3 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

I think we should keep him at RB for a bit until he gets a bit more experienced. CB is a thankless task as one mistake can kill you.

Agreed. Generally how it works when easing in young defenders who can play multiple roles, we did similar with Gilchrist.

In Josh case though I actually think he has more potential at RB with how good his passing and dribbling is, seems a bit wasted at CB.

35 minutes ago, Shweaves said:

A shame but Josh didn't do himself any favours last night. Similar to being a keeper, you make one mistake and it can be the deciding factor in the whole game. He went on a fantastic run and was generally safe last night, but had a brain fart and didn't clear the ball when he should have.

He's young, this is an important lesson. Hopefully he takes it on and improves off the back of it.

I will be really disappointed if Josh isn't selected for the next few games. We have to stick with him and let him flourish. He was only part responsible for that goal last night after Trev had already messed up, Caicedo switched off (perhaps well aware he had already given away 1 penalty) and then Sanchez rushed out to add to the chaos. IF Josh had played more up to now, maybe he would have dealt with it better. Overall. I still think he had a good game and no way should he be dropped or rested after last night.

Edited February 11Feb 11 by Nibs

Just now, Nibs said:

I will be really disappointed if Josh isn't selected for the next few games. We have to stick with him and let him flourish. He was only part responsible for that goal last night after Trev had already messed up, Caicedo switched off (perhaps well aware he had already given away 1 penalty) and then Sanchez rushed out to add to the chaos. IF Josh had plated more, maybe he would have dealt with it better. Overall. I still think he had a good game and no way should he be dropped or rested after last night.

Looked to me like Sanchez was calling the ball as his but the others were panicking instead of listening.

4 hours ago, Nibs said:

I will be really disappointed if Josh isn't selected for the next few games. We have to stick with him and let him flourish. He was only part responsible for that goal last night after Trev had already messed up, Caicedo switched off (perhaps well aware he had already given away 1 penalty) and then Sanchez rushed out to add to the chaos. IF Josh had played more up to now, maybe he would have dealt with it better. Overall. I still think he had a good game and no way should he be dropped or rested after last night.

I really like Josh, but think ultimately he had the best chance to clear the ball and failed to do so - tried to be a bit too cute and I'm sure he'll learn for next time. He could have booted it either way, but tried to shield the Leeds player aside which ended up ballsing it up and stopping Sanchez claiming it.

Stick with him at CB.

18 minutes ago, 19seventyone said:

Stick with him at CB.

No. We need an Ivanovic regen.

5 hours ago, Nibs said:

I will be really disappointed if Josh isn't selected for the next few games. We have to stick with him and let him flourish. He was only part responsible for that goal last night after Trev had already messed up, Caicedo switched off (perhaps well aware he had already given away 1 penalty) and then Sanchez rushed out to add to the chaos. IF Josh had played more up to now, maybe he would have dealt with it better. Overall. I still think he had a good game and no way should he be dropped or rested after last night.

Me as well, especially as the next game is Hull. Would be a big miss for his development if he is dropped for that one.

10 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

No. We need an Ivanovic regen.

Let him play RB vs Hull and Burnley. We may as well bin this club if we cannot deal with those two without Reece.

'

'xJosh is an amazing talent," Rosenior said in Monday's press conference when asked if Acheampong is a centre-back or a right-back.

"In the time I've been here, I've got to meet him and his parents, and you can see why he's such a great lad because he’s been brought up the right way.

"Josh has immense potential, and what I like to do with all of my defenders - especially at their age - is put them in different positions because it improves them, improves their understanding of the game and improves their positioning."'

After LR's comments above, very disappointing that young Josh hasn't been given decent playing time. I know he is still only 19, but he should be getting more minutes.

Makes you wonder who the club are looking to go into next season with? Will Josh go out on loan or will we look to cash in? I hope not, he would be one of the last players I would be looking to sell, but who knows with these owners?

10 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Makes you wonder who the club are looking to go into next season with? Will Josh go out on loan or will we look to cash in? I hope not, he would be one of the last players I would be looking to sell, but who knows with these owners?

Pure. Profit.

No more needs to be said on the subject.

Defence wise, I was hoping next season we will keep:

Reece, Trev, Josh, Colwill, Sarr, Fofana, Cucurella and Hato but can see at least one of those being sold.

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

After LR's comments above, very disappointing that young Josh hasn't been given decent playing time. I know he is still only 19, but he should be getting more minutes.

Makes you wonder who the club are looking to go into next season with? Will Josh go out on loan or will we look to cash in? I hope not, he would be one of the last players I would be looking to sell, but who knows with these owners?

Needs to demand a transfer. We have too many CBs as things stand, we actually put 4 defenders on the bench.

3 minutes ago, markpitts said:

Needs to demand a transfer. We have too many CBs as things stand, we actually put 4 defenders on the bench.

With Josh he does have the benefit of being able to play right back. Would start him over Gusto every time when James is being rested. And that's another reason he is worth keeping.

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

With Josh he does have the benefit of being able to play right back. Would start him over Gusto every time when James is being rested. And that's another reason he is worth keeping.

That won’t happen while Gusto is at the club. He is 3rd choice RB, and 4th RCB. He has effectively lost 2yrs of development being patient, next season is a make or break one.

100% being forced out of the club because he’s one of the only profitable assets they have left due to their sh*te recruitment.

#JusticeForJosh.

He's been poor every time I've seen him anyway. Overrated by fans.

18 hours ago, Zeta said:

He's been poor every time I've seen him anyway. Overrated by fans.

"Josh is an amazing talent," Rosenior said in Monday's press conference when asked if Acheampong is a centre-back or a right-back.

"In the time I've been here, I've got to meet him and his parents, and you can see why he's such a great lad because he’s been brought up the right way.

"Josh has immense potential, and what I like to do with all of my defenders - especially at their age - is put them in different positions because it improves them, improves their understanding of the game and improves their positioning."'

7 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

"Josh has immense potential, and what I like to do with all of my defenders - especially at their age - is put them in different positions because it improves them, improves their understanding of the game and improves their positioning."'

Some of the most backwards and ridiculous things I've ever read.

Yeah let me take 19 year olds at the most critical part of their development and confuse the f**k out of them by shoe horning them into different positions.

58 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Some of the most backwards and ridiculous things I've ever read.

Yeah let me take 19 year olds at the most critical part of their development and confuse the f**k out of them by shoe horning them into different positions.

TBF, he can play RB and CB. Its not like he's stuck him on the wing.

14 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Some of the most backwards and ridiculous things I've ever read.

Yeah let me take 19 year olds at the most critical part of their development and confuse the f**k out of them by shoe horning them into different positions.

Tbf this wasn't really that controversial even a few years ago when it became illegal to not have specialist RCBs and LCBs.

But I don't think it improves your positioning, because positioning as a RB is totally different to playing in the centre or on the left for really obvious reasons

On 19/03/2026 at 05:42, SydneyChelsea said:

Tbf this wasn't really that controversial even a few years ago when it became illegal to not have specialist RCBs and LCBs.

But I don't think it improves your positioning, because positioning as a RB is totally different to playing in the centre or on the left for really obvious reasons

Helps your understanding of the game and your team mates though. When I was playing academy football I got pushed from LB into CB and my understanding of the game changed ten fold. I never appreciated a CB’s positioning to cover the full back when they bombed on and the run they had to cover until I played the role. Josh playing RB and CB is good for his development and he’s got the attributes to play both to a high level. RB makes sense at this stage as any mistakes can be mopped up by the CB, unlike when we saw him make a mistake at CB.

I don’t really get Sconnie’s outrage when the greatest RB in the world spent his developmental years in the championship playing at CM. There’s a lot wrong at this club, but this is a weird one to get upset about as it’s fairly normal practice and beneficial.

Don't care whether he plays at RB or CB, but just want to see the lad PLAY.

No way should he be behind Tosin and Badiashille in the pecking order.

To use a ‘Depth Chart’ for the squad, Josh, when everyone’s fit, should be the first refusal at both CB & RB

RB - James, Josh, Gusto

CB - Colwill, Trev, Josh, Sarr, Hato, Fofana

LB - Cucu, Hato

The ONLY reason not to play him for the rest of the season is ‘damage limitation’ against injury that could affect his transfer fee.

He needs to improve his decision making, where and whe to run with the ball and at what point to release after the run. Touch and mid and long passing needs to improve.

All of this can only come from competitive game time. Play him, test him and then, if he is found wanting, move him on and try the next one. Same goes for Sarr and Hato. Acheampong, Sarr, Colwill, Hato looks both potentially awesome and very fragile. Time for the boys to get a chance to man up in this league now.

This is what the loan system was supposed to be for though.

Let these young players gain experience and learn on the job in another clubs first team. Let them make their mistakes elsewhere and bring them back when ready.

We have players out on loan doing that but because of the make up of our squad we also have them doing it in our first team too.

It’s like our entire team, coaches too are all learning on the job.