What would it take to turn the season around?

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Some would say that sacking Mourinho would solve all of our problems but I think an interim manager would just exacerbate things - we just need a couple of squad changes and some discipline and we will come around.

Example in hand, we could have put 4 past both Kiev and WHU.

So I don't think the situation is that dire really, albeit frustrating, but the next 3 games are must win and I think we will.

[manpe 10,861]

1. What formation or tactics do you think we should adopt going forward?

More important than the formation is how players adopt the system, but generally I believe 4-3-3 would fit us the best. 4-2-3-1 can have its uses, but we need better players in deep mid for that to work consistently. 4-4-2 could be tried out more, haven't seen much of it so can't really judge.

2. What do you think should be our priority going forward?

Securing key signings first and foremost. During January and summer we simply must get a CB who walks into our line-up, a CM who walks into the line-up and a full-back who also walks into the line-up. While we're at it let's get a proper nr.10 too.

3. What position do you want to see Chelsea be at the end of season?

Champions. Failing that, top 4.

4. January transfer window (who should we buy, how will they fit in the grand scheme of things)?

A deep midfielder to occupy Cesc's spot for good. Fab can keep playing as an advanced midfielder, but our big glaring weakness is holding our own in our half of the pitch, somebody to get the ball rolling while also keeping defensive solidity. Currently we have zero players who can fulfill that role. If a marquee player of this mould would be our only signing in January, I would be pleased.

5. Who should play, who shouldn't?

Based on merit Azpilicueta and Willian are undroppable atm. Costa should play because he is better than the other strikers. Everybody else isn't anywhere near Chelsea standard, so they shouldn't play, but we have no choice.

6. What kind of tactics do you think will get us out of this slump?

Holding a low-mid block, get other players besides Azpi and Willian to press as a unit, having won the ball opt for quick counter-attacks since we can't do anything meaningful with possession.

Yes that's small team tactics, but we are playing like a small team, so let's at least try to play to our strengths.

As a bonus, how did we go from Premier league to staying clear of relegation ?

Beats me, seriously. We could predict a subpar campaign based on how we ended last season, being dormant in transfer window and horribly planned and played pre-season, but this? I'm at loss for words.

When Mourinho first came he made us solid. Our performances improved gradually until it peaked at the start of next season, when we were playing some wonderful stuff. Then winter came, expectedly we became more tired and not as creative as before, but we still had grit! It's been downwards ever since and now we've hit rock bottom with the same players who set the world alight last year. Players don't lose their quality this quickly and this badly, I've no doubt some reckless coaching has a hand in all of it.

[coolhead23 1,147]

Honestly, not expecting a massive turn around but atleast we can salvage some pride.

· Everyone should let go of their EGOs and start fresh as if we are starting day one of a season. Believe in the team.

· Go back to basics, we have been good with parking the bus or defending deep let’s go with it. One point is good than no point should be the punchline atleast for the next 10 games.

· 4-3-3 is the best formation with Matic-Ramiers-Oscar/RLC. Need to forget creativity and dump Cesc for now, get in Oscar atleast he is a work horse and can defend well. Hazard, Willian and Costa should be the one with minimal defensive duties. Get back few of the loanees who aren’t getting game time (eg: Bamford and Chalobah can atleast provide some muscle in the center & up front, they can’t be bad then what we are currently so better to give them a chance). Don’t play Iva in the RB but he can be used as a CB, he might do a better job. I wouldn’t mind Ramiers at RM for now rather than Zouma only till we don’t have a solution.

· Don’t think we will finish in top 4, 5 or 6 would be a real bonus for us because the top 7 teams from last season baring Chelsea have improved or have got momentum … so it would be difficult with the current form to even finish top 6. But anything is possible on the standings.

· I doubt we will go shopping in Jan but if we do get in team players rather than stars who will fit in a system. We need a Young CB, LB & RB, a work horse B2B atleast. However getting in new players would resolve our issues with the mentality we have right now.

· On sacking Jose, for now I don’t see the board firing him not because of money or for the extension that he has received. I believe our owner/board have surely evolved for period of time. I believe they have accepted the fate for this season and they will keep continuing with Jose so that we can score some points in the manager’s community (surely have a bad reputation with all the chopping and changing) which means we still are showing confidence in the manager despite bad results.

[Jase 43,479]

Hire me as the manager

We should submit our Football Manager/FIFA CV to the board.

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

Performance related pay.

Soon buck their ideas up...

[bethos1 802]

We need defenders to stop fucking up, we need our attackers to step it up and Mou needs to start playing with some real fullbacks instead of playing with 3 cb's and 1 RB at LB.

Oh yeah and we need better midfielders instead of Mikel and Ramires, they shouldn't even be an option for a club like Chelsea. Too bad our board fucked up our transfers.

[chrismada9 1,948]

Honestly... we just need a team of 11 Willians!

[bethos1 802]

Honestly... we just need a team of 11 Willians!

I'd rather not, we're having enough trouble to score a goal as it is right now.

[chrismada9 1,948]

I'd rather not, we're having enough trouble to score a goal as it is right now.

But you are aware of the fact that he is the only player in our squad who is giving everything in every match we've played so far? We need more of these types of players to "get goals" as you've pointed out...

You could add Begovic to that "small list" to be fair, considering some of his saves have made our games a little "less" embarrassing...

[Blue_Fox_ 2,086]

Ditch the useless 4-2-3-1 finally, let's play with a 4-3-3, stop the circus finally and focus on football alone. Fullback and CB in January.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

We are currently 15th on the table, what is the most realistic position that you guys think we would/could/should end up/aim for at the end of season ?

Champions league football, top 4.

1. What formation or tactics do you think we should adopt going forward?

4-3-3. In order to get the best out of Fabregas without comprimising our defensive midfield. In the current 4-2-3-1 it's always a choice between sticking Fabregas in a 2 man midfield, comprimising our defensive midfield but maximizing his ability to influence our buildup play or sticking him in the nr 10 position which limits his ability to influence our build up play but keeps our defensive midfield solid.

2. What do you think should be our priority going forward?

An identity. A clear direction to where we want to go with this club. What type of football do we want to play ? After that's decided go out and only hire managers that play that type of football.

3. What position do you want to see Chelsea be at the end of season?

Top 4.

4. January transfer window (who should we buy, how will they fit in the grand scheme of things)?

Left back, an allround (hard working, technical) midfielder that can complement a Matic- Fabregas midfield, ball playing centre back.

5. Who should play, who shouldn't?

Begovic

Azpi Cahill Zouma Baba

Matic

RLC Fabregas

Willian Hazard

Costa

6. What kind of tactics do you think will get us out of this slump?

Given the situation we're in atm i'd say go defensive. Compact 4-3-3 but i'd try and help our attack by allowing our fullbacks to push up high when we have the ball.

While we need to stop conceding we also need to start scoring more goals from open play. Adding attacking fullbacks would freshen up our attack and maybe catch some teams offguard.

As a bonus, how did we go from Premier league to staying clear of relegation ? (quiet frankly I knew we weren't good enough to defend title the way we played last season, but this?)

Pfff... honestly i don't think anyone expected this. I mean i was one of the people that "moaned" about our negative approach in big games and our negative playing style we adopted last season (second half of the season ofcourse) but i never imagined it would get this bad. Looking back (hindsight is a wonderful thing) i feel the problems started last season when the team suddenly had a massive dip in form. Instead of looking for the root of the problem(s) we just put a bandage on it (the bandage being us playing more pragmatic). We let it fester and now we're in this nightmare which just seems to be getting worse and worse by every passing game.

[bethos1 802]

But you are aware of the fact that he is the only player in our squad who is giving everything in every match we've played so far? We need more of these types of players to "get goals" as you've pointed out...

You could add Begovic to that "small list" to be fair, considering some of his saves have made our games a little "less" embarrassing...

What we need is Hazard, Costa etc back in form. If we had a Willian on each wing I doubt it'd make a difference, we still wouldn't be able to score a goal. If we can't get Hazard back in form we won't win games imo. As good as Willian is playing he isn't as creative as Hazard or Fabregas (at his best).