Socrates

That’s a lot of money but its likely if we waited till the summer window other big clubs would be in for him and we’d likely lose out. So it’s pay big right now or not get him at all. It’s clearly a statement signing in an area we’re going to need to overhaul anyway. I wonder if we’re still keen on Declan Rice. Mac Allister is another option being mentioned too.

The definition of ‘flatters to deceive’ in the dictionary should have a picture of Loftus Cheek beside it. Exactly what does he do on the pitch? It just passes me by.

Once again Potter got the starting line up wrong. It’s like he doesn’t learn or doesn’t know what he’s doing. Going into the game with a midfield of Jorginho and Loftus Cheek was suicidal. Especially in front of a back four which includes Azpi and Silva. If fit, Kovacic had to start. Or Zakaria who at least is able to link midfield and attack. We were completely overrun. Sterling, Aubameyang and Havertz doesn’t work. We can’t afford to leave Gallagher on the bench in games like this. Pulisic also is the only player we have who can actually take on a player with pace. Aubameyang needs a provider. He needs James who is unfortunately out long term. Otherwise Aubameyang is a waste of space. So why not play Broja who can at least get involved? I thought Potter was some kind of tactical genius, but I am seriously underwhelmed by his efforts so far. He needs to pick up his game fast as we can’t afford too many displays like we’ve had lately.

That was down to Potter. Inept team selection (not for the first time). Only this time we were 3-0 down at half time and there was no time for Potter to fix his mistakes. He’s not as good as people say he is. That was as catastrophic a team performance as I’ve seen in a long time. It was like watching Kwasi Kwarteng in charge of the economy.

Okay. To cut Potter some slack, it turns out Kovacic is playing with a knee injury. Hence why he didn’t start today. With Kante also out, it just makes the decision not to strengthen the midfield over the summer even more ridiculous. And makes you wonder just how bad Zakaria is that he doesn’t even get anywhere near starting a game.

We didn’t deserve to win that. Created nothing and got a fortunate penalty. Then threw it away with poor defending. Reece James is clearly a big miss. But Potter is struggling to find a way round this. Potter needs to get his starting line up right from the off. Two games in a row now he’s had to correct things after we’ve been outplayed first half. We looked better once Kovacic came on. Pulisic can count himself unlucky not to be starting ahead of Sterling. Loftus Cheek is getting a run of games and finally proving he’s not good enough. Aubameyang has looked toothless without James to feed him crosses. Best we can hope for is to still be in contention for top four by January and look at a couple of signings and pray James is fit again.

Fair points. I think if he’s going to play a back three then it should be Fofana, Koulibaly and alternate between Silva and Cucurella. Agree that Broja probably deserves a run out until Aubameyang finds match fitness. Only worry is that Broja isn’t as clinical as an inform Aubameyang. Havertz I’m less sure about as he just seems totally lost in whatever position he plays. I’d be inclined to start Gallagher over Havertz. Or even Loftus Cheek who I haven’t totally given up on. I don’t see much of an alternative to Kova and Jorginho in midfield unless Zakaria turns out to be a player. Shame that Loftus Cheek didn’t work out in the pivot as he has the physical presence. I can see us addressing midfield in January as it’s dragging the whole side down.

So what does Potter do now? He went for CL experience and the result was a mediocre draw against modest opposition. Does he persist with Havertz and Aubameyang upfront? Silva and Azpi at the back?Jorginho and Kovacic in midfield? All our weaknesses on display. One game I know. But what is Potter going to see in this squad that Tuchel missed? I’m just baffled by what is expected of the new manager.

Surely it’s three at the back with Jorginho and Kovacic screening.

Where does Tuchel go from here? The squad is what it is. Aubameyang and Zakaria were brought in as stop gaps. He’s been left with Pulisic and Ziyech who he is now forced to play even though they know the manager wanted them gone. We got rid of Ampadu, Gilmour and Hudson Odoi, who would all likely be useful squad players. In midfield, everything was gambled on Kante and Kovacic staying fit and that fell apart immediately. He’s tried all combinations of players in the pivot (Jorginho, Loftus Cheek, Gallagher, Mount). It’s not worked. Sides are sitting deep against us and we don’t look like scoring in a month of Sundays. We offer nothing going forward and are too easy to hit on the break. We’re a walkover. The scary thing is it doesn’t look like Tuchel has a plan or the players to change things. We’re going to need another window to fix the mess. In the meantime, Tuchel will need to make do without a functioning midfield, a badly exposed defence, and a stuttering attack. It’s not going to be pretty to watch.

Very risky one. Not sure we should be signing players in this position who we hope can recover their form. We did that with Saul last season and that was painful to watch. It’s been obvious we’ve needed a defensive midfielder for a couple of seasons and I’m just amazed we gambled everything again on the fitness of Kovacic and Kante. I think we’ve screwed up really badly and it’s going to cost us.

I’d settle for quality. If Zakaria turns out to be another Saul then it’s hopeless. Jorginho can’t play every game, so what happens if Kova and Kante are on the sidelines for most of the season, like they were last season? If Zakaria is going to play DM, then he’d better be very good. We can’t afford to carry players in that position. Right now our only fit midfielders are Jorginho, Zakaria and Gallagher. That looks like a pretty desperate situation to me.

Do any of these last-minute panic buys ever work out?

Might go to IKEA this Saturday. More fun trying to build a wardrobe than watch us play right now. And Tuchel seems genuinely lost as to what to do about it.

Tuchel has the look of a man who doesn’t know what to do. He’s going to have to make some bold decisions. I don’t know if he’s up to it. It’s a bit troubling to think that we’re pinning our whole season on signing Aubemayang. If that doesn’t work out, then we’re truly f**ked.