First things first, well done to the lads. Regardless of the opposition after seeing spurs, west ham and united all make a mess of things it's good to get the result and score plenty of goals. The biggest thing I took from the game was
Reece James is a baller, the guy is going to be a breath of fresh air when he finally comes into the first team, Tammy must be licking his lips at the service he's going to be getting from right back. Class on the ball, quick strong and I think he will bring a new dimension to the side.
Billy gilmour looks like he has the potential to be a very special player, for his age and size the way he ran the game was like an old pro. I think the league and da Cup could be a great way to get him some game time this season.
CHO looks rusty and we should be very careful easing him back into the side. There's no rush with him, after such a big injury and a quick turn around I think we need to take our time and get him back to his best. Long term he's that important to the side I think a week or two coming off the bench for 20/30 minutes is the way to go.
What has happened to pulisic? Pre season and even the first couple of games I was very excited to see him playing regularly. I think some of it has been to do with playing 5 at the back but he was given a chance to impress yesterday and he didn't take it. Does Frank not rate him or is it a case of getting him up to speed?
Michy took his goals well and showed I think he deserves abit more game time than he's had so far. Looks like he's established himself as our second striker over giroud and probably deserves a start or two along the course of the season
Job well done
posted on 26/9/19
Also don't think Giroud will go or is any further down the pecking order. He is an alternative to Tammy/Bats who are imo pretty similar in style. These guys cannot hold the ball up as well as Giroud or are they as good in the air - think a fit Giroud yesterday gets a hatrick if I'm to be honest, lots of good crosses with no one on the end.....or in some cases people on the end but who aren't very good
posted on 26/9/19
good analysis JP
Dunno what's occurring with Pulisic...I hope he gets a grip & pushes for a starting place
So refreshing to see the youngsters embracing their chances & looking so good, two goals from Bats...wow...who saw that coming, I didn't...nice to see though
Can't wait until Rudi & Rubes are back...we will actually be stupid rich with potential all over the park & players chasing starting berths every week
Frankly, any time we are not using Azpi Alonso or Giroud in a starting line up we are looking very capable against almost anyone...
Liking what i'm seeing this term, despite a mixed start
posted on 26/9/19
Yesterday and this season as a whole has been extremely fulfilling and encouraging.
Frank (+ staff) have broken down the pathway barriers, broke through to rightly facilitate the spirit and environment on building a young strong (successful) core.
Franks commitment & faith in youth, selecting on merit and level-playing field is admirable...should keep at it.
His invested time in (standout) academy products/graduates will pay dividends...they are the ones that will ultimately take to his methodology like duck to water, through the course of the season.
Current management making serious inroads on sustainable progression, galvanising the club and I'm loving minute of it.
Feels good for the spark, elation and attachment to return, after the shambolic disconnect last season.
The end of short-termism
posted on 26/9/19
The end of short-termism
Until our transfer ban ends...we'll want to spend the Hazard money I daresay...but hopefully we've integrated the best of our youngsters by then
posted on 26/9/19
Sheriff, yep lol.
I know this is exciting, and I hate to be 'that guy', but lets give it till the end of the ban at least before declaring a new era beginning. Nothing in our recent history suggests we'll stick with this philosophy longer than 2 years max. We don't even have to be doing badly for completely u-turn our entire direction as a club, we've proven that so many times over the last 15 years.
posted on 26/9/19
Well this is different.
The structure has changed...full of staff/management that truly live, breath the club (GETS what it means to represent the club), coupled with the manager having a direct line to Roman.
No third-party, which is more than any other manager had over the last 15 years under Roman.
Also the appointment of Cech could turnout to be a shrewd masterstroke...Roman listens to Cech, respects his opinion and generally trusts him.
This is an unprecedented step and direction, which can't be compared with previous.
Uninterested about past history, not relevant to present.
Managers in the past, particularly the last 3...never thought long-term, for the good of the club and future prospects.
All about themselves & spending big on middling players in transfer market.
If you want to dwell on the past, you can.
I certainly won't dwell on irrelevance, neither will I stop being on a high of this season.
posted on 26/9/19
I hope your right. More than anything what we've needed for years is to re-establish some kind of identity by having a direction and sticking to it longer than a few years.
I really wanted to believe Mourinho (and his ideals/connection with the club) was it, I wanted to believe Sarri and his brand of football was it, and I really want to believe this is it.
posted on 26/9/19
Our next transfer window will be insight into the longevity of this. If we re-invest the Hazard money into going big on one or two players rather than spending it out across three or four that's a good sign
posted on 27/9/19
Frank & Morris factor is what will (hopefully) allure top-tier talent in future transfer windows.
Publicity Frank is getting for endorsing, promoting young talent coupled with Franks' proactive playing style will considerably help the process.
Moreover...players crave security (more than anything nowadays) & that's what they'll get under this current management.
That's the biggest advantage and upside of this approach & direction going forward.
posted on 27/9/19
Frank's allure factor isn't what I'm talking about, players will come or they won't, it's about the club's mentality and whether it's really changed.
If we go big on our primary targets next summer and trust youth players to fill in the squad places, that's a demonstration of faith in Lampard's approach. Not suggesting they're bad players, but if we see signings like Emerson, Drinkwater, Barkley, Giroud, etc... that's same old same old, nothing changed.