Sir Mikel OBE

Alonso already gets a yellow card.

Fair enough. For the record I hope you are right.

So, you think Conte played our no.9 out of position, potentially screwing over his confidence, in an attempt to get him to run more and build up fitness just to relegate him to the bench when the season starts? I don't know man.

Its not bullshit though is it? If "He won more headers than Batsuayi in 12 minutes" had looked good the few times he played this preseason we wouldnt be starting fucking Boga right now. People were already pulling out the Torres Era excuses last week. He looked devoid of confidence, and thats why he isnt starting today. Conte is, rightfully so, protecting him.

Its sad isnt it?

Apparently Conte wasn't a part of the "He did fine this preseason" crew. Probably because he clearly didnt.

I think its good Morata isnt starting. Let him gain confidence during the season. Too much pressure with eyes on him right now after the community shield.

In theory Azpi and Ruddier could both be options at LWB/RWB too.

Batsuayi looked poor but he's played this preseason. Would you throw away the preseason to start a guy instead who looks in over his head for his form at best, and terrified at worst? I want him to come good because I wanted him more than Costa, but on pure form? Bats has at least earned himself 45 minutes up top vs Burnley.

Moses and Luiz were probably the sure things at the end of the 5. We needed the middle to stand up. You had kids, and a guy who didnt want to be a part of it as our choice. Or maybe another defender....we didnt stand a chance.

Gotta start Batsuayi here. Opening day pressure will be too much for Morata right now.

Willian had been taken off for Musonda in the 87th minute.

Who would even be our second best player? Pedro? That breaks my heart.

Poor today. Still, probably has done enough to get the nod opening weekend over Morata who has shown little so far.

Why was it odd? You let the people confident take the penalties. When you have somebody who isnt, it comes off like Morata's, who clearly didnt want to take it but probably felt obligated to as a striker.

No Hazard being there didnt cost us the match. We need a midfielder who isnt a complete pushover like Cesc in the middle. We've given manchester United Matic, and done nothing in return.

Luiz is a sure thing. He was probably 4 or 5 in the list. Api definitely should have gone before Morata, who clearly didnt want to take a PEN at all from the way he walked up to it.

He didnt want to take the penalty. You could see it in his body language, and he shouldn't have been forced to take it. This, much more than his average play, is more damaging to his confidence.

Because nobody else wanted to step up.

Violent conduct red most certainly does.

Now No Hazard,Moses, or Pedro against Burnley.

What was Pedro thinking there? Clear red, and it looks like he's done his hammy with that.

How does Moses not know how to take a throw in? He consistently fails at them.

Cahill taking out his competition in case Ruddier begins to start lol.

That was actually a brilliant run by Moses.