Blue Armour

Achempong was playing well in CB But manager decided to go back to his favorite CB pairing of Tosin and Chalobah for the last 15 mins of the game. And they came up with a clownshow in the last few mins of the game. Also., in the 2nd half Sunderland played a low block and we didn't do much. That last part we can hopefully improve if Delap comes back fit. He might be needed to break down stubborn defenses.

Would be surprised. Especially after all those quotes of him saying that he has been involved long enough as a football club owner 'for this lifetime'

Ever since the Tuchel era, one of the worst probably. Badiashile can at least raise his level at times. If we're talking defenders, Gusto on a bad day can be far worse. Tosin is not useless, but he has severe limitations. Switching off and also very passive with his defending. He's a squad player that shouldn't be called upon unless there's absolutely no other option. To think Maresca decided to sub off the best performing CB of the game to bring this guy on is just levels of insanity.

It's a numbers game for these guys, the directors and the recruitment team. Despite the lack of quality on the bench, they will still come back and say they have a gazillion CBs in the squad. Apart from the crazy fee they paid for Fofana, and the insane wages on Koulibaly., they have nickeled and dimed their way towards getting CBs for this squad. Tosin was one of their laziest acquisitions. Bought only because of his Man City connection, and because he was free.

And if we want to improve the defense, we should stop giving chances to weak shit like Tosin. Gave his attacker so much space and time to setup an attack. He keeps backing off attackers every time.

Maresca would be absolutely foolish to reintroduce Tosin and Chalobah as a CB pairing ever again. Worst defensive partnership in a decade. Chalobah unable to pass. And Tosin backing away from attackers like Michael Jackson doing a moonwalk.

One of the worst defenders in the squad, especially 1 on 1. Our form picked up this season when he was out of the starting 11 and out of the squad. Only reason he's here is because of the Man City connection.

Still their transfer though.

Probably a clownlake decision. Tosin is a clownlake purchase. Achempong is an academy product.

Think the problem runs deeper than Maresca. The worst thing about Maresca is that he might be possibly bowing down to some of the upper level decision making. No idea why Tosin needed minutes here. He should be on the bench. Of course, Tosin being a Clownlake purchase meant he's not going anywhere.

Im quoting myself. Why TF was that clown Tosin brought on? How was he supposed to improve the team? To make Winstanley and his cronies happy?

Tosin is FUcking useless. The two of them unable to deal with one attacker.

Wtf is with that Achempong sub..he was the best CB out there.

Wide players (Neto/Garnacho) went to sleep defensively in that long throw. Need to respond quickly

Garnacho!

Once again, full credit to James and Maresca for managing his fitness carefully. Along with Caicedo, one of the big MVPs in this team.

Gusto has got to be the dumbest player in the squad. Worse footballing IQ than even Sanchez IMO. He's capable of raising his level and doing a job for the team, but it really feels like he has rocks for brains during key moments of the game.

Also, they won't be as constrained by FFP or PSR rules because of their massive revenue. Tbh, spending money was never really an issue for them until Ratcliffe came on board and they began to dial back massively on spending.

Taking care of his son, Diarra... ... iykyk 👀

Which is why we can't remain in 'science project' mode forever. Top players won't always stick around, so best to set them and the team up for success, when we can actually win stuff. Instead of only scraping top 4 finishes.

Not sure how true this statement is, but it would be laughable for them to think a PL win nearly 10 years ago with a completely different team is worth anything now.

Well, if its from the game, and because he played the full 90 mins, might not be too bad. Probably the gash on his leg that he showed on Instagram after the game?

Well done to Caicedo, and well done James too. Started at RB and done well at CB. The passing out from the back was fantastic. Wouldn't mind seeing him in CB position in more games.

Maresca taking one for the team.

Would've been nice. But there's an international break. Which might not be a bad thing atm. So many injuries. Team needs a break.