I for one find the negativity on the site and in the press very wearing, I’ve concluded over the years that if you haven’t got anything positive to say you should just be quiet.
It’s obvious that the supporters of Chelsea (I use that loosely) fall into “Glass half full, glass hall empty & glass permanently empty!”
I think the answer to your questions is a mixture of yes and no. I do think we should be doing better than we are and we’ve seen performances similar in the past, only for us to follow them up with awful performances. But largely, what Poch is saying rings true. We are a young team, not only in individual ages of the players, but as a collective. After wolves was the first time I personally said I wouldn’t be bothered if Poch moved on and I’ll admit maybe that was a bit quick. My stance now is regardless of how we do, just give Poch to the end of the season and properly review it then (like we’re told the owners will be doing)
In general, supporters got so used to us being consistent contenders for trophies and places in European competitions, that a lack of the same was a culture shock for many.
And the performances were sometimes difficult to watch, or to be proud of.
Perhaps not right away, as you articulate Luke, but this showing at Villa, I believe, will be something the squad can fall back on, as a confidence builder, knowing that when they perform to their capabilities, and follow their game plan accurately, they can compete with just about anyone !!!
I love how the squad fought hard for Potch' !!! That should put an end to the " Potch' out" talk ! I sure hope so !!!
Let's stop being a Managerial Merry- Go- Round already !!!
Pretty soon, if that continues, no one with a decent resume, is going to want to Manage Chelsea !!!
Thanks again Luke, for your balanced perspective !!!
I think one of the things that I noticed was a bit more urgency when playing out from the back without Silva in there.
I think there are too many times when he receives the ball and people are expecting it to be played quickly, but instead, he stops the play and assesses his options.
I wonder if the big call for Pochettino is to consider dropping Silva more often and let the team sort of organically grow without his presence. It felt like some new voices emerged on the pitch, compared to the team sort of warping the game around Silva whether intentional or not.
I think we saw what we have known for ages. The team has talent. Silva can’t cover wide and is not the player for a back 4. Enzo is better deeper and is good on the ball starting stuff rather than trying to finish it.
But Poch still made mistakes with the subs. Palmer should have been off at minute 60 with action Jackson moving central and chuwumeka rather than nkunku to solidify the midfield, and gilchrist on shortly after for one of the full backs with instructions to sit deep.
fair enough. We will never know who was correct. Perhaps it was unfair but I have said since the start of the season that Silva shouldn't be starting. So at least I'm consistent. Its also seemed clear to be me that the team had more potential than they were showing.
Still if all the fans and even analyst/fans agreed it would be a bit boring. I have been watching footie for 60 years but I'm still an amateur spectator.
I thought the first half was excellent and as you pointed out it showed clear patterns of play, both attack and defence.
My question is therefore what changed in order to play this way?
Was the manager not sure the players were ready to adopt these tactics?
Has the issue been playing Silva at CB, meaning we can't defend higher up the pitch, rendering a high press vulnerable to the counter?
Was Sterling/Mudryk down the left preventing this pattern?
Or was he waiting for Chilwell and Badiashile to be 90 minutes fit?
Perhaps he saw the Wolves game and thought he needed to change otherwise he was gone.
I'm still unsure about the manager and I certainly can't get behind one away win as proof we've turned a corner. I'm not sure beating a poor Palace team on Monday night will convince me we're on that road either.
At the end of the day, it's HIS job to ensure the players play a system that complements their strengths and negates weaknesses. While I'd love a league cup win and top 8 finish, we cannot have the same results and therefore discussions about his suitability next season. Unless there is a remarkable turn around in form and performances that is consistent to the end of the season, then I do think parting ways come June is best for all concerned.
I think it is a combination of everything above, having the right players is an absolute necessity and we haven't had 2 fit full backs at the same time pretty much all season, we have had players available who maybe do not suit the system and also it takes confidence to play like that, something the players have clearly not had for the most part!
It'll take time Rob, with plenty of ups and downs to convince everyone, but its a hell of a start!
Thanks for excellent analysis Luke. We have had 2 fit full-backs most of the time (not all I grant you) - it's just that Poch failed to use Maatsen at all as LB. So while I am encouraged that Poch's methods are possibly beginning to sink in, I remain wary of seeing Colwill-LB on the team sheet! I was definitely Poch out before Villa. I am wait and see for the moment. Wins vs Palace, Man City away, beat Dirty Leeds in FA Cup and pip Liverpool for the Carabao and I am half way there 😉
Might as well ask for wine in every match until the end of the season with clean sheets. This is how some “supporters” are judging the team and Poches efforts a win is a stay of execution and a loss is I told you so.
My comment was meant to be tongue in cheek Andy! My true position is let's give it to the end of the season and make a call then. I will say that I certainly need to see an improvement in our League form to be won over to Poch unreservedly. Oh, and wins vs Palace and Leeds - I am holding on to them!
Jonathan although I may have replied to your comment it’s my general position not a reflection on your post.
Personally I think there are many so- called fans/supporters that don’t understand the damage they are doing with their incessant criticism of the team & manager.
I’ve read in the last several days several commentators saying that against Aston Villa training and drills finally came together and the team on the pitch played as they trained.
It was even implied that certain players hadn’t previously bought into the training and that was showing come match day.
So perhaps Poche will now bench those players and play those that bring something to the team in terms of cohesion.
Btw I agree with Man City in the league & Liverpool in the cup final there is no room for complacency and we simply must beat Palace & Leeds and stand up and be counted against the big boys.
At the end of the day if Poch didnt see Maatsen as a full back in his system then I understand, he has to be comfortable with players playing the role to the way he envisages it
I don't think it was an overreaction. We all had a right to be very frustrated we had played 25+ games and no patterns of play. In hindsight I don't think it was an overreaction either. We all knew that the team would be inconsistent but all fans asked for players to be played in the right position. It was great to see Poch do exactly what we all saw as fans. Hopefully this is a turning of a new leaf for Poch.
Great analysis Luke, was speaking to my dad on the night of the game how it’s the most I’ve enjoyed watching us play since the Tuchel days, all us fans wanna see is progression, we don’t expect to be at the top right away. Loved watching both Enzo and caicedo combine that game and I must say Gusto and Disasi were also exceptional, I certainly did not expect this sort of performance
Nice to see this article pop up again.
I for one find the negativity on the site and in the press very wearing, I’ve concluded over the years that if you haven’t got anything positive to say you should just be quiet.
It’s obvious that the supporters of Chelsea (I use that loosely) fall into “Glass half full, glass hall empty & glass permanently empty!”
I think the answer to your questions is a mixture of yes and no. I do think we should be doing better than we are and we’ve seen performances similar in the past, only for us to follow them up with awful performances. But largely, what Poch is saying rings true. We are a young team, not only in individual ages of the players, but as a collective. After wolves was the first time I personally said I wouldn’t be bothered if Poch moved on and I’ll admit maybe that was a bit quick. My stance now is regardless of how we do, just give Poch to the end of the season and properly review it then (like we’re told the owners will be doing)
Outstanding analysis Luke !!! Thanks !!!
In general, supporters got so used to us being consistent contenders for trophies and places in European competitions, that a lack of the same was a culture shock for many.
And the performances were sometimes difficult to watch, or to be proud of.
Perhaps not right away, as you articulate Luke, but this showing at Villa, I believe, will be something the squad can fall back on, as a confidence builder, knowing that when they perform to their capabilities, and follow their game plan accurately, they can compete with just about anyone !!!
I love how the squad fought hard for Potch' !!! That should put an end to the " Potch' out" talk ! I sure hope so !!!
Let's stop being a Managerial Merry- Go- Round already !!!
Pretty soon, if that continues, no one with a decent resume, is going to want to Manage Chelsea !!!
Thanks again Luke, for your balanced perspective !!!
I think one of the things that I noticed was a bit more urgency when playing out from the back without Silva in there.
I think there are too many times when he receives the ball and people are expecting it to be played quickly, but instead, he stops the play and assesses his options.
I wonder if the big call for Pochettino is to consider dropping Silva more often and let the team sort of organically grow without his presence. It felt like some new voices emerged on the pitch, compared to the team sort of warping the game around Silva whether intentional or not.
I think we saw what we have known for ages. The team has talent. Silva can’t cover wide and is not the player for a back 4. Enzo is better deeper and is good on the ball starting stuff rather than trying to finish it.
But Poch still made mistakes with the subs. Palmer should have been off at minute 60 with action Jackson moving central and chuwumeka rather than nkunku to solidify the midfield, and gilchrist on shortly after for one of the full backs with instructions to sit deep.
I think the first part is a little unfair to the situation it goes deeper than ‘just’ that.
I disagree about the subs to be honest and I have been a big critic of Poch’s subs
fair enough. We will never know who was correct. Perhaps it was unfair but I have said since the start of the season that Silva shouldn't be starting. So at least I'm consistent. Its also seemed clear to be me that the team had more potential than they were showing.
Still if all the fans and even analyst/fans agreed it would be a bit boring. I have been watching footie for 60 years but I'm still an amateur spectator.
Thanks for your analysis Luke.
I thought the first half was excellent and as you pointed out it showed clear patterns of play, both attack and defence.
My question is therefore what changed in order to play this way?
Was the manager not sure the players were ready to adopt these tactics?
Has the issue been playing Silva at CB, meaning we can't defend higher up the pitch, rendering a high press vulnerable to the counter?
Was Sterling/Mudryk down the left preventing this pattern?
Or was he waiting for Chilwell and Badiashile to be 90 minutes fit?
Perhaps he saw the Wolves game and thought he needed to change otherwise he was gone.
I'm still unsure about the manager and I certainly can't get behind one away win as proof we've turned a corner. I'm not sure beating a poor Palace team on Monday night will convince me we're on that road either.
At the end of the day, it's HIS job to ensure the players play a system that complements their strengths and negates weaknesses. While I'd love a league cup win and top 8 finish, we cannot have the same results and therefore discussions about his suitability next season. Unless there is a remarkable turn around in form and performances that is consistent to the end of the season, then I do think parting ways come June is best for all concerned.
Hi Rob,
I think it is a combination of everything above, having the right players is an absolute necessity and we haven't had 2 fit full backs at the same time pretty much all season, we have had players available who maybe do not suit the system and also it takes confidence to play like that, something the players have clearly not had for the most part!
It'll take time Rob, with plenty of ups and downs to convince everyone, but its a hell of a start!
Thanks for excellent analysis Luke. We have had 2 fit full-backs most of the time (not all I grant you) - it's just that Poch failed to use Maatsen at all as LB. So while I am encouraged that Poch's methods are possibly beginning to sink in, I remain wary of seeing Colwill-LB on the team sheet! I was definitely Poch out before Villa. I am wait and see for the moment. Wins vs Palace, Man City away, beat Dirty Leeds in FA Cup and pip Liverpool for the Carabao and I am half way there 😉
Two wins against the best two teams in the PL ...not asking for much then, Jon!
Might as well ask for wine in every match until the end of the season with clean sheets. This is how some “supporters” are judging the team and Poches efforts a win is a stay of execution and a loss is I told you so.
My comment was meant to be tongue in cheek Andy! My true position is let's give it to the end of the season and make a call then. I will say that I certainly need to see an improvement in our League form to be won over to Poch unreservedly. Oh, and wins vs Palace and Leeds - I am holding on to them!
Jonathan although I may have replied to your comment it’s my general position not a reflection on your post.
Personally I think there are many so- called fans/supporters that don’t understand the damage they are doing with their incessant criticism of the team & manager.
I’ve read in the last several days several commentators saying that against Aston Villa training and drills finally came together and the team on the pitch played as they trained.
It was even implied that certain players hadn’t previously bought into the training and that was showing come match day.
So perhaps Poche will now bench those players and play those that bring something to the team in terms of cohesion.
Btw I agree with Man City in the league & Liverpool in the cup final there is no room for complacency and we simply must beat Palace & Leeds and stand up and be counted against the big boys.
At the end of the day if Poch didnt see Maatsen as a full back in his system then I understand, he has to be comfortable with players playing the role to the way he envisages it
Agree with that however we need consistency in performance to assess whether he is the right man for the job and players we have. KTBFFH
Lovely article Luke. To answer your questions.
I don't think it was an overreaction. We all had a right to be very frustrated we had played 25+ games and no patterns of play. In hindsight I don't think it was an overreaction either. We all knew that the team would be inconsistent but all fans asked for players to be played in the right position. It was great to see Poch do exactly what we all saw as fans. Hopefully this is a turning of a new leaf for Poch.
Great analysis Luke, was speaking to my dad on the night of the game how it’s the most I’ve enjoyed watching us play since the Tuchel days, all us fans wanna see is progression, we don’t expect to be at the top right away. Loved watching both Enzo and caicedo combine that game and I must say Gusto and Disasi were also exceptional, I certainly did not expect this sort of performance