Badger

Doubt the decision makers in their ivory towers are even aware of dissent among the peasants.

Wasn’t that also the year they had the sponsorship issue where the sponsors - with or without the squirrel logo - were sponsors some dubious Chinese sports company ? One that several questioned if they actually existed. Shirts briefly available then replaced with the new sponsors Major fuck up all round.

Any idea if we have a sell on clause ?

Think we need a few photos of BBD’s mum before making that judgement. That aside, agree with you

I read somewhere that he liked playing on the left. I wasn’t convinced on anything I saw that it suited him but that was according to the article how he saw his best position. Seems a bit like Armstrong seeing himself as (any Geordie might) a No 9 in the middle. Despite not having the build or height for it. Always seemed that AA or BBD saying “ bagsy play No9/ on the left “, Lego let them have their way.

Archer would be preferable to the other two, but as a 3rd choice, or even 4th if you consider the possibility of Dobbin taking a more central role in an emergency. But we need the second CF, and one who is available to play not constantly injured

Bristol City at home perhaps or was it Ipswich ?

Is this serious ? As poor as Tall Paul was for us, his and Downes scoring records elsewhere suggest otherwise. Downes may have more potential in theory, but Christ on a bike, we’ve yet to see evidence of it in a meaningful fixture.

Makes a touchline ban seem pretty pointless. I’d prepare to be disappointed if that is what you’re expecting or want. As someone else says, his offence wasn’t on the pitch, pitch side or even a matchday. I’m expecting it to be more far reaching (altjougn hope it isn’t).

What is his “right position” exactly, and do we play in a style to accommodate that ? He isn’t the genius of MLT to be allowed a free rein to go and play as you want (not a dig at him, very few if any players are). I’m sometimes sceptical of the player wanting to play in their right position if it means changing a formation to suit.

We’re obviously looking at this from different angles. For me, I’d like to see a CF (in the Stewart mould) signed who is going to make a difference on the pitch. Which I suspect you do too. You’re talking of the squad size etc which is an equally valid argument. But the names you mention just reinforce the need for the CF really. Can’t see Archer, BBD and Downs offering enough. And Larin, as good as he was after January, was essentially job sharing with Stewart so tall order perhaps to expect him replicate that form and fitness over 46 games.

Even Leicester (managed by his No1 supporter) have gone for another. Even if it’s McCarthy

Wonder if he’ll be allowed to be in the stands for matches. Might that not raise a concern of him influencing things from a distance ? Await the allegations of how he has instructed the substitutions or tactics by WhatsApp or whatever and another drawn out investigation into breaching the spirit of the ban. Probably orchestrated from a journalist on Teeside.

Talk of “six games” or however many, but will this include Carabao Cup matches ?

The calibre of experienced player is clearly better than those we’ve gone for, but isn’t this a policy our club have been criticised for ? I agree with bringing in an older head, especially if they can make a difference on the pitch. But wonder why they feel they need both him and Henderson to set the standards.

As Alex Law says, need a CF (to go with Larin) irrespective of the names you mentioned

Seems a pointless transfer to me, other than the £££. Chelsea yet again stockpiling an already bloated squad.

Don’t disagree with your assessment although suspect a wish list to include another CB - unless one goes - is optimistic. Also agree it was a shame we missed out on Neil. Not so sure on the French bloke though

What gives you that confidence?

If so, have to wonder if the appeal (given the previous experience and outcome) is solely with hope or expectation of it being reduced. Or buy some time to secure or arrange a temporary stand in.

The only person with the gravitas and holier than holy credentials who can save the world game as we know it has to be Lord Gibbo surely.

Don’t disagree with that either. At the end of last season, and before Spygate, my hope had been Larin, Stewart and another, the quality and experience of the other dependent on which league we were in. That hasn’t changed we need another good CF option to go with Larin irrespective of Stewart. None of the current squad options, BBD, Archer or Downs are the answer in my book. And Dobbin doesn’t seem a CF as good as he may prove elsewhere

I can understand you not wanting him near the first team but we’d be paying his wages if injured. Far better he gets a loan out again somewhere

Exactly. One of them might come good, but I wouldn’t bank on it, and it seems pretty foolish to go into the season relying on BBD, Archer and Downs. I’d go further and add I wouldn’t want to rely on Stewart if he returns staying fit for the season either.

It’ll be swept under the carpet and forgotten. £10m is a drop in the ocean for Chelsea, the FA have just gone through the motions.