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There are somethings Chelsea needs to be wary of and key battles we need to win when we face Newcastle tomorrow.
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So to look at what we need to be wary of, I chose to focus on 4 Newcastle games specifically this season.
1. Spurs v Newcastle
2. Newcastle v Man Utd
3. Newcastle v Everton
4. Southampton v Newcastle.
1. Spurs v Newcastle
2. Newcastle v Man Utd
3. Newcastle v Everton
4. Southampton v Newcastle.
i watched most of every minute of these games thankfully to know what threats we will face from Newcastle which I will highlight and how they are likely to play against us and the formation they will use
Newcastle has Mainly used 3 different formations this season. The 442(Most) 532, 4141(once)
Steve Bruce tends to use the 442 against opposition that is more their level and size with the exception of Manutd this season and uses the 532 against the bigger teams Spurs, Everton
Steve Bruce tends to use the 442 against opposition that is more their level and size with the exception of Manutd this season and uses the 532 against the bigger teams Spurs, Everton
So to get a bit of how they might play against us, analyzing those games I mentioned, we analyze how they set up against bigger teams at home and away, but mostly at home. and how they set up against Chelsea last season when they beat us at home.
Here we look at the Spurs v Newcastle Game. Though away Bruce set up with a 3 at the back the CBs Fernandes, Lascelles, Hayden. They completely ceded possession with Spurs enjoying 66% and Newcastle 34% normally how they play
So Firstly, I think they will play with 532 against us. It worked for them last season. They have used it in their games v Spurs, Wolves(mostly to match their own formation), and Everton. It should be a back 5 of Lewis, Fernandes, Lascelles, Schar, and Murphy.
In this game, they focused on countering Spurs with Almiron and Wilson being key to this, but they didn't really get close to hurt spurs in any way, in fact, they finished with 0 shots on target from open play bar the pen which made it 1.
They didn't have ASM tho. which makes a big difference for them cause he literally carries them up the pitch on the counter most times on his own.
Let's see how they do with ASM v Everton. This is the same 532 formation used and the plan is the same. to counter their opponents with ASM , Almiron and Wilson huge parts.
With Wilson seemingly being fit to play. They have their best counter-attacking threats available so that's the obvious route they would take. The thing with Wilson even in low block situations is he is a massive threat in behind. He stretches Cbs.
He runs the channels, he also holds up the ball decently well. so you need a positionally good CB to deal with him. Since Silva is that and he isn't available, it would be interesting to see who Lampard pairs with Zouma.
Another Key individual to stop is ASM of course. I could say an RB(Reece) should deal with him cause he is an LW but for Newcastle these days he roams the attacking third. finding space and weaknesses he can to attack the opposition since he is their best attacker.
so everyone needs to be alert to that danger and stop him in numbers with our counter-pressing, which can also stop him from getting on the ball much at all.
Almiron also presents a threat with space on counters.
Almiron also presents a threat with space on counters.
Lampard has really dealt well with defending counters this season which was one of our big weaknesses last term so this is another decent test of that resolve.
The last of their threat we need to be wary of is Andy Carroll, probably of the bench which adds the aerial advantage to their play. This is where Zouma is very important. He has won 96% of his aerial duels this season(best in Europe). He should stick to Carroll however he can.
Now let's look at how we can hurt them.
Firstly and most importantly
in between the lines
Newcastle's midfielders defend the front of their defence so poorly. They often leave huge gaps between the midfield and defensive lines where players like mount, Werner, Ziyech, kova
Firstly and most importantly
in between the lines
Newcastle's midfielders defend the front of their defence so poorly. They often leave huge gaps between the midfield and defensive lines where players like mount, Werner, Ziyech, kova
Spurs and Manutd used that medium to create many chances to score. Kane and son mostly combining there and Mata and Fernandes combining there also. Spurs scored like that too. Son in the halfspace, Feeding Kane and Kane squaring it for Lucas
once again notice the massive gaps in between the midfield and defence. especially how they sit deep. That and crosses are the way I want and expect us to play them tomorrow. Ziyech will be the difference-maker in that regard cause that is his specialty.
Ziyech and Reece James' understanding will be put to the test to break down a low block once again with kova and Mount in the halfspaces. Tammy should be alive for crosses as Lascelles and co don't deal with crosses particularly well.
The evidence of that is Darlow having to deal with massive amounts of shots this season. Long-range efforts are also encouraged cause of the space in front of their defence. Which will be for the likes of Mount, Ziyech, and International break Kovacic to exploit.
This away fixture is the toughest in the calendar year usually for Chelsea. so having a good mental space will be crucial for us to win.
likes and Rts appreciated
