Blue Armour

Probably because it came a bit sooner than expected. Pretty sure the club would have preferred to wait till end of the season like with Poch. Maresca decided to walk when his stock was still high. Top 4, two trophies and manager of the month in November. Let's see what happens.

I'm not saying there aren't issues with Maresca. He had his problems for sure, with bizarre subs and players out of position, but I can never truly call him out or anyone else without looking at the tools he has to work with. Jamie Gittens? Delap? Badisahile & Tosin? Until Everton or Sunderland actually finish the season above us, those comparisons are moot. Maresca was literally manager of the month in November, so mid-season standings are just part of the big picture. Now, this is the big picture: The last two managers, Poch & Maresca, the two highest performing managers under BlueCo, have both WALKED away from the club. Not sacked..But walked away from it. For that to happen twice in a row, does not bode well for the club. Points to a larger systemic error. Maresca could at least win a few random cups. Lets see what the next manager (coach) does.

Ah, so the squad matters when it comes to Poch and it doesn't matter when it comes to Maresca? So the injuries to Palmer and Colwill are insignificant this season? Honestly, disregarding the condescending nature of your post, the fact is that you seem too willing to give the owners and directors a free pass at every opportunity. You rarely seem to call them out, and I was curious to know why.

It will be a temporary deal announced mid-season until the end of the season, when they will look for a new, better, ultimate sponsor.

I think his plan B was to get another CB after the Colwill injury, but honestly he should have just given Acheampong more opportunities ar CB instead of deploying him at RB or leaving him on the bench.

Chelsea no longer have the spending power because of how Clearlake have made us fall within fouling of UEFA FFP rules. Havent even secured a shirt sponsor to help amend matters.

As part of his compensation package, he probably won't. Wish these things were open though. Like the Torres transfer under Ancelotti.

@Thor weren't you saying that Pochettino would have us playing better? What does that table tell you. How much of this is really down to the manager?

Joao Pedro having an inconsistent first touch, Delap being unable to be an aerial threat, Tosin backing away from attackers, Garnacho being unreliable with finishing, Badiashile having limited passing ability, Gittens playing with low confidence - I think some of those can be fixed by a good coach, but to say that all of this is down to the manager is simplistic.

Personally think that Arsenal is overstocked in defensive positions, but good for them. We have a number of CBs too, but more than half of them are way below the level required. Even Colwill at his best is still a question mark.

When you have CBs incapable of picking a pass, then backwards ball will be here to stay for a while.

I think Tosin was a beneficiary of the rotation policy the directors have enforced along with Maresca. It took several back to back awful performances for him to be dropped, but its probably only a matter of time before he gets restored to the lineup. Players being played out of position, like Gusto at LB, is a Maresca thing for sure. The terrible first half with Acheampong at RB & Gusto at LB was all down to him.

Funny how an AI model is able to call out the genius strategy of these owners. Basically showing what the majority take across various internet forums is. That they're essentially stocking up players with a priority on resale value more than anything else. Madueke being a good example.

I just hope Fofana hasnt hurt himself -he seemed to be knackered towards the end kf the game Imagine playing with the mighty Badiashile or Tosin in CB position for the next few games.

The constant chopping and changing of the back 4 isn't doing us any favors. Yes, Cucurella and James needed to be rested, but playing players outside their natural positions (Gusto, Acheampong) left us scrambling against Bournemouth in the first half. At least he restored some stability by bringing on James, and we had more control. Then there's the lack of ruthlessness. At 2-2, the game was there to be won. Sadly only Estevao showed any real intent. Delap & co were just ball watching for the most part in the 2nd half.