I dont think you can read anything into the team selections before the Internationals, which for the life of me I dont see why they play them so early on in the season. People talking about MvG being unhappy at not getting games its stupid, once the season is properly underway, we'll see more rotation and more people being introduced into the first team. The most important part of these 3 games is getting the points on the board.

 

Luiz was never going to usurp Dave immediately. Whereas Costa and Fabregas are obviously first choice player due to being markedly better than their rivals, Dave was part of the best defence in the PL last year. His time will come and im surte he'll cover himself in glory when he does get the chance.

What's people's general opinion of what they saw of him preseason? I haven't seen much so I don't really know

much about him. All I know is a lot of people said he was amazing for Atheltico last year, opinions?

Luiz was never going to usurp Dave immediately.

He's back from PSG? Sorry, couldn't resist! :p

When matic signed in January mourinho said he wouldn't go straight into the squad, which he didn't, As it would be unfair to other players who have been doing a good job in their position if they were just immediately replaced

I can't see our first choice back four changing much, particularly in the prem

Dave too solid defensively for mourinho to drop him IMO

What's people's general opinion of what they saw of him preseason? I haven't seen much so I don't really know

much about him. All I know is a lot of people said he was amazing for Atheltico last year, opinions?

Hard to tell but from what I saw there was nothing to suggest that we shouldn't just stick with dave for the time being. Dave hasn't done anything to justify being dropped so think it will continue like this for the foreseeable figure with luis rotated in for cup games.. Particularly since our champions league group is so easy

What's people's general opinion of what they saw of him preseason? I haven't seen much so I don't really know

much about him. All I know is a lot of people said he was amazing for Atheltico last year, opinions?

Very impressed. He has everything you want in a modern fullback. Now I agree that it's best we started with the settled back four, but going further into the season I absolutely expect him to be our number 1 LB.

The main reason is that he is left footed and can put in a wicked ball from the flank. One of our biggest issues, and really the main issue with using inverted wingers, is not enough balls into box. On the left, Hazard puts has one of the lowest 'crosses per 90' of any top left-winger in the game. The likes of Oscar, Schurrle and Willian are a little better. So I believe he will be important for attacking play once the team is up and running.

Edited September 3, 201411 yr by venom2011

You can't drop Azpi or Brana to the bench at the moment. 

 

Brana is absolutely on fire (particularly going forward) and Dave gives extra defensive stability on the left.

 

Felipe has proven he is a fantastic player but the onus is now on him prove himself again and he will have plenty of chances to do just that after the international break.

 

It's an ideal situation for us and we should feel grateful as fans that we have this problem.

When matic signed in January mourinho said he wouldn't go straight into the squad, which he didn't, As it would be unfair to other players who have been doing a good job in their position if they were just immediately replaced

I can't see our first choice back four changing much, particularly in the prem

Dave too solid defensively for mourinho to drop him IMO

 

Matic was on the bench and made an appearance in his first game available (Man Utd) and started the next game available, away against Man City.

Matic was on the bench and made an appearance in his first game available (Man Utd) and started the next game available, away against Man City.

The words came from mourinhos mouth in January stating that new players would have to prove themselves as it would not be fair to slot players into the team immediately when people in those positions are playing well.

 

Matic made two sub appearances, one against united and one against west ham. the presser was pre-west ham or pre-city, i forget which, but it was him explaining that signings do not just come straight into the team while others are performing well. Matic's exclusion from the starting lineup and "gradual" integration to the team was arbitrary as he replaced mikel who we all know is / was average.

 

Dave is performing well. Dave will not just drop out of the side in favour of luis on the basis of mourinho's prior form for sticking with players who are doing well.

Edited September 3, 201411 yr by CFC_RFC_TID!

Matic was on the bench and made an appearance in his first game available (Man Utd) and started the next game available, away against Man City.

That was a midfield that needed some serious reinforcement and Matic had it easy given Mikel had fallen down the pecking order. In this case we have Ivanovic on fire and Azpi playing his best football, unless we look to shuffle our CB pair and bring Ivanovic in a CB role I fear Felipe may have to wait for a while.  

I'm not saying Luis should be starting - I don't think he should. I was just making a point.

I'm not saying Luis should be starting - I don't think he should. I was just making a point.

 

take your point, but IMO it isn't valid here. Mourinho himself said the words that players dont walk into the team as it can upset morale - and simply isnt fair, so long as the incumbent are fulfilling their roles adequately.

 

luis hasnt walked into the team, and he wont

 

matic didnt walk into the team and came on as a substitute twice before getting the nod. i previously stated that the ease-in of matic was arbitrary as everyone knew he was an upgrade to mikel, yet mourinho still made matic sit on the bench for a couple of games before giving him a shot against city.

 

no different with luis, only azpilicueta offers more to the team in terms of ability than mikel ever did, ergo no reason to drop him. parallels throughout underpinned by comments from the manager of the football club.

Edited September 3, 201411 yr by CFC_RFC_TID!

That was a midfield that needed some serious reinforcement and Matic had it easy given Mikel had fallen down the pecking order. In this case we have Ivanovic on fire and Azpi playing his best football, unless we look to shuffle our CB pair and bring Ivanovic in a CB role I fear Felipe may have to wait for a while.  

 

valid.

 

matic was benched twice after joining, one would assume to give mikel an opportunity to up his game. he didnt, and was dropped

 

same cant be said for our dave!! and given the fact that brana has MASSIVELY stepped up, then luis looks likely to be warming his arse on the subs bench for the foreseeable future, certainly in terms of PL games.

 

good to have options

Edited September 3, 201411 yr by CFC_RFC_TID!

I really don't see when Luis will play. Jose pretty much never changes his backline. Dave has been absolutely fantastic and there is no reason to drop either him or Ivanovic.

My only guess is longer term when JT is phased and Ivanovic is moved to CB. But who knows when that will be and JT is far from finished.

Strange signing given the guy is 29 years old. If he was slightly younger, I would understand it. But not at 29.

I really don't see when Luis will play. Jose pretty much never changes his backline. Dave has been absolutely fantastic and there is no reason to drop either him or Ivanovic.

My only guess is longer term when JT is phased and Ivanovic is moved to CB. But who knows when that will be and JT is far from finished.

Strange signing given the guy is 29 years old. If he was slightly younger, I would understand it. But not at 29.

JT and Cahill are not going to play every game. Ivan can't play every game. There will be rotation when the season really gets going. Dave can move over to RB. Ivan can move into the center. Luis will get plenty of game time.

The one I never see playing is Zouma. Thought he wasn't that good at all during the preseason and to be honest, is behind Kalas. But Kalas needs game time so he went on loan. I fully expect Zouma to go on loan next year and Kalas will be back with the first team. (Depending on Terry of course)

Strange signing just because it seems so much money for what could be just a squad player.

 

Yes I'm sure he'll play a role during the season, maybe an important one, but £16m for a reserve left back is too much.

I really don't see when Luis will play. Jose pretty much never changes his backline. Dave has been absolutely fantastic and there is no reason to drop either him or Ivanovic.

My only guess is longer term when JT is phased and Ivanovic is moved to CB. But who knows when that will be and JT is far from finished.

Strange signing given the guy is 29 years old. If he was slightly younger, I would understand it. But not at 29.

 

 

We are 3 games into a 50+game season. 

 

He's going to get plenty of chances soon. 

I'm sure that if Ivanovic hadn't had such a fantastic start to the season, Luis would have started a game by now. Ivanovic has been a nice surprise so far this season, i didn't expect him to be doing this well at fullback. He's already much better there than he was last season. Last season we were getting poor cross after poor cross, now we are seeing decent crosses, good movement and intelligent passes.

 

Luis will get his chances this season. Remember Azpilicueta last season ? he wasn't used until the League cup game against Arsenal. When he was used he took that chance and has been a regular ever since. Luis will need to do the same i think.

Luis will get his chances this season. Remember Azpilicueta last season ? he wasn't used until the League cup game against Arsenal. When he was used he took that chance and has been a regular ever since. Luis will need to do the same i think.

Exacltly, Luis will/should take note. He seems like a nice, humble guy so I'm sure he understands he needs to take his chance when he gets it.

Think this guy is class but on the form of our current defenders he isn't (and rightly so) getting a look in.

I'm really hoping this spurs (sorry about the dirty word) him on to push himself and become a truly world class defender.

Have high hopes for filipe.

Last night he was absolutely brilliant and I can't remember him really doing anything wrong. And as we as being defensively brilliant, his runs and heat seeking crosses were good too! Really making me curious as to who will start the City game.

Staked a claim that is for certain, I think we might see Ivan "rested" to give us a more defensive minded back four

Staked a claim that is for certain, I think we might see Ivan "rested" to give us a more defensive minded back four

Never thought I'd ever hear that sentence.

I thought he played well against Schakle, I think he will be a stop gap for injuries and to help with the amount of games we will be playing this season. I agree it seems weird as he's too old and expensive to be used so sparingly but then I wonder how much of the signing was a psychological boost for Costa, to help him settle. Thoughts guys?

I thought he played well against Schakle, I think he will be a stop gap for injuries and to help with the amount of games we will be playing this season. I agree it seems weird as he's too old and expensive to be used so sparingly but then I wonder how much of the signing was a psychological boost for Costa, to help him settle. Thoughts guys?

Nope don't think that at all, Jose bought him because he's a top player and his experience. I'm sure he's gonna end up pushing his way into the first team soon, he's already given Jose something to think about after that Schalke game.