Chelsea Vs. Birmingham City, FA Cup: Match Reaction
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 2:41 PM GMT
in Chelsea FC: FA & Carling Cups
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So, a 1-1 home draw against a Championship team in the fifth round of the FA Cup isn't exactly what the doctor ordered. However, it's a lot better than a loss, which is what we were looking at after a first half performance that resembled the display at Goodison Park, just against a far worse team.Had this been a league game, I'd have been apoplectic, but in the FA Cup it's not really so bad. The replay is set for March 6th, which is conveniently timed for me to be on a plane to Holland.
General thoughts...
The Good
- Didier Drogba is back. It comes as zero surprise to anyone that the team - especially Daniel Sturridge - looked far better with Drogba in the centre of the pitch. He opens up space for the rest of the strikers, which is something that rival Fernando Torres is completely incapable of.
- Branislav Ivanovic is an infinitely better fullback than Jose Bosingwa. He dealt with the threat of Nathan Redmond pretty easily all day and looked excellent going forward, providing the cross for Sturridge's goal.
- David Luiz has been fantastic for most of 2012, and this was another pretty sterling performance from the centre back. He looks far more comfortable playing at left centre back, and although there were a few wobbles towards the end of the match he basically ate Adam Rooney alive while contributing heavily to the Chelsea attack.
- Salomon Kalou's energy really helps this team out. As weird as it sounds, he's in the starting lineup for me.
- Andre Villas-Boas's substitutions were excellent. The Juan Mata for Frank Lampard thing got some complaints, but introducing Drogba and Kalou while switching us to a 4-2-3-1 gave us a much needed spark, and for most of the second half the team was playing pretty well against a defence that was desperately trying to shut up shop.
The Bad
- Set piece defending. David Murphy's goal might have been the first we've conceded on a corner all season, but that hasn't been because we've defended them really well. We were an atrocity for the first goal and not much better on Birmingham's other set pieces. That has to be fixed, and Gary Cahill should be our main tool in doing so.
- Ramires and Raul Meireles's passing got us into a lot of trouble. Ramires has the excuse of coming back from an injury. Meireles's excuse, presumably, is that he's not actually very good at this game.
The Ugly
- The entire first half. There's not much to say here. No penetration, no invention, the best two attackers from a Chelsea perspective were defenders. Plus we conceded a goal to Birmingham City. There's no way that's not ugly.
- Juan Mata's penalty. This was pretty dire. Colin Doyle nearly didn't save it, but it was too close to the goalkeeper and completely lacked power. Mata, David Luiz, Lampard and Nicolas Anelka have all missed penalties for us this year, which I'm pretty sure is some sort of record. In a way, the pen miss was a good thing, since 1-1 at halftime wouldn't have forced AVB into doing the right thing at halftime.
- Mohawks. They look terrible you guys. At least Florent Malouda clearly puts some thought into his hair.
Other
- And we never saw Torres again...
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i really didn't mind the lampard for mata swap
i prefer lamps at CAM anyway
Disagree on Drogba.
Torres may not be scoring, but his movement and lay-off’s were just as effective.
The big change for me was Kalou; the first fifteen minutes of the 2nd half was atrocious, but with Salomon adding that balance on the left we had a lot more options, and forced Birmingham’s defenders wider.
by TPalmer on Feb 18, 2012 2:47 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
His positioning is all wrong
Photographic explanation to come later
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 18, 2012 2:48 PM GMT up reply actions
he is avoiding the box like the plague
and sprinting to a left midfield position. it’s AWFUL
How often did he drift out wide?
He was invisible at times, but when he showed up it got me he spent more time out wide then centrally
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Barely at all, he just grew roots in the middle
Ruined our spacing, killed other runs, created noo space
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 18, 2012 6:35 PM GMT up reply actions
From what I saw Torres was okay
Movement and lay-offs,like TPalmer said. Didn’t see any of the ball first half,and he can’t play off long balls like Drogs. Drogs
Been crying out for Kalou and he came on and proved me right :P Think he should get the odd start with Mata rested,and a two-striker system for some games. Kalou should start at Napoli,for me.
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 18, 2012 3:03 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
I thought he was the worst player on the pitch
His touches were ok, but he’s not creating any space to receive passes without going away from goal. He’s not doing anything to help himself.
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 18, 2012 3:38 PM GMT up reply actions
i think not
his movement and (unsuccessful) flicks have been atrocious for a while
I would have rather Kalou come on at half time
He provided the shape change which I will adamantly argue got us back into the game. Our left always suffers when Mata is the left winger. Partly the reason Ashley Cole has been so bad this season (that and he’s be bad this season) I love Mata but he always ends up playing as the CAM. Kalou is good enough for the left.
How come AVB refuses to trust the 4-2-3-1 which has brought us our best performances?
Isn't there some transfer window somewhere that's still open for a couple of weeks...?
But in all seriousness, my solution would be to basically let him ride the bench throughout the rest of the year, giving him the odd start. Then try giving him a fresh slate with a hopefully more “avb-oriented” team next year, and if he’s not scoring then, then we can sell him.
https://twitter.com/#!/gold_e
Just a thought
I’d retain the back four from this game.
Mikel-Essien
Ramires-Mata-Kalou
Drogba
Different,but I’d like to see it-I wouldn’t wanna drop Danny,but think Ramires offers more defensively,and he’s handled the wing well enough on occassion.
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 18, 2012 3:08 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Not what I'd do
Basically you end up with Mata trying to cover Gokhan Inler and Walter Gargano, which gives Napoli control over the entire match. The wingers are a nice touch – we’ll need someone to cover the Napoli wingbacks, but we need a 1-2 midfield triangle, really
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 3:11 PM GMT up reply actions
Definitely NOT a diamond
We’d get killed on the flanks, especially the Hamsik-Maggio overlap.
I think a 4-5-1 is the way to go, with Romeu deep and Essien-Ramires pushed high up on their midfield, and wingers man-marking Zuniga and Maggio
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 3:18 PM GMT up reply actions
This is a good question
I need to think about it more
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 3:23 PM GMT up reply actions
Ramires
should play on the left, Ivanovic plus whoever plays right in the mid will do well enough defensively, its the left thats gonna need Ramires’ help
by JCP17 on Feb 18, 2012 3:32 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
The problem is, I think, that Ramires is mostly right-sided
He tends to drift that direction, so I’m just not sure how disciplined he’d be in covering Maggio
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 3:34 PM GMT up reply actions
We need to start a petition to get you on the coaching staff.
In the mean time I’ll pray that Cavani and co. all go out to eat at a new sushi place and catch food poisoning.
being serious though, Maybe Kalou on the left wing of that 4-5-1. Brani could help Danny out, I think he does pretty well on defense, maybe he’ll step up even more.
I'm choosing to interpret this comment as you not wanting me to write anymore
I’M SO INSULTED
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 3:39 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
your name isn't really Graham MacAree is it?
…. Roberto Di Matteo!
If that were the case
then we have proper proof AVB is just too stubborn. Even too stubborn to listen to his assistant!
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Sturridge and Kalou
won’t necessarily man mark well but will keep the fullbacks occupied high up the pitch
I say 4-2-3-1,
same back 4;
Ramires, Essien (Essien is probably our best passing midfielder atm and Ramires will provide the energy to hassle the Napoli midfield);
Sturridge, Mata, Kalou;
Drogba (purely for Sturridge’s sake, both him and Torres were shit today)
I still don't like this
Napoli’s midfield would just drop deep onto Mata. Would Essien and Ramires have license to chase?
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 5:52 PM GMT up reply actions
Ramires will be given free licence to chase,
but if Napoli’s midfield drop deep, Ramires and Essien push up. I feel like Bertrand/Cole and Kalou can keep Hamsik/ Maggio quiet, Sturridge will need to keep Dossena (or whoever plays the lwb role) busy so Ivanovic can concentrate on Lavezzi, and Cahill and Luiz are good enough to keep Cavani quiet. The game is in Napoli so its unlikely that their midfield drops that deep to cover Mata which should give him some time and space to work his magic.
Hmmm
I think Mata can press up on one of Gargano/Inler and keep him a bit quiet-Inler will be easier,IMO,but at the same time he’s a more dangerous player than Gargano. And then we hope to God that Mikel can deal with the other player. Or play Romeu instead of Mikel,and sub Mikel on when we (hopefully) have a goal or two. The wingbacks and their play on the overlap is why I thought Rami and Kalou on the wing will be better. :)
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 18, 2012 4:10 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
I don't think that makes much sense when you look at the way Gargano and Inler play
They’ll both drop deep to get space, and they’ll push up if necessary too. So a dedicated holder will get drawn out of position, and a dedicated CAM’s going to find himself defending really close to the goal
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 4:14 PM GMT up reply actions
Only if you assume Mata is capable of getting the ball off Gargano or Inler
I would expect them both to just waltz past him
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 4:18 PM GMT up reply actions
As the "2" in the 1-2, don't all Essien and Mata need to do is deny Gargano
and Inler time on the ball? I guess that would be harder if they drop really deep. Then again, they would be in a way less threatening position.
Hmmm
I think Mata can press up on one of Gargano/Inler and keep him a bit quiet-Inler will be easier,IMO,but at the same time he’s a more dangerous player than Gargano. And then we hope to God that Mikel can deal with the other player. Or play Romeu instead of Mikel,and sub Mikel on when we (hopefully) have a goal or two. The wingbacks and their play on the overlap is why I thought Rami and Kalou on the wing will be better. :)
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 18, 2012 4:13 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Hmmm
I think Mata can press up on one of Gargano/Inler and keep him a bit quiet-Inler will be easier,IMO,but at the same time he’s a more dangerous player than Gargano. And then we hope to God that Mikel can deal with the other player. Or play Romeu instead of Mikel,and sub Mikel on when we (hopefully) have a goal or two. The wingbacks and their play on the overlap is why I thought Rami and Kalou on the wing will be better. :)
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 18, 2012 4:18 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
I'd go with this:
Same back 5 except Cole for Bertrand.
-——-Romeu
Essien———-Mata1
Rambo2-Drogs—Kalou
1 Mata as a midfielder who presses up on Inler/Gargano. I think this is something he’s more capable of/comfortable with than tracking back on the flanks.
2 Rambo over Studge here cause he’s hard working. He could run up and down the right flank all day.
Mata might be able to deal with Gargano
Maybe
by Graham MacAree on Feb 18, 2012 3:27 PM GMT up reply actions
Fitting Mata in is the problem. He can't adequately cover the flanks, and we can't play
him in the hole without Napoli dominating.
4-3-3/4-5-1 and hope for the best
Drogba needs to occupy their back three (which he certainly could’ve done, without a doubt, a few years ago) and our “wingers” need to track Maggio/Zuniga like their life dependent on it (which it does).
Two mids need to be on Gargano & Inler at ALL TIMES. Mata floats, closing down more than he’s used to but then driving at the defense when given the opportunity.
Do NOT get drawn out of shape at the back. Whatever you do. Do NOT get drawn out of shape.
Cech – Ivan, Cahill, Luiz, Bosingwa – Essien, Mikel – Mata – Ramires, Drogba, Kalou
This looked like a 4-2-1-3
and not too bad. This is my exact same line-up! :D
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 18, 2012 8:50 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, it's hybrid of 4-2-1-3/4-3-3/4-5-1 and even 4-4-1-1 depending on game situation.
Essien & Mikel would be tasked with picking up their two holders. Mata floats in-between and up ahead and helps out if needed but as our main outlet, he’d always have to be open for a pass. Once received, he would either run at the defense, distribute out wide to the runners in Ramires & Kalou (whose first job would be to track Napoli’s wingers/wing-backs), or hit up Drogba for a bit of hold-up to let the rest of the team come up.
I look at him on the Madrid bench with such longing...
by Avinash Mohan on Feb 18, 2012 3:38 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Forgetaboutit!
I dunno is roman willing to consider him back? My gut feels roman doesn’t want him no moe
by Adyatama Sumantri on Feb 18, 2012 3:40 PM GMT up reply actions
Roman bought him a car 6 months after he left Chelsea
I think Roman was too clever to completely burn that bridge
Roman brought Jose a special edition Ferrari.
Not joking, he really did.
Wow...I mean, wow.
It was apparently a £2m Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Only 60 ever made.
Not too shabby.
How good are we feeling about Cahill-Luiz
Because it’s about to get the ultimate test
Really good actually, its one of the few bright spots.
They’re both very defensively sound, contribute well to the attack, provide a threat from set-pieces and are speedy and powerful.
I'm glad someone finally said it
I’m in the states so I don’t get many opportunities to watch the matches but Ieverytime I do miereles has completely pissed me off. His passing is erratic and his energy is no compensation for these ludicrous shots sometimes 35+ yards out and double that distance for how badly he misses. AVB needs to find him a spot on the bench and figure out how to start working our 2nd highest goal scorer more often than this desperation time that he is getting. I understand frank is getting old but Raul is going to be 29 in less than a month so it’s not like he is our future
who gives a shit about his age
He n malouda are utter waste..ohh how could i forget our bossman
Will AVB ever be able to replicate the aura of infallibility that Jose brought to the Bridge?
I don’t think so.
depends
does he have 100 million to spend?
Bummer
was hoping to wake up to better news. Now I have an adult hangover AND Chelsea didn’t win. But at least they aren’t out of the cup. I’ll take that.
they played quite well for a period
it was heartening, esp. w/ Drogs back
Have the ol' Valentine's Day make-up drink-slammin' fest last night, did we?
And yeah, after the first 45 minutes, I was dreaming for a draw.
Actually...
my birthday. Valentines Day always tries to suck the life out of it, so my friends brought me out to a fancy-schmancy restaurant here so we could tell V-day to shove it. If I had to wake up super late and groggy the next day, I certainly chose the right way to end up here. Such. Good. Wine.
It surprises me to read
that you don’t share your birthday with Fernando Torres ;) since you keep on emphasizing you are “Torres-old” I naturally believed your birthday fell on the same day like his
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
It's pretty close, I think
Isn’t his coming up soon? But I was referring to years… mostly because people like to talk about how he’s on the wrong side of 20. Turns out I am too!
Next month
I know it exactly because … hehe … it really happens I share the birthday with Torres :D
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Really?
Fancy that. I share a birthday with… Sergio Canales… I think. Only he is a baby. But no one famous really has my birthday… and even regularly people mess it up. My health insurance company continues to tell me my birthday is on Valentines Day. The jerks!
Yes, it's true ;)
When I found that out summer 2010 I found it funny myself. Before his transfer I was a fierce Torres hater. But that Hölderlin (German poet, consider him the German Shelley) shares that birthday too is still better than Torres :P
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Same year too?
I am calculating just how old I am to other folks… I feel like I am the 4th oldest here.
Happy birthday to me! Chelsea drew!
Well then, happy birthday!
I figured your intent was to tell Valentine’s Day to shove it, but I didn’t figure it also had the extra-explosive mix of a birthday celebration!
Also, my interest is piqued; what kind of wine?
I wish I could recall the names
We had prosecco to kick off the night, then some really great Burgundy that was one of the more interesting wines I have ever tasted. Moved onto a meatier red that was really fruity but not sweet… something that had similar traits to a zin. Then some other fabulous red that accompanied the cheeses, and then we had a nice dry and mellow Riesling to go with dessert. The trick was that this restaurant had high quality half-bottles, so we were able to get a pretty big assortment and try some different things.
Here I go with my OT-ness in the wrong thread again, but if anything deserves to be mentioned in the wrong places, it is wine!
Not deeply saddened.
Positives- First that we can list some positives now..
Secondly,the second half was good and finally we saw the team doing things with the ball quickly enough.
Ivanovic a far far better RB,and does not waste time on the ball.
Sturridge looks better and unselfish,thanx to the drogba effect.
Kalou brings in the much needed versatility that we needed.Some one with whom Mata can swap roles,or for that matter sturridge too.
Luiz was excellent.
Negatives- Meireles,Meireles meireles.I was excited when we got him,but i had an altogether different perception of his role.It changed.
How can someone stick to him so much,when he is doing absolutely nothing good for the team.Tired of watching him failing to give simple straight passes.Sidney govou was a better player than him.Stop starting him please!!! If he starts in naples,i’m not watching the match.
And finally, is this the end of Torres this season?(or hopfully for chelsea)
I'd want the following lineup.
cech——
ivan—cahil/terry—luiz—cole/bossy(sucks)-
-—-essien—-lamps—-
sturr—-mata—-kalou—
-—drogba——
no ramires in your lineup :S ?
I would put out that exact line up but with ramires instead of lampard and look to hit napolis 3 centrebacks down the wing. Going straight down the napoli spine wont work at all.
Positives
Sturridge scored
Ivanovic started ahead of Bosingwa
We got – slightly – better with the 4-2-3-1. AVB must soon realise that it suits us better than 4-3-3.
Ramires is back :)
Negatives
Meireles makes me want to cry :(
Mikel makes me want to cry :(
Torres makes me want to punch someone.
by MischievousNinja87 on Feb 18, 2012 3:40 PM GMT reply actions
Agree with everything you said...
… especially the mohawks! Get it together people!
by CareFreeChronic on Feb 18, 2012 3:47 PM GMT reply actions
And to think, I woke up at 7:30
To watch this not-great performance.
I kinda feel sorry for the american western and central time and east asian guys..
the timings must be freaking odd for you guys.And having to wake up/stay awake at such times,on weekends and then be presented with the likes of last 3 performances..kinda brutal.
But,hats off..
Can't help it
I live in Indonesia, if the game scheduled on week days, the kick is usually 2-3am just like Napoli game.. But Can’t sleep thinking about what the game will be like.. seriously this year I watch Chelsea with lotsa adrenaline rush.. fighting for top four and right on the edge of the FA cup and UCL cup.. Damn it AVB why so like dat ah?!
by Adyatama Sumantri on Feb 18, 2012 3:55 PM GMT reply actions
My take
We should play something like this in Naples
Cech
Ivanovic Cahill Luiz Cole
Romeu
Ramires Essien
Kalou Mata Sturridge
Lets go without strikers on this, let Mata fall deep and let the midfielders do the job. With our CF basically struggling(except Sturridge), we should try this.
by Marcus_Cfc on Feb 18, 2012 4:09 PM GMT via Android app reply actions
Mata
Deep as a striker, no midfielder. so he’ll be roaming.
by Marcus_Cfc on Feb 18, 2012 4:10 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
Not sure how I feel about this.
The midfield is great, no problem there. Studge will need his working boots on if he’s gonna cover the wing. Who’s gonna hold up the ball up front though?
How good are Napoli’s CBs at bringing the ball outta the back?
Play out from the back
Play out from the back, that’s how Barca does it also right? Messi plays as a CF too.
Napoli defenders are decent, never really seen them. Don’t think they’re much of a threat of bringing the ball out like Luiz is.
by Marcus_Cfc on Feb 18, 2012 4:27 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
4-6-0
Definitely good in packing the box defensively.
We will then play out from the back, since we don’t have a striker to hold up the ball.
Expect short passes and singers to score.
BUT AVB won’t play this way. lol.
by Marcus_Cfc on Feb 19, 2012 5:11 AM GMT via Android app up reply actions
How was Ryan Bertrand ? Did he have a good game?
by Kunta Kinte on Feb 18, 2012 4:15 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
He was okay
He did okay defensively, but he wasn’t good offensively.
I would still pick Cole over him.
by Marcus_Cfc on Feb 18, 2012 4:18 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
Didn't really move foward
Almost every time he just played the ball back to luiz, never forward and when he did make runs no one gave him the ball.
Torres scoring
Does anyone else agree that if Torres needs a goal really bad we should just let him take a penalty? It has happened with Rooney a lot and it will give him some confidence if he can score it.
That would be scary
but I’m sure he can score from a penalty
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 18, 2012 4:37 PM GMT up reply actions
It would be a chance
He looks afraid to shoot a lot and will have to take it. Im sure he would finish nicely, better than him just standing around.
It could be just the boost he needs
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 18, 2012 4:41 PM GMT up reply actions
that would entail him being on the pitch
which i think would be a bad idea
He doesn't always play so poorly
a bit harsh on him I think
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 18, 2012 4:42 PM GMT up reply actions
How many games ago was Man United?
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 18, 2012 4:44 PM GMT up reply actions
3
and besides the assist he was pretty crap. he also passed up a glorious opportunity to win the game.
I'd also think that would be a bad idea
given how crucial penalties have become. Today, a penalty could have decided the result (could have, I know, it’s all kinda coulda woulda) … a pen against ManCity earlier this season did decide a match. If against Wigan 2010 Torres took the second penalty and missed it – yeah wouldn’t have mattered. But with out tight results and our weakness to concede late goals which could cost a game I don’t think we shall sacrifice those rare penalties just to get Torres going. And we don’t know if we could get him going this way. We could end up drawing/losing and Torres still off confidence.
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
He hasnt taken a pen
since like, 2008. He wasnt particularly great at them before that… had a pretty mixed record at Atletico. Probably best he not be the taker… not sure he wants to be anyhow (would mean he’d have to try to shoot! JK… sort of).
I am now picturing Torres lining up to take the shot, the referee blowing the whistle, Torres running up to the spot, stopping, turning, and passing the ball back to an extremely confused Juan Mata
I honestly do not know whether to laugh or cry at this imaginary sequence.
Just go away, Fernando.
Sort of reminds me of the Johan Cruyff pen where instead of shooting he passes wide
to a teammate who duly returns the ball for him to tap in. Not even sure if something like that is legal today.
As an offering of peace...
I present this pretty blue balloon. There to the right>
Gotta admit things started getting better for you guys when I showed up ;c)
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 18, 2012 4:30 PM GMT reply actions
lol
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 18, 2012 4:43 PM GMT up reply actions
Just got back from the game
And I’m surprised how little mention Bertrand is getting. In the discussion for MotM as far as I’m concerned. Maybe he didn’t get much TV coverage because most of his awesomeness was off the ball.
As soon as ever one of our CBs won the ball in our half, he was off like a rocket down the left wing; downside is that nobody ever seemed to pass to him – he was getting noticeably frustrated towards the end of the second half. He was also [fun]ing quick when running back into position on defence once an attack broke down.
At this point, I don’t honestly know how Cole could win his place back in the side – he just doesn’t have the legs to compete with Ryan anymore.
A lot of people were saying he was bad
I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH
by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 18, 2012 4:50 PM GMT up reply actions
hm that's quite an interesting perspective
watching it on the stream i thought Bertrand was very bland and not too good. but your pointing out his movement witnessed firsthand is edifying.
I'll admit to not having seen much of him in the first half
As I was in the west stand and pretty near the front, so he was on the opposite side of the pitch. But in the second half, he was up and down the pitch like nobody’s business – reminds me of the days when Cole still had legs.
i'm happy to hear this
and thank you for bringing that perspective, as it gives me more hope for that position now that Cole has fallen off a cliff. wonder why Bertrand wasn’t seeing more of the ball down the flank if he was making those runs …
You could be right. I didn't have the pleasure of watching it live, so I didnt get to see how he did
off the ball. You seem like a smart guy, so I’ll take your word for it.
Fooled another, 'deg0ey'
I appreciated his movement – that much was evident even on TV. But like I said in the other thread, I don’t recall him beating his man once nor do I recall a cross from him. Maybe his understanding is just not there with the rest of the team (hardly surprising, of course, given his lack of actual playing time). Or maybe he just needs to yell louder so that people can hear him and give him the ball.
I do take back some of the slagging for the defensive job that he did…it seems that he was the only man tasked with being on the post (near post) for corners…although he did a piss poor job of actually staying on the post. It was Torres’s man who actually put in B’ham’s goal.
True
But he never played the ball forward always back to luiz and he did make good runs but no one ever played it back to him.
What we needed to do...
Was to take the opportunity to play through balls to him when he was the most advanced man. If we’d knocked it in behind their fullback, Bertrand has the pace to have beaten him and whipped a cross in. He was in all the right places, just never seemed to get the pass at the right time.
He was in all the right places, just never seemed to get the pass at the right time
Isn’t that something we’ve heard before about a different player? Your right though, and he is probably the best crosser on the team, the problem is that neither Bossy, Ivan or Cole try to get behind the opposing FB much at all, so he only managed to get the ball after coming back to get it, not giving him the chance to be dangerous when attacking.
Ha!
Hahahahahahahah…..-sob-
WHY DO WE SUCK NOW?!?!?
….
Apologies, but I feel that was an appropriate reaction.
I may not know much about life, but what I do know has taught me to believe in Chelsea.
naw
i think the second half was very heartening. Chelsea w/ Drogs is a much different proposition. on to Naples.
Choice quotes from AVB
“It was a poor result […] excellent performance in the 2nd half […] 1-1 is not what we expected”
Re: Goal conceded
“We lost the man at the back post…strong reaction straight after to win the penalty.”Re: Torres OFF, Drogba ON
“We needed more of a target man up front”Re: Support from RA:
“Unconditional.”
Some other mumblings about not being concerned about Torres’s “physical” form. Emphasis on physical. Some other bs about Fernando’s mental stimulus and the hope of “eventual” success.
Wont go overboard praising Kalou but I have always felt he has been treated unfairly this season since he was taken off in the 1st half back in the WBA game (september)..
He is definitely not a world class player but today he gave the offense some much needed energy/pace/mobility.. I think AVb shoudl strongly consider giving him a decent run of play..
IMO, Also think 4-2-3-1 (with Mata in the hole) is the way to go.. Possibly have DD at the main striker role and have Kalou and sturidge ont he flanks.. Gives the best balance as long as AVb can figure out what he wants from the double midfield pivot regardless of the combination of the 2 midfield anchors…Iva had a beauty of a cross that pute Boss to shame.. betrand had a decent game but will not advocate for him starting in Naples.. Too big a game..
Iva had a couple excellent passes into the box
also agree w/ the lineup you outlined
If we lose to Napoli be two goals or more I think AVB will be at even odds to lose his job.
The amount of pressure the media is building on Chelsea in England right now is immense. Being a few time zones away I think allows the majority of us on this board to see things more rationally. England not so much. Also, when your own fans are singing “You don’t know what your doing” in consecutive matches then things are definitely not all warm and cozy.
I am not sure sacking him is the way to go but I do think he will be in serious trouble if we pull an Arsenal in the Champions League.
You know what I just noticed today?
My Torres jersey doesn’t have the barclay ms prem patch on the sleeves. It has the Barclay’s Asia Trophy patch. This shit was doomed from the start.
Fuck him, I’m done. Let’s play Drogba the rest of the season and buy someone in the summer. Or move Danny central in the summer and buy two wingers. No more Torres.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 19, 2012 4:32 AM GMT via mobile reply actions
DPeezy, you win
I give up.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 19, 2012 4:33 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions
No more Torres
Prize enough, methinks
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 19, 2012 4:38 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions
For the record, I think the goal came out of the 4-2-3-1 more than either of the substituitons playing particularly well
Although they both brought a ton of energy which the team desperately needed.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 19, 2012 4:40 AM GMT via mobile reply actions
How about this for Napoli?
Cech
Bane, Cahill, Luiz, Bossy
Romeu / Mikel (either)
Essien , Rambo
Sturridge, Drogba, Mata
That’s a team that can defend and also (maybe) score
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 19, 2012 4:44 AM GMT via mobile reply actions
Is Bertrand even on the Champions League squad?
Either way, Bowingwa has been great at LB this season (utter shit at RB). And Bertrand is so young. I make stick with my choice either way. But I never really considered it because I didn’t think he was an option.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 19, 2012 3:28 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
He wasn't in the squad for the group stages
But with Alex and Anelka leaving in January, I can’t see a reason not to have put him in as a replacement for one of them.
Word. Good point.
Maybe still prefer Bossy though. It’s a very big game and Bertrand is very inexperienced. And it’s not like Bosingwa has disappointed at LB (yet)
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 19, 2012 4:09 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Bright side?
Well, at least Tottenham also drew (with an even worse club than Birmingham, and at 0-0). And Arsenal went so far as to lose, in the process completely throwing away what little there was left of their trophy hopes. I guess 1-1 against Birmingham isn’t so bad.
by FootieFromAfar on Feb 19, 2012 4:07 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
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