Chelsea banter 3

20 Jan 2026 22:31:00
Lots of hostility on here from some, so to lift spirits. What's everyone's favourite seasons?

For me, 2019-20 under Lampard. Transfer ban and the most promising i've ever felt for the future as a chelsea fan.

21 Jan 2026 07:08:50
2024-2025. Fantastic new owners getting there act together, a young team, CWC champions and another pot as well.

The best feeling, Jose’s first season. Best football, King Carlo’s. Most enjoyable day, Munich.

21 Jan 2026 16:29:32
2012/13 – Hazard, Hazard, Hazard. Nothing matches the excitement of that guy joining, and the years with him at the club were just phenomenal, even if we weren't always a great team in that time.

King Carlo's football in 2009/10 was among the best I think I've seen. Scandalous how he was treated.

Mourinho's first season in 2004/05 was incredible, and ran alongside what was easily the best year of my life. Robben and Duff down the wings, Lampard and Makélélé in the middle – apart from a big-money striker from Ligue 1 who kept on falling over and looked like a flop (a precious lesson in not judging players on their first season), who could ask for more?

Vialli's first season as player/manager 1997/98 was special, and quite early in my Chelsea-supporting life.

21 Jan 2026 18:14:46
Couple posters on here must be on the payroll ?.

21 Jan 2026 19:33:12
Says Standard, the guy who slated Moises Caicedo week after week as a donkey! Sorry mate, but just can't take anything you say seriously after that.

21 Jan 2026 19:59:57
You must have not watched his first 3 games for us. He was horrendous.

21 Jan 2026 20:49:20
He was brilliant before he put on a Chelsea shirt.

21 Jan 2026 21:18:52
Had only seen him once or twice tom. His first games for chelsea had seemed like he'd never played football (he'd missed preseason and we were a shambles at this time, so it was understandable) .

Its also got to be said, how many accounts does green away have now? Dubai Anna, jsfinchy, RBD. Getting quite tiresome.

21 Jan 2026 21:59:55
Standard, you were calling him a donkey when he was signed from Brighton and before he even played for Chelsea.

21 Jan 2026 22:02:07
Please Standard. We have gone down this rabbit hole so many times.

We all make crap judgements on players. I once said that Morata was comparable to Osgood. It happens, just move on please!

22 Jan 2026 08:32:59
Im not the one who keeps on bringing it up. I've admitted i was wrong on him as a player. And again someone has said it was when he played for brighton. Simply not true. Getting very boring when the same poster under 7 different names brings it up on every single post of mine.

22 Jan 2026 09:34:22
I think you are rather deluded Standard if you think that but hey ho if it makes you feel better. Some advice to you though, you put a post up asking for opinions on posters favourite seasons, 3 posters respond and you then dig 2 of those 3 posters out accusing us of being on the clubs payroll, that is looking for trouble and you then start crying when people hit back at you for your donkey quotes.

22 Jan 2026 13:54:23
If allowed two favourite seasons I would choose 2004-5 as CFC back as leading team under young Special One Mourinho and fantastic spine to the side. We had won our first top league trophy for 50 years. Tears of joy time!

In terms simply of joyful and winning football the Ancellotti one most enjoyable.

22 Jan 2026 15:22:17
It was a joke greenaway. Humour not allowed pal?

22 Jan 2026 16:04:55
Interesting that you say 'us' Greenaway. Why have you set up a username that's almost identical to mine? Considering that you accused someone of being the infamous King Frank the other day, that's some pretty weird behaviour.

22 Jan 2026 17:25:16
used to be a poster on here back in the day called pinky. greenaway reminds me of them. its all fun and games, would advise anyone to not take comments on here too seriously.

22 Jan 2026 17:55:12
Wow, the paranoia on here EdW, I used the term us for Tom B and myself who both mentioned the 2024/25 season which resulted in Standard claiming we were both on the payroll. Maybe read the post first before commenting. Oh, and on the subject of multiple accounts, you, Standard and now Kazblue all seem to appear together rather frequently? But I won't go down your paranoia route but must say this is now more fun than watching traitors trying to work out who is who.

22 Jan 2026 19:55:42
Yeah, why don't you have a look above mate. Your comment about the 2024/25 season was made under the username 'EbW', and has been removed by the eds. Forgot to log out of your other account?

22 Jan 2026 20:48:07
Wow EdW you are taking your paranoia to a new level. Get a grip mate and enjoy the site.

{Ed033's Note - i doubt Greenaway is EbW.

22 Jan 2026 23:31:52
We also had an RPD impersonator lol. I think him, Jsfinchy, Dubai Anna, G8, are all the same person and considering greenaways a relatively new poster and we haven't seen the others in a bit, I wouldn't be surprised. But who knows. Edw may be correct.

23 Jan 2026 04:44:13
Does it matter?

23 Jan 2026 12:48:15
You're right, Tom. If people want to be childish idiots that's on them.

23 Jan 2026 16:25:15
I actually meant changing names! “Childish idiots, ” I will leave that to the Ed’s.

23 Jan 2026 20:31:46
Tom, it might not seem like much to you, but choosing a username that is almost exactly the same as another poster's, so that posters (such as you, many times) mistake comments made under that name for the original poster and reply to that other person's comments using the name of the original poster (as you did a number of times to posts made by this 'EbW'), feels like a weirdly aggressive act.

It's not enjoyable to be on the end of. It's trolling, and it's childish.

23 Jan 2026 21:59:50
EdW, I take your point. Obviously if you find if strange maybe the Ed’s can do something about it.

I only found out what trolling is the other day.

20 Jan 2026 22:36:16
I don't have much time for Jamie Carragher but his piece on Liam's obsession with playing through the middle before going wide on MNF was very good. He highlighted how important Enzo Fernandez is to his way of playing and how we need more players like Fernandez, he showed Cucu looking totally lost in the new system as we now man to man mark all over the pitch.

He also highlighted how easy it was for Brentford to get at us and how open we look when we lose the ball. It was a very brave decision to sack/push Maresca before the season ends and I truly hope it proves to be the correct one but I have my doubts. Grass always greener? Let's wait and see.

21 Jan 2026 07:14:33
Greenaway, I don’t know enough about Brentford’s usual tactic but to my sad old eyes it was them who went man to man. It was them who won the majority of individual battles.

Other than the shocking gaps between our lines, I couldn’t see any patterns of play or tight shape from us. It was awful.

It’s early days and I guess it will take time for the players to adapt to our new managers ideas.

21 Jan 2026 10:35:36
Lets be totally honest, LR did not have a pre-season with the players, never mind the lack of training sessions and furthermore there is a virus running through the club limiting the players available and also those that did play, probably weren't 100% fit due to the virus.

I'm not getting into Maresca again, he wanted to leave the club, end off, maybe the grass might not be greener for him either.

21 Jan 2026 11:18:14
I don't think Maresca did want to leave the club Bill and a lot of fans think it was a mistake by the sporting directors to push him out and it is inevitable now that comparisons will be drawn just as they were when Poch left in similiar circumstances.

Maresca outperformed Pochetino by qualifying for the champions league and winning 2 trophies, let's hope Liam can at least match that if not better it. The standard of football will, of course, also be compared which will no doubt be discussed going forward.

21 Jan 2026 12:18:59
I take the view that when they have left, “good luck, thanks and goodbye. ”

Some I might of liked more than others but I spend very little time thinking about any of them.

Good luck to our new boss.

21 Jan 2026 20:27:17
Saw that Carragher segment too, Greenaway. I'm not a tactician, but it would seem to me that having your team play just one way would make them predictable – once the other team had worked out the pattern you'd be stuffed – and that having as many different ways of attacking would be preferable.

20 Jan 2026 07:39:39
{Ed's Note - thefutureisoldgold3 has posted a new article entitled, Wolverhampton Wanderers Player Ratings v Newcastle United

19 Jan 2026 09:48:46
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Burnley - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

19 Jan 2026 10:12:12
Good to read this thoughtful and persuasive piece Ed001. Thanls for it cos although focusing on Slot and Liverpool's under performing it is also or should be of interest to anyone who cares about the beautiful game. Liked the consideration of the human factor in suggesting Slot may have been helped by having family with him. like Mourinho. Alsi good analysis of the game itself and strengths and weaknesses of both teams plus individual Liverpool players.

As most of us CFC fans have always realised you are someone who yruly loves the game and only. hates things that can ruin it - like officials too easily giving free kicks to defenders and so frustrating attacking football or tactics by superior sifes like LFC v Burnley in second half - rather than Liverpool's opponents just cos they are your opponents.

{Ed001's Note - thank you so much JBS, I really appreciate that.}

19 Jan 2026 19:44:10
Ed001, I too am totally frustrated with players falling over like they’ve been punched by Mike Tyson. Obviously, everyone supports the head injury protocol but players are abusing it. Then there was the goalie feigning injury recently; can’t remember the game. One wonders how much coaches influence this behaviour.

{Ed001's Note - it happens in just about every game that goalkeepers feign injury to waste time and allow the coach to give tactical instruction. It is a real problem now and clearly they are doing it under instruction from the coaching bench.}

20 Jan 2026 09:34:09
What I'm also fed up with is the players feign injury so that the rest of the team go over to the coach for a tactics run down.

Also why is Arteta allowed to play in midfield for Arsenal, he is that far out of his technical area every match.

{Ed001's Note - that made me laugh. He is on the pitch for 85 minutes.}

20 Jan 2026 13:18:36
Totally agree ED001.

19 Jan 2026 07:39:41
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United's Dominance Over City Offers Hope

18 Jan 2026 08:56:46
Melbourne, I couldn’t agree more mate.

18 Jan 2026 06:38:49
Since Rosenior came in there’s been an illness tearing through the squad, which has meant he hasn’t had his full squad together during that time. That’s made a difficult situation even harder.

Good for performance vs Brentford? No. Rosenior imprinting his identity on the squad straight away? No.

Clean sheet? Yes. Victory against a team unbeaten in five or six, when we hadn’t won in the league during that time? Yes.

18 Jan 2026 08:54:06
J, all very reasonable points mate.

18 Jan 2026 09:43:41
Spot on J.

19 Jan 2026 10:19:57
Can also add that LR having to cope like EM eith fact that key players like Cole and Enzo F and probably quite a few others like Cucurella may be struggling either with injuries or fatigue cos of extra long season last seadon due to CWC and little recovery time. Just hope Cole is ok to continue as he is without surgery.

He does look below his best though was better in secind half than first v Brentford where he seemed a passenger in periods especially in first half. Of course he and others may alsi have been struggling with the illness spreading through the squad and kept Estevao out.

17 Jan 2026 23:52:52
Hi everyone, please don't let this new owners deceive you into thinking that all is well at lt the club. They have technically reduced Chelsea to 3nd rate club. Chelsea now almost celebrated defeat to direct rivals , arsenal. In the past losing against arsenal was like a tarboo but now we srmee it as normal.

We obviously need a an experienced defender but they choose to pursue Jeremy jacquet to add what exactly. It's obvious that it's the reason Maresca's left and instead of reviewing the policy to allow a change to the standard we operates before they came which put Chelsea in a position where they can compete in all.

Chelsea have been in transition for some years now but all we see is strategies to make Chelsea accept to be a 2nd rate club so long as it puts profits into their pocket. The obvious example is the last season of wenger at arsenal.

18 Jan 2026 05:20:28
It’s fair to criticize the strategy, but how much profit do you think they’ve made since purchasing the club? Wouldn’t the more prudent strategy to make profit and sell for a huge amount be becoming a highly successful club rather than ‘accept to be a 2nd rate club’?

18 Jan 2026 07:50:23
Tusole, I posted my thoughts on the direction of the club a while back which you might like to read as it explains pretty much the only way the owners of the club can make a financial gain of any real significance on their investment. I will try to give you a brief summary here to politely challenge your statement above. There is no way in this world that the owners can make a large investment profit by trading players, it just won't happen as for every star purchase who might possibly turn a nice profit there will be 2 more at least who won't work out and will lose you money, factor in purchase and sale costs, agent fees and wages and any return to the owners will be little to nothing so the notion that the owners buy players to make a profit is pure pie in the sky, the owners are also prohibited from taking a dividend from the club for 10 years so unlike the Glazers at Man Utd they can't profit day to day via income, the only way they can possibly a sizeable financial gain is by resale of the entire investment which legally can't happen until 2032 as part of the sale process agreed with Roman in 2022 and that will mean the club needs to of grown as a global force both through expansion, further clubs being added, stadia development bringing increased revenue and fan exposure and fundamentally success on the pitch.

The approach at present to purchase young prospects will likely continue for another couple of seasons as wages and costs are managed before the push towards sustainable challenges for domestic and european titles begins to ramp up the nearer any sale date around 2032 and beyond where the owners need the club to be not only winning titles yearly but showing significant progress in all areas including stadia. If that all comes together they might just make a sizeable return on their investment. The downside for us fans is that we must watch on as the club slowly build up to the trophy winning monster the model is intended to be mainly picking up a trophy here and there and hovering around the top 4 or 5 until 2027 or 2028 when the kick really begins towards yearly title challenges and sustained sucess leading to a profitable sale by the owners in or likely beyond 2032. I totally understand the short term frustration and can only hope their vision pans out in the long term if not before but trying to put a slightly positive spin on it at least they have a plan unlike many other clubs who just muddle through year by year. I hope my brief summary helps explain a few things but more than happy to go into far greater detail on my thoughts on this model if you wish.

18 Jan 2026 08:51:34
Tusole, can I politely ask where are you from?

18 Jan 2026 08:56:15
RPD, good points and good post in my opinion.

18 Jan 2026 09:11:46
Thanks Tom.

18 Jan 2026 09:14:08
Excellent post RPD and once again glad that you are back.

Clearlake are a private equity company and the aim is to generate a profit for their investors which will probably only happen with a sale at some point however some PEC's are not turned around around into a profitable business and are sold at a loss just to get them of the portfolio.

You mentioned Stadia but from we we are at present, I'm not too hopeful on that issue.

You also did not mention the FOS issue and even if we signed one for say £60mil, it would take around two years to break even should be have had secured a £40mil deal previously.

18 Jan 2026 09:45:33
Sorry wrong thread. Melbourne, I completely agree with your post on this thread.

18 Jan 2026 09:46:52
Cfb, good to have you back mate.

18 Jan 2026 09:47:35
Thanks for your very clearly written and well argued post RPD.

18 Jan 2026 10:14:23
Bill, I don’t want to put words in the mouth of RPD but I think it was him who put forward a reason as to why we “might” not have a FOS sponsor.

I’ve said on another thread, I would like our present owners to give us the reason why we have no FOS sponsors but I also except they may well have been legally advised not to make any comment until after the result of any potential sanction.

18 Jan 2026 10:35:08
Fair comment Tom however not quite sure why a sponser could not put in a clause to protect their interests.

18 Jan 2026 10:45:29
I won't be posting often tomb. I am still popping in every now and then. I have removed myself from all social media as I find it all fake or miss leading much the same as the media outlets.

I brought myself back to ask where tusole is from as he reminds me of the hundreds possibly the thousands of Africans on social media that rant. But have never even been to england. Never mind to the bridge. Don't get me wrong he may live under the seats in the Mathew harding upper for all I know. But for most of us that go regular (even tho i can only go 5 to 6 times a year now I have moved) they are more balanced arguments. Even jimbo and nib please keep giving your opinion guys or gals for that matter.

Just remember whatever you put in here will never make a difference. And we are all wrong with our opinions because we are not within the club. So we just jump on the Internet for our information. If anyone has ever read the reddit posts or the replies on Facebook X or Instagram its full of toxic misleading fake news. If you get your head full of this, its no wonder we get negative opinions.

This is why it was so good having the eds in here to straighten out some of the rubbish. Just like ed001 did with the guehi wages post. Thanks eds keep up the good work.

18 Jan 2026 11:14:13
RPD, good to have you back contributing to the site.

18 Jan 2026 11:52:03
Cfb. The more posters the better is my view. We are in total agreement, we are all guessing because we are not in possession of the facts.

If us football fans are honest we all have biased opinions and occasionally agenda's.

18 Jan 2026 11:57:57
Bill, that’s a good point but I’m sure if it was that easy it would have happened. None of us have a factual clue but I find it totally impossible to believe it’s deliberate or that every effort hasn’t been made to sign a deal.

18 Jan 2026 12:33:59
Lets hope things improve soon on that front Tom.

18 Jan 2026 14:23:16
Bill, let’s hope so but it could get a lot worse. Although I personally believe we will get a transfer ban plus a heavy fine, I expect that some of the signs point to a points deduction.

18 Jan 2026 14:37:57
Chelsea forever blue…what an utter nonsense comment … maybe the worst i've ever read on here.

It doesn't matter where tusole is from he can be from mars for all i care…he supports the club and wants it to do well same as us… not sure why you had to mention african social media rants either

‘ But for most of us that go regular’ - you're very lucky to be able to, doesn't make a superior fan so stop that nonsense. Plenty of match going fans ain't happy too …made themselves loud and clear against fulham recently.

Sick of this idea rhat if you happen to live nearby or have access to tickets you're a better fan than someone else.

18 Jan 2026 15:03:44
Maybe the question was asked because usually the Tusole posts contain national tropes.

I haven’t noticed any fan being criticised for being more or less off a fan if they support the club from home, the pub or the bridge. I also don’t recall any fan saying they are more of a fan if they are “local. ” Nowadays and having to travel by car gives me the pleasure of about three and half hours travel time. Mainly down to the wonderful mayor of London.

18 Jan 2026 15:14:28
Kazblue, Chelsea forever blue is the type of fan you'd meet at a weatherspoons. No idea why he brought up African and saying you're not a fan if you haven't been to the bridge is utter nonsense.

I've been back in england for a year now from aus and would always stay up till 3am frequently to watch my side. Id argue that's more of a fan.

18 Jan 2026 15:59:33
I have several people up on this site for making what “I” consider to racist remarks, I have never read any post from Cfb that in anyway contains racist remark.

I repeat, my guess is and as always it’s only a guess, Cfb has asked that question because generally speaking all posts from Tusole make reference to the nationality of our owners or players. I didn’t see anyone rushing to make a comment when Delap being in the team rather than Jackson is because he is English or the owners are bad and American. Both points made by Tusole.

18 Jan 2026 17:35:30
Ha ha ha ha no remarks about being a better fan but from your reaction it says kazblue has never been to the bridge and standard we know you are from aus and have never been. You bored us with that before whilst also lieing. And claiming you didn't say something when you was proved wrong you disappeared for ages. By the way caicedo is not a donkey he is actually world class

Maybe you guys should ask tomb for his ticket some time. That way you can actually provide to the club you supposedly support.

I have a liverpool fan ST holder that goes to every game. But buys his shirt from a fake Chinese Internet shop because he doesn't want to pay the money. Naturally as football supporters we take the Michael and say he is actually robbing the club he supposedly supports.

18 Jan 2026 17:43:44
And standard where in my comments did I say not a real fan or not a fan.

My whole point is that tusole and now kazblue for that matter remind me of the people on all social media which when you look at their profiles are African people. Which may or may not be chelsea fans and just post or troll for that matter to get a reaction.

You can't even admit to what you have said yourself in the past so don't put words in my mouth.

And you staying up till 3 in the morning woohoo good on you. Some of us have travelled in all types of weather and time zones following our club, getting back at "3am" to then go to work so don't talk some much tosh.

18 Jan 2026 17:57:16
cfb/tomB burner account.

i just have no idea why you'd specifically mention african? unfortunately for you -your senses are wrong, im not african. im leeds born and bread and live in liverpool although that's probably the same thing as african to someone like you. I won't say what you remind me of but you can jog on mate.

this is a forum for everyone no matter the opinion, always has been.

18 Jan 2026 18:24:38
Kazblue, I trust the editors to edit but some peoples opinions should never posted and my guess is a lot get filtered out.

Can I suggest that you and Standard look up the historical posts of Tusole. You never know you might find that the question Cfb asked is reasonable.

I have a history on this site, at the bridge and in my personal life of calling out all forms of racism. It is something that I find sickening and I am sometimes ashamed of supporting a club with a sad history on this topic.

Bye the way I have zero idea what “burner account” means.

18 Jan 2026 18:42:49
Im not calling racism- just thought the mention of africans on social media was weird- as though africans don't have a right to support us- some of our best players in this era have been african i. e drogba, essien mikel geremi and the often forgotten but personal favourite of mine. salomon Kalou!

If Tusole said delap is playing over jackson cos he's english- that's an opinion and tbh given how delap has looked when he's played- id be thinking of reasons why he was preffered over jackson- again tho that's irrelevant to CFBs smug post in which he came across a right w*****

Im not a fan of asking where people are from as it opens up the door to all sorts. only thing i care about is we are all blue.

18 Jan 2026 19:13:58
Given the history of the Tusole posts, I think it was a reasonable question for Cfb to ask.

I trust the editors to determine if it was a reasonable question. Obviously the same is true of the historical posts from Tusole.

You are correct the nationality of a player, manager, owner or fan is irrelevant. So why bring it up at all? If you want to have a pop at a poster on this subject that’s up to you but can I humbly suggest some form of consistency.

18 Jan 2026 19:14:12
Chelsea-forever-blue out here with his dog whistle. Says you can't trust social media but by the same stroke, look at all these people with 'African' profile pictures ranting, talking rubbish. Only regular (British) match-going fans like him are capable of employing logic. If they mostly happen to be white, well – that's coincidence isn't it. All those match-going fans with their long and storied history of using reason to settle differences, of advancing human thought. It's not racist, it's just what he's seen. Anyone who disagrees with him is African – probably hysterical too, probably women, come to think of it.

The only poster we had on here who was actually from Africa was Obina (Nigeria, I think? ) . Left these pages a while ago – I wonder why. I hope he's well, and not trawling through this nonsense.

18 Jan 2026 19:49:53
EdW, you make a valid argument but surely the reverse is true.

My point remains the same, given that a person repeatedly brings up the nationality of players and owners and is not edited out it seems perfectly reasonable to me that a poster asks that poster his or her nationality. If the editors didn’t think it was a reasonable question I’m sure it would be edited out.

As far as fans location is concerned, as I’ve said I couldn’t give a flying f@rt.

18 Jan 2026 20:16:20
Haha that's given me a good laugh. Now im not from australia apparently. Like I said, chelsea forever blue is one of those Brits that you'd find in a weatherspoons. Make of that what you will.

18 Jan 2026 20:33:19
What argument did I make, Tom?

18 Jan 2026 20:42:12
If you said that to me I would treat being called a customer of weatherspoons as compliment. I would take being called an Aussie as an insult.

18 Jan 2026 20:48:23
Sorry, I meant to put a few emoji’s ??on my reply. I wouldn’t want to mention a continent. ???.

18 Jan 2026 21:05:41
For the avoidance of doubt, because what I thought was signposted irony clearly wasn't signposted well enough, I think it's blatantly obvious that highlighting 'rants' people make on social media as lacking in sense, and specifying that those particular social media accounts are all 'Africans' is racist. For anyone sensitive to the signs, it's very obviously racist. But it's done with plausible deniability. Hence why it's known as 'dog whistle'.

The poster states that there are fans unable to formulate proper thoughts and arguments about these issues. They're only capable of hot takes – rants. Implication: these people are not capable of reasoned thought.

All these people just happen – when you look at their social media profile pictures, he says – to share one feature. That feature is being from Africa.

So ask yourself: how can someone tell that from a picture? Are there flags in the background of every photo? Being totally honest, when you read that, did you immediately think the poster meant white South Africans? What one identifying feature would mean 'African' in this context? When he says 'African' he means Black. The implied logic: Black people are unable to employ reasoned thought. He specifically contrasts this with 'regular' matchgoing fans (implied meaning: white, British) .

18 Jan 2026 21:09:23
EdW, maybe argument was the wrong terminology, maybe points would have been a better term to use.

18 Jan 2026 22:04:41
EdW, I’m sorry mate but your most recent post to me is making a lot of assumptions and isn’t my takeaway from the Cfb post. Of course if that’s your interpretation is that comment is racist then you are correct to be annoyed.

I repeat my take is Cfb was asking a question about a person’s nationality who constantly brings up other people’s nationalities. I’m sure if the Eds believed it to racist it would have been edited,

18 Jan 2026 22:24:12
Standard, all the Wetherspoons in Norwich are very nice and probably many more in other locations.

18 Jan 2026 22:25:02
Well frankly tom in this case your opinion and takeaway is not relevant and i think should be kept to yourself in this case.

Let cfb defend himself if he wants- certainly doesn't need you to stick up for him with more gibberish….

19 Jan 2026 10:16:20
Tom doesn't talk gibberish kazblue1 but you do. You rocked up on this page a week or so ago at the same time as standard came back and all your posts are looking at starting trouble. Yes, Chelsea forever blue did appear to overstep the mark with his comment but don't start on Tom who is a valued poster on this site.

19 Jan 2026 12:03:01
Tom, that post wasn't directed at you mate – the 'you' in what I said was meant to be the impersonal 'one', but we don't really use that in common conversation any more. Sorry if it came off as being personal – it wasn't. I know you don't condone racism.

But I think it's important to bring these things to light, and it's not always easy to spot when it's done like that (for the eds as well as posters – how do you edit intention? ), so I took the time to explain how that kind of insidious comment works. Dog-whistle racism is racism, and Kaz has every right to be angry.

19 Jan 2026 14:27:14
Greenaway …. i ve been on this page almost 10 years pal long before you tom and standard begun posting.

Tom is a great poster and i know he has no ill intent in him…but sometimes its best to let someone defend themselves … as others and you yourself have said …cfbs post wasnt great and he deserved calling out on it.

19 Jan 2026 14:48:56
EdW, I never took your post as being directed at me. I have personally been a victim of racism and it’s a subject I spent far too much of my life either avoiding or ignoring. That is no longer the case.

I obviously didn’t make my point very clear and I except that is down to me. There were two different parts to the Cfb post. The part I have been referencing is the question of nationality. I personally do not see that as a racist question.

19 Jan 2026 14:50:48
Why not post under your original name then King Frank?

19 Jan 2026 15:58:07
Kazblue, My so called defence of a the Cfb post was centred around one question.

I assume that your argument about posters defending themselves applies to all posters?

19 Jan 2026 17:14:40
greenaway- my original name was Bluekaz98 - again i was here far before king frank too, - long before we even had log ins, have seen this site change over the years yet always a prat or 2 remain.

19 Jan 2026 21:15:29
Kazblue, the fact that you have now resorted to describing posters on here as "prats" consolidates my opinion that you just come on the site looking to cause trouble.

19 Jan 2026 22:23:10
Calling him King Frank is low, Greenaway. It's hilarious that guy is like the ultimate bogeyman in here now. But come on – Kaz's posts don't even read remotely the same as that nutball's.

17 Jan 2026 22:49:01
Half time chat at the bridge.

Maresca named as the new City manager next week and TT next Utd manager after the World Cup.

Probably rubbish but as I always say, I love rumours.

18 Jan 2026 09:16:07
Tom

Not sure zmaresca will be the new City coach next week but I think you might be dpont on with TTT to Utd in the summer.

18 Jan 2026 10:16:37
Bill, it was just a group of supporters chatting at half time, cup of Bovril in hand.

The guy who said about Maresca made it sound like a “fact. ”.

18 Jan 2026 10:47:50
Richard keys basically posted the exact same thing after the man city loss. So maybe he just read it on his phone and requoting.

A respected person after said keys was clueless.

{Ed001's Note - he said it on BeIn Sports as a guess while presenting their Premier League coverage. He also said he thought Pep would quit this week. It was just a guess/hunch, he even said as much later in the show. Though we know Maresca held talks with Citeh over the job, their preference is Enrique, so nothing is certain.}

18 Jan 2026 10:54:44
It was Guillem Balague who said he was clueless. Keys has a long standing criticism of pep.

It seem that every man and his dog has ran with what Richard keys has said. A prime example of how social media takes something toxic and multiplies it.

18 Jan 2026 11:53:44
Maybe that’s the source of this fans rumour.

17 Jan 2026 15:33:39
ED01, Liverpool were in for Guehi but he has gone to Man City, I read that it was due to the reported absurd wages of £300,000 per week being offered that quite frankly I find staggering that Man City can pay when everyone else, Chelsea, Liverpool etc just can't compete with, how are Man City able to do this?

{Ed001's Note - that wasn't what happened. Liverpool were his preference, he was still happy with the deal from the summer and was expecting Liverpool to come in for him but they didn't. When Citeh stepped in, his agent even contacted Liverpool to ask if they would be making a move and were told no. So he signed for Citeh. The wages were not the issue at all.

As for how they can pay that, it is because they have so many 'sponsorships' and they did clear out some of the higher paid players to free up wages. The likes of Khusanov are not on massive money and they have a lot of academy products on smaller salaries for the Prem. That gives them the ability to pay big for a few.}

17 Jan 2026 17:28:28
Ed001, we pay big for a few: Sterling and Fofana hardly kicked a ball and when “fit” can’t play two consecutive games: he has more penalty points on his licence than appearances this season.

{Ed001's Note - I think that has been a big reason for the change to recruiting younger and cheaper players. They realised that it was just not viable to buy big and pay big salaries while there are measures in place to reduce spending.}

17 Jan 2026 18:27:55
Ed001, I accept what you say, all clubs must have an eye on PSR. However, as you said Citeh also bring in young players on lower wages but if you want to succeed you might have to cover areas of weakness and splash the cash. Chelsea have not had a prolific striker since Costa and spent a total of £80 million on Delap and Pedro who won’t score 20 goals between themselves.

I don’t consider Gittens cheap at £47 million. The PSR issue would be mitigated by securing a front of shirt sponsorship deal. The excuses for the lack of a deal are spurious.

{Ed001's Note - I have to say, I really don't understand the lack of front of shirt sponsor.}

17 Jan 2026 18:55:15
Ed001, absolutely. Securing a Champions League place and winning the CWC would, to me, have been the prime time to secure a deal. The way the league is going we could end up anywhere between 4th and 8th.

17 Jan 2026 18:55:20
Nor do I ED001 and I have said so many times.

17 Jan 2026 19:12:29
None of us understand and we have all made lots of guesses. I assume there must be a reason why the clubs owners haven’t given us a clue.

17 Jan 2026 21:05:03
Thanks ED for your reply, I wonder why Liverpool did not follow up their summer interest? He is a good player but for me not elite.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know, to be perfectly honest. Made no sense to me to not have the deal done 1st of Jan. Liverpool are desperate for a centre back right now. I know Slot's job is hanging by a thread, but a centre-back is needed whether he is there or not.

I was not convinced by him at all, but this season he has risen up a level and has been excellent. I think we missed a trick there.}

17 Jan 2026 21:32:23
Tom, usually when people don’t give you a clue it’s down to incompetence .

17 Jan 2026 22:05:28
Is it?

17 Jan 2026 22:57:30
Really?

17 Jan 2026 23:44:33
Tom. Yes.

18 Jan 2026 08:34:04
Jimbo, out of all the the things that could be a reason for us not having a FOS sponsor, I personally think incompetence would be the least likely but hey ho.

18 Jan 2026 08:39:58
Absolutely been incompetence. And the fact they criticised the previous owner on this subject after they took over is laughable.

18 Jan 2026 09:14:21
It is amost 100% certainly not incompetence in my opinion and I'm sure the real reason will come out in due course.

18 Jan 2026 09:58:03
Someone will have to explain that to me. I can’t imagine any reason “why” the current owners would “choose” not to have a FOS sponsor? They have also shown themselves to be willing to act against any person who they consider to be incompetent.

I personally haven’t see any references from our current owners towards our previous owner as a reason for us not having a FOS sponsor.

I do remember a fellow poster (I think RPD) putting up a reasonable argument that the delay is being caused by potential Sanctions against the club. If that is the case I “guess” there would be a legitimate link with our previous owners. That would not then be “laughable? ”

I’m not happy that we haven’t been told the treason by the owners but they may well have been legally advised not to comment until after the potential sanction process has been completed. Why not wait until the facts fully emerge before rushing to apportion blame.

18 Jan 2026 14:39:47
‘ They have also shown themselves to be willing to act against any person who they consider to be incompetent. ’ THEN WHY ON EARTH DOES JOE SHIELDS STILL HAVE A JOB.

18 Jan 2026 15:06:31
Because they don’t consider him incompetent. They not you pay his wages and although you obviously have a different view, them paying his wages gives them to right to make that decision.

18 Jan 2026 15:17:18
Tom, the club have held firm on a price but it hasn't worked. Whoever is working in that department has thought a fair price was X, but no companies seen to think that's a fair price and therefore we still have no shirt sponsor and have missed out on 2 (or is it 3 now) years of income. Its incompetence by the looks.

18 Jan 2026 16:04:08
Standard, you haven’t got a clue what the reason is and neither have I but if you think your guess is with the description of “incompetence” that’s up to you.

I would like to think at some stage the real reasons will come out in the public domain but I very much doubt it will be due to “incompetence. ”.

18 Jan 2026 18:08:06
I doubt very much that the real reasons will ever come out. I would “guess” that we have ideas above our station and have been asking too much. It will be be very interesting to see how much we eventually get.

18 Jan 2026 18:28:07
We all often express opinions without real knowledge.

I personally believe that the RPD theory may well hold some water and if it is only partially true then what follows might well become very interesting.

18 Jan 2026 20:25:29
Tom, you said: “It is almost 100% certain…. ” . Surely that is more than an opinion: or is it expressing an opinion with no knowledge?

18 Jan 2026 20:44:42
Jimbo, good spot. I’m “almost” 100% certain that it is “not” incompetence. That is my opinion.

18 Jan 2026 22:25:21
Tom, is that like being almost pregnant?

17 Jan 2026 15:13:29
Boely and egbali out of our club now. They come to bury the club but the fans are quiet.

17 Jan 2026 15:37:54
Can you explain your tearful outburst as i not understand.

17 Jan 2026 15:52:11
Can’t happen.

17 Jan 2026 18:56:41
Agreed Tom, we have them for another 7 plus years.