Going to start with the negatives here this time and its mainly the reactions of our fans on certain things at times. I saw people complaining about the starting line-up (it was too strong), Mikel, the lack of youth players in the squad, Mikel, first two subs not being Loftus-Cheek, Mikel, amount of game time Loftus-Cheek got and how our academy players never make it. Oh and Jon Obi Mikel! I'm totally aware that everyone is different and everyone is entitled to their own opinion me someone i would say is a pessimist cannot find much to complain about right now. I agree most of these comments were on Twitter which we all know is full of basket cases but still, really does grind my gears!
Now onto the game, i was very happy Jose picked a strong line up. Schurrle and Salah needed starts and both put in a wonderful display tonight. Costa is lacking match fitness, resting him will do him no favours right now. Fabregas is suspended at the weekend and will probably miss the Derby game next week so will have some rest time and Matic was rested at the weekend and had no games in the summer so is one of the fittest in the squad. Jose wanted to win this game, we lost at the weekend (as if anyone needed to be reminded this) and not only does Jose hate losing he would have wanted to get that winning mentality back.
The inclusion full backs on their natural sides in Azpi and Luis helps the side going forward giving us another dimension going forward stretching the pitch but...... I think it does make us a little more vulnerable defensively more so with Luis than Azpi (who i believe is the best fullback overall in world football). Luis is a good tackler when pressing but i do believe he postionally he is very suspect, some may say he is quite Brazilian!
I was impressed with most players tonight but the main talk will be about 18 year old Loftus-Cheek. After a dismal first touch of the ball he really put himself about and moves all over the pitch kind of like Yaya Toure does. Lets hope this lad has the right mentality and the right decisions are taken by the club in order for him to establish himself as a first team Chelsea player in the future. Yes i know after reading that last sentence we are all thinking the same thing "youth player making it all the way with Chelsea, no chance" and i'd be inclined to agree with you all. However since Jose came back to the club in the summer of 2013 he has been trying to give some youth players a chance. In fact Loftus-Cheek was the 6th academy player which Jose has given debuts to after Lewis Baker, Tomas Kalas, John Swift, Andreas Christensen and Dom Solanke. Would we have liked to have seen more in the squad tonight? Yes of course but Ake has been struggling with a hamstring problem and our youth team had to win their game this afternoon to top their Youth Champions League group (which they did with a 6-0 win vs Sporting). Lets look at the positives shall we ladies and gents.
Back to winning ways, i'm a very very happy blue apart from one thing. I passed up the chance to go tonight as i normally work Wednesday nights and cannot book any time off in December. As luck has it i was off and my Dad and Brother got to witness a ****** Mikel goal live!!!!
UTC!!!