That is Hazards worst trait, standing all defenders up to a standstill, he can go at warp speed but no outball

1 minute ago, Slojo said:

Keep the same tactics, bring Giroud and Willian on for Morata & Pedro. 

Quicker the better, i would even had thrown Tammy on, with all this possession he's bound to get on the end of one.

I think we're playing well actually. It's physically diificult finding the right pass when they constantly have so many behind the ball. Our retention is good and we are probing with our passes. We just need a bit of a deflection or a quick turn. If Pedros left foot goes along the floor instead of top bins it probably goes in.

Eden holds on to the ball for too long. Alonso needs to overlap on the flank instead of being so predictable and passing backwards to Kovacic every time. We need players making runs in behind. 

Just now, Kentonio said:

It’s very obvious Eden hasn’t had long to get used to the new system, he dwells far too long on the ball. Can’t see Newcastle keeping out this much pressure for another half though, they must be tiring. 

It's nothing to do with the system, Hazard has always held on the ball for too long when a team sits back.

1 minute ago, JPH said:

Should we take Barkley for Kante? Somehow Kante is not on his own playing at this position so close to opponent's goal.

The thought crossed my mind as well. Kante is a disruptor, but there's no disrupting a parked bus. 

It will be interesting to see how Sarri tries to change this.

3 minutes ago, Slojo said:

Keep the same tactics, bring Giroud and Willian on for Morata & Pedro. 

The referee needs pulling up, far too lenient with this Newcastle side, they're getting away with fouling Hazard every time he has the ball. And that was one of the softest yellows I've seen in a while for Kovacic, f**king typical that isn't it. 

Agree with that need some power in there too many players smaller technical players on one pitch no attacking balance we need a battering ram and a target to play off, Morata just isn’t strong enough for that role and prefers being played in than holding up. 

We are not scoring if we dont bother to shoot. Does not help when we do morata gets in the way.

Rafa has got this bang on. They are getting away with foul after foul and are dangerous on set plays and counters. I can see them scoring before we do 

Willian and barkely for hazard and kovacic.

I’d be fascinated to see what would happen if we put 10 men in the box and left Morata up on the halfway line to chat to Rondon. It would be bizarre but it would show up this negativity that is ruining football.

Hazard may not be at his sharpest today (people seem to forget the kicking he's received), but he's still been our best and most dangerous player

Sarri has watched the first 45, like against Huddersfield, now we'll pick the pace up just watch

I think we could do with Barkley, at least gives us someone willing to shoot from outside the box.

6 minutes ago, Ernie_blue said:

It's nothing to do with the system, Hazard has always held on the ball for too long when a team sits back.

He needs to learn to move the ball quicker to fit into the new system. The previous ones allowed him to take more time, this system doesn’t. 

Edited August 26, 20187 yr by Kentonio

A simple left footed pass from Morata to Hazard is all that was needed then, but he had to go on his right foot and lose the ball, you dont get much for 70m nowadays.

Nice move. Nice back pass by Dave...

Another poor finish unfortunately.

Weak finishing from us. We still have much of last season in us, we can't seem to take those chances.

You can always tell a struggling striker when they stop making runs and become static.

cmon Eden jesus !!!!!!!!!

Morata will be off soon

Morata strike that ball, dont f**king go for the basketball lob, wrong sport mate ...

All this possession and their keeper has had nothing but a couple of easy saves to make. 

Whenever Morata drifts wide, there is literally no one in the middle looking for it. That’s a huge thing we’ve missed ever since Frank left I feel. 

Morata is actually playing the No9 role well, just no chances yet!