Supermonkey92

I wonder how simple it would be to switch to a back 4. Weren't many ex manger and player pundits saying how difficult it would be to readjust last season when we first started playing it?

The only one that I can confidently say wouldn't play with fear from the bench is cesc. But what you add in dangerous passing you open up a corridor in midfield. This wasn't just the popular (but correct) scapegoats Cahill and Bakayoko. Moses, Zappacosta, Azpi too. Thats 5 of the 7 players who have to manoeuvre the ball to the front 3. Too timid to roll the ball past the halfway line.

I've heard he's a defensive nightmare

I think mourinho was the first manager to win the league and then have a crisis season. But Conte cannot have the blame *all* on him. You said yourself he didn't want to lose Matic. That decision was huge. We wasted many on Drinkwater and (due to Danny's Injury) had no choice but to stick with a young Bakayoko regardless of whether his confidence is shot to pieces from a string of bad games. Our toothless attack is largely influenced by only having 2 up top. Losing Matic without a good enough replacement had a huge affect and that is almost entirely on the board. Conte has made some effort to silence critics regarding his time here. He said multiple times this season he would love to stay in charge when the new stadium is built or to atleast honour the length of his contract. It's always a dangerous thing to lump so much blame on one man. When you consider the fact that straight after a title win/negative season situation, almost exactly the same thing happens again (except Conte hasn't done that bad) it might be time to look to the people who have overseen both situations.

Let' hope he sees out his third year and leaves the squad in a healthy condition.

I would have loved to have seen more of Mighy. My opinion on how often and how far the ball bounces off him isn't settled yet.

People will realise when Conte is gone just how bad the next few years are going to be. No more titles. No ambition (anyone honest will realise that Conte's moaning stems from ambition. I haven't forgotten the warrior he is. The level he demands from his players. He has been given a Cleo to race Ferraris). You know happens when everyone realises are ambition doesn't reflect that of other teams? That it isn't good enough? The best players leave. Hazard. Tibo. Willian (who we will miss when we see the cross we replace him with). This club needs Conte, because the board needs a manager with ferocious ambition. We all know the board thinks business first. Most likely he leaves. I have nothing but respect for him, kinda want him to have a foreign club to support him. So here's my prediction. Abramovich is going to need to have things get a lot worse before the board is reshuffled. Hopefully we put as much effort into choosing sporting directors than we do managers.

If anyone thinks this guy has had any reasonable say over transfers they are gullible. First season didn't have a choice. The club blatantly went for Kante and Batshuayi. Alonso and Luiz as last minute deadline day signings says it all. Same for Drinkwater and Zappscosta. No way he wanted Matic gone. Doesn't even know who the new LB is for crying out loud! He sticks to 3 at the back because we would get creamed defensively and Hazard is so bad defensively (as is Alonso) that a back 4 is dangerous. Having said that . . . . Considering how bad Christensen injury is and if the new LB is any good, a back for may be an option now. Rudiger next to Azpi may help. A 3 man midfield is absolutely necessary. Kante, Barkley and toothless Baka or snail boy cesc. Fuck his options are shit

We'd be stupid to get him. We need to stop fucking panic buys. The board needs a director that has some sort of idea where the squad is going and buy accordingly, not pissing away money (I'm not talking 200,000 a week here!) On a 30 year old. That Lyon winger would be the smarter option. Or here's a thought, saving the money on a cm in the summer. Or a lb. Or a rwb. Or a whole host of areas in dire need.

He's been fed shit since he came. Didn't extend his contract but said thank you very much I'll take more money. Atrocious summer where the first 11 and squad as a whole was weakened. Just like I'd still support Hazard if he (understandably) left for a team that reflects his talent, the same would be for Antonio.

You gys don' realise how good of a coach Conte is. Lets look at the team; Azpi Christensen Cahill Moses Fabregas Kante Baka Alonso Hazard Mortars Defence; last year he had a shit defence, just look back to that 10th place position before. This year he has dropped Luis for Christensen. Good move. Also, Rudiger is much more mobile, aggressive and btter on the ball than Cahill. Midfield: the worst midfield in the top 6 by a country mile. FUCK ME. This is pretty much the reason Conte's hands are tied. Moses is a fucking Terrible wingback. Can't even take a player on anymore. Or dribble. So what the hell does he bring? He can't defend he just stands in line with the defenders. Even when the opposition mirror our formation he STILL has to be told, a year on, to press the fucking wingback. Zappscosta isn't much better (But just to hammer home how shit Moses was, how much better was our attack at the Emirates when Davide came on). Fabregas has got EVEN SLOWER. Unfortunately, he just isn't capable in a midfield 2 anymore in the PL. Still our best passer by a country mile. Kante 👊💪👍. That is all. Bakayoko is not good enough for the PL. No more needs to be said. His total contribution to our team accumulates to us having a handicap of 10 players. Oh, did I mention our mdfield was already in trouble anyway? Alonso: slow, defensively weak but pretty decent going forward. Can't cross though. Hazard: no words needed, we know him Morata: huge step down from Costa. A number of games where he whines and moans. Can' shoot for shit. Doesn't matter whether it's outside the box or 1 on 1. Good header of the ball though. So what exactly is Conte to do?! Play a midfield 2? Who partners Kante? Fabregas can't do it and if Baka is on the pitch it' basically Kante by himself. We were out muscled last year when he had Matic! Drinkwater seems the only option. But Leiceser only won the title by sitting back! He hs shit options. Play a midfield 3 and be more solid or play 2 and get overrun. For My money, the 3 at the back has had it's day. Moses and Alonso aren't good enough and we don't have Ivanovic/Terry/Luiz. The big problem is the transition. That is HUGE and takes time. Azpi Rudiger Christensen Alonso Drinkwater Kante Barkley willian Hazard Morata

Waste of a CM spot. 3 CMs bought. Im already looking ahead to when all 3 are replaced. From Vidal to Barkley. No doubt from Drinkwater to Catermole.

Kante great tackle. Fabregas quick pass. Quality play by Hazard. Unlucly fabregas. Really good play though.

Unfortunately he wont take him off at HT for his confidence. Looks like we have to ride useless Bakayoko until 6oth minute

Zappacosta has frustrated me. I didn't mind Moses coming back. I'm already frustrated with Moses

Pedro on for Wingback?

Gary flickedy flick Cahill hasnt turned up. Gary "I refuse to play football from the back if i'm the slightet bit pressured, so no worries guys i'll slowly slide the ball back to the keeper so he is forced to boot it" Cahill has though.

Bakayoko off for Willian or Pedro. We need more movement. Is it a coincidence that slo-mo Marcus bloody Alonso, Flickedy flick Cahill and Tiemoue "everytime I go up for a header i hurt my back, oh shit I'm playing a professional football game better stop daydreaming, no worries I'm still as good as Kante and Pogba" Bakayoko were the ones chasing shadows for the goal?

Which is why im not having a meltdown. I keep saying outside of Azpi, Kante, Hazard and Morata (soon probably Christensen) we really arent that good. The players you mention are all average. Add flickedy flick Cahill to the mix. Thats half the outfield team! Conte has done a brilliant job. I thought our passing was actually quite good at least unil the final third.

HAHAHAHAHAHA  Bakayoko you day dreaming son of a bitch. I was wondering what would cone first? A stupid giveaway or a missed sitter. Get this clumsy Donkey off the fucking pitch.

Last 20 bring on cesc for Bakayoko

Definitely true for our fullbacks. Maybe the last time our fullbacks were great was A.Cole and Ivanovic but you are talking under Benitez at the latest. Arguably before. But crucially, are wbs right now need serious upgrading

It may get even worse. Rightful moaning about are recent penny pinching seem to come down to Marina who is great at getting deals but not great at buying!

Or the quicker it all falls apart

Maybe even worse than cesc at shooting outside the box (or shooting fullstop). I hage question marks over whether he is the option to take us forward. Aren't we looking for a first choice option to partner Kante? It's telling that his best performances come in a 3. I think he brings 3 qualities. Aerial strength in midfield, physical strength in midfield and sometimes can dribble the ball well. Will add that his forward runs are good. That still leaves a lot to be desired as a first choice MIDFIELDER at CFC.