03 Dec 2025 22:25:29
A mate just messaged me to say we are four points worse off after 14 games compared to last season. If I remember correctly the last few Decembers have been a nightmare.
03 Dec 2025 22:34:22
I posted about this a while ago Tom but it hasn't come up on site. But yes your nate is correct and last season wecwon our next two games ie games 15 and 16 but will we this season? I think. they are Bournemouth and Newcastle but haven't checked again.
Caicedo red ca4d suspension could be v costly. Anyway said id stick with 3rd to 7th prediction and again question of whether we need another quality CB plus up and running prolific number 9 is raised by defeat.
04 Dec 2025 05:52:55
JBS, confidence is a very fragile thing. It can be easily shattered and then take ages to get back. For me, moments like this define managers, players, fans and seasons.
04 Dec 2025 08:27:46
It certainly defines coaches Tom.
04 Dec 2025 09:57:10
Completely agree about confidence being key Tom and that sporting suc cess is as much about mental strength as physical ability.
Maresca must take some considerable blame for last night's fiasco ajust as he rightfully took plaudits for Barcelona win and AFC fighting draw. But worrying that he has not got on top of our discipline red card rash of dismissals that has cost us dearly with loss of Caicedo for three games plus other EPL points already including - quite probably - against Arsenal. Of course Maresca has been sent odd himself plus yellow carded yet seems so calm in interviews and has seemed to be learning as a manager in other respects - though looked foolish in seletions and tactics and some substitutions/timing last night.
04 Dec 2025 11:53:17
We have to give some credit to Leeds. It was never going to be an easy fixture, very few premiership games are easy.
They win the important battles and made it difficult for us with there press. We looked soft, lacking in concentration and in some cases we displayed a poor attitude.
The manager and players have to take responsibility for success and failure.
04 Dec 2025 13:07:22
What i don't get Tom, nobody but nobody changed the way we played it was obvious to man and boy, it was not working.
That in its self should be a concern and if it keeps happening against flower teams, Maresca won't be here passed the summer.
04 Dec 2025 13:08:08
Delap isn’t as good as Jackson, Joao Pedro isn’t really a fair comparison as he’s a very different player. I don’t expect him to get 15-20 goals in a season, he is a bit of a Swiss Army knife player in the attacking half a role that he’s done pretty well for us. Delap is brand new, his start has been impacted by injury and a suspension, but, it’s a harsh world at the top level, you don’t get time to settle in. Emegha is already there, waiting in the wings, for next season and we will be linked to other strikers. Delap is already playing for his Chelsea future.
To be fair, we’re playing a game every three days for the next month or so, Maresca has to rotate. Fofana and James can’t play at that rate, not with their injuries. CB is an issue though, if Fofana and Colwill could start 80-90% of our games, as a partnership, we would be genuinely challenging. But, we’re going to see Fofana’s mins managed and it’ll be the same for Colwill when he returns. I really like Acheampong and Badiashille has played decent games, as has Chalobah. Personally, I’d play Disasi over Tosin. The guys a French international, sat in our reserves, whilst we play Tosin who might have a better eye for a pass, but is so passive in his defensive work it’s cost us goals and loses this season.
Bottom line, we need to find one more high quality CB.
04 Dec 2025 14:34:45
Bill, I’m sorry mate but we did change tactics in the second half with both CB’s going man to man with our FB’ s pushing on. Most men and the re dog would have noticed that. Maresca being here next season will be decided at the end of this season, not now!
“J” we have signed a lot of players over the last few years but if Disasi is an answer to our CB so called problems then we should all give up hope. Besides thumping his own chest, he offers zero in my opinion.
I would sell Tosin and Badiashile (shame) and buy the lad from Forest but that ain’t going to happen until the summer or unless the club feels it will get a transfer ban for the previous misdemeanours of RA.
04 Dec 2025 14:53:31
Bill, I was there and it was clear as daylight that Maresca changed tactics in the 2nd half. Maybe it didn't come across on your TV.
J, I agree with your post and would play Josh as back up to Fofana, Levi and Trev. As you correctly say we need a CB and a top level striker.