2 hours ago, startedwithglenn said:

 

He single-handedly cost us the League Cup the year Swansea won it. Was horrific at CB.

It just got glossed over because of the whole ballboy incident.

I don't think it was glossed over, tbh. 

That's been with him since that day. I've seen people are very quick to mention that Swansea game when it comes to Iva playing CB. 

 

He got a lot of long-lasting criticism for that one.

It also got glossed over because people (very much including myself) were so willing to blame Benitez for everything during that season and largely ignore any other factors.

 

Also I was waiting for the 'hands behind his back' line to come up.

Branovic does NOT endorse this thread!

(He's starting to look like Arsene Wenger at age 32!)

I still reckon he'll be a regular starter this season, but I agree it's getting to the stage where we need to be giving minutes to potential successors.

I think a lot of people underestimate just how useful he is in the side. Huge physical presence for a full back, rarely loses out in the air (which allows us to play a more back 4 when the game requires it) and links & supports our attacks well down the right hand side (although I'd struggle to argue his crossing is better than a hit-or-miss at best). 

Admittedly he had a poor start to last season against the pacier/direct runners, and a half-decent alternative might have seen his playing time drop, but he's been generally a solid performer through 2016.

I'm the same as most - I hope Alonso and even Aina see a good amount of gametime and perform well, but I wouldn't be surprised (nor that upset, given recent form) if Azpi and Ivan continue to be first choice.

2 hours ago, Kante Conte said:

(He's starting to look like Arsene Wenger at age 32!)

Love it! You win the comment of the day award.

^ haha... He's actually been okay so far, compared to last season. 

 

Truly was groundhog day today, third season in a row where we've splashed the cash for an expensive full back to replace him, only for him to inexplicably continue to play virtually every minute.

absolute chelsea legend but i can't wait for Ivanovic - the "retirement day" thread

We have 2 quality right backs at Chelsea in Azpi and Aina but continue to play him there., so frustrating.

3 minutes ago, Jonty said:

Truly was groundhog day today, third season in a row where we've splashed the cash for an expensive full back to replace him, only for him to inexplicably continue to play virtually every minute.

Hasn't been any reason not to play him up until tonight, 4 goals conceded in two games is now justification for changing up the defence.

Would like to see what Alonso can do because if nothing else I want to see some natural width down the left to help stretch play.

Just now, ForeverCarefree said:

Hasn't been any reason not to play him up until tonight, 4 goals conceded in two games is now justification for changing up the defence.

Would like to see what Alonso can do because if nothing else I want to see some natural width down the left to help stretch play.

Thought he was poor against Watford and Swansea, even in the other 2 games where he wasn't bad it's not as if he was lighting up the match, it's evident even on his better days that the team as a whole would benefit by having some proper width outside Hazard on the left.

1 minute ago, Jonty said:

Thought he was poor against Watford and Swansea, even in the other 2 games where he wasn't bad it's not as if he was lighting up the match, it's evident even on his better days that the team as a whole would benefit by having some proper width outside Hazard on the left.

I sort of meant the performance of the team as a whole has been good up until tonight.

Even Swansea we played well overall.

Tonight was a bad performance and the back four looks weak, not sure if Conte will look to change so much so soon but I think it needs addressing.

Just now, ForeverCarefree said:

I sort of meant the performance of the team as a whole has been good up until tonight.

Even Swansea we played well overall.

Tonight was a bad performance and the back four looks weak, not sure if Conte will look to change so much so soon but I think it needs addressing.

Fair point there was no incentive to change when we were winning games, this is really our first chance to see whether Conte is going to drop out of form players or try to play them back into form.

3 minutes ago, Jonty said:

Fair point there was no incentive to change when we were winning games, this is really our first chance to see whether Conte is going to drop out of form players or try to play them back into form.

Well the players he can bring in are his signings, really you'd like to think he's looking to establish those players in his team ahead of an aging player like Ivanovic who is in the last year of their contract.

Well, i can't say i'm surprised by tonight's performance. Chelsea fans predicted it, opposition fans predicted it, you could just tell that Ivanovic was going to struggle tonight. It wasn't just Chelsea fans who could see he was going to struggle tonight, opposition fans could see it too. Liverpool targeted our RB position and it paid off for them, he just made everything so easy for them. I just can't understand how every coach at Chelsea can't see what every opposition coach can see. Ivanovic is done, he's been a great player for us, but he has looked done since the second half of our last title winning season. 

He's doesn't even defend anymore, how many times tonight did he leave that RB spot for someone else to cover for him ? it was pretty much the whole of the first half. He doesn't close wingers down either. He just backs off into our penalty area and let's the opposition winger get the ball into the area.

I'm just so confused right now, it's baffling that our coach's can't see something that everybody else can see.

I hate moaning about Ivanovic so much because he has given us so much to be happy about over the years, but i can't lie to myself and pretend that something is not happening. We can all see the same problems happening game after game with Ivanovic.

I get everyone says he's not been as bad this year, but we've not been as bad as a team but when we're backs to the walls, unfortunately he's not got it anymore I'm afraid.

 

like @Scott Harris I feel bad complaining about him a lot because of how great a servant he's been, but if we want to get back up challenging, he has to go if we're to progress.

Edited September 16, 20169 yr by EdinburghBlue

pls make it stop

unless alonso suffered an injury on tuesday, if ivan starts yet again against arse i'm 100% convinced he has some serious junk on roman,

three managers now seems like they are unable to see ivan is completely shot and way past his expiry date, it's just truly mind boggling

literally

Am more keen to see Oscar and Matic on the bench than Ivanovic. Ivanovic and our defence as a whole isn't as worse as last season. I think the reason we are struggling defensively is because the manager has chosen to always play a defensive minded team in all matches instead of an attacking team. As a result the opposing team don't really focus on how to defend against us but how to find a way past our defensive squad.

He cant deal with the pacey teams at all now, we have to address this ASAP

The longer this goes on the more and more it starts to resemble the Torres saga.

I did worry about about Ivanovic against Liverpool. I worry just as much if not more against Arsenal. In my opinion Ivan has to be dropped, his the weak link and the opposition will target him.

On 17/09/2016 at 09:11, wallosh said:

Am more keen to see Oscar and Matic on the bench than Ivanovic. Ivanovic and our defence as a whole isn't as worse as last season. I think the reason we are struggling defensively is because the manager has chosen to always play a defensive minded team in all matches instead of an attacking team. As a result the opposing team don't really focus on how to defend against us but how to find a way past our defensive squad.

Imagine being more keen to see Matic be benched than Ivanovic. I respect your opinion but that's an absurd take.