Pob

We’re not getting into the top four if Frank stays; looks at our results. Considering who we’ve played we should be comfortably there - if Aston Villa can manage it (with two games in hand) then there are no excuses.

The buck stops at a top. As much as we hate a merry-go-round of managers Frank is sadly out of his depth. We may not have a game at the weekend then it’s Morecambe in the cup so that gives us plenty of time to possibly even get someone in place before Fulham. It pains me to say it but he clearly doesn’t have a clue how to turn the tide.

Even if we fluke it how much longer does this go on for before something gives? 3-0 down at West Brom, throwing away lead after lead at home to Southampton, basically having our backsides handed to us by Arsenal, looking second best at Everton and not with it at Wolves. The only forgivable defeat is Liverpool (again at least partly down to Christensen). For all the investment and so called quality players at our disposal we should be in a far better position than we’re in.

Very nervous about Chilwell and Pulisic playing and have to think they wouldn’t be if the mess at the Emirates hadn’t happened. Would have preferred trying Havertz in the place of Mount as well, just to give the latter a break and allow Havertz to play in the middle. Nice to see CHO start but I’m sure he’ll be infuriating soon enough. Those centre backs against Grealish and Watkins... we’ll have to score because I’m sure they will.

If James and Chilwell were fit, I’d possibly switch to a wing back system and see how it plays out. Mendy - Zouma, Thiago, Rudiger - James, Chilwell, Kante, Jorginho - Havertz - Giroud, Werner It’d give Werner support up top whilst playing in his usual position, give Havertz a chance in his favoured position and cover our lack of wingers whilst allowing Pulisic to have a rest. But I wouldn’t trust Azpilicueta and Emerson at wing back and not sure if Thiago can play two games in three days. Mendy - Azpilicueta, Emerson, Zouma, Rudiger - Kante, Jorginho, Mount - CHO, Andorjin, Werner And hope, I think!

We’re only missing Ziyech (though admittedly we were without Pulisic and CHO earlier in the season). Liverpool are missing van Dijk, Gomez and Matip which has resulted in Jones coming into midfield as Fabinho has had to drop back.

Not making excuses but I wonder if we’re suffering to an extent from burnout. Other than the Krasandor game we’ve had the same players play practically week in week out, Champions League and league whilst others sides have seen more in way of rotation (either due to squad size or playing the kids in the Europa League). For the size of our squad we do not have the quality in depth - especially with Werner and Havertz not hitting the ground running. Can you imagine the state we’d be in if we had the same number of injuries as Liverpool?

He needs to look closer to home - there’s a reason why the players aren’t getting the message and he needs to understand why it’s not seeking in. He was busy pointing the finger at the players post Wolves as well; he needs to take some responsibility.

That was an utter mess yet we lost to a dodgy penalty, a fantastic free kick and a fluke - and it should have been 3-2; Jorginho needs taking off penalty duties. Time is running out for Frank, it has to be. He'll be given Villa but the seat must be getting hot despite only being three points off second. Considering the Arsenal's form this should have been a gimme. Things need to change and now; if it's not Frank himself then he needs to change the approach of the team.

I love Frank but I fear his time is up. He is too inexperienced and out of his depth. Looking at the respective line ups this shouldn't be a comfortable home lead. We've been awful and struggling, performance wise, for too long to simply out this on the players.

I'm very concerned about today - no James, no Chilwell, no Ziyech, Werner unable to hit a cow's backside with a banjo, Havertz hasn't settled in, Pulisic still getting back to match fitness... if Arsenal turn up (which they failed to do for the most part this season) we'll be in trouble. Nothing like a bit of positivity with the cold turkey. ?

Oh Werner. He’s cursed.

I assume Frank’s hoping West Ham will be flat and Havertz might be able to put some passes together or even an assist/goal to give him a boost.

Confidence. How things can just swing on confidence.

How the heck are we 3-0 up? ?

Credit to Tammy; nice piece of movement and finishing. Thought he was miles offside but well on. Not sure if Werner meant it but good pass too.

Ok, quick question - what would everyone do to change things here and now in this game?

What’s changed though? The pressure? We looked more threatening last year (though also messier at the back).

Second change; we had to use up the first sub due to Chilwell’s injury.

Think they’re playing with confidence whilst we are not. It’s amazing what two defeats have done for us but we seem to be fearing conceding more than hoping to score another.

We’re weaker up top without him but we have no balance in the middle (which is a real issue as I don’t think we’re missing anyone there) and are onto our second choice full backs. The huge issue for me is the middle of the park but cannot see either Kovacic or Havertz helping matters.

Blimey, you can remember a time when we had fit wingers?

I’m sure he will once he have fit wingers.

I’d have thought the original intention would be more of a 4-2-3-1 with Havertz playing just behind Werner. I did wonder, as someone suggested on here, whether to switch to wing backs but not with Dave there.

I think someone mentioned it before but we’re such an odd side with a strange make up. We have players who are almost uncomfortable on the ball and prefer to play on the break yet we keep possession to the nth degree, partly down to the opposition wanting us to do they can challenge us further up the pitch and not let us use the pace. We do need to be slicker and more cutting in possession but am unsure as to whether we have the players to do this. Havertz should be a key player in this regard but he hasn’t had an impact - no one can be surprised that he’s been benched.