While we may have been wasteful and defensively vulnerable at times, I'm ultimately pleased with what I observed today. It must be remebered that we beat an in-form, resolute Sunderland side and kept a clean sheet, without providing a vintage performence. While we may be out of contention for the title, this is a sign of Champions, as many performences have been testament to. So we clearly still have a culture and experience of success, which will see us retain Top Four status incidentally, which I know some have contested, but it must be argued that both Arsenal and Liverpool are far too inconsistent to threaten our position.
Furthermore, for us to now develop further, I believe we must employ certain tactical changes. We should shift from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1, so we can play Mata centrally and better utilise his talents, while providing Torres with much improved service. This partnership, supplemented by an injection of pace by Sturridge and a new winger (Hazard perhaps?) either side, would undoubtedly greatly improve our game. So hopefully this, or some permutation of this, is facilitated in some way, shape or form.
KTBFFH
Thoughts?
Today's game and looking forward
posted on 14/1/12
posted on 14/1/12
I do agree that today was another display which threw up as many concerns as it did positives, but the concerns are over comeable and the positives are a ray of sunshine.
its very clear that we do have makings of a new squad and enough quality to maintain our top 4 status which will see us through to next summer where the real changes will take place.
Essien looked immense, i really hope he can remain injury free.
ashly cole is looking scary at the moment, is he carrying any injury issues.
posted on 14/1/12
Don't be fooled by today's victory, there are serious flaws in the team.
posted on 14/1/12
I'm glad we won though, feels much better...
posted on 14/1/12
Yawn @ Capello, some nice article recently mate but all the doom and gloom from today is a little much, pretty much every article dude..................
Looking very good overal- impressed with Torres, felt he had a really good game and should have had 2 penalties, a goal better than Rooneys and maybe a few more chances on goal. Taking on players, looking quick.
Essien back - imo the jury is still out, lets see how he does over the next few weeks.
Main negative really is Bosi - after a good start in the past few games he has been very poor, and even the usually infallible Cole is looking wobbly at LB.
Defensively on the plus some nice movement by Luiz and no rash tackles when in the past he would have gone steam rolling in.
posted on 14/1/12
ifarka (U8182)
Yeah, Essien looked quality; it was good to see him play again.
Regarding Cole, perhaps he does have an injury of some kind, so why not try Bertrand. Competition for places would surely raise Cole's game as well.
Mr. Capello'~I miss Dr. Caneiro (U12414)
We may have flaws, but so does everyone around us. Arsenal are far too reliant on Van Persie; Man United have questionable strength in-depth and a troubling goalkeeper situation; Man City are much less of a force without their African contingent; Liverpool are toothless without Suarez and Tottenham still haven't acquired a real striking talent (I don't think Adebayor will be there long, considering wage demands and what not)
posted on 14/1/12
Simon West (U1830)
Yeah that goal would have been technically superior to Rooney's, since the ball hit Rooney's shin; Torres did well.
With Boswinga, Ivanovic will be back soon, so he'll be replaced, and other than allowing Bendtner to go through on goal, Luiz was solid.
posted on 15/1/12
"and other than allowing Bendtner to go through on goal, Luiz was solid"
But wasnt that only because Bossi played him onside by 5 yards, or im i thinking of another?