February Football: The (Not A) Ho Chi Minh Special

[Gray Fox]

Alright, now the dust has settled, some thoughts:

The defeat was kinda expected but we went for it in the first half-hour. We had the same mentality at the Liverpool game so maybe that's Eddie's plan. Like, we create chances now but nobody can stick them away. We need more quality and some depth to this side. European football should help entice those kinds of players. Hell, the busier schedule demands a bigger squad.

Karius did well enough. I can't really hold him at fault for either of the goals although Botman's own goal is painful to watch in slow motion. You see Karius react and it's just too late to get a solid hand on it. Shaw's delivery for Casemiro's goal was beaut. They carried a danger on the break we just simply can't match up to and you know someone like Rashford will put them away right now.

If this final was a few months back, I'd have expected a tighter game but United have really, really got their act together. It's a three horse race and the red side of Manchester seems to have the momentum. Unfortunately, we play City next.

I think your midfield just needs that bit of creativity. The wide guys are fine, but could always be worked on and Isak should be good enough for the level you need once he settles in. Problem was as soon as they scored that second, they just sat back and asked what you've got. Always tough to break a team down who is doing that, never mind one with Casemiro and Varane in it.

[Shindig]

Sure and we really have missed Guimaeres. I still want to see more of Gordon but I don't see him as the answer.

[randomlegend]

I don't know if he's usually better nowadays, but Saint-Maximin today still looks like he is an incredible dribbler with very little end-product.

[Shindig]

Pretty much. He'll struggle to get you five goals or assists a season. Same goes for Almiron, despite his daft purple patch.

[Waffdon]

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The defender passing to his former teammate forgetting they’re on different teams is the funniest thing you’ll see all weekend. You can see the striker call for the pass as well

[Ben]

That is unbelievable.

[Shindig]

That's genuine craft.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

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[John Arne]

Jurgen Klinsmann is the new head coach of South Korea.

[Lofty]

BBC Gossip claiming Chelsea might bring back Tammy Abraham

[John Arne]

Chelsea on FM24 is going to be fun if you like selling 20 players to trim your squad.

[Ben]

Plus they've got Lukaku coming back.

Daily Star this morning claiming that if they don't qualify for Europe then they'll struggle to hold onto Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher and Mount. TURMOIL.

[Shindig]

I've only just realised Ross Barkley plays in France now.

[niko_cee]

Nice puff piece about Brighton by the beeb today. Ignominious cup exit on a wet/windy night in Stoke inbound no doubt.

[niko_cee]

Plus they've got Lukaku coming back.

Daily Star this morning claiming that if they don't qualify for Europe then they'll struggle to hold onto Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher and Mount. TURMOIL.

Loftus-Cheek and Gallagher have no real place in a 'top' team.

Other media gems include:

Chelsea manager Graham Potter fears his training sessions are being ruined because of the huge squad. (Mail)

Potter is facing two make-or-break games to save his job despite receiving backing from the Chelsea owners. (Telegraph - subscription)

At this point he should probably be going full on old school champ manager and running two entirely different teams, although maybe they don't have the midweek heavy fixture schedule to make that workable.

[Waffdon]

You can add Thiago Silva to the injury table. Out for 6 weeks or so. I think every outfield player has now been injured for at least a few weeks at some point who started the season other than Havertz. I

[Spikey M]

The Tax Man has been paid. You will need a new plan for the March Football Fred, Ian. This must be what it was like in the olden days when a story came in late. You have 8 hours to find a new scoop.

[Ian]

Fuck's sake. Weeks of research. WASTED.

[niko_cee]

Is that Gross at left back again? Hope Stoke haven't got anyone who can run on their right flank.

[-james-]

Facundo Buonanotte starting. £60m bids by June etc.

[Manc]

Mourinho picking up his third red card of the season. Has to be a record.

[Spikey M]

Shame he wasn't in goal, I'm out of answers in the Trivia thread.

[Manc]

Pure filth from Palhinha.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was some finish.

[Manc]

Is the itv coverage being filmed from the moon?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just spotted that Utrecht (7th in the Eredivisie right now) are getting spanked by Spakenburg, an amateur team, 4-1 at home.

[niko_cee]

Spankenburg!

[randomlegend]

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Chelolsea.

[niko_cee]

There was only 1 contender for their February goal of the month. Also saw them linked with De Zerbi today.

[Baz]

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Chelolsea.

That is madness

[Waffdon]

Liverpool/Wolves for about the 6th time this calendar year alone I see is on the cards tonight. How lovely.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're doing the yank-style tank season in a system where there is no advantage in doing so. Apart from no Europe I guess.

[wullie]

Boehly's playing the long game, he knows they'll get a favourable pick in the next draft.

[John Arne]

Wembanyama as the new Chelsea number 9

[Gray Fox]

Liverpool/Wolves for about the 6th time this calendar year alone I see is on the cards tonight. How lovely.

I must have seen about 50 clickbait articles about "Why it is ILLEGAL to show the game live on British TV!"

Thankfully it's a whole 6 months at least after this before facing this lot again.

[randomlegend]

Lukaku scored more goals than Chelsea in February...with 2.

[Spikey M]