'Dave' scores!

By Gary Watton
January 14 2016

Yet again the champions of England have demonstrated that they are just not as good as we all think that they are. They may have scored twice and created more chances (unconverted by the irascible Costa) but the defence has stopped defending and the hosts could almost count themselves lucky that the Baggies didn't score more goals from their frequent forays into our final third of the field. So much for deploying the ludicrous strategy of two holding midfielders, sitting in front of the defence. There was little evidence last night that Fabregas and Mikel were protecting our defenders, quite the opposite. The Blues really need to go back to the basics of a four-four-two construction, with the four midfielders doubling up as a bank of four when the opposition have the ball. 

This modern-day tripe of two deep-lying midfielders is being shown up for what it is - utter bollocks. Southampton ran rings around a decent Watford last night avec three defenders and five midfielders, two of whom were essentially wing backs. At least their Dutch manager shows some flexibility. I fear that our Dutch senior citizen will not. He has already followed in the footsteps of the Portuguese clown by denying game time last night to the returning Remy or to the in-form Loftus-Cheek. Our club will insist on treating its youth as an absolute last resort. That, it seems, is our 'culture' at Chelsea.

West Brom had numerous attacks in an end-to-end affair, so it is difficult to feel too aggrieved about their late equaliser. In fact they have emulated Watford by equalising crucially just before half time and then fighting, almost literally, out a two-two draw. Yes indeed it was a tetchy affair. Senor Costa was getting wound up. He gives plenty, so he needs to learn to accept plenty, but regrettably this loose cannon gets rather petulant when a defender gets up close and personal with him. It seems like it is okay for Diego to nudge and elbow, but if an opponent does likewise, then that is a hanging offence. Certainly he was on the receiving end of some rough justice last night, and Grandad Hiddink complained about the refereeing afterwards, but Chelsea, for all their enterprise, simply did not do enough to warrant a win. At least Kenedy made a positive impact, Willian played really well, and 'Dave' Azpilicueta doubled his goals account for the season, having previously scored against the same team in August.

Unfortunately, Pedro, clearly suffering from first seasonitis, was badly at fault for their first goal and Chelsea have proven themselves incapable of piecing together even two consecutive Premiership wins. Those of a naive disposition who think foolishly that Chelsea are going to embark on a super deluxe winning run any time soon need a re-think. This team will continue to win occasionally, draw occasionally, and also lose occasionally. That after all has been the nature of their campaign since August. It is befitting a team in mid-table, and quite frankly the team will do well to finish in the top half. There simply is no compelling evidence of a giant push for a Champions League place. Nor are there any imminent signs of fresh reinforcements in the hyped and over-rated January transfer window. I have probably signed more autographs in the first two weeks of January than the Premiership clubs have signed players.

Stubborn old Evercrap are next to visit us on Saturday afternoon. Chelsea just might return to winning ways, but they will just as likely return to non-winning ways in subsequent matches. They cannot and will not string a run of wins together because they are much less capable than many of us dare to realise.

CHELSEA 2 West Bromwich Albion 2; half time: 1-1.

CHELSEA goal scorers: Azpilicueta; McAuley (own goal)

CHELSEA team: Courtois; Azpilicueta; Ivanovic; Zouma; Terry; Mikel; Pedro; Fabregas; Costa; Willian; Oscar. Used substitutes: Kenedy; Matic.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Willian eight goals

Costa seven goals

Oscar five goals

Pedro three goals

Ramires three goals

Remy three goals

Azpilicueta two goals

Cahill two goals

Zouma two goals

Another Big Disappointment

Discussion started by Chelsea FC (IP Logged), 14/01/2016 15:31

Chelsea FC
14/01/2016 15:31

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