Not as dynamic as before but this game feels so much more secure. Doesn’t hurt that Palace’s ancient midfield can’t effectively press Jorginho.
also the 4-4-2 they are using leaves them a bit shorter in midfield. Jorginho has been a lot better than we normally see him though. Hats off to Frank for playing him in this game. I was worried about zaha but with the forward 2 instead of forward 3, the centerbacks have him under control on the counter.
Penalty up 2-0 and jorginho takes it off our star striker who doesn’t have a goal yet? Fuck him. Werner needed to take that. He wanted it.
2nd for Jorginho is so fucking stupid. Give it to Tammy or Werner. Should have gone to Werner. Class by Werner to not fight it out though and congratulate him after the goal. Tammy was not happy
Well that was fun. Didn’t really get challenged but feel a lot better with Mendy in there. Get Chilly some French lessons and we’ve got a stew.
4-0 win in a game that should have been won and that appeared to be comfortable is a welcome sight. Hope they build on it.
zoumas impressive talent next to a veteran centerback is a better combination than we’ve had in awhile.
Looked like Tammy and Werner were arguing about who was gonna take the PK, Azpi probably gave it to Jorginho to shut that down. Chilwell's crosses are awesome.
It’s now in the realm of “I’d think about it” but it sounds like it’s just an option to buy. Still wouldn’t do it but will be a lot less irritated if he goes for that rather than a free from a few seasons ago.
No idea who will end up staying/going in the next 24 or so hours but we have left a lot of outgoing deals late. I’m just not sure we are going to be able to shift a lot of these guys out. Going to end up with a few name players on high wages in the dev squad. Maybe a chance to retain some wages and loan some out in the championship. I believe we can loan to the lower divisions of English football for 2 weeks after the window shuts.
sounds like maybe chelsea wanted loan with obligation and they would only do a loan. Still, I’d rather us just get rid of Alonso for a season and worry about selling next summer. I would be ok loaning Alonso and Emerson.
we got a clean sheet against zaha. I think our defense did just fine. That tweet was made judging only the first 28 minutes of the game. I’m cool with us starting a bit slower and having a defensive structure for the first time since frank took over.
because we had pulisic. Now we have ziyech, Werner and havertz. These are people who can unlock defenses. What we need to do is play with defensive structure and trust that these players will make things happen. We’ve been entirely too exposed far too often since frank took over.
Keeping Emerson and Alonso as backups who don’t even make the bench most games would be really bad for us. Marina has not been able to pull off her normal magic of getting people off the wage bill in this covid window.
Happy for him. That RB position is so competitive. I hope they give him a look in the midfield. We might end up needing him there at some point this season.
Alonso, rudiger and kepa are going to form the most expensive back 5 in the history of English reserve football. Our reserve team will still give up 3 goals.
Nothing wrong with possession, and yes we looked way more solid, but I swear Azpi was the only one from the back on Saturday hitting entry balls up the field. There were more than a few times where the defense passed up clear opportunities to move it up or switch the play, in favor of getting bogged down with a short pass to the wing. Going forward, it would be nice to see some more incisivness in that area.
what is your issue with this map? That the defense plays too many sideways passes? Unfortunately that Is always going to happen if we have Jorginho and kante on the field. Especially if the other team isn’t really pressing. Jorginho and azpi did start playing some longer balls. We need more of that. Werner also just doesn’t seem super comfortable at LW. I like the idea of playing chilwell almost as a wingback and azpi (if he’s playing) as more or a CB at times. This allows us to get width on the left with Werner drifting farther inside but this works best if you have a DM that can step into the defense at times. Jorginho did this well positionally speaking at times on Saturday but he will be exposed if he actually has to defend in these situations.
Looks like no outgoing business maybe 1 late. Rudiger now staying to be 5th CB. Only good thing is the window is so late this year that January is only 12 weeks away and a lot earlier in the season than normal. our outgoing business has been as bad as our incoming business was good this window.
A lot of people don’t like the move but I do. He needs games. He is already settled in London and can stay around his support system and get games. He just needs to work his way back in shape and see if he can find form by the end of the season. our midfield is now on the lighter side and we have too many defenders. Christensen of one of the fullbacks may end up playing some midfield.