Blimey, we’re at the back end of an incredibly tough run of games aren’t we?
Citeh and Liverpool and now Man U and Chelsea, followed by Leicester.
But this is a good thing, I reckon, as we’re getting them out of the way, leading to “easier” games over the next few weeks.
I say easier, but we all know there’s no such thing in the Premier league and I should probably more accurately say that if we can get past the top sides without a drubbing, it’ll just re-emphasise the point in my last post that we don’t need to fear anyone.
And I really don’t see us getting a drubbing anywhere, because we create far too many problems for the opposition.
Simply put, I see this as very much a similar scenario to the Man Utd game, where we have nothing to be worried about and Dean Smith will take it to them.
There is of course the Tammy Abraham thing and you might want to put some money on him scoring against us. That’s if he plays.
And squad news tells us that Tammy faces a last minute fitness check, as he’s very close to playing.
What odds he makes it, even as a sub and gets one?
Ross Berkeley is out through illness and while I really rate him, I don’t think he’s really hit the highs he should have. His loss is a plus for our midfield though.
Antonio Rudiger is at least a week away from playing.
As for us, El Ghazi is out after jarring his knee, which caused him to go off at Man U.
Jota is back in the squad after his hernia op, but you’d suspect it’s too soon for him.
Davis and Steer are out.
Prediction time then and while I’m not as confident as I was against Man Utd, I definitely think we can get something, if all goes well.
Chelsea have averaged 2 goals a game up to now and with our defence, I’d expect them to keep that up.
Consider though that Tammy has scored 10 of their 28 goals.
And then compare that to the fact that we don’t have a single player in the top 25 scorer’s chart.
This makes things very interesting, in that we have options all over and having one player out doesn’t seem to affect us much.
Maybe my tending to side with the “Wesley isn’t the answer” argument isn’t so justified as it might seem?
That is, while a top notch striker who can get us 20+ goals would be the icing on the cake; not having one perhaps isn’t quite the problem it might immediately seem?
Surely there has to be some debate about that point?
Chelsea also concede too and indeed have only conceded two less than us.
Which again makes things interesting.
We all know it’s about fine lines in the Prem, where you can consistently perform quite well, but not quite have enough to get the required points for survival and having genuinely competed in the vast majority of our games so far, it would seem this is our biggest concern.
I strongly suspect this will be another one of those games, where we compete, but ultimately don’t get the result.
My heart says another 2-2, but I think the reality is more likely a 1-2 defeat.
That’s not a bad prediction though if you consider where Chelsea are in the league and they’re established top end etc..
But I also think with a really good wind behind us, we might actually pinch it.
It certainly wouldn’t be unknown in what seems the weakest overall Premier league I’ve seen in ages.
And that’s HT.
I’m not seeing what our plan is, apart from try and defend, poorly????
The midfield is being over-run and Hourihane is not right for this game, imo.
Will Smith change it up?
If Jota’s truly fit, I’d consider bringing him on to add width as an option.
I didn’t see that equaliser coming but a good ball in by Elmo. With Zouma having Wesley in his pocket, would it be worth considering a different approach. Maybe Jota coming on for him and playing the ball along the ground. Liverpool and Citeh do well enough without a target man. Personally I don’t think Wesley is a target man anyway.
Agreed Holte. Wesley imho is a goal poacher who needs players close to him to create opportunities.
Trouble is we have no one that can play the lone striker role!
According to BBC – Chelsea 11 fouls to Villa’s 4 in the first half!
I certainly wouldn’t swap Jota for Hourihane, Conor is the likely match winner if Villa have one, but Jota for Wesley – possible.
Sorry, I disagree.
Hourihane offers nothing in a battling midfield game.
He’s far too lightweight.
But I’ll agree to disagree 🙂
Why does it take a player like Grealish to open up chances? Christ we have other midfielders that should by now understand how to beat the opposition. It’s why I’m on Wesleys back , he’s doesn’t make chances Mcginn not on form ,so it’s down to one man. in answer to you Badger I did predict that we would get one back, although it was to my other half.
Bill, McGinn is deliberately playing deeper and is doing ok for me.
This is poor tactics, imo.
Again we let the cross come in
Utter shit defending again.
This is our problem.
2-1 Chelsea.
Mings having a poor game. Again.
Again, I repeat my comments after the United game. It’s our defence that’s slowing progress. We usually concede at least 2 goals. I said many weeks ago we should go to a back 3. I also said that Mings’ place shouldn’t be guaranteed. I stand by those comments. Something needs to be done. Think how solid we were when Little went to a back 3 with wing-backs. I think we have the players for this system. We’re simply not tight enough and it must change!
I give in, absolutely idiotic defending. I now have questions on Minns, this is now questionable o defence and forward players.
No Bill, it’s the midfield are not offering enough.
And Hourihane is a weak link in a tough midfield game. Watch him.
Wesley’s hurt.
Get him off and put Trez up front for me. He has by far a better eye for goal.
The system we’re playing makes it looks like we’re playing with 10 men. It’s pointless having Wesley on the pitch.
Still think we’ll snatch something from this game… Our balance isn’t great though…
This has been the case since August, Bum Bum. Surely, Smith sees this? Either the coaching isn’t up to scratch or Wesley is a complete dud.
Get him off he’s still a child playing football, guess who.?
Luiz for Hourihane. Chelsea sharper everywhere this half
See, why isn’t Wesley where Wesley was then, rigfht down the middle?
Sorry, but I’ve had it with Wesley.
He’s fucking useless and is never where a CF should be.
Sorry, why isn’t Wesley where Trez was then, right down the middle?
Outstanding Heaton save
Apart from the goals, with Chelski playing like this, I’d say we’re defending well!!!!
getting a bit of a lesson here but still in it if we can weather the storm
Every player has poor runs of form. Not watching the game but it seems from comments that Mings / McGinn not on top of their form – is that a consequence of bl**dy International breaks?
We have a shite record away from home, a shite record in London and a shite record against the top six – is it any wonder we’re losing?
And – if we’re not playing to Wesley’s strengths, he’s bound to look average …..or worse!
That’s the point though isn’t it Hitch. If we can’t or won’t play to Wesleys strengths, then why bother playing him at all?
Totally agree – but in all honesty what options do we have?
Took a huge gamble in the summer that hasn’t paid off – but I refuse to write him off completely.
We need to try and do some shrewd (striker) business in January.
I haven’t been impressed by Wesley, but with Davis injured we only really have Kodjia and he looks like he isn’t interested. we were outplayed tonight but looked dangerous occasionally. A few wrong choices and some woeful crosses when in decent positions.
Hitch, McGinn is doing ok, in a mid that’s been over-run, imo.
Mings… well.
The problem was the setup, with Hourihane playing.
Wesley has been a waste of space, because he doesn’t make any runs and offer an option. I honestly think he hasn’t a clue and I’m done with him.
Trez would be a far better option as a CF.
Badger, hard for me to comment having been out of the UK for nigh on 10 weeks without access to the games.
Maybe with Mings it’s over confidence and over complication. It does seem that his form has dropped off after being selected for England?
But, as I say, I’m interpreting other’s comments.
Don’t know what we do up front. With Davis injured and a Kodjia clearly out of favour who do we play up front. Is Jota an option or even (and don’t laugh) McGinn – we do seem to have options in midfield and McGinn has a real eye for goal.
Is Dean brave enough to make that sort of ‘left field’ decision.
Anyway the 12 year old Trinidadian rum is going down a treat 🙂
According to stats not managed a shot second half!
Jota on for Trez.
I hope Trez is burnt out, because he’s done well, for me.
This should probably be 4 or 5-1.
We’ve been very lucky up to now.
Abraham’s going off injured.
Thank god for that. He’s murdered us tonight.
Good shout for him from the Villa fans.