Match Day Middlesbrough v Liverpool, Wednesday 14th December 19:45

[SALTIRE]

Back with a good performance before the derby as well, can't wait to do them on Monday.

 

[G-Dragon]

Lallana has been unreal this season. Way better than he was at Southampton imo.

Everton will be well up for the game after that win against Arsenal. Wish Gueye got a red card instead of Jagielka. Although you never know who will make the difference considering Jagielka did score that screamer against us!

 

[Bilo]

One of our better performances this season, Middlesbrough are no mugs. Chelsea are looking unstoppable though.

 

[Pagnell]

Yeah, after a shaky start Chelsea look to be almost nailed on champions. Although we're not even into the new year yet, anything can happen. Look at City opening with 6 wins on the bounce, people were saying the same about them (there's a thread to prove it) and they're now sitting in 4th. Chelsea seem far more solid though, depressingly.

And worst of all, unless they have a bad patch, Chelsea Royale will be sticking around.

 

[JimJams]

An injury to Costa and the outlook would change massively.

 

[Bilo]

Yeah, possibly. But there's that old saying, a good attack wins you games and a good defense wins you titles.

When you look at Chelsea, especially without the ball, there's no obvious weakness right now. Obviously, if they were to play Real Madrid in a two legged tie they'd concede goals simply because of individual ability, but they're racking up clean sheets for a reason. Through the middle, Kanté and Matic ahead of the back three is as solid as it gets anywhere in the world. Their wing backs aren't anything special, but they don't have to be the way they're playing right now.

It's very Italian, and right now it's working perfectly (if you don't concede you can't lose, catenaccio). There's no telling when it'll come crumbling down (all systems eventually do), but more specifically there's no telling how it will crumble, either. In comparison, you can look at Klopp/Schmidt/Guardiola/Bielsa -- there's a clear consensus how to counter it, it's just difficult.

As for Chelsea right now, no. Crosses from the right to the far post will probably get you a goal now and then, but not enough to beat them regularly. There's a weakness in the build up that Spurs almost managed to exploit as well, there's perhaps something there. But it's the middle of december and the truth is, right now, nobody has any fucking idea how to create enough chances to have stand a good chance of winning. Fair to say, it sets them up well for the rest of the season.

 

[Pagnell]

I'm glad we played them away when Conte was still finding his feet and the correct system. Even at our attacking best, there is no way in hell that result would be the same if we played now. I'm hoping by the time the Anfield game comes around the end of next month, they will have lost a few games and gone off the boil a little. Although, looking at their fixtures, Spurs are the only team I can see getting a sniff.

 

[Bilo]

I'm glad we played them away when Conte was still finding his feet and the correct system. Even at our attacking best, there is no way in hell that result would be the same if we played now. I'm hoping by the time the Anfield game comes around the end of next month, they will have lost a few games and gone off the boil a little. Although, looking at their fixtures, Spurs are the only team I can see getting a sniff.

Yes, and this reminds me of a discussion we had many many years ago regarding the league as a competition being the same for everyone. I'm glad you came around mate I knew you would.

 

[Pagnell]

You're clearly confusing me with someone else. Don't worry, I forgive you.