Lampard - more than I thought perhaps

[barak81]

I rate lampard I do, i often argue the lampard is better than gerrad debate and trus tme most people prefer gerrard.

The thing is, I can't think of anything else, why has it all gone wrong all of a sudden, why cant drogba score why are we not creating and you have to level it at lampard.

Have always rated him but didnt think he was this vital, then again, 30 plus goals and 19 assists in a season, not to mention everything he creates with out being accredited the direct assist.

Could it really be a case of missing the blindingly obviuse for looking for somthing more complicated

[TheWestwayWonder]

I dont think Lampard is the reason, but right now I think Frank is the missing piece. If we had him every week, his occasional goals and eternally consistent play wouldve nicked us a few games by now. Even when he has a bad game, he pops up with a goal and saves us 3 points.

As for the cause, I think its three fold: seeing the defense crippled with injury for a few games and shoehorning Paulo into the middle, the disaster at Anfield from which we havent really seemed to recover, and the sacking of Ray (yes I went there) and the resulting questions that have come up becuase of it: doubts all over the press about form, doubts about Carlo's future, doubts about whats going on with the club and I am sure that some of it has gotten to the players. As sure as I can be without knowing them personally.

[The Moos]

Lampard is just one part of the reasons why things aren't working for us at the moment. I think we played quite well with him injured before, so it's not like the team can't play without him. But with all the injuries we've had it would've been nice to have Frankie back, since he could give us a well needed boost.

But I don't think Lampard returning would be the end of our problems. The team just isn't playing well at the moment, with or without Lampard.

If you look at the way we usually play you could argue that the players who have stepped in when Lampard's been out should be able to do the same kind of work, even if it's not the same quality as when Lampard plays.

Looking at the way we play now makes me think that either Carlo has changed our tactics to deal with the injuries and it has completely backfired, or else the team can't play the way they used to.

When we played well we could have 5-6 players joining in the attack, but today I think we had at most 4, and 2 of them were far away from where they should be.

Sometimes you could see Drogba get the ball down on his chest and nobody were close by to help him. Usually he would have Anelka, Malouda or a midfielder there to play the ball to and then start the attack. Now he has to take the ball by himself and wait for everyone else to react.

There's very little confidence in the team. People are afraid to do things. Most seem to prefer to back down and defend rather than push up a little and either win the ball or else help someone start an attack.

Not sure if Lampard can change things, but hopefully him returning might bring us back on track and we can start getting better again. Just the fact that we might be able to play the same team for a few games in a row might help us.

[rahul]

Good points Moos and I'd like to add two-pence here.

I dont know whether its lack of confidence or lack of basic football brain, no one seems to present himself for a pass if one player has the ball. Its not just Drogba. Many times last night Bossy had the ball on the right wing, no one made himself available for the pass in the midfield, Bossy tried to do on his own and lost the ball.

We are also not playing with any intensity which should be the first thing on the team sheet when we roll out. Pressing from the front is virtually non existent. The forwards seem to be too busy mulling over their latest bad pass/fluffed shot/wikileaks/global warming that they forget to press making it easy for the opposition to just pass the ball out of defense and start an attack. Any top team would make life so difficult for those in possession of the ball that the only thing latter can do if hoof the ball up field and lose possession in the process.

Something's gotta give and give soon. Whether its Lampard's return or a hair dryer from Carlo. Hoping for a change in attitude more than anything else.

[sizzler85]

With the results , we are now forced to believe Lamps is the missing key ...

But I would say the attitude of the experienced players is quite shocking most notably our attackers ..

Probably , they are taking it for granted and with no competition for places ( Carlo is not creating such a scenario - you play well , continue to be in the team ) , they are getting lethargic and intensity has dropped .

[54veteran]

With the results , we are now forced to believe Lamps is the missing key ...

He's the key because he's the only creative midfielder we've got. Much as I disliked Ballack in the role of foot soldier, he would have made a good guvnor in Frank's absence.