BlueLion.

#Justice4Cap

I'd like to point out this is a guest article that I've posted on behalf of the authors, so credit goes to them.

Currently two places above the relegation zone with eight points after the same number of matches, things couldn’t be much worse for the defending Premier League champions. Before the season began, it was widely believed that we would at least be up there fighting. The title appears to be all but blown, with Chelsea out at 16/1 in the Premier League odds at the time of writing, and we face a struggle to get back amongst the clubs vying for European qualification. To make matters even worse, the Champions League isn't exactly providing any respite, and we're not looking capable of mounting a serious challenge for Europe's top prize. Here are three reasons why we think The Blues are having such a bad time of it… 1) Defensive decline by Ben Sutherland Jose Mourinho has built a career on solid defensive tactics. But with the ageing John Terry not performing at his best, and Branislav Ivanovic in simply terrible form, we look vulnerable at the back. Given that Mourinho isn’t exactly short of options in the position, it’s a miracle that the Serb continues to keep his place. What's even more remarkable is that he has played every minute of every game for Chelsea in the Premier League this season. 2) Eden Hazard by Ben Sutherland Hazard is undoubtedly a great player. He was a key man for us last season and was rightly named Premier League Player of the Year in 2014-15. Yet this season he’s just not doing it, with no goals in eight EPL games and a . Despite this, Mourinho defended the Belgian in a recent press conference, saying that Hazard is "the best penalty taker in this country". He has now been dropped from the side, which his father seems to think is a good thing for the Belgium national team. Maybe it will be a good thing for us as well and a rest will do him good. In an interview in the summer, Hazard said that he wanted to score even more goals this term, but given his awful form, this looks unlikely. However, Hazard is just too good a player to be down for long. 3) Jose Mourinho by Ronnie Macdonald The Special One is quite rightly proclaimed as one of the best managers of all time. He is in fact the most successful Chelsea manager ever and it was through his guidance that we won the league again after a five-year gap in 2014-15. Yet he is widely believed to be in the midst of a crisis of judgement. He’s never been in this situation before and time will tell whether he is the right man to turn things around. John Terry and Cesc Fabregas have both publicly declared their support for the forlorn manager. The board at Stamford Bridge has made similar declarations, with a spokesperson for Abramovich stating that Mourinho has the owner’s full support. The way he handled the situation with club doctor, Eva Carneiro, has also drawn huge criticism. Is it a coincidence that the Blues took an even bigger turn for the worse after the manager banned her from the dugout on match days? Never has Mourinho looked so flustered and out of his depth. He looks a broken man. Let’s hope he does get things back on track for all of our sakes. Click here to view the article

When did Cap come back? I feel like I've missed out here.

Both, to be totally honest.

I'm taking a break from this place for a while. Jason's in charge until I'm back - which should be after the international break.

We're the defending Premier League champions. And we're 16th in the table having let in 21 goals this season already. "Shambles" is complimentary of our efforts thus far.

I'm not dictating what the community should be seriously discussing, I'm not a member of the Gestapo. I am questioning it, as I'm amazed it has come to this, I really am. Time for me to take a break from this place, I think.

I accept your point, which is well-made. Indeed, where do we draw the line? If we're talking of the extremes you mention (20 points off the top four), then he'd be gone, obviously, as that would be frankly unacceptable. Thankfully the damage is repairable as far as UCL football next season is concerned. However, if things don't improve my Christmas, I'd be surprised. Mourinho has the capacity to turn things around (of course he does, to suggest otherwise would be ignorant, IMO), BUT if things stay as they are over the next couple of months I'd say that is a fair amount of time for him to try and change things. I'm starting to lose faith that he can turn things around, as looking at the body language of the players it suggests he has totally lost the dressing room, bar for one or two. A massive shame.

Iago eat your heart out...

It seems, in your black and white perspective of things, that you've painted me with the "Mourinho fanboy" brush. If that's the case, you're greatly mistaken in identifying support for a highly successful manager as blind devotion towards him. The last thing this shambles of a club needs right now is for the headman's axe to be swung. Give him the season and make changes in the summer if necessary.

This.

Unrecognisable.

I agree with José that Matic needed to come on at half-time - but for Cesc, not Ramires. I also agreed that he should have came off. He was utterly abysmal. Those were two decisions by José I wholeheartedly agree with.

With each passing game I lose a little bit more confidence in his ability to turn things around based on his stubbornness, but do I want him to get the sack? Absolutely not. We're a laughing stock as it is.

Is this even a serious thread, regarding the poll? Gobsmacked.

If you can't support us when we lose 3-1 don't support us when we lose 2-1.

Stroey hadn't donated when I posted! but yes, thank you as well, @stroey!!!

Same to you Mark for your donation, too!!

Muzchap, what a star. Thanks for your donation. That alone will keep us running for the best part of a fortnight! Thanks!

To say I'm fed up of the personal insults is an understatement. People are entitled to opinions. They will disagree with you, and their views may differ. Respect that. Do not make things personal. May I direct you to the following post: In addition, I've seen several people say that "if you disagree with a Mod, you get banned". This is grossly unfair - anyone who has an issue with the way this forum is moderated should contact me. Jim is away and has asked me to step up from deputy and run the website until he returns - ergo, if you have any queries/concerns/things you wish to discuss, drop me a private message.

Be very, very careful. Let's not make this personal. Wonderful post. What concerns me is despite warnings by Jason, Spike and Special Juan, people are continuing to insult each other. This is a final warning to all members. Your antagonism is not conducive to a productive forum atmosphere.

What RLC offers is too similar to Mikel, IMO, at least under Mourinho (he plays with more freedom for the U21s, but the midfielders need to "do a job" in the 4-2-3-1 so he isn't afforded the same liberties) - playing both would really nullify any serious counter-attacking dynamism from midfield. One or t'other.

Exactly, it was a jibe at Rafa's weight. Then the media has jumped on the bandwagon and the whole thing has been misconstrued, so now apparently Mourinho is a sexist and fired Eva because she's a woman.

Should be put in prison on an aggravated assault charge... just like Roy Keane was. Oh. Hang on.