I give the new manager some leeway but come on, Dave+Silva+Cucu defense?

As long as the midfield is Jorgi+Kova, nothing changes. 

I know I know 

Not surprised by the result and performance, it's pretty much the same from a week ago. It's not just Tuchel, Potter gave Ziyech a cameo too, so the issue is a lot deeper than a manager who kept picking wrong players,

A really frustrating draw. Did not expect us to get only 1 point from our first 2 group games. The Bridge was bouncing after our goal but the team were complacent and we never looked to double our lead.

Main interesting thing from my perspective was just how wide our system was. Effectively we had James - Thiago - Cucurella as our back 3 when we had the ball, and then Sterling and James hugging the touchline. Almost of the play was down those flanks, Havertz and Aubameyang had no service and were anonymous.

Finally, I've got respect for the RB Salzburg fans and their banner in memory of the Queen.

I hate that we have to wait so long for the next game. 

Also should be said massive respect to the Salzburg fans, respectful and excellent supporters.

24 minutes ago, azpi28 said:

I hate that we have to wait so long for the next game. 

You are a glutton for punishment, aren't you lol. 

So eager to see us balls up at Palace  😉

14 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

You are a glutton for punishment, aren't you lol. 

So eager to see us balls up at Palace  😉

I like worrying about Chelsea as it distracts me from worrying about everything else 

But I’m quite positive. I’ve seen some little glimpses today. 

Edited September 14, 20223 yr by azpi28

True that. I hear you. Only works for me when we are close to winning a trophy, or at the end of a race for top 4.

Of we get back in to this group and a win at game to Zagreb means we qualify I will be nervous then too.

As it is I don't expect us to qualify or finish top 4, and expect us to mess up at the back and be poor going forward so my nerves are still calm watching us at the mo.

@axman2526 

for me these difficult periods make it worth it when we find our form again 

i like to experience all the emotions: 

todays game 🥱😁🙄🥴😲🤬😮‍🫤

 

 

Edited September 14, 20223 yr by azpi28

Chelsea should add the Latin motto 

dum spiro spero

while I breathe I hope 

We’re as blunt as always but I thought that we were more lively going forward than with Tuchel. Defensively we’re still sh*t, how on earth we let in so many soft goals, unbelievable. Anyway, onwards and upwards!

He made one mistake but was good otherwise. He had one beautiful tackle

 

So what does Potter do now? He went for CL experience and the result was a mediocre draw against modest opposition. Does he persist with Havertz and Aubameyang upfront? Silva and Azpi at the back?Jorginho and Kovacic in midfield? All our weaknesses on display. One game I know. But what is Potter going to see in this squad that Tuchel missed? I’m just baffled by what is expected of the new manager. 

6 minutes ago, Socrates said:

So what does Potter do now? He went for CL experience and the result was a mediocre draw against modest opposition. Does he persist with Havertz and Aubameyang upfront? Silva and Azpi at the back?Jorginho and Kovacic in midfield? All our weaknesses on display. One game I know. But what is Potter going to see in this squad that Tuchel missed? I’m just baffled by what is expected of the new manager. 

I reckon he won’t play Azpi again, and as he should, play Fofana 

I think Broja showed more in his little time than Aubameyang did all game. It took him 1 minute to get one on one with the goalkeeper. Aubameyang still shouldn’t be written off but I would like to see Broja start. 

Havertz and Mount will have to be part of the team as we don’t have many alternatives. So he needs to improve their game and find the best roles for both of them. 

jorgi - kova has to be the midfield duo if Kanté isn’t available.

21 minutes ago, azpi28 said:

I reckon he won’t play Azpi again, and as he should, play Fofana 

I think Broja showed more in his little time than Aubameyang did all game. It took him 1 minute to get one on one with the goalkeeper. Aubameyang still shouldn’t be written off but I would like to see Broja start. 

Havertz and Mount will have to be part of the team as we don’t have many alternatives. So he needs to improve their game and find the best roles for both of them. 

jorgi - kova has to be the midfield duo if Kanté isn’t available.

Fair points. I think if he’s going to play a back three then it should be Fofana, Koulibaly and alternate between Silva and Cucurella. Agree that Broja probably deserves a run out until Aubameyang finds match fitness. Only worry is that Broja isn’t as clinical as an inform Aubameyang. Havertz I’m less sure about as he just seems totally lost in whatever position he plays. I’d be inclined to start Gallagher over Havertz. Or even Loftus Cheek who I haven’t totally given up on. I don’t see much of an alternative to Kova and Jorginho in midfield unless Zakaria turns out to be a player. Shame that Loftus Cheek didn’t work out in the pivot as he has the physical presence. I can see us addressing midfield in January as it’s dragging the whole side down. 

Todd picking the team now. I didnt see the game but a back 4 with azpi and thiago. Clueless. Couldn't have been potter cause everyone keeps telling me he is the next big thing.

 

 

Worth pointing out how poorly we dealt with some really, really good chances.

Mount near the D, nobody near him, misses the target.

Ziyech/Kova sitter from the Broja cross.

Havertz miscuing his volley from 10 yards.

James missing the target from the D when free from the RLC won free kick.

Broja missing the target from inside the box 

Ziyech pass back to the keeper from inside the box when in lots of space.

5 really good chances, one on target, and one sitter hit at the keeper.

Contrast that to Sterling who picked his spot perfectly.

Our Xg was like 1.9 or something. 

7 minutes ago, ozboy said:

Our Xg was like 1.9 or something. 

Because our forwards (bar Sterling) are garbage.

At a minimum James and Mount have to hit the target, Ziyech/Kova has to score that sitter, Broja has to score his chance. It should be a minimum 3-1 win, and that would be with just competent finishing. If it were Bayern they would have put 7 past them again.

Edited September 15, 20223 yr by axman2526

5 hours ago, Mod said:

Don't think we can blame Kepa too much, the goal took a deflection from Azpi. He made a good save from a low shot prior to that!

I thought he looked far better than Mendy has and the Kepa of his earlier Chelsea.

I'd be looking more outfield/dugout/boardroom for blame after a perfomance like that.

 

They guy say that shot is 85% saveable. Even I don't think that was that easy. But let's just say that was not saveable. His play on the ball was so bad. Playing from the back is not standing on the ball for 1 hour and then make a short pass to Silva who immediately get pressed. You can see the whole field, make chip pass to wb or wide cb. Help you team best press 

I won't blame potter for yesterday lineup. It was a classic political lineup. You don't want to upset senior player in your dressing room in your first game. 

But if we play palace yesterday we will get destroyed. If you want to play fast, you need surround Silva with two fast player. Fofana/chalo need to play over Azpi. 2nd you need different midfield profile, if you see Jorgi running around chasing player in open space again and again then there is something wrong with the way you play. 

 

 

20 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

I won't blame potter for yesterday lineup. It was a classic political lineup. You don't want to upset senior player in your dressing room in your first game. 

But if we play palace yesterday we will get destroyed. If you want to play fast, you need surround Silva with two fast player. Fofana/chalo need to play over Azpi. 2nd you need different midfield profile, if you see Jorgi running around chasing player in open space again and again then there is something wrong with the way you play. 

 

 

Well I guess Zakaria is training poorly to be overlooked in favour of Mount, Kovacic, Jorgi, RLC and Gallagher all being used ahead of him.

2 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Well I guess Zakaria is training poorly to be overlooked in favour of Mount, Kovacic, Jorgi, RLC and Gallagher all being used ahead of him.

I have never watched Zakaria play so I don't know but there is 0 reason to start Azpi when you have chalo, fofana and koula. 

I make a habit of not criticising Chelsea players, but I have to make an exception now with Jorginho. He brings NOTHING to the party, slows us down, is the main instigator of the sideways or backwards pass and its like he doesn't actually know how to play a forward ball. The wider issue is that we have no CREATIVITY whatsoever in midfield, a player that can get on the ball and make things happen. Until we get this man, it will continue to be "same sh*t - different day"