First game of the season against a top 6 team – can we make it?
Manchester United, although in an existential crisis, have managed to win their last 3 games including against Liverpool. Erik Ten Hag seems to have found his playing XI who can play his aggressive pressing game and have motivated them enough to win games. Will it going to be easy for us to visit Old Trafford and grab a win? NO. Is it possible? Yes, of course.
We have our own winning streak running where we have managed 5 wins in as many games, some of which were hard fought. We have been brilliant in pressing, our new signings have improved our game by some margin and we have seen some brilliant individual performances by Odegaard, Jesus and Martinelli in attack.
We are oozing with confidence! Anyone complaining that it was against the bottom half teams should consider the fact that Liverpool dropped points against Palace, City against Villa and Liverpool again against Fulham, and we managed to beat all three of them. Premier league is a hard fought league and it doesn’t matter if you are the best team in the world if you are playing away from home against a motivated team. Anything can happen on a given day, we have avoided that till now.
Things that worries me are the injuries. Partey is out, who has been immense for us and his deputy in Elneny picked up an injury too. This leave us with a midfield of Sambi and Xhaka, it would be some challenge for a young Sambi to deliver Partey-esque level performance in the midfield.
Alex is out too, but we have a decent enough cover in Tierney at LB. He certainly improves our game overall, and our left side is lethal with him and Martinelli operating there. Tierney lacks that instinct but I believe he will do a decent job. Can he do without regular game time recently and coming after an injury? We will get to know today.
I’m sure it will be a physical game similar to Villa. Can we keep our composure and not give away an easy goal? Hopefully.
Both Ramsdale and Odegaard picked up injuries against Villa and will be accessed before the game today. This is a big blow, I’m not sure how much Matt Ryan can do what Ramsdale is doing in terms of distribution and playing from the back. I am also not sure ESR/Vieira can replicate Odegaard’s form?
But then, it’s a chance for whoever make it to playing XI to build their own legacy.
Right, that’s all for today. I am hoping for a narrow 0-1 win for us. Don’t forget to guess your playing XI and with how many goals we are winning today. See you in the comments.
Note – I have been trying to get LiR into Google News (hence the logo change at the top – apparently it’s mandatory). It’s a marathon, might take months to get into, with multiple changes to site’s layout and design to suit their criteria.
Regardless, I’m really grateful to your time at LiR and just wanted to appreciate your contributions on this small blog. Onwards and Upwards!
Good goal – made by Jesus.
1-1
Saka. Good pass back by Jesus
Sakaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagol
Get in, lads. We can win this now.
They get another goal and make a change Arteta’s reaction is to do nothing.
And Xhaka’s got the captains armband – it’s enough to make you weep.
Daniel Radcliffe coming on to weave some magic
Finally seeing Vieira with Eddie. Like had said in pre- game comment which didn’t go through, ni way ESR coming after his Izil broadside, although throwing Viera in this game first is a bit unfair to the lad. But again, who knows?
3-1 now
Erikson passing is unusually accurate, must say
Sighhh. Going to get drunk now.
Casemiro coming into ManUre midfield. But now CR7 is no longer old time Ronaldo
Hahaha life is good. Cupboard Maguire coming in
And ManU imploding.
Damn he made an obscene gesture to boot
Maguire holding Nketiah like his girlfriend, with no foul. And the commentators simping for Manure.. bloody hell
Ten Hag has easily outthought Arteta today.
The simple truth is it doesn’t take a genius to buy good players and pay the asking price for them – being a good coach and improving players, being a good tactician and in game management are another story.
Smith Rowe if old would have got the goal, from the time before his confidence was destroyed. Can’t expect key players to deliver with nominal 82 minutes substitutions
Match over and a reality check from a game could have gone either way
The complete shambles that is ManU with a manager who’s not very good is suddenly 3 points behind us.
the usual points of contention under our still novice manager: (1) we’re still the worst shooting team in Europe, so how is this not being properly addressed either on the training pitch or in the transfer market, (2) our inability to properly rotate players or make earlier substitutions continues to haunt us, especially when it comes to the likes of Xhaka and White and (3) the fact that Ode can’t seem to lead the troops when the games matter most…I would suspect that MA will unleash a myriad of excuses for why we failed to secure any points even though, in his estimation, we were the far batter squad…on a side note, Saka would be wise to sign that re-up sooner rather than later, as his perceived value will undoubtedly take a hit if he continues to struggle in the final third, his first tally today notwithstanding
Towards the end Saka seemed frustrated. Da thing will get postponed until he is sure we at least 4 th
We should have expected problematic ref decisions but the team played well until the subs and we lost shape because of too many attacking players.
However for me the problem was symptomatic where we have been before 16 shots but only 3 on goal. In addition Saka either had a dip of form or has difficulties how to handle double teaming that is part of the technical issue and how to play when that happens. I take it as a one off.
Also noticed Saliba is the go to person when playing out from the back and I am pleased with that. But saw nothing special from Viera possibly needs game time. Still think we blew it in the TW, on deadline day 2 DMs where signed by Pool & Chelsea but Edu & Tets couldn’t be arsedf.
Getting mugged at OT isn’t a new phenomenon so I feel less aggrieved than I maybe should.
I only hope we don’t end up regretting the lack of quality cover for TP and Arteta and his use of subs still concern me.
We’ll deal with Everton and hopefully do our bit in getting both Gerard and Lampard sacked this year. They can join Parker in the ‘old boys’ dole queue.
Marc
Arteta made 3 substitutions disrupting the game instead of addressing the devil in his midfield. Likely out off his straw hat because he was explaining for ages tactics to these 3. Likely a way they never played before, and none if the new entrants explained to those on the field.
Chaos led to the 2nd goal
Tichel given the heave-ho today. Breathtaking. This is what the club said.
Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea’s history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here.
It rather reminds me of that sketch in the Life of Brian where the judaens are asking what the Romans have done for them. I doubt our club’s farewell message to Arteta eventually will have such a roll of honour.
Chelsea want Potter, Poch or ZZ. I don’t suppose they’d consider a last minute swap…
Been out of circulation today as I’ve been in Spain on business.
Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on – Tuchel sacked and the Scouser’s lose 4-1 to Napoli – it was supposed to get fucked up because of and after the World Cup not from the start of the season.
If Chelsea go for Potter it will be interesting to see how he gets on – no doubt he’s a very good coach but there’s a world of difference between managing a club like Brighton and a club like Chelsea.
Hi Marc
Spain eh? … Nice one if you managed to get some downtime rather than just business (in which case those trips are tough).
Chelsea are chaotic aren’t they. I don’t think that’s all bad because it works for them sometimes but sacking TT can’t just be based on results. I read he was having a number of unwanted transfers foisted on him and he resisted.
I’ve no evidence for this whatsoever but the new owner probably thinks he can use any sporting/business acumen from the US and turn it into success in the PL. Very risky if true. In essence, they look worse now than at the end of last season which is going sone given the money they’ve spent.
I too have doubts about Potter once he comes up against established mega egos. Couldn’t happen to a nicer club. Liverpool!
Just read that Zurich won the Swiss championship last season. But they lost all of their first seven games thus term and are playing in St Gallen tonight which is forty miles from Zurich. An accomplished, confident win tonight with no injuries and some top displays from our non first teamers will be just the ticket. Looking forward to seeing Marquinhos get some minutes providing assists to Eddie Unket. I’m also hoping to be reassured by Turner. I’m really stumped for names in CM because GX and Lakonga will surely be held back for Everton. Anyone brave enough to have a guess at our first XI?
Lads – Game tonight is at 5.45pm UK time just in case you were unaware. I was going to tune in two hours later than that which would have left me crying over the Swiss fondue I’m having for me dinner! At least it’s a bit easier for those of you in India and all parts East.
OK
Here’s my stab at tonight’s team. I think KT will be in MF and Matt Smith will start. 3-4-2-1
Turner
Cedric Holdinho TT
Vieira Matt Smith GX KT
Marquinhos ESR
Eddie
I’ll be lucky if I’m half right!
Strange line up today, Marquinhos starts in midfield in 4-3-3?
Fabio Vieira in place of Odegaard and Eddie gets his start ahead of Jesus.
Fabio, Marquinhos, Turner to watch out for today. Pretty excited for mid week games, even if it’s Europa.
#COYG
KP
You were pretty close, ESR is injured again so it was a No but Marquinhos made it. Gabriel instead of Cedric, I guess Arteta wants at least one solid body in defense.
Marc
I hope you are buying beers in litres there. When I was there in London, I got my Schengen Visa sorted through france and by the time I got my passport back, there were Covid lockdowns.
Couple of my mates received theirs, a week before and went to spain.. I am not racist but I won’t forgive China for the virus 😂
I missed Amsterdam too.
Hope you are having a nice one.. cheers!
Hi
Match starting
Franco vai Foder o Tets?
Both coaches putting up a Monet pose Penseur
Turner seems a slight improvement on our Icelandic goalkeeper
☹️
Marquinhos with his first goal. Initial pass by Vieira.
All of you who are not commenting.
,… must be playing with your dingaling
Marquinhos. What a brilliant goal and the reaction was even better. I love it when young players score on their debuts.
Not a penalty for me. It was just a 50-50 challenge.