So what's got to change?

[Zippity]

A midfield 3 of Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton should work...but isn't at the minute.

Mind , it doesn't help that Big Joe is currently doing an impression of the forward version of himself but in midfield.

Nobody's hit their straps so far this season so that's certainly not helping either.

[Jammy89]

We need a reset.

We also need more quality depth.

So what needs to change - our transfer policy in Jan and we have to buy early.

[tinostongue]

Eddie needs to try something different on Wed . Chelsea know exactly what to expect and how to play against us,so we need to surprise them somehow. With the limited talent at Eddie’s disposal it will be difficult. Schar is too slow now, as is Burn. Krafth has more pace, so I would bench Schar, risky. I know but we have to try something different. We could play Schar in front of the back four for protection. Bruno and Tonali just ahead of him, with Longstaff. Joe, Isak and Murphy or Barnes, on the right. Just a thought like.

[Marat18]

We could play Schar in front of the back four for protection. Bruno and Tonali just ahead of him, with Longstaff. Joe, Isak and Murphy or Barnes, on the right. Just a thought like.

Will there be 12 players? It might actually work, but I doubt Eddie will try that

[tinostongue]

Will there be 12 players? It might actually work, but I doubt Eddie will try that

we need to try something lol.

[Zippity]

we need to try something lol.

If everyone keeps shouting at the Ref from different directions while he's trying to count, he might just get flustered and give up.

And if any of the opposition say anything, our response can just be to give them a withering look and say 'are you fucking stupid, as if we'd have 12 players on the pitch, pfft'.

And VAR will be too busy watching the microwave waiting for their ready meal to ping or wiping their own spunk off the glossy poster of the cartel which hangs above the screens to bother counting. They'll only look up if their cartel beeper goes off because one of our players has breathed too heavily on a Chelsea player in the box at which point our extra player can just hide behind the goalpost or, failing that, Cole Palmer's massive ego.

Can't see a flaw in that plan, myself.

[toonviking]

We need to find a way to get our players into form. They look like they never kicked a ball.

[toptoon]

Well, after tonights game sounds like Tonali in the middle is the first change to make.
I only listened to the game (will watch tomorrow) but sounds like Bruno did ok playing left midfield as well when he came on.

[Ragatino]

Sven Botman will make all the difference we he is back in the starting line up. He controls the long ball over the top with his awareness, positioning and pace.

We've only had 9 games where Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton have played together. That trio will get better and better and dominating the middle of the park. It can only get better.

Willocks improvements in returning to fitness are evident from the performance against Chelsea in the cup. That will continue to become a bigger impact.

Kelly proved his value as a squad player and also pushes Dan Burn for the starting LCB position after that performance. Pace, Power, positioning all on point. Well done Kelly.

What needs to change?

The fans emotional instability. The Press are going to always stick the boot in at the slightest subpar performance or blow a bad result / performance well out of proportion.

Whilst we are 12, that is meaningless after 9 games. What has meaning is that we are 6 points, 2 wins off Arsenal in 3rd place with 29 games & 87 points to play for.

Our competition at the top of the league are all involved in long trips to Europe and from here to January will be playing 3 games a week.

It destroyed West Ham playing in Europe when they won the Conference and our season last season was greatly impacted despite the doom and gloom we still finished above the Red Filth and missed out on Europe by a technicality.