We should get Glasner. He seems pretty, pretty good.

No, i give him a bit more time, he kinda deserves it but he has to change things now.

41 minutes ago, KonaKai Blue said:

Its his failure to improve the style of play and punish teams when we are on top that causes these red card mistakes. Trying to protect a lead instead of killing the game.

His decision to bring on more defenders is costing us. We still look vulnerable, we still concede and have no attacking options to even recover.

Come on, mate. What does a red card in the 4th minute has to do with any manager's tactics, not only Maresca's? It is a simple rule that you learn in youth football, you just don't take stupid risks in the first minutes and get a red card, just let him score if you can't do anything about it and move on, the match is long enough to turn it around... Sanchez was an idiot.

And yesterday not only Santos was completely relaxed and made a stupid error, but Chalobah was even dumber knowing he was the last defender and had to make a perfect tackle, otherwise he was off. He chose the worst option, should have let Sanchez deal with that. If they score, it is ok, it is still early second half, plenty of time to still win it.

These things have nothing to do with the manager, it's basic football rules and low IQ from players that should be nothing more than just squad players.

23 minutes ago, abramovich said:

I agree about tactics working until sending off but being able to adapt is part of managing the team and he is, well the club manager. Obviously it's never good to have a player sent off but in the Maresca world it basically means a catastrophe and an inevitable loss.

Might sound odd, but playing pro sports with a man down is incredibly hard. People think it's not a big deal, but it really is. The extra man in professional sports is a huge advantage.

30 minutes ago, petre ispirescu said:

Come on, mate. What does a red card in the 4th minute has to do with any manager's tactics, not only Maresca's? It is a simple rule that you learn in youth football, you just don't take stupid risks in the first minutes and get a red card, just let him score if you can't do anything about it and move on, the match is long enough to turn it around... Sanchez was an idiot.

And yesterday not only Santos was completely relaxed and made a stupid error, but Chalobah was even dumber knowing he was the last defender and had to make a perfect tackle, otherwise he was off. He chose the worst option, should have let Sanchez deal with that. If they score, it is ok, it is still early second half, plenty of time to still win it.

These things have nothing to do with the manager, it's basic football rules and low IQ from players that should be nothing more than just squad players.

Might sound odd, but playing pro sports with a man down is incredibly hard. People think it's not a big deal, but it really is. The extra man in professional sports is a huge advantage.

Whilst the red card in the 4th minute is not the managers fault, its the urgency or lack of in the players. Lack of discipline and organisation. I put that down to the manager. Players make stupid mistakes but his structure and style of play leaves us open to danger and such bad consequences.

33 minutes ago, petre ispirescu said:

Come on, mate. What does a red card in the 4th minute has to do with any manager's tactics, not only Maresca's? It is a simple rule that you learn in youth football, you just don't take stupid risks in the first minutes and get a red card, just let him score if you can't do anything about it and move on, the match is long enough to turn it around... Sanchez was an idiot.

And yesterday not only Santos was completely relaxed and made a stupid error, but Chalobah was even dumber knowing he was the last defender and had to make a perfect tackle, otherwise he was off. He chose the worst option, should have let Sanchez deal with that. If they score, it is ok, it is still early second half, plenty of time to still win it.

These things have nothing to do with the manager, it's basic football rules and low IQ from players that should be nothing more than just squad players.

Might sound odd, but playing pro sports with a man down is incredibly hard. People think it's not a big deal, but it really is. The extra man in professional sports is a huge advantage.

Also, we played Nottingham Forest last season at home for a good 20+ minutes with an extra man and couldn't break them down.

We had chances to win the game but even with 10 men, so did they.

Edited September 28, 2025Sep 28 by KonaKai Blue

We all know the next appointment will be someone like Rosenoir or De Zerbi calibre. It won't be an winner with experience at top clubs. You just know the owners will focus on a younger manager with "potential." We are constant project club for players and coaches.

1 hour ago, Nevamind said:

We should get Glasner. He seems pretty, pretty good.

No, i give him a bit more time, he kinda deserves it but he has to change things now.

Problem with that is, then comes the pressure of managing at a big club who are aiming at winning big trophies. Once that pressure kicks in these managers crumble. We've seen it countless times before. Glasner is the new shiny manager, but he doesn't have experience of coaching at the elite level and challenging for big trophies. The FA Cup win was great, but compare that to the pressure of winning the PL and CL, it's a different thing entirely. Not saying he wouldn't do well outside of Palace, at a bigger club, but I'm not sure I want to risk another managerial appointment on someone who hasn't achieved much more than Maresca has. We all know that once a few bad results happen, fans and media come for the manager's head once again.

Edited September 28, 2025Sep 28 by Sunspear_88

He’s a sh*te championship manager Leicester fans clearly told Us after the first half of his season with Leicester when other managers figured him out he struggled and never recovered.

We are experiencing exactly that now, he’s been figured out and unless he changes his arrogance tactics he will not recover period.

19 hours ago, Brigadeiro Mk II said:

To play devil's advocate and understand it from Maresca's POV. The players do seem to be showing some signs of fatigue. I think the consequences of the CWC are starting to show. That isn't Maresca's fault as the owners were adamant about participating in that tournament. Another issue I have is the manager hasn't been backed much at all. Most of our better signings were here before Maresca came, so they've had time to adapt to the league and build cohesion. There is no reason the board couldn't have brought in more experience, which would have been something. The club should be building around Palmer, but does it even look like they are doing this with quality recruitment? Arsenal add Eze and Gyokeres to help Saka. Liverpool add Isak and Wirtz to help Salah.

I'd honestly like to have a similar profile to Doku at Chelsea. A player who can take on players and is a fantastic dribbler. Palmer needs more than just Pedro. The level of talent Arsenal and Liverpool have added is well above what we have added. That's not even getting onto the defence. Arsenal added two new centre backs in summer, while we are still relying on Badashile, Tosin and Chalobah. I just don't think they are quality to compete for the league or CL.

Edited September 28, 2025Sep 28 by Sunspear_88

3 minutes ago, Sunspear_88 said:

To play devil's advocate and understand it from Maresca's POV. The players do seem to be showing some signs of fatigue. I think the consequences of the CWC are starting to show. That isn't Maresca's fault as the owners were adamant about participating in that tournament. Another issue I have is the manager hasn't been backed much at all. Most of our better signings were here before Maresca came, so they've had time to adapt to the league and build cohesion. There is no reason the board couldn't have brought in more experience, which would have been something. The club should be building around Palmer, but does it even look like they are doing this with quality recruitment? Arsenal add Eze and Gyokeres to help Saka. Liverpool add Isak and Wirtz to help Salah.

I'd honestly like to have a similar profile to Doku at Chelsea. A player who can take on players and is a fantastic dribbler. Palmer needs more than just Pedro. The level of talent Arsenal and Liverpool have added is well above what we have added. That's not even getting onto the defence. Arsenal added two new centre backs in summer, while we are still relying on Badashile, Tosin and Chalobah. I just don't think they are quality to compete for the league or CL.

All true.

At the same time, we are seeing Maresca’s true ability as a manager when facing adversity. No top manager coaches this way, especially one we expect to challenge for major honors.

49 minutes ago, KonaKai Blue said:

Whilst the red card in the 4th minute is not the managers fault, its the urgency or lack of in the players. Lack of discipline and organisation. I put that down to the manager. Players make stupid mistakes but his structure and style of play leaves us open to danger and such bad consequences.

If you look that way at football, you can find a managerial error in every goalscoring opportunity. This if you want to discredit the manager. If you want to discredit the players, you do it the other way.

For Sanchez's stupid understanding of that play I was not talking about how Mbeumo ended having that chance. It was Sanchez's decision I was discussing. Manager's error, defenders' position, it does not even matter if Sanchez chooses to make that play against all the basic rules.

Same for Andrey Santos. You can't disconnect for a second in a PL match and stay on your toes like no one is around, no matter how pacey or dull the match is. This things are not on the managers anymore, be it Maresca or anybody else.

I thought we would win yesterday you can't legislate for red cards.

I read somewhere else before this match that we have not had the same defensive line up in any match, it has changed every time.

Is JT kicking about the place? I'd give him the season. Our form isnt as bad as Villa's or Forrest's so I think we'll be safe from relegation this season. But I guess we'd defend and get the ball forward quickly under the leader legend.

I'd give Maresca the season if i knew we would be entertained, he'd change it up, but he's struggling to change anything and players are starting to look dissintereted and should be performing better.

Writing on the wall since he changed things last November/ December and threw in the title challenge.

Maresca is not the coach that we need to take this team/squad to the next level. And yeah these young players are ready for the next level - Palmer, Caicedo, Little Enzo, Neto, Jaoa Pedro, etc - the players are ready. Enzo is not equipped for the next level nor does he have any innovative coaching style to make an impact. He is not going to take us there. But who is?

Lets start making the list of his potential replacements.

6 hours ago, TheCeleryKing said:

Maresca is not the coach that we need to take this team/squad to the next level. And yeah these young players are ready for the next level - Palmer, Caicedo, Little Enzo, Neto, Jaoa Pedro, etc - the players are ready. Enzo is not equipped for the next level nor does he have any innovative coaching style to make an impact. He is not going to take us there. But who is?

Lets start making the list of his potential replacements.

Iraola would be the obvious choice based on managers that might be available. I suspect Man United have one eye on him too.

Chelsea have full confidence in Enzo Maresca and their head coach is not under any extra pressure despite a relatively disappointing start to the season.

10 hours ago, Sunspear_88 said:

Problem with that is, then comes the pressure of managing at a big club who are aiming at winning big trophies. Once that pressure kicks in these managers crumble. We've seen it countless times before. Glasner is the new shiny manager, but he doesn't have experience of coaching at the elite level and challenging for big trophies. The FA Cup win was great, but compare that to the pressure of winning the PL and CL, it's a different thing entirely. Not saying he wouldn't do well outside of Palace, at a bigger club, but I'm not sure I want to risk another managerial appointment on someone who hasn't achieved much more than Maresca has. We all know that once a few bad results happen, fans and media come for the manager's head once again.

Biggest problem with Glasner is that Palace had less than 30% possession against Liverpool, and even against sides like West Ham, they don’t control games. It’s different gravy when you come into a team that has to find a way to operate in the opposite way. We’ve made our bed with how the club are trying to play, no way they’re going to flip the script now. Then you’ve just got the question of ‘well, if he’s this good, he can probably adapt’ but then that’s a massive gamble. Of which, we’ve seen time and time again in football.

This is already turning into a sh*t season.

Players injured, we're playing sh*t football and knowing that Maresca will stay in his role, regardless of how bad things get. Almost looking forward to the next international break.................

Matt Law:

“Understand Enzo Maresca retains the full faith of the Chelsea board and sporting directors. No sense of panic over mini-slump particularly after the much bigger slump Maresca and his team recovered from last season. Injuries and red cards seen as biggest factor in recent results. Chelsea's aim remains to finish inside top four and have a run in the cups. #cfc”

Top four and a cup run? So this is how it felt to be an Arsenal fan for 20 years.

15 minutes ago, JM7 said:

Matt Law:

“Understand Enzo Maresca retains the full faith of the Chelsea board and sporting directors. No sense of panic over mini-slump particularly after the much bigger slump Maresca and his team recovered from last season. Injuries and red cards seen as biggest factor in recent results. Chelsea's aim remains to finish inside top four and have a run in the cups. #cfc”

Injuries don’t just test depth, they expose whether a manager can adapt or collapse under pressure which he seems to be doing

Won't be long now then.

My biggest concern or disappointment relating to Maresca in the last couple of games has been due to a lack of plan after going down to 10 men or alternatively how ineffective the plan actually was. We've got a young team and we've witnessed ill discipline over the last couple of seasons and not having a sound plan after going down to 10 men is completely on the Management.

The weekend reminded me of Ole at United where when they were chasing a game in the 2nd half he just threw attacking players on the pitch to break down a low block and United kept getting hammered due to a lack of structure, Maresca in the last 2 games has just been throwing on defensive minded players and opposition have identified our lack of threat and just pinned us in our own half. This was clearly obvious when Gusto had a clear run towards Brightons goal with fresh legs and he decided to pull the ball back and play it sideways, that is clearly instructions from the manager.

Players are caught in two minds a lot of the time and seem to be playing within themselves, apart from Palmer I only see Estevao looking to try and make things happen. Defensively we appear vulnerable and going forward we appear indecisive, Maresca needs to sort it out.

One thing in his favour is when we get to a final we seem to win under Maresca, we have had a number of managers that can get us to a final and then we lose.

Of course things need to improve yet I would rather wait to see if we can get some defenders back before we push the eject button.

How long can we leave it?

Maresca isn’t good enough. I’d suggest a majority of us knew this from his time at Leicester before he was even appointed

The CWC final performance has been the exception not the norm. Yes it was fantastic but we haven’t built on that and made that our mould, instead we’ve reverted to type and play scared football.

By the end of last season everyone was bored of our football. The ECL was expected, it’d have been more of an embarrassment if we hadn’t won it.

The longer we stick with EM the more likely a Palmer or a Estevao asks to leave and that is the only entertainment we currently have.

Our biggest issue with sacking Enzo will be his replacement. Why would a Iraolo, a Glasner or even a Herzeler leave their current position to take over us?

We have a disjointed squad that’s strengths lie in attacking areas and a solid midfield with a defence that needs an overhaul. We drop Maresca, we immediately need a new LB for example.

De Zerbi? Should’ve probably been him anyway last season but quite clearly not a yes man. Bielsa? Again he’d get a tune and discipline out the squad but not long term. Rosenior? Can BlueCo really keep pissing RSC off that much?!