Zouma's been OK since the Liverpool game, but Christensen was pretty good last weekend. Maybe Frank just wants a stable CB pair, or maybe he just likes Zouma's height and jump.

Beyond that, no complaints.

4 academy players in the starting lineup, that's how we do it!

11 hours ago, Spiller86 said:

Yeah some folks have become so obsessed with Pepball they've forgotten that the first duty of a centre back/goalkeeper is to wait for it.... Stop the other team scoring goals ie. Defending. 

Passing is a nice extra but it does not replace defending.

Well of course they have to actually be good at defending and keeping but the game has evolved to a point (especially at the top teams) where distribution under pressure is a bigger requirement than shot stopping. Kepa for one time he faces a shot has to distribute under pressure probably about 15 times, for Alisson it will be more and Ederson even more than that. De Gea is an example the other way, the best shot stopper in this era but has lost his place in the Spain team because he doesn't offer the all round package Kepa does.

Yes of course keepers have to be good at shot stopping and catching but if you offered me a keeper who had 8 distribution and 7 at "actual keeping" or a keeper that was rated 2/10 respectively at those scores, I'd chose the former every single time and I imagine near enough every manager will aswell. 

11 minutes ago, DaRick said:

Zouma's been OK since the Liverpool game, but Christensen was pretty good last weekend. Maybe Frank just wants a stable CB pair, or maybe he just likes Zouma's height and jump.

Beyond that, no complaints.

I thought he was poor against Lille. He was largely at fault for the goal, he misread the flight of the ball from the corner and timed his jump wrong. He was also dodgy in possession, especially when Lille players got tighter to him. I don't understand why Lampard is picking him ahead of Christensen so often, I think Christensen is a much better defender than he is.

Apart from Zouma starting ahead of Christensen, I am happy with the team. Hudson-Odoi deserves to start and I'm happy to see Mount in his more natural position.

Good line up

Good side. Zouma starts for his strength and Willian is in form. Just dont give away stupid goals. 

Come on Chelsea.

5 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I thought he was poor against Lille. He was largely at fault for the goal, he misread the flight of the ball from the corner and timed his jump wrong. He was also dodgy in possession, especially when Lille players got tighter to him. I don't understand why Lampard is picking him ahead of Christensen so often, I think Christensen is a much better defender than he is.

Christensen is the better defender and passer yes, but Frank likely believes that Zouma covers for Tomori's relatively weak aerial ability more effectively than Christensen does.

That, and Tomori already has to bail out one slow-ish defender in Alonso whenever he gets beaten for pace. Frank might think that it's expecting too much for him to have to bail out Christensen as well, especially if we're playing with a higher line against a side that loves executing quick counter-attacks (as Southampton does). 

Champions League winner Ryan Bertrand and Oriol Romeu start for Southampton.

@cRyptic it's time! 

?

8 minutes ago, DaRick said:

Christensen is the better defender and passer yes, but Frank likely believes that Zouma covers for Tomori's relatively weak aerial ability more effectively than Christensen does.

That, and Tomori already has to bail out one slow-ish defender in Alonso whenever he gets beaten for pace. Frank might think that it's expecting too much for him to have to bail out Christensen as well, especially if we're playing with a higher line against a side that loves executing quick counter-attacks (as Southampton does). 

You’re joking eh? Christensen isn’t slow... not sure where you’ve got that idea from.

3 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

You’re joking eh? Christensen isn’t slow... not sure where you’ve got that idea from.

Compared to Zouma/Tomori, he most certainly is. 

Edited October 6, 20196 yr by DaRick

Remember, if watching this match in a pub, dont explode like an out of control firework when we hit the back of the net, only for VAR to come and smack you down.

sloppy right from the kick off ....

Oh god a corner 

Need to be more careful here some sloppy play at the start 

5 minutes ago, DaRick said:

Compared to Zouma/Tomori, he most certainly is. 

Zouma isn’t that much quicker IMO. Maybe more noticeable because he’s out of position a lot more but in terms of flat out speed I don’t think there’s much in it.

Plan A - stop conceding bloody corners. 

Tomori with a sloppy pass... Oh god I hope it's not the start of the Christensen fever. 

Hate Long playing against us....

Already looking sloppy at the back. As soon as Scotland sack Steve Clarke we should get him back to coach the defence, he was always great at that.

Missed the corner, are we still doing zonal?

good effort Tammy, just needed a bit more on it.

1 minute ago, sonic90 said:

Missed the corner, are we still doing zonal?

yes

That was a nice move to escape the press, decent strike by Tammy on his week foot.