Chelsea Team and Matches Talk

25 Oct 2026 00:34:46
A very bitterly disappointing day. Seems to be de ja vu every season, just when we think the team has found something and we're about to string a run of games together it just collapses.

I think Spurs just edged it sadly Jao Pedro missing was a huge loss we had no outlet the whole game and the other players up top offered nothing.

We need to get to a point where if a first team 11 player isn't going to a start the back up replacement doesn't mean we lose the game automatically. We have had this far too frequently with Caceido, James, Pedro, Palmer missing. We need depth and players to fill in to do a job sadly as much as I love Welbeck he is a cup player.

We need to dust ourselves off from this, United will be a test next weekend as they will be in desperation for a win and likely have a new manager.

So so so frustrating I thought today was a banker anyway onwards and upwards.

25 Oct 2026 07:43:42
ED01, Alonso has had a mixed bag of results so far. What do you think of him as a coach?

{Ed001's Note - I like Alonso, but he is not a miracle worker and this is the Premier League. Every team has mixed results, it is very rare that a team goes on long winning runs, though people's perceptions are skewed by what Pep and Klopp did in recent years. I think he just needs time to work with the players and to pare down the squad to a more workable size. The likelihood of him getting time is small though when he is under pressure with the team sat in 4th!}

25 Oct 2026 08:02:57
Thanks ED01 for your input. I agree that he needs time but not sure he will get. Our new fanbase demand instant results and the pressure builds quickly in the media and then we start all over again! I saw an earlier comment saying young Josh is not up to the task and he has been our best defender this season.

Crazy world of modern day fans, media and punditry.

{Ed001's Note - wow, someone really said that about Acheampong? I thought he has been getting better and better. And he started off as a really good young defender!

I don't like this modern day microwave world, where everyone expects immediate results. The best way to build a club is slowly, for the long term, not doing quick fixes.}

25 Oct 2026 08:04:00
Good post whitey.

Yesterday at the Bridge was depressing. One of the most damply dismal displays v Spurs Spurs for decades. Spurs choosing to play towards own supporters first half was a bad omen and may even have unsettled us. They got off to faster start and domimated possession and creating more. Penders did makeva few good saves but when we has our chances in either half their keeper made excellent ones too and Penders that points dropping blunder in the second half.

Yes only Caicedo and Neto had really good games yesterday though agreevwith those who thought Josh did ok and has done whenever picked this season. Being someone who repeatedly said wr should not sell Jackson if we didn't replace him with proven high quality back up I was worried from the off by Pedro absence and lamented the absence of his counter attacking qualities, battlimg nature and many previous goals v Spurs as a Pedro replacement - and potential assistant in games when Pedro fit - yesterday.

As it is we were back to having little control in midfield despite Caicedo's heroic efforts. Again as I've said before Rogers and Palmer don't offer much defensively though Palmer at least seemed to try to yesterday - though got himself two yellows and a sending off to show for it - while Rogers was largely invisible. Villa fans will have enjoyed yesterday both in own game and watching ours.

No high quality back up striker, only promising rookie goalie/s as back up for Martinez, no replacement for Enzo F, snd losing Cucurella. It was going to take time to gell players yet again and under another new manager albeit a seemingly exciting one in Alonso given impressive if short career plus own high level playing experience. EPL strongest in world in terms of quality in depth of teams in it. But no European football so. little midweek distraction for us. Hence my 4th to 6th prediction and high hopes of ECL qualification.

As it is the fact that we play Liverpool away on Wednesday in Carabao Cup may have been a distracrion re team selection and notvrisking Pedro yesterday? Plus if we lose that one and don't get a result v United on saturday my prediction. of where we finish this season may prove to be overly optimistic. The United game the more important for that but both would set our seadon up again nicely!

25 Oct 2026 08:54:06
JBS, you are correct to suggest the home support at yesterday's game was poor. In my opinion, that has been the case for a while.
We have not been consistently convincing at home for ages, so there hasn't been a lot to cheer about but I take the view, fans should support louder and longer when the team is struggling.

25 Oct 2026 09:13:47
That 2021 champions league victory just papered over the cracks which started after we last won the Premier League and the government refused Roman a visa. Nearly 10 years now in decline.

25 Oct 2026 09:21:34
Completely agree Tom and had hoped that crackdown on touting would mean less tourists and more volubly supportive home fans even when things going against us. I didn't like seeing a few of. our. fans appear to be screaming abuse at Penders after his blunder.

25 Oct 2026 09:59:46
JBS, yes a few idiots shouted abuse at Penders near me. Strange how Palmer gets no abuse for two stupid yellow cards and in my opinion the first one could have been a straight red.

I see that one poster has called Josh and Colwill not good enough and I find that sad. Josh has been in my opinion our best defender so far this season and Colwill was ok yesterday. For me Lacroix had a poor game.

Just one other small point Quenda looks like a good player. He worked very hard and with one exception his first touch looked good. I can see him getting plenty of games as a wing back.

24 Oct 2026 22:01:43
Home from the game and obviously not happy.

That performance was poor from start to finish. Penders punching in his own net and Palmer getting sent off are no excuses.

The team selection was strange and no half time substitutions was even stranger.

I judge performances from match to match and this poor performance was mainly down to the manager. Let's hope he learns a lesson.

Caicedo was good but my Chelsea MOM was Neto. Mind you, it's a pretty low bar.

Just for the record Roger's was very, very poor.

24 Oct 2026 22:19:43
Tom, I was at the game and it was horrible, wet, cold and nothing to cheer me up. Penders made a howler that probably cost us the point but I would say Palmer was more of a problem than Rogers. Rogers was played out of position which was down to the manager, why did he not start Welbeck? Also, why bench Estevao? Alonso looks out of his depth at present.

My mates are still drinking their sorrows. We should all meet up one day? JBS, Jimbo, You, Me all have season tickets.

24 Oct 2026 23:07:05
G8, that sounds like a good idea.

I will not be going to the bridge for a while. The journey is just too much for me.

24 Oct 2026 20:14:32
Simply just not good enough from the gaffer or the players today and compounded by the decision to sell Jackson, 7 goals in 6 games for Villa and the decision to have 2 kids as back up keepers. Alonso did well in Germany but was found out in Spain. I hope he comes good but that is now 3 defeats plus a home draw with Hull City.

He gets my support for the season but boy oh boy we were flying at the time we won the club world cup and Maresca just wanted a bit more say on recruitment but was rejected. What a monumental mistake that was.

24 Oct 2026 22:52:37
Apparently Maresca had been having talks with Scam City for ages.
Good riddance as far as I'm concerned.

24 Oct 2026 18:27:29
Lucky to be level at half time but heres hoping for a better second half.

17 Oct 2026 15:01:31
Brilliant performance from the boys today and a much needed clean sheet. Everton away is a tough fixture and that midfield duo of Henderson and Caicedo were quite awesome, Caicedo, what a player and how good do we look with him in our side. Neto took his goals well and the whole team worked so hard. Fingers crossed for Emi ?.

17 Oct 2026 15:35:54
Very professional performance without being dominant we win 2-0. I can only remember them having one clear chance.

Neto a well deserved MOM performance. At the moment he is not droppable. Hat had a very sold game as did Josh who just gets better and better and in my opinion has been head and shoulders our best defender.

So far this season there have been occasions when I have criticised Palmer but not today. His work rate was excellent and he keeps the ball so well to relieve pressure.

Hope Martinez is ok.

17 Oct 2026 15:52:32
Wasnt able to watch this live so good to get your reports G8 and Tom and am delighted by the win at venue we've struggled at in recent times. Also given Everton's strong start to the season and our early defensive leakiness. Great 3 points.

Caicedo and Henderson looked pretty good v Bourbemouth and an even fuller match fit Caicedo may have been even better today? Did he manage 90.mins or did Lavia or Barco get minutes too?

Good to hear Palmer properly on it today.

How was Emi injured?

Any other comments welcome!

17 Oct 2026 16:29:01
hard place to go, good result - neto was excellent, hope martinez is ok.

17 Oct 2026 16:50:01
I agree, really hard place to go under Moyes and a big 3 points. Need Penders to prove himself now if the keeper is out for a while.

17 Oct 2026 17:02:37
JBS, Caicedo got hooked in the 89min for Lavia.
They didn't really show the replay for Martinez. I assume it was a clash of heads. I think Martinez will have to take time out because of concussion any but he was apparently taken straight to hospital.

I think Josh will get a full England cap this season.

17 Oct 2026 18:03:54
Great win there wasn't one player who had a bad performance. Nice to see a back 3 forming now of Lacroix, Colwill & Acheampong. Consistency is key and they will only get better the more they play together. Hato also was superb today and a great fill in for Chavaria. Now got to keep momentum going and muller Spurs next week!

17 Oct 2026 18:16:28
Thanks Tom good to know Caicedo played almost 90 mins and Lavia a pretty handy sun for him. Much hope Emi concussion has no additional complications.

Also good to know whitey that Hato had excellent game today and able replacement for Pep who hopefully is not too seriously injured.

Yes please let's hammer Spurs!

17 Oct 2026 21:53:45
Great game by the lads and well deserved. On a side note I was disgusted by the Everton fans who booed Martinez as he got stretchered off. Terrible fans.

17 Oct 2026 22:37:42
I will have to play it back but I heard a round of applause when he was stretched off. Being Argentinian means he gets booed at most games.

The Everton and Forest fans I think are the best fans in the premiership.

18 Oct 2026 10:05:15
It was a really good result with a bonus of a clean sheet. We never seem to do well away to Everton.

It's a shame about Emi but I hope he recovers quickly from his broken jaw.

It does give Penders a run now and hopefully he can show us his full potential.

Im also loving the fact teams are scared of our front line which showed in Moyes's team selection.

18 Oct 2026 10:38:10
Tom, it was terrible, the keeper is lying on the floor, not moving, and there are still people in that stand booing him. I don't care what the rivalry is. I don't care how much you dislike the player. When someone is seriously injured, you shut up and let the medical staff do their jobs.

He wasn't rolling around. He wasn't wasting time. He was down and he wasn't getting up. And they continued to boo him as he was stretchered off.
A disgrace.

18 Oct 2026 16:24:17
JT, I have now watched the replay of Martinez being stretchered off and you are correct his departure was initially booed. Those boos did eventually turn to applause but it wasn't very nice and unlike the Everton fans that I have witnessed over the seasons.

10 Oct 2026 21:32:10
Got there too late so missed our first two goals. Horrendous traffic and Fulham Broadway Station shut. Thanks Mr Khan.

Anyway, some very good performances and without doubt Caicedo makes a big difference and maybe Pedro is the best forward in the premiership?

My big take from the game was the performance of Henderson. Yes he scored two but that doesn't do his performances justice. He never stopped moving and was always happy to receive the ball no matter how tight the situation. He also just let's the ball do all the work and I think that's the sign of a good experienced player.

10 Oct 2026 22:25:28
Tom, did we loʻk ok?
Real strange that no fans on here after 5-1 win except you.
I think this page has a lot of posters from. other clubs. kaz, nib, standard.

10 Oct 2026 23:11:22
I seem to remember Ed saying that sites get busy when things aren't going well.

We had good individual performances but it's strange to say after a 5-1 win we didn't totally boss the game. If that makes sense!

11 Oct 2026 09:53:40
I have to admit, I have not yet seen the game but I do believe that if we shore up our leaky defence, particularly at set pieces, we will be a force to be reckoned with.

I believe we spent wisely in the transfer window apart from not getting an EF replacement.

That being said, we will be more solid now that Caicedo has returned.

Nice to see that Josh was ob the team sheet.

11 Oct 2026 11:32:12
Not always easy or possible to post immediately after a game for variety of reasons for those to go to one. Also I expect that many on here in UK have difficulties in terms of watch the Saturday 3pm games - I know I do - and are not going to post if they haven't seen them. So it's not just about whether we have won or lost for goodness sake.

Anyway I was at the game too. But as Tom has said there was traffic and transport chaos. I did not come by car but by train and underground. Yes Fulham Broadway closed but so was the Circle liune between Edgware Road and Aldgate. Walked to ground after Piccadilly line from Kings Cross to Earls Court. Have a slight knee problem at the moment so meant walking v slowly back from East Stand Upper to get Piccadilly line at Gloucester Road to avoid a likely crush at Early Court. It took a long time to get back home after it and was frankly pretty tired when got back late for meral with friends.

Would agree with Tom that Henderson looked very good yesterday and was probably my MoM. Joao Pedro also excellent and did a fair bit to help the cause all over the pitch not just in getting two good goals as well. Neto also excellent and he and Josh combined in great work for our third goal. Caicedo certainly did make a difference and there were several moments he bailed out ten defence not least first half when Bournemouth were attacking down our left and he snuffed out their attack near the touchline parallel with our box. Martinez made a couple of v good saves, and our back three semmed to work better together than in previous games.

Don't know if Tom agrees, but ongoing concern is that despite the 5-1 scoreline there was still a sense that we struggled properly to control the game which was pretty helter skelter. Bournemouth - poerhaps because of absence of Scott - frankly looked like relegation material but still had considerable amount of possession and when they got one back there was a short period when seemed as though it could have been the Brighton home game nerves if they had scored a second.

I haven't had a look at the stats but Bournemouth seemed to have much greater proportion of possession than many teams had against us last season at SB, It's almost as if Alonso wants games to be a bit chaotic and like this so that we don't face a low block and this gives our attack more chances to score, But with better opposition this would be dangerous.

I was a bit worried again about Palmer performance being well below best. Yes he did create the great Henderson first goal and indeed did the good dummy from freekick that allowed JH to score another spectacular second but had hoped for a more dominant CP presence in the game. perhaps from MR too though he had some excellent moments. Josh made a couple of potentially costly errors but at other times showed great strength and determination in defense and coming forward.

Atnosphere was predictably good at the ground. Nice to see the tribute banner to Bobby Tambling Legend.

I do sense that there are fewer tourists now at home games and so should congratulate the club on tightening up on reducing number of tickets touted.

I have compolained in the past about how as a member it has been v hard to get tickets. But the application process now seems much better - avoiding hanging on for up to an hour in a queu before being told everything's gone - and have myself had more success in getting reasonably priced tockets and in good seats. So am very happy to thank the cklub for this!.

11 Oct 2026 21:40:30
Tom, I remember that, strange though, I look at other fans pages and they celebrate wins, only a very few on here do the same but they come out when we lose. JBS, you defend those who come out when we lose but not win. Fair enough. Every poster can choose. I look at the Arsenal site and they really get behind their team.

Not many on here do that but the minute we lose they are all over this page. I stick to my original point.
Bill, you mate are Chelsea through and through and post if we win, lose or draw. I love your comments and passion and put you in a small group of real Chelsea on here.

12 Oct 2026 07:45:06
EbW where do I defend those who post only when we lose? I was making a point about fact that Saturday 3 pm kickoffs aren't televised live on UK tv so fewer on here will have seen them. Not complicated?

Of course some might post purely because of a result - their choice.

Personally I have usually posted whether we win or lose - like Tom and Bill - as others would know.

You tend to be ultra positive about the club and team and that's great.

Many grizzled oldies like me take the ups and downs of football as part of being a fan win or lose but will try and call it how we see it.

But what is great about a site like this is that we are different personalities, ages, temperaments and so can banter with each other and enjoy this. As I think you do.

12 Oct 2026 11:44:28
JBS, as we thumped them 5-1 it's a bit churlish of me to say I wasn't that impressed with our performance. As usual we had moments, the difference was we converted those moments into goals.

12 Oct 2026 16:46:13
Not churlish at al Tom I agree with you. In my far too long post above I said that I didn't think we ever had much control. Bournemouth also probably not that much off our possession stats. Never really felt. like a 5-1:win.

13 Oct 2026 09:41:11
We have to remember that Bournemouth are a very decent side and will trouble a number of teams this season.

It might not have looked like a 5-1 game but it was.

We will trouble a lot of teams this season with our attacking play, we just need to shore up our defence. don't forget we have a new CH we just bought, one returning from a long term injury, a new GK we bought at the last minute and then there is Fofana, he is worth a goal alone for the opposition.

13 Oct 2026 12:48:00
You make some good points Bill but I think you will find Fofana didn't play.
In fact, I doubt we will see much of him or Hato again unless injuries kick in.

14 Oct 2026 09:42:23
In my opinion Hato is a proper talent, so I hope we see him him get game time.

18 Sep 2026 21:57:19
First half comfortable without threatening.

Another ball to the far post from a set piece catches us out yet again, with Fofana ball watching.
Getting caught on the break stemming from a misplaced pass just about sums us up at the moment.
The third goal was just a lesson in poor basic defending.

Please boss, can we just play a solid 433 with one sitting defensive midfielder.

We now have a long break and when we return we should have key players back from injury but unless some fundamentals are changed we will in my opinion just rely on moments of magic and get punished for "basic" errors.

Very, very disappointing.

18 Sep 2026 22:11:19
Pep for me was only positive, Neto is awful no end product welbeck is a last 15 minutes man same with hendo why estavao isn't getting more time i don't know, not even going onto defenders there all very poor awful transfer window not getting a midfielder in and not getting a striker to push Pedro.

18 Sep 2026 22:14:53
Come on tom. We made 300m this summer? This is the new objective of the club so as far as I'm concerned we are winning.

18 Sep 2026 22:33:52
I would think most fans would be happy to sell players who didn't want to be at the club or who didn't want to fight for their place in the team. The amount of names some posters called Jackson, it must be a surprise for them to see us receive approx £80m in transfer and loan fees. I see making a profit as nice for regulatory purposes but I'm personally not that bothered.

The vast majority of posters on this site and fans that I talk were happy with a transfer business (buying and selling) in the last window. They were also happy with the appointment of Alonso. The manager/SD's and owners wanted another midfielder and tried their best to fill that gap but sadly failed.

I had no problems with the performance of Neto tonight and as long as we play the majority of games with three at the back he is always going to be chosen in front of Estavao.

18 Sep 2026 22:44:49
Very disappointing in so. many ways. makes me think my 4th-6th place finish could be over optimistic as my 4th-7th was for last season.

Brentford played like a well drilled/ coached side. we did not look like one imho.

Every recent season we go into it with an obvious weakness. This time it's the lack of a midfield once you've sold one of our besr players and goal threats there and not replaced him and the other main man is injured.

We also again had only one EPL quality striker who gets injured after only 4 games. Back up is a still useful but now veteran striker with notva greatvdeal. of pace and has never been prolific plus an injury prone younger one who has been injured again and we have yet to see. We sold our only other relatively EPL experienced striker to Villa of course.

Yes and we move to three at the back but play a different three most games and they make mistakes and have little by way of an effective shield in front of them. He may not have been the most naturally talented if especially in terms of ling defense splitting passes but in selling TC we sold arguably the defender we had that most naturally enjoyed defending and most consistently showed that last season. Selling Cucurella - who also wanted to. leave like Enzo so we had little choice with these two? - also weakened our defensive capabilities.

We have now let in two goals or more in each of our first 5 EPL games. Almost as many already as the 15 we conceded in the whole of the record setting 2004-5 season. We may be heading for the wrong kind of defensive record thus season.

Am still telling myself though that it is very early days and things must improve surelywhen Caicedo and Palestra fit - and Pedro if back after the month out predicted.

The international break leaves Alonso with much thinking to do to find solutions for our defensive woes, weak mudfield plus with current Pedro injury problem.

18 Sep 2026 22:48:27

So different me and thee we wanted to sell Neto and I think he was willing go for me brings nothing.

Alonso has got to be thinking this isn’t working with the players I’ve got another s*** show for me

18 Sep 2026 22:53:11
Nib, is that why Neto was offered a new contract? I believe he signed it.

18 Sep 2026 23:01:50
JBS, I thought our left back was a positive along with a 16 year old making his debut.

You and I have both posted that Alonso gets paid the big bucks to make big decisions. Josh, in my opinion has been our most consistent defender but he starts Fofana. Colwill is off the pace, yet he starts. All decisions/calls that mangers make but you have to get more right than wrong.
It's still early days and he now has time to reflect.

19 Sep 2026 08:43:29
There have been some positives this season Tom and not least in the way our front three - before Pedro injury - combined in some sparkling attscking moves in first few games. as had posted along with all. others i reckon.

I have also liked the look of Lacroix and Palestra (in pre- season as also thec16 yr old) and called for Pep to play LWB ahead of Hato.

I was also happy about Alonso appointment and as manager.

But I also offered a lot of cautionaries about expectations this season including:
1) yet another huge churnover of. players in transfer window meant we were starting a rebuild yet again under our new ownership
2)so Alonso and players would likely need time to gell. would have to assess all. first teamers in competitive. games. though quite why he has started LC ahead of JA on current form. is mystifying unless seen as attempt to get LC back into best of his
2) we were selling two of our best performing players from. last season both of whom offered goals and assists plus could tackle. Rogers and Palmer combo often great going forward but little defensively. and they are both a bit up and down terms of. match affecting flair.
3)not replacing Enzo F with similar quality criminal if we knew we had to sell him. big potential defensive and to an extent aldo. offensive. link to front three. frailty.
4)if not bringing in another quality striker to reppace Delap - who had disppointed - toassist Pedro. or as back up. if JP injured we needed to keep Jackson.

But has also thought that not having European football should help us in EPL as. season progressed and that Alonso could in time build a team that could be. better than sum of its parts. Plus that we will get better surely as said when Caicedo fully fit and Palestra too and with ideally a top quality midfielder added in January. or otherwise may have to be next summer

Klopp's Liverpool very up and down in his first couple of seasons or so as was Arteta's Arsenal.

I think both you and I Tom want the club and fans to show some patience with Alonso and realise that he. may need a few more transfer windows yet to get us up to challenging for an EPL title. What we should rightly expect to see this season - and there have been glimpses of this already in attacking play - is that we are moving at last under new owners in that direction.

19 Sep 2026 09:17:40
JBS, as usual a most enjoyable and constructive post mate.

I totally agree we need to give Alonso a lot more time.
I am not a fan of three at the back and it's probably not fair me being critical of us playing with two DM's when one of them isn't Caicedo.
I just cannot see how some of our players fit into a team, if that makes sense.
Is Estavao a wide player or Palmer alternative? Is James now only being considered as a DM? Can we play Roger's and Palmer in the same team?
Over time I am sure we will find out the answers but at the moment it is frustrating.

18 Sep 2026 08:59:05
In my opinion this will be a really tough game. They are a well organised and well managed side that over the last few seasons have caused us problems.
As I have previously stated I prefer us to play a solid 433 but I can't see that happening in this game.

I'm hoping Palestra and Caicedo get some minutes and Pedro is fit enough to start.
Come on my mighty blues.

18 Sep 2026 21:42:13
Hard to play 433 with 1 midfielder fit.

18 Sep 2026 22:10:32
Barco, Henderson and Lavia makes three in my book.

18 Sep 2026 22:45:43
Brentford looked better coached than our lot tonight.

18 Sep 2026 22:57:00
Lavia was not fit and hence stayed on the bench
Barco ok on the ball but physically nowhere near
Jordan henderson i don't need to bother explaining that one.

19 Sep 2026 06:30:49
Lavia was fit and on the bench and able to play according to the manager. Barco looks like a talent and Henderson has the experience that so many craved for. That's three midfielders.

19 Sep 2026 06:37:23
JBS, Brentwood looked more of a finished article. They have a manager who has been at the club for a while, he has his players well drilled and they "all" work hard.
Alonso, just starting his Chelsea journey with players still learning about his players and the league. In my opinion he has some very big calls to make.

12 Sep 2026 17:01:14
One bad mistake, several bits of poor defending, one player who had a shocker and another who was only marginally better than him.

Twenty consecutive Premiership games without keeping a clean sheet. That is an awful stat.

Very disappointing result.

12 Sep 2026 18:30:08
Spot on, Tom, and I fear Alonso got the starting line up, plus some subs, wrong.

Surely the back three should have been Fofana, Lacroix and Josh. Gusto shouldn't be part of it.

Martinez looked shaky at times, and was possibly partly at fault for Hull's second.

Given our defensive frailties, yet factoring our ability to score goals, I would at this stage predict we finish between 4th and 6th in the league.

I would hope for higher, and we will surely improve when Caicedo and Palestra are fit, and perhaps when other teams are playing in Europe and we're not. Plus, if we bring in a top-notch defensive midfielder in January ... if one is available. Though Lavia and James were not the worst on show for us today.

12 Sep 2026 18:42:30
Still a long way from home. Nothing much to add. We are so disjointed, no connection between defence, midfield and the forward line.

12 Sep 2026 18:46:05
JBS, for last season and the start of this season, I am perplexed as to how a succession of managers pick him. He is still young, so fingers crossed he proves me wrong.

12 Sep 2026 21:34:18
Didn't watch the game. I was out golfing, and I'm not sure what I'm more disappointed with... we need a clean sheet badly, the only way out is to keep a few in a row now.

Onto the next one, must win against Brentford and have to keep a clean sheet. Go 5 2 3 flat, and let the lads up front edge it! No wingers, play the full backs.

12 Sep 2026 21:38:19
Tom, I presume you are referring to Gusto. He shouldn't be in any position on the pitch.
JBS, a double pivot of Lavia and James, is very weak. They provide no cover for a very dodgy defence. We can't just hope to out score teams. Alonso needs to find some solutions or we will lose ground by the next window. Anyway, at least we didn't lose.

12 Sep 2026 21:43:12
Lavia and James, to my eyes, were two of the only players to perform at an acceptable level.

12 Sep 2026 21:56:46
JBS, we have looked pretty poor since Maresca left us. Hate to say it but he would not have let us look so shabby. Hopefully Alonso can turn it around but right now it is Arteta v Maresca as the elite 2 managers in the league albeit backed by money (but so are we) and both graduates of Pep.

12 Sep 2026 23:17:03
I am enjoying this mad football under Alonso far more than I did at any stage under Maresca.

13 Sep 2026 08:28:58
I have no yearnings for Maresca. He and the other Enzo can continue their love-in at City. Glad to see the back of them. Both of them disrespected the club.

09 Sep 2026 22:21:10
Sorry, should have added to my earlier post, Colwill looks a yard off the pace.

12 Sep 2026 15:40:11
Add to your comment, I've always said he's not good enough, and Hato will never be either. His awareness is awful. To be fair, the whole back line is rubbish. We just have to score 6 a game, and we may gather some point. :)

12 Sep 2026 15:47:02
Yeh, but 125m for Enzo F nib, and that's what really matters. ??? Get Gusto gone from the squad first.

12 Sep 2026 15:56:48
Agree. What's up with Palestra? Gusto shouldn't be playing. We're so weak in midfield, it's unbelievable. Pedro had a shocking first half. I'd bring Welbeck on. Where's the striker from Strasbourg we bought? Why's he not getting a sniff?