If the alternative is to watch Jeff do nothing, then yeah I guess we'll take our chances!

Well if he starts Monday we'll see whether all this faith in him is well founded or just wishful thinking. I love nothing more than to see him have a decent game and show signs of why the club paid so much money for him. However, unlike some on here that laughably talk like they are so insightful and that they know more than the coaching staff I have my doubts whether he is yet ready. There is a reason why he hasn't been given more minutes up to now (even with the injuries). I'm starting to wonder if some people would really rather just accuse Roy (a veteran of 47 years in coaching) of not knowing what he is doing and refuse to accept there could actually be a reason we're not using him just so they have another stick to beat him with. I do wonder if a well loved manager was in charge that we all thought walked on water, if he was doing the same thing, if these same people would just accept his decision.
Mourinho many times benched players that the fans thought should be playing. Particularly at United and Spurs. After he left said players were used much more often and those same fans that were moaning started to acknowledge that he was right all along.

Unlike you, many of us don't have blind faith in Hodgson who, clearly in your book, can do no wrong.

I understand the point you are making and you are right about mourinho as an example but then there are the other sides of the coin where Vieira wouldn’t play Eze and look how he has been since Vieira left. So yes the truth is none of us know until we see the evidence on the pitch.
What I really want are some threats to occupy the minds of the opposition defense so it’s not an attack v defence training session again. Playing for a 0-0 only builds confidence for the opposition and look what can happen if we concede early

This struck me too.
Franca was in acres of space, but wasn't passed to in that first half.
I assumed it was a tactic and the ball would eventually be switched to him,but it didn't happen.

Thats where you let yourself down and talk like a spoilt child. I never said I had unlimited or blind faith in Roy at all. You say this to me because I dont fall in line with your opinion. Its a little pathetic.
Not that I owe you or anyone else an explanation of my opinion but I did not want Roy Hodgson to be extended in the summer. I felt it displayed a lack of ambition as well as a lazy approach from the board but...as a SUPPORTER (clue is in the name) I believe in getting behind the team. Roy is at the head of that team. Do I think Roy is above criticism? No. Do I think he can do no wrong? Of course not. Do I think he is vastly more experienced that any of us by a country mile. Yes. I also think he'll do anything to get the points in games. Including play a young Brazilian the club has paid too much money for if he thinks he'll make a difference. This is why I am presuming that the coaching staff dont think he is ready. Personally, I would accept that and bow to their superior knowledge. You on the other hand seem to think you know better and would prefer to make out the coaching staff are wrong and you are right.
Good luck with that outlook. Not knowing your limits will only obstruct any progress in your life.

It happened. You deny it because like all Hodgson apologists you have to bend the truth to argue the case for a failing manager

I say give him a start and decent chance to shine against Chelsea. Pass the ball to him and let him run at them with Mateta and Edouard both getting forward for his crosses.

Let’s be positive.

Edited by XKudu (11 Feb 2024 2.20pm)

We’ve had 19 days to practice our preferred line up against Chelsea in the absens of Eze and Olise. Safe to assume Richards will slot in for Guehi and Lerma will be one of the DMs. Ozoh has earned his place as the other DM and Mateta will play up front. That being the case Ayew, Wharton and Franca would surely be preferable to Hughes and Sclupp. Edouard on the bench either as a replacement for Mateta or wide left with Ayew moving to the right to replace Franca later on ( not 85 mins please Roy). Ahamada would be an alternative on the bench.

We have options but our weakness is that none of them have had much game time because the same 11 started so often even when they’ve not been playing well. Roy can either be adventurous for a change or stick with Hughes and Schlupp and hope to nick a 0-0.

It definitely felt like nobody was passing to Richards at the Brighton match though.

The rest of the team obviously think he's the weak link too.

Edited by RichardJP (11 Feb 2024 6.25pm)

Glasner’s Glaziers