Here's my opinion about the game: Overall "not too bad" 1st half was bad. I am not sure what Bruce was going for but we got caught off guard I think by the quality of Chelsea. No doubt about it there's a massive gulf in between the two teams. Their passing is seamless and they can really pass and move the ball around. We seemed to be content with moving the ball sideways or hoofing down the wings to nobody. Not pleased with formation 1st half. It seems we played 451 with aluko at RM and Sagbo at LM Both of them played far too deep and we had no forward threat. I am not going to get on his back just yet but Danny Graham looks absolutely ****e. He has zero speed. Can't header or hold the ball. It seems he needs the ball on a silver platter for him to do anything. It's a little early to judge him but he doesn't look the part. It's not just his individual skill that bothered me it's that with a player like him we seem to just try and hoof it forward. Things improved around the 30th minute mark after a strong tackle between ramires and Sagbo. After that graham was moved to LM and Sagbo went up top. SAGBO is going to be very good for us. He won almost every header, he is a beast and kept the ball well up front. Sadly Chelsea were too good for us to create any real chances and see what he could do in the box. Another weak link for me is Koren who seems to have lost his spark. Huddlestone is a fantastic signing, he sat back a lot but you could tell the quality of passing and confidence he has. Livermore was a little sketchy but he brings speed and tenacity. I'm a little annoyed with brady who seemed to be playing more centrally, which isn't too bad but he is now scared to run the wing and beat the full backs, almost as if "it's not his job to do so". As much as I like Elmo I'm starting to think our penetration from the wing is absolutely rubbish. 95% of crosses were cleared easily or overhit, something needs to be done about this. For some reason we seem incapable of actually entering our opponent's box. The result isn't too bad really when you think about it but we were never a threat so hopefully that can change. Norwich are good so we shouldn't take them lightly. I would like to see this vs Norwich. -------------Mcgregor Elmo---Davies---Chester--Figueroa --------------Meyler----------------- ----Livermore-----Huddlestone--- Aluko------------------------Brady --------------Sagbo--------------- The back four did pretty well so did Meyler. Support was pretty good so it wasn't a terrible outing.
I agree with yo mostly apart from Meyler who I thought was poor I think too many people bought the Sky Commentary view of things which was bollocks.
My thoughts. First 25 minutes we looked woefully under-prepared, the attack and midfield was non-existent - Meyler was awful, as was Koren. Brady non-existent. McGregor had a mixed half, saved a pen which he foolishly gave away, then make a mess of the Lampard free kick (which should never of happened, Torres you diving prick) but made up for it with that save right on half time. We did improve for the final 15 minutes though. Second half, we were much much better. We were the better side. Koren improved, as did Brady. The defence looked much more comfortable than they were before, especially Davies. Huddlestone and Livermore made our midfield much more solid and they both showed their worth with good performances. Sagbo had a great half as well, he won the ball every time and certainly let the Chelsea players know he was there (aka Ramires). We dominated the possession and passing which is a huge positive going into next week, and I expect Huddlestone and Livermore will both have had more time with the squad to gel. I'm happy and proud of that performance at the end of the day. Let's face it - Chelsea are probably the best team in the Prem, with the best manager. They'll win it imo. Bring on Norwich. UTT
I didn't think Meyler was great but I feel he'd offer more (at least defensively) than Koren. You can tell Meyler was a little off his game and could easily comeback whereas Koren has been pretty anonymous for a year now, not sure he'll ever get his spark back. A midfield trio of Huddlestone, Livermore and Quinn is also an option.
Not being funny but Graham showed nothing preseason and today was the most horrible performance, I thought he was going to spit his dummy out. Not sure what he is expecting really, it seems he's expecting everyone to do the work for him and for him to tap it in the net. it was never gonna happen against a crazy good chelsea defence. Sagbo on the hand tried and grafted his arse. It's early days and he will score goals but I didn't like how we shaped up when he was up top. If your striker can't hold the ball up or run faster than the Cb's then not sure what we're meant to do.
I think Meylers problem today was he did not pass it quick enough. To often he allowed the opposition to close the distance and catch him with the ball at his feet. Maybe he can work on that in practice. Huddlestone and Livermore seemed to release the ball quicker which seemed to open up space in front of them after the Chelsea player realized it wasnt going to be easy to catch them with the ball. I think that is why we looked so much better in the 2nd half.
Yeh they are definitely great signings. Ramires was a diving **** today but he is one hell of a player. broke up our play time and time again.
Absolutely, which is why I wouldnt start Meyler. If he plays like he did today it is going to be real hard to keep possession and dictate a game.
Well Thudd pretty much showed Meyler how it should be done. I didn't expect him to play so deep actually. I wonder who is the better defensive midfielder out of the two. If Thudd wants to be a little more creative then I'd play Meyler behind. If Thudd is good enough to handle things then I'd play Koren/Quinn
We took 31 of our 44 points at home last season so we are a team that you will need to beat on your own patch.
Agree with this totally, thudd and livermore can break up play, more can find the odd spark that meyler can't!
View from sky, thought Bruce got it wrong today. meyler, Koren and Brady was never going to work as a middle 3 against Chelsea. Poor decision to start with those 3. Meyler didn't look up to it but I also get the feeling the more he plays the better he'll get. Koren, nothing more then an impact sub now. Brady looked much better second half when he was wider. Graham, nothing to work with at all, long balls never going to be his bread and butter. Second half much better, no doubt Chelsea took their foot off the gas but at least we made it harder. A few players need to learn what the premier league is about. Norwich will be very dangerous and I'd take a point now. For me it would be the same back 4 but Meyler Huddlestone Livermore Aluko Brady Sagbo
