Wasn't great today and I love Diego.

 

Was poor on the ball and slipped at a vital moment unfortunately.

 

Still been brilliant and has passed most peoples expectations.

Is it just me who thinks that his movement around the box is quite poor at times. Especially when the player is on the byline he seems to be very predictable. He cuts back too much rather than trying to beat the defender.

 

This season the amount of bloody times we have whipped in an excellent squared ball with good power excellent area were the keeper can't get it and the defender is scared to rush in but no one can get on the end of it.

 

Hazard pulls one out almost once every game, and Ivanovic and Fabregas have pulled a few out to, Fab pulled an excellent one out this game in the last 10 minutes.

 

Maybe it's just me but I wish he would run off the last man a bit more when the ball is on the flank or the byline.

Selfish? I don't even think he had a shot! Wasn't his best game today though

Not his best but I actually think he's improving. Stronger on the ball and his hold-up play is better than it was at the start of the season. He does need to offer more aerially though, for someone of his physique.

Is it just me who thinks that his movement around the box is quite poor at times. Especially when the player is on the byline he seems to be very predictable. He cuts back too much rather than trying to beat the defender.

 

This season the amount of bloody times we have whipped in an excellent squared ball with good power excellent area were the keeper can't get it and the defender is scared to rush in but no one can get on the end of it.

 

Hazard pulls one out almost once every game, and Ivanovic and Fabregas have pulled a few out to, Fab pulled an excellent one out this game in the last 10 minutes.

 

Maybe it's just me but I wish he would run off the last man a bit more when the ball is on the flank or the byline.

 

I think Costa's movement is actually fantastic. Probably what makes him such a good striker. Look at the amount of goals he's scored this season thanks to instinctive movement.

 

Bit sloppy on the ball at times.

I think Costa's movement is actually fantastic. Probably what makes him such a good striker. Look at the amount of goals he's scored this season thanks to instinctive movement.

 

Bit sloppy on the ball at times.

 

I know you read the first sentence of my post and immediate you're like what the f**k is this guy on.

 

But it reminds me a lot of last season when we used to put a good ball across the box, I never see it happen for other teams so much, we do it and it's not like a player is late for it, literally no one is there. Demba Ba was the the type of striker that loved balls like that, he was always running off the defender, Costa doesn't seem to do it so much.

Not sure what people think about Lukaku now. He has dropped to the bench of a team in 12th spot. If now someone asked how much would you pay for Lukaku it would be a whole lot less than £30m.

Great to have Costa as our main man!

Not sure what people think about Lukaku now. He has dropped to the bench of a team in 12th spot. If now someone asked how much would you pay for Lukaku it would be a whole lot less than £30m now

Great to have Costa as our main man!

He hasnt dropped to the bench though has he I think they are just resting him but I agree I don't think anyone would pay 30m for him

Edited December 28, 201411 yr by Bluerising

Too much fannying about today from the midfield and so a lack of service.

He won't score every game but we are still a hell of a lot better with him in the side.

How many goals has he scored away from home this season?

How many goals has he scored away from home this season?

Opening game against Burnley.

Hat trick against Everton.

Winner against Liverpool.

That's off the top of my head.

Correct, however, at risk of sounding like a pedant, Costa scored two against Everton.

Can't believe some of the criticism of costa! this is a player in his first season has scored 13 goals in 19 games in his FIRST season in english football, aguero scored 23 goals in his first season, some people on the forum should have a look at table cos we wouldn't be at the top without him!

I think his movement is very good, but his ball control could be a lot better; he sometimes looks uncomfortable on the ball. I want to see him take a few more shots from outside the box, which i haven't seen so much from him. 

Is it just me who thinks that his movement around the box is quite poor at times. Especially when the player is on the byline he seems to be very predictable. He cuts back too much rather than trying to beat the defender.

 

This season the amount of bloody times we have whipped in an excellent squared ball with good power excellent area were the keeper can't get it and the defender is scared to rush in but no one can get on the end of it.

 

Hazard pulls one out almost once every game, and Ivanovic and Fabregas have pulled a few out to, Fab pulled an excellent one out this game in the last 10 minutes.

 

Maybe it's just me but I wish he would run off the last man a bit more when the ball is on the flank or the byline.

 

 

I can see where you're coming from, but part of Costa's ability is that he knows, almost instinctively, when to move and when not to move. His first two goals against Swansea at home are good examples of this- Costa remains static as the whole defense moves forward, leaving him wide open. I'd say he takes up the point position exactly for this reason.

That said, we should be taking advantage of these kinds of situations more often. The first thing we need to do is to get Hazard and Fabregas into those kind of spots more often; instead of one per game, we want them to make two or three of those chances. It's probably also fair to point out that Costa actually hasn't played a lot with Hazard because of his injuries, and that a lack of understanding is probably still somewhat to blame, but it's fair enough to point out that Costa probably needs to add some variation to his approach especially in an era of video analysis etc, or risk the team being found out.

Edited December 28, 201411 yr by SydneyChelsea

Not his best but I actually think he's improving. Stronger on the ball and his hold-up play is better than it was at the start of the season. He does need to offer more aerially though, for someone of his physique.

I've noticed his improvement with his back to goal. Must be getting tips off the Drog!

With regards costa's movement today. I think we over played it, and for a striker it becomes very hard to time your runs.

I'm terms of the situation Slawth mentioned, I think Costa could have tried to majestic that run between defenders for a tap in. He has had success dropping off for the pull back this season (swansea I think), but he needs to mix it up a bit.

I think he will have field day against vertongen though, so I'm expecting a big game from him.

Opening game against Burnley.

Hat trick against Everton.

Winner against Liverpool.

That's off the top of my head.

Think it was a brace.

He is a strange one. At one moment he looks clumsy and can't handle the ball, but other times his technique is fantastic. Clearly the striker we've been waiting for, though. 

He's certainly slowed down scoring goals. Injuries haven't helped but hopefully he still gets 25-ish.

He clearly is the type of striker we have been looking for since Drogba. I know this is said a million times but it is so true.

He looks like something you could find under a bridge [emoji6] and he is only learning how to act and play in the league. He's already made enemies almost every place we've visited which naturally is a plus [emoji1].

Shevchenko and Torres both were too kind to lead our line. They didn't want to battle these defenders. Costa has no problem of having a 90-minute war against anyone.

DD and Costa are different to me but they have a lot of similarities. Didi is a hero and Costa the villain but a villain you love. Does that make sense?!

Costa is on track to score 25+ goals in the EPL.

 

He's scored 13 goals so far and while he hasn't played a great game against Southampton his contribution throughout the season has been immense and shouldn't be understated.

 

Compared to the strikers we've had in the past few years, Costa has been a superb addition to the squad and someone we desperately needed if we wanted to go deep into the title race this season. 

Now joint top scorer in the league, level with Aguero.

Hopefully he can double that tally by the end of the season, his goals are going to be vital if we are to beat City to the title.

Now joint top scorer in the league, level with Aguero.

Hopefully he can double that tally by the end of the season, his goals are going to be vital if we are to beat City to the title.

 

About time we had a reliable goal scorer. I must say though his hold up play is bloody frustrating, he loses the ball a lot more than I expected him to.

About time we had a reliable goal scorer. I must say though his hold up play is bloody frustrating, he loses the ball a lot more than I expected him to.

I've noticed this, but as no one is perfect and he does more good than bad to be fair. What frustrates me most is the lack of attacking killer instinct from our brazilians.

About time we had a reliable goal scorer. I must say though his hold up play is bloody frustrating, he loses the ball a lot more than I expected him to.

We've seen it so many times with players who are new to the pace of the league. It's not a real worry.