Thing's To Ponder

[BLUENUT]

Rather than get swept away with the 'Samba crowd' here are a few thing's I've taken from our season so far:

1. Pomey at home - at 3-0 with about 10 mins to go - why not inroduce Dos Santos (our new No9) to give him his debut /home debut?

2. Away to Wigan, it's clear to see we need a plan B - Anelka can't hold the ball up like Drogba, so why play a system away from home that suit's your only forward holding the ball up?

3. Home to Spur's they fluked a goal (let's get it right - it was a flike) and we played them off the park. But I can't understand the introduction of Malouda after watching the game J Cole had? When we were chasing a goal I was screaming for the use of Kalou, who proved we leave alot to be desired 'up front' after his introduction! Does this expose our lack of attacking options?

4. Bringing on Dos Santos for his home debut when chasing a goal for the last 5/6 min's, and putting alot of responsibility on the kids shoulders, (see point 1) smacked of desperation, especially as it was at Anelka's (our only fit forward) expense.

It's nice to have a manager for a change, let alone an experienced one, but he still has alot to learn about English Premier League, the beautiful game/winning at all expense, weither it be ugly or 'sexchy' as a previous manager used to say.

On a weekend our closest rivals didn't lose any ground 'point-wise' without playing, and signed Berbatov, while we missed out on Robinho AND have a forward selection of Anelka/injured Drogba, while Manu still hold the cards of Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, and Ronaldo still to play, it's easy to see how Utd had a +20 odd goal difference going into the last day of the season last year.

I wonder what Filipe feel's about losing out on Robinho while letting Sheva, Pizzaro AND SWP leave in the weeks before?

[BLUENUT]

Copied from Loz in different thread:

Haven't read through the thread so apologies if this has already been mentioned. About 60 minutes into the game I found myself thinking how much abuse Grant would have got for starting with Belletti as the holding midfielder when it was unnecessary and then allowing so many under performing players to stay on the park for so long and for then making a change in the 88th minute. I reckon he would have got a pasting. Did Scolari get the same or is he being allowed the period of grace that Grant wasn't?

I thought it odd he started Belletti there, but he ended up being one of our better performer's ( I'm not alone - check MOTM thread) and can only think his substitution was the obvious one, as for comparison's to Avram lack of nouse, see my post above. There's along way to go before the new manager get's under my radar

Also it's not how the game started, but at 1-1 I think the question's maybe asked would Grant have finished it the same way? Possibley. Would Jose......the jury's out!

Did we start the season well or were Pompey just pony that day?

[TomW]

I noticed something with Big Phil when he was at Portugal and a similar thing now. When he is winning his teams are winning comfortably but when he isnt winning he doesn't seem to make the right tactical changes. But it's to early to start judging him, give him atleast until January before you judge him.

Edited September 2, 2008 by TomW

[BLUENUT]

I noticed something with Big Phil when he was at Portugal and a similar thing now. When he is winning his teams are winning comfortably but when he isnt winning he doesn't seem to make the right tactical changes. But it's to early to start judging him, give him atleast until January before you judge him.

He also doesn't like to be spoilt in the centre forward dept from what I've seen at International level or at Chelsea so far.

[BLUENUT]

He also doesn't like to be spoilt in the centre forward dept from what I've seen at International level or at Chelsea so far.

also...........

It's fine and dandy to play patter-cake one touch football when it's working and you're a few goals to the good, but when you need a plan B, for someone to be introduced and change a game, I personally just don't think Kalou and Malouda are the people to turn to. I'm still waiting for Malouda to beat a man and he's been here getting on for a year and half! I'm still waiting for Kalou to score a goal and turn away like he isn't suprised it went in........we have a long way to go and our lack of finishing may prove to be the difference, just like last year.

[TomW]

I think he should give Sinclair a starting place against Citeh. He can't perform worse than Kalou or Malouda judging by there recent performances. He looked like he's good enough to make it at Chelsea, he has looked promising when he has made appearances, and hes not afraid to run at a defender.

[BLUENUT]

I think he should give Sinclair a starting place against Citeh. He can't perform worse than Kalou or Malouda judging by there recent performances. He looked like he's good enough to make it at Chelsea, he has looked promising when he has made appearances, and hes not afraid to run at a defender.

Perhaps by not signing Robinho this means Filipe has faith in Sinclair and Dos Santo, but being pipped at the wire like we were, and letting Sheva, Pizzaro and SWP leave I very much doubt it!

I think our squad is lacking in certain areas after the window has closed.

[Liam]

There's no magic solution when you're chasing a goal. There are coaches who put centre halfs up front and start launching bombs in his direction which rarely works. Personally I prefer the team to continue trying to do the right thing even if that doesn't always work either.

[ethicalstrategy]

Personally I prefer the team to continue trying to do the right thing even if that doesn't always work either.

Interesting. When Spurs packed the midfield and made it nigh on impossible to pass through them I would have thought a few balls over the top to a big strong centre forward was just what was needed.

[blizeH]

Agreed with a lot of points being made, I'm far from convinced so far, and last night/this morning is the most disappointed I can remember being with CFC as we failed to secure any backup for Drogba and any good wide players (Robinho!)

One thing I will say, regarding the Tottenham game, our goal was very lucky too, and aside from a wonder strike from Essien and a beautiful lob from Lampard we never really looked like scoring either. Tottenham contained us well and made us completely ineffective and subdued :D

[dkw]

Agreed with a lot of points being made, I'm far from convinced so far, and last night/this morning is the most disappointed I can remember being with CFC as we failed to secure any backup for Drogba and any good wide players (Robinho!)

One thing I will say, regarding the Tottenham game, our goal was very lucky too, and aside from a wonder strike from Essien and a beautiful lob from Lampard we never really looked like scoring either. Tottenham contained us well and made us completely ineffective and subdued :(

wrong, you missed out anelka and kalou both being one on one with the keeper from good build up play. we made several good chances in the game, and with a strong centre forwar would have won that game fairly comfortably.

[Scott]

Yes and Aneka's miss was just dreadful.

[dkw]

Yes and Aneka's miss was just dreadful.

it was garbage, and shows how much we need drogba back, even though i cant stand him as a person. he would have put that away with ease.

[Tim W]

We were a whisker away from going in at half time 4-0 up, if that had been the case we would have all been dancing on the table with our willies out.

I'm glad we didn't get Robinho at any price and stood by our evaluation instead of our usual throw the bank at him, that's important for our future.

If we finish second while establishing Di Santo and Sinclair that's ok too.

We've still got resources to win a few trophies this year.

[forbzy]

3 games in is a little early to be judging I think. Especially when we have been without our main striker during that time. Notably the one game where we looked great was when we had Mikel playing the holding role. I think that position will be key as we no longer have the luxury of Maka and there are few players who can slot into that position with the same effectiveness. Lets hope we will have our full midfield fit and ready for the Citeh game.

[Ruh Buh Juh]

A few things:

1) BLUENUT, it's Di Santo, not Dos Santos!

2) We should most definitely bring Sinclair up, I watched him against Arsenal reserves last night (monday) and he looked very impressive. He scored a goal, would#ve had 2 but for an outstanding save by the keeper and he proved he can beat a man, but not only one, 3!

3) If we're cruising like we were against Pompey, bring him on at half time, so he has a good 45 mins to prove his worth!

4) Don't bring Kakuta up just yet, give him a few years of consitent playing for the reserves cause he's still only a youth player at the moment, but definitely we should keep him for the future.

5) Why not experiment with 2 strikers and one playing just behind them, probably Joey or Kalou? Or someone we sign in the transfer market in January?

[Ruh Buh Juh]

1) BLUENUT, it's Di Santo, not Dos Santos!

We were supposed to be signing Dos Santos in the summer (hot tip from Star!), but missed out because of the managerial situation. He looked crap against us, I thought.

[TomW]

Done nothing when he played against us so a bit more money saved there.

[PloKoon13]

Yes and Aneka's miss was just dreadful.

Where have I heard this before?

I would never have let SWP go D:

If we've only let Pizarro out on loan, we could recall him if things get particularly desperate... I know he didn't impress in his first season, but he's actually a pretty decent striker...

[paul]

im a united fan but i will try to give my honest opinion.

i think chelsea will struggle this season for a few reasons.

1)scolari has a lot to learn about the premier league..

2)essien is one of your best players, and i dont know if mikel is good enough to replace him while hes out

3)Ye are lacking something in attack. drogba is a great player, but i think anelka is past it. compared to our strikeforce, ye look light up front

[Tim]

Fair enough on point 3 and I think we have similar concerns, but as for point 2 - Essien and Mikel are not vying for the same position and, if anything, the latter is better at the DM position anyway!

[kalpitv]

im a united fan but i will try to give my honest opinion.

i think chelsea will struggle this season for a few reasons.

1)scolari has a lot to learn about the premier league..

2)essien is one of your best players, and i dont know if mikel is good enough to replace him while hes out

3)Ye are lacking something in attack. drogba is a great player, but i think anelka is past it. compared to our strikeforce, ye look light up front

Your opinion is quite modest but I disagree with you on the first point. Lookig at Scoari's experience and his understanding of the game, it cannot be hard for him to adapt.

[loz]

United are heavily reliant on two things.

1. Ronaldo coming back fit and on form - without him they would have been a long way of the pace last season (as proved by their performances and so far this season without him). I he struggles to get his form back before say Christmas then Utd may already be struggling to keep up.

2. Berbatov hitting the ground running to make amends for the missing Ronaldo. Lets face it Utd without Ronaldo are pretty toothless. Drogba alone is more of a goal threat than Rooney, Tevez, Nani and Anderson combined.

Compared to us United have had a very good run of luck with injuries in the past two seasons (as we did when we won back to back titles) - if they were to lose their equivalent players to the ones we lost in the last two years (and or the same amount of time) then they would have been lucky to finish fourth let alone still battling for the title they way we did.

[paul]

United are heavily reliant on two things.

1. Ronaldo coming back fit and on form - without him they would have been a long way of the pace last season (as proved by their performances and so far this season without him). I he struggles to get his form back before say Christmas then Utd may already be struggling to keep up.

2. Berbatov hitting the ground running to make amends for the missing Ronaldo. Lets face it Utd without Ronaldo are pretty toothless. Drogba alone is more of a goal threat than Rooney, Tevez, Nani and Anderson combined.

Compared to us United have had a very good run of luck with injuries in the past two seasons (as we did when we won back to back titles) - if they were to lose their equivalent players to the ones we lost in the last two years (and or the same amount of time) then they would have been lucky to finish fourth let alone still battling for the title they way we did.

i think nani has to step up this season. with ronaldo out for another few weeks we need another winger with pace and goal scoring prowess. fletcher has done well in his few games but i dont think he will score many. giggs doesnt score as many as he used to.

i think rooney needs to score a goal or 2 to get his confidence in front of goal back. he scored midweek for england, so hopefully that will get the ball rolling