was always going to be tough for the new boys to maintain top form over xmas when they are not used to the English xmas fixture pile-up. matic and costa can both be forgiven for struggling to adapt. fabregas has obviously done it before so it's normal that he is able to adapt better and perform well throughout.

agree with most that matic wasnt great today, but it's just one of those games. he'll be in rip-roaring form in a few weeks when he's recovered

True. Have to remember this is his first Christmas programme and he's barely missed a game since coming back.

Think it shows that when he's not able to exert his normal influence on a match then we struggle to win.

I didn't intend it that way to be honest. Mikel has his place in the squad but when Oscar isn't in the team we lose something. That isn't a dig at Mikel so much me praising Oscar.

And dkw if you have a problem with me then feel free to address me directly rather than acting like a teenage girl and making snide comments. Got it?

I have addressed you directly plenty of Times you weirdo .

I have addressed you directly plenty of Times you weirdo .

No need for names is there, especially over the internet.

Gotta love how when Matic plays poor, it's always someone else's fault. At the beginning of the season, he was poor because he had to play with Fabregas. Now he's poor because of Mikel or because Oscar isn't in the team. Oscar was in the team against Hull and Matic was still sloppy, just like everyone else.

 

We just need to admit they're all human and all can have bad games without it being someone else's fault. Matic isn't an exception. He was poor today, period, but it's not the end of the world. He was great in most matches. 

Gotta love how when Matic plays poor, it's always someone else's fault. At the beginning of the season, he was poor because he had to play with Fabregas. Now he's poor because of Mikel or because Oscar isn't in the team. Oscar was in the team against Hull and Matic was still sloppy, just like everyone else.

 

We just need to admit they're all human and all can have bad games without it being someone else's fault. Matic isn't an exception. He was poor today, period, but it's not the end of the world. He was great in most matches. 

 

Of course players have bad games but sometimes you have to look at how the opposition can look to nullify them and how the dynamic of the team can affect them.

 

Oscar takes a lot of the attacking burden off of Matic and Fabregas so without him there's one less player for the opposition to worry about. I personally think he's a massive player for us so when he's not around we miss him.

 

That's not an attack on Mikel as some drama-queens will make out but a recognition that Mikel's strengths lie elsewhere. You also have to understand that the Chelsea faithful have already grown to love Matic and will defend him. Sorry bout that.

Of course players have bad games but sometimes you have to look at how the opposition can look to nullify them and how the dynamic of the team can affect them.

 

Oscar takes a lot of the attacking burden off of Matic and Fabregas so without him there's one less player for the opposition to worry about. I personally think he's a massive player for us so when he's not around we miss him.

 

That's not an attack on Mikel as some drama-queens will make out but a recognition that Mikel's strengths lie elsewhere. You also have to understand that the Chelsea faithful have already grown to love Matic and will defend him. Sorry bout that.

I don't buy it. Matic played one of his best games for us against Stoke with Mikel next to him and Fabregas in the hole and no Oscar on the pitch. Matic was poor today individually and neither Mikel or Fabregas (or Oscar) had anything to do with it. I love Matic just like the average Chelsea fan, but sometimes it amazes me how people consistently make excuses for him whenever he plays poorly while Mikel's every mistake gets criticized. 

I don't buy it. Matic played one of his best games for us against Stoke with Mikel next to him and Fabregas in the hole and no Oscar on the pitch. Matic was poor today individually and neither Mikel or Fabregas (or Oscar) had anything to do with it. I love Matic just like the average Chelsea fan, but sometimes it amazes me how people consistently make excuses for him whenever he plays poorly while Mikel's every mistake gets criticized. 

 

Firstly, Southampton are better than Stoke. That has a fair amount to do with it as does the fact that this is Matic's third game in such a short period but I really think the start of the second-half against West Ham showed just how much of the workload Oscar can take off of Matic and Fabregas when they are put under pressure. He's a big miss for us.

 

As for why Matic gets some slack cut for him is because he's been utterly magnificent for us since he joined to the point that many supporters are saying he could be a future captain....just ELEVEN MONTHS into being here. Mikel is judged by his tenure here as well which is why he doesn't get that same kindness. It's hard for many outside the club to understand, but he's simply never become a fan favourite despite his longevity here.

Firstly, Southampton are better than Stoke. That has a fair amount to do with it as does the fact that this is Matic's third game in such a short period but I really think the start of the second-half against West Ham showed just how much of the workload Oscar can take off of Matic and Fabregas when they are put under pressure. He's a big miss for us.

 

As for why Matic gets some slack cut for him is because he's been utterly magnificent for us since he joined to the point that many supporters are saying he could be a future captain....just ELEVEN MONTHS into being here. Mikel is judged by his tenure here as well which is why he doesn't get that same kindness. It's hard for many outside the club to understand, but he's simply never become a fan favourite despite his longevity here.

Matic would make a bad captain, IMO. He's too nice, soft and awkward. Not to mention his English isn't great. He might improve his English, but his character won't change. The Captain should have certain personality traits Matic lacks, but it's not necessarily a bad thing for Matic. 

Matic would make a bad captain, IMO. He's too nice, soft and awkward. Not to mention his English isn't great. He might improve his English, but his character won't change. The Captain should have certain personality traits Matic lacks, but it's not necessarily a bad thing for Matic. 

 

I tend to agree with that but I'm not sure who should be captain down the line. Maybe Cesc?

I tend to agree with that but I'm not sure who should be captain down the line. Maybe Cesc?

Maybe. If JT doesn't retire this year, Cesc will be a Chelsea player for 2 years by the time we'll need a captain. Out of all our players he probably fits the profile the best.

Edited December 28, 201411 yr by Ward

Well Matic's role is the kind if the opponent is on par with him he just looks bad time to time. He faced excellent players on excellent form today. I think Soton targeted him because he's been such a big part of our success this season.

Not his finest game, but I would still rather have him in that position than anyone else in the league.

 

We're all entitled to off days, I've had a few over the last few days. (albeit heineken induced) all the greats have bad days. 

I don't buy it. Matic played one of his best games for us against Stoke with Mikel next to him and Fabregas in the hole and no Oscar on the pitch. Matic was poor today individually and neither Mikel or Fabregas (or Oscar) had anything to do with it. I love Matic just like the average Chelsea fan, but sometimes it amazes me how people consistently make excuses for him whenever he plays poorly while Mikel's every mistake gets criticized. 

 

I thought both Matic and Mikel had solid games today. A few of Mikel's passes were... err,non-incisive shall we say, but that's just SOP for Mikel and no harm, no foul in my book.

 

It seems to me Matic is the player Mourinho wanted Mikel to be. Matic combines the defensive talents of Mikel with a quick attacking flair that Mikel hasn't shown recently.

 

Could it be that Mikel's mistakes are more memorable? Possibly. He's got a longer record with Chelsea after all.

 

I don't think anyone's saying you don't show love for Matic. I also think Matic is better than Mikel (at least now he is, arguably wasn't last season and certainly not when we sold him). Funny, I was watching the DVD of the Champions League winning season yesterday and Mikel was a massive influence. Such a short memory I have. It's been a long time since Dixon and Jukebox. 

 

Mourinho gives Mikel massive shout outs,I'm sure he said less than a month ago that he was/could be our best player.

 

Let's be honest: good enough to play for Chelsea under Mourinho is a tiny contingent as it is, we're talking about a few percent either way.

Firstly, Southampton are better than Stoke.

 

Not sure I agree. Yes they are 8 points ahead of Stoke as we stand but they certainly won't finish the season in 4th. We totally dominated them in a way it is very hard to do at Stoke's ground. I think most teams would prefer to play at St Mary's than at the Brittania. I have that as the easier game.

Not sure I agree. Yes they are 8 points ahead of Stoke as we stand but they certainly won't finish the season in 4th. We totally dominated them in a way it is very hard to do at Stoke's ground. I think most teams would prefer to play at St Mary's than at the Brittania. I have that as the easier game.

 

Oh well, we'll have to agree to disagree. But what I saw today was a well organised team who were well drilled with 3 centre-halves and 2 holding midfielders keeping it exceedingly tight against a Chelsea team who were actually pushing them hard. Stoke were a one-dimensional workhorse team playing against a Chelsea team who checked out for about 70 of the 90 minutes.

First time he has had two poor games in a row. Cruelly exposed by Kane on several occaisions tonight which no player has so far managed this season.

I think him and fabregas were very poor and exposed, really needed Mikel alongside him.

Think it's no coincidence that his worst performances have come during his first ever holiday programme. I truly believe that if he's not in the discussion of MOTM after a match then we won't win. That's to say that if he's off form, we struggle.

 

Massive player for us but needs a rest.

I think him and fabregas were very poor and exposed, really needed Mikel alongside him.

 

I think so too. I thought ramires would've done the job there but it still didn't help. 

Edited January 1, 201511 yr by MANoWAR

He looked tired and slow. Kane out thought him. Matic went tight, Kane passed round him. Matic stood off, Kane turned and ran with the ball. I was very surprised with the intelligence and maturity Kane showed through out the game. Matic looked very ordinary tonight.

He looked tired and slow. Kane out thought him. Matic went tight, Kane passed round him. Matic stood off, Kane turned and ran with the ball. I was very surprised with the intelligence and maturity Kane showed through out the game. Matic looked very ordinary tonight.

I thought Eriksen playing deeper and pulling strings threw him off a bit too.  Think he slid past him pretty easily for the first (maybe second) Spurs goal.  Think he might need a rest vs Watford.

I'd rest him against Watford and then bring him back next week refreshed and ready to go for the game against Newcastle. 

Even the best players have off days. We cannot chastise him for one or two below par games.

Not at all but he did seem tired against Tottenham and considering the hectic scheduling we've had recently with him playing all games I don't think it would hurt to rest him against Watford. 

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