Decided to make my first article after a couple of years lurking on the chelsea page here.
Firstly, I'd like to say good win by the team tonight in the sense we grinded out a result from what was evidently a tough match. However, the difficulties we faced could have easily been alleviated with a few changes to the starting line-up from Mourinho:
- I doubt I was the only blue surprised to see Lampard starting again today. I admit he is a great goal threat from open play as well as set-pieces (as shown again today) but I believe he's extremely detrimental to the way our side plays. Lampard is and always will be a goal-scoring midfielder, he is not the kind of player to keep a side ticking over such as Modric or a Xavi type. Once he receives the ball, more often than not he'll look to make a quick pass and burst forward into the box. Considering the amount of attacking talent we have in our band of three this is wholly unnecessary as it congests the central areas and leaves our midfield looking disjointed. In addition to this, it shackles Ramires as he has to perform the role of defensive midfielder, a role which does not play to his strengths (intermittent bursts of pace into the middle and final third). The effect of having a "deep-lying playmaker" in Lampards position was evident when Oscar dropped deep frequently in the latter stages of the second half. Our play looked more fluid and dynamic as he got around the pitch making quick, short passes to drag Villa players out of position. Lampard does not have the energy levels to perform such a role and as such I think Lampard should be nowhere near our central midfield in a 4-2-3-1 against decent sides
- Secondly, Mata should be nowhere near the right-wing in a 4-2-3-1. He was almost completely ineffective in the early stages of the first half when he was marooned on the right-hand touchline. We were only able to see more of his playmaking talents when he dropped deeper and more central later on in the game. Therefore, I believe it should be either Oscar or Mata in the centre whenever we play 4-2-3-1. However, something that would suit us even better is a 4-3-3 where Oscar can play on the left of the middle band allowing him to drop deep and dictate our tempo and Mata on the left or right of the striker with hazard (switching when necessary). Ramires on the right of the middle band of 3 will be able to take some of the responsibility of providing width on the right side. This also allows ramires to make his trademark dribbles into the opposition half as he will not be concerned about leaving our back four exposed:
-------------------------Essien/Mikel/Van Ginkel-----------------------
Ramires/Van Ginkel -------------------------------------Oscar/Lampard
--------Mata/KdB/Moses -------------------Hazard/Schurrle/Moses
------------------------------Lukaku/Ba/Torres-------------------------
- Finally, Lukaku has to be our first choice from now on. In the game, his pace and strength created the freekick (from which we scored) in addition to a couple of decent shots on goal he had that could have resulted in a more comfortable lead in the closing minutes. All arguments for Ba I've heard have simply referred to his hold-up play but from the 25 minutes Lukaku was on I could see his hold up play wasn't far behind if not better. We looked a much more dangerous side once he was introduced and I honestly think the game would have panned out a lot better if Mourinho had made the decision to start him.
All in all - I'm happy we got the result as it was a real title contenders win (play badly but still get the 3 points). But the tactics and team selection from Mourinho left a lot to be desired.
KTBFFH
Good win - questionable team selection...
posted on 21/8/13
Welcome
Agree with your 1st and 3rd points.
I think Mata is just lacking fitness at the moment, he was excellent at RW under RDM and I'm sure he can replicate that from if not better it under Mourinho.
posted on 21/8/13
Think we should have started with Lukaku and Schrulle for Ba and Mata. The pace of those two would have caused Villa huge problems with their high line.
posted on 21/8/13
Hope I'm wrong but I'm not sure he can.
posted on 21/8/13
Welcome to Ja606
I couldn't agree more with the need for a 'tempo setter' in central midfield. We have a range of talents there, the goals of Lampard, the energy of Ramires, the enthusiasm of MVG but we desperately need someone who can dictate the tempo and until we get that, we will continue to struggle to truly dominate games.
It's probably not fair to write Mata off as a RW after be game but there are definitely some concerns there, he isn't quick enough to trouble anyone with pace and he can't get on the ball as much.
And Lukaku simply has to start now, he showed more heart and desire in his 10 mins than Ba and Torres had in their time on the pitch combined.
posted on 21/8/13
Get a proper username
I was surprised to see Lampard start and I thinkk it was a poor decision from Jose. Playing a 35 year old who got 80 minutes against Hull just 3 days ago should have been out the question IMO. Surprised he did not make use of MVG he he seemed a big fan of pre-season.
KDB should also be a big consiideration as one of the starting midfielders in 4-3-3. It is effectively the position he played for Bremen, a box to box role in 4-3-3. Got 10 goals in 33 league appearances.
posted on 21/8/13
I think the Lampard - Ramires pivot is a problem.
Ramires is at his best when he's able to bomb forward using his pace to get behind defenders.
He can't do that with Lampard as he's the one who has to hang back.
Play Rami with a more defensive minded player and we will be a lot more effective.
I love Lamps as much as the next guy but he should only be a squad player now.
posted on 21/8/13
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posted on 21/8/13
g7 and JTHT- I agree I may have been a bit harsh on Mata as this was his first competitive game back so he may have been a bit off the pace. However, he lacks the pace to beat his man in the manner of Hazard or Moses so playing him on the wing wouldn't play to his strengths. What he does have is the footwork to steal a yard and make one of his incisive passes as well as possessing the best first touch I've seen in the prem so I think he's definitely more suited to a more central role even if he can play adequately on the wing.
TBK - the decision to play Lampard so soon after Sunday is made even more confusing considering the wealth in depth we have in that area. I feel our best formation is definitely a 4-3-3 considering the players we have as Oscar and KdB(as you said) can provide that tempo setting midfielder we're lacking in deeper areas. As blueboy said - the Lampard-Ramires pivot is easily our weakest midfield option and I just hope from this lacklustre display that Mourinho avoids using it so frequently in future matches.
posted on 22/8/13
What Gazza said.
Also I would add, Villa are impressive.
They are very organised, defend well, are ligtning fast on the break and very physical. I noted that when there where calls for throws, corners, fouls anything, you had all their players calling for it or surrounding the ref. When the Ivanovich incident occured even the keeper went running halfway up the pitch to get involved and inedded at the fianl whistle they surrounded the ref to continue voicing their complaints. Lambert has injected some steel into his team and they should do well this season. They have to watch their bully boy tactics though, they like to dish it but don't like to take it and seem to want anyone that goes near them booked, the ref didn't fall for it last night but Arsenal suffered from it for sure. I think over the season more refs willl wise up to them.
posted on 22/8/13
Pace isn't the only way to beat your man though. Mata will be effective on the right by drifting inside onto his left foot, playing passes over the top, one-twos etc. That's how he was effective in that position under RDM. Give him time