he's getting chances alright but just not bury them, well not quite.. 

Well taken goal but frustrating overall day. Must attack the 6 yard box more. He is holding our attack back.

Start of the season our attack was holding Costa back, the passing and movement in the final third was poor and we weren't creating many, if any, clear cut chances.

The attack has played better in the last couple of games and now Diego looks shot for confidence, taking extra touches where previously he was hitting things first time or with just two touches.

You can see frustration from him and that's why he started dropping deep to receive the ball and drifting out wide.

He's got himself a well taken goal now and hopefully it restores some confidence and we'll see him attacking the areas we saw at the start of last season.

About 3 times we had a ball played right across the 6 yard box and Costa was literally just standing near the edge of the box, not even moving toward it, just standing.

About 3 times we had a ball played right across the 6 yard box and Costa was literally just standing near the edge of the box, not even moving toward it, just standing.

 

The fact that nobody at all attacked the 6yd box is a problem for Mourinho, not Costa.

The fact that nobody at all attacked the 6yd box is a problem for Mourinho, not Costa.

 

Costa is the centre forward, how is it not a problem with him that he is not attacking the box and trying to score as often as possible?

Costa is the centre forward, how is it not a problem with him that he is not attacking the box and trying to score as often as possible?

 

Mourinho manages the team, if Costa isn't attacking the box then JM should drop him for Remy, or make sure other players are attacking the space Costa leaves, or tell Costa to attack the 6yd box more. It's Mourinho' problem.

Mourinho manages the team, if Costa isn't attacking the box then JM should drop him for Remy, or make sure other players are attacking the space Costa leaves, or tell Costa to attack the 6yd box more. It's Mourinho' problem.

 

it's maybe jose's problem on team selection but to blame him for not instructing a striker to attack the box? a striker should attack the box by default, that goes without saying, no need to be tell.. 

it's maybe jose's problem on team selection but to blame him for not instructing a striker to attack the box? a striker should attack the box by default, that goes without saying, no need to be tell.. 

 

A striker should attack the 6yd box I agree, but if he's consistently not doing it, then it's the managers problem. 

A striker should attack the 6yd box I agree, but if he's consistently not doing it, then it's the managers problem.

Thats absolutely ridiculous

There was a time or two when Costa made it all the way to the penalty spot only to slam on the breaks and fall back to the edge of the box. I wonder if it's some strategy Jose has cooked up because it certainly looked deliberate. 

The only explanation I can think of is that he thought another midfielder would make the run all the way to the six yard box, so he would be available for the cut-back, but even still there were a few times when he should have just attacked the goal.

What did Pedro being to the team yesterday? Absolutely nothing. If that is an example of his general game is no wonder barca did not start him often these past years.

We could have easily had Remy or traore in there instead and had them closer to Costa, maybe even dropped Costa deeper since he did that often anyways and let the other guy attack the 6 yard line.

Look at that game again, we dominated them, we missed 3 glorious chances through willian, Costa and matic and could have bagged several more if someone attacked the 6 yard box. Better sides will and have punished us.

Do that against Spurs and we will get beat.

Edited November 22, 201510 yr by axman2526

i can't help but wonder what traore would do playing up top. the chance that costa had yesterday when he controlled the ball first, then hit it as the defenders and keeper were out of place, then it hit the defender and went wide; that is the sort of chance i think traore would have scored due to his comfort to strike with both feet well. 

i can't help but wonder what traore would do playing up top. the chance that costa had yesterday when he controlled the ball first, then hit it as the defenders and keeper were out of place, then it hit the defender and went wide; that is the sort of chance i think traore would have scored due to his comfort to strike with both feet well.

Dont think he would have done much if anythibg tbh. Dont think hes done anythibg to warrant being played up top for us. Dont suit the way we are trying to okay either

Edited November 22, 201510 yr by Xfaxtor

What did Pedro being to the team yesterday? Absolutely nothing. If that is an example of his general game is no wonder barca did not start him often these past years.

We could have easily had Remy or traore in there instead and had them closer to Costa, maybe even dropped Costa deeper since he did that often anyways and let the other guy attack the 6 yard line.

Look at that game again, we dominated them, we missed 3 glorious chances through willian, Costa and matic and could have bagged several more if someone attacked the 6 yard box. Better sides will and have punished us.

Do that against Spurs and we will get beat.

Pedro played a cutback to Costa that he skied hopelessly. In the modern game whether we like it or not stats are the be all and end all so really he should have had an assist. Wouldn't say he was useless but he did bring something. Players are scared to leave someone as quick as Pedro on the ball alone with the chance to run at them therefore someone will always be conscious of him which leaves players like Hazard and Fabregas time and space on the ball to work their magic.

The other players had nothing to show for in terms of status if the striker couldn't put away easy chances. I thought all the attacking midfielders presented golden chances for others ( mainly Costa), but he was just awful on the day. It's similar to 2013, attacking midfielders created plenty, then the striker was so incompetent he made everyone else looked bad. Let's hope Costa discover his form soon, we won't have that many chances against Spurs

Looked totally disinterested tonight. Piss poor body language. Looks like he's not bothered to gamble. Worrying.

Frustrating to watch. I think Remy deserves a few games to see what he can do differently. But Jose has his favourites, so i'm doubtful he will change it.,

Looked the worst player on the pitch tonight. I'd be tempted to go with Remy against Spuds. At least he tries and isn't likely to see us going down to 10 men either.

Looked the worst player on the pitch tonight all bloody season.

 

Fixed that for you Nibs.

Fixed that for you Nibs.

 

Go on Davey admit it. You would even swap him for Torres right now!

Go on Davey admit it. You would even swap him for Torres right now!

 

 

He's poor Nibs, but not that poor, and anyone that says he is, has a very poor memory.

https://twitter.com/domfifield/status/669253277553414144

 

"Jose Mourinho and Diego Costa screaming at each other as teams retired at break, the manager complaining at forward's lack of anticipation."

Edited November 24, 201510 yr by kid

He looked absolutely miserable out there tonight, completely down-hearted. It was a sad thing to see considering his usual cheeky grin or terrifying snarl. Hope he can pick his confidence up by bagging a hatful against Tottenham.

https://twitter.com/domfifield/status/669253277553414144

"Jose Mourinho and Diego Costa screaming at each other as teams retired at break, the manager complaining at forward's lack of anticipation."

This is costa's biggest problem at the moment. He isnt anticipating or making the right runs, and he is isn't getting chances.

The service has been pretty good for the last 3/4 games. I'd definitely play remy.