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Apart from the first 7 minutes, we matched the European Champions. If we play like the final 38 or so minutes of the game for most of the season, I think we will be in for a very exciting time.
Let’s look at the points from the game….
RAMIS: Let’s not tear him apart and rip into him. The lad was playing his first Premeirship match. The one thing we could not replicate in Pre Season, in any way shape or form, is the pace of the Premiership. In the space of the first 7 minutes he got done twice for pace, which resulted in the first goal and then conceeding the penalty. Ramis learned a very harsh lesson. But apart from that, I though he looked solid, and very good on the ball. As I say, let’s not start getting on the lads back, please.
THE OTHER 38 MINUTES: We looked very positive. We played some very neat football, and there wasn’t a lot between the two sides. The two James’ in midfield were busy and industrious. Moses showed glimpses of why Chelsea will probably sign him shortly. Di Santo looked busy, but was quite well shut out by Terry and Luiz. If he had scored that chance in the first half, we may have clawed a draw out of the game. I like Figueroa at wing-back as well. Maloney was very busy. When Gomez came on, he was abused before he’d even touched the ball! (as per) I have to say, that overhead kick he attempted late on was magnificent athleticism. Very unlucky. Alcaraz was superb, as was Caldwell.
KONE: In the short time he was on he showed some very good touches and went close with that header. I think he will definitely be a great signing for us.
OVERALL: Let’s not be too critical and look upon it as very positive how we played for most of the game. If we play like that for the rest of the season, we will not be in a relegation fight. And let’s put it into perspective, we got beat 2-0 by the European champions with two goals that were of our own fault and making. QPR got done 5-0 at home by Swansea and Norwich got done 5-0 at Fulham. And the ‘mighty’ Liverpool got done 3-0 at West Brom.
Today was hardly a disasterous result. Play like that against most teams, and we will get something out of the game.
After Ramis’ first five minutes I had serious doubts, but he settled down well and that goal-line clearance could have been a hero in the making in different circumstances. He played some very good passes out from defence.
After Kone’s first two touches I asked if he knew George Weah. But he then started turning it on, and looks very promising.
There are a lot of teams we will turn over if we play like that, and the fact that the European Champions parked the bus against us says a lot. They looked quite shaky later on, and with the crowd in good voice there were opportunities.
I’ve come away from that game feeling OK about it, and in truth our season will be defined by games against the likes of Southampton and Stoke, not Chelsea.
I thought they were awesome man for man. For all my squaking about a right back i thought Boycie was our best player today. He got into some good positions. That Ivanovic is a bit of a belter, They want him at centre back but i have always thought he was much more effective at right back. He is in my fantasy team too
:blink: I text my mate after Ramis had got done to ask what the bloody hell was going on. I don’t think he grew into the game and i don’;t think he looked comfortable at any time. Might be better to shift him out the right side of the defence and let him concentrate on his stronger side.
few things i would of done differently today in hindsight.
2 up top is a big must without the width of Beausajour. I REALLY did think Moses looked un-interested and was trying a bit too hard in the first half.
I honestly don’t see what Watson brings to the team and would have him nowhere near the 1st team, I would have had Crusat on instead
And i hate Gomez’s diving
what worries me is we never look like scoring and it has been like that for the past two or three seasons. when we are attacking we dont seem to get bodies forward quick enough, several times today we made good breaks down the wings only to have one man to aim at in the box and the others just strolling up like next week will do. also we should get players having a go from outside the box rarther than trying to walk it in other than that it was ok, usual slow start. thought mallony was superb till he went off.
Apart from the first 7 minutes, we matched the European Champions. If we play like the final 38 or so minutes of the game for most of the season, I think we will be in for a very exciting time.Let’s look at the points from the game….
RAMIS: Let’s not tear him apart and rip into him. The lad was playing his first Premeirship match. The one thing we could not replicate in Pre Season, in any way shape or form, is the pace of the Premiership. In the space of the first 7 minutes he got done twice for pace, which resulted in the first goal and then conceeding the penalty. Ramis learned a very harsh lesson. But apart from that, I though he looked solid, and very good on the ball. As I say, let’s not start getting on the lads back, please.
THE OTHER 38 MINUTES: We looked very positive. We played some very neat football, and there wasn’t a lot between the two sides. The two James’ in midfield were busy and industrious. Moses showed glimpses of why Chelsea will probably sign him shortly. Di Santo looked busy, but was quite well shut out by Terry and Luiz. If he had scored that chance in the first half, we may have clawed a draw out of the game. I like Figueroa at wing-back as well. Maloney was very busy. When Gomez came on, he was abused before he’d even touched the ball! (as per) I have to say, that overhead kick he attempted late on was magnificent athleticism. Very unlucky. Alcaraz was superb, as was Caldwell.
KONE: In the short time he was on he showed some very good touches and went close with that header. I think he will definitely be a great signing for us.
OVERALL: Let’s not be too critical and look upon it as very positive how we played for most of the game. If we play like that for the rest of the season, we will not be in a relegation fight. And let’s put it into perspective, we got beat 2-0 by the European champions with two goals that were of our own fault and making. QPR got done 5-0 at home by Swansea and Norwich got done 5-0 at Fulham. And the ‘mighty’ Liverpool got done 3-0 at West Brom.
Today was hardly a disasterous result. Play like that against most teams, and we will get something out of the game.
goodpost goodpost Excellent post
”what worries me is we never look like scoring ”Didn’t seem that way from where I was sitting.
But we didn’t actually score though Garswood. ;)
Gomez aint a finisher and Di Santo has never been, They were the only two ever in the box. Should have done better with a couple of chances granted but need strikers in the box.
I thought the team as a whole had a sub-par passing performance – too many unforced give-aways (even Ali’s distribution didn’t seem to be quite as good as normal to me). Also, some questionable decision-making in the final third (I’m still not sold on DiSanto).
I thought Kone looked very good once he came on. I thought we actually played as well or better than Chelsea if you take away that one counter (well taken by Ivanovic) and the penalty (Ramis should have let him go – I think Hazard was running out of room to the line).
Overall, team looked just OK, not great, not terrible. Next week should tell us more.
Not overly disappointed about today. Didn’t expect to get anything but was glad to see the lads didn’t capitulate. In previous seasons would probably have finished as another 9 against.
Don’t think that Figs is right for left wing-back, would rather have had Crusat on than Figs. I think Figs was more at fault for the 1st goal rather than Ramis. OK Ramis got turned but Ivanovic was Figs man but he was too slow tracking back.
I know Chelsea sat back a bit after going 2 up but if we can play like that for the rest of the season then I think we will be OK.
I text my mate after Ramis had got done to ask what the bloody hell was going on. I don’t think he grew into the game and i don’;t think he looked comfortable at any time. Might be better to shift him out the right side of the defence and let him concentrate on his stronger side.
Very early days, but tend to agree. Personally think that in a back 3 system there’s a far better balance with Figueroa playing to the left hand side, supporting Beausejour as left wing back. Brings a better balance to the team and offers up more opportunities (going forward..)
Ramis was done twice early doors and again in the second half by Torres before he salvaged the situation with goal line clearance.
Moses did himself some credit today given the context. Kone looked busy when he came on and eager to impress. Nice touches and intelligence …
Credit to the team for not going under (cf. QPR, Norwich) after shocking first 6 minutes. The Wigan of 2/3 years ago would probably have come out the game 0-5, 0-6 worse off. Last 60 mins – not quite at the level of last season (last 10).
Next week at Southampton, I’d have Figueroa at left back, Beausejour – assuming fit and available (what happened today ?) at left wing back
and 2 off Ramis / Alcaraz and Caldwell in defence.Up front, depends on what happens on the Moses front. Pity Kone didn’t get off the mark today. After our recent disasters in the strikers department (Scotland, Bosselli, Sammon), would be great for a newcomer to make a flying start and really kick on… hopefully, the goals will come soon.
Assume Maloney went off due to injury (?). Hopefully, nothing serious and available next weekend (Gomez…sorry no; slow, slow , slow…).
”what worries me is we never look like scoring ”Didn’t seem that way from where I was sitting.
i know we had a few chances garswood but what i mean is when were attacking we dont look dangerous enough and i never feel confident that we are going to score where as some other teams going forward look like they could score every time, maybe its just me.
”what worries me is we never look like scoring ”
Didn’t seem that way from where I was sitting.
i know we had a few chances garswood but what i mean is when were attacking we dont look dangerous enough and i never feel confident that we are going to score where as some other teams going forward look like they could score every time, maybe its just me.[/quote]
Check the stats from previous seasons and tell me how many other teams have created 14 chances against Chelsea, whilst restricting them to 6?. :ohmy:
Today we got punished for two mistakes early doors, but for 83 minutes we more than matched Chelsea. I really don’t know what all the fuss is about Hazzard. Great turn and pass for their first goal and a good bit of trickery for the penalty [pish poor defending really]. He looked one lazy barsteward tracking back and drifted in and out of the game until he was finally subbed. He made no contribution of note in the second half unlike Moses who looked a threat for most of the game linking up first Boycie then Figs.
Just watched the game again when I got home from the match. The MOM for my money was James Thur and watching it again confirmed that. Great vision, great stamina, great awareness, strong in the tackle and not mentioned by any of the sky pundits, who were wetting themselves over one pass and one dribble by hazzard. :dry:From Matlock to ManU
What a journey!
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