18 hours ago, Mod said:

Where is Jim anyway? Did he turn his back on us for a Bayern forum?

Still here - but been crazy busy, and preoccupied. Never felt so drained! Can’t even blame the wife or wacko….

3 hours ago, Remodez said:

Realistically neither are the ideal strikers but one thing I will say is Jackson at his worse was more involved in the game than Delap, even if he did miss multiple chances.

Yeah - more involved, getting sent off, jumping in, missing chances, being offside, being a c**t.

Massively involved….

30 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

Yeah - more involved, getting sent off, jumping in, missing chances, being offside, being a c**t.

Massively involved….

And what about Jackson?

15 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

Striker curse continues

Additionally Manager curse continues

Edited December 4, 2025Dec 4 by WhiteWall

13 hours ago, Bob stark said:

I didn't watch leeds game so I don't know.

For me, just enjoy the circus. There are games (many) where he will be absolutely useless, there are game where he can be good contribritor. Hopefully he can improve and be a more rounded CF, he is 22 afterall.

Which in this model is entering peak years as a tradeable asset. let's not forget 28 is the new 32. No resale. Having been in the academy system since 8 if he hasn't got the blueprint down already then he has to go. He has. This is the blueprint of the player he will be. He will improve a little with experience but 22 is not 18. Using Leeds as the example, as we played them last night, Delap is our own Joe Gelhardt (now plying his trade at Hull City, where Delap previously was)

Who would have thought that bringing in a striker whose best season was 12 goals for Ipswich. The season before he scored 8 goals in 31 matches for Hull City in the Championship. Yes he's still young and not experienced enough in the PL, but I think we all knew we could have used someone more experienced and quality up top. Again, this recruitment mindset of only under 23s or whatever it is, is actually damaging us. I would take Ivan Toney right now, even on half a season loan in Jan.

2 hours ago, Sunspear_88 said:

Who would have thought that bringing in a striker whose best season was 12 goals for Ipswich. The season before he scored 8 goals in 31 matches for Hull City in the Championship. Yes he's still young and not experienced enough in the PL, but I think we all knew we could have used someone more experienced and quality up top. Again, this recruitment mindset of only under 23s or whatever it is, is actually damaging us. I would take Ivan Toney right now, even on half a season loan in Jan.

Not to mention it was 10 ‘no-penalty’ goals as well btw, in 37 for Ipswich, which is pretty tame, considering what Tammy did under Lamps even.

Gone under the radar but he’s now hit ‘007’ status in the Prem this season. As annoying as Mikel was in banging the drum for Osimhen all summer, a ready-made elite like him would have been just the thing, and yet here with are with some academy Nepo-baby strolling around the pitch. His physique does nothing for him, and it’s funny because a skinny twig like Ekitike is stronger with better balance, in terms of actual function.

When Delap played a few world club cup games I was pretty impressed being new to us I thought maybe he will be a Costa type player in time

Having seen Burnley and Leeds recently I thought he looked more of a big championship type forward

I hope I’m wrong

3 hours ago, Sunspear_88 said:

Who would have thought that bringing in a striker whose best season was 12 goals for Ipswich. The season before he scored 8 goals in 31 matches for Hull City in the Championship. Yes he's still young and not experienced enough in the PL, but I think we all knew we could have used someone more experienced and quality up top. Again, this recruitment mindset of only under 23s or whatever it is, is actually damaging us. I would take Ivan Toney right now, even on half a season loan in Jan.

Toney is unlikely to return due to tax implications

56 minutes ago, charierre said:

Toney is unlikely to return due to tax implications

Ah yes very good point. I think it's two years they have to stay in Saudi for tax avoidance purposes ?

I think there is a player in there and I reckon we’ve seen glimpses. His run into the box and (albeit off target) shot last night in the first half is, I believe, more like the real Delap.

14 hours ago, The Rising Sun said:

I was thinking that Delap needed a run of games. Maybe you're right, what he really needs is a run of being a substitute, but ONLY when the opposition CBs are tired ? (in the 95th minute, if ever)

😏

This is the hard part with developing player. You need to find balance between giving player gametime vs winning games.

If you want player to develop fast, you give him a lot of gametime, he will develop fast however you will lose lots of game, fans will think that you cannot coach and the one who will get all the credit is your successor. 😂😂😂

11 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Which in this model is entering peak years as a tradeable asset. let's not forget 28 is the new 32. No resale. Having been in the academy system since 8 if he hasn't got the blueprint down already then he has to go. He has. This is the blueprint of the player he will be. He will improve a little with experience but 22 is not 18. Using Leeds as the example, as we played them last night, Delap is our own Joe Gelhardt (now plying his trade at Hull City, where Delap previously was)

It really doesn't matter if we are unlucky and Delap doesn't develop much. We will be able to easily move him for very little loss.

New striker in January looks essential now that he has dislocated his shoulder ... that's not a quick one to recover from according to the NHS web site !

26 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

New striker in January looks essential now that he has dislocated his shoulder ... that's not a quick one to recover from according to the NHS web site !

Thank goodness we brought Guiu back from loan 😎

Can chelsea Terminate Jackson's loan?

1 hour ago, Valerie said:

Thank goodness we brought Guiu back from loan 😎

Only 25 days before we recall Jackson from Bayern.

Sigh.

Out for 8 weeks.

3 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Sigh.

Out for 8 weeks.

Hopefully GUIU can take the chance.

On 06/12/2025 at 19:47, bluelightening said:

Can chelsea Terminate Jackson's loan?

Only 25 days before we recall Jackson from Bayern.

I can't wait. I hope thousands turn up at the Airport to welcome him home.

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Hopefully GUIU can take the chance.

Let's hope Maresca doesn't f**k around too much with the striker position, or with the forward line itself

On 06/12/2025 at 18:18, Sexyfootball said:

New striker in January looks essential now that he has dislocated his shoulder ... that's not a quick one to recover from according to the NHS web site !

A new striker was essential even within Delap's injury

🙏

He's had some rotten luck since joining us. Feel for him. But its not like we've relied upon him.

1 minute ago, bluelightening said:

He's had some rotten luck since joining us. Feel for him. But its not like we've relied upon him.

In truth the bad luck he has had has largely been self induced.

I am wondering if this overstated bravado is all of a bit of a smokescreen and he is trying to put himself about to cover up that on a footballing level he knows he's out of his depth.

28 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

A new striker was essential even within Delap's injury

🙏

Its either Jackson back or Costa on a free transfer!

Just our luck. We will welcome Jackson back but then he's off to play for Senegal in AFCON !!