Taking Stock - At the 10th Game Mark

We now find ourselves standing at the cusp of the 10th game mark of the season.

A quarter of the season has gone, and whilst it is still early days, certain things have began shaping up. Arsenal look solid for the title push, so does Liverpool, even if only the power of the SAS (Sturridge and Suarez) seems to have papered over their defensive frailties, whilst City looks the part of the fire-breathing attacking beast with a soft underbelly. As for United, well let's just say I hope the United board gives David Moyes the job for life.

As for us, I am satisfied. Just. Jose seems to have gotten a foundation to build on. After a lot of chopping and changing, he seems to have settled on his preferred first team. Style of playing still doesn't seem to have been fixed yet, but the attack seems to be settled on Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle inter-and-over-lapping behind Fernando Torres who seems to love getting in the over-and-inter-lapping action with them. Very fluid. Very false nine, ten, eleven and seven. 

If there is one thing that still leave me, and many fans, scratching our heads, it would be allowing Lukaku to leave on loan to Everton. Still as sharp, still as physically imposing and still banging in the goals for fun. There is that nagging feeling that perhaps if Mourinho had a bit more faith in him, this beast of a man would be quite the excellent outlet for goals throughout the season. But hey, he's the gaffer, perhaps he saw something in training which fans don't. Perhaps there's a reason for pushing out Lukaku out on loan, perhaps for more experience or perhaps to hone a particular aspect of his game more. Perhaps. But one gets the feeling that should Chelsea falter in its ambitions this season due to lack of goals, winning or otherwise, then such a call may well come back to haunt Mourinho.

The next question mark that has been raised is his aversion to include fan favourite Juan Mata, sometimes from the first team and sometimes from the matchday squad completely. Still a mystery to me, as Mata was the focal point of most of our best plays last season. But once again, he's the gaffer and I'm not. And some things will only be known through hindsight. For now, we can only hope that his decision vindicates itself over the season.

Enough talk for now. Let's just bask in the victory over City and hope we continue to go with guns blazing at every of our rivals. 

2nd place at the quarter point. Things look hopeful.