No doubt there will be plenty of opinions, so to kick things off, here's my thoughts. Firstly, that outright attack with our team as set up, is dangerous against class opposition. Mikel and Lampard combination fails again. Mikel was off the pace and a bit dozy, Lampard just poor. Worse, he too often leaves Mikel exposed to defend against superior numbers, or passes back to him when he's surrounded.Two good players who can't play as a team. Square pegs and round holes. Luiz is again showing what a talent he is, and has improved out of sight last 2 games. Ivan is not quite up to full speed, JT looked slow but committed, and boy he has excellent anticipation. He is getting beaten by quick feet around the goals a bit more often. Ashley Cole played well without starring, Cech also not looking fully confident, but still made one or two outstanding saves. Can someone please teach him to kick??? Ramires was lively, but looks awkward out wide. Hazard found Juve more of a handful than PL opposition, but remember he's a kid, and a bloody good one. Torres worked his arse off but got very little to play with. As usual , always having to take on 3 defenders due to poor service, and usually coming second. Oscar will hopefully start next game. Deliberate understatement !! Positives. We are brimful of goals waiting to happen. Defensively, we need to be smarter and for my money, Luiz and Cahill groomed as our centre pairing, with JT used less often but with more effect . Same goes for Lampard, he is not adapting to his new roll with great distinction. Given we don't have a stand out midfield maestro, we need to find our best combination , and quickly. Ramires, Romeu, Oscar, Mikel and Lamps need to be shuffled until something clicks. And we need to open the chequebook for the first really classy midfielder that becomes available. We should also look at something other than 1 up front. Juves' 3 defenders worked very well, maybe there's something in that given the skill and speed we now have up front. So, work in progress, and progress definetely happening. It was always going to take 9 or 10 games ,we're about half way there.
I think there are few things worth noting. One is that Ivanovic got away with murder a couple of times tonight. He's not up to scratch atm. Lampard also looked sluggish and was really spared blushes by Luiz. Shouldn't be starting all our games. Mikel is starting to look knackered. I wonder if the constant covering for Lamps is taking its toll, or it's just inconsistency. Either way he was very poor. Ramires on the wing is just a footballing disaster. Up top I'm not that worried. Chiellini is world class and it was never going to be easy for Hazard and co up there. Torres worked tirelessly though I was quite happy with him. Mata looked very sharp. Mata - Hazard - Oscar against Stoke?
You may well be right Drogs, but I'd like to see how he goes, and the team goes, when and if we get our midfield firing. One thing is for sure, we can't continue to play one up front if the one is Torres, and we play like we have so far. On a brighter not, Oscar looks useful !!! Trust the kids .
Regular readers on this site will know most of us don't think we are very good at the mo. Potential in abundance, haven't yet got a settled starting line up, and have a very problematic midfield. To be expected with so many changes. Suspect you might change your tune when we iron things out, hopefully by end of October. We also learned that Juve are very good.
That trophy at the Bridge would suggest otherwise, enjoy channel 5. Juve are a very very good side, a draw is not a bad result this early on. I fancy us to get at least a draw if not more at their place when we have clicked into gear more. Oscar...wow. Play the kid in the kaka role from now on. Not only was his 2nd truely world class but kept Pirlo quiet till he went off. Another 2 pens not given that should have been too.
At this stage we are doing surprisingly well with a lot of new players. Juve were superb. We still have problems up front and in the pivot but we should get through this group okay. I can't see Robbie resolving the pivot and striker situ until the january window though; he is very conservative
It's the pivot that's the real problem, solve that and the striker issue may well go away. Robbie can't afford to be too conservative, he's got a bunch of young, quick, skilful players waiting for someone to light the fuse. Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Marin are all young ,but doing the business because someone gave them game time. Come home Josh, all is forgiven.
If we'd have bought Modric I think we'd have won every game by about 10 goals by now and they'd have already crowned us champions to save everyone else the grief. Apparently one player does make all the difference and not that it's early in the season and the team need time to gel.
Love your optimism. Modric is exactly the type we need. However, we didn't get him and have a big problem until the next transfer window. No one player can do it all, but we need just one special player to light the fuse. Sjeinder for me. Time to extinguish the Lamps and look to the kids.
In my opinion we were brilliant in the first half, I think we deserved a win and the performances of some of our players were sublime. Mikel and Torres were the exception which coincidentally is where we have problems in our team. Get Ramires in the middle ASAP, it's getting ridiculous now. CP - I know what you mean but I honestly don't think the pivot positions are anything to do with Torres, it's our attacking midfield's job to supply Torres - which they are doing! He isn't taking opportunities to shoot aswell which doesn't help.
Mikel and Lampard stand out for me as the weak link in your team Lampard is at the end of his career at the top level and should of been rested against QPR after 2 England games in quick succession The manager should be able to rotate your squad a bit without weakening the team Torres looks like he needs a rest as well as he is out of form A Guus Hiddink or Jose Mourinho would be strong enough to drop players that need a break
Well it's definitely time to change things, because we're not getting better, and Mikel /Lamps have had enough games to prove that together they are not the answer.Seems logical to drop one of them, and try the survivor with Ramires or Romeu. Can't see how that would weaken us.Maybe Sturridge also deserves a start ( and that's a big call coming from me !) RDM did say we have heaps of games next couple of weeks and everyone would get a run, let's hope so.
What happened yesterday was a simple switch off, thinking it was all in the bag! I cannot understand how our defence became so slack! In the past they'd have died on the hill to protect a 2 goal advantage, but last night..
Not the first time this has happened. We do seem to switch off when in the lead. Need more mongrel in the team, and a desire to win by as many as possible. Goal differences could decide plenty this season. Get the whip out Robbie, and especially start thinking about a captain for the future. Jt is going to sit out a few games this season and Lamps shouldn't get the band just because he's been here a long time. Cahill for me.
