Blue Armour

Could argue that Potter’s Brighton was better than Artetas Arsenal from last year., with a less expensive squad. Let's face it. Arsenal were really embarrassing to watch at times, and you could just jump on one of their fan forums to see it. I don't think anyone envisioned a situation were Arsenal would be leading the table by 5 points going into the WC this year. Liverpool have had a nightmare start, City having moments of inconsistency. Anyway regardless of Arsenal, Potters Chelsea is just woeful at the moment. Just because it worked for another team, doesn't mean it works the same way for every other team. If we're going to have back to back defeats playing woeful football after the break, it would be time to reconsider the project.

I'll be furious if we make just enough points to participate in that 3rd tier tournament. Better to just finish 10th and have less useless fixtures

Our GD is at 0? Now begins our season. It was the plan along.

Too soon for them getting bored. My worry is about our prospects if we fail to get top 4 this season If this past window was any indication, there's a lot of doubt regarding the new Chelsea, and where our ambitions lie., Finishing outside the top 4 spots would take away some of the assurances we had, and make us less of an appealing option when there's at least 4 other options to choose from in England. Also, I doubt Potter has the pull that Conte or Mourinho had in terms of getting players to come over. It could basically lead to a slippery slope - the same hellhole Arsenal and United have been in for the past 5 years. And no, don't tell me about how well Arsenal are doing this year. They hit the jackpot with the transfer window and hit the purple patch at the right time. The ends don't always justify the means.

I'd argue that Lampard's and Conte's second seasons were worse, but this is right down there at the moment. At least in terms of results. 4 back to back defeats and no wins in 5 deserves scrutiny, because that's relegation form.

Also is Potter avoiding some fee with regards to Zakaria? Never gives him any minutes

That's not true. Kante has slowly been becoming a peripheral figure for the past two years. In Tuchels first season Kovacic and Jorginho were our go to midfield combo. We didn't become this bad to suffer 4 back to back defeats just because of Kante or James being absent. The tactics have also been terrible. Potter is NOT blameless.

Potter might deserve a couple of windows to shape this squad - But 4 back to back defeats, even with a slightly depleted squad, needs some scrutiny. Also, strange starting 11s with others left on the bench. I want him to succeed, but at some point you have to question the decision making.

Mid level team maybe, but is it too much to ask Potter to prevent 4 back to back defeats. I'm getting Lampard vibes

The most fraudulent side in that top 4. Is this payback for Arsenal and Spurs fans after years of misery in north London?

I know you'll complain about the form book., but Sterling or Pulisic would make more sense from a tactical standpoint. Round peg in square hole approach rarely works. Hope Potter can see that this isn't working.

Mount can at least turn his attacker, and on a side dominated by Trippier, I think he has done more. But yes, Mount and Gallagher together is too much. A winger with better close control would work better as part of the combo.

Every time the ball goes to Gallagher, it either goes backward or becomes a turnover. Not technical enough. Not sure if he'll improve, but at this point, no.

Gallagher is not technical enough to work around Newcastle pressure. Should bring on a genuine winger

What happened with Tuchel has nothing to do with his performance. It was more of a freak accident where he simply just didn't get along with the new regime (something he has also admitted recently, when he said that he wasn't in the right frame of mind at the time) and he was given the boot consequently. If he got along better with the owners, he would still be here despite the lackluster start to the season.

Just seeing this now. Was always curious about how the new regime would try to form relationships with ex players and stars. Feels it's always good to have a nice relationship rather than none at all. Shame it seems to have gone off to a wrong start, but then again Drogba is but one player (big one though he maybe). The only ex player I've heard they got in touch with is Paul Canoville, but I doubt he has any of the influence that the Drogbas generation has. And maybe JT who still coaches the youth team I guess.

Sorry, but 3-4 years? We're not a WIP like Newcastle and even they're doing better at the moment. Yes we have to cut Potter and Boehly some slack, but let's not blow it out of proportion.

Knowing our luck he'll still be included in the squad, as a backup. Or at least on standby

Unless Pep decides to do a mercy killing and plays one of his second string sides.

Minimum over the next two windows: A creative CM, a quality DM, at least one quality CB (should have been addressed in the last window), one quality cover at RB, at least one world class goal scoring attacker (don't know where we'll get that one)

This team can't handle top 4 and cup competitions simultaneously, with all the injuries and loss of form. If we had to pick a cup competition, FA Cup or CL would be it. Not this one.

While I agree that top 4 hasn't helped us attract world class talent recently, missing out on it this season in particular could be terrible. Forget Potter. The rest of the football world is still evaluating a post-Abramovich Chelsea., and the last thing we need right now is to let go of our champions league status. It's not going to do Potter any favors either.

I'm only learning more of the match now. What a ridiculous decision to not start with Kovacic when you're struggling with defensive cover. What does RLC offer that Kovacic can't. He has to stop this Ranieri like tinkering and play a strong 11 that can be more settled. Rotation is fine for dealing with insane fixture congestion, but what's the point of resting key players in key fixtures. He'll probably start rotating half the 11 for the City game again., although to be fair he shouldn't start anyone of note in that game. This team can't handle a cup completion and a fight for top 4 simultaneously.

While I'm giving Potter more time long term, in the short term it feels like my worst fears are realized. Back to back poor performances in the league, and the team is in a rut, and he doesnt look to have the pull to get these big egos to turn around. Not sure if the world cup reset will change it, but for once I'm not complaining about the stupid mid season tournament.

Only seeing the goal now. What shitty way to concede. Soft team. At least United turned up for their game against Arsenal and ground out a win.