Gaffer's post match interview (brief)

 

5 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

For me RLC will undoubtedly be MOTM and not just for the goals, but for his overall presence and control of the game. I also thought that Zappa was quality tonight and has staked a claim as a genuine alternative. Emerson, similarly had a decent game and offers an option. CHO looks exciting but he will need to develop this agressive running at the defence with either a delivery to teammates or more of an end product himself.

Giroud really poor tonight, which i am gutted about actually. Willian played his usual careless game and Moses again proved that he is not up to this standard.

Sadly i think Cesc may have gone past the tipping point. He needs the game time to maintain sharpness. Without matches he lacks match fitness and sharpness in his passing, which will only lead to less and less game time. Very poor tonight.

Unaceptable conceding a goal against a side like this and i feel for Kepa. Everything he did tonight was spot on and he didn't deserve sloppiness like that from his defence.

Really  pleased for RLC and really impressed with Zappa tonight, who didn't take his foot off and delivered at every opportunity. UTC.

I'm starting to think that Cesc may be suffering from deteriorating eyesight. 

Even last season, his passing wasn't quite as sharp as before. There have been more sloppy passes and his trademark weighted long/killer balls haven't been as precise as they once were. 

I don't think game time is the main reason for his decline - in 2016/17 he often came off the bench but he was nonetheless was just as effective as he was in 2014/15. 

I would let him go in January or on a free with our gratitude for his services. 

 

3 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

Just back from the game, first game sat in the shed for years (usually family section with my lad!) - and rewarded with 2 goals in  mins right in front of us. Happy Days.

Surprised by the very positive appraisal of zappa tonight - as I thought he was poor. At fault for the goal (he was the one who game away an unnecessary freekick?), game the ball away a number of times with some sloppy passing, but more worryingly, despite being in space a number of times, his teammates often chose (after seeing him) to check back and opted against passing to him. Seemed to be a real and regular lack of confidence in giving him the ball.

Ruben was in beast mode for much of the game, and Kovacic, Andreas and Kepa were good. Disappointed in Emerson and Zappa who are not doing enough to push for a starting place. CHO looked lively but was crying out for some end product, the crowd really got behind him and gave a cracking ovation. Moses isnt good enough as a winger and cesc looked rusty.

Still, a good win, and privileged to have seen RLC get a hatrick in a blue shirt. Hopefully it is not a once in a lifetime experience! 

KTBFFH

NNNJ

 It must  look different on tv to being at the game because I thought Andreas was pretty average on the ball  and Zappa was pretty good. Possibly the worst game I’ve ever seen from fab, it’s like he didn’t care. Saris comments about rlc not being good enough defensively are right on the money in my view and I’m sure that’s why he doesn’t start more in the past 3 years. By contrast Barkley has improved his defensive play if you wanted to play Barkley and RLC together you’d have to put Kante back in his proper position and then you wouldn’t be playing Sarri ball

Happy with the win.

Loftus-Cheek well done on the hat-trick.

Slightly disappointed that we lost a goal, but to be honest I'd have taken 3-1 before the game.

Nobody has mentioned Zappacosta and  his great performance. He deserve a chance in BPL.

42 minutes ago, Giordano_Bruno said:

Nobody has mentioned Zappacosta and  his great performance. He deserve a chance in BPL.

He’s had plenty of chances in the PL and has looked very average. But yeah, we should judge him on one game against the mighty BATE.

1 hour ago, bluedave said:

He’s had plenty of chances in the PL and has looked very average. But yeah, we should judge him on one game against the mighty BATE.

Why not, Willian is still getting chances because of a couple of free kicks back in 2015.

1 hour ago, bluedave said:

He’s had plenty of chances in the PL and has looked very average. But yeah, we should judge him on one game against the mighty BATE.

Come on now, he had his moments last year. And yeah, we'll judge him by that type of opponent when it's the only one he gets minutes against. 

Azpilicueta has been out of this position for like 5 years, he's got pretty average performances so far and yet, he's untouchable. By what criteria? 

Edited October 26, 20187 yr by Giordano_Bruno

Barvo to RLC, that was some performance. He's offering another dimension in attack with his running, strength and a good shot. The game was over after the second goal, after the third we pretty much just played the game out. It's a bit Giroud didn't score, a goal would really give him a lift.

It's another game we happily negotiated with the second 11, look forward to see the first 11 beat up Burnley on Sunday.

Sensible perspective re midfield options from Sarri.

Good as he was RLC is receiving some over-hyping from some fans - nice to get some balance from the professional viewpoint.