Socrates

No doubt that Eto’o and Drogba mark 2 were brought in at the tail-end of their careers - to perform a role within the squad as the manager saw it. But are you seriously claiming that Matic, Fabregas, Costa and Pedro were intended as short-term buys? And can you name me a successful team made up entirely of players under the age of 25 as you seem to think that players over this age are past it?

Just for the record: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3314186/Is-Mourinho-invited-No-Way-Jose-Former-Chelsea-physio-Eva-Carneiro-suing-team-s-manager-publicly-criticised-marries-business-consultant-husband.html#ixzz3rERLPNZq And here's a pic of the stunning bride:

Some interesting observations from Ancelotti: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3314283/Carlo-Ancelotti-Chelsea-s-players-not-look-motivated-s-not-Jose-Mourinho-s-fault-ll-sort-problems.html#ixzz3rEPyJnw2

If it's Emenalo's job to oversee player recruitment and to work with the manager to strengthen the squad - in accordance with the manager's needs - then something went wrong over the Summer. Because Jose was strongly rumoured to be unhappy with the lack of and quality of recruitment. And this is reflected in results this season. In this case, Emenalo should be sacked because he screwed up and is likely to cost the club a lot of money in lost Champions League revenue and inflated future transfer fees. This could well run into hundreds of millions of pounds. OTOH it might be Emenalo/the Board's position that the squad was good enough for another season and the manager should be using this as an opportunity to bring on some younger players. If so, this hasn't worked out either as the team has imploded and the manager clearly has no confidence in using the academy kids. So either Emenalo didn't fulfill the manager's demands, screwed up badly and so should be sacked. Or he made a judgement call over the manager's head on what the squad should be this season which has turned out to be a huge mistake and so should be sacked. I can't think of a scenario in which Emenalo can keep his job. The last transfer window was a clusterf**k and it's only down to one man as far as I can see.

The city of Liverpool has made a career out of cultivating a victim mentality. Next thing is they'll be seeking counselling and attending victim support groups. All because opposition fans said something unpleasant about them. Could be a damages or victim compensation claim down the line. They should maybe see a lawyer about it....

I just hope that if Jose asks for a forward and a defensive midfielder that Michael Emenalo doesn't reach for the last page of his spreadsheet and bring in another Papy Djlinobody.

I was disappointed we missed out on this De Bruyne lad over the Summer. Looks like he's got potential.

We sign four top class players in January, win the Champions League and the season is deemed a success. Or we just stumble up to mid-table, accept a season without Champions League football and hope that throwing huge money at players and their clubs next Summer will set us right next season. Either way the Board’s business plan looks like it's done for.

Thought we played some decent stuff at times. Pedro and Hazard were lively first-half in support of Costa who is getting his mojo back. Just needs to find that killer instinct in front of goal - although Costa’s not the only one. Saying that, Stoke defended well to deny us. Midfield is still a problem with Ramires and Matic just not up to the demands. And I'm not convinced that Baba is in any way an upgrade on Luis. Or even Ryan Bertrand. He had a torrid time against a skilful winger. The league is a write off so we''re just playing for self-respect now. But even that's not enough to beat the likes of Stoke. There's always the Champions League I suppose...

Pressure gets to the best of them. Unlike Jose to just let the game drift the way it did. You could see the game was getting away from us and was crying out for changes to be made. Took way too long to sub Oscar and Fabregas. In the end, Willian came to the rescue but it was a close run thing. Results sometimes come down to one or two crucial moments and Willian did Jose a big favour tonight.

One of his strengths at Atletico Madrid was his ability to make runs and find space with his movement off the ball. For whatever reason, this isn't happening. He's either hanging back, or making runs wide to receive the ball. Wonder if he's being asked to play a different type of game because he's half the player he was when he arrived at the club.

Players look shot of confidence. As does Jose. Lost our way second half. Took them to equalise before Jose made the necessary changes. Willian saved the day but it was hard work against a poor side. Still, a win’s a win and sometimes you just got to count your blessings.

Interesting take, as usual, from Martin Samuel... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3299462/What-season-s-Premier-League-win-blip-Chelsea-Jose-Mourinho-s-players-aren-t-good.html

Doubt we'll be able to put things right in January given that major deals are rarely done in the winter window. In the long term we need a left back the manager feels can start. A central defender to replace Terry. A defensive midfielder to replace Mikel. Two strikers to replace Falcao and Remy. And a couple of AMs to rotate with Hazard and Willian. Really should have done most of this last window if the Board hadn't made such a pig's ear of things.

I wonder if it's really just an acknowledgement that the Board screwed up over the summer transfer window when Jose was begging for significant recruitment. Difficult to sack a manager when he's been proved right. Now if the Board had gotten Pogba, Stones and Benteke - as Jose was reportedly hoping for (or players of equivalent stature) - then the Board might have a case for sacking Jose if our results has been as poor. But somehow I doubt, if we'd strengthened properly, that we'd be languishing in 16th place.

There was always the excuse that Oscar needed a rest from playing too much football. Now he must be judged like any other player. This was supposed to be his break out season but truth is he hasn't really kicked on since Mata was sold. He has flashes of genuine talent but it's all too brief and he'll disappear for long stretches. He's no Lampard - the player he was probably being groomed to replace long term. I just don't think he's suited physically for this league. He might do well abroad in a lower tempo environment. But the pace at which the Premiership is played just seems too much for him.

Willian and Azpi. No-one else.

Where is Papy? Surely it's time to unleash our secret weapon?

Could be we get relegated but qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. Wonder if Jose would get to keep his job then.

I'm just not convinced that with this squad any new interim manager will get more than a dead cat bounce. Longer term there needs to be a major rebuilding of the squad which will require major investment over the next two seasons at least. The only long term candidates to replace Jose are Guardiola and Simeone. Let's face it, Chelsea would be a step down for either of them in our current predicament. At least Jose is someone who gives a f**k about this club. The real pity of it is that the Board haven't seen fit to give him the resources to do his job in the way he sees fit. It would be a cop out if the Board sacks Jose. But this Board have been all about short-termism, complacency and a lack of vision, so I wouldn't put it past them.

Players seemed to think the half was over and stopped playing. Took their cue from Jose scampering down the tunnel. Still, playing on the break for 80 mins was bound to be a risky tactic. It's not as if we looked dangerous on the counterattack.

Thought Oscar started brightly enough then vanished after the break. Story of his Chelsea career.

Good take by Pat Nevin on the club's current predicament: http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4071/premier-league/2015/10/27/16735992/mourinho-foresaw-chelsea-collapse-and-now-club-must-not

We could just sign Southampton's Chief Scout instead and keep Mourinho.

Don't get me wrong, I think the current team should be doing better and that is down to many things. Emenalo's role and responsibility is different. And I doubt any of us know who is entirely responsible for player ins and outs at the club. But I'm assuming that Emenalo has a key say in recruitment and squad planning in consultation with the manager. If it's the case that Emenalo has been decisive in getting rid of certain players while failing to recruit adequate replacements with the overall result that the squad is weaker than it would otherwise be, then that impacts on how well the team is doing. And how well the manager can do his job. Especially if the manager identifies key areas of the squad that needs addressing and you fail to meet his demands. My personal opinion is that the Board need to take responsibility for a string of poor decisions in the transfer market that has left the squad thin and unbalanced. And if the person in overall responsibility is Emenalo then he should be removed from any future say in such a key area.