- Oct 19, 2004
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Look forward to the full analysis when it comes, meantime just wanted to comment on this bit. Basically some coaches can take credit for what they do on the training pitch, for the attitude and cohesion they instil in the team quite apart from whichever tactics they choose for this or that game. Whatever you eventually think of his tactics, Poch should get a high mark for what he's done with our team so far.
OK Slothy, I've done the first 45 minutes and here are some of my thoughts.
I think the first fifteen minutes it was a very even, tight tussle. Chelsea then scored and dominated the next 10 minutes. We then dominated the next 10 and got ourselves back into the game. The last 10 of the half were pretty even, but in the last 2 minutes we completely changed the game by scoring two goals.
In terms of team selection I don't think Pochettino can be criticised given who was available and who he picked and how the performed in that first half. Townsend was involved in some key moments, which is good, but made a mess of most of them (bad through ball for Chadli, wasting the ball played through to him by Chadli, wasting a good ball played in to him by Rose, a poor cross into the box in a good situation). Then he steps up and drills his penalty cooly into the corner.
On reflection Danny Rose actually had, bar the first goal incident, an exceptionally good half. You could even make a case for him being one of the best players in the first half. Good selection by Pochettino. It also seemed as if Pochettino had drilled Chadli into helping out better than he had first half against ManU when he'd been pretty poor and maybe thought Rose would be good to counter Chelsea's more attacking full back, If we'd have played the more reluctant Davies, this could have encouraged Ivanovic forward. I do think Chriches would have been a better foil for Townsend though, like Corluka used to be for Lennon, a better balance of brain/pace/defending. Walker made several typical unforced errors that first half, from the first minutes horrible heavy touch, a couple of poor give away passes and a poor give away header, all unforced. He did defend well on a couple of occasions too though. But on another day, with Hazard over there, he could have been punished.
Unrelated random thought, watching that again. I've compared Fazio to Dawson so far, and he can look a bit flat footed at times and does have a dopey moment in him, but he actually reads the game very well, better than Dawson I think, there are many times when he's positionally got himself in the right place, made good decisions that avert danger. Still not totally convinced he's a long term solution, this league is getting faster and cleverer.
This was one game where the formation wasn't too much of an issue, as both manager prefer the 4231. Pochettino was brave to trust the two kids against the best CM2 in the league, but our two are both quick, dynamic footballers who can also play football. I liked his faith in these two, but I also think the Mason injury could have been a blessing in disguise. Dembele is more positionally disciplined, and in a game like this, played at a ferocious tempo I was actually grateful for his calmness on the ball, and where Mason can be a bit wasteful in his exuberance, Dembele was sure footed, didn't get flustered, shrugged off a challenge and picked a pass, whilst also competing tenaciously.
So to summarise, selections were by and large pretty good, especially Rose, we were pretty well organised and prepared, competed well, pressed OK in the middle third, played with a decent tempo and matched Chelsea for the most part. I think if we'd come off level I wouldn't have had too many grumbles on the balance of play and chances. Tactically we were pretty good though. And the sub was an excellent choice, that on this occasion, although forced somewhat, his choice of who to bring on of the three CM's he had on the bench, was the right one and had a positive impact.