Blue Armour

Just one more goal and they can wrap this fixture up. Give Estevao a few minutes as well.

Won't get an easier header than that.

And Tosin scores..

Hmm..looked like a handball. Ball rolled off his arm.

They've kept a clean sheet so far though...

Would be good for Liam Rosenior if he can get Liam Delap firing. Easy way to get point and fans on his side.

He would have clapped them in irons and strung them to the rock of Gibraltar

Well. Won't have to wait too long for Liam's first match with Chelsea. Let's see how it goes.

It's likely similar at Man Utd and probably at Liverpool as well. The days of a manager like Ferguson where they have a say over many things,.besides coaching the first team, is a distant memory. Guardiola probably only one of the few remaining with that level of stature. For better or worse, we have directors. There was a time under Roman when we were clamoring for directors and direction from the top. Now it feels like the opposite.

Well the question is why are we spending so much on hoarding players in a certain age bracket? All low risk signings that can potentially improve or fetch a decent fee in a few years. Why are there so few or no quality signings being made the 26+ age bracket? Tosin and Disasi dont qualify in this category. They are both mediocre. And Tosin came on a free. Maybe the justification provided is the fact that they've been burned by the likes of Sterling & Koulibaly, but boy, have they certainly tried to course correct in the most extreme direction.

Tosin will see more appearances. We will continue rotating the squad under Liam as well. Maybe then fans will come to realize that it wasn't Maresca calling all the shots.

Delayed post, but James deserves a lot of credit for his gesture by taking the interim coach to the fans after the City game. Very good character. I've said this before, but one of the things Chelsea fans can take to heart this season, is the growing leadership that both James and Enzo Fernandez have shown on occasion this season. Still a lot more to go, to get near Azpilicueta, let alone Drogba, Terry or Lampard levels. But a good sign nonetheless.

True. None of this is on Rosenior. Hope he comes in and does a good job without the noise around his appointment. The "new manager bounce" usually works for a few months, so there's that going for him for at least till end of the season.

Pretty ballsy if true. Would be good to know what actually happens behind the scenes if this means he will speak out.

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.