switters

How many times has the ref going to let Chelsea players go? that was yellow minimum for Fabregas. Ramires should've been booked about 3 times

Good first half hour. Grealish and Gana best players on pitch. Harsh to criticise Gestede for putting that one over as he did well to get a shot away And then we do that. Utterly **** ridiculous Guzan.

Good to see Gil, Grealish, Ayew all starting - my worry is how much of the ball they will see. They are going to have to be dropping deep and helping defensively a fair bit.

This was a game where we absolutely had to get a result, with the fixtures coming up. Decision to try an entirely new formation with a player making his debut in the league in this one is indefensibly bad management. It didn't work at all in the first half and the attempts to fix it in the second were too late and just served to mess it up in a different way. Made some promising-sounding signings in the summer but we've played 10 games now and we don't look remotely like we know what our best team is, seems like he is just flailing around trying a different tactic each match and hoping one sticks.

Dire result. Looking very much like a team that is going to be relegated. Stoke were poor and we lost to them at home, without scoring a goal and barely managing a shot. I'd say it can't get worse but that is not true because we manage to find new lows each season.

**** off Diouf. diving timewasting word removed. Ref is buying it 'cause he's been inept all game.

Would be the scummiest player on the pitch who scores too. Utterly awful defending. And Richards that is an awful miss.

Not good, but at least still level. Would expect to see Crespo off for Grealish as the formation hasn't really helped either defensively or attacking. Ayew for Sinclair and Gil for one of the central 3 would be options too, though maybe not straight away. Guzan, Richards and Veretout all had decent half. Most of the others, not so much. Really need a result here, however we can.

lineup looks like a punt - a bunch of defensive players and then hope one of Gestede/Sinclair can continue knack of scoring. Chance for Veretout to impress I suppose. He's going to have the be the creative one with no Gil/Grealish.

Overall I think we've added pace, strength and creativity to the team & squad. Cleared a large chunk of deadwood & the squad has a younger, fresher look with potential for using several different tactical approaches depending on personnel. Previously the squad just didn't really have the options for much variation. There's things I still wonder about - source of goals, leadership in midfield/attacking positions, distribution from goalkeeper - but it's early days. Some signings look instant hits, others are more in the wait-and-see, but it's always going to be like that at the price tag we are shopping at - if you sign 12 cheap-mid price players, you're almost guaranteed a couple will be duds. Overall the changes this summer leave me hopeful that we can develop something good over next few years

Time for him to repay us for all those goals he scored against us!

If I've not missed anyone and got the ages right, I think the 25 man squad will look like this: 1. Guzan 2. Bunn 3. Clark 4. Richards 5. Lescott 6. Gana 7. Sanchez 8. Westwood 9. Veretout 10. Agbonlahor 11. Sinclair 12. Gil 13. Ayew 14. Gestede 15. Bacuna 16. Hutton 17. Crespo 18. Okore 19. Ilori 20. Richardson 21. Cole 22. Kozak 23. Gardner 24. Steer 25. N'Zogbia - Senderos U21: Amavi, Grealish, Traore, etc. Could be either Senderos or N'Zogbia to miss out and presumably would have been both if a striker was bought (unless Kozak was going to be shifted to make way). Wouldn't be surprised if Senderos is paid off given the Ilori & Lescott arrivals - he can't be on too bad a wage and only signed for 2 years.

Yeah, not too inspiring but he played alright there in the latter months of last season and if we couldn't shift him, then why not keep as backup. plus Lewis Kinsella has been around first team squad since Sherwood came in and may get a chance. also I think any of Crespo, Hutton, Lescott would be options there in an emergency so overall we're pretty well covered for this position.

we've officially signed a whole new XI now: Bunn Crespo-Richards-Lescott-Amavi Traore-Gueye-Veretout-Sinclair Ayew-Gestede not sure we've ever done that within one summer before?

Gayle is a pest and a poacher. Don't think he is good enough to be regular starter but might be useful option in immediate term as Gestede/Ayew settle. Seems a little strange if the three strikers we are looking at are Gayle, Berbatov & Adebayor as you'd struggle to pick three more different strikers in terms of attributes/style of play.

Correct, no rush to sign him I may be wrong, but I believe that now with the 25 man squad it is effectively the same situation for free agents. If we wait till after deadline for naming 25 man squad (which is usually a day or two after window closes) he wouldn't be able to be added to the list of 25 and couldn't play in league til Jan.

Looks kinda barmy - top-heavy Christmas tree? Bunn Hutton-Sanchez-Baker-Richardson Veretout Gil-Grealish Traore-Ayew-Sinclair I guess the idea is that enough attacking players means most of the match will be played in opposition half & we don't need to worry too much about defending. Should be entertaining, but I can't help but wonder if the front 5 won't be getting in each other's way a bit

Bunn Hutton-Richards-Clark-Amavi Veretout-Westwood Traore-Cole-Sinclair Ayew worth keeping bit of stability (e.g. most of the same defence) as they are still new to each other. But also a good chance to give people like Veretout & Ayew gametime and try out some different attacking options. Kozak should at least be on bench too, if he's to have any chance of featuring this season.

Shows that if you cross from dangerous positions the cross itself doesn't have to be anything special to cause problems. Too often in first half we crossed from deep without trying to get past the fullback & those ones have to be absolutely perfect for strikers to get anything out of it - usually just caught by keeper or cleared with an easy defensive header.

His passing & vision suggest he's capable of being as good as someone like David Silva in a few years. Very impressive indeed first half, faded after break and probably should've been subbed to help turn the tide (although others were in front of him in the queue for that!)

Yep, looks ideal impact sub - a lot of people saying he should be starting now, but I'm not so sure. There's no doubt after seeing him today that he can scare any defence in the league - defenders in Premier League are really not used to someone running at them quite so fast & direct. But it might be a case of using him sparingly for maximum effect.

Awful 2nd half bar Traore's 5 mins of impact. Sherwood takes a lot of blame there - Pardew made proactive subs, we just waited and waited and gifted them momentum. How Gabby & Gestede were still on pitch at end is crazy when Ayew & Sinclair on bench. don't know that Gabby touched ball 2nd half - complete passenger.

jaysus we need a change so bad. What is Sherwood doing, wait until they (legitimately) score?

I think we are crossing from too deep positions which is part of reason Gestede has struggled in air - CBs will always be favourite when it comes in like that.

Sinclair for Gabby definitely. He's a better finisher and has the pace to get in same sort of positions. Ayew for Gestede before too long, also, 'cause he doesn't look fit enough Grealish looks excellent - if we find the right forward combo in front of him, we'll be flying. Impressed with Sanchez and Westwood too.