Kev123

I genuinely believe we are in very good hands here. Why I haven’t been panicking one bit, I know we will be back and more than likely better than ever. We had been in a slow downturn since the glory days and winning the CL just papered over that slightly. When this happened, after doing some research I was reassured about our new ownership based on their track record, as well as Abramovich’s blessing when he had many many offers. We all know he cared deeply about this club, and he chose them, we also know Roman is a very intelligent savvy man. With those three factors combined, I felt and feel very hopeful and positive for our future, which also allows me to somewhat enjoy us being occasionally s**t again. It reminds me of the old days when I did not know if we would win or not, and mostly expected us to f**k it up because we usually would. We got spoiled for awhile, and it shows in a lot of our fan base. This will just make when we do win the PL again, and we will, that much sweeter.

I do wonder if that 150k mentioned is including performance related bonuses, or if those are additional? I remember reading somewhere they were prioritizing higher performance related / lower regular salary. If so the actual number may be far lower than 150k unless we’re winning, then he’s winning. Which is really how it should be 🤣

We have seen Potter be capable of having a tactical plan and translating it to his players. We’ve seen his Brighton go toe to toe with Man City and come out on top and plenty other instances. When you are trying to decipher/pinpoint a problem you look for patterns, cause and effect, when this happens, this negative outcome follows. We’ve seen Potter capable of setting a team up tactically. Not in a title contesting side, but a side finishing in the upper half of table, and here we have a far “superior” team in relegation form. If he wasn’t capable of setting our team up tactically to be title contenders, which is very possible, we would be in mid table form. Now look at our players pattern, play amazing, form starts dropping, cracks start appearing and the same players are unrecognizable . Ownership has enough, sections of the supporters turn on management, and he’s gone. New manager comes in and the cycle restarts. That is our undeniable pattern over many years now. I completely agree with whoever said I wish we had stuck things out with Tuchel, or Ancelotti instead of Potter. However here we are now. Sacking Potter reinforces the repeated cycle we have seen occur over and over. He’s proven he’s good for mid table form at the minimum. Back him with what he needs to start there while there is an overhaul. If we are not quickly challenging again within several years, then Potter is the problem and we move on to world class manager if Potter isn’t, but with a firm foundation this time, not repeating the same actions that got us in this mess to begin with.

Ok let’s go a little more in depth with that 1. This was predicated saying this is last resort as it may backfire. 2. I honestly believe our under 21’s with some leadership would perform better than 70% of our current 11. 3. What resale value are you on about? As an example. We couldn’t get anything for Pulisic, he’s practically a loss at this point we tried shopping him everywhere. I never said they stay in the reserves. They have contracts. They are tied to the club. They can throw all the s**t fits they want that’s just the reality. Sooner or later they would get sick of being in the reserves, any player who is actually motivated would not be able to stand it. So they would be back. The ones who are not, they are losses already and are just making it worse by playing them. I do agree with those saying Potter might just be too soft, too nice, he certainly comes across that way to the media, but maybe he is different behind the scenes, although it does not seem like it. Ten Haag is a great example. He instilled discipline, most importantly he instilled accountability in their culture. And results follow. If these players know there are no consequences, this cycle just keeps repeating itself. How many times have you and I seen this happen? With world class managers and with Potter / AVB types. This is a problem in our culture as a club, that developed over the years because it was encouraged unwittingly. And I’m sick of this cycle, and you should be too.

If I was Potter, I would be looking at two options. Option 1. Keep doing the best you can, trying to motivate the players. Look for areas you can improve, as well as the players. I believe this is what he is doing now. Not being on the inside there is no way of knowing. If I was confident and saw improvements, I would continue this route. Option 2. Give it till after the Liverpool game, maybe a few more games. If it is still like this. Move every single player bar Silva, Azpilicueta (does not deserve humiliation after past services) and Zakaria to the development squad. Play all or mostly youngsters who actually are hungry to prove themselves. Tell the players before hand, anyone who is not performing this is what will happen. From there you have to earn your place back. This could backfire spectacularly so I would preserve this as break glass in emergency option. But I don’t think the players ego’s could handle getting demoted, some would throw a sh*t fit, and f*ck them, good riddance. Some would fight for their place back to never let something humiliating like that happen again. Those are the ones we want to keep.

Previous ownership unintentionally created / strengthened this issue. Players knowing if they downed tools they would get a reset in the form of a new manager, nobody would judge them for the months of sh*t form, it was the manager all along. I have an uncle who is a very high paid troubleshooter / consultant for corporations worth billions. They bring him in when a branch or department is not performing and they have tried all standard methods without success. He goes in and makes recommendations on what needs to change, who needs to go, etc, and then carry’s out the process. He has always told me every time when entering a toxic culture and making changes to correct that, 9 times out of 10 it WILL get worse before it gets better. I see the same thing happening here. I am genuinely happy these changes are being made. I don’t know if Potter is the right manager long term, but I do know that sacking him will only solidify the previous current/culture, which is if you don’t like something, play like s**t or just give far less s**ts, and sooner rather than later the problem will go away, and you will get a free pass because now you’re playing well again, so it must have been the manager. I’ve seen this happen too many times at CFC. I’m genuinely happy the club is attempting to do something about it. We have players worth hundreds of millions making basic errors. Repeatedly. That’s not management. That’s a man child with talent who has their head up their own a** because they have had it reinforced they get what they want being that way.

I think with the blue blinkers off we would all be screaming for a penalty if the roles were reversed. Torres did make a meal of it but from behind it doesn't take much contact to the foot/ankle/leg to make another player lose their balance or throw them off their stride. He was nowhere near the ball, it was a tame but stupid foul and we got hugely lucky. What made it more idiotic was he made the challenge as he was heading out of the area. Even if this was not a foul, all he had to do was wait another second to tackle him outside of the area and remove any risk of a penalty. Simple inexperience/over exuberance in my opinion. Other than that in my opinion he had a decent game, great if you take into account the caliber of the opposition. 3:10 mins for replay

Agreed, take the 50 million from Oscar and add 30 million on top of that and there's Sanchez. That's close to Barca's front line and equal to Real's in my opinion. One can dream

When I read the initial articles about a premier league club being involved I immediately thought s**t I hope that wasn't us. The people who made that decision if true are probably long gone from the club but still puts us in a awful light. Edit....I just read that they say the money was paid two years ago. If true, well s**t

He played Robben for us for quite awhile on the right. Back when we were using inverted wingers (Duff on left Robben on right), worked pretty well that year. Same for Madrid for awhile. Sure isn't working for Jose now.

Most people using that to discount Terry are kids writing lists adding their own criteria for what to qualify and what not to. Simple fact is that Terry has been employed by Chelsea FC since he was 14. But yeh I do see how with that criteria some would view it otherwise http://www.footballtop10s.com/10-one-club-men/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2607656/John-Terry-greatest-one-club-men-A-salute-footballs-loyal-servants.html http://www.squawka.com/news/one-club-players/240334

In fairness, he's the manager. Even if we weren't winning he can do what the hell he likes. That doesn't mean its the right decision, it just means we didn't get punished for it.

Ivanovic is and always will be a chelsea legend, but I cringed when he came on today. Is it Conte just trying to keep the dressing room happy as he knows Ivanovic is one of the old guard? Conte doesn't strike me as the sort to placate. But that's the only rationale I can understand for Ivanovic coming on at that point.

Some people do need to be wound up or angry to perform at certain tasks or at certain levels, everybody is different, what is not different is how you focus it. Taking it out on other players and referee's isn't controlled aggression. It's just stupid. Obviously Costa and or Conte have found a way for him to channel all that aggression into something far more productive. And it's f*cking wonderful to watch

Chelsea still held his contract. Could also say technically yes lol

Have to agree with Scott, on talent alone he was one of the greatest players in history. I remember being absolutely terrified every time he touched the ball back during our CL encounters and I feel privileged to have watched him in his prime.

Comparing Diego Costa to a "brawny canary" is genius lol. Good article

We did lose to Arsenal and Liverpool.....we all know and have seen what Mourinho's reactions would have been. My viewpoint is you can respect someone for their talent, and appreciate how good they are at what they do, without liking them, and that's how I viewed Mourinho. Too much drama, too much angst, too much finger pointing and too much us or me against the world. It got really tiresome, He was not always like that, but it got bad towards the end and at several other points. There are managers who are born winners, but will not b***h, moan and complain and point fingers constantly, I'm truly hoping Conte is one of them. Signs are good thus far.

Personally I think they just gave less of a s**t overall, whatever it's cause was, not that they played s**t on purpose. When you're at an elite level in any sport, any negative change can substantially affect performance because the margins are so small.

I don't think Costa would contemplate trying it. Attitude in any team, corporation, business entity or organization stems from the top. Jose is a great manager. But he was not last season. He was behaving like a 5 year old. It makes sense that those employees "beneath" him assumed they could act in that manner as well. I truly believe Jose will grow and learn from this. But honestly I hope that he continues as last season and we all get to watch Man U implode.Unfortunately I doubt it, he's an egomaniac but he's also incredibly intelligent. Guess we will see which side wins.

From what I have seen GREAT teams do not adapt their game, they impose their game upon their opponents. A truly great team, you know what they are going to be coming at you with. You just can't do s**t about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlrQB5mEp7U Should be our song for the season

I wonder if the wage bill included our "loan army" which other clubs then pay us who pay the loaned player? Like the previous poster said, how we have such a high wage budget with such a small squad is very surprising