Chelsea 1-0 Leeds - Post Match Debate

[BGwhite]

Tiago Silva out for 6 weeks . Great news for us as he's the key that keeps their back door shut for me.

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[GreennWhite]

Its all well and good talking about tactics and manager but its untimely down to the players when they cross the white line. They have to show more consistent quality than they have previously done. Its been ok at times but it still needs a big improvement in player quality when they get into these good positions to turn the good performances into points which is what we need badly.

[The Subhuman]

Needs the Match thread tag and E&B's opening at the start ...

[1964white]

Needs the Match thread tag and E&B's opening at the start ...

I amended/updated Elland's opening piece earlier today, I forgot about the match tag.

[1964white]

Tiago Silva out for 6 weeks . Great news for us as he's the key that keeps their back door shut for me.

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Outstanding CB, another old-timer proving class overcomes age!

[JoeDenver]

Doubt it will happen, but here’s my desired starting 11:

Meslier
Ayling-Koch-Wober-Firpo
Harrison-McKennie-Adams-Gnonto
Aaronson-Rutter

Gets us attacking out of the gate quickly. Aaronson and Rutter’s combined speed could pose problems for their defenders and who knows might get us an early booking or two in our favor. Aaronson can be the assisting striker that Rutter needs upfront.

But this formation gives us a lot of flexibility without leaving us vulnerable. Harrison and Gnonto can swap sides. Aaronson can drop further back into midfield or can swap the #10 with Harrison if need be. Or perhaps Gnonto, even?

I just like the speed in this combination of attackers…Chelski is slow at the back (no Thiago Silva or Reece James) and playing Patty will play right into their hands. We need to go after them out of the gate and get their crowd working against them. No one expects anything out of us for this one so I say go for broke. I just don’t see how playing Patty does us any favors here.

Subs can then be Summerville (if there is an attacker that is underperforming) followed by Roca, Greenwood, Rasmus and Paddy (or Joseph) which hopefully will be a perfect bunker, possess and counter crew once we’re ahead.

Realize my thoughts aren’t 100% coherent here, but this is my initial train of thought as to how we go about tackling Chelski tomorrow.

Thoughts?

[DDB220]

According to sky James and Mount are out as well. No idea how they will line up. Far too many options.

I do not think the team will be much different to Fulham, perhaps Bamford starts and then a toss up between Roca, Aaronson and Harrison.

Hope we have improved our set piece delivery, they are fragile at the back without Silva and struggling up front - or at least they were before today.

If we win I see a 1-0 but I am sh*te at predictions

[GreennWhite]

Going flat out at the start for me would be too risky. If we had players actually putting away the chances we make then i would say yes, but we dont. Certainly we should take opportunities to attack them but i just feel the longer the game goes on and we more we can frustrate them and their fans the more that will play into our hands.
A win isn't out of the question considering the form they are in, but i would take a point now and hopefully see more continued improvement.

[Kennyb41]

Doubt it will happen, but here’s my desired starting 11:

Meslier
Ayling-Koch-Wober-Firpo
Harrison-McKennie-Adams-Gnonto
Aaronson-Rutter

Gets us attacking out of the gate quickly. Aaronson and Rutter’s combined speed could pose problems for their defenders and who knows might get us an early booking or two in our favor. Aaronson can be the assisting striker that Rutter needs upfront.

But this formation gives us a lot of flexibility without leaving us vulnerable. Harrison and Gnonto can swap sides. Aaronson can drop further back into midfield or can swap the #10 with Harrison if need be. Or perhaps Gnonto, even?

I just like the speed in this combination of attackers…Chelski is slow at the back (no Thiago Silva or Reece James) and playing Patty will play right into their hands. We need to go after them out of the gate and get their crowd working against them. No one expects anything out of us for this one so I say go for broke. I just don’t see how playing Patty does us any favors here.

Subs can then be Summerville (if there is an attacker that is underperforming) followed by Roca, Greenwood, Rasmus and Paddy (or Joseph) which hopefully will be a perfect bunker, possess and counter crew once we’re ahead.

Realize my thoughts aren’t 100% coherent here, but this is my initial train of thought as to how we go about tackling Chelski tomorrow.

Thoughts?

I like your team but as David Beckham once famously quoted 'It all depends on the gaffers Tic-Tacs'

Lots of options for Javi, i think he'll be including Pat, i want to see if LC is available and if so whether he plays him, will tell us a lot that will, the line up should tell us his plans, i'm holding my breath for 2pm.

[John in Louisiana]

Interesting statistic: in 2023 Real Madrid have scored more goals in England than have Chelsea (5-4).

[Barlow Boy]

Phil saying Bamford may be absent today, not a bad thing some would suggest.

[The Subhuman]

Gnonto dropped, Rutter starts

[Cjay]

Was almost right.

Looks like 4-3-3.

Roca dropped for Aaronson.

Gnonto dropped for Harrison

[JoeDenver]

Was almost right.

Looks like 4-3-3.

Roca dropped for Aaronson.

Gnonto dropped for Harrison

Ahh, I was close, Summerville instead of Gnonto. But still lots of speed and formation flexibility. I like it!!

[Chilli D]

Bamford not even on the bench

[JoeDenver]

And Struijk is back. Wondering what is up with Liam Cooper? Lingering leg injury? Needs to stay away from Forshaw…

[Kennyb41]

Had a feeling Willy would soon be on the bench

Coops still using his sicknote.

[Cjay]

And Struijk is back. Wondering what is up Liam Cooper? Lingering leg injury? Needs to stay away from Forshaw…

I'm sure it was mentioned that Cooper has been struggling with injuries for ages and had played through.

Can only do that for so long until your body gives up.

[DDB220]

Strange that Gray isn’t playing 23’s, or at least not from what I have seen - just warming the subs bench. Surely this isn’t really aiding his development.

[Cjay]

Ahh, I was close, Summerville instead of Gnonto. But still lots of speed and formation flexibility. I like it!!

I just didn't have the Harrison for anyone (because he has been crap).

But tbf Gnonto has struggled recently and Harrison will work hard.