Probably unrelated, but the team's performances have only deteriorated after his rather unnecessary (and ignorant) political statement.

7 minutes ago, ashwin said:

Probably unrelated, but the team's performances have only deteriorated after his rather unnecessary (and ignorant) political statement.

But you want to relate these two things nonetheless. 

He looked tired last night and against City. I think a large part of the bluntness going forward in the last few games is due to the wing backs not really doing their thing.

I didn’t think Chillwell was much of an improvement last night but he’s probably due a game at the weekend due to Alonso’s form. 

1 hour ago, Nevamind said:

But you want to relate these two things nonetheless. 

Well, 'probably' doesn't mean 'undoubtedly'. With your wonderful logic, we can retire the mention of anything that is not 'probable'.

And if you think his statement will not have had ANY effect on team spirit and morale, perhaps you need to work/manage a team first 🙂

Tuchel knows his form is dropping hence Chilwell is getting minutes now, whoever is the best option will play.

26 minutes ago, sonic90 said:

Tuchel knows his form is dropping hence Chilwell is getting minutes now, whoever is the best option will play.

Not sure what Chilwell did so wrong to be benched for as long as he has.

50 minutes ago, ashwin said:

Well, 'probably' doesn't mean 'undoubtedly'. With your wonderful logic, we can retire the mention of anything that is not 'probable'.

And if you think his statement will not have had ANY effect on team spirit and morale, perhaps you need to work/manage a team first 🙂

Sry if you really think we are losing games because Alonso isn't take the knee then maybe ask your workgroup for advice. 

17 minutes ago, Nevamind said:

Sry if you really think we are losing games because Alonso isn't take the knee then maybe ask your workgroup for advice. 

Sorry, can't do much if you cannot comprehend the meaning of 'probably' 🙃

I'm disappointed at how he has been managed this season tbh. Look I don't want to be overly critical of a man that has done a lot for our club in a short amount of time I love me some Tommy Tuchel. But, what happened to rotation I get playing a player when they're in form however, with the pace and high level of play that we compete in the wingback is a position that definitely needs rotation because if you're playing two matches a week and 90 mins for most of them you will burn out quick it's a very demanding position.

2 hours ago, jack_super_class said:

Not sure what Chilwell did so wrong to be benched for as long as he has.

Alonso was in great form since the start of the season and he had to pick 1 to play, he went with Alonso who is better in the wingback role.

Don't forget he was putting in epic performances in the first few games, now it may be time to rotate and Chilwell will be up for it.

Going back to Alonso, I think that he's dropped in form as usual. He is not making the inside runs into the box that cause havoc as he does when he is in top form, and that just makes him at the moment an average wing back. Wether is complacency or drop in form, I don't know, but we've seen it in previous seasons. He needs to be benched to give him a rest and play Chilwell instead. Hopefully, Alonso recovers his form and starts being the top wing back we know he can be.

Thought it was nice to see Alonso getting some recognition and playing for Spain this International Break. Deserves it 👏 

What am I missing here?  I am seeing the highlights of France's second goal in their 2-1 win over Spain in the Nations League final, and Mbappe is 1/2 yard offside.  AND VAR DID NOT OVERTURN THE GOAL!!! WTF!

It's some crazy rule they bought in about 18 months ago. If you watch, Garcia the Spanish defender makes a move to try and intercept/play the ball as the pass is played. The ball takes the slightest nick off of him and down to the rule it introduces a new phase of play and Mbappe was ruled onside. Stupid, needs to be changed. 

17 minutes ago, Phillip said:

What am I missing here?  I am seeing the highlights of France's second goal in their 2-1 win over Spain in the Nations League final, and Mbappe is 1/2 yard offside.  AND VAR DID NOT OVERTURN THE GOAL!!! WTF!

 

1 hour ago, franklintorch said:

It's some crazy rule they bought in about 18 months ago. If you watch, Garcia the Spanish defender makes a move to try and intercept/play the ball as the pass is played. The ball takes the slightest nick off of him and down to the rule it introduces a new phase of play and Mbappe was ruled onside. Stupid, needs to be changed. 

 

Gotta love it right? New phase of play for a split second lung and mere touch, yet dame phase of play after 6 Chelsea touches and 1 Saints touch to disallow a Werner goal. Madness.

Alonso is a tough one to get the best out of. Playing against a packed defense like today is really hard for him because he doesn't have the pace or agility to beat a defender. I actually think he is more suited to games against teams that play more open. People will say that will make us weaker defensively, but in a back 3 formation and with most of the ball, it shouldn't be too difficult to cover for Alonso's lack of pace. 

Against a packed defense like we saw today, I would rather play Hudson-Odoi, Azpilicueta or Saul there.

1 hour ago, Scott Harris said:

Alonso is a tough one to get the best out of. Playing against a packed defense like today is really hard for him because he doesn't have the pace or agility to beat a defender. I actually think he is more suited to games against teams that play more open. People will say that will make us weaker defensively, but in a back 3 formation and with most of the ball, it shouldn't be too difficult to cover for Alonso's lack of pace. 

Against a packed defense like we saw today, I would rather play Hudson-Odoi, Azpilicueta or Saul there.

Think the expectations are just much higher now having seen how well Ben played the position. Would be the same if we lost Reece.

Alonso and Dave have some really good traits but they cannot provided this offensive midfielder wingback play and it is foolish to try and make them. 

i thought he was supposed to be one of the best at wingback.. was atrocious yesterday.. I assume he is a bit rusty hope he gets back on it over the next few games.

Defending and digging in was never his forte - but attacking play and positionally he was very poor.. because he picked up an early card and got turned a couple of times early on i think he was nervous - wasnt fully committing forward like he usually does - and not really staying back.. was kind of like just beyond half way and then wasnt able to contribute in either phase..

I dont think our drop in form and generaly poor play and the chilwell injury is coincidence.

We will not win the league with Alonso at LWB. Absolutely no chance so if Chilwell is indeed out for the season we either need to bring someone in to replace him or persist with Alonso and throw our title hopes out the window. Alonso is 31 now and even slower then he used to be and he's absolutely all over the place in defensive areas. And he can't outrun a single soul in attacking areas.

Quick look at Watfords passmap yesterday and everything becomes quite obvious.

 

He made a great run and good handling of the ball for the first goal. 

35 minutes ago, Nevamind said:

He made a great run and good handling of the ball for the first goal. 

Not sure handling is the correct terminology but he did control it well and for once use the ball well too having got himself into space.

This is one area that needs an upgrade, Alonso isn't really an able deputy anymore for Chilwell. When you add Azpi into the mix at RWB and our team is diminished considerably.

I'm pretty sure he can operate as a LW also. 😁

6 hours ago, Sindre said:

We will not win the league with Alonso at LWB. Absolutely no chance so if Chilwell is indeed out for the season we either need to bring someone in to replace him or persist with Alonso and throw our title hopes out the window. Alonso is 31 now and even slower then he used to be and he's absolutely all over the place in defensive areas. And he can't outrun a single soul in attacking areas.

Quick look at Watfords passmap yesterday and everything becomes quite obvious.

 

Everyone can see he is a weakness. And nevemind how inept Saul and RLC were we were a totally different side with neither James or Chilwell in the midfield.

With Trev down we will need Dave at times in the back 3. We need to sign or promote better wingbacks as cover than Dave and Alonso.

He looked a bit jittery last night as did Rudiger down that left hand side, although both managed to avoid any disastrous episodes.

To be fair to Alonso he did well in the build up to both goals. He also had an excellent start to the season so I’d give him the benefit of the doubt for the next few matches before looking for a new signing especially if he has a proper midfield in front of him.