Socrates

I don’t think today was the day to experiment by playing Werner through the middle and bringing in Ziyech after an injury lay off. I’d personally have saved that one for Morecambe in the FA Cup.

That was down to Lampard. He's feeling the pressure and making really poor decisions. There was no reason to bring back Chilwell and James when they were clearly unfit. They both had poor games. If you are going to bring them back, presumably to put crosses into the box, then why is Giroud on the bench? Against a club he would've relished playing against? Why wasn't a frustrated Werner given a break, if only for one game, so Hudson-Odoi could start a game? He looked sharp. Why was Kante at one point playing centre forward and Abraham out on the wing? Why did Havertz come on and Giroud lef

Started well, got the goal, then lost our way from around 25 min mark. Very bad luck to lose Reece James then Chilwell. Azpi looked rusty but settled down and we were pretty solid at the back. Don’t recall them having a clear chance. Silva and Zouma were very good. Not that we we were entirely in charge. We were very wayward second half until Kovacic came on. Good win considering the injuries and changes.

I’m glad someone else noticed this. I thought I was dreaming, watching him do this over and over, playing the ball backwards. Did any of his crosses find anyone? He mistimed one I remember that turned into a shot. Otherwise, asleep at the back for their goals. Almost like he doesn’t want to get involved as a defender. Expected more from him.

Well, we rescued a point after an abysmal first half, so the team deserves some credit. But Alonso and James should not really be starting against Premier League opposition. We spent a lot of money on attacking players but are still somehow lumbered with Kante and Kovacic in the middle. We really need to sort out that mess as soon as possible. Not sure Frank knows what his best side is, but it sure shouldn’t include Alonso, James, Kovacic and Kante in the same starting line-up.

I wouldn’t take notice of figures like 80m. These deals usually involve an upfront fee with bonus add-ons. Also, if things don’t work out with him, he’d still be worth a good fee in three or four years. And if it does work out, we’d have a solid left back for the next five years at least. FWIW I think he’d be an excellent signing given his age, and proven PL experience. I think some of the other overseas players being touted are more of a risk, even given they’re cheaper. The other thing to consider is that Lampard seems to want an English-based defence. Not because he’s being patrio

I think the rumour is we’re selling Emerson to Inter Milan. Can’t imagine we’d also sell Alonso as that would leave us with no cover at left back. What’s our situation with regards to youth team left backs? Surely Lampard would want cover if Chilwell is his first choice?

Ben White is a very good prospect and paired with Declan Rice would be an improvement on what we have. I can see Tomori being loaned out and one of Christensen, Rudiger or Zouma being sold.

Fantastic news if confirmed. Top quality young striker. And a strong statement of intent. I think we’re still due the transfer fee for Morata so that would make it a nice piece of business all round.

I wonder if we’re setting up Lampard to fail. He looked really upset at the Press Conference today. Failing to seriously back a manager in the transfer window, when he explicitly asks for backing, usually means you’re on borrowed time.

Yes it does. Lampard asked for signings to make up for the lack of transfer activity last Summer. Not necessarily first choice targets. But a couple of signings to deepen the squad, add more experience. Take the pressure off Abraham specifically. The Board had several weeks to bring in at least one option. To support Lampard. It was a test. And they couldn’t manage it. Says a lot about where we are as a club and where the Board are in relation to the manager. Really doesn’t bode well.

Hasn’t he been out injured for a while? I guess we’re in full panic mode then.

I see Minamino has started again for Liverpool. Signed in December. Been training with the first team for a month. Started two games already. Nobody is expecting him to tear up trees but has been introduced gradually into the set up. Got to admire how professionally Liverpool identify and introduce their targets into their system.

I think the funds are there. It’s likely just indecision, uncertainty and possibly incompetence. Waiting till the last day to sign one likely stop-gap player is just a terrible way to do things. It’s blindingly obvious that you need to get players in earlier to give them time to train and adjust and even maybe play a cup game. Bringing in someone at the end of the window then asking them to hit the ground running, especially if they come from abroad, is really dubious. At this stage in the window we’re better off signing someone already playing in the Premier League. But, to be honest, I

I think Lampard is begging the Board to bring in new players. He looks increasingly frustrated and it’s very worrying that the Board are dragging their feet. We’ve seen the Board leave managers hang out to dry before over new signings. It’s not as if players aren’t available this window. Given the transfer ban last summer the case for new players is pretty urgent given the falling off in our form as games have piled up. If the Board don’t back Lampard then things are going to be pretty bleak I’d say both for the team’s chances of securing a top four spot and for the Board’s