Chez

that fact he lasted 18 months and 66 games at Watford is pretty impressive these days.

Very hard to predict those other games. We have struggled to beat teams, so none are going to be easy, home or away. Our form and performances have been terrible, but if it improves (let's say we beat Leeds, confidence will start to come back) then games like Leicester will appear winnable, rather than daunting (as mist have recently). One game at a time. Leeds is huge. Win it, we join the pack and we get on a run. Lose and we are back to square one - relegation bound.

I thought we transitioned to a five at the back non pressing side over the summer?

I thought there was a Zagreb fan on here saying that left wing was his best position rather than left midfield? Maybe I got that mixed up. I have to say he hasn't impressed so far in the games he has played. He doesn't look like has any pace, dribbling skills or much physicality. He reminded me of Ely to be honest. I was hoping he would be brimming with confidence and look to go at fullbacks, but instead he looked very timid and just passed it rather than make something happen. That said, I was surprised he was dropped from the match day squad completely. I guess the other players could argue `why am I not being picked when he is not doing it?', but they have all had plenty of chances. Players can take a little time to settle in, so I am hoping he finds his feet and we see what he is made of. But he has to earn a pace in the squad/side by impressing in training. If he isn't doing that, then that's down to him.

Spurs winning. Handy. Feel dirty cheering on sides like them, but needs must now.

If we are playing 4-4-2, what exactly are the other options on that left side? AA is no midfielder, Alcaraz plays more central, Edozie is a winger, Aribo doesn't run, so that leaves Djenepo.

We do well when teams turn over possession to us, be it forced or just because they are playing badly (maybe as a one off or due to their own poor form). The press has been terrible since we started messing around with formations and personnel. Perhaps returning the familiar formation and using players like Armstrong and Ely we can get that press working again and force Leeds to make mistakes. Sumelana can then give us a threat or the break and Onuachu can get in that size yard box and score the goals we need.

We are desperate for back to back wins, a bit of confidence and with that a bit more quality and adventure in the final third to hep s score some goals. We have been unable to get behind teams or create overloads or anything really.

probably, but Ralph also fucked around with the formation this season, and the players didn't look like they knew what they were doing under him either. Going back to the 4-4-2 that the senior players had played for a long time was a good move.

We have to beat Leeds really. There are only so many opportunities to dig yourself out of a hole. They are there for the taking and we have a little confidence. Huge game. A draw won't be helpful enough at the end of the season.

he's got a great first touch, so always looks comfortable. His problem is that he just doesn't offer much in terms of creativity. He lacks pace, doesn't dribble and hardly ever picks a pass. There was a great break opportunity in the second half and with more quality we'd have been in but his through ball was pathetic. There is too much of that. If you are going to play in a more attacking midfield role, you have to deliver and he just hasn't. Maybe in a flat four man midfielder the expectation to do that is less.

We came out of the blocks quickly and created a great early chance and never looked back. We passed it out of the back very well. Every pass was spot on, very crisp and the players touch was great. Lots of really brave stuff in possession, especially from Lavia (who had a great game). We played 4-4-2 and everyone seemed to know what they were doing. Work rate was good, it forced Chelsea to make mistakes, and they made a lot of them. We didn't create much, but we dominated the ball and the play. Onuachu had a very good first half, showing a great first touch, hold u play and keeping possession under pressure. He gave Chillwell a torrid time and almost scored from a nice cross from JWP. Chelsea posed a threat on the break, but not overly scary. We were pretty physical. Lots niggling fouls that unsettled them. We took a couple of `good yellows'. It was a decent attack that forced the foul and JWP did the rest. Second half we lost our way a bit. Onuachu was subbed (rightly as he was out on his feet) as was Sulemana (who wasn't overly impressive) and Armstrong. We had fresh legs, but they spent a lot of time chasing after Chelsea who stepped it up. Sterling caused us a few problems, they got behind us a couple of times and they looked sure to score from pull back crosses, but we got bodies in the way, rode our luck a little and fought hard. The goal gave us something to hold on to and we gave it our all. Mara went for an overhead kick and basically kicked Azpilicueta's head off. He was down for a long time. 12 minutes of added time made it a nervy end. We wasted a lot of time. The sort of stuff that would do your head in if the roles we reversed. For some reason the ref played 13 minutes, which summed up his performance - not terrible, but ever so slightly annoying - booking ABK and then allowing a similar foul to go unpunished. It matters not. We were worthy winners. A great backs against the wall second half, but a quality first half. We didn't create a lot, which is going to bean issue if we are to have any hope of surviving. At least we looked solid, and if we can dominate the middle like we did in the first half today (it bit like when JWP and Romeu were on song) then we can give teams a game. That said, on another day Chelsea could have scored a couple and it could have been as painful as last week. We haven't turned the corner yet... but we have stopped the rot.

yep, proper shame. Gone cost Chelsea a huge amount if they want though, probably a bit less if we go down. Remind me. How much was it suggested that City can get him back for?

OK, but he's not pressing very hard. He's not busting a gut to close players down. A light jog every now and then at best. I don't understand why he's out on his feet after 40 minutes. His fitness is poor, which is a shame, because his first half today was great and we need at least 60 minutes from him. We aren't really even getting that so far. Encouraging performance though. Looked a million miles better than last week. Hopefully he can continue that and it wasn't just lightweight Chelsea defending.

and who can afford three?

It can be hard to take it to teams if you don't have the quality of player. Much easier to defend than attack. But we have to work out ways of beating the middling teams if we want to survive

I thought Bednarek had a solid game. To be honest our CBs weren't exposed much, so had relatively easy games. AMN is too casual for me. He wasn't terrible, but not sure I agree with you that he did very well. Did OK. No more. Agree with you on the subs. Onuachu's fitness is woeful. He only just made 45 minutes. The same as last week. Thus week Selles took him off before conceding. We still struggled though when we made the triple sub. Chelsea stepped up a gear and were were ragged. The three guys worked hard though and that may have made the difference. I think ABK returning had a major impact. His pace is so valuable.

Lost my internet with 6 minutes to go. Found a delayed stream.Phew. Nervy end, but a deserved win. We played very well first half and did just enough in the second. Rode our luck a fraction, but so what. Happy fucking days.

about 6 minutes of injury time for this incident...plus whatever else he was going to add.

Not sure the game is looking beautiful from Azpilicueta's angle.

ouch. Overheadkickedoff

great cross Theo

all over us. Perraud unable to stay with the runner (Felix) and Sterling should score. Looks like we may take Lavia off. Brilliant clearance by Perraud.

. Onuachu ragdolling Chillwell. Love it. AMN apart, who is far too casual to be a right back, we are not holding back. Get stuck chaps.

Chelsea subs. We have rattled them.