Valhalla

We dodged a bullet

So how long is this new manager bounce supposed to last? Just making sure how long this will be used against Tuchel. Not directing towards you in particular just seen a lot of comments of this nature last week. We did improve on 2 main weaknesses in the last 3 games. One is that the gap between our defence and midfield which was as wide as the ocean under Lampard (most of the time) is much tighter now and our transitioning has improved. Secondly our pressing is resulting in dispossessing the opponents more often and comes across as more cohesive compared to Lampard's implementation. Even though it's not a regular feature yet I saw glimpses of us trying to play the down the middle in that 1st half and just playing more forward passes in general. We need to improve in attack however. Looking at the line-up last night, aside from a misfiring Werner and CHO I couldn't see where the goals would come from and it turned out to be right. I'd like to see a formation and lineup which accomodates the likes of Pulisic alongside Werner, CHO and our other out of form attackers. Too many defensively minded players on the pitch last night.

Had a look over at thefightingcock most of them are miserable. From what I've read they're pinning their hopes on Ndombele who is the only other player im worried about apart from Son. After losing to Arsenal I really don't wanna to these lot considering they're missing key players and are on a bad run.

Didn't do much that stands out I felt Kovacic was the better of the two today. Just solid all round I have no complaints.

He learns quick which is important considering we're over halfway through the season with little room for error. Not a fan of the likes of Alonso/Rudiger but both put in a good shift today. Apparently we've only allowed 1 shot on target in 2 matches now which is incredible. Interested to see if he will use 3-5-2 vs spurs and who he will put up front. Tammy and Werner didn't work out this time.

To be honest even during our 16 game unbeaten run earlier in the season - 7 of them were draws. Some of our wins were also uninspiring. People keep referring to this recent dip in form as the reason for the sacking but we haven't been playing well in the majority of the games this season. Some results were shocking like the loss vs Arsenal in 15th place.

This transfer ban left us in a dodgy state and the board probably had little expectations of Lampard last season. The athletic reported that some were against his appointment. It was a sh*t show from the start. Also take into account we're halfway through the season so there's less room for error with each passing game.

Belief is usually placed on past experiences or ability which he sorely lacks. Not wish fulfilment fantasy. I would have liked to see Lampard given a few more games but I'm baffled as to why people didn't see this coming. The most shocking sacking to me was Carlo Ancelotti which was far worse than this.

See this is why I don't like how reactionary people are after sackings or big events. Ideally you wait for the full story to come out and assess the situation. The board probably had other reasons than league position for sacking him. But we have armchair philosophers who make assumptions Should clarify i dont know how true this article is though

football's more of a business than sport now im afraid. if it wasnt already apparent from all the TV deals with Sky and BT. the club mainly cares about winning and we're not alone in that regard.

Long time lurker and sorry for jumping on when a manager has just been sacked. There's a lot of bad comparisons and assumptions being made that I just have to give my thoughts. We shouldn't want a long term manager just for the sake of having one. It should be the right person who has proven himself. Lampard has no past experience to back him up and his football was unremarkable even when we went through winning spells playing against teams that should be a division below us. Conte f**ked up for various reasons, Sarri wanted to leave. Now whether you want to take the risk and see if Lampard can get out of this mess is up to you. I would have liked to see him finish the season but it could also mean missing out on top 4. I don't blame the board for sacking him but for hiring him if they had doubts since the beginning. Comparing him to Ole and Klopp is ridiculous when they have past experience to back them up. Lampard probably wouldn't have got the job if it wasnt for the transfer ban so it may have been a short term investment since the beginning in the board's eyes. There is no right or wrong in this situation.