4 hours ago, forbzy said:

The injury issues have been a problem for the last 2-3 years now though. They have just got worse this year. 

Funny that it gets worse when you remove any continuity in your medical team. 

5 hours ago, Argo said:

While i don't disagree Tuchel had an immediate effect and I'm still to be sold on Potter.

Take James, Rudiger, Christensen, Kante, Kova and Chilwell out for most of that first half season and he makes no improvement on his predecessor either.

It's easy to dismiss it as an excuse but it's genuine mitigation. Swap Rudi/AC for Forfana and the last time we had three or more of the above avaliable at the same we smashed the current Serie A champions twice.

Fair point. It's a bit ifs and ands but it's still a valid point you make @Argo

8 hours ago, drjonesy1994 said:

I think the answer is any manager, as long as the pay is right. 

I agree with the overall point though. It’s clear to every man and his dog spot that what’s happening at Chelsea currently is a long term project. If the board were to pull the trigger on that within 4/5/6 months then all that talk of a long term project is meaningless. 

A new manager doesn’t fix the problems that exist in this squad. We might improve in the short term but in 18 months time we’d probably be looking for a new manager again and having all this talk of “project” and “vision” once again. Potter is also managing the club through the worst injury crisis I’ve ever seen. I’m confident once key players like James, Chilwell, Kante and Fofana return that we will start to look better. 

Top 4 has gone, and I’m ok with that as long as I feel the club are working for something in the long term which at the moment I still think is the case. 

Potter isn’t blameless either, some of the decisions and performances have been awful. But on the other hand we have had some good performances as well, and coincidentally those performances came when some of our key players weren’t injured. 

I do worry that the board may make a decision if results don’t improve, and everyone will say what a failure this exercise has been. But in my opinion there’s no way to say if this has been a failure or not unless we give him a reasonable amount of time to implement his ideas, and we’ve signed players that fit that vision. 

If we’ve not improved this time next year then maybe that’s when we need to start asking more questions but for now I’m still happy to give him a bit of time. 
 

 

Superb post, and one I would hope any sensible fan would agree with. I just dont understand what "fans" think will change if we sack Potter and bring in the next one, the squad we have is shambolic because of the last 3 or 4 windows, we have been in decline for over 12 months the way we played, the thing we need now is a steady and consistent managerial team, a plan to move the squad forward, which seems to happening based on the players in, but it needs to be trimmed at the top end.

Seeing a certain type of fan whine and stamp their feet is embarrassing, demanding sackings, some even wanting the new owners out. Get a f**king grip.

I count nine senior players injured now and people are surprised we're struggling to get results?

At it's core we have the same issues we've had for years. We can give a decent showing against big teams but can't break down a low block consistently so give up points to teams fighting relegation. We had a spell under TT when James and Chilwell were both in full flight where this wasn't the case but they haven't both been fully fit at the same time for what feels like 18 months now. Prior to that we relied on Fabregas and Hazard to unlock defences, two unquestionably world class players who we haven't really replaced.

Our backups in key positions are either getting too old (Azpi), or just aren't quite good enough (Cucurella, though maybe I'm judging him too early on). We need to recruit better and hopefully the new structure put in place starts doing that soon.

Regardless, with the injuries we have and the players currently in the squad, I don't think it matters who the manager is, Sure, maybe we could "sufferball" our way to a few more wins this season than we're on currently, but does that help us play better next season? Stick a combination of prime Mourinho, Fergie, and Pep into some kind of managerial gumbo and give them the job today, I still struggle to see how the issues within the squad go away all of a sudden.


All this is a very long-winded way of saying: Give Potter time, be patient, we'll get there.

 

I could accept Potter coming if he had some experience in place to help him. But no came with all Brightons staff. Not one with any experience at the top. How on earth do you get top players to respond and look up to them. Same with taking there recruitment team. Again these people have been scouting at a different level. Is it a coincidence that Brighton are scoring far more goals under there new manager.

1 hour ago, Pottery said:

I could accept Potter coming if he had some experience in place to help him. But no came with all Brightons staff. Not one with any experience at the top. How on earth do you get top players to respond and look up to them. Same with taking there recruitment team. Again these people have been scouting at a different level. Is it a coincidence that Brighton are scoring far more goals under there new manager.

Which senior players aren't responding to Potter that responded to Tuchel? Maybe you've seen or heard something I haven't, but let's look at last nights side, shall we?

Kepa has rediscovered a confidence he hasnt had in years, could have done more to stop the goal but I believe thats his first real mistake in a while now

Azpi is still giving everything every time he plays (his legs are gone but that's besides the point)

Thiago remains imperious

KK's performances were just as inconsistent under TT, though I thought he was better last night than he has been for a while

Cucurella is playing under the same manager as last year, so he's a moot point

Kova played very well

Zak was immense, has come on leaps and bounds since his first appearance for us

Sterling - immediately injured

Ziyech - one of his better performances for Chelsea since 22 CL run

Pulisic - involved and direct until injured, looked up for it

Havertz - no real discernable difference between his performances under TT, linked up fairly well, still struggles in the final third a bit.

I wont bother going through the subs one by one. I'll just point to the energy they injected and again I'll ask, where does this idea players aren't responding come from? Were we not just as flat against several sides last season as we were against Forest last week? I swear some people have rose tinted glassed on when it comes to this club.

Potter is the least person i would criticise for this mess.
Majority of this squad isn't good enough. The CL win just papered over the cracks. This is years of bad recruitment, sacking managers, having no structure or style of play is catching up with us.
This goes from the previous ownership to the new ownership giving TT a transfer window to buy players and then sacking him straight after.
Potter out solves absolutely nothing.

11 hours ago, CFCCAN said:

You should accept that this season is done and dusted unless by some miracle we progress in the CL. This season has been the perfect storm, half the first team squad out with long term injuries, clueless new owners with a manager that has never managed at this level, stupid buys with no direction and bringing in a team of backroom staff that have only worked with bang average clubs....a recipe for disaster as unfolding before our eyes. 

Next season we won't have to worry about Wed or Thurs games, as we will finish around mid-table this year and no European football to distract us.  This will give GP more time with the squad to concentrate on the League games and preparation with the 'new generation'.......................assuming he's still here.

Season isnt even half way through, how can it be done and dusted?

We are 10 points off 4th, and 10 points off 18th. 

Still need to try and win football matches. It's not acceptable for Potter to finish below 8th with this squad. If he treats the season as done and dusted and we finish mid table, what players are still going to be on board with him managing? What players will want to come in the summer? He has a small reputation as it is.

I was never sold on potter from the start. I just think it’s too big of a task for him. But he won’t be going anytime soon which worries me. As I don’t know how low we are going to get 

On 05/01/2023 at 11:11, coco said:

What worries me and what Potters advocates refuse to address is his obvious failings in attack.

Last season Potters Brighton scored 42 goals in 38 games (1.1ag), only the bottom three and Wolves scored less.

Since Potter left Brighton they have scored 26 goals in 14 games (1.86ag).

All that time at Brighton, all those players he brought in, and that's the best he could manage last season, 1.1 goals per game.

 

Actually soon after my reply the pundits on 5L were saying that the staff at Brighton were saying the new manager is better than Potter !

On 04/01/2023 at 18:48, g3.7 said:

You can't say 'the lads gave everything' after huffing and puffing to a barely deserved draw against a side assembled for a fraction of the cost of the team you coached. 

At it again last night. "they boys gave their all" like they are a group of under 12s. Making an effort is not something that deserves priase.

55 minutes ago, Liam said:

At it again last night. "they boys gave their all" like they are a group of under 12s. Making an effort is not something that deserves priase.

At least this time we almost were a group of under 12`s by the end of the game ha ha....

5 hours ago, Pottery said:

I could accept Potter coming if he had some experience in place to help him. But no came with all Brightons staff. Not one with any experience at the top. How on earth do you get top players to respond and look up to them. Same with taking there recruitment team. Again these people have been scouting at a different level. Is it a coincidence that Brighton are scoring far more goals under there new manager.

That's the thing, even in Potter's best season Brighton were 16th in goals scored. Even if everything goes pefectly for him he isn't an attacking manager and never will be. It's a safe possession game with even less attacking intent than under Tuchel. Even if we give him time and the results start getting better, the football will still be the same slow style.

 

Brighton's biggest strength seems to have been their recruitment over the years, rather than Potter being some tactical genuis. Even last season they were on a very long winless run, they arguably look better under De Zerbi.

Probably should have a "should Aubameyang be sacked" poll as well. Arguably would be the most deserved sacking.

15 hours ago, big blue said:

Season isnt even half way through, how can it be done and dusted?

We are 10 points off 4th, and 10 points off 18th. 

Still need to try and win football matches. It's not acceptable for Potter to finish below 8th with this squad. If he treats the season as done and dusted and we finish mid table, what players are still going to be on board with him managing? What players will want to come in the summer? He has a small reputation as it is.

done and dusted in terms of a top 4, a meaningful Europe spot or a piece of silverware...just to clarify

On 05/01/2023 at 11:11, coco said:

What worries me and what Potters advocates refuse to address is his obvious failings in attack.

Last season Potters Brighton scored 42 goals in 38 games (1.1ag), only the bottom three and Wolves scored less.

Since Potter left Brighton they have scored 26 goals in 14 games (1.86ag).

All that time at Brighton, all those players he brought in, and that's the best he could manage last season, 1.1 goals per game.

 

f**king hell Brighton smashing in 5 today !.

 

15 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

f**king hell Brighton smashing in 5 today !.

 

I know, that's over 2 goals per game now since Potter left them.

It goes without saying that this needs to change. It's no wonder we don't score goals.

And while we are missing the likes of Mount, Sterling and Pulisic right now he's had almost every attacker available to him until City so this is clearly a case of the manager severely underperforming.

If your throw in a comparison to "defensive" Tuchel it's obviously even more grim.

Edited January 7, 20233 yr by OriginalS

19 minutes ago, OriginalS said:

It goes without saying that this needs to change. It's no wonder we don't score goals.

And while we are missing the likes of Mount, Sterling and Pulisic right now he's had almost every attacker available to him until City so this is clearly a case of the manager severely underperforming.

If your throw in a comparison to "defensive" Tuchel it's obviously even more grim.

That is brutal. I knew it was bad, but I didn't think it was THAT bad. 

And some don't think bottom half of the table is our trajectory?

1 hour ago, coco said:

I know, that's over 2 goals per game now since Potter left them.

Maybe their new gaffa is just a better manager.

1 hour ago, OriginalS said:

It goes without saying that this needs to change. It's no wonder we don't score goals.

And while we are missing the likes of Mount, Sterling and Pulisic right now he's had almost every attacker available to him until City so this is clearly a case of the manager severely underperforming.

If your throw in a comparison to "defensive" Tuchel it's obviously even more grim.

dammit... I thought I was already over Tuchel but then I see his shy smile alongside "1st for chances created and 13th for shot conversion"... so many memories 😅

Stats didn't lie, under Tuchel we were creating, just need that clinical striker or AM to finish the chances off, which is why we went big for Lukaku and Sterling, not working out but at least something to build on. The current team under Potter just had nothing, not even creating anything for the strikers to miss. Some still think it's Tuchels's fault we got where we are.

3 hours ago, The Rising Sun said:

f**king hell Brighton smashing in 5 today !.

 

 

2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Maybe their new gaffa is just a better manager.

They were scoring freely at the end of last season (11 in 4) and obviously the 5 goal demolition of Leicester in his last game. They also went on a run of just one goal in four games at the start of RDZ reign, aswell as that they had an utter stinker of a performance against Villa and getting knocked out of the cup by a league one side. It's Brighton, you will easily be able to be selective to try and make one manager look better than the other as I've just done in reverse.

There's fair question marks over Potter's suitability here but this constant downplaying of what he did at Brighton is very disingenuous.

2 hours ago, OriginalS said:

It goes without saying that this needs to change. It's no wonder we don't score goals.

And while we are missing the likes of Mount, Sterling and Pulisic right now he's had almost every attacker available to him until City so this is clearly a case of the manager severely underperforming.

If your throw in a comparison to "defensive" Tuchel it's obviously even more grim.

Terrifying stats we are in serious trouble but Potter seems to think we have to learn to accept defeats and the owners hoping it will all come good eventually It really shouldn't be this acceptable