LDN Blue

What a guy! Was incredible on the left in his time here, perfect out and out winger..

Y U Do Dis

Fans have no say in this. You've seen what so called 'protests' have achieved at rival grounds like Emirates, it does nothing. We're at the bottom of the pile to influence any change, it has to come from within the club itself. It requires someone, preferably RA himself, to wake up and say "hang on a minute, maybe our structure at board level is affecting structure on pitch level". Until that happens this will be a repeating cycle.

Not sure yet. That was pathetic, but Costa and Hazard look up for it when they've got the ball. It really depends on how long we're going to have to endure this defensive mess for.. ..that's me trying to be less cynical @CHOULO19

That's true, Moses has shown maturity since coming back. Again, it's just not addressing our defensive frailties. My vote would be for Chalobah to be honest, having started out as a CB and progressed to DM coupled with his experience in Serie A, he would be a good addition in midfield for Matic and keeping Oscar/Fabregas competing. Ahhh, the lack of recruitment is so infuriating at these times when you find these weaknesses.

I'll admit I was one of those that thought I'd understand the rationale behind it . With all the attacking flare we have I thought Matic could perhaps be the link between Kante and attack, but once I saw Kante's distribution I quickly realised Matic's inclusion simply doesn't make sense. As I said, his attacking abilities are severely lacking and confusing. He loses the ball in key areas of attack and even hinders the wave by not passing quickly enough or to the right player. Again a lack of recruitment for a true CM has cost us. To be honest, I'm not sure how much even Kante-Oscar-Fabregas would make a difference. Until we get things right defensively, our offensive players have nothing to build on.

Would be very surprised to see anything remotely similar to a 3-5-2 against Hull, feel its a risk he won't be taking so soon to begin a game with. Terry's back hopefully so I'd at least like to see Alonso in for Ivanovic and playing LB for Dave to play RB. It's unlikely and what we'll probably see is the following; Courtois Ivanovic - Cahill - Terry - Azpi Kante Willian - Oscar - Matic - Hazard Costa

Like I understand there was desire to keep hold of him through the Juventus rumours and it is apparently true that he did fancy a new challenge. But if that's the reason he's in the starting XI, to keep him happy, then it's ridiculous. I can't see what he's adding, Kante's covering the defensive work. Matic is static, he's inept going forward and his running style leaves a lot of questions. He looks awkward when he goes forward, posture reminds me something more along the lines of Jordan Henderson. And you know if you're compared to Henderson how bad one is

4 yellow cards in 6 appearances. Hull, Leicester & Man United to play. If he's smart, he'll get himself booked vs Hull & see his suspension through Leicester and be back for Man United. Knowing our luck, he'll pick up that fifth yellow versus Leicester. The stage is set for Michy.

This is a weird statement considering how out of shape he came to us beginning of last season lmao. It's about time he shut up about Atletico and put in the hard work for this team. Recognition deserved, lets hope his team-mates follow suit.

it's truly become infuriating! They need to at least give a f*ck if they're going to be this shit.

Getting more and more difficult to disagree with this. I explained a few days back why Manchester City are one of the best run clubs in the EPL right now, but Chelsea's regression seems to be more and more rapid. Roman needs to hold members at board level accountable and soon!

By far the most retarded player on the pitch yesterday, what the fuck is he still doing in the team.

how the years have damaged me my friend!

It is nice to have a player that even rival fans enjoy seeing play and interact on social media lol, good for the club's image. They must be delighted, but I hope he on the other hand doesn't have any negative interactions that can get him inadvertently in trouble.

Thing is Chou, the logic then was if we do let Terry walk away then surely we had to sign a world class centre back to replace him. At the time you couldn't really fault that logic. If we could have secured an establish one then it would've been wonderful for the development of this team. The fact we didn't is why JT is key now, because simply put we have no-one better currently. Can you honestly say you're comfortable with that?

Nah, they're showing Manc derby and Liverpool-Spurs. Left Chelsea alone this round lmao.

Guys, guys, you're getting far too carried away imo. Nothing against Tammy, good on him for taking his opportunities. But we know this song all too well, he'll have a great season with Bristol. Maybe he'll even be voted Player of the Year by the club or even league. He'll come back and we'll send him elsewhere. Where we send him will backfire and he might not even be able to get into the team. We'll then try to revive his career by sending him to another club, eventually sending him to the depths of a foreign league where he'll never be heard from again. Shame that, isn't it?

Wonderful post. Let's not forget, when speaking of media agenda, how Rooney is the prodigal son who can do no wrong. Yet Costa, who's an absolute goal machine this season, is the terror to football and Conte's campaign

Thing about Terry is and I think he said this post-Rafa or even during Rafa's reign. He's okay with being out the team, provided that the people replacing him are justified in their selection* and that season you could argue strongly he had a point when watching a young Luiz and Cahill ahead of him looking shaky as ever. Fast-forward a season and you argue he was right in his 'annoyance' lets say.. Whether he's more accepting if, say, Zouma and Luiz eventually became our CB pairing is another issue entirely. The fact is, until we sign a world-class centre back, I see scarce reasons why Terry shouldn't be there. He's still, positionally, one of the best around. It's amazing that he's still in the team, but that speaks volumes about our poor recruitment and the fitness levels of Terry in spite of this.

Still waiting for one to criticise Rooney tbh..

What a difference two games make. Before it was all about "Hazard's back!" "New chapter" "Genius" Christ this boy is wasted on us sometimes

Again, I just don't want to get excited . This model is predictable, he'll go on loan again and might not reach the heights he does and it's another one gone. Meanwhile Rashford & Kelechi..

Mass over reaction re Mourinho, imo. These players will inevitably come good, but it's hilarious to see

The sad state of affairs is that this the reality we've succumbed to. I don't really know how we sat back again after a negative transfer window in 2015, after seeing United and City recruit in such an effective manner as we had done in 2014 it was ridiculous. The last chase for a defender was nonsensical from the outset and we saw to what extent when Terry inevitably got injured. In fairness with Manchester City you have to sometimes sit back and just think "now there's a football club that's run effectively by football brains". When you think about it, Guardiola wasn't this coup it seemed, it was 3-4 years in the pipeline. The recruitment of directors like Txiki Begiristain revolutionised City from a top-down position. We, meanwhile, have a board comprised of businessmen/women and negotiators. Roman's failure to recognise this is what is costing to this day. Back in 2004-10 it was okay because only Chelsea and Manchester United were the powerhouses of the EPL and thus were European giants at that point as flag bearers for English Football. City's emergence changed it, of course they also struggled initially but the long-term plan has come into fruition now. You look at how they invested heavily into their academy not long ago and already players like Kelechi are coming good, as is Rashford at Manchester United. The problem now is, because our model has been in place and 'successful' for so long it would take a paradigm shift in attitude for this club to get back on track. It would require the board to be revamped and get the balance of football & business brains working in tandem for on, as well as off, pitch success. That really is the difference as to why we were unable to recruit with any efficient manner this window. Our lack of European football was exasperated by a lack of structure. Conte was never going to be the one to do that, hence his title of Head Coach being so important. Pochettino was announced as a 'head coach' and his subsequent contract renewal announced him as 'manager', I'd put that down to changing the attitude of Tottenham enabling that successful season they had. This is my 2 cents anyway. I think until this shift happens we're resigned to this anti-Madrid model of changing managers but not personnel in the way we should.