Race for the Top 4 - 2017/18

[kaz Hirai]

Even after that performance tonight, please Poch set us up to get men behind the ball, and counter Liverpool on Sunday.

I think, hope Poch knows how to best play them now.

We play against Liverpool the same way we just played united with the high press and it won't be comfortable. Defensively decent at anfield too

 

[danielneeds]

I think, hope Poch knows how to best play them now.

We play against Liverpool the same way we just played united with the high press and it won't be comfortable. Defensively decent at anfield too

I really hope so. I can’t handle watching us fall into their pressing trap like zombies yet again.

 

[Giovanni]

The problem is that we dont play well as being 'the hunted'. Any big games we have won whilst playing on the counter we havent really been pressed except v dortmund. Normally we dont fare well when being pressed.
Personally id just pick the right personel and let there keeper have it and perhaps there cb's. But as soon as the ball is pinged into a midfielder we go man for man. They have no more coutinho and mane hasnt been great. Just watch salahs runs in behind and we are good for a win with there shite defensive unit

 

[spursfan77]

I thibk they know he's not gonna be there next season so that's a ready made excuse not to play for him, football players don't need much of a reason to down tools and I reckon this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Let’s hope so. I wonder if he will see out the season.

 

[Basil Brush]

Before you right chelsea off. They’ve had an absolutely horrendous fixture schedule. Worse than any other club. Last night was their 22nd back to back game(3 days rest) since mid November. Let alone the players I’d imagine conte is totally exhausted. They could sell Pick up after a week rest. Alternatively this run could have totally sapped them for rest of season.

Poor bloody Chelscum.

I have no sympathy for a club that just got lucky with dodgy russian money.

They have so many players loaned around the world that there is no way they can complain about squad fatigue.

 

[hellava_tough]

The problem is that we dont play well as being 'the hunted'. Any big games we have won whilst playing on the counter we havent really been pressed except v dortmund. Normally we dont fare well when being pressed.
Personally id just pick the right personel and let there keeper have it and perhaps there cb's. But as soon as the ball is pinged into a midfielder we go man for man. They have no more coutinho and mane hasnt been great. Just watch salahs runs in behind and we are good for a win with there shite defensive unit

Get Llorente in on the action, like we did against Madrid away

Use him as the focal point to play direct to, with Dele and Kane in behind

Dembele, Dier and Wanyama parked in front of the back 4

Change it up on the 70 minute mark with Sonny and possibly Eriksen coming on (if needs be)

Bish, bash, bosh nick a one nil and watch the meltdown on RAWK

 

[hellava_tough]

Chelsea already spend 70% of their turnover on wages, even with the Russian roubles it's hard to sustain that in the long run. By far the highest % of the top six, even more than Liverpool.

So they've basically run out of money?

(for the time being)

 

[Lilbaz]

Could see a bit of a meltdown there

Conte is in a permanent strop and they seem to be struggling with striker options.

Incidentally, I'm not sure why Chelsea didn't slap £75m on Bourusia's table and say "We're having Aubameyang"

Think the reason is that russia have the world cup sorted so putin has taken the pressure off of abramovich to spend money on chelsea.

 

[Bulletspur]

Poor bloody Chelscum.

I have no sympathy for a club that just got lucky with dodgy russian money.

They have so many players loaned around the world that there is no way they can complain about squad fatigue.

This! Plus the fact that they didnt have Europe to deal with last season therefore were fresh in most of their fixtures resulting in them beating us to the title. Now the tables have turned!

 

[tototoner]

Get Llorente in on the action, like we did against Madrid away

Use him as the focal point to play direct to, with Dele and Kane in behind

Dembele, Dier and Wanyama parked in front of the back 4

Change it up on the 70 minute mark with Sonny and possibly Eriksen coming on (if needs be)

Bish, bash, bosh nick a one nil and watch the meltdown on RAWK

We are a far better side with Eriksen in it, he needs to start

 

[hellava_tough]

We are a far better side with Eriksen in it, he needs to start

Yeah, you're probably right

Eriksen for Alli

 

[worcestersauce]

I really hope so. I can’t handle watching us fall into their pressing trap like zombies yet again.

I know it was at home but when we beat them earlier this season it wasn't a fluke and, contrary to many pundits' opinion, it wasn't because Liverpool had a bad day at the office, it was because we played them right and I think we'll do that again.

 

[Marty]

So they've basically run out of money?

(for the time being)

Not exactly run out of the money but Abramovich has to loosen the purse strings even more then before if they want a huge signing without having to sell - and the last few years he's been quite keen on balancing the books.

 

[danielneeds]

I think, hope Poch knows how to best play them now.

We play against Liverpool the same way we just played united with the high press and it won't be comfortable. Defensively decent at anfield too

Well he’s either pulling a major bluff, or it’s going to be the same old shit...

 

[Shadydan]

Don' think he's gonna say, yeah we're gonna sit back and counter them in a press conference, he's a smart man and chooses his words carefully, proof will be in the pudding on Sunday.

 

[spursfan77]

We’ve done amazingly well to come out of the last two games with a win and a draw. It shouldn’t be sniffed at. Now we need to make sure we beat arsenal else they will be back in things.

 

[WiganSpur]

Beat Arsenal and we're on the right track but it's going to be a very very difficult game.

Nicking a point at Stamford Bridge would be handy too.

 

[ljinko888]

I'm sure given our record at Anfield and the size of the task for top four, most of us would have taken a point here. Leaves us two points behind them and a point off Chelsea in 4th who are at Watford tomorrow...

7/9 from Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal will be a very good return if we do the job on Saturday. It's the early kick-off so a chance to make inroads. Chelsea have another Monday game but unfortunately it's WBA which looks a home banker on paper. But after what happened mid-week you never know. Both Utd and Liverpool travel to Newcastle and Southampton respectively - two teams at the bottom who need to climb up quickly and home games are their best hope.

If by the end of Round 27 we cut the gap to second to four points having gone through a tricky run of games there is reason to be optimistic. The NLD will be decisive imo - a win and we'll steam ahead in a relatively lighter schedule but the psychological after-effects of even a draw at home might bury us.

 

[Mr Pink]

Firmly believe if we beat Arsenal, taking 7 points from 9 in this very significant run of games, will be the spring board for finishing top 4.

In fact I'm confident now after what we did in that second half.

Better delivery from our full backs and we could of scored numerous times.
We're evolving into a top side and our mentality is getting better and better.

Arsenal carry a big threat but that's if we play passively.

We all know that if we play aggressively we can bully them no problem. If we're aggressive we'll win.

 

[Jody]

Think Arsenal’s defence is even worse than Liverpool’s!