18 Sep 2023 16:24:01
Injuries galore, yesterdays squad cost close to £600m - with our attack of jackson sterling mudryk enzo, stop blaming injuries and accept these owners and sporting directors and whatever title they work under have blown £1b on a squad who are not of a top 4 level, poch will have to over achieve like at spurs to get us in top half,

Remember, squad!

Also
James
Badiashile
Broja
Caceido
Chalobah
Nkunku
Sarr
Bettinelli
Carney
Lavia
Fofana
Noni

8 of these are defenders / GK / DM players, one hasn't played in premier league and other has had year out injured and 7 goals in 48. Wheres this saviour we're waiting for, James won't be back and last more than 3 games so don't hold your breath on him unfortunately, open your eyes it's not negative it's clear as day to see, it's pointing out the situation we are in.

1.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 17:43:51
Matt, it’s your opinion and you’re obviously entitled to it.

Enjoy the rest of the season.

Oh and I’m not sure Sarr is injured or in our names squad.

2.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 17:47:21
What do you want to change?

3.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 18:55:52
What to change? Well we’ve finically dug our selves into a hole so we have to be careful,
We need to put this 2030 vision nonsense on hold until the current / first team is where it should be and competing in Europe, but honestly think we’ve made to many mistakes, the signings are mad, admittedly in hindsight as i was excited by some but in defence thought they’d be a top no9 in,

All good players but too many young unproven 'raw' players,
I like palmer, but £50m? How many prem goals, fofana, we all knew the injury record cuccurella £63m, that’s almost £200m, disasi, we now know the injuries but we had chalobah, why spend on another defender when his there and where’s the improvement in that deal,

Plan B, we all know we struggle to score and especially when teams defend in numbers, who’s wining our duels and headers, top forward lines have options, from drogba anelka who cover every option, costa drogba remy, everything covered. Haaland Alvarez, giroud van persie.

Awony Brennan, Kane son, richarlson is terrible, but at least you can stick crosses into the box and he has something to fight for and cause problems. How can our directors not think we needed that type of profile in straight away.

4.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 18:46:31
I may well be wrong but I think we have seven forwards named in our premiership squad.

How many do people think we should have?

5.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 19:25:33
I use to get stressed out like you, but what can we actually do about it, let the team settle and gel. Hopefully they all keep their heads and stick together. We’ll be fine next year.

6.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 19:44:33
BLUEBOY, sound advice.

7.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 19:48:01
You still haven't said what you want to change. Again just moaned about what is wrong.

8.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 19:52:10
Agreed blueboy. It’s frustrating as every pundit in the world all said about these issues and the signings, only ones who couldn’t see it was ones signings all these players.

And I’m not a complete idiot, I get you have to shop for future and some are super promising. My anger is we had areas we needed to address for 4 windows and haven’t.

9.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 20:21:55
Concentrate on this squad now and stop buying and looking at players who will be in there peak in 4-5 years, we need peak players now, change the data driven drivvle and go with the stat that says “ goals scored “ that’s what I’d change right now. Come January I don’t want to see is linked and bidding for Brazilian kids who santos are selling but a main man no9 world class ready made, not “ high ceiling “ great potential “.

10.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 21:36:35
Matt. I keep asking the same question what recognised quality CF could we have signed? Please not another Lukaku suggestion.

11.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 21:44:54
Good reply that is much better than moaning about what is wrong and been done wrong.

We are where we are.

Now I believe the data driven scouting is actually viable for the future. Trying to find hidden gems that could become superstars. As paying £100m plus looks like it will be the norm.

Do I think we over paid for some of these 20-23 year olds. Yes I do but I have faith in the process. If and when some players don't workout so be it.
Over the years we have had world class players and some dross that was supposed to be the next big thing but flopped (kezman scored for fun in holland and was useless for us ) . Is chelsea still here YES! Will we continue to be here YES!

I believe jackson and nkunku will be OK. I don't rate the juventus striker and don't see any I would want other than osihmen but he will be over £100mil again and in my opinion might not transition well from Italian game. I would maybe take a punt on Toney as I like his aggression and fight I don't think he is amazing tho.

Martin thanks for giving me what you would change. That made more sense to me than just moaning what is wrong. I hope you give my reply as much thought as I gave yours.

On a last note what more can we do other than trust the process? The owners aren't going anywhere. None of these players have really been given the time as has poch.

12.) 18 Sep 2023
18 Sep 2023 22:02:47
Jsfinchy, very good post mate.

It puts some meat on the bones!

13.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 00:20:22
Jsfincy, I agree nothing we can do about the owners but I wouldn’t go as far as trust, I just keep my fingers crossed. Matt, is right, none of our forwards pose any threat in the air or actually seem to be able to head the ball. I think Nkunku is decent in the air but won’t be available for a while, let’s hope he stays fit. It just appears strange to me that we expect Jackson to solve the no 9 issue when he is weak in air and doesn’t play in and around the 18 box; it’s not really fair to him.

14.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 06:53:31
Jimbo, because I am sad I have watched Sundays game twice now. We created a lot of chances in the final 3rd. None was a heading situation other than corners. Which Bournemouth have every good technical players in the air.

To which we played short corners.

In my eyes. Connor could and should of scored 2. Yes one ball from mydrk was to high but Connor didn't adjust his body.

Jackson hit the post from a long range shot. After good link up play from mydrk and Jackson.

We are playing teams that are filling the box with players. And we are trying to work the ball as close to the goal as possible.
With so many in the box we won't score many headers or crosses. As it becomes less about technical things and more about luck if it goes to our player.

We had 2 or 3 goal scambles on Sunday which we could of scored from but again the box was so full of players we just hit a brick wall.

SO in my opinion we need to break quicker. So that the opposition don't get numbers back in the box. We did this at times Sunday but! The final ball was poor, behind players or too late. This sort of thing is mainly confidence and building relationships.

I do fail to see why Jackson not heading the ball proves he isn't any good. He receives the ball and drives at teams. Which I think is great. But we need runners in behind once he does that. His first touch is good, his dribbling is good but his shooting is very rash. He is young and hasn't learnt to be composed yet. IF! He does I think he will be quality.

Again just my observations and opinions.

15.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 08:16:07
Jsfinchy, you’re on fire at the moment mate. Very accurate assessment of that game.

My two takes on our performance straight after the game

1) we were far to passive in our press.

2) we moved to ball forward far to slowly

Strangely we have been doing both of those things well in our previous games.

I also agree with your assessment on Jackson. I think he has generally been a handful for defenders.

16.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 09:43:33
jsfinchy, I wasn’t suggesting Jackson isn’t any good, early on in preseason I said he needs a season to make any judgement. The point I am making is that he is not the right profile of player to lead the line. The lack of aerial power limits our options for goals from both open play and set pieces and we also seem to lack options for free kicks that are within ranges. Once again, Nkunku will offer something once fit.

17.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 10:01:41
Thank you.
I get frustrated as much as the next fan but I prefer to watch games back. As you can be very reactionary to the result and be blinded to the good things.

18.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 10:02:12
Mostly agree with your assessment of the game Jsfinchy, overall I thought we played well but as the game went on desperation and panic set in as we got to their box. I thought this would be a tough one for us given how many players we had away on international duty, without looking into it I assume that the majority of Bournemouth's team weren't called up and so had 2 weeks to prepare while most of our squad had 3 days.

Still we should and could have won. Teething problems to be expected with what is essentially a group of players who have never played with one another before. Hard to escape the feeling this is the sort of performance that resulted in a 1-0 loss last season.

A minor disagreement I have is regarding your point about opposition filling the box. Like you, I felt we worked ourselves into multiple good positions where our final ball was poor but this wasn't due to a traffic jam of players between the passer and recipient. Gusto was especially guilty in the first half of just firing the ball low into an area of the box, rather than having the composure to actually try and pick someone out.

Felt like every corner went short, we had plenty of big units (Big Les, Silva, Colwill, Disasi, Jackson) who could have won headers from corners had we crossed it in but maybe I'm misremembering.

100% agree re being too slow to move the ball forwards and on Jackson. He's been a real bright spot for us who is going to take time to adapt to the league. He's 22 and has spent less than 6 years playing organised football, you can't expect him to just waltz in decimate goalscoring records right away.

19.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 11:13:33
Rbd great assessment. And enjoyed reading it.

I believe we are firing in crosses low due to maybe as some have said jackson isn't great at heading. So looking to get a toe on the ball. Most of our front line aren't going to head the ball (sterling) we aren't going to fire in crosses for headers if you don't have the players to suit that game.

But good points thank you.

20.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 12:29:28
Yeah Jackson is not good in the air, that is undeniable.

I'd also add that while you can legitimately question whether the frankly ludicrous amount of money since the new owners took over has been spent as optimally as it could have been, I don't think you can use that as an argument against the 11 injuries we had this weekend.

The whole preseason was used to build around Nkunku, be it as a LW, LF, CF or 10, so losing him was always going to be a massively disrupting influence on the team. He was brought in to be the primary goalscorer, the player to take the one chance he gets that reduces the pressure on players like Jackson, Mudryk, Sterling, Madueke etc. Then to add salt into the wound, the player Poch chose to replace him with in the 11, Chukwuemeka, goes down in week 2.

Given our performances, we really should be towards the top end of the table, and it is certainly equal parts frustrating and concerning that we haven't been able to pick up points in this run of easier fixtures. But take a step back and I think most fans would agree there has been a big step forwards from the end of last season.

When Chukwuemeka is back I would expect he will come in as a left-sided 10, Chilwell shifting back to LB but playing high, Enzo starting deeper alongside Caicedo and Gallagher scurrying about filling in the gaps. Hopefully that will bring about better balance like we saw in the preseason.

21.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 12:30:52
RBD, Brilliant and well balanced post and a most enjoyable read.

I would also add that when teams go deep Mudryk as to do more. He will not have the space behind for his pace to be effective.

I would also leave Mudryk on the halfway line when we are defending corners.

22.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 12:58:19
All we can do is see it through, Ivan Tibet is the obvious choice, second highest English goalscorer after Harry Kane, knees the league, good age, but the gambling situation probably stopped it and wouldn’t of helped us immediately,
Vhalovic, awoniyi isn’t as prolific but would of been that plan B, the money that went on cuccurella and some Brazilian kids maybe gone slot of way to oshimen,

It’s easy to say now I know, but our season has carried on from last and it’s horrible,

23.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 16:11:08
Matt, it’s five premiership games and some of our football this season is ok and far better than last season.

I assume you mean Toney? I have a feeling we may well be in for him in the winter window but Nkunku should be fig by then as well.

I think generally our signings have been good in the last two windows. So I’m happy.

24.) 19 Sep 2023
19 Sep 2023 20:51:57
Happy lol we’ve barely won in 2 seasons and I’m pretty sure we’ve had a few months where the goal of the month was the only goal we’ve scored,

I like the optimism, just feels like people are putting on a smile with tears rolling in the background,

Footballs been better, but not scoring, that adds tension, nerves then when we concede there’s no belief. Goals literally turn a game and mentality on its head. It needed to be addressed, going forward, it’ll be a while, maybe play narrow, 433, chilwell has to be left back, not shoe horn colwill in, he can shift across for disasi, enzo Gallagher caceido, mudryk sterling and jackson while Broja gets formed back,

25.) 20 Sep 2023
20 Sep 2023 05:00:24
Matt, I smiled on my way home from the Liverpool and Luton games. I was mystified after the Hammers game. I was cheesed off after the Forest and Bournemouth games. Strangely that is improvement on last season.

Laughter, joy, smiles, tears and anger just about sums up what it’s like being a football supporter.

We are at the start of a new era at our club. I think it’s reasonable to give it time to gel.