19 minutes ago, ozboy said:

Stirling is  obviously already developing a good partnership with Reece. His knowledge of what it means to be a winner is an asset

Agree with this, and will add that it's looking likely we hand out another debut to a relatively young player this weekend, having an experienced player who (as you said) seems to be forming a good understanding with two of our young stars seems massively beneficial.

It's a long season and we've a young hungry squad. I'm certain Madueke will get opportunities, as will Mudryk, but I'm not at all surprised that Sterling seems to be top of the pecking order to begin Poch's reign.

Win this we put ourselves in a very, very good position to be among the pack come November. 

6 hours ago, True Blue23 said:

Which is just stupid, irrational dislike towards one of our players. 

Regarding "stupid", fair enough mate I dont sling insults around nor respond in kind.

Regarding "dislike", I don't dislike Sterling, I don't know the man to like him or not. I dont rate him as a player, and would sooner we use other options. If Madueke is not ready for 45 minutes we could use Maatsen instead, or Carney. 

18 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Regarding "stupid", fair enough mate I dont sling insults around nor respond in kind.

Regarding "dislike", I don't dislike Sterling, I don't know the man to like him or not. I dont rate him as a player, and would sooner we use other options. If Madueke is not ready for 45 minutes we could use Maatsen instead, or Carney. 

Just to clarify, I didn't call you stupid, but there is a general dislike towards Sterling on here that already existed before he was signed and continued on afterwards and I find that over the top dislike stupid.

Ok then it is just not rating him in your case, but can you explain your rationale why you would rather play a half fit 21 year old, who has shown nothing but flashes of brilliance over Sterling? Madueke hasn't even consistently performed in Holland.

Because Sterling performed badly last season? Because everybody did, and Sterling wasn't one of our worst players despite being played as a wing back or striker a significant amount of time.

Because Sterling had a bad Pre Season? Because Pre Season doesn't matter too much. I'd rather he performed bad in Pre Season and then play like he did against Liverpool, than him having a good Pre Season and then not really playing too well when it matters (like for example Chukwuemeka or Maatsen, who you would still play ahead of Raheem). If Pre Season mattered Barkley would still be here.

Surely you want players to be picked on merit, don't you? And on merit Sterling deserves to play against West Ham over Chukwuemeka, who had an average game against Pool, over Maatsen, who has had a good Pre Season, but has shown little in his career in professional football to suggest he's a better winger than Sterling at this level and had a bad cameo against Pool and over Madueke, who has shown some promise last season, but very little end product, and hasn't seen the pitch in weeks.

 

44 minutes ago, True Blue23 said:

Just to clarify, I didn't call you stupid, but there is a general dislike towards Sterling on here that already existed before he was signed and continued on afterwards and I find that over the top dislike stupid.

Ok then it is just not rating him in your case, but can you explain your rationale why you would rather play a half fit 21 year old, who has shown nothing but flashes of brilliance over Sterling? Madueke hasn't even consistently performed in Holland.

Because Sterling performed badly last season? Because everybody did, and Sterling wasn't one of our worst players despite being played as a wing back or striker a significant amount of time.

Because Sterling had a bad Pre Season? Because Pre Season doesn't matter too much. I'd rather he performed bad in Pre Season and then play like he did against Liverpool, than him having a good Pre Season and then not really playing too well when it matters (like for example Chukwuemeka or Maatsen, who you would still play ahead of Raheem). If Pre Season mattered Barkley would still be here.

Surely you want players to be picked on merit, don't you? And on merit Sterling deserves to play against West Ham over Chukwuemeka, who had an average game against Pool, over Maatsen, who has had a good Pre Season, but has shown little in his career in professional football to suggest he's a better winger than Sterling at this level and had a bad cameo against Pool and over Madueke, who has shown some promise last season, but very little end product, and hasn't seen the pitch in weeks.

 

 

Common sense. You're setting a dangerous precedent around here.

 

 

I was wondering about people’s thoughts on the ART of substitutions. The game allows for 5 subs. That changes everything and we need to get beyond thinking about the ideal starting XI.

Poch needs to get better with his subs and the players need to understand the fluent nature of the modern game. Against the scousers, James ran out of steam, simply ran out of steam. . . And Hey Gusto! Luckily we have a decent RB who is really really fast and he can come on and he did a decent job.

 

I think that football could learn from rugby union when it comes to subs. They are not there just to replace injuries or to come on at the end. Before the game starts there is a plan as to how to utilise the whole squad. Who starts, who comes on and when so they maximise the impact. The phrase they use is not substitutes but completers.

 

I think we have yet to see a coach who has really figured it out. It would mean that the coach would have to have total confidence in all the subs, sorry ‘Completers’, not just the fast bloke you put on in the last 10 minutes.

 

1 hour ago, True Blue23 said:

Just to clarify, I didn't call you stupid, but there is a general dislike towards Sterling on here that already existed before he was signed and continued on afterwards and I find that over the top dislike stupid.

Ok then it is just not rating him in your case, but can you explain your rationale why you would rather play a half fit 21 year old, who has shown nothing but flashes of brilliance over Sterling? Madueke hasn't even consistently performed in Holland.

Because Sterling performed badly last season? Because everybody did, and Sterling wasn't one of our worst players despite being played as a wing back or striker a significant amount of time.

Because Sterling had a bad Pre Season? Because Pre Season doesn't matter too much. I'd rather he performed bad in Pre Season and then play like he did against Liverpool, than him having a good Pre Season and then not really playing too well when it matters (like for example Chukwuemeka or Maatsen, who you would still play ahead of Raheem). If Pre Season mattered Barkley would still be here.

Surely you want players to be picked on merit, don't you? And on merit Sterling deserves to play against West Ham over Chukwuemeka, who had an average game against Pool, over Maatsen, who has had a good Pre Season, but has shown little in his career in professional football to suggest he's a better winger than Sterling at this level and had a bad cameo against Pool and over Madueke, who has shown some promise last season, but very little end product, and hasn't seen the pitch in weeks.

 

I will pick Madueke as I believe he has potential to be a class player for us IF Pochettino can coach him on his end product, and of he is ready to receive minutes. He will need game time at some point to become sharp. 

If we base it off performance against Pool then you start Sterling and Mudryk as your wide forwards. Madueke has not been able to show anything yet this season, so if we write off Sterlings poor season last year we should offer Madueke the same courtesy and see what he can offer in this team with this manager.

44 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

I will pick Madueke as I believe he has potential to be a class player for us IF Pochettino can coach him on his end product, and of he is ready to receive minutes. He will need game time at some point to become sharp. 

If we base it off performance against Pool then you start Sterling and Mudryk as your wide forwards. Madueke has not been able to show anything yet this season, so if we write off Sterlings poor season last year we should offer Madueke the same courtesy and see what he can offer in this team with this manager.

I agree that Madueke has potential and I'd like him to see him get some minutes and develop this season, but I think he now needs to be integrated slowly. Give him substitute appearances in the next two games, see how he gets on and then start him in the Carabao Cup. Starting him now is probably neither good for us nor for him, as he will lack sharpness.

Tell you what, until the team and the new keeper get comfortable and confident with each other I don't think we need to fanny around playing around at the back.

We looked petrified when we did it Sunday and it nearly led to them scoring.  Don't gift goals away .... please 

6 hours ago, True Blue23 said:

Just to clarify, I didn't call you stupid, but there is a general dislike towards Sterling on here that already existed before he was signed and continued on afterwards and I find that over the top dislike stupid.

Ok then it is just not rating him in your case, but can you explain your rationale why you would rather play a half fit 21 year old, who has shown nothing but flashes of brilliance over Sterling? Madueke hasn't even consistently performed in Holland.

Because Sterling performed badly last season? Because everybody did, and Sterling wasn't one of our worst players despite being played as a wing back or striker a significant amount of time.

Because Sterling had a bad Pre Season? Because Pre Season doesn't matter too much. I'd rather he performed bad in Pre Season and then play like he did against Liverpool, than him having a good Pre Season and then not really playing too well when it matters (like for example Chukwuemeka or Maatsen, who you would still play ahead of Raheem). If Pre Season mattered Barkley would still be here.

Surely you want players to be picked on merit, don't you? And on merit Sterling deserves to play against West Ham over Chukwuemeka, who had an average game against Pool, over Maatsen, who has had a good Pre Season, but has shown little in his career in professional football to suggest he's a better winger than Sterling at this level and had a bad cameo against Pool and over Madueke, who has shown some promise last season, but very little end product, and hasn't seen the pitch in weeks.

 

A fair assessment of Sterling for sure but a bit harsh on Chukwuemeka who I thought did quite well against Pool. Yes he had a slow start and picked up an unnecessary yellow card. But much of the team was underwhelming first 25 mins. I thought he improved as the game went on, like Conor and in the end put in a pretty decent display. That being said I don't see him as a rival for Sterling as he is a midfielder and not a winger. If anything that would be Mudryk/Madueke/Maatsen, and presumably Olise if and when he joins/gets fit.

Right now the attacking mid/no 10 spot is between Conor and carney. I like both players and both will do a good job. Conor will do much more defensive work and do it well but carney has got that bit extra on the ball and is going to excellent around the box with his fast feet, eye for the pass, strength and ability to receive in tight space. 
he has yet to demonstrate his goal scoring but otherwise somewhat reminds me of rivaldo. 

1 hour ago, forbzy said:

A fair assessment of Sterling for sure but a bit harsh on Chukwuemeka who I thought did quite well against Pool. Yes he had a slow start and picked up an unnecessary yellow card. But much of the team was underwhelming first 25 mins. I thought he improved as the game went on, like Conor and in the end put in a pretty decent display. That being said I don't see him as a rival for Sterling as he is a midfielder and not a winger. If anything that would be Mudryk/Madueke/Maatsen, and presumably Olise if and when he joins/gets fit.

Yeah you're right average sounds a bit harsh. I don't think he did badly, I think he was alright. As you said, he had a bad first 25 minutes as did most of the team, and then afterwards I just thought he was a bit quiet. Was neat and tidy enough when he got the ball, but didn't do anything special and wasn't involved enough. Not bad for a 19 year old starting one of hi first PL games for us against Liverpool, but couldn't live up to the standards he set for himself in Pre Season.

Sanchez

James Disasi Silva Colwill

Caicedo Lavia

Enzo

Sterling                  Mudryk

Jackson

Edited August 15, 20232 yr by Sconnie Blue

3 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Sanchez

James Disasi Silva Colwill

Caicedo Lavia

Enzo

Sterling                  Mudryk

Jackson

Interesting, dropping Chilwell. What's your reason for that?

               Sanchez

James T.Silva Disasi Chilwell

           Enzo Caicedo
Sterling Gallagher Chukwuemeka 
               Jackson

(Disasi and T.Silva need a pivot in front of them, positioning is key for both and not pace, Gallagher can pick up the space between the midfield and final third and he can shoot pretty well too)

 

Edited August 16, 20232 yr by Gol15

I quite like that team

How fit is Caicedo? Hasn't trained or played for quite a while.

14 minutes ago, dermott said:

How fit is Caicedo? Hasn't trained or played for quite a while.

Doesn't matter: one step on the Cobham pitch and he'll be injured, knowing our luck.

What a shame it’s only1 game a week. It’s a long wait between drinks

54 minutes ago, Valerie said:

Doesn't matter: one step on the Cobham pitch and he'll be injured, knowing our luck.

 

10 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Interesting, dropping Chilwell. What's your reason for that?

Set pieces and gives Mudryk more freedom. 

16 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Sanchez

James Disasi Silva Colwill

Caicedo Lavia

Enzo

Sterling                  Mudryk

Jackson

I highly doubt Lavia will feature from the start this weekend. Maybe on the bench. Caicedo should start though as he will have had a few training sessions by then. I won't be surprised if we start with a similar team to that which played against Liverpool:

Sanchez

James Disasi Silva Colwill Chilwell

Caicedo

Enzo Gallagher/Chukwuemeka

Sterling

Jackson

 

West Ham seem to be a bit of a bogey team for whatever reason. A win here would be big with a favourable run coming up but have a feeing it’ll be 1-1

can anyone tell me has reece  hamstring problems again seeing in some headlines but no mention on chelsea official site?

 

On 16/08/2023 at 16:47, Gol15 said:

               Sanchez

James T.Silva Disasi Chilwell

           Enzo Caicedo
Sterling Gallagher Chukwuemeka 
               Jackson

(Disasi and T.Silva need a pivot in front of them, positioning is key for both and not pace, Gallagher can pick up the space between the midfield and final third and he can shoot pretty well too)

 

Sanchez

Gusto Disasi Colwill Chiller

Enzo Caicedo Chukwumeka

Sterling Jackson Mudryck 

or

Sanchez

Gusto Disasi Colwill Chiller

Enzo Caicedo

Sterling Gallagher Chukwumeka

        Jackson

And I guess Silva is an alternative to Disasi but in a 4 I wonder.
If you don't play Silva a lot of the making the first forward pass load will fall on Colwill because Disasi is limited there.