Blue Armour

Hopefully common sense prevails. Chopping and changing the manager every season does not help. Neither does inaction during a transfer window. They've essentially made life more difficult for Maresca by moving out player without any reinforcements.

Sabotage from all corners since the beginning. The funds from Abramovich's club sale are still lying frozen without anything being handed out to war victims.

Speaking of teams we should have beat.. Prior to facing Chelsea, Brighton conceded 7 goals to Forest. In the 2 fixtures against Brighton, FA cup and PL, Chelsea registered only 1 shot on target. Clearlake masterclass 👏

Watch us pay over the odds for Delap in the summer. All because he is ex Man City, and is something these directors are familiar with.

I'm not biggest Felix fan, as he still comes across as a luxury player., but moving him out without any attacking reinforcements in sight, and a threadbare list of strikers, was irresponsible, and reeks of arrogance. Also, their delay in securing a shirt sponsor grows more comical. They obviously waited until mid-season to see how far up the CL spots the club could finish., to secure a better deal. Doesn't look like it's happening now.

We won't be fighting for a top 4 spot for long with out current attack. Jackson and Madueke were the only somewhat reliable performers after Palmer, and they're both out for significant periods. Nkunku has been an eyesore upfront, in the past two games. This would have been a good in-progress season, if the club directors tried to address a few key deficiencies, but instead decided to only focus on outgoings. Bringing back Chalobah as a defensive reinforcement, despite putting him in the bomb squad, goes to show well directed their strategy is (not). I'd like to give Maresca a chance. But given the track record of these owners, they have NO loyalty to him. Pochettino was allowed to walk, despite bringing the club back to 6th. There's little chance that Maresca gets better treatment if the team finishes significantly below that spot.

That might be what you want But knowing the track record of these owners, Maresca will be in real danger if the club finishes outside of top 6 this year.

Well, that's all on the owners & recruiters. We were too quick to move out experienced heads, with title winning experience., to bring down the average age of the squad. For experience, we brought in the likes of Disasi and Sanchez. Hardly cutting edge stuff.

"In the next 5 or 10 years, this club can compete?" GTFO. Within 3 years these guys have taken the club from CL winners and regular top 4 contenders, into ignominy., without even a shirt sponsor., and all real estate assets sold. And you need another 5 to 10 years to bring it back? Hope this just a case of mistranslation or poor English from Maresca., and he actually meant that the club is ready to compete FOR the next 5 to 10 years instead.

Well. If you take Maresca’s word about top 4 not being an objective for this season, then it's no surprise the club doesn't give a hoot about our current lack in depth. Sliding out of top 4 into the Europa league spots., barring an insane turnaround in form from Nkunku, is looking more likely than ever. So much for enjoying this season. Just another work in progress season. I guess the fans should be grateful. Considering this is a club that only recently survived going into a relegation battle under Potter. Slow steps.

If Chelsea doesn't make the CL spots this season., it's very likely going to happen. No talented player will stick around for ages like Kane did for Spurs.

Yep, that stab into the far corner. Reminds me of his finish against Man Utd in 2007 FA cup final.

I fear they've pulled him the rug out from under him with this transfer window. There was an opportunity to back up an inexperienced manager with some decent quality squad reinforcements, and they bailed. If this club doesn't make the CL spots this season., they could be doing away with him come season end.

https://images.app.goo.gl/DEfJBmStAjEHkW8p8

Find it absolutely hilarious that the Brighton support is booing Sanchez when he gets on the ball. They should be doing the opposite

It's odd that they've spent over 200 million on 3 central midfielders, but not the same on CBs. Well, they did spend 70m+ on an injury risk Fofana, and what a poor ROI that was. They're probably still hoping he comes good and thus see him & Colwill holding it down for seasons to come. Poor decision. I would trade 3 of our backup CBs for one quality CB. I'm not even asking for a CB of Carvalho quality Heck, our Brazilian CB Alex who played for us in 2010 was leagues above any of the CBs we have now.

At the Emirates right? Chelsea will be wide open at the back., with Sanchez providing guided tours for the Arsenal attack.

Well, if it's any consolation. Chelsea tecnhically isn't playing this 'weekend' 😄

Not to worry, the directors will soon sign a new winger to make up for lack of reinforcements. They're also holding on to the mighty Disasi, so that he can realize his true potential and become the leader Thiago Silva was for us.

Like I said in the Maresca thread. This has all the makings of the club ready to pull the rug out from another (4th) manager. A lot of planned outgoing, with no decent incomings in sight. I'll still wait for the end of the window before confirming my opinion, but they clearly think the squad is good enough for whatever league position they had in mind for this season. If the team keeps losing matches, it will be bye bye Maresca by the end of the season.

Let me guess. The directors still see Disasi as a long term project that will come into fruition. Maybe they saw Silva playing for us at 35+ and said., hey wait a minute...

Whether it's the combination of injuries or just general lack of interest, Nkunku just isn't cutting it for us. Maybe the lack of playing time did him in., and he just doesn't care any more. He seemed a lot better with his cameo roles (and conference league) early on in this season. Maybe Maresca should have done more squad rotation, starting him in a few games against weaker opponents, especially back in December when we had several fixtures b2b. But bringing him on against City was just pointless, given his most recent form.

If Chelsea keep finishing outside of the CL spots, and treat every season as the start of a long-term 'project', I wouldn't be surprised if Palmer moves back to City or another top club. I mean, which top player would want their career dragged down by a bumbling Sanchez?

Tbh, I don't think we'll have to worry about him moving on. He can stay on as a deputy keeper., playing the odd game here and there against rubbish opposition. The problem is that he is starting every game, and is getting exposed.

I hope our directors realize this soon. Even when he's fully fit, he is very suspect defensively.