The team isn't bad defensively, the current problem seems to be in offence lately. I think switching back to two wingers might be beneficial for the team, but that may also require a more dynamic playmaker to play beside Kante.

2 minutes ago, Theafonis said:

This 3 at the back nonsense has to end soon. You need quality fullbacks to play this sort of formation. Midfield is too clogged because the outside backs aren’t offering enough. 

Have to do better. 

I don’t think it’s a full back issue, it is how you set up further up the pitch. He pioneered the formation in the PL but compare how he sets us up to how City/Liverpool are setup using the same system & he is light years behind.

3 minutes ago, TheBluesBrother said:

Awful. Conte is too predictable. When I saw Fabregas on the teamsheet I was dismayed but when he was partnered by Whatajoko, I knew we wouldn't win. Poor tactics and team selection by Conte.

He wasn't partnered with Bakayoko, it was Kante and Drinkwater that started.

id love to see us go 4 at the back. I think we could put out a decent back 4 now with azpi-christiensen-rudiger-alonso. 

I appreciate why we switched, but now we have pace and balance, and a settled kante in midfield. 

fabregas-kante-barkley in midfield, 

Willian -morata-hazard in attack. 

Once Alex Sandro arrives, we'll be fine I reckon.

3 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

I might get pelters for this but it’s my honest opinion and it doesn’t make me any less of a fan... we are f**king awful to watch, like literally eye bleedingly bad.

Like watching Man U then

7 minutes ago, ivorycoast said:

Where are the Conte apologists?

Conte won the league in his first season, we're one point off second now, qualified for the next round of the Champions League, and still in both cups, and you think he needs apologists.

Odd.

Just now, Scott Harris said:

He wasn't partnered with Bakayoko, it was Kante and Drinkwater that started.

He partnered him when Conte took Hazard off.

2 minutes ago, TomCFC85 said:

"Don't worry, Ross Barkley will fix all our problems" said Tom, sarcastically. 

In all honesty I would have taken him tonight. He’s got a decent shot on him from long range and he has a bit of grit. 

Poor or average performance from all the players, bad performance by Conte as well. I don't understand the endles passing around no-one having the courage to make efforts for the goal. What on earth was Conte thinking when bringing in Baka and Bats for the last minutes?

Rubbish.

Should have been am easy win. Such a poor Arsenal team. The quality of players had dropped so much for them...

Iwobe, holding, Chambers, El Neny, Wellbeck (hehehehe, Danny Wellbeck), so much garbage and still couldn't find a way past this lot. 

Shocking. 

Team is out of sorts. Attacking quality is down and has been for a while.

Too much reliance on one man and if he's not on form like today, it looks a very difficult task scoring goals.

Needs some revitalising. 

Morata body language is not good. Looking more and more like the striker who's better off not being named...

Not much support at all, but not good from him.

What a poor game. Other than Rudiger, Azpi, Kante, the whole lot were 5s and 6s today. 

 

 

2 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I'm not a fan of VAR either, i seen enough of it at the Confederations Cup. It takes too long and they STILL get decisions wrong. That looked a clear penalty on Fabregas. Sky were trying to say Welbeck touched the ball, but that was not what happened at all, Fabregas clearly flicked the ball to the side and Welbeck stepped on Fabregas foot. It was a penalty.

It doesn't work in the format it was presented tonight. 

It needs to be quicker, maybe even with the replay on the big screen to keep the crowd involved. 

and they need to get the decisions right. 

 

5 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

I might get pelters for this but it’s my honest opinion and it doesn’t make me any less of a fan... we are f**king awful to watch, like literally eye bleedingly bad.

 You do not need to apologise for calling spade a spade. 

1 minute ago, TomCFC85 said:

Once Alex Sandro arrives, we'll be fine I reckon.

Could be worse, could be a sunderland fan.

there's also that x factor/grit/determination/mental element that we seem to lack when it comes to risk taking upfront ... we should show more balls upfront and STOP CROSSING 250 TIMES TO NO AVAIL EACH f**kING GAME!!! AND WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE DAMN SHOTS TOO !!!!!

Edited January 10, 20188 yr by Londonisblue

Not going to have a pop at AC, but maybe he should shut his f**king mouth and concentrate more on managing this team, cos they f**king need it. Need to get sh*t sorted out quick or we are just gonna stroll through this season without doing f**k all. 

Edited January 10, 20188 yr by Famous CFC

Tactically out thought tonight. Condense our play into a central band and watch us f**k around with the ball....sounds like how we used to play against Arsenal. When we eventually got the ball out wide the service in was inevitably poor. Morata again not that good and Hazard if he has any serious aspirations to play for Madrid needs to get more clinical with any chances that come his way.

By far, the biggest missed opportunity of the night was that banned user not making a new account called
"GuessWho'sBak"
Utter disgrace.

I think we’re at a bit of a crossroads at the moment with regards to what formation we should go with. 

Although the 3-5-1-1/3-5-2 gives us solidity in midfield it absolutely kills our attack and makes us painfully one dimensional. It worked perfectly away at Atletico Madrid, but I think that was partly down to the element of surprise. At home, in games we should be winning, I really think we need to go with 3-4-3 and show some attacking intent from the outset. 

All in all another poor game. We must do better. 

plus point , we wouldnt beat city anyway

2 minutes ago, gazza said:

plus point , we wouldnt beat city anyway

We'd thrash them.
4 goals from Morata
2 from Zappacosta
And 1 cheeky one from Eduardo 

9 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I'm not a fan of VAR either, i seen enough of it at the Confederations Cup. It takes too long and they STILL get decisions wrong. That looked a clear penalty on Fabregas. Sky were trying to say Welbeck touched the ball, but that was not what happened at all, Fabregas clearly flicked the ball to the side and Welbeck stepped on Fabregas foot. It was a penalty.

Got to disagree with you mate, looked like he got the ball to me.

As for VAR is any time added on at the end for the over long consultations? Two lengthy stoppages and 5 subs and a couple of VAR decisions should result in more than 5 mins added time... not that we wwould have scored if there was 10 added.

Forgot what it’s like to beat Arsenal. Never thought they would become our bogey team. 

On a positive note, VAR is so good. Much needed.