Always has been the final third or lack of the killer touch - to be honest we owe our present position to a comfortable early season fixture list; its only now with the tougher games that we being found out (rather Torres that is). By restricting RDM to one underperforming striker you almost sense that RA has set him up for a fall; I agree with the consensus here that we need a striker and a box to box midfielder in the next window if we're to avoid struggling for a top 4 placing.
Come on, you've had a tough run of games and come out of them pretty much unscathed, I'm even hearing that Shaktar are now the best in Europe! FFS, who did they play this weekend, exactly!! The team is fine (unfortunately!), Mikkel has never played better for you, Ramires just starting to fully get to grips with the Prem and then you have Mata,Hazard and Oscar. The only problem you seem to have is Torres, I think and it's hard to say, maybe he's just gone, you see glimpses every now and again of what he once was but not often enough any more. It's quite sad, Sturridge is definitely not your answer as his attitude stinks and you'd best rid yourselves of him. I agree that Roman doesn't want RDM and instead wants Guardiola and that for you will be Utopia. RDM will have won a CL and will be made for life in that he can now get a job anywhere with that on his CV. Don't think you ever seriously thought you could win the league this year but that you did and are so still in there, is testament to the job done and the investment Abramovich puts in to you. I remember pointing out on old 606 that you should never doubt RA. He has always come good for you and is a true football man now. Now go and FO!
United and City won this week cos when they needed goals they brought on the likes of Hernandez and Dzeko where as we bought on Sturridge. Nothing against Danny but the difference there is obvious. We should have gone for Hernandez in the summer as he looked like 4th choice after they got RVP. Hardly a crisis. Realistically we were never going to finish above the mancs this season but we badly need more fire power. Either we take a chance on a Sturridge or Lukaku week in week out or we have to buy someone. It's becoming increasingly evident that Torres is not the top draw striker he once was, as sad as that is. two goals in the big games v arsenal, spurs, united, liverpool, juventus and shaktar x2 is not good enough.
To be fair we beat Spurs and Arsenal away and but for decisions going against us, could have had a possitive result against United too. But only getting 2 points from Swansea and Liverpool is not the form of champions. That should have been 4 points minimum. I don't think we need a box to box midfielder. Ramieres does that. If anything we need a deep lying playmaker to start attacks like a Pirlo/Alonso type. I'd likle to see McEachran get a run in this team along side an established defensive player like Mikel. I think his range of passing would make a difference. If we do the usual thing and spend, then Mountinho would be a great signing for around £20 million. As for a striker, Huntalaar is in the final few months of his contract and is still a top class striker. Would be a really good short term option and wouldn't cost the earth.
Last seasons Liverpool with a midfield of Spearing and Adam and Downing and Henderson on the wings was much much worse than this seasons team that people are unfairly making out to be terrible. If I was a Chelsea fan I'd of been much more bothered about losing to us last season than drawing this season as we are much better this season and playing better football. Its just this year we have got rid of all our goalscorers bar Suarez so we have no-one to put the ball in the back of the net. If we had 1 or 2 more strikers/attacking players who can score goals we'd be much much higer in the league. Most of our games we've drawn (a lot) we've deserved to win and with an extra striker we would of. If we sort this in January I think a lot of people will be shocked how quick we fly up the table and we could finish 6th easy. IF we get the players in though which, under FSG, is no certainty.
6th easily?? Behave. How many teams could say if we had this player or that we'd be higher. I don't think as a team you are any better than last year but Suarez is pulling you through. Without him, you'd arguably be down in the relegation fight. You may be easier on the eye than last year, that's about it. As many have suspected for years, Gerrards decline would co-incide with Liverpools.
Swansea are doing things right this year and an away game in which we got a point was reasonable--but the Liverpool match was a disaster! We could and should have had 3 points, but ballsed it up! This must serve as an important lesson if we expect to win things this year!
Agree with a lot of that. If you had more firepower you'd easily be capable of top 4 this season. Like us your not fulfilling your potential due to lack of striking options.
