Henderson

I don;t think it had anthing to do with Europe. I think Chelsea did so well last season as they played their strongest 11 most of the season. Their fitness coach needs a pat on the back as they had hardly any injuries to key players compared to other top 6 teams. They were very lucky with that.

Injuries and # of games played go hand in hand. Basic sports science this really, more recovery and prep time means better conditioning.

comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 17 minutes ago
You struggle with basic concepts IRL as well Robbing?
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Clubs in Europe have bigger budgets for bigger squads. That's why team in Europe finish at the top of the league every year in every country. Or do you refute that?

Being in Europe has an impact which is exaggerated by fans of a team that is in Europe but being outdone in the league by another that isn't in Europe.

It also has an impact that is understated by fans of a team that is not in Europe but outdoing another team that is in Europe.

The true impact is somewhere in the middle and furthermore, it is dependent on a myriad of unpredictable factors, so much so that none of you can be said to be completely wrong.

That being said, that extrapolation would confirm that none of you can be said to be right either.

The thing I don't get is why when challenged in a debate you have to start going like 'fans of this club are like this' and other sheet like that to deflect from you're inability to argue your point.

Both points are both valid and invalid to a degree so coming out with that tripe shows who the weaker debater is.

comment by T Bone Steak Roysters (U3947)
posted 6 hours, 55 minutes ago
We are missing Lallana badly. He does the pressing from midfield. Hendo is not a presser and it showed last night and he is not agile enough and gets turned easily as he is flat footed.
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I totally agree with regards to Lallana. At this moment in time he is more important and is missed more than Couts, although some will criticise that. Henderson though has to be given time to get back up to speed, and it's in games like these that he will get there. Yes, he made mistakes, he's not alone in that, but he has got one hell of an engine in him.

JimmyTheRed

Leicester still have a lot of the squad that won the title 15 months ago.

They should definitely be crashing the top 6 if a handful of games in Europe is such a massive deal.

chelsea won the league because they offloaded jose more than the fact they played a few less games.

You play either cout or lallana in midfield, not both and its coutinho all day (unless youre playing someone carp)

I remember Souness saying that different players need different numbers of competitive games to get match-fit for a new season.

He reckoned it was 5 or 6 games before everybody was at peak fitness, and before that point, form and performance vary a lot between the players.

So, if that's true...early days yet, to be making these judgements.