1 minute ago, just said:

It's been done here before by Conte in his first season. That worked out alright. The change to a back three was mostly to negate the neverending potential disaster that was David Luiz in a back four where he had responsibility to mark opponents.

Thats true but back then we had secretly worked on that in training before it was implemented. I somehow doubt thats the case this time.

Not to mention he'd be attempting to do it after everyone has completely lost the faith in him (players included) at this point so i'd be shocked if it worked. If anything I think he further seals his own departure as the owners doesn't fancy the system and sacked Potter as soon as he attempted to go back to it.

I doubt very highly poch will switch to a back 3 even though it definitely looks the right thing to do, he never really switches from that 4231

Poch Waffle at 1pm....

2 hours ago, just said:

 The change to a back three was mostly to negate the neverending potential disaster that was David Luiz in a back four where he had responsibility to mark opponents.

Optimistically, I wonder if the likes of Disasi/Badiashile will look more comfortable in a 3 because they wont have to cover for Silva's lack of mobility all by themselves any more

It'll likely be a good short term fix but in the long term a lot of our attacking investments will be wasted. Particularly if we ever want to utilize Paez and Angelo. 

4 hours ago, OriginalS said:

Seems a bit backwards to me as we actually looked alright against Villa two weeks ago with the standard formation. To throw everyone into a brand new system all of a sudden with no time to even attempt to implement it at the training ground sounds like an exercise in futility to me.

He's had since July 2023 to implement systems on the training ground.

We know what we are getting at Villa Park tomorrow. This is not Preston or Sheff United we are playing.

No doubt Todd is glued to the TV tonight praying that Leeds get beat.

After all just think of the marketing opportunity if we can manage to beat Villa and then have those Argylle banners out along with those tw@ts behind the dugout when we play Plymouth.

 

The better answer is not to switch to a back 3 but to pick the players that can play in the formation and to instruct the players that do play in that formation to play to its strengths and not expose its weaknesses.

So that means dropping Silva, and not doing that at the beginning was the first sign of weakness, and making Enzo play deep. Enzo doesn't have the pace but he is excellent at receiving the ball in the tight space and therefore is instrumental in beating the press. If gets the ball in the centre and can then find Caicedo who can run with it or Chukwumeka  we will do better. 

I am no football coach but it looks so obvious.

Play 343 , Sterling dives for a penalty, Palmer scores, we park the bus for the rest of the game for a season turning win. 😄 Easy game

Match Day !
 

Come On Chelsea!!

Would love a win. Not because of Pochettino but for me to stay sane reading this forum 🤣

Tactically I don't mind if we make changes although in the long run these "3 at back" experiments usually leads to people being sold and managers being sacked. Best sides in the world, for some reason, play 4 at back.

15 hours ago, axman2526 said:

We know what we are getting at Villa Park tomorrow. This is not Preston or Sheff United we are playing.

Hence my slight anxiety.

GAMEDAY!! COME ON CHELS!

We aren’t winning this set your expectations accordingly 

2 minutes ago, El regreso said:

We aren’t winning this set your expectations accordingly 

But we haven't lost yet.

We need to get behind the team and support them. None of this "we are f***ing sh*t" being sung like Sunday. 

Come on the Chels

 

 

Well....my hopes have been eroded....I will obviously get a certain nervous excitement watching tonite but sadly I always look at the worst scenario as an outcome....as I do tonite....not like 50 yes ago....expected nothing....normally got nothing...but had great days home n away and it was generally a pleasure....good luck Chelsea team....6000 chelsea fans....PLEASE MAKE A NOISE..

We can win this if Poch picks the right team and the team ignore his instructions and just play sensibly. We can score two even if they get one. 

Hope they don't play Enzo

Reckon as soon as we lose this and lose the final to Liverpool, this manager is gone.

12 minutes ago, ozboy said:

We can win this if Poch picks the right team and the team ignore his instructions and just play sensibly. We can score two even if they get one. 

It does matter what formation and line up Mauricio picks. . .it does and he could mix it up a bit.  He could try 3 CBs again and he should imho go with a 4-4-2.  BUT more importantly it is what players show up.  I am thinking about that 4-4 with Citeh. Our players showed up that day and they were decent.  Our players are erratic kids.  They can play football.  Sometimes. I hope today is one of those days.

Our players are high on entitlement and low on hunger. Can't see them beating a well put together team with a good spirit.

2 hours ago, Zeta said:

Reckon as soon as we lose this and lose the final to Liverpool, this manager is gone.

Did read somewhere a theory that his job is safe until the possibility of securing European football next season has gone 

1 minute ago, carrickblue said:

Did read somewhere a theory that his job is safe until the possibility of securing European football next season has gone 

Thought that would be the case too but Potter was sacked before the Real Madrid tie.