Even at half time I thought "this is still less embarrassing than losing to Man Utd".

Take your pick.

Hardly spoilt for choice but I'll give it to Fofana for showing some quality.

1 hour ago, Andy North said:

Hardly spoilt for choice but I'll give it to Fofana for showing some quality.

Did he? I genuinely didn't think we had any structure, composure, or organisation until Cucurella came on.

This game for me illustrates what many of us have been saying. Forget the patterns, the possession, the natty triangles on the edge of our box. The first responsibility every defender must have is to be able to do the basics of defending. Hato and Gusto physically not capable of preventing crosses coming in. Chalobah (this time) and Fofana (regularly) just cannot head the ball. There is no ownership or authority in taking command against an aerial threat. Fofana literally ducks his head away from headers. He's on a sticky wicket with me from the Man Utd game anyway. Sanchez, rightly, incurred everyone's wrath, but Fofana's bottling out of challenging for what resulted in the second goal was reprehensible.

And Eddie the Eagle in goal. Jesus Christ. Regardless of the ban, we're now sh*tting ourselves that Sanchez doesn't get injured for any length of time. Go figure that one.

I am going for Cucu, simply for introducing a small amount of defensive stability.

32 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

Did he? I genuinely didn't think we had any structure, composure, or organisation until Cucurella came on.

This game for me illustrates what many of us have been saying. Forget the patterns, the possession, the natty triangles on the edge of our box. The first responsibility every defender must have is to be able to do the basics of defending. Hato and Gusto physically not capable of preventing crosses coming in. Chalobah (this time) and Fofana (regularly) just cannot head the ball. There is no ownership or authority in taking command against an aerial threat. Fofana literally ducks his head away from headers. He's on a sticky wicket with me from the Man Utd game anyway. Sanchez, rightly, incurred everyone's wrath, but Fofana's bottling out of challenging for what resulted in the second goal was reprehensible.

And Eddie the Eagle in goal. Jesus Christ. Regardless of the ban, we're now sh*tting ourselves that Sanchez doesn't get injured for any length of time. Go figure that one.

I am going for Cucu, simply for introducing a small amount of defensive stability.

It's hard to argue with you.

Cucu may not have been on the pitch long enough but yes, his presence alone seemed to improve the defence.

Overall the last two performances have been indefensible. We lack character and crumble so easily. Two traits that only a very top coach will be able to eradicate.

I gave it to Fofana purely for lasting the full 90 minutes !