Today's game got me thinking about the current state of the side.
Keeper
Not sure if today is the beginning of the end of just a kick up the backside for kepa. Can't say it hasn't been coming to be honest, been poor for a while and hasn't shown enough in the good games to make me think he's worth sticking with. But with the fee we paid for him I see it being a struggle to get anything like that back for him.
Defence
Seem to have settled on centre back pairing after trying out more than a few earlier in the season. I think rudiger and christiensen has alot of potential, tomori is a great third choice and can push for a start. Zouma is probably off on the summer, hopefully for a good fee. The less said about left back the better but azpilicueta can do a job until the summer when we bring someone in. James can be a real attacking weapon for us like TAA is for Liverpool with his delivery but we need to put the right players in place to take advantage or it will be a constant frustration.
Midfield
One of Jorginho/kovacic need to play to run the game for us, completely lack control when one of those doesn't play. Kante is a one of a kind and I actually thought he had a really good game today. Needs to play in a 2 to get the best out of him though. Mounts pressing and tenacity is a big part of how lampard wants us to play but unless he starts adding goals or creating clear cut chances I'm not sure if he can keep his place. Completely different player but I think RLC could take his spot due to the added attacking threat he brings.
Attack
Biggest area of concern in this team by a long way, it took two goals from our cB today to get anything from the game and our conversion rate is shocking. Can't say much about Tammy today as he's clearly not fully fit, he's scored a few goals this season and his hold up play is improving by the game but he needs to get more clinical and start attacking these balls James is putting into the box. The signs are good though and worth sticking with in my opinion. Willian and Pedro are done at this level, Willian is an effective team player but we need a lot more from our attackers going forward. Pulisic is a miss and CHO seems ineffective at the minute but we need to start getting goals from these areas or we're never going to kill sides off. Whether pulisic and CHO can add the goals needed to their game or we have to spend big in the summer I'm not sure.
Going to be a very interesting end to the season I know that, can't call any of our games at the minute so wouldn't like to guess, biggest saving grace at the minute is the inconsistency of the teams around us.
Current situation
posted on 1/2/20
If RLC can get back to full fitness he’s an absolutely nailed on starter in this team.
posted on 2/2/20
Agree with most of the OP's article. I think we need to retain perspective on players like CHO, Tammy, Mount and RJ. They are very much junior players being asked to perform senior roles in the team. They are all so far away from their full potential. Its gonna take at least two more seasons till they start reaching the levels of excellence that will confirm them as senior players.
posted on 2/2/20
Add Pulusic to the mix and the return of RLC and that is an exciting core group of players going forward.
posted on 2/2/20
Barkley has to go though.
posted on 2/2/20
Biggish
On Pulisic, I think you'll think i'm being harsh on the lad here, but I think he'll really come in to his own if he bulks up a little.
Please don't get me wrong I'm liking what i've seen so far, I just think bulking up a little would help take him up a level.
posted on 2/2/20
Par for the course...when you've still got the likes of Willian, Azpi LB, unusable Pedro, and two very unstable goalkeepers (both of which don't exude any confidence to the defence especially in aerial duels).
As for the younger players...they are still coming to terms with the physical elements that Frank and the league demands, all things considered...they've taken to it extremely well in their first full season at a tough competitive high-level with all the challenges (injuries, adapting, taxing training sessions and matches etc).
Normal process of acclimatising and a learning curve 📈
Proud of them all.
As time goes by...young players will get used to the demands and become efficient.
We are where we are in the table and CL mainly down to their contributions, some will do well to remember that before lambasting or brainlessly directing expletives towards them, through the first sign of adversity.
Now they are getting well earned break, comeback refreshed in the mind & body (notably Mount, Tammy, Pulisic played a lot).
Still of the belief that if there's one team that can pull a run of wins together again, it is us.
Once we squash the fundemental issue (and my main gripe) of failing to convert chances (which we will)...we'll pull away from the below.
posted on 2/2/20
comment by The Noble Lord Flash (U8334)
posted 2 hours, 31 minutes ago
Biggish
On Pulisic, I think you'll think i'm being harsh on the lad here, but I think he'll really come in to his own if he bulks up a little.
Please don't get me wrong I'm liking what i've seen so far, I just think bulking up a little would help take him up a level.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree Flash. Hazard was very hard to knock off the ball because of his low centre of gravity and lower body strength. Pulusic, being of a different physique needs toned his upper body strength.
posted on 2/2/20
The attack as the OP says is a big concern but surely it's no more than we expected?
Willian suprised us early season but has never been prolific in terms of goalscoring and has regressed to his form of the last few seasons where he looks great in the 1st 2/3rds but then fizzles out when he approaches the opposition penalty area.
Pedro, yesterday gave us another example why he has to go in the summer. He was completely a peripheral figure yesterday, at this level you can't rely on one good game in six.
CHO is still young and performing inconsistently, as I'd expect from any young player of his age. Raheem Sterling is 25 now and he has only become such an influential figure in the last 2/3 years, so I wish people would get off his back.
Pulisic is still an unknown quantity at PL level to me but looks to have potential.
Tammy is in is 1st year as a PL player ans doing just fine for me but I acknowledge he needs another striker worthy of the name to take some of the load off him.
What I am glad about is that we didn't capitulate to pressure for signings in the summer, that would have been no better than Batshooey or Giroud.
posted on 3/2/20
"Not sure if today is the beginning of the end or just a kick up the backside for Kepa."
Could be both.
Dropping Kepa before the break was a smart move by Frank (one of many examples of his clever management this season).
Gives Kepa time to reflect on his dismal performances and realise that he's not untouchable, despite being the most expensive goalkeeper.
With any luck, that will have the desired effect of improvement in command of his area, stronger shot-shopping/reflex saves and better judgement.