Firstly annoyed by such a homer ref blowing up for a foul every time the ball got hoofed up by us when they were all 50-50's Anyway, Ivanovic maybe getting important goals recently but for me, he's very defensively weak now. He is way to compact with the central defence and slow to get at the wingers. He's just lost that speed and tenacity he used to have from a couple of years ago when he was so solid. Reminds me of Wayne Bridge when he was at ours and was scared to death of being done by the wingers. He just watched as Berahinho crossed that ball in. As for sideshow bob, still my favourite player but needed to get there before Anichebe. He gives me a heart attack everytime he plays in defence. Needs to stick to DM
Branna is a Chelsea legend in the making! He, as far as I'm concerned, will run 2nd to Eden Hazard for our player of the year this season!
Said this last season. I don't like him at either position in defence, he's a jack of all trades but master of none. Him at RB and Azpi at LB just take away so much balance going forward. Saying that, I would rather we kept him but I just don't think he should be first choice. As for Luiz, still making the same mistakes at 26 with 3 years PL experience as he did at 23 with none. Not a PL centre half.
Brana does more good things than bad. He needs to have the odd game off with Azpi at right back. City game had many claiming our defence is " rock solid". Tonight shows we are a tad off that, and definitely need possibly 2 new young, quick CDs. Maybe the bloke we just bought is going to be one. With Jose playing Azpi at left back while Cole gets splinters on the bench, I don't think we are making the best use of our players.
Nobody is incorrect though. It's laughable now how bad Luiz looks as a Premier League centre half, it almost looks as if he isn't trying to play well 90% of the time. As for CP, our defence is solid when JT plays. Luiz is a liability and Anichebe had his trousers down last night.
Everybody blame David Luiz again, he was not the only one at fault last night. Cech should have kept coming when he did and he would have at least punched it clear. Ivanovic arguing with the linesman whilst the ball is still in play. He then failed to get out at Berahino quick enough. Attackers taking too many touches and not enough shots. Lazy play by Oscar and Ramires continually. ~ Ideally Cole should have started and Luiz put into midfield. We can't blame Terry's absence as we coped fine against Newcastle.
Oscar is anon for the past few games. Perhaps fear of Mata was driving him to new heights. Now that Juan is gone, Oscar looks complacent. Ivan > Luiz @ CB! I don't understand why he is not utilized more in Centre half. Anichebe shrugged off Luiz like he didn't exist for that goal. Cech is SOFT and that leads to him being indecisive.
I think Oscar is just tired. Played a lot of football of late and beginning to look sluggish. Luiz is just not a Premier League centre half. Nobody will ever convince me otherwise.
I agree with every single thing here, and I have to add that I understand Ivanovic frustration as I was also getting to that point, the ref was letting too much go and in that situation things just begin to slide, as we did leading to Luiz also doing stupid things.
Oscar does like tired. I hope Jose leaves him out v City. In fact I'd leave out Hazard too and play Salah and Schurrle. Do not understand Bertrand being loaned out. Moving Dave to rb and Brana to cb makes so much sense.
Not a lot of difference to the over reaction when beating City (them without 2 playmakers). And no ones whinging here, just expressing puzzlement at how we play like demons one week and piss poor the next. Opinions differ as to why and who is off song, but isn't that why we're on here??? After City some had Cahill as brilliant, Terry the best there is, our back 4 rock solid, and so on. A week on, a different picture emerges. A big enough difference to warrant comment surely?? The ongoing problem of beating big teams and slumping against poor ones is our achilles heel.Some of our players, like Brana, Hazard and Oscar, look like they need rest. The next match against City should be amazing.
Seeing as we don't have an RVP or Aguero or Suarez to make a difference or kill teams off, no. City were not without two playmakers. They were without, crucially, their DM, Fernandinho, their top striker Aguero, and an AM in Nasri. The City game was part of an excellent run of form that saw us play very well v United, Pool, etc. Every single fan, forum user and pundit recognised City were unfortunate to lose their anchor man before the KO. Just delighted to be top of the league. Did not expect us to be top with the strikeforce we have and only just getting a new CM. I know you think Terry is slow and past it, but we missed his leadership last night. And there is a good chance he would have dealt with the ball LUiz failed to clear (I am not a Luiz hater btw) Our back has been rock solid, conceding 2 goals in 10. One poor defensive game without the main man Terry does not mean we need to panic. Leave the kneejerk reaction to the tabloids
That's true but the biggest change needs to be dropping Luiz. Kalas would be a better choice. He is useless, absolutely clueless. If anyone bids 10M we should take it and laugh.
Wasn't Oscar rested v City? He has played a silly amount of football. Luiz was OK in central midfield recently, if maybe not the wunderplayer that people made him out to be
Couldn't agree less. Don't you see the irony of calling a current Brazil 1st choice player and Barcelonas' top target "useless and absolutely clueless' ?? Seems Jose disagrees as well ,since Luiz plays regularly after a rocky start. Perhaps you should offer your services to Brazil as a talent scout ?? Seriously, Luiz is neither great nor terrible, but he is a very good player who just might become great.
He's crap and has cost us points all season long. They want him they can have him. He's 26 ffs, this is his peak. Might come good my arse.
Think Cahill and Terry are first choice now if they are fit (which I know you don't like, CP, as you have said they are too slow together, against continental sides you may be right.. maybe Luiz could play then.) Two goals conceded in 10 games is pretty good Luiz may play a little less in CM now we have signed Matic but he is worth pursuing there, even if he is a little reckless and likes the Hollywood ball a la Gerrard, a lot. Let's hope he can learn quicker than he did at CB!
