12 Aug 2019 21:29:22
Hey ed001, if you're about. I'd really appreciate your views on the united Chelsea game yesterday.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know what to say about it to be honest. It is early season and Chelsea looked like a team getting to grips with a new manager and system. United were clinical but wide open at the back and made the question about where Chelsea's goals are going to come from this season stand out as a huge question. It is far too early in the season to judge either team yet though but some of the comments about how great United's defence were are just ludicrous. United's defence looked like a new pairing and needed a game like that to start getting used to each other as Chelsea could have played for a week and not scored.}


1.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 06:06:21
Understandable. The back 5 played for the very first time together.
Encouraging fact was that we were able to absorb the pressure and hit back on the counter.


2.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 08:26:46
I feel playing a more defensive minded midfielder instead of pogba (and put pogba in no 10?) will make the side more balanced.
Imo defence was open because the team was not compact enough especially in first half and there was not enough cover in front of defence.
To be fair, it's early days and perhaps some players still need to adjust to the system.

{Ed0333's Note - I think perera is you’re man Dev like him a lot.


3.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 08:43:56
Agree Ed0333, great having him on the pitch for set pieces too.


4.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 06:35:42
Ed1 I agree with your assessment though I think most United fans are happy without the chuckle Bros. and young in the defence. Also with everything either wan Bissaka or maguire did they did it well. Wan Bissaka was solid and maguire brought a little composure with his play, understanding will take time and we all saw the beginning of what could be so I think that’s why we’re all happy with the defence.

{Ed001's Note - Bissaka is a brilliant player and Maguire did nothing that Lindelöf does not already bring. You still conceded too many chances to a team that is very weak going forward right now. And Shaw is going to cost you a lot of goals this season if he doesn't buck his ideas up. It is early days but there were a lot more worrying signs than good ones down your left. The plus is that good results breed confidence and the defending will improve because of that anyway, as the players will play better. But Shaw is a major worry for me and I don't see a good match there with Maguire at all. However ten games in and that could change completely. A good run of results is the important thing now. Give the players a chance to learn about each others' games.}


5.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 07:13:14
Fair point, Ed. Think every Chelsea had fears about it beforehand as well. Who will score goals for us? Hoping we use all of our money next summer on a good striker.

Think things will improve though with most of our injured players coming back. Rudiger will make a difference, and Kante being fit will obviously be a huge boost as well. Probably our only world class player. Reece James might well take over from Azpi as starter this season (if Azpi plays like he did on Sunday, yikes! ) . And in attack Hudson-Odoi will certainly be a huge difference, as well as Pulisic getting starts.

Just a shame Loftus-Cheek's injury is longer term. He makes a world of difference to our play. One of the best mids in PL when fit.

{Ed001's Note - Azpi is a huge problem. He was such a good player it is difficult to give up on him but if he doesn't refind his form and continues to play like that it is going to cost you. Pulisic, Rudiger and Kante starting will transform your team though, so it is very difficult to judge you. Kante alone changes the whole dynamic of the team and the way it plays.}


6.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 11:05:42
@Ed001 "Maguire did nothing that Lindelöf does not already bring".

Stronger in the air perhaps?

Anyway I would be happy with 2 Lindelofs with one of them being a beast in the air.

{Ed001's Note - I was referring to composure mate. Lindelöf is very composed.}


7.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 12:52:06
But none of Jones or Smalling or rojo are composed. Maguire at least cuts down on some concerns. There will be issues going forward of course. And Shaw may well be one of them. But early days soon to the next.


8.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 14:45:08
Ed001, do you think it’s too late in the day for Shaw to respond to some proper coaching? Or just a case that he’s not intelligent enough, too lazy or just both?

{Ed001's Note - he is not very bright, very lazy in his life and I just don't see him changing to be honest. Seems a nice lad but he just wants to doss around rather than putting in the effort.}


9.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 16:08:51
Ed001 is spot on. I've been saying for years that Shaw is terrible positionally and at defending. And i don't think you can teach him that very easily. Some defenders are intelligent footballers and others are not. Shaw falls within the latter group, as do Jones, Rojo and Smalling.