Shoot damn it.

Hazard needs to stop slowing the game down a and holding onto the ball. 

Hazard sometimes looks like a complete noob upfront ... the bloke wanna dribble past everyone it kills me !! It ain't no five-a-side Eden !

Newcastle were far more adventurous against Spurs.

Playing against a back nine here.

Again one of these desperate games. Total domination but we just can't make that goal. I have a feeling for a 0-0. 

Were not going to break them down by stopping and having a picnic whilst we decide what to do.

We haven't been bad, but we haven't been great. Been a very frustrating watch and we need to step things up and move the ball quicker or they'll grind this out. The officiating for me has been a disgrace, Hazard kicked all over the show and the first time Kovacic makes a foul it's a yellow. Sky's commentary has been brutal listening as well

It’s frustrating at times that hazard just won’t hit it first time, it’s part of a forwards arsenal, you can’t  always to a drag back or a turn.

I was hoping this system would overwhelm teams that put 10 men behind the ball, it seems digging in the trenches always has its place as an effective nulifyer if superior teams.  

Well lets hope Sarri kicks this lot up the arse at half time; alright Newcastle are making life difficult but the first half has been dire and like watching last year, painfully slow at times; clearly we need to move ball a lot quicker in their half.  I think we will see a different approach this half.

Newcastle have parked the P&O Liner. 9 men behind the ball. Typical Benitez tactics. Lots of slick passing but no penetration. I hope Sarri gives them some pointers to break them down. Chelsea VS The Brick Wall.

Might need Giroud in there.

His lack of pace won't be a problem against the 9-1 formation that Newcastle is running, but his ability to get on the end of a header and hold up play in dangerous areas could be the difference.

I’ve never seen a better advert for the excitement of test cricket. 10 players standing in the 18 yard box for about 43 minutes. Do people up there really pay money to sit and watch that?

I didn't really enjoy that. Newcastle's tactics are kick our players (mainly Hazard) and hope for a lucky break going forward. We are too slow in our build up play and not clinical in the final third. It's nice having flashy players like Kovacic, Jorginho, Hazard and Pedro in there, but it needs somebody with a bit of power and a shot in them. Somebody who would force it more, like Barkley. 

The ref is a joke though (as usual) He's just allowing Newcastle to continue with the cynical fouls. I can accept the other players not being booked, but Diame should be on a booking and final warning by now.

Say whatever you want, but as long as we will have money and Roman around, we will be hated no matter what ... And that includes refs calls unfortunately alas !

No penetration. Possession stats look good till you factor in we aren't doing anything with it.

For what it's worth, long time since I 've noticed we have had this much possession, now let's make it count!

1 minute ago, The Brit said:

Well that was a turgid 45 mins as Newcastle play with 11 men behind the ball and kick the sh*t out of our players 

But this will be the season for us against most teams. There will not be many teams playing attacking football against us. This is Sarri's first test. Hopefully he can find a way of getting behind Newcastle and turning them. Teams like this with 7-8 in the box all the time crumble when they are running towards their own goal. It is important that Sarri finds a way through this game. We do not want this to be the blueprint for the other mediocre teams in this league. I stil feel one goal and we will be at them then. Come on Chels.

Didn't think we looked comfortable with the zonal marking at set pieces last weekend, and Newcastle are definitely looking to test that weakness. It's their only real threat but it's one that could easily work. 

They've had to work hard to shut us out all half, and they'll tire for sure, but we absolutely cannot concede first and give them something more to hold on to.

It's been a largely controlled first half, but we never really over commited to try and break their defence. I'd like to see more play on the wings personally, its a congested box and a decent cross could fall anywhere. Looking forward to the second half.

I won't say anything regarding Newcastle's tactics since we won our only UCL in the exact same manner ... Some people need to realise that ! Don't blame others playing their best in terms of tactics but us for not being able to tear them apart !

5 minutes ago, coco said:

Were not going to break them down by stopping and having a picnic whilst we decide what to do.

The way to break these types of teams down has always been through quick passing and movement, playing at the pace we are playing suits teams that play this defensive game.

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. 

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. 

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

6 minutes ago, coco said:

Were not going to break them down by stopping and having a picnic whilst we decide what to do.

Hazard doing Hazard in a typical fashion, not pulling the trigger at the right time. One of my biggest criticisms of him as a player, he's shooting in the areas where he isn't likely to score, then he's trying to dribble his way through when he should pull the trigger, need to be a lot more decisive. 

Hopefully this game follows the same pattern. A bit dodgy in the first half and then turn it up a couple of notches in the Second half.

Hazard won't be coming off the bench, but there are good attacking options in Giroud, Willian, and Barkley that I expect to see in the Second half.