Ranty McRantface I enjoyed that.
Definitely a tale of 2 halves. We looked more solid and settled 1st half. The 2nd team in the second half looked all too eager to impress and sadly only about 2 or 3 did. I think it's pretty clear who is ready and who isn't. I won't do ratings but I'll give a little write up on each player.
1st Half
Joao - Nothing he could have done with the free kick. I've played in goal and I can tell you it's a keepers nightmare to have a free kick against you dead centre. There is no right or wrong answer to placing the wall. The second goal took a nasty dip and swerve pretty late but he should have been mentally ready for that. Kennedy has a few of those shots in his locker.
Yiadom - Brilliant. Please stay injury free.
McIntyre - Very good. He is 100% ready. So good on the ball too.
Moore - typical performance. Very good.
Blackett - Didn't play long enough.
Richards - he got better as the game went on. I would be happy for him to start if Blackett is still injured.
Barrett - Brilliant. This could be his year. He worked hard, scored a great goal. He got a little cocky with the ball on occasion when he jinked past a couple and should have passed it but hopefully he will learn.
Rino - Did what he does best. Chasing a shadows a couple times but he's pretty much doing the defensive work on his own.
Swift. - He's so 50/50 it's unreal. Doesn't offer anything defensively but when he did get the ball it progressed from defense to attack very quickly. Something we've missed under previous managers.
Barrow - Not a fan today. A couple of powerful runs but that was it.
Meite - Offers a presence up front but didn't do much. Had one header that went miles over.
Loader - All over the pitch. Did OK. One header off the post and a decent shot. Better than Meite.
2nd half. I felt that the team were told to audition for a start on Saturday as we were completely out of shape for 20mins.
Walker - ROFL, LOL, LMAO.
Howe - Tries hard (which I know is a winning trait for a lot of you
) He's somewhat limited. He needs a loan out for the season.
Watson - I felt the Right side was a little safer with him playing. Not by much but enough.
Morrison - Good goal. Looked OK at the back in a ragged defence.
Miazga - A couple of good interceptions. Too late for him to start.
Richards - One of the better players. Did you see that tackle he made to stop Chelsea in the clear. Amazing.
East - I felt he's regressed a bit. Not ready for this league or league 1. He needs a season in League 2.
Adam - I like him. Smooth passing (apart from that one to Walker). He can't tackle but alongside a mobile Cm he will do well for us.
Holsgrove - I felt sorry for him. He's a Cm playing left wing. He did OK tbf but I think he would benefit from a loan out in Cm.
Olise - DAAAAAmn. He needs to start. Skills to the pay bills. He gave some top defenders a torrid time. Great assist and was unlucky not to score.
Baldock - He played really well. Good start and finish for his goal. I can see him forcing his way into Gomes plans a lot more if he plays like that all the time.
Nova - For those that haven't seen him play before he is the sort of casual looking player who springs to life when the ball is at his feet. He did well to win the corner that led to Morrisons goal and made a couple of nice flicks. He should have buried that turn and shot though. He'll be disappointed not to hit the target. I don't think he will play much sadly.
Overall, I thought we gave Chelsea a good show. They will struggle to stay in the top 4 this season for sure. We desperately need more cover in CM as just having Swift, Rino and Adam is not enough. I would also look to sign an experienced keeper too!
Out of the youngsters I would say Barrett, Olise, Loader, Richards, Nova, Watson and McIntyre are the only ones ready for the 1st team. The others need a season loan in League 2. As for Saturday here is who I think will play. Ive assumed Blackett is Injured.
..............................Joao........................
Yiadom..McIntyre..Moore...Richards
...................Swift.....Rino.................
Olise.............Loader..............Barrett..
................... Meite...............
Subs: Andresson, Morrison, Baldock, Adam, Barrow, Watson, Nova.
Sorry but I can not be arsed to do ratings for all of those guys.