I believe Roy’s time is up and clearly there’s some sort of issue in the boardroom regarding strategy and transfers. However nobody really knows what’s going on there who wants want and who’s paying for what etc. The thing we do know is the summer window was a mess and we’ve signed young players with potential that clearly aren’t fancied by the manager.

For what it’s worth I was fine with Roy staying on another year as I believed (stupidly) he would be backed at least with a right back and a Zaha replacement. Nobody saw the bad luck with injuries but singing a kid from Brazil and an inferior keeper with our entire summer transfer kitty was insanity and that’s on the owners and freedman there is no way Roy wanted them signings.

However now it’s so toxic and the fans aren’t aren’t aligned with the manager and owners it has to be time for a change of manager and set up with the squad we have available. We have to make some changes to that starting team and formation with or without Roy in situ.

This leads me onto my main point ( presuming Eze, Olise and Guehi are out for the next month and big fixtures v Everton, Burnley and Luton) what formation and players would you play? For me Johnstone back in goal a No brainer but looks like something is going on there behind the scenes as Johnstone is so superior in every area especially distribution and coming for or punching crosses.

For me the back 5 hasn’t worked, it may work now with Munoz but I would go for a back 4 of Munoz, Anderson, Richard’s and Mitchell ( he’s only playing as nobody else at the club lol) for me he’s now being targeted by the oppo like Wardy was especially in possession all teams start their press when he gets the ball.

The midfield I can’t work out and for me is our biggest problem since Decoure’s injury: He’s such a big loss to Roy’s system and let’s be honest even Anderson and Guehi were only looking like world beaters as they had him sitting in front that’s so onvios now! We’re not protecting the back four and there’s too big a gap from them to Mateta. Do we trust Wharton to play DM? Could Lerma play DM? For me Hughsey though a decent footballer and probably great 5 aside player hasn’t got the legs to play in there at Prem level. So do you go Schlupp (can’t pass and lost wide) but does have work rate and actually a threat at times driving forward from a central area. Do we try Ahmada or Ozoh in there?

The other option is obviously Franca or Ahmada wide right or Franca maybe Eddie in the 10 role to close gap to Mateta and replace Eze. Eddie can’t play wide left for me as too lazy and especially with a bang average left back behind him. So that leaves Ayew wide left and Mateta up top who has improved over the last few months he is at least holding the ball up better. ( although choosing between him and Eddie is like choosing earache or toothache if I’m honest) one or both need upgrading in the summer.

This is the reality of our situation with Roy or a new manager. Whether you play the youngsters or the senior pro’s. I honestly don’t know what I would do but setting up not to get beat and getting beat heavily can’t continue so the shape, personal or both have to change. Any suggestions welcome! See you all at next Monday and I’ll be behind the team whoever’s in charge or whoever’s playing! COYP

I believe Roy’s time is up and clearly there’s some sort of issue in the boardroom regarding strategy and transfers. However nobody really knows what’s going on there who wants want and who’s paying for what etc. The thing we do know is the summer window was a mess and we’ve signed young players with potential that clearly aren’t fancied by the manager.

For what it’s worth I was fine with Roy staying on another year as I believed (stupidly) he would be backed at least with a right back and a Zaha replacement. Nobody saw the bad luck with injuries but singing a kid from Brazil and an inferior keeper with our entire summer transfer kitty was insanity and that’s on the owners and freedman there is no way Roy wanted them signings.

However now it’s so toxic and the fans aren’t aren’t aligned with the manager and owners it has to be time for a change of manager and set up with the squad we have available. We have to make some changes to that starting team and formation with or without Roy in situ.

This leads me onto my main point ( presuming Eze, Olise and Guehi are out for the next month and big fixtures v Everton, Burnley and Luton) what formation and players would you play? For me Johnstone back in goal a No brainer but looks like something is going on there behind the scenes as Johnstone is so superior in every area especially distribution and coming for or punching crosses.

For me the back 5 hasn’t worked, it may work now with Munoz but I would go for a back 4 of Munoz, Anderson, Richard’s and Mitchell ( he’s only playing as nobody else at the club lol) for me he’s now being targeted by the oppo like Wardy was especially in possession all teams start their press when he gets the ball.

The midfield I can’t work out and for me is our biggest problem since Decoure’s injury: He’s such a big loss to Roy’s system and let’s be honest even Anderson and Guehi were only looking like world beaters as they had him sitting in front that’s so onvios now! We’re not protecting the back four and there’s too big a gap from them to Mateta. Do we trust Wharton to play DM? Could Lerma play DM? For me Hughsey though a decent footballer and probably great 5 aside player hasn’t got the legs to play in there at Prem level. So do you go Schlupp (can’t pass and lost wide) but does have work rate and actually a threat at times driving forward from a central area. Do we try Ahmada or Ozoh in there?

The other option is obviously Franca or Ahmada wide right or Franca maybe Eddie in the 10 role to close gap to Mateta and replace Eze. Eddie can’t play wide left for me as too lazy and especially with a bang average left back behind him. So that leaves Ayew wide left and Mateta up top who has improved over the last few months he is at least holding the ball up better. ( although choosing between him and Eddie is like choosing earache or toothache if I’m honest) one or both need upgrading in the summer.

This is the reality of our situation with Roy or a new manager. Whether you play the youngsters or the senior pro’s. I honestly don’t know what I would do but setting up not to get beat and getting beat heavily can’t continue so the shape, personal or both have to change. Any suggestions welcome! See you all at next Monday and I’ll be behind the team whoever’s in charge or whoever’s playing! COYP