Pretty obvious that Chelsea were very heavy legged tonight. Our punishing schedule and never ending stress finally told I believe. We were flat from the off, and one or two players were well below par. Poor old Merierles just couldn't hold the ball all night, never seen someone give possession away so much. Sturridge looked back to his worst. Brana was also a bit off form, though it seems to me he is better at right back than centre. Still, don't want to put the boot in after the efforts post RDM. One thing was obvious though, without our top team, we need to have a serious think about formation. This midfield spent all night looking up at the ball flying overhead from behind ,bound for Torres. Completely mad in my opinion. Last week Torres looked a world beater because FINALLY he got some great through balls, along the ground, to run onto. Last night virtually none, everything came through the air. Now that might work for Drogba, but never for Torres. Time and again he was manhandled off the ball and Newcastle ended up with possession. Maybe we don't have the players, but unless our "b" team can find midfielders to play the ball, Torres might as well stay at home. Either that or try 4 4 2. Looking almost impossible for 4th place now. Thoughts ?
Had to happen CP. By the way - "never seen someone give possession away so much" I have, in every other game he plays and Malouda's in the same vein. Even when we won the double Malouda was crap. Meireles has taken his mantle as "Chelsea's most useless". And we signed him on a FOUR YEAR CONTRACT. I didn't think we had a realistic chance of 4th with the schedule of the last 5 or 6 weeks to be honest. The players look shattered. We need to play - Lamps, Essien, Mata, Sturridge, Torres/Drogba, Ramirez as our Midfield/attack in the finals. Keep Meireles & Malouda as far away from the pitch as poss. I don't think there'd be much difference in swapping Sturridge for Kalou either at the moment the way Sturridge is suffering.
We had a priorities issue last night! There were too many with their minds on Sunday trying to stay injury and card free! For me last night was more important than Sunday--ie our guarantee into next years CL! We're winning the FA Cup so often its becoming boring! Lets keep our minds on the one that RA really wants to win!
Too true blue It feels like our year, last time I had this gut feeling we won the F.A Cup in 1970 but feel we may upgrade
Agree about Sturridge, he's one of the few who have not improved under RDM. Think there's too much ego / temperament there. On the other hand Kalou has lifted his game remarkably, amazing what a little encouragement does, instead of criticism !!
