avfc1982am

I agree, we didn't have control of the midfield however, we stopped Chelsea taking control of it with Youri in there. When Diaby came on we gave them full control imo

Dougie lol?! What you on about, should I have called him Doug like you because it sounds more manly ... That's your focus instead of the claim we're blessed with several players very similar.... You then point out Rodgers as an example which I found baffling tbh. I wasn't getting my nickers in a twist at all, I was just pointing out the fact that we really don't have anyone similar. Especially Rodgers.

What you on about, we haven't got anyone similar to Dougie. And Rodgers certainly isn't. Both completely different style of player. Tielemans is the closest but still a very different player. We've also already established DL is really not a DM, he's just operating there because our number one DM is injured and the club decided to let our back up DM go out on loan.

I agree with this. We are though in a needs must situation so many players aren't playing in the preferred or natural positions

Lets not sugar coat it.. He was awful last night yet seems to always avoid criticism from many because of his personality and the fact he's a tryer. Kept running into trouble and several times just punting the ball to nowhere giving the ball back to Chelsea.

I don't believe Tim's to blame especially as he replaced Luiz rather than being brought on to support him and McGinn. Imo we lost the midfield and that was the major difference in the performance second half. We lost the numbers game.

We gave up the midfield bringing Diaby on when Youri went off. I'd have brought on Tim instead of Diaby.

There was a reason Diaby got dropped in favour of Luiz which was for the additional CM. Giving that up to play Diaby centrally was a mistake imo, a mistake that allowed Chelsea to overrun us in midfield second half. They were unlucky to be 2-0 at half time but as soon as Youri went off we should've stuck with the gameplan and kept the additional body in the centre.

He is.. Ripped the shit out of Digne all night, with ease.

He was the wrong sub for Tielemans tbh. Should've came on for Bailey later on. That's on Unai.

This is it for me.. Just back from the game and what is abundantly clear is quick physical teams can take us apart too easily. Newcastle, Spuds, Chelsea. We were very lucky to get anything out of that game tonight. Absolutely atrocious performance just getting bullied all over the park.

I loved the first game.... The second is going to go up a few levels.

He does bring all those attributes you mention.....however, and the same goes for the other players you've mentioned, if this team is to go onto another level under Emery..... which he'll demand by the way, then we will need either the players to bring more to the table or bring in players that do. That's just a cold hard fact.

That's all it is. I think as fans we also need to be realistic in the long term... Not just possibly about McGinn but potentially other players that are fan favourites in the squad. The team/squad if we eventually want to get closer to the top of the table and be in the CL on a regular basis that's going to require a few upgrades across the board over the next 2-3 years.

Only because he's the current captain.