I think coutinho just plays way better at home, sterling is consistently good and Allen seems to be trying to work really hard To be honest our sole question mark is glen Johnson, not even Lucas' total lack of legs comes close to the muck served by Johnson yesterday
Lucas does have desire and cares, which makes a big difference compared to watching Johnson play. Although, we miss Henderson and his energy, he fits our style more and I really hope we go and get a very good box to box midfielder in the summer.
I would add Minolet to that. He cost us 1 goal and his nerves spread to our back 4. Johnson was muck, Minolet was poor and Lucas was poor. I'll let Lucas off because I don't believe he is match fit. The other 2 have no such excuses.
Johnson was poor.. Lucas legs went after 60 odd minutes. Agree, right now, Ford is better at home (although he wasn't that bad yesterday). Ming's young (for a goalie) and he's saved us more points than he's cost us. Hope Sturridge is fit for Sunday, if so, I'd drop Lucas for him and bring Lucas on after 60-65mins if need be.
Humm. It will be interesting to see how Rodgers approaches this. We dominate at the start of games which I guess we should continue doing. Sitting back like yesterday will mean we will concede. But at the same time we need Chelsea to commit themselves going forward so the like of Sterling and Coutinho have space to work in. Interesting game.
Also, what chav team will turn up? I think Mourinho could get the better of us if he really wanted to, setting up his tough to beat team and bully us out of a game, but will they be focusing on Atletico, will they be tired or have they given up on the league?
Been said before but I hope they get a good result against Ath. Madrid, 0-0, 1-0, 1-1, nothing worse than that.. give them hope that they are still in with a shot at getting to the CL Final. Also, he's not won the CL with Chelsea and I think he'll want that more than the league (well, I hope so!) That being said, he may rest most of his key players for the 2nd leg.
There's no way, at this point, we can second-guess what type of side Maureen will put out and how he will set them up to play. So all we can do - and all we ever truly could do - is make sure that we are as prepared as possible for the match. The thinness of our squad is now cruelly exposed. With only a few exceptions we have to go with what we've got. Lucas will be better for the game at Norwich where he seemed to be chasing the ball all game. Johnson won't be tested by pace as much and Sakho too will be better for the game. I'd leave Agger on the bench because we don't really have any other defensive cover. But that's not the biggest problem now - we've had those since the season started! The truly big problem is in the heads of the players. Rodgers has to settle them this week so that as much of the pressure is taken off them, so that they are more focused upon doing their job than making a mistake, that they have confidence in themselves. All in all forget Chelsea, let them worry about us and not getting a complete mauling like we gave Spurs and Arsenal.
i think we should stick with the same team for the first half at least, they done a job, our problem was 2nd half and to bring Sturridge on then would be a good move esp if we are wining or the score is level, esp if he isnt 100% should be ok for 45 mins or so hopefully. maybe agger and sakho may be the dif we could make to the team, but first half we was good, and like i said that would be a good time to bring on Sturridge to push chelsea back.
If Sturridge plays, Lucas doesn't need to if we go 433. In that scenario, Coutinho takes over greater defensive responsibilities. Now, if Sturridge is injured, I hope to god, Lucas frees Allen to do the up and down thing, as against Norwich we had no true link to attack, no box-to-box midfielder.
I've been impressed with Allen recently. He's been getting in the right positions- working really hard and harrying the opposition. He does lack that sharp edge though. It's like he is ALMOST the type player we need him to be but just a little rusty. Perhaps, from not enough minutes clocked on the field... dunno. Allen at the moment seems to be a diet version of Jordan Henderson. Diet Hendo, now with 2km less running, and 10% fewer shot on target. - Pick one up at your local Welsh Tesco
Eden Hazard absent from Chelsea training ahead of trip to Atletico Madrid http://www1.skysports.com/football/...sea-training-ahead-of-trip-to-atletico-madrid
Allen and Hendo are different animals. We know well what Hendo offers. We know less well what Allen offers, because he's used as a filler. I think he's more intelligent than Hendo and better at ball control and calming play. On the other hand, he doesn't have Hendo's pace. With Hendo suspended, somebody for the love of god should take over his box-to-box running role. At Norwich, Allen wasn't lingering up front enough and was cleaning up in forsaken spaces where Gerrard, Lucas or Flano should have been.
Allen is trying very hard, he's made of glass a bit but he really is trying to play with intensity. That's a good thing.... He is still average but a trier who does his job has it's own value per Flanagan Put the effort in and you get a lot of backing from me I can tell you
Somebody check out Mourinho's press conference ahead of the CL game? O the Happy one happy as a clam at low tide
I really hope we don't sit back like we did after going two goals up like at Norwich. That would invite Chelsea into our half where they will undoubtedly get corners and free-kicks galore. And, at the moment, Mignolet isn't filling me with confidence in his control of his area - which is vital from set-plays. Also, Skrtel aside, I'm not overly keen on our defense under pressure, especially aerially. If we play our game, and attack and keep possession in their final third, I think we'll win this game. Otherwise, to quote the rose-nosed one, it'll be 'squeaky bum time'! They won at their gaff (although a draw might have been more fair) and therefore, given how close that game was, I'd expect us just to squeak this one due to home advantage. 3 games left: we go again!
I'd love us to batter them 6-0 but I'd take a draw or 1-0 win via a 96th minute Suarez dive & Gerrard penalty
its a shame that moses cant play, as if he got the winner, that would be the ultimate irony and piss take lol.
