oldgit

Yeah, a toughie alright. All the TV judges have Real Madrid over the line already!

It's marvelous what a Champions League win can do to a team's confidence. Now, even the subs. are desperate to play and show their worth. A lovely bit of skill by Koulibally to set up Chilwell for his volley. that's what you get for being two footed, something that all professional players should be bar none. Mudryk started off fairly quiet, but grew into his central attacking role as the game wore on. Overall, a very satisfactory win with some sublime football at times.

Anthony on top with Fernandes underneath. Sleepy has got to be Varane.

I dunno mate. He was a bit tentative early on, but I thought he did well the longer the game went on. He made some nice breaks down the line which took out a few defenders. We should have beaten them at their place so I'm expecting us to swarm all over 'em!

It looks like everybody finished the match unscathed so now, Dortmund awaits. As per usual with a team lacking confidence, we came out in a positive mood in both halves but, as time wore on and there was nothing to show for our endeavour, doubts began to creep in. A big relief when Fofana nodded in. Leeds are a quick team in midfield and attack so, removing Felix and Sterling who were beginning to look knackered, for Gallagher and Dennis Z was the right thing to do. I liked the look of Fofana, Koulibally and Badiashile in a back three, comfortable on the ball and quick. Chalobah came on and did well against Gnonto so, I have no doubts about him starting on Tuesday. Kovacic was lively and direct and added much needed pace to our midfield. Yeah, overall some positive signs but we've got to put our chances away.

Boehly and the board have really put all their eggs in one basket with Potter. All his old Brighton back room staff are there so, if Potter goes, they all go. One mighty large severance pay out awaits if we don't beat Leeds at the weekend. Jimmy Floyd made some valid points on Sky, one of which was the new signings come in and want to prove themselves to the club and the fans so, they take that extra touch or that extra man which turns out unproductive to the team. Then, when it doesn't go well for them, they lose confidence and go into their shell. Spurs were an organised, disciplined side and let us have the ball but packed their penalty area when we tried to make in roads. I think Potter is trying to make us into another Arsenal, with two quick and nippy wingers ( Mudryk and Madueke) but is afraid to play them together in case we become too open. I'd definitely start with them against Leeds (Ayling is slower than me) because we need to score goals, not worry about conceding them.

Doggone it! We've got a game against Leeds on 4th. March, 3 days before the Dortmund game. Your right Keith, a bit of squad rotation is required. Should've gone to Specsavers.

I see Beatrix has got the dreaded nod of approval from Todd Boehly and the board but, in this case, I think he's safe at least until the end of the season. With an inflated squad of 33 through no fault of his own, Potter and his staff have had to deal with a situation he's never encountered previously. How to keep this lot happy. An impossible state of affairs with a mixture of experienced inflated egos and young guns desperate to prove their worth. Guaranteed that, come summer, there will be a massive clear out but that doesn't help the cause now. At the moment, it seems like Potter is trying to appease everybody by chopping and changing, which is understandable considering his range of options and talent at his disposal. But, all the supporters see, is a team losing and a man without a plan. Is the solution to come clean with probably, say 10 players and tell them now that they will be gone in a few months and work with the remaining 23 for the rest of the season? That would be a gamble, especially when some influential players are looking for new contracts, so won't be certain to stay. The only sure way to get everybody on side, is to let the squad know that ALL places are up for grabs, week in week out and selections will be taken on merit, what each individual does in training, whether they show a strong mentality needed at this time to win games, leadership and guts on and off the field. Any rumblings of discontent by any player will not be tolerated. It's a team ethic that's required now, not some prima donna feeling sorry for himself.

Plenty of time between the Spurs and Dortmund games (8 days), so I reckon we should play our best possible team in both games, although maybe Felix (needs a rest now) and Mudryk on the bench as impact subs. against Spurs. Defensively we're sorted while, in midfield, we have enough pace and talent to cause Spurs big problems. Attack is the problem area. We can't hit a barn door with a banjo which means confidence is low. We still need energy and rapid closing down of their dodgy defence though, so unless his attitude has changed dramatically, no room for Aubameyang. I can't believe how bone idle the bloke is. If he wants to get away, surely he's got to start showing other clubs and his beloved Barca that he's worth the money. No doubting his talent when he fancies getting out of a slow walk though. Reece should definitely start in both games.

That first half was abysmal. It reminded me of kids playing football in the playground. No cohesion, no leadership, no method and no effort. My patience with Potter is at an end. Absolutely agree with you about Mount, Keith. He ran around as though he was lost and should be benched until the club and him sort out his contract. Plenty of chances to equalise in the second half, but you just knew that ball was never going to nestle in the back of the net. Fernandez? 100 million? He's not worth 100 quid on that performance! He was like a younger Jorginho, slow in thought and possession as though he was not interested in playing against lowly old Southampton. That bloke they got in from New Zealand to toughen up their mentality and team ethic was a complete waste of money. Let's hope Azpi' is alright.

Yeah, disappointing that we couldn't have, at least, got a draw with all the clear cut chances we created. We have a very exciting group of players now. Mudryk and Felix are having problems seeing out a match, which is understandable considering how little competitive football they've played before they came to us. Saying that, I'm highly delighted with both of them. It won't be long before they're up to speed. I can't criticise anybody for their lack of effort. It's just that we need to be more clinical and put these chances away. I thought Reece had an outstanding game. He's definitely back to his best now.

The accusation of illegal gambling doesn't seem to have affected Toney's form. A real handful with Mbuema causing havoc as well. Is Thomas Frank capable of stepping into the Chelsea cauldron after managing a relatively small club like Brentford, as Potter knows only too well? I have my doubts. Whatever, Potter needs a positive result against Dortmund or, at the very least Southampton to stay in the job, that's for sure. The Prem. sacked managers are racking up mate!

Prior to their goal, where Reece and Madueke were still fast asleep in their cots, we were p*****ng all over them for skill, pace and movement. That goal gave them confidence and their out ball to Antonio gave our centre backs problems from then on. You could see Cucurella is in a crisis of confidence, where he preferred to pass back instead of using Mudryk to attack Coufal. Loads of times, Mudryk made the runs into space but with no reward. Havertz must be top of the list, when it comes to straying offside. Did we have the Three Blind Mice in the VAR booth? Scandalous decision at the end.

JT returning as the 'man' would be a dream come true. With Mourinho as his No. 2, the squad wouldn't know what hit them.

Hehe, good one mate.

Another bloke I can't have is Luis Enrique. All he's achieved in his managerial career has been at Barcelona. No barometer for assessing a manager's quality. The boring old fart down the local would even do well at that place.

I can't have Mourinho coming back Keith. When he first came to us, he was young, hungry and desperate to prove himself in the Premier League, but now he sees himself as a celebrity, the coach who's been there, done it and bought the tee shirt. An old man who's had his day..

Yeah, Mount has been below form for some time now. Mudryk had a heavy cold hence his poor game against Fulham. Why start the bloke if he was ill? Madueke came on for him and looked lively. Felix should definitely start against West Ham. I'd also start Koulibally in place of Badiashile to give him some game time before the Dortmund game. I think Kova is fit so he should start as well. With Fernandez pulling the strings, we should have too much pace for their midfield. Apparently, Aubameyang turned up for training "on time" after returning from his break in Milan. That's the first thing he's done right since he's been at the club.

Yeah, an enormous West Ham fan base around Romford, Chadwell Heath, IIford down to Stratford and out to Harlow. All the lads that I worked with supported "yer 'Ammers".

The 86 goes nowhere near Stamford Bridge. It runs between Romford and Stratford passing my old office on the way. Additionally, I can't see Boehly contacting London Transport and asking to lease one of their buses, even if it is custom built, can you? Another contrived piece of idiotic nonsense.

A feisty local derby with very little space to work in for either side, such was the covering and energy from both teams. The new recruits did well although Mudryk got no change out of Tete and was very quiet. We created the better chances but the goals aren't coming yet. Our defence was, as usual, impeccable, Reece working his way into the game and getting forward just before he was subbed off. I'm surprised that Badiashile isn't in the Champions League squad, Beatrix feeling that Koulibally's experience will be more advantageous.

Sorry Mac, you've lost me here mate!

Quote.... " Have always been known as the Rentboys".

'Rentboys' is a recent phenomenon and was never used by rival supporters when I was a kid.

But you've never got anything to say. Just reactive childish, girlie drivel.