27 Sep 2025 17:28:40
I didn't want to jump on any bandwagons, positive or negative, too early into the season. But, we're on the back of a few very disappointing results and / or performances, which, taken as individual results, could be forgiven. However, as a series of results, I find myself questioning how much credit Maresca has left in the bank, as far as the club are concerned. These questions aren't just results based either, the Man United in game management set several alarm bells off, it was a panicked reactionary coaching performance. Some elements of which we've just seen repeated in a loss to Brighton.

This club are no longer building towards something, we're not talking about being ready in a year or two, we should be challenging in the here and now. A negative collection of results is no longer part of a process. You can point at the CWC, the lack of a proper pre-season, the players being tired or injuries to Colwill and Delap as factors, but, the fact is, the owners have built a squad they expect to compete, and compete now. Another poor couple of results, against Benfica and Liverpool, and it could well be curtains for Maresca.

1.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 18:08:02
J, I always enjoy reading your posts. While I may not agree with all of your opinions, I find them all well reasoned.

I think the owners will give the manager until the end of the season regardless of short or medium term results.

The young team or building process debate is interesting but for me redundant. The club has made the choice to go down the young player route and the squad had and has enough quality to challenge for top honours.

2.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 19:04:22
i just understand how you believe the squad is good enough to compete for top honours. there's huge holes in the squad, quantity does not mean quality.

3.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 19:07:35
Transfer strategy is brilliant if you want to make money and balance books. But awful if you want to win trophies.

Not signing a goalkeeper and a replacement for Colwill is laughable. For all the good work done on outgoings, these 2 failures could cost our season and put us a year behind again.

Maresca said very early in the summer we needed some experience and again, the club failed to back him because they've created this new model which from a sporting aspect is a joke.

Fans don't give a toss about making £500m, we want to challenge, make finals, win trophies.

Tweak the model or we'll become a posh Brighton.

4.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 19:36:42
Its Vision 2030 . a clue has always been in the name in terms of building young squad plus quality and quality cover in every position sufficient ie sufficient depth and experience to win the EPL. But I had personally hoped it could be 2027 or 2028 and perhaps ot still can be.

Alas said in my frustrated and tad angry after the United debacle Maresca eventually got my support last season cos of last third or so of the season plus CWC win. But the number of wins he has clocked up against major sides is small. Anyway he will be with us to end of season.

Bemfica a huge game on Tuesday forhim and us and I'll be there with som trepidation but believe we should win it given who they lost to in first round game plus we beat them in CWC of course.

5.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 19:39:22
We did win two trophies last season.

I would rather more leaders and that trait doesn’t always rely on age.

I honestly believe we have a very strong squad particularly when all are fit.

I think we have one of the strongest midfield “squads” in Europe.

6.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 20:34:16
Touble is Tom, they are never fit for long.

7.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 20:46:25
Bill, Fofana with a concussion and Chalaboa with a suspension is hardly the SD’s fault.

I would like to think that the Tosin injury is minor and I assume Chalaboa can play against Benfica and his suspension is only one game. BB got some mins and as I’ve not read a single negative word about Hato I assume he did ok today. I’m also happy that Josh gets more and more mins as I personally think he is a top talent and will prove himself to be better than Colwill.

8.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 21:41:59
Tom

What did Maresca say last week, let them score but keep 11 players on the pitch.

Would you say Chabs is not listening to the coach?

9.) 27 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 22:21:31
Bill, mistakes win and lose games. I’ve not read anything about it being an awful decision, so I assume it was a justifiable red card.

I’m very rarely going to blame the manager for player mistakes. I’m last week and this week both players would have been given a b@llocking!

10.) 28 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025 23:56:12
I’m talking purely from the clubs perspective and how they view this group of players. I certainly think we need a top goalkeeper to mount a serious challenge, especially in the EPL.

The club found itself in a difficult position with Colwill’s injury. I said that at the time, but, the CB’s we have left aren’t at the right level. I genuinely believe in Hato and Acheampong, but they’re not there yet, not consistently against top opposition. Now, I’ve always been a fan of this lad but, taking today’s red out of the equation, Chalobah has cost us goals and subsequently points this season. He’s been stepping into midfield, trying to win possession, like David Luiz reborn, and consistently getting there too late. That’s ultimately left an attacker one on one with Tosin, and Tosin just Isn’t that guy. Long story short, Maresca was right we needed another CB. But the club don’t want to hear that, certainly it from him at every opportunity he gets. There’s signs of fractures in the relationship, Matt Law alluded to it in his recent London is Blue podcast.

If this form continues, I don’t think they’ll be patient with Maresca. I think they’ll be happy to find someone else for this project, and I think that might be sooner, rather than later.

11.) 28 Sep 2025
28 Sep 2025 09:41:49
J, the results of games dictates the majority of things at a club.

If we lose lots of games then the owners will probably sack the manager. I personally don’t think we will lose lots of games.

12.) 28 Sep 2025
28 Sep 2025 12:52:55
imo the new owners are the problem here. No club has ever become a heavyweight by buying and using only young players. Wenger tried it and he failed. Boely and Co want to leverage on everything roman had built at Chelsea I have been saying it that having to groom younger players is not bad but there's need to balance it with experienced and proven players to make it even better.

What we're seeing now is just a tip of what is coming. I only pity maresca because he's going to be the fall guy eventually. I expected us to sign osihmen and a few others to look to compete.

But because he's not 19 anymore they fabricated excuses about how expensive his demands were. I still don't understand why we released tiago silva to leave? Until we revisit that kiddies policy, we will remain also ran for trophies.

13.) 28 Sep 2025
28 Sep 2025 14:01:55
The owners are responsible for there business plan. I’ve personally never seen site of it. So, I haven’t got a clue what they deem to success but they appear to winners as business men. I hope that winning (whatever ever that means to them) mentality continues for years to come.

Just one small point. I do not feel sorry for EM, he understood what he was getting into, is well rewarded and manages a top club.