Shows how far we have come when I am frustrated with 4 points from Chelsea/Everton away and Arsenal at home
Important to remember this is literally last seasons team bar Koch for White. We’ve also not had Pablo either who was critical last season to us (yes we have the other 2 international signings but barely been involved yet). Could argue the squad that have played is weakened in terms of games played compared to last year. We are only going one way and that’s up
We need to find a way of getting Rodrigo into the team. He is another layer of class and 28m on a 29 year old in his prime...If that means leaving out Bamford so be it (very harsh I know)
We desperately need a 10. I’ve mentioned a cheeky bid for Erikson before. We presumably want one as we went for the Munich lad. The lack of a Pablo effects our set up and results in more pressure on the defence when our move breaks down
Klich is very good but can’t help but feel we need another quality player in this position too
Liked the look of Llorente. He will make mistakes, similar to Meslier - but if we keep him fit he is going to be a big player for us, starting moves in our defence. Him and Koch will compliment each other
Meslier is already the third best keeper I have seen us have since I started supporting as an 8 year old
Chelsea fans are sht
A few musings
posted on 5/12/20
On paper we were always going to lose against Chelsea.
All I was hoping for was a performance from our team, but it didn't come.
It's the first game this season that I thought we were outclassed. I don't know if that's entirely down to the (obviously better) Chelsea team or if it was down to us not performing.
Either way, on to the next game.
Looked like Koch hurt his knee - hope it doesn't keep him out too long. Llorente looked iffy to me defensively, but as someone said, not the best game to come back from injury in.
posted on 5/12/20
Dallas should be leftback and id start rodrigo at 10
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This all day long
posted on 5/12/20
comment by LIW Radchancer (U8453)
posted 2 minutes ago
Dallas should be leftback and id start rodrigo at 10
———-
This all day long
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Absolutely and I think that change will come in immediately - we know Bielsa doesn't change teams that have done well. I love Ali but he is a bench player, not a starter. Problem is - Dallas is not a left back either and is slow - see how Werner powered past him for their third
Rodrigo just slightly in front of Klich and behind / alongside Bamford, with Raphinha, Harrison, Costa being the main wingers to choose 2 from
But as long as we survive this year, we will then have £££s to improve those other positions - LB and CM / cam/10 are priorities for new first teamers for me, with LB immediately playing and CM/cam/10 competing for places with Klich and Rodrigo.
Other than Klich, we won't have a proper PL level centre midfielder next year - Pablo too old, Dallas not at right level, Forshaw crocked, Kalvin plays further behind
posted on 5/12/20
Think pretty much every fan you speak to thinks Dallas at left back and Rodrigo starting but bielsa doesn’t seem to trust Rodrigo. I get a sense it’s to do with him not doing the job required off the ball... He also tries a few fancy tricks in risky positions.. . but just a hunch
posted on 5/12/20
For me Dallas has to play left back or not at all as he is too lightweight in midfield and gives the ball away too often for my liking. Alioski love him but again exposed down his side too many times. We got away with it against Everton but tonight we needed another tough unit in the middle to counter Kante which we didn't do well enough and consequently Chelsea dominated and cut off our creative supply.
Chelsea were very good but we didn't help ourselves.
We have to learn quickly from this which I'm sure the players will and Rodrigo has to start against West ham and Dallas moved to left back.
posted on 6/12/20
LIW I wasn’t saying I would leave him out more making a case he has to start whatever his position
Agree with the comment above that he should be starting at 10 in this team. Not sure whether I see him as a long term 10 or whether he is a striker (where he played when I went to watch England in Spain a few years back)
Either way 10 certainly works at the moment and we need to get him in the side
Alioski at left back in a distaster waiting to happen
posted on 6/12/20
(Rodrigo has to start)
posted on 6/12/20
Lots of games coming up...........
Not sure why we can’t rest Bamford for a game and try Rods upfront for a game or two..... also, Costa was actually playing half decent so why is poveda coming on instead of him game after game?? Very strange.
West Ham and Newcastle kinda games we need to be picking up 4 points from as an absolute minimum...
posted on 6/12/20
Sadly we ran into a too class team who were bang on it.
Unfortunate what happened to Koch but Llorente did alright all things considered.
A few too many off their best form and to have a chance we needed everyone firing.
We will often be targeted on set pieces and always vulnerable on them. Despite the win vs Everton I would have started Dallas at left back and got Rodrigo in and we really need to see that in next few games.
Got to keep our nerve regroup and make sure we are good to go for next few games.
posted on 7/12/20
Afridi, I may be looking at this wrong but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s to do with balance
Rafinha, Costa - more speed/direct/skill
Harrison, Poveda - more guile