The Skipper

Ideally, yes. Can't see a player available on the market right now (that would join us) that can get us that though. Which means we have to make do with what we've got for now. We can get pretty good ball circulation going on if we get in a midfield of Oscar, Fabregas and Kante, providing we sign a competent CB and LB. That's the best solution we can get right now.

Well, we can improve our ball circulation if we play Fabregas, but we can't really play Fabregas without too much risk with the defenders we have. So, it's a bit of both actually.

His second half performance was actually very good. This is the sort of role he should've been used in a long time ago. Dude is definitely a B2B midfielder and not a number 10.

I think Cesc has to because it's way too late in the window to find a player of his level. If Cesc is leaving it'll be next season. Conte likes having a pure deep creative midfielder, and he has something to work with with Cesc. I still think Cesc will be important this season but Conte needs better defenders first to mask his deficiencies.

This is why I think we're after another midfielder. Someone defensively capable but also someone who can start attacks well like Kante does. Maybe Chalobah could do that but not sure Conte trusts him.

Typical Costa performance. I know he has his limitations but gosh, I love the dude.

Michy is hilarious on Twitter. Seems like he'll be a real nice presence in the dressing room too. I think him and Costa can actually be a very good partnership upfront. What Michy lacks is sharpness in his finishing and maybe that pure 9 instinct like Costa has but makes up for it with great technique and great hold up play which Costa lacks. So they complement each other.

I think Conte is waiting to get in defenders that can deal with or mask Fabregas' liability defensively before he plays Fab in that role. That makes sense to me anyway.

That's what I'm curious about too. Matic did okay defensively today but offered naught going forward. Matic seemed to be playing a more conservative B2B role, maybe a deeper playmaker... compared to Oscar who was up and down each box all the time. The role seems tailor made for Oscar tbh. Not sure what role Matic was meant to play though. I could envision Fabregas doing well in that role (offensively, not defensively). It'll be interesting to see how this develops.

Come on dude. Do you not understand our team is very limited with the back line that we have? We can't go out guns blazing with Ivanovic, Cahill and JT at the back. It holds us back. When we get in defenders and Zouma comes back we'll be more adventurous. Don't forget, West Ham are also actually a very decent team with a good manager. You're being unrealistic if you expected us to carve them open time and time again. We are still a work in process. It was a good performance in midfield where we dominated. We weren't crisp going forward but the pattern of play is there - intense wing play, lots of movement... When it clicks it'll be exciting. Just be patient and at least give Conte a chance to mold his team.

I'm absolutely buzzing me, don't know about you guys. That hunger to win again is back.

Some people clearly didn't watch the game. Lots of promising things on show. Of course, things we can improve on but we're on the right path. I would be saying the same thing if we drew tbh.

Post match presser from Bilic was classy. Humble and dignified and defeat, admitted that we dominated majority of the game and that we probably deserved the result AND said that Costa's challenge on Adrien isn't really a talking point. Very classy guy.

Fully agreed, can't fault our pressing game. When we get a little bit slicker going forward we're going to be a problem. Good to see you backing the manager mate. Next step - remove that Jose avatar.

Wow! A manager with a solid plan B. Never thought I'd see that at CFC. What a promising performance (in bits). I like what Antonio is building here, and his passion was incredible. What a man. Think I'm slowly developing a man crush.

You underestimate the man brother. It's okay, I understand last season is still fresh in mind but we shall all soon see.

THAT'S TO ALL YOU COSTA HATERS!!!

Hate to say it but Oscar has had a really good second half.

Those that don't understand the Super Frank chants... It's bloody West Ham.....

People getting at Costa should take a look at Willian and Oscar first, they have been awful going forward. Costa has been hit and miss but he is being a handful for both centre backs atm.

Yup. He doesn't seem to have that zip or determination he had last season in him anymore. Frustrated with him. I would take off him and Oscar/Matic and maybe introduce Fabregas for Oscar and Matic and someone out wide who actually wants to play. Maybe Pedro.

Our right hand side still can't attack.

Willian is not sharp at all. All potential good moves seem to be breaking down at his feet.

Literally have no idea who Conte's going to go for. So many permutations in pre season.

Forget Lukaku. Let's get Lacazette in. Please.