Thank god it was Wolves ,don't think that form would have won against anyone else. We created so little, looked so out of sorts and eventually we got on top. My thoughts are Reece James might never get back to the player he was. Slow, uninspired and did little. Yes he needs fitness, and his determination is undimmed, but he's got a very long way to go and was carried by his teammates. Problem is, his game time to get there makes Gustos' job twice as difficult. Big balancing act for Maresca. One bad tackle could see James gone for good. Must be considered an outside chance to be a regular. Not a bad performance given the injuries, Dewsbury Hall showed what he could provide if Fernandez was not given such preferential treatment. Jackson had scraps all game, Neto was useless again, Madueke tried too hard Cuicurrella was perhaps the best just shading Chalobah, who made absolute fools of Winstanley and the other mug who decided he needed to go. Not a player sold yet, mainly because we are asking miles more than they are worth. Chilwell will have to be used by Maresca soon or he will be worthless as a sale proposition. 3 points, gladly taken but yet another anaemic **** show with no grit, no fight and no tactics, just more of the same old dross. Maresca gets a 2/10 for lack of guts and vision.
Pretty much how I would sum it up. Wasnt overly impressed by much, except for the fact that we weren't totally reliant on Cole Palmer for once, that and the 3 points is the silver lining. We got City next and I can see us getting jack **** from that game if we turn up and play like we have been, even against this City side. They may be leaky defensively, but they can still score for fun (ask Ipswich), and I dont see us keeping them out for 45 minutes let alone 90. Its going to be a question of who can score the most, and I dont fancy us...... Anyway, back to the Wolves game....James' performance worried me, have been saying it about James, as much as it pains me, as he is Chelsea through and through, I am not sure he will be able to cut it, especially with the way Maresca likes to set his teams up. James has been injured more than he has been fit for the last 3 seasons and its almost certainly going to have taken it out of him. I doubt he will ever be back to how he was 5 years ago when he burst on to the scene. Chalobah did okay, as did Cucurella. Jackson looks really off the boil. Madueke I think, looks very promising. He wasnt the greatest yesterday, but I can see a real player in there. He needs to be given more game time. What do we think about Chalobah and Adarabioyo as our CB partnership? I think it could work given more time also. The performance wasn't exactly great, and when Palmer and Jackson have off games, thats what happened. Like CP said, we are just lucky it was against a poor Wolves team who gave up once our second goal went in, their heads dropped and they capitulated.
Chalobah and Adarabioyo went pretty well considering. Both were quick to use the long crossball to Neto and Madueke when they found nothing happening via the midfield. With Fofana and Colwill fit, that's 4 very good CDs and I can see any combination working well IF Maresca plays them ALL more regularly. Plus there is plenty to come from them as well. Tosin is no John Terry, but he doesn't seem to make silly mistakes and is nice and tall to boot. Can't understand why Maresca started Palmer who was only half fit, then got another whack for his trouble. Maybe Nkuku or Felix might have been better starting?? Who knows. Bit of a step up with City, so it doesn't ease off in this League. .
Chalobah had a very good game. MOM for me, I'm a bit worried about our goalkeeper mind another complete howler and if not for him it would have been a bigger win. I don't agree with your Reece James critique. Thought he played well, passing was good looked fit and dealt with most of what was put in front of him. His control of the ball has not diminished and when running with the ball seemed like the Rolls Royce he used to be. Considering what he has been through injury wise, I am excited about what he can achieve given a injury free run. Madueke had his marker on toast and made Wolves swap full back's, don't understand why coaches dont do the same with their wingers as Semedo liked marking Neto and we seemed to go to him although Madueke was better positioned.
For the last 2 years Chalobah has been better than Fofana, better than Disasi, better than Badashielle and last game better than Tosin. yet the word is he is going to be sold at seasons end. Unbelievable. The Mugs spend more on 16 year olds we don't need than defenders we do need, and try and sell the best one we have. Yet we are struggling to sell half the players the Mugs bought because they payed too much for them. They drain away profits with ridiculous salaries and remain unsold. I'm reminded of the story about the Italian WW2 Tank, which General Eisenhower described as having "one forward gear and 6 reverse." PS The Mugs have apparently signed another "wonderkid", a striker from Kazakhstan who can't join for a year and a half I assume until he's potty trained. However he is describes as being "2 footed", which is good news since 1 footed Strikers don't usually do well in PL What a Team we will have in 2030 !!!!!!!!!!!
My face every time they announce we have signed another teenager from Eastern Europe or South America. please log in to view this image
