From Transfer Ban

I've been surprised by how quickly we've looked like a cohesive unit under Lampard.

Mount's a future star. All he needs is time, games and a manager would believes in him (which he has).

Tomori & Abraham are playing like guys who are exceeding their ceiling atm, both have moments in games that remind you how young they are - but that's a credit to the management, not a knock on either player.

CHO's output is disproportionate to his hype (so far) but he does look very good, second to Mount in terms of projecting genuine talent. Remove the circus surrounding him and I'd have no complaints.

But the biggest surprise has been Lampard. Removing all the Chelsea bias from the equation, he's making decisions benefiting of a genuinely good young manager. Has a set base philosophy but is flexible with system, personnel, is brave enough to experiment and smart enough to compromise when necessary..... he's doing everything AVB should've done to not only learn about his squad, but more importantly learn about himself being a vastly inexperienced leader by comparison to his peers. I thought hiring him was stupid this summer & based on this evidence I was completely wrong.

We have not had the benefit of Rudiger & Ruben at all plus Emerson & Kante for some games, Pulisic has only had sporadic appearances & shows great potential,

We can only be stronger with potentially our best 11 out on the pitch, which attacking wise could be

Kepa
James Rudiger Emerson
Ruben Jorginho Mount Kante
Pulisic Tammy CHO

If we played 4 at the back

Kepa
James Rudiger Tomori Emerson
Ruben Kante jorginho
CHO Tammy Mount

When you think that leaves Peds Barkley Alonso Azpi Giroud Bats Kova & others....it's looking pretty good

Wonder if our ban gets lifted in January...might change things

The only academy graduate that has exceeded my expectations is Tomori thus far.

Tammy & Mount I expected the step up would be seamless for them.

RJ hasn't been unleashed yet, eagerly anticipating that one. Will change the dynamics for the positive in attack.

Callum shown exactly why he's widely rated as the cream of the crop.
Delivers with direct contributions almost every time he takes to the pitch (had a rare off-day yesterday, but still a threat even if he did lack cutting-edge).

18!
Brightest player on the pitch against Newcastle.
Crucially has that (elite) speed of thought of knowing when to release and make the incisive/acute passes (as opposed to dawdling on the ball & missing the pass, like certain experienced players do).
Acute creativity and productivity is exactly what is required to breakthrough against low-block sides like Newcastle.
Split-second Quick thinking decision-making has always been one of his strongest points, first-rate.

Playing at a level which belies his age (just coming back from a major/long-term injury). Effortless measure. Let that skin in.

Generational talent going to thrive under the current management, have people on the edge of their seats and compete with the best consistently where he belongs (which should have happened last season). 
No-one to demoralise and belittle him & his formidable skillset/capabilities

Talent pool is strong and more to come through the production line like Anjorin, Gilmour, maybe Sterling.

Sheriff

Will be very interesting to see where Loftus-Cheek will fit into this. He really found his role last season as the no.8 role in a three man midfield, but if Lamps would play the 433 that role rightfully goes to Mount.

I wouldn't presume to second guess what Lampard will do cos he's surprised me many times already, but I see him struggling to break into the team.

Frank with Jody as his right-hand man sharing the same footballing ideals and the high-quality of players at disposal knew they were bound to be effective in implementing their methodology.

I'm in no doubt that the football and flexible tactics currently been displayed hasn't been heavily influenced by Jody (variety of formations deployed, high-octane pressing & quick possession-based attacking football allover the ideology, hallmarks of his very successful flexible academy sides).

Management and players on the same page, have an instant understanding of the required standard.
Message from the day Frank took over up until now, is clear and concise...that is reflected and translated in the way we are playing on the pitch.

comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
Sheriff

Will be very interesting to see where Loftus-Cheek will fit into this. He really found his role last season as the no.8 role in a three man midfield, but if Lamps would play the 433 that role rightfully goes to Mount.

I wouldn't presume to second guess what Lampard will do cos he's surprised me many times already, but I see him struggling to break into the team.
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You may be right...frankly if he's not getting in the team when fit and available - we are probably doing something right elsewhere

Frank with Jody as his right-hand man sharing the same footballing ideals and the high-quality of players at disposal knew they were bound to be effective in implementing their methodology.

I'm in no doubt that the football and flexible tactics currently been displayed hasn't been heavily influenced by Jody (variety of formations deployed, high-octane pressing & quick possession-based attacking football allover the ideology, hallmarks of his very successful flexible academy sides).

Management and players on the same page, have an instant understanding of the required standard.
Message from the day Frank took over up until now, is clear and concise...that is reflected and translated in the way we are playing on the pitch.
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They go well as a pair. Should state when I personally praise or criticize managers I'm referring to their entire backroom staff.

I dunno if I'm making assumptions (you'll know better than me), but you can see Lampard's influence on Mount just by referring to how Frank was as a player. He's got Lampard's in-game maturity, and he's got that late untracked run into the box that Frank practically made a career out of.

"I dunno if I'm making assumptions (you'll know better than me), but you can see Lampard's influence on Mount just by referring to how Frank was as a player. He's got Lampard's in-game maturity, and he's got that late untracked run into the box that Frank practically made a career out of."

Concur.
Mount is the embodiment of Frank' ideals.

Footballing IQ & nous is off the charts...from the way he makes smart decisions on the ball, deliveries dangerous set-pieces, leads the press, off the ball movements arriving in the box and exploiting space.
Selfless actions on the pitch and general worth ethic/rate have been very noticeable and potent.


The aggressive pressing out of possession is one of the best (if not, the best) I've seen at this club for years.

at ambushing.
Measured excellence when he cuts off the supply/passing lanes, suppresses the angle & space forcing mistakes. A natural.


Within 8 seconds of Ajax kicking-off the match, managed to gain possession due to outstanding pressure...set the tone throughout.