Some explanations…

December is upon us and Christmas is around the corner. I wanted to blog about the festivities but I decided to stick to my promise and post some of your comments about why there have been crazy scorelines in the Barclays Premier League this season.
I had over 250 comments and I must admit I was surprised by the reaction and by how different people see football games. By that I mean 10 people can watch one game and they will all have different opinions about the game.
I have been attending Chelsea home games recently and have been sitting among the fans. Everyone has been brilliant and thanks for all the well wishes but I can’t help but notice how intense it can get when things are not going well on the pitch. I love the passion in the stands and how much we all want Chelsea to do well.
I have also noticed from comments I hear before, during and after games that everyone has their own opinion about football and below you will find some of the opinions about why there have been crazy scorelines this season…

Richard D4 Chelsea – It’s a discipline problem
I can’t help but think with these recent huge scorelines that the midfield and defence of each team are not as tightly disciplined to defend and protect their own goal like seasons before. It seems like it’s all been about scoring one more than the other with high defending lines, high pressing, and utilising a dominant percentage of possession effectively, trying to emulate some of Barcelona’s style of play.
After their dominance domestically and in Europe, there are not many reasons to say why big teams shouldn’t try and match them for entertainment value for the fans and to gain overall improvements from the physical, mental and technical sides of the game for the players. I’m going to use Chelsea’s past and present tactics as an example of why there’s been huge scorelines this season.
Simon blames it on superior teams
Man United and Man City smashed eight and five past Arsenal and Tottenham respectively because they were superior at the time. Then the ultimate Manchester clash where City ran out 1-6 winners away from home, what a game!!! City played better and the red card was decisive on the day as City firmly took control with United committing blunders and giving up totally.
With the Chelsea – Arsenal game it breaks my heart to admit we had a bright start but lost focus, switched off and committed blunders. Overall, over 90 minutes, Chelsea were by far the better side, but we have to finish off games when we take the lead rather than be too cautious in my view.
Martin thinks it’s a defensive problem
I think it is because the top teams in the EPL this season aren’t paying much attention to their defences and are not trying to keep clean sheets. Instead they are trying to attack and create and score as many goals as they can. From a neutral’s perspective, it is very entertaining but for us fans it’s like a lottery, it’s 50-50, and nail biting stuff. You have no idea who’s going to win and it’s all about finishing your chances off. It’s very much whoever can score the most goals wins.
JackG thinks it’s a change from last season
TACTICS – last year Chelsea played a more balanced game, as did United, and City were boring and defensive. This year it seems like it’s changed a lot – AVB has clearly brought in a more attacking system, hence why we’ve conceded a lot more goals, Mancini’s City are unrecognisable from last year, United have so much strength in attack and now perhaps a slightly weaker defence, and Arsenal have never played a tight game under Wenger. Great as a neutral, but horrible for a fan.
Asa5Chelsea thinks its due to strict refereeing
I think that the crazy results could be due to stricter refereeing. There have been quite a few more bookings and red cards (especially for Chelsea) this year so far and I wonder if that has given the attacking players a psychological advantage over the defending ones because they think they may be able to get a free kick/penalty or persuade the referee to give out a card?
As a midfielder where you are involved in attacking and defending, maybe you are better suited to judge this. I do think that all the top clubs are beginning to play with more flair and seem to focus more on attack. Either way, it’s great for us fans!
 Joshua Opeku reckons it’s how the modern day game goes
I personally don’t have a problem with the scorelines because this is modern soccer and that is how I think it should be. The big teams cannot rely on past glory to win matches. My only concern is that my dear team Chelsea are struggling and I am very sad as I write this.
Aakorner thinks the pace in the EPL is the cause
I’d tend to think that the pace of play in the Premier League has just got so high that it’s causing teams to spring counter-attacks so quickly and so you get so many goals. It’s really becoming end-to-end I think. Teams set out these days quite similarly too with one or two holding midfielders, two wide men and one up top. The goals tend to go in when one team loses possession up top and attackers are released.
Amidtemi said its part of the show
It is all part of the show. Football is about entertainment. It’s not really surprising to me. How are the mighty fallen and long may it continue.

Apart from the above, a lot of people also left comments asking me what my thoughts on the crazy scorelines were. About 20 people threw the question back at me and asked why I think there have been crazy scorelines.
My answer: ‘What do I know – I am only a player!’
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Ess

Posted in: Chelsea