Couldn't see us beating Liverpool if they all lay down for 15 minutes each half. So is there a better time to see if we can play decent football using our pace and skill instead of the sideways Crab Ball we play?? Maresca has done little to suggest he is the answer to anything regarding good football, here's a chance to see if he's got anything else. Palmer needs to be dropped and Tyrique George fitted into the starting 11. Maresca is now saying we need more experienced players. Hello !!! Fans have been saying this for 3 years !! Anyway, don't expect to learn anything new from the game as Maresca will have us playing the same crappy game he's played all year.
Our only hope is that the Pool players have all been on week long benders after winning the league and are totally hung over! Nah.....even then we'd lose
A 3-1 win! A welcome surprise, though Slot helped by fielding a majorly weakened side. Hell knows why though, its not like they have a CL or FA Cup game to play.....bit odd fielding kids like that
What was odd was that Chelsea were let loose by Maresca to finally start playing with more pace and purpose. Naturally as soon as I suggest Palmer is dropped, he turns up and plays his best game for months. Liverpool were not at their top, but they were second best to our team today. When they did start to dominate, we upped our game to match them, and Casiedo twice rampaged through them on long runs that showed how we can play when the shackles are off. We had some excellent moments, Cuccurella, Neto and Madueke were full of running and not worried about taking on their defenders, Enzo got stuck in, Chalobah and Colwill made some great defensive plays. Our goalkeeper did his job well.. Then there was Lavia, such a gem, he makes our midfield the control centre for our attackers, and everything looks easier and slicker. All in all a very big lift in form and style, and a deserved win. Hopefully Maresca now sees there is more in our players if he lets them use their skills as best they can, and not make them stick to his rigid system. Blend of both is best ,as is a blend of youth and experience.
We certainly looked a lot better that we have for a while and that seems to be down to having Palmer firing again and Lavia running things in midfield. We didn't look like we were playing the Marasca way, so it's interesting to see how this will play out.
Spot on. Palmer was firing again BECAUSE Lavia turns our midfield into our control centre, and all the forwards get to run onto through balls, not fight for them facing backwards. We are faster, more aggressive and dangerous playing that way. Pity it's taken almost all season for Maresca to see it.
