If we can take anything from yesterday its clear that 4-4-2 is our only option. After cattermole was subbed again, I think his days are numbered. If fit I'd play. ------------------------ Westwood----------------------- Bardsley----------Brown-------Bramble-------Shea---- Richardson-----Colbeck---------Vaughan------Sess---- --------------Ji-----------------------Bentdner---------- I worry that Catts and Larsson are just far too slow at the moment.
I certainly believe that with the players we have got that 4-4-2 is the best option...And I'm quite sure that the stats from when we play with one up front, particularly at home, will back that up...I truly hope that Bruce will see sense with this in future games.
Cattermole was my big frustration yesterday. I am convinced that alot of his bookings eminate from the fact that he is so short of pace he cannot get into the correct tackle position in time, over reaches late and gets found out time and again doing this. He would have to be a great reader of the game to over come his lack of pace and unfortunately thatt is why he will always be champoinship standard. He was chasing shdows yesterday and it was all a bit embarrasing really. They had so much time on the ball in amongst our tiny, slow midfield i'm afraid. I don't think we are too bad at the back and on a plus side Bednter showed heart and good pace, skill and , not quite the donkey I anticipated. He did tire late on tho. Ji is class in my opinion. I don't say that cos he scored a goal. The kid is neat and tidy, good runs and vision and his so comfortable on the ball....good technique. Never seems to give the ball away and plays it simple. Have been very impressed with him having seen some pre season too. My other big frustration from yesterday was how slow we were to support any break....chelsea broke at speed and all moved up the field together busting a gut to get there while alot of our players jogged behind watching any of our breaks from afar....no heart?bad attitude?not willing to work hard for Brucie? ...who knows.
I think Cattermole is having to do the work of two men covering and trying to break up play. To put Richardson in before him just beggars belief, the worst player in that squad by a country mile.
Cattermole gets a lot of unfair crap in my eyes. We know he aint a good footballer but he is good at breaking play up and generally being a wasp like player (Someone no ****er likes) How anyone can put Colback in ahead of him is beyond me. The only thing that makes him stand out on the pitch is the fire on his head if he had brown hair I honestly think I wouldnt have even seen him yesterday. For me he has had 2 average games (both last season) and been pretty crap in the rest. We all made Henderson into something he clearly isnt purely because he was local and i fear people also have the rose tinted specs on for Colback. I agree Vaughan needs to be given a chance as weve hardly seen him play and I thought Elmo did well when he came on yesterday. I would be happy with Elmo RB and Bardsley LB for the Stoke game as Elmo's overlapping runs would help Larsson out as was proved yesterday when he came on.
I wouldn't have Cattermole or Colbeck starting cm. Gardner and Vaughan would be a better cm pairing in my opinion. I also think Meyler (when fit) is a better option than Cattermole as a defensive midfielder,
I think we are being unfair on Cattermole, after he went of there was zero pressure on the chelsea midfield. There was plenty of people round me shouting to get cattermole off, the same people were shouting where's the fight, where's the urgency 5 minutes later.
Agree about this although i do think Colbeck is a good player he is a little light weight in my opinion
Richardson on the right wing? Not in a million light years mate. Colback is a canny player but young and inexperienced at times and doesnt offer much more than a body to receive the ball. Creativily he is negative. As for O Shea, he will be RB and Bardo back to LB for me. Bardo doesnt look as effective on the right wing as he does on the left IMO. Ji? Yeah I think we are going to have to throw one or both of the new young lads straight in now and Ji is probably more ready than Connor. Not much between them but I was impressesd at his cool finish at the end and that's something none of our other strikers have so far. A goal.
