More qualified people than me can pick the bones out of that performance technically. To my armchair critic eyes, it seemed we were playing three at the back – with Alvarez looking out of place as a centre back. Perhaps it had been decided on the team bus on the way to the ground? Looked like it.
Aaron Wan Bissaka was pushed so far up the pitch that he could have been a right winger: No wonder we were so porous. Just what has been practised all week, knowing that Chelsea were heading towards us with pace – leaving our defenders floundering for two goals was embarrassing.
I don’t think Chelsea were that good, we were just dire. Joe Cole after the game heaped praise on the Blues but our colander-like defence and defensive midfield was more culpable than Chelsea’s brilliance. Just watch the replay for Chelsea’s first goal. Mavropanos (pictured) is just jogging and never comes to challenge Jackson. Second goal, Mavropanos ten yards too far forwards chasing the ball, Alvarez again left in Jackson’s wake.
However:
Decent First Half for Summerville
I’m going to tell you something positive. The first half showing of Crysencio Summerville was excellent. He should have been awarded a ‘clear as day’ penalty. Every time he had the ball, he moved forwards and looked a threat. That formation – the front line anyway – will work.
Why Lopetegui hooked him after half time, I don’t know. I hope it doesn’t dent his confidence. He should be nailed-on each game with Kudus, Bowen and he being the first names on the sheet.
The rest of it? Somebody get hold of that defence and midfield and start again. Quickly.
………..and DON’T bring Antonio on. He’s done sad to say. Ings would have been a better shout and it hurts to say that.
And, why the last 2 subs. Anyone?
So much confusion, seems Lopetegui has a plan A, B, C, D , completely baffling as a spectator and for the players I’d say it’s pretty much the same.
I’m sure when he reviews eat he won’t have a f***ing clue either.
A little worrying to say the least
We went all out to bring Todibo to the club, one of the best CB in Europe but he plays Alverez at CB instead, he needs to be give a start next week at Brentford unless i am missing something ( to be fair i dont see him in training) but cant be anyworse basis todays defensive performance.
I’m wondering if we can’t actually afford to buy Todibo. The obligation to buy is triggered by his number of performances I believe. It is staggering that he hasnt made it into the team yet.
You seem to dislike Mavrapanos so much that you manage to find a way of blaming him for nearly every goal we concede. The performance was shocking from nearly every single one of the 16 players who took part so it’s unfair to single him out.
Talking crap
We are pressing much higher up the pitch than in Moyes reign buteaving defence thread bare.
Watched manager post match interview but his grasp of English is so poor it was incomprehensible so a bit embarrassing.
Enough! There is only one person to blame for this and it is looking increasingly like he does not have a clue. Either that, or the much acclaimed transfer window was actually an unmitigated disaster, which is it? What the hell is the problem with Todibo that he cannot even get on the pitch? How does the Greek get 90 minutes? Why pull Somerville? In what world is the solution to a disaster, to add Antonio, Cresswell and Irving?
Lopetegui has not looked comfortable in any aspect of this job so far and everything he does suggests panic. Be patient, give him ’till Christmas, the players need time to adjust, don’t be so harsh, etc. etc. I will guarantee that the players, good and bad, all know exactly what the problems are, and it is making all the pundits look spot on.
I have a theory that Todibo has told the club in no uncertain terms that he does not want to join permanently, and not to give him the 5 starts or whatever is needed to make his move permanent. I do hope I’m wrong, because he has to be better than Mavropanos, but there is no other real reason I can see to not start him ⚒️
There are other reasons. I’m sure the ITK’s will leak it soon enough.
I think the back 5 with Alvarez seemed to work at the beginning of the second half against Man City – so maybe that’s why it was tried – but Wan Bissaka is much better when he’s not told to play out of position – I am not sure that we are better off with Rodrigues and Soler than we were with Downes and JWP – and C&H has rightly raised the issue of whether Guillerme was an unnecessary luxury – worrying times – Moyes had to go after a terrible 2 seasons in the league – but it is not clear that the owners have now made the right choice
Spot on! Was gutting when Summerville was brought off, thought he was our best player, I know its only one game but him and Emerson were reminding me of Payet and Cresswell in like 2015 with their link up on occasion. Not many positives to take from the game but he looked good, if you can call it that, and I though Soler looked half decent when he came on! COYI! ⚒️⚒️
There are other reasons. I’m sure the ITK’s will leak it soon enough.
We allowed Chelsea to play through us far too easily, embarrassingly easily. Chelsea didn’t win that game we lost it.
That cannot continue as we will lose every game while it does. It’s more a team thing than individual players, nobody stands a chance if left exposed whoever they are.
There’s no point whatsoever in pressing if you allow teams to cut through you that easily, it has to stop.
Worse ever start at home losing our first games.It’s clear the players have no idea what system they are supposed to be playing and the manager states we can’t suffer very soft goals.
He has spent 150 million bringing in his target signings, and brought in his own new coaching team, yet none of them can produce anywhere near the quality of premier league performance and tactical changes in game. Summerville finally got his chance and played well then inexplicably hooked for Antonio who should be nowhere near our first team. Soucek subbed at half time last week with Antonio then brought back after 38 minutes. Sunday league defending with 2 defenders against 4 attackers and Chelsea just opened us up at will. Where is Tobido one of the best CB in Europe yet still not even on the bench? No wonder the team were booed off and thousands of fans left 15 minutes early as we had seen enough. I am running out of patience with a manager who we all hoped would deliver the style of attractive football and a top 6 finish, but now sick of seeing other teams who also have new managers outperforming us.
Totally agree with John A why press and play such a high line when teams will just play through or round you as our wing backs were playing as wingers and no back.
Even more confusing after all the subs. Taking Somerville off was a joke at least Andy Irving was given a run out even if he or anyone else knew what they were supposed to be doing. I think individually we have much better players than we have had for a while but the worst organisation I have seen for a while
Watching goal replays: for first one Mavropanos -almost relaxed- never seems to grasp the impending disaster about to happen if he fails to challenge Jackson; Alvarez trails behind unable to match the striker’s pace, and Areola is sort of frozen and does pretty little to prevent Jackson from scoring. For the second one, Alvarez trails Jackson still too slow, Mavropanos is unable to help out, but this time also Kilman trails Jackson lacking the pace to catch up with him. One concern: what if Todibo -once he plays- also turns out to lack the required pace? Tough scenario ahead and Lopetegui will have to think harder if playing a rather high line is a wise choice given our reality.
I think the fact that WAN Bissaka was not even in the frame for the first 2 goals which both came down that side of the pitch is very telling, we know MAV has no pace & not having the right back defending either meant they were playing unchallenged down our left side all afternoon.
Drop the bubble, start Todibo, tell Aaron to defend not overlap and give Ings a run up front.
Oh and every single corner we had hit either the keeper or the first defender so we miss JWP massively.