Other players who are not in the team should look at what Jack has done and ask themselves a few questions. Its not magic, its application & hard work. Credit to him.
What did everyone think of Adams today? After predicting good things I was a bit disappointed. I was actually calling for him to be subbed at 70. Looked tired and gave the ball away easily a couple of times. His workrate compared to Ings (the benchmark) was low I thought but he stayed strong against some physical centrebacks and looked like he'd had a battle when he came off. Definately needs to get on the pitch though and is bound to be rusty and it will take time to get on the same wavelength as the rest fo the team. Obafemi's goal was outrageously good. He owe's the CBs a beer for standing off and giving him room for that turn and shift to the left. I thought he was right footed, if he is that finish was even better!
Thought he did well. His movement was good, it had to be as he didn't see much of the ball. For a guy low on confidence, that was a useful display. Will help him going forward.
I watched the match from the point Obafemi scored. It looked like a very solid performance but Chelsea looked totally uninspired. Armstrong seemed to be involved with all the football we played today. As I said the other week, I do not think this is a bad team. A few more additions in the right positions and this team has the abliity to finish mid-table.
Was nice to see the 2 nil out so comfortably after throwing away 2 goal leads twice to Frank's Derby last year.
Yep. My first thoughts were that this has 0-0 written all over it. Both sides were slow but I think we were intentionally slowing the game up and Chelsea on the other hand were hungover. we stepped on the gas when needed. Not sure what your statement reads that well Ian, needing a few more additions to secure midtable pretty much says bad side to me. I have to say that with the team playing as well as this I wouldn't drop any of them. It would just be nice to have an option or two waiting in the wings for in case some revert to type.
Standing by him might even help with a new deal. We know he wasn't enjoying it, but if we all turn the corner together, it might well be prosperous for all. I hope so anyway.
Put it like this, the current team is good enough not to be anywhere near the relegation zone. With some new signings I think we will get well beyond the 40-45 mark. As I said last week. finished above Bournemouth and we have nothing to fear.
Our important influential players all look like coming into form at the same time which bodes well. Pierre, JWP, Redders and Bertie's performances on the whole have been sub par but there were a lot of personnel and formation changes at the start of the season which may have caused a bit of inconsistancy. Ralph seems to have settled on his team and formation moving forward and the understanding, stability and most importantly team spirit is much improved and is showing with better performances and results. Just a final word for Alex and Stuey, they have been fringe players but have come in and taken their chance and should be regulars now IMO.
Before we all get too dizzy with excitement, the upcoming palace game will tell us a lot about our continuous home form.
Two vital wins prior to the Wet Sham game, we are a completely different team to the one that faced Leicester a couple of months ago.
I hope the fans don't get on the team's back early and are patient. There must be some reason why we perform better away from home and pressure and anxiety from supporters at SMS might be a factor but not the only one granted. Today proved that it can be ok to pass back to eventually go forward.
Thought he was alright. Put in a good shift, did some dirty work that doesn't make the highlight reels. Kind of a Long-esque performance, I guess. Didn't do enough to make me want him in the starting XI, but good performance all the same. I guess the only knock on him I'd that so far he hasn't shown us any magic like Obafemi did today. He's fast and he works so defenders have to put a body on him. But once they do, he hasn't shown the ability quite yet to beat someone 1 v 1, or pop up somewhere unexpected. He's just kind of playing fundamental football, and not much more. He's been unlucky not to score, and once again just missed a Redmond pass this game. But he could be a little more assertive, IMO. I never expected him to hit the ground running, and was surprised he started tight away, over Ings. So at least according to my expectations, he's doing a decent job and right on track. He may just need a little confidence or to get on the same wavelength as his teammates. I felt the same about Elyounoussi though, so....
