1 hour ago, ozboy said:

If the pitch (in Atlanta I think) is any good then I think we can win this, which is of course not saying much. The squad will be fitter, Caicedo may get a few minutes, and understanding of the system and how to fit in will likely have improved. 

Notwithstanding the players are young and therefore will adapt to new ideas faster than older players it's still hard to learn new stuff. Hard doesn't mean bad though.

I'd like to see Fofana, Lavia and Chukwuemeka continue to get minutes and see improvement. Ugo too. The time to have them on the field is now before Enzo and Caicedo take over in midfield. 

I've seen enough of Badiashile. Might just be a confidence thing but I dont think he has the head for the premier league. Disasi does have the head for it even if a bit lacking technically.

I'm concerned about the pitch.  The first game of Copa was in Atlanta and the pitch was awful.  Granted, that was over a month ago so perhaps its flattened, but I've been on the artificial pitch there enough times to tell you its just bumpy below whatever they put on top.  Be interesting when the world cup is here as Fifa require some near foot of substrate under the grass rather than rolled sod.

Hoping for a win.  Hoping for just a better performance and fitness.  Something to atleast build confidence from.

 

We keep tuning in for these friendlies in the hope that something different will happen.

Isnt that a sign of madness?

3 hours ago, OneTommyLangley said:

We keep tuning in for these friendlies in the hope that something different will happen.

Isnt that a sign of madness?

Not yet...lol

 

Pat Nevin and a few other articles posted explain its more about fitness for the most of preseason, and getting "familiar" with tactics but the proper tactical work happens at cobham!

preseason apparently is about young/new players running about a lot. Experienced players easing into it and not running too hard if they don't have to and stuff like that...

 

Personally, I really do hope that's the case...

 🤞 

10 hours ago, OneTommyLangley said:

We keep tuning in for these friendlies in the hope that something different will happen.

Isnt that a sign of madness?

Well, Man City has lost all 3 of their pre-season friendlies so far.

Hence proved, Pep Lite > Pep Original. 😜

At least they are scoring goals. 

19 hours ago, OneTommyLangley said:

We keep tuning in for these friendlies in the hope that something different will happen.

Isnt that a sign of madness?

According to Einstein. That is if you put any weight on his words 🤣

Everyone got alarms set for tonight!

I'm already falling asleep from the heat, it's going to be a long night!

Any word on the starters and the subs yet?

Do I watch this or the women's beach volleyball highlights from the Olympics?

Not that much of a tough decision.

Is there a way of watching this without giving the yanks money?

I know they’d spend my £5.99 on some overrated Mexican wonder kid.

1 hour ago, just said:

Do I watch this or the women's beach volleyball highlights from the Olympics?

Not that much of a tough decision.

Save it for after the match, you'll need the R&R. Plus you can replay the best bits and take your time on iplayer. 

Edited July 31, 20241 yr by Simplymo

2 hours ago, Upb78 said:

Any word on the starters and the subs yet?

None yet mate

 

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/match/chelsea-vs-américa-friendly-2024-08-01?tab=match-day

Gusto as left back...hmmm, OK!

Badiashile again 🤦‍♂️

Looking forward to seeing Reece and Gusto in the same team, but I'm a little concerned about the lack of depth at GK on the bench.

Enzo fit but not Caicedo?

Lol poor Marc Guiu, trying to impress while having the selfish, bad desicion maker twins on the wings and Cristo behind ain't much less selfish.

Just now, Sconnie Blue said:

Enzo fit but not Caicedo?

Didn't Enzo come back early from holidays to sort the issues out? Maybe that is why.

This is the really dodgey pitch from the Copa America right?

Who you go going down injured? I reckon that's why Fofana has been left out.

2 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Enzo fit but not Caicedo?

Caicedo played twice the minutes that Enzo did at Copa America.

Caicedo didn’t even warm up. Enzo did, be interesting to see if he gets any mins. 

Pitch looks horrible, like it will cut up easily. Can see a few twisted ankles happening on this pitch. 

How did the US get the rights to the next World Cup when their pitches are this bad? 

 

is it a delayed kick off again ?

1 minute ago, Scott Harris said:

Pitch looks horrible, like it will cut up easily. Can see a few twisted ankles happening on this pitch. 

How did the US get the rights to the next World Cup when their pitches are this bad?