We've won only 1 away league game out of 5. So we can't we're still in a comfortable position nor we're in critical situation. Just that many other teams dropped quite a few points so far this season. As long the situation doesn't worsen from this point, we should be ok. Arsenal 5 points clear, so if they mess up, we have to capitalize and we won't if we fall to far behind.

Ya, have to agree that we are quite poor playing away from Stamford Bridge. But there are still 28 matches to go. Arsenal....if you ask me will they win the epl this season? I can't answer you yes. Ask me again in 10 games, the league table will show us the answer. Consistency is Arsenal's biggest problem. Don't forget Arsenal has yet to face Man City, Man Utd, Tottenham and Us.
Imo, the make or die period of the season will definitely be December. Iinm, about 3-4 games in 2 weeks i think. If we drop points there, really gg. So...optimistic til the max! My heart is always with Chelsea.

Spurs dy liao. Won summore. Arse will definitely challenge for the title IMO. United started to shown their true ability. Definitely going to be a 3 or 4 horse race come march.

As for chrlsea, we need to replicate our home form on the road. We only win 1 out of 5 away games now. Definitely not going to be a champion if this kind of trend continue.

On a positive note, we're still 2nd for week. But way way to close to the chasers

Disappointed with the lost... but looking back, Newcastle really wanted the win compare to our players.... our midfield really lacks that creativity and direct play... always hold the ball, pass back to defender and did nothing much... look at the quality of the players we have... we should have penetrate the defense much easier than this (a good reference is Man City, they midfield outplayed ours last game but our player is on par in terms of quality if not better).... maybe it's Mou defensive mindset comes to play... Players doesn't do anything adventurous anymore because scare of losing the ball.... limits the creativity... back when AVB and RDM were in charge, our midfield is free flow... they are given the freedom to play whatever style the player is comfortable (I know, the disaster of defense after that, but hey, we did won something with this style of play, right?)... Now that Mou is here, strict rules had been applied...

Not that it's a bad thing... but really limits the creativity in the middle of the park... last time Mata will make those adventurous passes into the middle and unlock the defense.... now, his playing style is straight forward that defender can read and prevent... same goes for oscar and hazard... I think Mou is still trying to replicate the Robben-Duff combination where we can bombard from left and right (and also Ronaldo-Di Maria style at Madrid)... the problem is our player is not in that mold... only Hazard is close to that mold, but Hazard's size is a bit small, have to really rely of speed... hopefully this can be resolved soon as November is always a tough month for us...

A question comes to mind, isn't it time we play two strikers up front? Eto'o seems like a good support role for Torres or Ba.

I thought of it before, partner up Eto and Torres, but then the problem is who to sacrifice?

Hazard surely needs to be the winger dy, Ram and Lamps for midfield duo, who to play at the right? Oscar? Shurrle seems to be the natural choice.

If we really want to play 442, we need 1 very strong midfield. Someone like PSG's Matuidi or Sevilla's Kondogbia.



This Kondogbia reminds me of a younger Yaya Toure.

This post has been edited by briantwj: Nov 4 2013, 12:53 PM

Looking at last weekend's result, the lost doesn't seem that bad...considering Liverpool losing and the rest of the pack like Southampton, Spurs, Everton all managed to draw or lose. But the performance over the weekend is really sore to the eye. It's nowhere compare to the match against City.

Hopefully we start to improve in the next couple of match....if not I'm afraid Roman might pull the trigger (you never know what Red Rom would do).

What i dislike about 2nd half the whole teams dun even have winning mentality.

tak syiok kalau everytime menang... theres no thrill... give some headache and heart ache... baru thrill

Torres damn SWAG sial

btw, what with Atletico Madrid and strikers... Torres, Aguero, Forlan, Falcao and now Diego Costa. damn

They have really good striker caoch.
Should sent all our young striker to am.
Lukaku will be godly fw if loan there.

To be honest, Falcao is not produced by Atletico Madrid. Only Torres and Aguero played at Atletico Madrid starting from their young age. Forlan had a stinct in Man Utd. Atletico Madrid is a good club yo. Many good players produced there!

Mourinho seem to be very upset with the newcastle loss

he did admit that it his fault but indirectly blame his players for not performing - "I did 11 mistakes"

way to put things subtly, salute

he forgot to include himself, should've been 12, cause..the 11 were his choices. XD

btw, why is Mou playing formation 4-2-3-1, very erm..not as 'gung-ho' as liverpools 3-4-3 (3-4-1-2).

I believe chelsea has the solid defenders needed to play a 3-man defense formation, Iva - Luiz - Cole. That way, we can accommodate a stronger midfield to push the offensives to support the strikers up front instead of the current solitary striker formation. Just my thougts Hope we get a great result against Schalke at the Bridge, Cheers!

-sorry, double post-

This post has been edited by GravityFi3ld: Nov 6 2013, 01:40 PM

3 man defensive formation you will easily outrun by opponents, we tried last time, very nervy at the back..

this season we also played with 3 defender..

3-2-3-2

when we chasing game..and play 2 strikers..

If play Mikel in mid and push full backs forward, we playing like back 3 already. Just that while defending we play 4-4 defensive line. Its hard predict what tactical changes JM will try to impose, if any, but either way I'm expecting to be impressed with our performance later.