Some of both. Like most players (and seemingly strikers especially), he is a confidence-based player. And he's just on a roll right now. He is playing better as an individual. You can also look at how many time he hit the woodwork last year as evidence that he was due for some goals anyway. But also for example the Davis goal-- I don't care what people say about his flick-ons, defensive effort, etc. Pelle has always done his job as big target guy. In particular, he is awesome at chesting down balls. It's just that there is often no one for him to knock those balls down to. And Davis struck that ball perfectly instead of slicing it wide like usual. So to me, that goal was just typical Pelle and we get 1 or 2 of those a game (still should have more) but we just happened to convert this time. Tadic/Bertrand for me has made a big difference. People always say that Long draws defenders, which he does. He is fast and sneaky so you have to watch him. But Tadic not only draws defenders, he can beat them. Which then forces the CB's out to cover so Pelle can go sneak into space and poach a goal. Cedric on the other side has been good, too. So that really spreads the defense out. Mane is getting better each game. I loved his play on that third goal. I felt like he ran at the exact perfect pace, which was only like 90% of his top speed. That allowed Pelle (who was definitely hauling ass at 100% of his top speed) to keep pace and get that return pass. If Mane had gone at full speed, he would have not only outrun his support he also would have run straight into the retreating defense. As it was, he kept a big gap between him and the defense and options on either side of him. In general, we are just seeing much more flowing passes and less lumped longballs. The offense as a whole has been much better, not just Pelle. Just like when we couldn't score it was the offense as a whole that was bad and not just Pelle. TBF, Chelsea's defense was awful, Swansea was at home and MK Dons are in a lower division. So I think it's too early to say our problems are solved.
I found this on line this morning, Made me laugh, Hope i've done this right. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-cartoon-spoof-video-after-chelsea-defeat-to-
For me, if/when he proves himself to be in the starting XI, he'd be in for Davis if we're against a Chelsea / Arsenal/ Man City etc. team, or in for Romeu if we're against a 'weaker' team. However he'd need to prove himself worthy of the starting position first!
The one thing I didn't enjoy yesterday was when the commentator was talking about Tadic, he said his goal against Swansea had been taken away from him and given as an OG. If that was Kane or Rooney.....no way would that have been taken away.
He'll just be competition for the others. He'll either rise to the top and get a regular starting spot or he won't. At the moment I doubt even Koeman is going to start him, but he'll get onto the bench fairly quickly, I'd imagine. Then, if the the team go from good to even better as a result of his play, he'll be in.
I know what you mean but I think this was beyond what he normally does. This was someone who had gone over the edge and lost the plot. What made me really laugh was on MotD when he was asked about the 2 penalties that we didn't get and he just said, "No comment". Brilliant.
Yep, I'd agree with that. I think Koeman has had a word with everybody, to be fair. But the arrival of VvD has certainly brought stability and confidence. It means that players can start further up the pitch, knowing they have a ball-playing CB who can carry the ball out. Pelle then becomes less, to not isolated at all, and the whole team can press better. Jose now also has someone he can 100% rely upon, so he doesn't do one and a half players jobs, which he has tried to do in the past on the odd occasion, though rarely to his own undoing. He can get back to marshalling the line and letting Virgil knock everything centre and left out of the danger area, while he observes, supports and/or knocks everything out of the right side. It's starting to look good again.
I would like to return to this discussion. In the second half we played with the midfield I suggested (Wanyama, Davis, JWP) - we scored two goals and never looked like conceding and overall played better than the first half.
Jose says that refs are afraid to give Chelsea decisions.....that doesn't even make sense. Why would refs be afraid to give decisions their way....surely the reverse would be more likely to be true.
Whilst I have sympathy for both your opinions, and I'm not trying to hi-jack, let's not forget that without that backpass and referee error, this team wins that game 2-1.
At least we don't have to rush him back and we can make sure he is 100% healthy. This team just put in a result more than on par with anything we've done in a one off game since our return to PL. Our Achilles heel in the last two seasons has been the squad depth(esp around xmas). Hopefully in Long, Jay, JWP, Yoshida, Juanmi & Clasie we have players who didn't start yesterday, but can make positive contributions
Just running through this thread. Frankly, I don't like it either. Members need to learn this isn't TSW. We don't abuse each other or use language in a abusive way if it offends. So if a member objects, please try to respect that opinion.
Sorry TSS. I'm not going to take that when Tom uses it himself on other topics... But dare anyone do it about a ref he blows up. I agree about each other, but not about a referee on the telly! We are not kids. Tough I'm afraid.
