Don't get me wrong - Premier League Managers know far more than me, and I am a mere amateur player and armchair pundit.
But.
It's been patently obvious to me for sometime that Torres has been struggling for Chelsea due to a lack of decent service, and by decent service, I mean incisive passing that picks up his movement quickly and efficiently.
It's no coincidence that Torres looked a different player in the second half yesterday, when Mereiles was the player making those passes instead of Lampard.
Lampard served a purpose in a team with particular structure, but he does tend to slow play down and rarely sees the run off the shoulder, that is Torres' trademark.
I'm sure AVB knows this, hence his pursuit of Modric, and I think Chelsea will be a dangerous proposition if that issue is resolved i.e. Lampard - dropped.
Torres - the simple secret to success
posted on 19/9/11
dependabledennis (U2272)
It is
It's on both pages because it's largely related to yesterday's came - feel free not to comment if you don't care.
posted on 19/9/11
Nice to see an article not about his miss!
I agree with all of that. Lampard has been a superb player for us over the years but with a new style of play we are trying under AVB he quite simply doesn't fit in.
posted on 19/9/11
He needs to have long girly hair to be good.
When he cut it short he was awful, long it's getting long again he's looking better.
posted on 19/9/11
JohnTerrysHardTackle - Kalou IS a good squad player! (U1634)
Misses happen mate, to the best of them, it would be a cheap shot to go on about it!
In the second half Torres looked dangerous... I was biting my nails. He also got that 'bite' back, which makes me dislike him but is a sign of his confidence returning.
Quality player.
posted on 19/9/11
Think this thread we go down better with Chelsea fan's, on their board.
posted on 19/9/11
RooneySHeader (U9953)
That's good then, seeing as it is on their board
posted on 19/9/11
askdannyjeeves
He no longer has any excuses. His comments about us playing very slowly were true (should never have made them public though) but anyone who saw the second half yesterday will testify that we are moving the ball far more quickly now than for a long time.
It was at the point yesterday when he took on two defenders with some lovely skill and forced De Gea into a great save that I finally thought we are seeing something approaching what he is capable of.
Hopefully the miss wont set him back too much.
posted on 19/9/11
i think what yesterdays game shows is that torres is getting back to his best, but isnt quite there yet. the miss was probably down to the fact that, even though he played well yesterday, he is still a bit apprehensive about showing his worth and rushed a shot he could have passed into the net.
posted on 19/9/11
due to a lack of decent service,
==========================
pretty decent service for his goal and his horror miss.
what is wrong with torres is that his head isn't right and he's got a massive 50m pricetag now to live up to.
posted on 19/9/11
phil jones - oshea's spiritual successor (U10004)
Misses happen.
He caused us big problems yesterday, in the second half. Jones dealt with his running off the shoulder well, but Evans didn't and was at fault for the goal imo.