Van Butsen

Not always the case. To use another analogy, just because you think you nicked it in cricket doesn't mean you did. You only have perception enough as a human before others have a better view. Anyway, that's getting quite deep, he's entitled to think it was a pen as much as you or anyone else is. I flat out think it was diving, he might had a little contact but he is on two feet when he's realised that and gone down.

Yeah he said "I think I caught him", he doesn't have the view we had (well I had on TV) or the ref, or the VAR ref, or the commentators or anyone else for that matter. Just because you think something doesn't make it so. Unless of course he saw the footage after and thinks that is the case, in which case he's entitled to think so, but I don't believe him less or more than anyone else.

Willian lands on both his feet then falls. It was embarrassing, his was worse than Morata's and I think his face told that story. I know a lot of players do it but I do see a lot of players get booked for it, so I don't think we get treated any differently. If I was the manager I'd set disciplinary rules about it because last night looked bad footballing wise and bad marketing wise (not that I ever really think about the latter, but I'm sure that's something the club values). VAR get's checked concurrently as the game continues and it's not up to the referee to stop and check it until he's been informed something is being checked which they did for the Morata one so not sure that has anything to do with it, as they agreed with the ref. Lot of people wearing blue tinted glasses.

I disagree. Terribly undisciplined for mine but I think it's up to the manager to set rules about discipline. Being sent off for dissent is selfish and it can impact the team. None of those shouts were penalties and they all deserved to be booked.

I'm a big big fan but christ he goes down easily.

Yeah we didn't look like it the year we won it either haha. But I agree, players behaving like spoilt brats and really the manager should stamp out this diving and arguing with the ref. Team and manager been average.

I wasn't around for those BQ, but all you can ever ask is to give 100%... regardless of your division. I hope they boys still gave it their all!

I honestly think it was the worst performance I've seen us ever play. He wasn't alone. I don't mind us drawing, losing, but not putting in any effort? That kills me. David Luiz needs a big game for mine.

Without getting into a huge thing about it, it would be a very similar scouting network that picks up Oscar to the one that also picks up Gabriel Jesus. Not saying Jesus will become as irrelevant as Oscar did, but it's not not like we do anything different when picking up our young Brazillians. Oscar would be the pick of the bunch as well. Edit: My point being we haven't been dormant in that area of scouting. They haven't been great though. Oscar, Kenedy, Nathan and maybe even Piazon? I think the youth team will play a huge part in keeping budget for transfers. Invest in them young and sell/use.

Not talking about Carroll.

I was never saying I’d start him up front but if we are lacking goals he’s a proven goal scorer and I was questioning why we wouldn’t go after him. It’s really just a comparison of the two. If we bought Carrol do you think we’d play it to his feet? We’d create chances, or try to, that suit our players needs/skills.

Please mate you've been talking about Bakayoko and Drinkwater in an Antonio Conte thread. It's a Chelsea forum and this is a rumor section. Play on I say

I don't see how that's clear in anyway and I think it only makes sense because Baka's been poor. If he played as well as he had last season I don't think you'd be saying it. Conte wanted more signings yes, but I don't get impression Baka was the wrong one.

SO when would he be effective? He's not effective in a sh*t team and not effective in a good team, why has he scored so many goals his whole career? He's effective, and we absolutely are capable of creative the right chances for him if he was in the team.

You've jumped the gun again Zeta, I'm not even talking about Carrol.

Because he's got all the attributes to do it AND already has done it. He was a massive cog in what was a huge upset (them winning the title) but granted didn't do it alone. He performed as well as any of that team that gets ranted and raved about and many others wanted to sign him! I'm not defending his performances this season, he's been well below what he produced last season, but I'm saying the signing without knowing how he will fair the following season is perfectly justifiable. I'm sorry Drinkwater isn't your cup of tea (or water) but he's actually played really well for us. I didn't expect him to take over a role in the side and with that in mind, a good solid signing. Were we in for Fabian Delph? Are we going to try and woo Phil Jones away from United? I bet if the Ox came here you'd probably complain but he went to Liverpool.. reckon they are saying the same thing as you? Every team has these players.

He's been poor for them because they've been woeful (until recently) and lost out in posession/chances created in almost every game. He has a proven record of being able to put the ball in the back of the net with the right service which we are missing far more than Moratas apparent lack of hold up play. He's better in a better team and a proven poacher.

We are still in the hunt for 3 trophies and second in the table. We were screaming out for midfield reinforcements last year, all of sudden we don't need them? One has a massive future, fits the mold of the athletic/robust type sort after in this league and the other one has done it before. You've jumped the gun on the back of a bad run.

I thought Hernandez was the one the Hammers wanted to let go? I think he'd be great for us

Who's to say they're not good enough? You think our signings have been poor in the Roman era? I think we've been one of the better team. We sign a player like Salah and everyone rants and raves that he isn't good enough and look what he does. I think each player we've signed has enough potential/proven history to suggest the investment is worthwhile, and then it's up to the play themselves, the manager and the club to get the best out of him. A week ago we were second in the table! Second in a season where city are doing what they are doing!! Also still in every competition. The players who are supposedly not good enough are doing alright by me and considering their form, can only get better. All positives.

New thread: Who would you take over Andy Carroll I'd take Salomon Rondon over Carroll

So would I

The bottom line is, if £200M is not considered being "backed" then I agree with you all that say he wasn't backed. But it is a lot and more than enough in my opinion.

Well put it this way, I think he's much better than Diego Costa who was capable of two titles at Chelsea. So I can agree he's not as good as those players, but certainly good enough.

You're off your rocker if you think Morata isn't. You don't play for Juve, Real Madrid and Chelsea if you're not up to it. He's that good to RM wanted him back and Juve were a little reluctant. It then took a lot of money to pinch him away. I can understand people not agreeing with Bakayoko, I watched every single Monaco champions league game last season so have that and this season to go off. Happy to have a difference of opinion there, I'll give him a little while longer. If people had only ever watched Hazard in that season we finished 10th they would laugh at the prospect too. Not happy for people to forget how poor Matic was last season though.