Still sh*t upfront but at least we have the ball...

I feel like im watching a game in slow motion. Players taking forever to react and move

Just now, TheFunkeyGibbon said:

3 minutes ago, Sindre said:

We need a new LB, midfielder, CB and striker.
Way to many holes in the squad to do anything against the best teams for me unfortunatly this year.

4 days left? Won't happen. Nothing will.

I know, just saying.
Some people have convinced themselves our squad is fine for Sarri-ball but it will be very clear soon enough that it isn't.
We have had a horrible transfer window once again.

Pretty poor half from us but to be expected given it’s a new system and not full strength. 

We look abit nervous on the ball, no real pace and urgency. Guess it is first real test of the new system. It will take time and Sarri will have learned a fair bit from today. 

Lets see what happens in the second half. 

Good half for us, consider the absence of Kante and the fact that we've got Morata and Pedro in front so are actually playing 9 men. With our subs we took the ball against their best team. 

Caballero, Luiz, Fabregas, Morata, the team lacks a spine. Add to this a team that isn't comfortable yet in the new system and we get a half like we have just witnessed. 

Every time the ball comes to Morata it looks like this is the first time he’s had use of his legs.

Would like to see willian on for Pedro, 

Sarri surely hasn't liked what he had seen, this is not the quick tempo he's been working on this preseason (what he had of it with the team).  Too slow on everyone's part, excpt HO. 

Edited August 5, 20187 yr by Sparetire

It's so hard to be forgiving to Morata when you see him bottle such a large percentage of loose balls or even balls played in front of him. You can get away with a striker being weak on the ball if he can pull off great shots from nothing but Morata shows so little sign of having technical ability. I think I counted him taking 5 touches of the ball in the box with looking up and then taking a shot (still without looking up. At least he didn't get to see it being hopelessly offtarget...

1 minute ago, Jezq8 said:

Would like to see willian on for Pedro, 

tammy over morata the priority. 

Perhaps Tammy for Morata after 15 if no change. Sure he is not the best yet at least he will work for opportunities.

Not a great first half, but there's been a few good moments. Its my first look at the back 4 and Jorginho pulling the strings. Can definitely see it working, but we'll need time to get everyone in sync.

Hudson Odoi looks a bright spark, although its concerning nobody else looks all that dangerous in the final 3rd. Barkley's had good moments too. Two players definitely capable of competing for game time this season.

Barkley nor Morata are not our go-to guys. Kante will take Barkley's place and we are screwed in terms of a striker. Maybe Hazard or Pedro will take that slot.... 

It seems there are two Pep-teams in the prem this term. We are doing what they are basically. Just behind the schedule. 

Luiz and Cesc fit the system really well. I could live with Caba in our goal if we need to sell Tibo. He is very cool with the ball. 

2 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

Every time the ball comes to Morata it looks like this is the first time he’s had use of his legs.

Since his form dropped off last season, his hold up play has been as bad as Torres hold up play. So weak and the ball just bounces off him.

1 minute ago, Strider6003 said:

Perhaps Tammy for Morata after 15 if no change. Sure he is not the best yet at least he will work for opportunities.

At least he's not the worst. 

Wow, these players seem desperate to impress Sari.

Poor, but to be expected. He's only had a few weeks with these players, it will take a full season to get them fully to grips with everything he wants them to do. Top 4 should be the priority.

Possession 53% to Chelsea.... 

Just now, evissy said:

Luiz and Cesc fit the system really well. I could live with Caba in our goal if we need to sell Tibo. He is very cool with the ball. 

Say what? Cesc's been overrun for the entire first half.
Both our CBs have been all over the place as well for me. Have no idea what they were doing for their goal and on multiple other occasions.

1 minute ago, evissy said:

Barkley nor Morata are not our go-to guys. Kante will take Barkley's place and we are screwed in terms of a striker. Maybe Hazard or Pedro will take that slot.... 

It seems there are two Pep-teams in the prem this term. We are doing what they are basically. Just behind the schedule. 

Luiz and Cesc fit the system really well. I could live with Caba in our goal if we need to sell Tibo. He is very cool with the ball. 

You must be joking? Cesc has been below average. He has no legs to press the way people run past him is shocking. Makes no forward runs either he is jogging all the time. Him and Morata the weakest links so far. 

Just now, evissy said:

Barkley nor Morata are not our go-to guys. Kante will take Barkley's place and we are screwed in terms of a striker. Maybe Hazard or Pedro will take that slot.... 

It seems there are two Pep-teams in the prem this term. We are doing what they are basically. Just behind the schedule. 

Luiz and Cesc fit the system really well. I could live with Caba in our goal if we need to sell Tibo. He is very cool with the ball. 

I can't see Kante coming in for Barkley, who will play further forward? I would be very surprised if Sarri went with Fabregas in that position. Fabregas will need to be dropped for Kante.

2 minutes ago, evissy said:

Barkley nor Morata are not our go-to guys. Kante will take Barkley's place and we are screwed in terms of a striker. Maybe Hazard or Pedro will take that slot.... 

It seems there are two Pep-teams in the prem this term. We are doing what they are basically. Just behind the schedule. 

Luiz and Cesc fit the system really well. I could live with Caba in our goal if we need to sell Tibo. He is very cool with the ball. 

I can't believe that last bit. That has to be a wind-up!

2 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Since his form dropped off last season, his hold up play has been as bad as Torres hold up play. So weak and the ball just bounces off him.

Yeah it’s painfully reminiscent of the Torres situation. At this point Michy, Giroud and even Abraham would look more confident up there.

Let's bring bakayoko on...really change the game to swing in our favour