07 Dec 2023 21:05:32
My thoughts reflecting on that poor performance last night. and I'm only concentrating on the midfield and forwards defensively at this point as I want to keep the post short.

The midfield duo were poor and didn't give any protection to the back 4, they were slow and sloppy in possession and didn't find some of the runs the forwards were making. Enzo is a great talent but looks jaded and tired. Moises looks like he could do with a proper holding midfielder next to him, Lavia when he finally gets fit would be ideal.

That would give more protection and allow Enzo to work his magic further forward. The wide players, particuarly Sterling were not covering back and Sterling let his man go in the build up to their winning goal which meant James had 2 to look after and he was so slugish as well. Jackson has some nice touches but was giving the ball away in really dangerous areas and his hold up play is just nowhere near good enough.

Palmer took his goal well but he too had an off night, but overall I really like what he brings to the team. I do also think Conor and the energy he brings was missed, but that is no excuse. When Poch was at Spurs he always played 2 proper solid holding midfielders who also had the ability to slot into the back 4 to make a 5 when needed and give real protection allowing the forwards and fullbacks to create further forward.

My conclusion, and I maybe clutching at straws, is that Lavia coming back from injury might just make a big difference to the midfield solidity of the side and allow Poch to then work on the other areas that need addressing.

1.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 21:31:06
G8, I’m usually incredibly positive but unfortunately that is rapidly being drained out of me.

So, I’m now just looking at one game at a time. Everton up next and I’m struggling to see how we can expect anything from the game.

In a couple of days time I’m sure I will be looking at things differently.

Sure we have players come back from injury but they are going to take time to be match fit. Maybe things will be different in the new year. ?.

2.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 06:14:02
G8 and Tom you make some good points in your posts. Sterling does not defend, too busy standing and smiling after falling over under a puff of air ( if there not was any actual contact) . There is a reason Man City let him go, he is not "Premiership " league quality!, and at 325 k per week, best you take the Saudi money on offer and be a hero there than look stupid trying to compete against players who have half, or less the income, or actual ability, but twice the desire.

3.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 09:13:46
Pete, spot on. I never wanted him. He has no commitment to the club, he only came here because it suited his personal circumstances ( and, of course, 325K a week) . Who on earth thought he was worth those wages, that’s the sort of money really top class players are paid.

4.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 09:51:45
I have no idea what Sterlings supposed “personal circumstances” are or were and my guess is none of us really know.

It would be perfectly reasonable if he wanted to move back to London for family reasons but again I have no idea if that was the case.

I will be happy if he scores more than 12 goals this season (for my charity bet) and I will support him throughout his CFC career.

5.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 09:54:59
Kiwi, there have been few and far between opportunities to see them together but when we have James and Sterling have proved to be a very good combination.

I hope we can see more of them playing together.

6.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 10:27:24
Tom, I don’t support players or coaches, I only support the club; if I believe players, coaches or anyone else is undermining the club I will say so.

7.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 10:20:23
I think the squad is not a balanced one yet. We have good players that are neither compatible nor complimentary. We lack creativity and penetration. Going forward, we need some smart signings to get what we have all wanted. Yet to see lavia play but imo we need more than him to hit it though on paper he will help. Again in the hindsight, kante shouldn't have be let go yet imo.

He is not missing matches in his new club due to injuries, as he did with us. Some injuries take time to heal completely and we may have endured the worst times of his injuries only to hans him over to another club. My concern is that a fit kante is like having an extra player.

Caicedo is doing well and will be even better in the future, but the new brooms sweep clean but the old knows the corners. For sterling, if I say it how I see it this my post will definitely not get posted. I dare dream we get rid of and launch an audacious bid for mbampe and put his wage on mbampe as Madrid is not decided on his move.

I wanted kudus, but we didn't want him. I await nkunku return to see what changes, but we need more, especially in creativity and experience.
If chilly is leaving, we should get an upgrade on what we have. Mc imo is not good enough for what we need. So I would let him go if we can get anything close to what we paid for him. Would let colwill play there until a proper player for the position is brought in.

8.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 11:26:45
Jimbo, prey tell. Who is undermining the club?

I’m staggered that any manager or player’s is supported by a fan but ho hum!

9.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 11:27:54
Ilo, strangely I enjoyed your post.

10.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 12:24:44
That should obviously be “isn’t supported by a fan, ” not “is. ”.

11.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 12:45:56
Tom, perhaps I should have said players etc who are not performing to an acceptable level but if that is happening it does undermine the club.

12.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 14:20:00
We are the words we use. So, thank god I’m drunk most of the time and thank god it’s a manager who picks the team. That way it gives us all the opportunity to have misguided opinions.

13.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 14:22:00
Interesting debate ref Sterling. I was talking about his lack of defensive awareness and his inability to track runners but I do think he still has a lot to offer going forward, on his day he is unplayable (west ham away), he just needs to do that more often and as Tom pointed out he has looked very good on occasion when playing alongside James.

14.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 18:41:35
Didn’t think the clear out and transition would be as painful. Jeez. Awful. I think the squad is good, but atm they are not a team. For me Poch has not found and committed to a preferred system of play that suits. Possession team? Counter team? Attacking team, defensive team. Seem to be a wee bit of everything atm, and it ain’t working. Re Sterling? Not for me. Substitute at best.

15.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 19:06:54
Stephen, you make some very good but slightly worrying observations.

16.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 20:52:19
Stephen, I agree with you. I had expected some discernible style of play to be emerging by now but as you say it is a muddle. Even worse generally our football is dull and predictable. Hopefully, things will improve in the New Year- worryingly I said the same thing this time last year.