Van Butsen

So are you suggesting he's not good enough for the premier league? That his past performances mean nothing and that any attempt to break the game open and conjure a few attacks are fruitless and he will never be able to score or create a goal and that he should stop trying?

He's been making mistakes that have lead to goals ever since he arrived. Easy to forget when we score a few up the other end. But I haven't.

Only player who takes on the game consistently

What i think is amazing, is how some people say things like "the board need to give the manager full control over transfers and the team". The manager then gets full control of the team and sells players that end up being great for other teams. Those same people (I imagine) then blame Emenelo for all the signings that didn't quite work out. I think there needs to be a blend of responsibilities based off trust. You cannot have it every way. I think the biggest criticism of Mourinho was his lack of future thinking. Ok fair enough, some players might not fit into your time right now, but when they are young and promising, selling them isn't the answer. I'd also couple his stubbornness there, I think managers should never write off anyone on their playing list. They should all be coachable, to sell them would be to admit your own shortcomings as a manager. For the record, i think selling Mata was a tough but correct piece of business. If you want success of course. If you want sentiment then yeah poor decision, he really did bleed blue. I'd have that up at 4/5. That sale played a big part in us winning the title and United have only just managed an FA cup a few months ago since his arrival.

Courtois Aina Terry David Luiz Azpilicueta Kante Fabregas Moses Hazard Batshuayi Costa Would love to see two up top, Dave on the left and Aina at RB.

Yeah I just don't think every new manager should be entitled to that question. Obviously we are always looking for additional recruits and we have a great history of signing quality players, so to give a new manager who has never been involved with the club the right to shoot down all the previous work by the administration would be ridiculous. These players are good enough. Coach them.

Have been disappointed last couple, needs to add a string or two to his bow for mine. If only he had a decent shot from range, pops up in great attacking positions sometimes.

Managers need to prove they can manage from time to time and not be gifted players at their prime in every position. It's unrealistic

I didn't want to say it against Liverpool, but I'm ready to say it now. That was worse than we played any game last season.

Players have purple patches that become the building blocks for them to be better players though. Have a purple patch, never stop having the purple patch, become a world class player. I'd at least ask the question about the players commitment and our ability to bring the best out of them if someone were to have a purple patch and then drop off. It wasn't like a 3 month purple patch either. When he came mid season he was one of our best to finish the season and the following year was I think, our most important player in the title winning season. That to me says it's more than a bit of form going his way. He is capable of being much better and much more consistent. I remember thinking he'd become the new and improved Yaya.

Surely with great coaching and belief from the player himself, he should be able to reach that high level consistently again? If he is unable to maintain that level, which is what we bought him back for, then questions have to be asked about his commitment

I don't mind taking a horses for courses approach to our fullbacks for the foreseeable future. Ivanovic can have a good game and then be absolutely horrendous the next, and that may be down to the opposition. Coaching staff have to pick accordingly while we are still in the title chase. it's also not just about Ivanovic. Alonso needs to prove he can do a better job than Ola Aina. He needs to show that hes played senior football for many years and can play a role.

Thought it was a brave and positive move by Conte to bring on Chalobah. Mourinho would never have done that while we were still chasing a goal.

Would love a forward two, Batsy looks a real jet

Best game for well over a year. He does look clumsy but I think that is a misconception because of his height/length of arms. I think he can be quite intelligent in tight.

Matic, back to his tackling, intercepting, bossing best. Alonso was out of position for the first two goals, I'll give him a few weeks to accustom to Conte's demands, but I was less than impressed. All the defenders look shaky at the moment, JT-Zouma is easily out best back two. Batshuyai has the makings of a big big player. i think we've got something here. RLC was poor. Enjoyed Pedro and Moses' game.

If he is going to persist with only one striker then I think there is absolutely room for Cesc regardless of who else gets into the starting XI

He's never ever been on the bench, so his career must still be thriving and thus no hate was needed.

Is this bad boy on Chelsea TV?

It's not even news. These types of articles appear all the time for many players. He had a great time there, he's not going to slag them off. End of.

Lukaku, Kane, Carrol, Benteke, Rondon, Crouch all over 6 foot/good in the air. Could throw in the Girouds and Deeneys of the legaue as well who are good in the air.

Was just about to ask what was going on with Kenedy, his social activity has not included anything about Watford. Glad he was in the matchday squad, hopefully gets a chance soon.

Wouldn't mind seeing an Ivanovic-Luiz partnership with Alonso and Aina as full backs. Would also like to see a Batshuayi-Solanke partnership up font. If Solanke is fit? More likely to be RLC in an advanced role though

I must seriously be watching a different game, I think he is really valuable, willing to try different things in games and force the issue. Was an ever present in the premiership winning team (which says something) and was arguably our best last season.

Couldn't agree more. In fact it hurts when he goes and does something like that assist, because we never ever see it? I'm really not sure what Oscar and Matic are meant to be doing in their current roles. Especially Matic. Offering nothing forward and not making any tackles. Mikel would have passed it forward more often than Matic last night. I went for Willian, he was doing step overs, cutting inside and taking on 1-2 players more than anyone else. He did that about 4-5 times, trying to get some direction. Got zero support, but the way we set up I'm not blaming any of the players for that.