lindelof and AWB when Chelsea got in between them, McTominay after the third goal. The spirit is there, the team play takes time to develop. Could they break down a side that sits much deeper? Well for a start our full backs would be able to get further forward, and maybe stretch a defence. Pogba would also have more time on the ball in offensive phases of play. We also have players such as Mata, Gomes and Greenwood would possess technical ability, vision and clever movement who could come in to open up deeper defenses.
I really liked what I saw yesterday, and if the team continues to develop their understanding with eachother and their team play, grows in confidence then they can easily improve their performance levels by 30% at which point we would be able to challenge every team in the league.
12 Aug 2019 11:13:33
One more thing is that Luke Shaw needs a consistent run of games to reach top form mainly because of his bulky body type.
12 Aug 2019 11:39:17
TrueRedDevil, he is similar to Rooney in that he needs games to get to the required match fitness and more importantly the sharpness needed.
People readily point out the weaker areas of his game, bit fail to appreciate that he has lost nearly 2 years of development due to the serious injury he suffered earlier bin his career.
He was a teenager when he join our club, it was a huge step up and he was in and out of the team during his first year as he adapted to the club, at the start of his second season he was flying right up until he broke his leg. 18 months out recovering and rehabilitating, then when he came back he had a manager who didn't trust him and often gave him harsh criticism/ abuse publicly.
Last season was really the first chance he has had to kick on since the start of his second season with us. That is a huge amount of development time lost for a young player.
With time and the right coaching there is no reason why he can't go on and fullfil his early potential.
12 Aug 2019 11:44:09
Shappy it's right not to get carried away especially by the scoreline. The truth is Chelsea were the better team for most of the match. They hit the bar and crossbar before falling behind and our defence at times was all over the place. I cannot understand why Chelsea took Barkley off and did not start with Kante. Also they too have a new look centre back pairing which led to some of our goals. City and Liverpool would have been much more clinical and scored lots. That said you can only beat what's in front of you and the confidence the team gets will be valuable. Wolves next week will be a much sterner test and we can get a more accurate picture of where we are at. Meantime good start and let's hope for more results and attacking with pace like yesterday.
12 Aug 2019 11:45:54
Bulky? I'm going to use that one for myself TRD, thanks 😂.
12 Aug 2019 12:09:33
Snappy it seemed like first half Rashford had been told not to go back with Azpilicueta? Only reason I say that is that he usually does work back well. Second half he did a bit more.
Yesterday we saw the spirit and the fight like you say. Let’s stick with this team, it’s very young. Yesterday looked like a united team, and the stadium was bouncing. Great to see, I hope we can fall in love with this squad again.
12 Aug 2019 13:51:42
Shappy, non are doom mongers, some of us choose not to get carried away. Midfield is a huge problem.
Chelsea could and should have had two goals in the first half, we rode our luck, and we got the 2nd goal at the right moment in the 2nd half.
This display wasn't without it's dangerous moments for us.
We also have to remember that Chelsea were mussing their best defender and midfielder and had a youngster playing up front on his own. The result was brilliant for us, but in truth, if it was the other way round, we'll all be aggrieved at our bad luck.
Wolves will provide an interesting test, I'm looking forward to it, as again, we can play on the counter.
12 Aug 2019 15:07:09
Chelsea were without Kante, Rudiger, hazard so 3 of their best performers from defense, Mids and Fwd were absent. So just try not to get carried away.
{Ed047's Note - don’t forget Hudson-Odoi, Willian, Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic not yet up to speed. Hazard has gone so he’s kind of irrelevant.
12 Aug 2019 15:28:57
I'm not getting carried away. Serious question though, do you think that the United side out yesterday played to their full potential?
12 Aug 2019 16:02:38
Shappy, the team that finished 3rd last season but were without their first choice defence, their first choice midfield, a teenage striker and who have lost the 3rd best player in the world. And they still outplayed us for most part and could so easily have been out of sight in the first half itself.
I am super happy with yhe result and the second half performance and long it may continue but i am not getting carried away just yet.
However that's one big game out of the way and we got the 3 points.
12 Aug 2019 16:35:25
Hold on guys with the Chelsea should have been so many goals up, didn't Martial miss a sitter, when he should have scored after that mistake by Zouma. so it would have been 2-2, just saying.
12 Aug 2019 15:31:42
Yes ED i agree, I liked what i saw of Mason Mount though, What do you make of him? I know this is not a Chelsea page but just wanted to know if he will be a regular starter for Lampard of he is just filling up gaps right now.
{Ed047's Note - he does look good but would have benefited from an experienced head in there with him, Jorginho and Kovacic I’m not really convinced about so I’m sure he’ll get plenty of game time for now.
Be interesting to see if it’s one of those two who miss out when Kantes fully fit.
If Chelsea get their ban lifted for January then that could change because if they’re playing catch up then I’m certain reinforcements will come in.