pcmacca

It is not splitting hairs, people keep talking about the unbeaten run justifies Frank being given more time. The unbeaten run in the PL is really not anything to shout about when you consider Chelsea this season have not beaten any side in the top 8 positions.

Sorry, I did write Many people keep referring to the unbeaten run before the Everton match to justify a forgiven poor patch. Do you realise that in that run Chelsea did not beat any team that are now in the top 9 positions of the PL! WHU were not part of the unbeaten run. Chelsea beat WHU after losing to Everton and Wolves.

I would like him to succeed but although he has many attributes, he still has a lot to learn. That is why instead of seeing him being dismissed, I wish he would accept that he could learn an awful lot about tactical training and planning by bringing in an experienced coach (not Grant), a specialist in transitions that does not have the other skills that Frank has and has no desire for the top job. I wish he would admit his deficiencies, learn and improve his future.

City, Liverpool and even Leicester for example appear to manage it well.

I believe Frank does need credit for last season in particular but even saying that it was not a normal season. He brought in the younger players and some played very well but as I said it was not a standard season (covid etc.) and Chelsea's points total was much lower than would be normally needed to achieve top 4 and they only did that as other teams dropped points unexpectedly after the restart. Frank got the praise he deserved but the problem is that Chelsea have bought some very good players since and the team is struggling without an identifiable style of playing, even compared to last season when then there was a lot less of the crablike sideways movement followed by high crosses we are seeing now. The team changes week in, week out and as I said in a previous post the teams Chelsea beat during the unbeaten run were all in the lower echelons of the PL. Further I would have hoped with two weeks training and no midweek games would have helped but the playing style still looked very limited yesterday. I know other are saying bringing in 6 players, no pre-season must affect things but Villa brought in 5 players not of the standard Chelsea did and they are surprising many.

Many people keep referring to the unbeaten run before the Everton match to justify a forgiven poor patch. Do you realise that in that run Chelsea did not beat any team that are now in the top 9 positions of the PL!

They will continue to be unhappy when the team is set up to play to the opposite of their strengths. All 3 signings, Havertz, Werner and Ziyech came from teams that played in quick forward passing styles attacking teams before they had a chance to organise properly. Even when the opposite were organised, they would still look to play between the lines. With Chelsea's passing, square, square, back, square and painfully slow build up they have no chance of being the players they were. Two poor examples from last night: How many times last night did we see the defenders pass amongst themselves, get under pressure then pass back to Mendy who would resort to a long ball handing the ball back to Fulham? The reason they did this was when they had the ball, all of their colleagues were facing them and if they passed to the midfield it would be just passed back to them. No midfielder is receiving the ball, turning or even receiving the ball when ready to look for a player to their left or right. Slow moving possession football compressing the space as you move up the pitch and then crossing into a crowded area is never going to suit these 3 players, 4 if you add Pelusic.

Unfortunately I cannot agree with the pressing idea (they used to do it) but it is only half hearted now and some players are not getting involved at all. If you need a reminder, watch the City game again. As for Mount, look at his Opta stats and you will see that when he plays in midfield, he is not involved enough in his defensive work so he appears to drop in and drop out of the game.

I would love to say that the run meant something but look at the teams Chelsea did beatin the PL. Not one can be rated a top side.

With Fulham pushing up, a good team would be ripping them apart.

I agree, it does suit him at all, this patient slow rubbish.

Nicely setup by the keeper.

I like Frank but I cannot see that he has any idea of how to setup a team.

Wrong man to bring on, he needs space.

THey keep saying that Chilwell is quality in the wide areas, when did he last play a positive cross?

Here we go, lots of high balls

Any changes that do come are often too late to change things.

Look at 3 of Chelsea's recent signings, Havertz, Werner and Ziyech. They all came from teams that played fast moving forward passing free flowing football. The opposite of what we are seeing here.

Why did they let Lamptey go?

That was a rubbish half and we are lucky to go in level.

Sorry, but two weeks on the training ground and I still cannot see any discernible style of football.

When did Chelsea last play a move like that?

When the chelsea defenders have the ball, all the forwards and midfielders are facing them. No runners.

I agree entirely, flits in and out and often chases the ball around.

No interest in chasing him back.