Interesting that Joelinton scored from a rapid counter, on the front foot if you like. I've not seen any previous footage, but I'd guess the lad is better going forward than waiting for the ball. Our football dirge hasn't helped him, and he's looked worse the more its gone on. Chelsea are no Rochdale, and we run the risk of getting hammered if we're too attacking. But we've got to be able to find a balance for rapid football and solid defending. I don't think Bruce is oblivious - I'd imagine the "plan" is defend with 7 (3 CB's, 2 WB's, 2 CM) then switch to attack with 6 (2 WB's, 1 CM and 3 Forwards). The issue is the oppositions press and our deep defending - we end up with 9 behind the ball, whilst the opponent keeps 7 in our half and 2 v 1 at the back. These tactics reverse the mentality - opposition tend to think about the attacking phase first, then how to switch to defense. It's a different mindset, one we don't possess as we're defend-first. We somehow need to think about how to be better defensively and retain a shape further up the pitch, not dropping too deep and keeping someone closer to Joelinton.
Anybody see the silly sod in the East Stand fall over trying to get the ball? Loudest cheer of the night.
You're still potentially talking about the following being in the 5th round tho:- Leicester Tottingham Chelsea Man City Man Utd Liverpool Arsenal 5 of the above currently occupy the top 5 spots in the in the league at the moment and all have far better strength in depth than us. So from a possible 16 nearly half of the teams we could be drawn against are listed above. Assuming we beat Oxford, our best chance of progressing further is for us to be drawn again against lower league opposition along with 3-4 all premier league fixtures to take a few more of them out of the equation for R6. R5 is due to be played first week in March so by then I would like to think we'll have the bulk of our crocked players back in contention (assuming there are no relapses or any further injuries). We have 6 league games in between R4 and R5 so if we can pick another 5-8 points up (at least) over those games then we should be relatively safe so Brucey can decide if we wants to stick or twist. All if's and buts, we gotta get past Oxford first and knowing our luck we'll get Liverpools kids in R5 and bow out at that stage.....very ungracefully.
If he gets past Oxford and can finish above 13th he would have done better than Rafa and will consider the season over for us. Just my thought.
I have a feeling Spurs,Utd and Arsenal will go out next round,they are all involved in an all premiership clash and all drawn away,glass half full type of guy.
To be on the safe side it would be better if we play lower league opposition at home through to semi finals stage, the only remaining lower league side in the semi final at Wembley and then I would take Spurs at Wembley in the final.