Chelsea - Nottingham Forest

[nffc93]

I thought Mangala was dreadful for their first goal, you simply can’t pass a player on in the way he did and get away with it.

Schoolboy stuff.

Thought Worrall was immense today.

Worth pointing out that Leeds completed 60 passes in the first half today. Are they really up to winning two games regardless of the opposition?

They'll beat Spurs I reckon. Hone advantage, place rocking. And I'd fancy them getting a point at West Ham

[Red Dog]

One more point does it IMO. Easier said than done but we have 2 bites at it.

Reckon pressure will be on Arse-nil next week. They could lose the title at the WFCG. If City and Red Scousers do us favours tomorrow and Monday then who knows?

[zicorice]

I thought Mangala was dreadful for their first goal, you simply can’t pass a player on in the way he did and get away with it.

Schoolboy stuff.

Thought Worrall was immense today.

Worth pointing out that Leeds completed 60 passes in the first half today. Are they really up to winning two games regardless of the opposition?

It's an area his game he needs to work on. Defending in and around the box. At Leeds he didn't get close enough for 2nd goal. That said, there is so many positive aspects to the rest of his game. With a full preseason he could be a real asset next season.

[wassy04]

A repeat of our last couple of home matches against arsenal would be nice.

A point against arsenal might not be enough. Obviously a lot depends on how Everton do in their two games before we play. If they lose both, 35 might be enough but feel we are likely going to need a win on that last day unless we can upset the odds and beat arsenal.

I think 35 will be enough however I don't think it'll be comfortable.

With our goal difference then I just feel with the remaining fixtures that we will need that extra point. We've seen Leeds become a lot more resolute and they played their hardest matches. A Newcastle win today and its totally different but they didn't.

We would anticipate Everton losing tomorrow so their last away game is wolves. If Everton lose that then they could still get to 35 with a superior goal difference with Bournemouth. Leeds have every chance of getting 3 points against a fairly indifferent spurs team at home especially with the Elland roof crowd

Basically, if Everton or Leeds get anything in their next away match, we will definitely need 36 points.

Hopefully by the times Leeds play, we will already have hit that total with a win against arsenal.

Ultimately what I think I'm saying is that I would rather have our points tally with either Everton or Leeds fixtures

It'll be tense but I'm not giving Leeds the win at home to Spurs as long as Kane plays. Think Spurs are good at soaking up a press too, I fancy them to win that game against Leeds personally.

Good news for the West Ham game is its not directly before the final so they won't be resting players. Might be tired though.

Spurs away form has been awful recently - no wins in 7. I would not want to rely on them getting anything out of Leeds to stay up

They had some hard games in that run though.

[wassy04]

I thought Mangala was dreadful for their first goal, you simply can’t pass a player on in the way he did and get away with it.

Schoolboy stuff.

Thought Worrall was immense today.

Worth pointing out that Leeds completed 60 passes in the first half today. Are they really up to winning two games regardless of the opposition?

Exactly, it's easy to set up a team to defend, more difficult when you're meant to play on the front foot, against a good team.

[zicorice]

Positives:
- Fantastic away point.
- Two of our own absolutely outstanding: If Joe plays like that consistently, he has shown he can cut it in this league. Yates as well, shook off any rust and was inspirational.
- Taiwo seems to have found his scoring boots at just the right time, (never a wrong time I suppose).
- First half display so controlled.
- The response to going behind.
- the support.

Negatives.
- Not great goals conceded to put it mildly. Mistakes are creeping in to Felipes game which is a worry.
- If Niakhate puts away the chance, it could even have been 3 points.
- the number of times our creative players gave the ball away cheaply 2nd half was frustrating and invited even more unnecessary pressure. If they want to become top players and fulfill their obvious potential they needs to improve this aspect of their game-and fast for sake of my heart and fingernails.

My heart just about back to normal. A great point. Maybe 3 consecutive draws will be what keeps us safe...

Re Niakahte are you referring to the chance at the back post from the corner?

Wasn’t his fault if so, Felipe took the ball away from him.

Still should have been able to adjust to get enough to redirect towards goal. He has certain strengths, but his clumsiness and heavy footedness worries me as a Prem CB. Early days for him though, especially as he was out most of season.

2 more draws should do it.....so glad I got Palace tickets....

[Username]

To be honest mate I think you denigrate his performances slightly because you want others to be played ahead of him, they’re all flawed.

Fact is that our results/ resilience have improved immensely since he returned.

[Username]

I thought Mangala was dreadful for their first goal, you simply can’t pass a player on in the way he did and get away with it.

Schoolboy stuff.

Thought Worrall was immense today.

Worth pointing out that Leeds completed 60 passes in the first half today. Are they really up to winning two games regardless of the opposition?

It's an area his game he needs to work on. Defending in and around the box. At Leeds he didn't get close enough for 2nd goal. That said, there is so many positive aspects to the rest of his game. With a full preseason he could be a real asset next season.

I hope you’re right mate. 

I’m not entirely convinced yet to be honest. There is some strengths to his game, just not sure they are at a high enough level to make a big enough contribution week in, week out, same with Freuler.

[zicorice]

To be honest mate I think you denigrate his performances slightly because you want others to be played ahead of him, they’re all flawed.

Fact is that our results/ resilience have improved immensely since he returned.

100% not that. I want our best CBs fit and playing because we are very shaky at the back. Boly is obviously not ready as Worrall got the nod (and was very good today). Perhaps it's down to expectation, as all the hype when he signed and was being lauded in meaningless preseason matches made it sound like we'd signed a "sure thing". His 1st 2 and a half games were dodgy (I stated it back then) but understandable in a new league. Then out with injury for ages. Since returning, he's had good moments and bad but at least we've been able to see him more. There are fundamental elements to his game that worry me.

I can say in all honesty I want him to be good , better than the others at Cooper's disposal and he still may be in future.
Based purely on performance this season and given 'score' I rate our CBs as
1.Boly 7.5/10 (excluding debut)
2. Felipe 7.5/10 (love him and always available).

Big drop to:

3.McKenna 5.5/10
4. Joe 5.5/10 (though much better lately)
5. Niakhate 5.5/10 
6. Steve Cook 5/10 (after decent period esp v Brighton & Liverpool,  dropped off).
Also. Aurier did a very good job v Brighton.

Would Wolves have let Boly go if he was fit more often? Looking at their CBs against us  I'd argue not.

Niakhate has been OK in the main, but as a defender for £15 million I think we should (and hopefully will) be seeing more.

[Username]

I’ve just noticed it appear in a few of your postings of late when referencing Moussa.

I definitely agree that he started poorly for us after much hype but let’s face it most of the people talking him up probably hadn’t actually seen him play or were basing it on highlights or taking other people’s word as gospel.

He has definitely had some frustrating moments since his return but, let’s face it, who hasn’t this season? The handball v Newcastle and the sick note away at Villa Park stand out albeit even the much lauded Felipe has had some poor moments at times but hasn’t been punished to the same level.

For me the benefit of a Felipe and Niakahte pairing is that we can actually play four at the back. I genuinely can’t see that with Worrall, he seems to be better in a back three and that limits our options/flexibility.

[zicorice]

I’ve just noticed it appear in a few of your postings of late when referencing Moussa.

I definitely agree that he started poorly for us after much hype but let’s face it most of the people talking him up probably hadn’t actually seen him play or were basing it on highlights or taking other people’s word as gospel.

He has definitely had some frustrating moments since his return but, let’s face it, who hasn’t this season? The handball v Newcastle and the sick note away at Villa Park stand out albeit even the much lauded Felipe has had some poor moments at times but hasn’t been punished to the same level.

For me the benefit of a Felipe and Niakahte pairing is that we can actually play four at the back. I genuinely can’t see that with Worrall, he seems to be better in a back three and that limits our options/flexibility.

PMd you. But you pretty  much nailed it anyway. Individual errors has been our curse this season,  slong eith injuries. Kouyate has been a real plus this season  once he got fit and even he had a costly 2 minutes nightmare at Brentford.

[Username]

Also:

Dean Henderson on BBC Sport:

“I’ve never seen a team so united”

“Everyone loves the gaffer, he’s a great man, a great guy and wants the best for each and every player”

Make no mistake Steve Cooper is firmly in the elite bracket regarding man management.