Blue Armour

On the contrary, after seeing the first 20 mins of the second half, I'm surprised we did. Easily the best football I've seen from Potters side this year, and gives me a little hope. Dortmund utterly undeserving of taking the lead. And I'm sure we will be able to turn it around in the 2nd leg.

It's still remarkable how horrible he has become after 6 months here. Hasn't looked the same even after going back to Inter. Never fancied him even before he arrived, but the decline is significant. It's terrible because he won't be in demand.

Wouldn't be surprised if we see a back 3 again. Potter hasn't tinkered in a while, and he might try something different for Europe. Especially with an away game and no Badiashile.

Goodiashile ☺️

Yeah, he is trying - but definitely not at Silva levels or even Rudiger for that matter. Good thing is he is good and confident enough with the ball at his feet. Which to me is a big positive. But yes passing needs to improve. With all teams trying to press from the front foot, we are screwed if our CBs can't pass out from the back.

Who's going to start in CB? The magnificent Koulibaly or the fully match fit Fofana. Ans: Probably Chalobah. And maybe even a back 3.

Why even start Cucurella? Don't see what he even offers over Chillwell. Might as well start the latter.

And of course, Southampton sack the manager right before they face Chelsea

I feel the players are already reflecting their managers mindset. Apart from a few new signings looking to impress, the team in general is just content. Happy to score, but not too fussed if they fail to get a win. It's all par for the course. Let's see what kind of mindset they use for the CL game midweek. He might ask them to give it a go, because it's a cup competition where anything can happen. Probably a break from the stale stuff we see in the league game.

I wonder sometimes whether he refuses to play the strongest team available so that he can hide behind that excuse. If he restores Cucurella or Gallagher to the starting 11 again he's asking for it.

Fair enough, thanks for the correction

In terms of rival club fans, this guy is more neutral than most: Not convinced he has our best interests at heart, but it's still refreshing to hear something than the usual rhetoric

That's not even Mount. That's Chillwell

At least Potter picked RLC in this game over Gallagher in CM. Should have left him there for the whole 90 mins instead of killing our momentum. And hopefully Chillwell starts over Cucurella in the remaining games. Did more in that cameo than Cucurella ever did.

Must be super frustrating for him to see his team constantly muck things up. He's there every game. Literally can't buy a win at this point.

Agreed. Definitely an improvement over the last game., but I felt even that last game performance was more down to the tactics we used against Fulham. You have to also remember that he hasn't played football in a while, so these games are a bit of a pre-season for him. The other thing people need to realize is that he's not a ball carrier like Hazard. His style is more of quick pass and move.

Knowing Mourinho and how he's obsessed with our transfer activity, he's probably already planned his starting 11 and squad players.

Mourinho Mk III No one wants it. But it's coming.

Also, fuck you Emerson. Nothing against the guy personally, but he annoyed me as a player when he was here and of course he turns up here. Gallagher also quickly going into that 'annoying' category for me.

Poch is too much of a 'nearly man' for me. Yes he might be better than Potter, but the problem is that 'nearly men' will tend to linger longer than they should, without accomplishing anything.

Stems from Potter himself I'm afraid. I keep hoping he turns things around, but when he throws words around like 'Oh this team needs time to gel", he's basically giving excuses for his team to sit back. Did anyone look like they wanted to win that game in the last 15 mins?

Stupid Gallagher came on and killed whatever momentum we had in the match. Potter did the right thing by starting RLC ahead of him., but ruined it by bringing on Gallagher who set us back. Should have brought Fofana on instead. Match ruined by subs and by the inept officials.

Blame lies with Potter too., but at least it looks like he tried to get them to correct it.

I would defo pick RLC over Gallagher though. Better discipline in terms of positioning, and can actually hold on to the ball under pressure., unlike Gallagher who chases the ball even when he has it.

Am I wrong in saying that one of the best things to look forward to in this match is the Badiashile - Silva combo, and whether they can keep a 4th consecutive clean sheet?