spadefx

Disappointing after the start we had, Leicester are a good side but with the quality in our lineup we should be more dominant. To be brutally honest, the draw was fortunate.
We looked a bit leggy and out of ideas after the opening 20 minutes. That instense high press is a great plan A, but when the energy levels dropped (much like the Man U game), we missed the crucial interceptions and players nded up out of position, gifting easy counter-attacks.
The lack of a top class striker to bail us out route one is going to hurt, but that's been the case since Costa (and since Drogba before that) - we need to find new ways through.
Aimless crossing from the wings without midfield runners isn't the answer. Giroud (and Higuain/Morata) can pick up the odd header from a pinpoint cross, but we can't rely on that being our only route through when we aren't countering.
The defensive problems are what they are, Zouma and Christensen will grow into the roles and Rudiger returning will be a massive boost. It's up front - and it's the movement and off-ball runs that we need to improve on (that, and a bit of composure in the finish).
We're not miles away - you can see from how dominant we are in patches when the aggression and intensity are at 10 - but we need to adapt when the frantic energy fades, the attacking plays need to be better thought out, and stay sensible with a press when the cover's not there.

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

We're in a European final, celebrate a little! Frankfurt are no pushovers. I can agree there weren't any 'stellar' performances, and plenty of individual mistakes, but that team performance just won us a semi final. Every one of them deserves credit.

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

We're in a European final, celebrate a little! Frankfurt are no pushovers. I can agree there weren't any 'stellar' performances, and plenty of individual mistakes, but that team performance just won us a semi final. Every one of them deserves credit.

Absolutely buzzing, bring on the final!
We really never do it the easy way! Really tough night, a lot of leggy performances and not a great deal of alternatives on the bench.
Just about did enough defensively to avoid a 2nd away goal which would've ended it. Luiz and Zappa with two excellent clearances to keep us in it.
Wasn't a fan of the booing for the Loftus Cheek substitution, Barkley did well and it was clearly an injury related swap.
Jorginho MOTM again for me, most of our better play came through him, covered a lot of gaps defensively, and took such a calm penalty when the pressure was on.
Wasn't our best football, probably deserved it over the two legs but Frankfurt certainly made us work for it. Lets hope we can wrap up a difficult, but progressive season with a Europa League win!

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

We're in a European final, celebrate a little! Frankfurt are no pushovers. I can agree there weren't any 'stellar' performances, and plenty of individual mistakes, but that team performance just won us a semi final. Every one of them deserves credit.

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

We're in a European final, celebrate a little! Frankfurt are no pushovers. I can agree there weren't any 'stellar' performances, and plenty of individual mistakes, but that team performance just won us a semi final. Every one of them deserves credit.

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

Absolutely buzzing, bring on the final!
We really never do it the easy way! Really tough night, a lot of leggy performances and not a great deal of alternatives on the bench.
Just about did enough defensively to avoid a 2nd away goal which would've ended it. Luiz and Zappa with two excellent clearances to keep us in it.
Wasn't a fan of the booing for the Loftus Cheek substitution, Barkley did well and it was clearly an injury related swap.
Jorginho MOTM again for me, most of our better play came through him, covered a lot of gaps defensively, and took such a calm penalty when the pressure was on.
Wasn't our best football, probably deserved it over the two legs but Frankfurt certainly made us work for it. Lets hope we can wrap up a difficult, but progressive season with a Europa League win!

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

I'm gonna bite.
Top 4, two finals, massive change in playing style.
Absolutely a work in progress, there's been mistakes and there's been ups and downs in progress, but considering the squad we have and where we were last year, this has been a decent season.
I'm maybe in the minority but I think he's had a promising start, and I'm looking forward to next season. Maybe just on a semi-final win high? I'm happy.

We're in a European final, celebrate a little! Frankfurt are no pushovers. I can agree there weren't any 'stellar' performances, and plenty of individual mistakes, but that team performance just won us a semi final. Every one of them deserves credit.

We're in a European final, celebrate a little! Frankfurt are no pushovers. I can agree there weren't any 'stellar' performances, and plenty of individual mistakes, but that team performance just won us a semi final. Every one of them deserves credit.

Absolutely buzzing, bring on the final!
We really never do it the easy way! Really tough night, a lot of leggy performances and not a great deal of alternatives on the bench.
Just about did enough defensively to avoid a 2nd away goal which would've ended it. Luiz and Zappa with two excellent clearances to keep us in it.
Wasn't a fan of the booing for the Loftus Cheek substitution, Barkley did well and it was clearly an injury related swap.
Jorginho MOTM again for me, most of our better play came through him, covered a lot of gaps defensively, and took such a calm penalty when the pressure was on.
Wasn't our best football, probably deserved it over the two legs but Frankfurt certainly made us work for it. Lets hope we can wrap up a difficult, but progressive season with a Europa League win!

Absolutely buzzing, bring on the final!
We really never do it the easy way! Really tough night, a lot of leggy performances and not a great deal of alternatives on the bench.
Just about did enough defensively to avoid a 2nd away goal which would've ended it. Luiz and Zappa with two excellent clearances to keep us in it.
Wasn't a fan of the booing for the Loftus Cheek substitution, Barkley did well and it was clearly an injury related swap.
Jorginho MOTM again for me, most of our better play came through him, covered a lot of gaps defensively, and took such a calm penalty when the pressure was on.
Wasn't our best football, probably deserved it over the two legs but Frankfurt certainly made us work for it. Lets hope we can wrap up a difficult, but progressive season with a Europa League win!

Absolutely buzzing, bring on the final!
We really never do it the easy way! Really tough night, a lot of leggy performances and not a great deal of alternatives on the bench.
Just about did enough defensively to avoid a 2nd away goal which would've ended it. Luiz and Zappa with two excellent clearances to keep us in it.
Wasn't a fan of the booing for the Loftus Cheek substitution, Barkley did well and it was clearly an injury related swap.
Jorginho MOTM again for me, most of our better play came through him, covered a lot of gaps defensively, and took such a calm penalty when the pressure was on.
Wasn't our best football, probably deserved it over the two legs but Frankfurt certainly made us work for it. Lets hope we can wrap up a difficult, but progressive season with a Europa League win!

Decent half, but there's not enough movement at the box, Higuain again the biggest culprit. Probably should've had a pen for the Luiz hauldown, but we've rode our luck a little too.
The midfield three are doing well, but we're going to need one of them, or the full backs, to take the risk and try to break the line.
Would like to see Giroud and one of Barkley/Willian introduced early in the half, fresh legs and some more attacking intent. 
Massive 45 minutes coming up, nervous and hopeful.
 

Superb second half.
Commited men forward, took risks and it ultimately paid off.
Midfield trio again very impressive. Loftus Cheek looks unstoppable when he turns and drives forward, Jorginho kept the intensity up with some excellent quick forward passing, and Kovacic too was constantly pressing and quickly moving possession forward.
Pleased for Higuain too, wasn't a great performance from him but a quality goal. Giroud could've had a brace too, unfortunate as you can see the effort and desire there.
Needed a win, got a win, job done with a couple goals to spare. And a nice touch with the Cahill substitution, happy we were in a position to give him a (presumably) farewell at home.
Roll on Thursday, next must-win game.

Last 15 minutes were much better after a really sluggish start. I think Willian and Pedro playing a bit closer to our midfield helped, a lot of players looked very isolated in the opening 30.
Frankfurt have pressed well, fouled when they needed to and got away with a few too, mind you Christensen's very lucky to still be on the pitch so I guess both sides have benefited from some questionable calls. Great header from their forward for the goal but Luiz needed to be closer.
Keep up the intensity of the end of that half and there's more chances in this for us. Jorginho slowly gained control of the pace of the match, Kante and Loftus Cheek are finding more pockets to drive into, and the front 3 are starting to threaten (fine finish from Pedro). Looks like the goal at least woke us up!
Fingers crossed for a strong second half display.