bluelion111

Idea: How about we don't chant 'Diego, Diego' every time he gets in the face of the opposition and only do it when he does something good on the pitch?

Agree with this, he was playing more as a box to box midfielder after half time and was really looking to drive forward. Needs to stop holding the opposition when the ball's in the air though as he could easily have incurred a stupid yellow for constantly doing it.

So being firmly in the camp of those who think we need to do away with the 4231 formation, for the benefit of Hiddunk when he browses through the site I thought it would be interesting to have a dedicated thread for any and all tactical variations we could implement. Going to start by copying what I posted in the match thread last night. One other thing that bothers me in all our games is that we never throw in any surprises for the opposition. Even if we change up the AM trio they are still going to interchange and play the same way game after game. Just every now and again go for a 433 or a 442 or even a diamond with a DM at the back, a Playmaker/B2B in the middle and an AM behind either Costa/Remy or perhaps Costa/Hazard having a free role. Whilst no-one is happy with these results, I think the vitriol would be lessened if we at least looked like we were doing something to amend it rather than persist with the same tactics game after game. Also going to add in that when we take the lead, we need to stop sticking instead of twisting. It fails far more times than it works and just invites pressure onto an already tired team.

One other thing that bothers me in all our games is that we never throw in any surprises for the opposition. Even if we change up the AM trio they are still going to interchange and play the same way game after game. Just every now and again go for a 433 or a 442 or even a diamond with a DM at the back, a Playmaker/B2B in the middle and an AM behind either Costa/Remy or perhaps Costa/Hazard having a free role. Whilst no-one is happy with these results, I think the vitriol would be lessened if we at least looked like we were doing something to amend it rather than persist with the same tactics game after game.

Couple of thoughts on getting back just now: 1) The ref deserved the abuse he got, let them get away with a stupid amount of time-wasting even after setting a precedent by booking their keeper. Seemed to delight in jabbing us with small snide decisions, like giving them what must have been a 30 second advantage after a foul late on and also blowing for half time despite us having a 3 on 2 counter-attack. 2) We're still sh*t. 3) f**k the ref again.

Drogba slapped an opponent in full view of the referee in a Champions League final which led to our beloved captain humiliating himself and costing us football's biggest club trophy against one of our biggest rivals and yet he got his act together to achieve God-like status here. Costa has come across as all but deranged this year but its never to late for redemption in football.

I'd rather keep Terry another year as backup if we want to retain a leadership presence, can't fathom this one out at all. With such a good replacement in Azpilicueta, I'd rather switch him back right and have Rahman and DaSilva fight it out for the LB spot if its a case of saving money on a big new transfer.

In regards to RLC, I think the thought process is that being about 6,4 gives him an advantage that can't be taught and can to an extent compensate for a lack of technical skill in comparison to Musonda/Baker and the others although I say that having seen very little of all of them. We already have a number of technical playmakers in the first team anyway, whereas we lack a physical presence going forwards which hopefully he can provide. If he's going to start then I hope to see him playing box to box in a 433, with Fabregas and Mikel/Matic depending on form.

Apparently he got hit by the ball in the head in training which caused dizziness to the point he wasn't fit to play.

Oscar's posted on Twitter that the reports of the two of them fighting are completely untrue...obviously.

BT I'm afraid, more surprised that the game with Everton next week isn't on at all.

Is there any proof of this beyond tabloid gossip that two people of the opposite sex are close friends so therefore must be shagging?

He's better than Cahill for sure, only thing Cahill has on him is being English.

I'd rather make a statement by bringing in a big name to compete with our existing players than having whoever replace Fabregas. Whilst he's been dire for a while, he's an 'x factor' player at his best and I would rather see a tactical rethink before making any more rash decisions such as Lukaku and Mata.

In regards to the CM situation, how is Van Ginkel doing at Stoke? From the limited glimpses of him I've seen he's tenacious going forwards and backwards and is far more physical than he appears and there's nowhere better to develop that than at Stoke on a cold, wet Wednesday night!

Agree with those praising his workrate, he works just as hard if not harder than Willian and created a number of chances yesterday.

Whilst I agree that he got a lot wrong, thank heavens he didn't give that blatant handball against Willian as that should have been one of the stupidest penalty calls of recent years.

Thought Hazard was much better today in terms of dribbling and ball retention with the way he danced through them only to look up and receive zero support followed up by an inevitable foul. And for AsianBoy and those who missed yet another Zouma masterpiece... CXVwSMTW8AAdqyx.mp4 This was with Martial having about 15-20 meters headstart with no-one near him for context.

Luiz's is the best I've ever seen given the incredible pressure he was under not to mention that would have beaten more than just 1 keeper at once.

At least if Arsenal do win the title its at a point where things have already reached peak sh*t levels for us and we don't have to suffer it during a more optimistic year.

Wenger

At least he's willing to mix things up like by playing Lahm as a DM, but choosing to play 3 at the back in the Nou Camp against Messi/Neymar/Suarez was one of the worst decisions i've ever seen in a match.

Happens to every defender at some point, Terry got demolished by Kane last year at WHL only to then shut him out at Wembley a few weeks later, can be a good experience in a way.

If Remy isn't deemed up to scratch by Hiddunk then might as well give Traore/Bamford a shot. Hopefully if we play a more proactive and aggressive game our creative players will finally be creative again the strikers will have more to feed off.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/12/hiddink-appointed-.html?extcmp=SOCIA_TW_ENG_NEWS_STATEMENT Confirmed as the new boss.