Socrates

If Emenalo was responsible for the fiasco of the last summer transfer window then he should be sacked. This is not to excuse the players and manager for current performances. They should be doing better. But performances are not entirely unrelated to the state of the current squad. If Emenalo is in any way responsible for the current imbalance of the squad: an ageing back line, fullbacks being played out of position or deemed too inexperienced to start, an inadequate midfield, an over reliance on Hazard upfront and only really one striker of any note, currently struggling – then he needs to be replaced with someone who can foresee what needs to be done or who, at least, is in tune with the concerns and demands of the manager. AFAIC, if Emenalo has personally overseen the sales of Luiz, Luis, Mata, De Bruyne and Lukaku while bringing in players of lesser quality then that should be a sacking offence on its own. It's one thing to claim we got good value from player sales. It's something else if the overall effect is to totally weaken the depth and quality of the squad. However, if Jose was complicit in our recent transfer debacles then he should take his share of responsibility too and not pass the buck on to Emenalo. But if it comes down to a choice between Emenalo and Jose being made a scapegoat then I reckon Jose is more valuable to the long-term success of the club.

Shouldn't be a problem with our Board.

Blimey! What happened?

Problem is the squad is too small so no matter how poorly you play, the manager will have to play you. We have a core group of players who are struggling with form: Matic, Ivanovic, Hazard, Terry, Fabregas and Costa. A normal squad would be able to deal with, say, three of them being dropped to the bench for not performing. Instead we have to keep playing them because the alternatives are inferior or the manager doesn't trust them. Jose has run out of options. The damage has been done over successive transfer windows and we are reaping what we have sewn.

What was he laughing at when he was sent off? Was a stupid challenge and the ref was within his rights to book him. He got away with another challenge in between the two yellows. It was like he was trying to get himself sent off. Pathetic and unprofessional. His time is up and I think he knows it.

Not good. Not good at all. Costa is a shadow of his former self. Hazard just looks as if he's wondering what he's doing playing with this lot. Matic and Ramires were a joke. Our centre backs can’t defend crosses. Our full backs are still being played out of position. And Begovic looks nervous as a kitten. Only Willian came out of that with any credit. Jose looks out of ideas with this squad. Wonder if the Board will back him in January.

Thought we were much better overall. Ramires and Matic were solid in midfield which helped the cause no end. Azpi kept their best player Yarmolenko quiet. Zouma made up in pace what he lacked in tactical nous. if we were a bit sharper upfront and the ref didn't bottle it, we would've won that comfortably. Willian ran himself into the ground. Fabregas was much improved playing higher up. Hazard and Costa are improving but neither are at their best. Costa looks half the player he was last year. He's lost his lethal touch. Hope he finds it soon.

Seems like Jose is more willing to consider Ramires and Ola Aina over Baba Rahman at left back. This ‘not ready’ line is Jose code for 'he's not good enough’. http://allsports.com.gh/football/not-ready-jose-mourinho-ignores-baba-rahman-as-ivanovic-s-injury-solution-id4266487.html

This notion from Jose about Ivanovic being selected for his aerial prowess is very dubious. Firstly because were conceding goals from crosses down the right due to Ivanovic's lack of prowess on the ground. And when the crosses come in it's the other defenders who are nowhere to be seen. Also, Ivanovic due to a lack of pace is conceding a lot of free kicks which creates pressure at set pieces in the first place. All of which begs the question, why did we sign Baba Rahman (and presumably Luis before him) if a key criteria for Jose is ability in the air. Also, I don't remember this being an issue with Ashley Cole who had a pretty decent leap on him. But if Rahman is not being picked because he's not very good in the air, then just pick Zouma at left back and switch Azpi to the right. Honestly, this justification for why Jose continues to pick Ivanovic is full of holes.

Apparently when we signed him, no one bothered to check Baba Rahman's height: "Mourinho reveals why Baba Rahman won't play against Aston Villa" http://allsports.com.gh/football/early-prediction-mourinho-reveals-why-baba-rahman-wont-play-against-aston-villa-id4230454.html

Rodgers is gone. What odds they have Klopp in mind? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34423344

Great servant to the club but he sadly looks shot right now and is getting easily exposed. Problem is the opposition have targeted him as a weak link as they know they can take him on. We're effectively giving the opposition a means to get at us and it gives them a lift. Am surprised Jose is being so lenient. I know it's different when you're manager and you have a personal relationship with certain players we don't have as fans. But this isn't about that anymore. It's about the fact were leaking goals and the player is struggling and his confidence is gone. Trying to play him back into form is costing us and it doesn't seem to be working either.

Yes. But with the following: Begovic Azpi Terry Cahill Zouma Matic Ramires Fabregas Willian Hazard Costa

Where is the button for Michael Emenalo?

Forgot about Hector. I'm 100 per cent sure he wasn't a Jose signing. Jose also had no idea who Djillibotchjob was. If anyone should be sacked it should be Michael Emenalo for last Summer's transfer window. What a bloody fiasco thst was and we're paying the price for it now. If Jose is sacked and Emenalo is still at the club then Roman has lost all sense of reality.

The way I saw it we crawled over the line while our rivals conveniently imploded. We then got complacent and assumed we just needed a bit of freshening up. When in truth we needed to clear out the dead wood and bring in three top class signings in defence, midfield and attack. With all respect to the players you mention, I don't think they're going to make a huge difference. And Jose knows it.

The problem is the squad just aren't good enough. No-one will convince me that a midfield of Ramires, Mikel and Matic are anywhere near the standard we need. No-one will convince me that Ivanovic and Baba Rahman are good enough defenders. No-one will convince me that Remy and Falcao are good enough back ups to Costa. I've no idea if this squad is Jose's work. But any manager is going to struggle. Complacency in the transfer market has got us to this state. And Jose isn't solely to blame for that.

I'd drop Ivanovic and play Zouma at RB if Jose is so concerned about Rahman. Also Ramires as part of a midfield 3. With Willian and Hazard behind Remy. Begovic Zouma Cahill Terry Azpilicueta Ramires Matic Fabregas Willian Hazard Remy

Playing Ivanovic is all about not playing Baba Rahman. Seems Jose doesn't rate him. Not in the slightest. Chalk another success to our scouts.

Ivanovic for me as well. The way he allowed Porto players to run past him as if he wasn't there. And his crucial clearance two yards from their goal when it looked like we might score, were the defining moments. Without his captain’s performance Porto would never have won.

Our objective is to finish in the top four so as to get into the Champions League next year In order to compete at the highest level and to attract top quality recruits. Whereas Jose might integrate one or two young players within an already successful and winning side, he's not going to risk a top four finish just to blood younger players in the hope they can turn a faltering season around. That's why he mainly played the old guard last night against Porto and why he will do the same in the league.

I think Jose thinks that he knows better than everyone else and has been determined to prove everyone wrong about Ivanovic. After all, you don't make a player your vice-captain and then decide he's too rubbish to pick. The sight of Ivanovic as captain last night, while turning in a completely woeful, soul-destroying performance, is symptomatic of how badly Jose has messed this up. Real problem now for Jose is to admit he's got this wrong and everyone else is right. Opposition teams are targeting Ivanovic every game. It's so obvious it's incredible Jose has done nothing about it. We're not that good that we can afford to keep giving teams two-goal starts.

Thought Azpi, Willian, Begovic and Costa did okay. Ivanovic just looked overwhelmed. Fabregas and Pedro were poor. And then there was Mikel doing his strange impression of a midfielder. No idea what Jose can take from tonight. The performance was mediocre really. Crappy defending, lack of control in midfield and poor finishing upfront. Porto were nothing special but they were comfortable winners. It might help to take Ivanovic out of the firing line. We’re conceding too many from his side of the pitch so we're constantly playing catch up. We've got to give ourselves a chance at least.

Ivanovic with a free header from a couple of yards. Just wasn't going to happen.

Players heads have dropped. Porto sense a third here.