15 Apr 2025 18:22:45
I have been critical of EM's stubborn attitude to tactics. He seems to show limited flexibility to our shape from game to game.

We effectively end up playing a 3313 formation. It could be that no matter what player we have in the squad this is just going to be our playing shape for some time. Or it could be that EM sees this as the only shape that gets the best out of our most creative and some would say best player.

I wouldn't want Palmer to be sold but I wonder if the club got an offer it couldn't refuse it might force EM into a shape change.

I personally think our squad would be better suited to a 433.

1.) 15 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025 18:35:35
Or Tom,

It could force the incompetent SD's who hired the inexperienced coach in the first place, to sack him.

2.) 15 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025 20:05:27
Bill, how have you managed to turn a post that was just meant as a question of current tactics and possible future tactics into the potential sacking of the manager?

3.) 15 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025 20:37:19
I really don't know what the solution is. We were good when palmer had Messi numbers but that was obviously not sustainable.

Even with palmer not scoring for a whole, he's showing what an incredible player he is. My favourite thing about him is how he's able to start something from nothing, recieve a pass in a pocket, take a touch, turn, and launch an attack. He is immense really.

4.) 15 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025 21:32:23
Standard, I agree Palmer is a top talent and although his performances would suggest he isn’t influencing games as he was earlier in the season, he has never stopped showing for the ball and is always looking to move the ball forward.

5.) 15 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025 21:53:57
I can't help but think we will lose him in the summer. Whether it's back to city or to psg, I don't know.

6.) 15 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025 22:50:56
Standard, maybe but in my opinion it will take a very good offer for the club to sell him.

There was a rumour of a £160m valuation earlier in the season. I have very big doubts that we have a valuation or that any club would be prepared to pay that sort of transfer fee.

7.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 08:47:01
That's good then Tom, can you please stop mentioning CP when you talk about selling players, I was merely pointing out the coach and SD's need to go long before CP.

8.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 10:32:18
Bill, I keep saying I don’t want him sold under any circumstances but if an offer comes in that’s off the charts, I think the club will sell. We have sold fans favourites before.

The point of my original post was about CP being so important to us, if he was sold would it bring about a change of shape.

I have no idea why the SD’s should be sacked but then I have no idea what they have been asked to do.

9.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 10:42:08
The bigger question is Tom, do they.

10.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 11:12:58
How on earth would I or any other poster know the answer to that question. If the owners think they have done a crap job I guess they will be sacked.

They sure has hell ain’t going to get every signing right. I forget who it was who told me that a good average for bad signings is about 20%. The problem is that if there was any maths attached to that number it should have also said that a club can just as easily have one window when every single signing doesn’t work out and then have four windows that every signing is perfect. Plus, the SD’s/ owners are never going to make every fan happy.

11.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 12:48:12
Tom

Regarding our young players I would say a lot was right. We both agreed the squad needed a rebuild.

That been said, there is no pint I'm buying hood youngsters then bloody delling them, the whole idea is building a squad to win things.

We have decent young players out in loan such as Petrovic, Santos and Veiga when we could have used them this season and I keep reading we are, willing to sell them.

12.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 13:22:48
Bill, our previous owners sold academy players and so did the owners before that and I never forgave the Mears family for agreeing to sell the greatest Chelsea player ever, Jimmy Greaves because we were skint.

Since our new owners have taken the helm it’s become obvious to me that players will be treated as commodities. I’m sure it was Ed001 that referred to them as “not being fans. ” I personally think that description could apply to a lot of club owners.

As you and others may know, I’m not a fan of PSR/ FFP, I’m not saying that selling academy players is all down to these rules but I don’t think they have helped. I should also add that we are not the only club selling academy players.

13.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 14:29:08
That's why I believe Tom, fans will lose interest, particularly in the prem.

14.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 15:33:01
Maybe Bill, there are lots of alternatives for the kids of today. I have two family members who are mad about baseball. Both have got US scholarships because of that interest.

15.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 16:37:44
Good on them Tom, I think the money men have ruined the game.

Many years ago, most could afford to go and watch a too game, that can't be said now.

16.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 17:12:43
Bill, maybe but unfortunately the waiting lists for season tickets would suggest that owners can feel confident about there match day revenue.

Also and this is just me guessing but the same season ticket waiting lists gives owners confidence to withdraw fans concessions.

17.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 18:09:08
My big confusion with the club is if it's the clubs aim to make money, they're doing a poor job of it. With there recycling of players, we are making a profit with FFP but we're making a loss.

Selling gallagher for 40m in one go, but buying Felix for 45m through amortisation, makes them money in FFP, but it loses them money through wages. I don't really get it.

18.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 18:35:37
Maybe it’s some sort of long game.

I’m still working on my multi sports franchise theory.

19.) 16 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025 18:59:01
Standard that's why ed002 used to always say forget the financials as we don't or won't understand.

20.) 17 Apr 2025
17 Apr 2025 09:51:37
Unfortunately, in the real world of PSR etc we do have to worry about finances. Our revenue stream has reduced for reasons well rehearsed. We have sold hotels, the women’s team and have probably now run out of loopholes to comply with PSR. So inevitably player sales are the next step but no one’s we as fans would want to sell.

21.) 17 Apr 2025
17 Apr 2025 11:31:27
No point in worrying about it. Apparently you can have anything under 115 breaches and get away with it and UEFA only issue fines.

More importantly Taylor is the ref on Sunday. That has the potential to be far more painful than PSR/ FFP.

22.) 17 Apr 2025
17 Apr 2025 12:34:10
Tom, you are assuming City are guilty, I have no idea nor has anyone else who hasn’t been involved in the hearing. I don’t care about City either way, I am only concerned about Chelsea.

{Ed001's Note - actually they were already found guilty on most of the counts by UEFA and on appeal to CAS. It is just under UEFA rules they managed to string out the case for long enough to have most of their cheating time barred.}

23.) 17 Apr 2025
17 Apr 2025 13:09:17
Ed, I seem to have a lot of mad theories and this is definitely another one.

I think the two parties are negotiating a deal. I think City will except a points deduction that doesn’t mean they are relegated and they will also promise not to appeal.

{Ed001's Note - I expect them just to get a fine ie pay a bribe.}

24.) 17 Apr 2025
17 Apr 2025 14:28:30
Ed001, if the PL are satisfied that City are guilty they shouldn’t settle the case. As to fines ( bribes) remember Chelsea settled historic FFP breaches with UEFA by a fine and are similarly trying to come to a deal regarding the sale of the women’s team and still have a historic FPP case with the PL which we are trying to settle:”People in glass houses……. ”.

{Ed001's Note - UEFA is corrupt.}

25.) 17 Apr 2025
17 Apr 2025 17:43:34
Ed001, absolutely as is FiFA and most international institutions which are run as fiefdoms for their own corrupt practices and greed.

{Ed001's Note - very much so.}