13 minutes ago, Brutos said:

Spurs and Jose will want to put the boot in, it will be a long long month...no merry Christmas for us

That's the spirit!

The problem is the young players confidence with get dented,and if we get battered by spurs it really could be downhill for a few of them.

34 minutes ago, Brutos said:

Spurs and Jose will want to put the boot in, it will be a long long month...no merry Christmas for us

You know how football is at times, I wouldn’t be surprised if we beat them.

3 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

You know how football is at times, I wouldn’t be surprised if we beat them.

Frank needs to pick the correct side,and who knows.

The more I read the more I feel for Frank,he's in a damned if he does damned if he doesn't situation, but he has a strong character,he doesn't have game changers on the bench ,hopefully given a bit more time he will turn things around,but at the moment he needs total support, from club and fans.

You know how football is at times, I wouldn’t be surprised if we beat them.

That's the annoying thing we probably go to the lane and win and beat Arsenal then lose to a bottom 10 team.

That's the spirit!

It's reality we knew this would come and fully behind Frank but he really needs to not have any favourites this early in the season and drop out of form player's

 

1 hour ago, dansubrosa said:

You know how football is at times, I wouldn’t be surprised if we beat them.

This is the thing, we have played well against the top domestic sides this season but end up on the losing end. Those games generally come down to to small margins like taking chances, no matter how small.

I read a statistic that we were something like 3rd in chance creation and shots on target, but when it came to conversion we were way down the table, I think 16th. We have had this conversion problem since Conte was in charge. Not surprisingly we still have some of the same players. 

Edited December 15, 20196 yr by enigma

1 hour ago, Bluesince66 said:

Frank needs to pick the correct side,and who knows.

I certainly think there are a couple of players being left out who could possibly make a difference ... at least if you base the team on statistical analysis of our Premier League results per starter !

In our 17 games, we have won 9, drawn 2 and lost 6, which means we have achieved 57% of the available points. So anyone who has a better percentage than that in the games they have started is a net contributor, and should be in the team. The ones that stand out (positively) are Alonso, Hudson-Odoi (admittedly only 2 games, so small sample), Barkley ... and the ones that stand out negatively (we do worse when they are starters) are Emerson, Kante, Pedro and Giroud.

Playing a 4-3-3, the starters, based on points won when they start, would be those names in blue bold. Players who are "net contributors" are shaded blue.

You could argue Kovacic in place of Jorginho, or Christensen ahead of Zouma, as they are both very close.

 

So our statistically best PL line up is :

Kepa

Azpiliceuta ; Zouma ; Tomori ; Alonso

Barkley ; Jorginho ; Mount

Willian ; Abraham ; Hudson-Odoi

 

 

Glad Lampard called out the players, last year we let this kind of performance because it's supposed to our 'style'. Teams have figured us out, and we no longer have that sharpness due to fatigue or whatever else. Tactically, I still think we commit way too many forwards without really having a real go, I'm mean you get 5-6 around the box, yet everytime a fullback or winger looks to cross, you only get Abraham in the middle between 2-3 defenders. We aren't doing those small yet good things like 1-2 months ago, quick 1-2 around the box, someone just makes a sharp run to the line instead of everyone standing still waiting for the next pass. When you throw that many people upfield and only 2 CD around the half way line, they only need 1 ball to 1 forward to make something happens. Now after 4 losses, is Lampard going to play a bit safe now? Maybe we are going to play with the extra man in the middle, and a man to cover the 2 Central defenders if we want the fullbacks to go all out. We aren't in that good form to blow below average teams away anymore, maybe it's time to play for the 1:0 ( not saying it would be easy). I remember last year at Derby, Lampard had similar problems around this stage when the long runs of games ran his team down, in the end he recovered well. This time around, even with 150M it will be more challenging because every other teams know if they pack up in the middle, they will get a chance or two on the counter, and we are vulnerable in several areas.

15 hours ago, abramovich said:

I think the limitations of our squad make things harder for Lamps, even though he carries his share of the blame for the recent string of performances/results. We could really use someone like RLC in the middle but he's still out, which is incredibly frustrating. Mount has been struggling as of late but Barkley's out injured so Frank has to keep picking the youngster. I think Kante hasn't been the same this season, perhaps he still can't get his form back after time out with injury. Kovacic and Jorginho are looking knackered because they've been asked to do too much for too long, the rotation doesn't work because other midfielders either lack experience (Mount), not at their best at the moment (Kante) or out injured (RLC, Barkley).

Wingers are a mixed bag. Pulisic turned things around after a dreadful start and is looking the best of the bunch at the moment. I've already said plenty about CHO and his questionable attitude, he needs to work much harder, Chelsea isn't the place you can survive on potential very long. Willian is his usual frustrating self, does some things well but far too often the end product is lacking. Pedro is finished. 

Our current backline is the worst we've had since Roman's arrival back in 2003. How telling it is that we were desperate for someone like Rudiger to return from injury asap, a solid pro, but not a world class CB by any stretch of imagination. Tomori is young and raw, Christensen's weak in all possible meanings of the word and Zouma is midtable level at best. The fullbacks are shocking, Azpi used to be a defensive beast, but a non-factor going forward, now he's poor at both ends. Emerson is the type of a footballer, who's seemingly decent but on a closer look does nothing well, he just moves a bit forward, receives the ball and passes it right back, rinse and repeat. The only full back who can put in a good cross is young James, but he's still learning how to defend properly. Alonso is actually the most dangerous fullback going forward, but he's so slow and pathetic at the other end, he's our biggest liability in that position. 

Kepa has been in a dire form as of late and has the rest of the season to prove he wasn't the biggest waste of money in recent history. A better/younger keeper than Caballero should be bought in the summer in any case and Kepa should compete for the starting place because he sure as hell hasn't earned it at the moment.

Abraham surprised me. I thought he was going to struggle to lead the line but he looked like a seasoned veteran from day one. There are still things to work on and a long way to go, but both his performances and his attitude have been tremendous. Giroud and Michy are not of the required standard and need to be replaced to give Tammy a real competition for playing time though.

 

Great post, if anything Frank has overachieved massively with this side. 

 

18 hours ago, Valerie said:

Why would we care about "people, especially the media"? Of course we're the only ones excited about a legend coach and our youth, did you think we would instigate a love-in of Scouserish levels?

Anyway, with an inexperienced manager and a handful of youngsters we were never going to to challenge for those big trophies this season, and probably not next season either. It may have looked so wonderful for a few weeks in September/October, but we see now where we really stand: a lot of work to do, and in need of reinforcements. The job came too early for Lampard, but he's here now and he is learning.

At the start of the season I thought we would finish 6th, I still think that.

Thank you, I can't get behind this argument that we should be giving Lampard the axe, it's ridiculous. We've overachieved massively, it's really bitter if we don't finish top 4 considering how good we were before the international break, but we need to have perspective. 

There are a lot of positives for this season, much more than negatives, I've been impressed. 

14 hours ago, Wearyourblue said:

I think quite the opposite; I think we are way underperforming what we'd be if Sarri were still here, while we sit 4th, we still have 2 left vs Tottenham and Arsenal. We had 1 loss last year against bottom half teams. Mount is not technical enough to be a 10 in a 4-2-3-1 at this level, his first touch is too loose and he gets in other players way, he's always looking to leave his space as it's too tight for him. To me he's been so bad the last few games I think we would have performed better playing with 10, and unclogging that space.

We gave up a 39 goals / in 38 games in the premier league last year, with Alonso, Luiz, Rudiger , Azpi and Kepa as our core.

Frank has had all of those players at his disposal, he doesn't rate Alonso and let Luiz walk, yet we've been much much worse, having given up 25 in 17 matches. Now instead of complaing of Luiz and Alonso, people complain of Kepa and Azpi, no less than a year later. Under Sarri, they were our saving graces. Maybe it's the style of play and organization. And maybe Frank should rate technique a little higher and grit a little lower.

Truth be told we should be able to improve on last year's defensive performance as Sarri tried to open it up and play at Man City.

Sarri left a sinking ship let's be honest, so how are we underperforming? All of our senior players were underperforming last season and now they're a year older. A looming transfer ban and losing our best player who used to pretty much win us about 30 points a season on his own. 

You really expected us to get top 4 before the start of the season? Reaaaalllllyyyyyyyyy? 

Edited December 15, 20196 yr by Slojo

Realistically if anyone thought we where going to be in the top 4 at the beginning of the season they were on another planet, this is a transition season,losing our best player,not being able to buy in the summer,new manager who is learning the ropes.this is a new chapter for us and the fans and board need to lower expectations and enjoy us evolving. 

3 hours ago, Brutos said:

Spurs and Jose will want to put the boot in, it will be a long long month...no merry Christmas for us

 

1 hour ago, Brutos said:

3 hours ago, Valerie said:

That's the spirit!

It's reality we knew this would come and fully behind Frank but he really needs to not have any favourites this early in the season and drop out of form player's

There is reality and there is throwing in the towel already and stating we won't have a merry Christmas. You did the latter. 

I'm starting to doubt Frank. He needs to put his suit on! It's been 4 months since the last time he wore it. 

Edited December 15, 20196 yr by Droopy

23 minutes ago, Valerie said:

 

There is reality and there is throwing in the towel already and stating we won't have a merry Christmas. You did the latter. 

I intend to enjoy christmas with my family regardless of what Chelsea do. If we start winning games again then bonus, if we keep losing then we were never going to catch Liverpool anyway so whatever.

22 minutes ago, Droopy said:

I'm starting to doubt Frank. He needs to put his suit on! It's been 4 months since the last time he wore it. 

Sarcasm, right? 

Difficult period for us but not much more Lampard can do. We have being punching above our weight for a while now all due to Lampard. He plays best team possible we have, however unfortunately though we have alot of average players that Lampard cant do anything about. Only Abraham, Pulisic jorginho, Kovacic and Mount beginning of the season have provided quality. All the rest have made mistakes and often played poorly. 

Only mistake in my opinion Lampard has had is disrupt the partnership of Kovacic and Jorginho. Kante though its a player that cant be left out or we risk of loosing him to another team. So its catch 22. 

I am confident though Lampard will strengthen the team in January and we will end up in champions league spot for next season.  

There is reality and there is throwing in the towel already and stating we won't have a merry Christmas. You did the latter. 

Throwing in what towel, why is it hard to accept reality we probably will lose the matches over Christmas onbtge current form we are on that's accepting the reality does mean I don't have hope that we turn it around keeping my expectations I check and enjoying the holidays as Chelsea will be down the list of things I have on my mind

4 minutes ago, Brutos said:

Throwing in what towel, why is it hard to accept reality we probably will lose the matches over Christmas onbtge current form we are on that's accepting the reality does mean I don't have hope that we turn it around keeping my expectations I check and enjoying the holidays as Chelsea will be down the list of things I have on my mind

You wrote it yourself: no merry christmas for us. I'm glad to see that you've decided to be flexible on that.

8 hours ago, Valerie said:

That's the spirit!

Rum. Rum is the spirit. 

So Frank highlighted what we all saw. The waste of possession, slow play out and too much of the ball with the defenders. Not attacking enough.

Assuming this was the message at half time why did the players not listen?

The last game we lost but you could see a lot of positive things: 

Our possession can end up having the ball in the final third very fast.

Even without taking shots we managed to almost walk inside past the goal line, sadly Emerson shot right at their keeper.

This is the best version of Zouma that has ever been, he was really great.

When Kovacic came on he made an important tactical foul for a yellow card, that was really missing from our players and it looks that we won't allow fast breaks through the middle anymore.

Dave is putting overall better crosses, so is Emerson.

Our bench looks stronger now as we have the options with Tomori,CHO and Mount can play as a winger as well, the only weak sub looks to be Batman.