While it's a shame we didn't win (and on the whole we probably deserved to) I thought that was a far better performance than what we've been seeing in recent weeks.

 

Finally last night we saw a cohesive performance off the ball; the team pressing as a pack, with the midfield actually giving protection to the defence. Fabregas and Matic's performances showed a massive improvement from the horrible form they've been in more or less since the start of the season; having the apparently endless stamina of Ramires seems to be helping them both to no end, who has also read the game very well in the past two matches. I'm not sure we've quite solved the fitness issues though, we clearly tailed off towards the end of each half (although started each explosively), and even the likes of Willian looked absolutely knackered by the end of the game. Seemingly we were fairly happy to settle for a draw - the extent to which we sat off in the last 15-20 minutes was evidence of that, although it almost ended disastrously with the huge amount of pressure we put ourselves under.

 

The Zouma at right-back experiment was far from an overwhelming success - he looked pretty uncomfortable in the first half although he grew into the role in the second half. That said, he provided absolutely nothing going forward, while Azpilicueta spent most of the game with one eye on Yarmolenko, which meant we didn't really see much width from the full backs at all.

 

We weren't hugely convincing going forward although we did have the better of the chances, and were unfortunate not to score from the Hazard/Willian shots which hit the woodwork. I also remember a cross Costa might well have got onto the end of on another night. In the last 20 minutes or so we resorted to punting it long (Apparently Begovic's pass completion rate was an anaemic 24%) which didn't ever really look like producing anything, especially considering how deep Kiev kept their centre backs, and also meant we had absolutely no control over possession.

 

That said, we're only a point off second place with the two hardest fixtures out of the way. If we continue to improve our performances and continue to improve our confidence and fitness levels (and there's no reason we shouldn't) we look to be in a pretty good position to qualify.

Here's a replay of the game for those who couldn't catch it.

 

Chelsea vs Dynamo Kiev - 20 Oct 2015

 

 

1st Half:

 

http://my.mail.ru/mail/football.video/video/_myvideo/2458.html

 

2nd Half:

 

http://my.mail.ru/mail/football.video/video/_myvideo/2461.html

 

 

(Warning: A draw but a good performance nonetheless)

Before I say anything, I'll preface with this:
I don't want to be branded negative, and I hate it when people on here brand others for being negative.. i think that is worse.  Everyone just wants to see a good team perform well, and just because they still want to see improvement it doesn't mean they're being negative.

With that said, I thought last night was a great improvement, showed drive, defended well.. and let's be under no illusions, that's a hard place to travel to.

But this will be a dog fight of a year, some players are still a way off showing their best for 90 mins.

I really thought after last year we could contend for a treble that included the CL.  Not easy to sustain long periods of dominance in our league, but I really did think we were capable of a massive year.

It won't be, don't get me wrong, I'm ready for the fight, I just can't believe I'm talking about improved defensive displays against Aston Villa and Dynamo Kiev.

(Is Van Butsen a Dutch name, Van Butsen?)

Decent result at a tough place to go nothing spectacular, we certainly look a lot more solid which is always good. Would just love to see us dominate games with lots of possession like we were last season at times though we can't play on the counter against everyone.

While it's a shame we didn't win (and on the whole we probably deserved to) I thought that was a far better performance than what we've been seeing in recent weeks.

 

Finally last night we saw a cohesive performance off the ball; the team pressing as a pack, with the midfield actually giving protection to the defence. Fabregas and Matic's performances showed a massive improvement from the horrible form they've been in more or less since the start of the season; having the apparently endless stamina of Ramires seems to be helping them both to no end, who has also read the game very well in the past two matches. I'm not sure we've quite solved the fitness issues though, we clearly tailed off towards the end of each half (although started each explosively), and even the likes of Willian looked absolutely knackered by the end of the game. Seemingly we were fairly happy to settle for a draw - the extent to which we sat off in the last 15-20 minutes was evidence of that, although it almost ended disastrously with the huge amount of pressure we put ourselves under.

 

The Zouma at right-back experiment was far from an overwhelming success - he looked pretty uncomfortable in the first half although he grew into the role in the second half. That said, he provided absolutely nothing going forward, while Azpilicueta spent most of the game with one eye on Yarmolenko, which meant we didn't really see much width from the full backs at all.

 

We weren't hugely convincing going forward although we did have the better of the chances, and were unfortunate not to score from the Hazard/Willian shots which hit the woodwork. I also remember a cross Costa might well have got onto the end of on another night. In the last 20 minutes or so we resorted to punting it long (Apparently Begovic's pass completion rate was an anaemic 24%) which didn't ever really look like producing anything, especially considering how deep Kiev kept their centre backs, and also meant we had absolutely no control over possession.

 

That said, we're only a point off second place with the two hardest fixtures out of the way. If we continue to improve our performances and continue to improve our confidence and fitness levels (and there's no reason we shouldn't) we look to be in a pretty good position to qualify.

 

Spot on as per Plokoon. The first 25 minutes were probably the best we've played all season - possession, pressing, control, defensive shape and creating chances left and right. Finishing was obviously lacking but other than that it was better. Whilst we tailed off in the second half I'm encouraged by how well we played at the back, two clean sheets in a row is nice to see.

 

We still have a lot of room for improvement but I'm more confident about the season after the last 2 games. I've seen much more fight overall from the team. For example, the players that were dropped and criticised (Matic, Hazard) both responded in the right, diligent way.

 

West Ham is a really big game for us now and a win could really kickstart things...Up the Chels!

Edited October 21, 201510 yr by Celery1989

Thumbs up to Jose for that line up. Yesterday was the first time we played this season without a liability or weak link in our defense. Ivanovic and Baba should be given a break from the starting line up until we get our confidence back. Am not a big fan Zouma, but he impressed me depite playing out of position. Maybe its because i have get used to the average and shaky performance of Ivanovic and Baba recently

I think if we take our chances in the game we win comfortably. Often the case at the highest level. If Costa scores from Willians cross and Matic finishes his superb run we would of got 5 or 6 and the confidence would of started to flow. Looked ok at the back which is a relief. Cahill looked a bit of a worry to me hopefully just an off day. Need to kick on Saturday

Some very good football from Chelsea, especially in the first hour. After that it looked like we wanted to ensure a draw and that was the intelligent thing to do - we have key home matches now to ensure qualifying.

Strange how the Willian trolls seemed to have vanished from the forum in recent times, he continues to be one of our key performers this season and it was also good to see a step up from others, particularly Matic, but I also thought Fabregas put in a shift (Oscar didn't get enough time to make a difference). Would have preferred balls into Costa's feet or midriff as he had no chance of out jumping the Giant who was marking him. On another night one or two of our chances would have gone in.

Overall it looks like we're getting there but we will have to wait a while to see if it is a real revival.

And I'm still waiting for the highlights on the TV ...

On the positive side, we are conceding less shots ( or clear cut chances) in the last 2 games, so probably we won't be losing that many games for the rest of the season. We will back to where Jose started with us, steady and solid. On the negative side, still not sure how we are going to find goal ( form open play), we are sacrificing creativity for running and height at the back. Having 2 fullbacks out of positions aren't going to help, and why push Cesc into No 10 just because he failed in deeper position?

 

Long road ahead to full recovery, unfortunately.

Edited October 21, 201510 yr by icecoolguy22

Costa is more a target man like drogba. Focal point of the attack, you create for them to finish, they don't have much movement as such. Aguero/Suarez are trequartistas, they create chances for themselves and others so they usually have good ball skills and movement. Last good one we had was Zola.

Trust me, in terms of skillset and quality, Costa is nothing like Drogba.

Very few strikers are.

Trust me, in terms of skillset and quality, Costa is nothing like Drogba.

Very few strikers are.

Would never ever argue with that.

Costa is more a target man like drogba. Focal point of the attack, you create for them to finish, they don't have much movement as such. Aguero/Suarez are trequartistas, they create chances for themselves and others so they usually have good ball skills and movement. Last good one we had was Zola.

I always hoped we would get someone a little different after Drogba, maybe torres put them off lol, but I honestly think Costa is a second choice striker, I'd take a 26 year old zola any day until we have another forward like that we'll never challenge in Europe imo

I always hoped we would get someone a little different after Drogba, maybe torres put them off lol, but I honestly think Costa is a second choice striker, I'd take a 26 year old zola any day until we have another forward like that we'll never challenge in Europe imo

A man that got 20 league goals in 26 appearances is a second choice striker?

What?

A man that got 20 league goals in 26 appearances is a second choice striker?

What?

Compared to some other strikers yeah, it may have paid off well for us last season but other teams have stepped it up now and they know how he plays, plus when the team plays poor it's not like Costa has the pace to do anything special up there he's a sitting duck unless the team play well. but I hope he proves me wrong anyway

Compared to some other strikers yeah, it may have paid off well for us last season but other teams have stepped it up now and they know how he plays, plus when the team plays poor it's not like Costa has the pace to do anything special up there he's a sitting duck unless the team play well. but I hope he proves me wrong anyway

Costa tbh isn't a second choice striker, would start in most top teams. I think since his last hamstring injury he has lost a yard or two, also the whole team is playing poorly and confidence isn't high which also affects his performances. We have a striker who can bring a different approach in Remy (pace, skills) but I think he hasn't really settled into the system which is why he hasn't started more.

Edited October 23, 201510 yr by lesblues

Compared to some other strikers yeah, it may have paid off well for us last season but other teams have stepped it up now and they know how he plays, plus when the team plays poor it's not like Costa has the pace to do anything special up there he's a sitting duck unless the team play well. but I hope he proves me wrong anyway

He lead the line for back to back league wins in two different teams in two different countries.

Besides Suarez, Aguero and Lewandowski who is there out there who can do what Diego's done any better?

Think you're way off the mark with this one.

It's those damn hamstrings again

He lead the line for back to back league wins in two different teams in two different countries.

Besides Suarez, Aguero and Lewandowski who is there out there who can do what Diego's done any better?

Cristiano Falcaoooooo?

Edited October 23, 201510 yr by wallosh

I don't think costa is a target man, it's certainly not his strength anyway. He seems to better making little runs in the channels, and poaching in the box.

A target would be more comfortable with their back to goal, and attacking crosses.

Thought it was one of our better games of the season. Pressed as a team, and at least had a working gameplan. Wasnt purely counter attack, was looking to win the ball high and press when the time was right.

 

Lacked the extra edge going forward with Dave and Zouma offering nothing.

 

Willian playing a lot better, but I wish he would spin in behind at times. He often comes short with the full back, close behind. One spin in behind doesnt just offer something in that particular attack. It makes the FB think twice about going with him the next time. Prime example of this was Porto whereby he was so concerned with the Rbs marauding runs, and didnt test him going forward.