Might be a good strategy though. Lose a game, you lose a finger Yakuza style for dishonour. Probably won't lose many games.
Anyway. Endo did ok Quansah actually did ok he was up against it constantly with no cover. Tsimikas was woeful Elliott just hasn't got it in him. He tried but he keeps playing the same way. Jones was useless. Couldn't do the job assigned and wouldn't pass the ball. Jota didn't work one jot. Hopeless. We were carrying FOUR poor showings so deserved a thumping. Try this v arsenal and we will be absolutely destroyed as they will be either smartijg about being beaten or on a high. I really think all thos does is reinforce what we all think the summer should.look like.
I get rotations. I just thought was crazy to change midfielder 3 all at once. I get needing a break but playing jones and elliott together seemed an odd one.
After watching that say bye to the following: Robertson, Tsimikas, Elliott, Nunéz. Chiesa & Jota what was disappointing was after Virgil scored we still played at the same tempo and never gave the impression we were desperate to equalise.
On the positive, Ali still as good as ever making saves. Endo was decent. Hes never going to be the progressive passer but he keeps it neat and tidy and gets stuck in to break things up. He has a role it’s just not a huge one starting most games. Bradley did more in 15 mins than TAA did the whole game. Not sure if TAA head is gone now season is done, but Bradley looked a huge threat. If TAA is going then Bradley needs to play next 3 games and get that partnership with Salah working.
Well yes, during the season if it can be made to work it's good for not over-using players - but the contest is over and there's nothing to save them for now. This was clearly done to give the fringe players some time - either to see them in a match environment or just to let them have a run out. Though neither reason is a bad one as such, imo it makes the season fizzle out a bit and that's disappointing. I know it doesn't matter, but I want us to go out on a high. It just feels off to me to win the league, have all the celebrations, plaudits etc and then have a lacklustre amble to the finish. Takes the shine off it a bit. I want to see a much better effort in the last three games.
FSG: use the fringe players more next year SLOT: I can’t FSG: sure you can SLOT: I can’t FSG: are you sure SLOT: I’ll show you Chelsea 3:1 Liverpool SLOT: see?
Agree however it is also 1 game against a team desperate for the win at home the week after we’ve won the league. I can understand why some of the players were a little off it. But I’m not sure if slot is hoping to see from the fringe players but like the Plymouth game I’m not sure can get a lot from them when they all play together. Elliott needs to be playing alongside mac and Endo or grav and szobo to get a feel how he fits in to the first team. same with chiesa, needs a full 90/180/270 next to Diaz Salah and in front of Robbo and Mac to see if he fits in nicely. As let’s face it, if we ever need to play Elliott jones endo chiesa Quansah tsimikas in the same game next year then we have bigger problems. Wholesale changes just don’t give anyway a real chance
I agree - I've always said the same. It's unfair on those coming in to expect them to perform seamlessly when too many are brought in at once. Players who could do well if brought into a side in full-flow can be written off when really too much is being asked of them. I know it's only one game, and it meant much more to them than us. I'm just disappointed - I'll get over it.
I don't think any were terrible by themselves. They were all a step down from who they replaced but any one of them could have rotated in to the main square and looked ok. All of them together was just too much of a step down. I think any of them by themselves would have been fine.
Also that scoreline flatters Chelsea. first goal was good move 2nd was an own goal from a clearence into our own player 3rd was a silly pen in the last minute they had a few other half chances but then again Nunez and Salah both missed decent chances with their head. Vvd missed free header 10 mins before he scored from a corner. On another day could have easily got back to 1-1 or 2-2
That was a bit meh, wasn't it? I mean, it doesn't really matter, but I'd love to have done to Chelsea's CL chances what they did to our Prem hopes in 2014. Don't blame Slot at all for the team selection, but if he was using it to run the rule over the 2nd XI to ascertain their worth for next season, then let's be brutal:- Kostas - no. Sweet left foot for crosses and set-pieces (there was a corner in the 2nd half that was ****ing sublime, but not one of our players were up to putting it in), but defensively he's dire, and Chelsea knew it. Quansah - Hmm. Don't blame him for with the OG or even the pen - ****ing ludicrous pass from Szobbo), but was bullied a couple of times by the likes of Fernandez and Jackson. They're not exactly Troy Deaney, are they? One more season. Elliott - Hmm again. Was ghastly in the first half especially. Caught on the ball several times. Just don't see him as a starter for big games. Endo. - No. But it depends if we can get good money for him, but if not, let him do the job he does now for another year. Jones - Pfft. Cumbersome. has a unique ability to slow down even the most promising situations until they become tame possessions on the halfway line. Squad player at best. Jota - No. Be insane not to take £40m for him if offered. Or even £30m. Darwin. No. A 50p head is not a good attribute for 6ft+ striker who is supposed to be good in the air. It's not as if he has a silky touch on the ground to compensate. Just put the guy out of his misery. Chiesa - I presume Slot has already made up his mind and is giving him a medal as a leaving present, as 7 minutes is no way to judge anyone. So, not being critical or moaning about this fabulous season and our super team but - if these last 4 games are just about testing out the squad then let's be honest and say that they'll have to do better next week against Arsenal. And as well, if these games are meaningless, then give Chiesa a half, at least.
was out so missed game and having seen the line up decided not to bother recording it which seems was a good decision .
No pace in that midfield today at all. It was almost back to the last days of Hendo, Milner, and Windy together. We desperately need legs in there next season
I'm only going to watch MoTD to see if Goal of the Month is on and vote for Macca, tbh. Otherwise, just watch our game against Plymouth again and you've more-or-less seen today.
Maybe but I do think jota wasn't arsed at all. Yes any single one might have been carried by 10 others but I think that does a disservice to endo who was fine bar being over run Jones was woeful.as a player meant to actually pick up Palmer or at least control that area and he constantly stood on the ball and wouldn't let it go until fully closed down. He did nobody any favours by doing it as his pass was always to a player also being closed as Jones was down to one option and it was so obvious. Elliott was hapless tbh. He.made one positive.pass really and it was too far ahead of Bradley. This was his chance and he really didn't even look like grasping it. Tsimikas was mediocre. A squad player bought to be just that I suppose. This gsme was like watching the Plymouth one except we had vvd and salah and trent and gakpo actually trying and doing OK. We actually dominated the possession stat without really threatening as they were happy leave us with it up the park and play.on the break.
