Davey Baby

Set pieces have become comical. They're almost like a penalty for the other side, they're almost bound to score. Brighton's first corner well into the second half and they hit the bar, with the keeper stranded. I'm not sure Kepa's covering himself with glory either. He needs to come out and claim some of them. He just seems sh*t scared of crosses. The other thing is how vulnerable we looked once we went ahead. It's becoming a theme, we just couldn't control the game, and we looked vulnerable, and that's possibly our easiest home league fixture this term. As you say, they score from that corner and it's a different game. Having said that, we were well worth the win, missed a few chances first half, and we had five academy graduates on the pitch in the second half, which is amazing. First clean sheet first home win. Well done Frank.

Fitness permitting, there is absolutely no doubt this boy's going to make it. He has everything, skill, speed, strength, shooting ability, crossing ability, passing ability, power. You could go on and on. Put him in midfield and he could be Michael Essien.

Apparently Frank had a subtle dig at Jose in his programme notes yesterday, referring to our fans applauding the team off on Sunday despite the loss, and how those are the actions of a big club. Anyone got the notes?

Just, you could always get yourself a big cuddly shaggy dog who's easily confused and keeps tripping people over accidentally. I think you'd know what to call him.

Better than Jorginho.

I was a tad upset Barkley didn't take it, to help him get over the last miss. He's obviously been demoted!!!!!!!

Well that was fun. The youngsters look so good. Gilmour, CHO, James. What players. The two subs looked excellent. Good times.

Regarding Sherwood, he had 5 months in the job, and he benefited from a new manager bounce when he took over in December, as for example did Di Matteo when he took over us, so I'm not sure it's a fair comparison. Both Di Matteo and Sherwood were replacing AVB, who was evidently so unpopular the players started winning games as soon as he left, so pleased were they. Lampard is clearly far more intelligent and has a lot more about him, as you say, so I'm expecting him to be a better manager. Your points are valid and I admire your positive thinking and I hope you're right. Me personally, I can't see us finishing above Leicester, but I hope I'm wrong. Either way I'm happy. I'm just so glad Frank's back.

They were in Pot C. They have absolutely no chance of winning the CL. They are floundering in La Liga. Their manager had been sacked and their players had the hump. The new manager has never managed a club side. We were at home. When I call them sh*t, it should be taken in the context of the CL. You're not going to get much easier games. We were really poor that day. It happens. I understand Frank's learning his trade. I have no problem with it.

After Mount went off, we were relying on Pedro and Willian, and we all know how that ended, which further illustrates my point about the loss of Hazard. Callum will be back soon, and that will help us, but he's a teenager and we shouldn't be relying too much on him, as he will struggle for consistency and stamina. I still think he will be a key player, providing goals and assists.

Valencia are f**king sh*t. On Sunday they drew at home to Leganes, the bottom side. They are in total disarray. We didn't even remotely look like scoring in that game, or hardly. After Mount went off early we lost control of the midfield. It was clear a example of Frank being green, against somebody who's never managed a club side. If you think that was a good performance, think again. It was a poor performance against a sh*t side in a crucial game. As for the rest of your post, you seem to be agreeing with me. Frank needs time, we need to be patient. Yes yes I've said all that. I couldn't be happier that he's here. He was my choice all along.

They got to the play-offs the season before he arrived, when they finished 6th, the same position they finished under Frank.

I'll expand a little on my thought processes. Those multiple trophy winners have relied on Hazard from an attacking point of view. Even with a top 3 player in the world, and the best player in the Prem, we struggled in the league last couple of years, and that player got most of our goals and our assists, and that was with experienced managers. Now sure, best young talent, I'd agree with you there, but the PL is a huge step up, and crucially, Frank is up against managers who have way better credentials than him. Norwich, Sheffield Utd and Villa all got promoted last term, so their managers have way better credentials. Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe, Brendan Rodgers, Pellegrini, Roy Hodgson etc etc. These guys are no mugs. Their sides aren't going to hand us the points on a plate. Crucially, they're all very experienced, and that's before we talk about the likes of Pep and Klopp. We've already seen in our home games against Valencia, Sheffield Utd and Leicester that our manager is very green. Not a criticism of him, just the way it is. This is a completely different level with far more scrutiny. Pressure can build. Even after the Liverpool game, in both his post-match interviews and his post-match press conference, Frank was talking very fast, far faster than usual, far faster than I've ever seen him talk. Watch them and see. That's stress. He knows he needs the points. All the talk in the world doesn't make up for points. You need to keep the vultures at bay, and if you're not winning, a manager's job is very stressful. Can Frank cope with that? We have no idea. Does he have leaders and characters in the dressing room to draw on if things get tough? That's another issue also. If pressure builds, we can't be relying on youngsters to show leadership. They're going to need to lean on a few old heads. I'm delighted Frank's back. I'm delighted he's playing youngsters. Top four is a pipe dream in my opinion. We've struggled in the league with Conte and Mourinho, and they were proven winners, and we had Hazard. Spurs and Arsenal may have problems, but their managers are proven, and crucially, they have PL experience. I'd be delighted if I'm wrong but I can't see it. Right now we're 11th. If we finish up there I'll be happy. Top 4 and Frank will deserve MOTY in my opinion.

I think you'll find that's against the forum rules. I hope you're right. Let's reconvene in a couple of months. In the meantime, start preparing those questions.

If you're not careful somebody will quote an old post or two of yours on the Alonso thread and post your favourite emoji....................

The elephant in the room is our points tally. 8 points after 6 games. Same as Utd and Tottenham, who are both having terrible seasons apparently. Sure, there are plenty of mitigating factors for Frank but we need points, otherwise pressure builds on an inexperienced team and an inexperienced manager. Say what you want about our performances but the truth is we're exactly where we deserve to be in the league. I'm happy about the youngsters and the manager so there's no complaints from me, but I think the team lacks structure and I think Frank has a long way to go before having any claims to being a top coach. As I said elsewhere, our midfield works with Kante, because of his incredible energy levels, but we shouldn't be relying on a freak of nature to make us look remotely coherent. We're not getting top four, of that I'm sure. We're not even getting top six in my opinion. Right now we're in the bottom half and I wouldn't be surprised if that's where we stay. A young team with a young manager. It's a steep learning curve for everybody, in a tough league, under the spotlight. I don't expect consistency. Wherever we end up, I'm fine with it. We need to be realistic and we need to be patient. This is an extremely talented crop of youngsters. Whether Frank's a talented manager remains to be seen. I just hope we keep the faith.

This summer Jose found himself out of work. Inter Milan needed a manager, as did Juve, as did Real Madrid, as did Chelsea, as did AC Milan, as did Roma, as did Benfica, as did Sporting, as did Marseille, as did Sevilla, etc etc. Jose still finds himself out of work. Bitter? Not much.

You were watching the same game as me.

We are a shambles at set pieces. Early in the second half, Firminho found himself all alone at the back and would have scored but for a fantastic save. We concede from a set piece every game and it's getting embarrassing. The manager has to sort it out. No good blaming the players. He's the one who's culpable.

I keep waiting to be convinced.

Possibly the most inaccurate thing anyone's ever said on this forum.

Ridiculously good.

The only time Jorginho and Kovacic have impressed this season is when Kante has been on the pitch with them. Kovacic was immense today. Tomori was outstanding. What a player. We are in dreamland. Unfortunately Christensen is not good enough. He has had ample chances. Physically weak. Look at their second goal. All he is worried about is being hit. Willian was good in a Willian sort of way. Played well but lacks a cutting edge. We need Callum badly. Alonso and Kurt played well. Frank couldn't make the changes second-half that he would have liked to but we benefited from that. We battered them in that last 20 minutes. Maybe he's learned a lesson. Tammy was poor. Didn't win a header all game. Poor movement. Fluffed his chance. Should have got his head up and seen Mount. He'll have better days. The ref was an absolute c**t. Their goalie time-wasting, what does he do? Delays the game even further by chatting to Henderson for about a minute. Gave them everything first-half. Not the first time we've been screwed over by him. Thought we were great. Very positive showing. Tomori was the big plus. We need to keep Kante fit.

Maybe we should prorogue the forum for five weeks.