Doesn't really follow from what I said. Although yes they are, but I don't think its because of the system which I think is defensive I think its because Costa and hazard are exceptional. Will be interesting without diego against bournemouth
Chelsea 2016/17 - Very Content
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Doesn't really follow from what I said. Although yes they are, but I don't think its because of the system which I think is defensive I think its because Costa and hazard are exceptional. Will be interesting without diego against bournemouth
They're incredible.
I think they have been brilliant defensively as a unit, rather than brilliant individuals coming together. The work Conte is doing should not be undermined or underestimated, it's brilliant. We can talk about how brilliant Costa and Hazard has been but it is the job of a manager to bring out the best in his players. Chelsea were proper crap last season, and Conte has made the all of the players without exception move up on a level. This is the kind of stuff we laud Fergie for, and it is the kind of thing I wished José did across the board rather us giving excuses that player X is weak, player y is not brave, player z is relegation fodder.
I agree they are good defensively because of the system completely, they don't have a great defender amongst the pack aside from maybe azpi so to have 8 clean sheets in 10, soon to be 9 in 11 or whatever it is, shows the system is great defensively. My issue going forward, although they move rapidly I think without costa being in such incredible form they would be short of bodies up there. I guess we will have a clearer idea after the next game. As I said though I think they will win the league, deservedly so but the gap between them and other teams isn't as large as it appears.
Do the Caf experts still think Luiz is totally crap and a complete liability?
But you cant remove such variables. He is in the team because he is part of the team and part of what he envisioned when he took over the team in the summer. Costa was poor when Conte took over and he has has transformed him this season, and this is why Conte should get credit. He came and saw the problems and found solutions to resolve them, which included getting Hazard and Costa up and running. It's the same way United fans still give rubbish excuses like "if only we had player x in team, we would have not dropped points against half of the league, or if player y was in form etc" It is the job of a manager to assess the squad, bring in reinforcements and fix the problems, which includes raising the games of the available players. I'm sure if Conte had United money to spend, he'd probably like a new set of players too but he is working brilliantly with what he has.
Having Matic and Kante as a partnership has been key to their success thus far. They are the heartbeat of the team. Conte has a very disciplined side equal parts talent and graft.
I wish we had costa. He really is the best player in the league this season.
Personally I wish we had a manager that that did a Conte this season, imho.
Naturally. We do have a top manager though. Sometimes it clicks straight away sometimes it doesn't. I'm willing to bet it will click with Mourinho though.
Crystal Palace 0:1 Chelsea
So time to change the thread title then?
A little early in the title race for them to be scraping the 1-0's, that normally happens later in the season (like Leicester last season and Chelsea the year before)
I'm still not convinced, formation aside this is still the same set of players comfortably beat by Liverpool and Arsenal, they may well win the title but it'll be a case of the best of a bad bunch (a stick we got beat with all the time during SAF's last couple of titles)
I'm still not convinced, formation aside this is still the same set of players comfortably beat by Liverpool and Arsenal, they may well win the title but it'll be a case of the best of a bad bunch (a stick we got beat with all the time during SAF's last couple of titles)
Conte is doing a fantastic job. What he has done with Moses is unbelievable. He's managed to get the very best out of his squad. Kante is a real steal. The transformation from last season really is impressive. He's come in and made a real difference with no excuses in needing x amounts of transfer windows before its " his" team. He has worked with what he inherited and I think they're nailed on to win league now.
Kudos where its due. 11 wins in a row is a remarkable run.
Going to be interesting to see how Michy Batshuayi does against Bournemouth. Hugely talented kid, I have massive hopes for him.
Yes but he's such a cnut. Suarez-esque. Wouldn't give them the title just yet but clearly favorites. Just hope someone keeps on their tales to keep in interesting.
I think saying they are best of a bad lot is disingenuous. Arsenal, Liverpool, City ourselves and Spurs are all very good teams.
Last season was an anomaly. There's no such excuses this year. I fecking hate Chelsea and all they stand for and would prefer anyone barring liverpool to winning the league before them.
Unfortunately, they are flying it and with no Europe I can't see them being stopped barring injury to Costa and/or hazard.
Last season was an anomaly. There's no such excuses this year. I fecking hate Chelsea and all they stand for and would prefer anyone barring liverpool to winning the league before them.
Unfortunately, they are flying it and with no Europe I can't see them being stopped barring injury to Costa and/or hazard.
They look extremely well drilled now. A lot of their play - particularly through the wing-backs you look at and think that's straight off the training ground. How they'd cope with Alonso and/or Moses(
) out will be interesting.The title is theirs to lose at this point. Conte has stumbled on the perfect system for this group of players and has been able to run with it with minimal disruption of injuries compared to others. Kante and Matic are a match for any midfield in the league, Hazard is probably the best player in the league again and Costa seems to take every chance he gets at the moment.
They will slow down but it will be difficult for any other top 5 team to take advantage.
They will slow down but it will be difficult for any other top 5 team to take advantage.
Injuries and suspensions would be the biggest thing to stop them imo. Their run until Spurs works in their favour to build a good solid lead to take into the second half of the season (where no European football is a huge advantage).
Tbf to them apart from the start where they boost their squad to elite with money they have been buying prudently the last few years. Nothing a club their level can't buy.
We have spend much more than them the last fee years
My biggest fear this season is running out of ideas for this fecking thread title.
What's this nonsense about Chelsea not having great defenders? 
Azpilicueta is hands down one of the best in the World & Luiz is up there now that he's phased the errors out of his game.
Azpilicueta is hands down one of the best in the World & Luiz is up there now that he's phased the errors out of his game.
No disrespect but this is nonsense. To say that he stumbled into it is disrespectful even as a United fan. Anyone that had the slightest idea of what Conte was about will tell you what they expected which isn't far off from what we are seeing. There wasn't a more obvious manager at the start of the season.
Can't see anyone catching them now. They just look unbeatable like they did under Mourinho two season ago. And fair play to Conte for utilising a new system and making it work successfully straight away.
What's this nonsense about Chelsea not having great defenders?
Azpilicueta is hands down one of the best in the World & Luiz is up there now that he's phased the errors out of his game.
For me, Luiz is best in the league right now. I remember him being called a PS controlled player and thought he would be better suited as DM. The point about him having less dribbles is a big one. Obviously helps having two players next to him and Kante in front though
What's this nonsense about Chelsea not having great defenders?
Azpilicueta is hands down one of the best in the World & Luiz is up there now that he's phased the errors out of his game.
Azpi is world class, so underrated. Luiz in a back four would be the same liability. Luckily he has all the support he needs.
Costa is key. Due to Chelsea's defensive nature, it's how Conte likes it, he needs Herculean influences from Costa every game. Chelsea may not lose all season but they may start drawing a lot more when he's out or out of form. Clutching at straws.
11 wins in a row does not fit well the narrative of the most competitive league in the world.
But credit to Conte, even if my favourite Italian manager is Sarri.
But credit to Conte, even if my favourite Italian manager is Sarri.
11 straight wins is fantastic, ditto 19 hours without conceding a goal (might be wrong on that, if i am, please correct me). Congrats to Chelsea for bringing up 500 Premier League wins. What is impressive for me is Conte saw that four at the back wasn't working how he wanted it to, changed it to what he is comfortable with and he has succeeded in making sure his players can implement the three at the back system he has put in place.
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Again (feel like I've said this a dozen times in this thread) we are not set up defensively or defensive in nature. Is is it the last few 1-0 victories that are making people think this? I don't get it. The only reason we aren't blowing these sides away like we were before is because they have a game plan to stifle us and defend the entire 90 minutes.
Other than the first half against Spurs and about 55 or so minutes at the Etihad we've dominated each opponent during this 11 game run.
Maybe it's because people see both Matic & Kante in our team together so they automatically think defensive? Neither are playing like traditional DM's. Matic has more assists this season than Özil I believe.
Our wingbacks spend more time in the opposition half than our own. I just don't get this misconception...
If he'd started the season with the same system i might agree. It reminds me of how LVG found the 4-1-4-1 system worked well for us for a brief spell.
He didn't and it flopped leaving many surprised why he did. It makes sense why he was desperate to sign Luiz to do what he had intended to do. Conte went for what he knew and was able to effectively communicate to his team. This for me is the main thing, above all tactics and philosophies and abilities of players is the ability to communicate the thoughts and ideas of the manager to the squad. This is what puts Conte head and shoulders above the other managers in the league.
This is all correct. A very strong side defensively but not a defensive one in approach.
So it doesn't count that he used it hundreds of times before with other teams? Wtf!
Can't believe how fast we have adapted to this Conte back 3 system. It protects Luiz and Cahill a lot and lets them do their things quite well. Azpi is surely the best defender in the league right now. Alonso is such a beastly attacking FB. Cesc has played great last 3 games. When he is on the pitch, we look a totally different team. He is such a valuable asset right now to the squad so that Conte can change his system anytime he wants. Kante is so so vital to this system. Will be interesting to see how we cope without him next game although being a home game vs Bournemouth, Cesc and Matic should be enough. Costa is certainly the 2nd best striker in the world right now after Suarez. I would not swap him for any other player in the world though the way he handles the defenders in PL. He has added a touch of guile to his overall gameplay apart from finishing which is definitely the best in the world for the last 4 seasons now.
They are lucky
Incredible lucky
Can't believe it
Incredible lucky
Can't believe it
Dead certs for the title now surely.
Started off gritty but relentless with a passionate manager on the sidelines.Then couple of off results and defeated easily by Arsenal. Then just romping over everyone, smashing United and brushing aside City to boot.
It's impressive. I remember plenty saying they didn't rate Conte at all.
Started off gritty but relentless with a passionate manager on the sidelines.Then couple of off results and defeated easily by Arsenal. Then just romping over everyone, smashing United and brushing aside City to boot.
It's impressive. I remember plenty saying they didn't rate Conte at all.
Differences in opinion. It's all healthy. We'll find out more as the season matures. I'm a fan of Conte though, just to add.
Only match we've been lucky on this run against was City.