shurlock

Still think that initial step to the right and towards the wall left him stranded and made a difficult, though saveable shot virtually impossible to save. Have my doubts whether people were close enough attacking the ball to justify that moment of hesitation. That's very different from the goal up at Newcastle or where a frerekick is swung in and it bounces in or around the six yard box before going in the far corner. The flight of Willian's shot was such that no Chelsea player was getting anywhere near it and Stek just needed to concentrate on saving it.

Apples and oranges. Managers and scouts tend to get the pick of the spots when watching a game -usually up in the stands around the halfway line; whereas where you sit as a fan is function of cost and atmosphere (in the case of home games); and luck (in the case of away games). You're basically guaranteed a s**t view going to somewhere like the Emirates. I would go so far as to say that being behind a goal is one of the worst places to watch a game for the sake of an 'informed opinion'; but that's where most 'kops' or 'home ends' are; and that's where most away fans are located, with the added disadvantage that you might be down the side and at the front. Been to loads of games where I've find myself looking (imperfectly) at the large screen rather than watching the field of play for that reason.

Not sure I totally agree. You don't have the benefit of replays and different angles for one; and I find people tend to be much more invested in their point of view when in theyre caught up in an atmosphere, unable to revise their opinions; there's often something dispassionate and surgical about watching a game on TV which allows for cooler assessments.

Was at Stamford Bridge and thought Stek could have done better. Seem slow footed and, while the shot was well-placed, it wasn't particularly powerful.

Think Chelsea will target and rough up the likes of Mané, a proper European job. They're too well-drilled and functional to go another game without a win.

He's gone against that at home against sides we're expecting to beat (e.g. Norwich, Swansea, though not United). Fully expect VW and Romeu to start at Chelsea; what will be interesting is whether we play them away at the likes of Norwich and Swansea (we only went with VW at WBA). Like you, hard to say who gets the nod -Davis or JWP, though push come to shove, I'd go with Davis.

Remove the stewarding around the corporate boxes when liverpool, united, spurs etc come to town.

No it doesn't. It strengthens our position vis-a-vis European clubs and that's a massive boon as we now recruit most of our players from abroad. Indirectly, that should help us to compete domestically, even if it doesn't change our ability to hold onto players when the bigger prem clubs come sniffing.

Yep, we were much more fluid under MP. Also recall Cork starting in a more advanced position when we were plagued with injuries towards the end of 13/14 season (indeed, further forward than Davis). Did a surprisingly good job against the likes of Everton, though thats a different discussion.

Pretty much this.

Weird. More important, scrappy game but deserved winners.

Why do I find the term 'settled' so unsettling?

That's the spirit, old-timer.

You mean like the last time we played MK Dons and plenty were doing the wotsit song?

Did Lewington get it too?

Workrate and movement are completely different things.

We've just won 6-0. Who gives a s**t what the scousers and former players are doing.

Yep, pal. So laughable we played well without Pelle at Stamford Bridge last season.

The formation was different; but the emphasis on getting the ball to feet, the frontmen running the channels and dragging defenders out of position was similar.

Not sure it's just the opposition. After all, we set up in a similar way against Chelsea at their place and it worked pretty well for large swathes of the match. The fact is whether we're high or low on confidence, we're more static and predictable with Pelle in the side. That said, on pure merit and form, now wouldnt be the time to drop Pelle who has been excellent. if only we had more movement and dynamism from ACM/CM: it would help offset some of the limits of Pelle's game while retaining his undoubted qualities...

I blame Yoshida.

Expect it to be the same team as Sunday, with Bertrand and Cedric coming in for Targett and Yoshida.

Wasnt his last game for us in the league cup?

So? Probably because RK wasn't planning to play him tonight.