CloudFox

From what we've "heard" from inside the camp, this is exactly it. It must feel like such a huge downgrade from Maresca too, even if some thought he was too intense. That's got to suck the energy out of you as a player.

0-2 Chelsea. That's that then.

That's very kind of you, but I'm not happy about the performance overall! Where have you got that from?

No . Worst result, yes, for obvious reasons. But worst performance? No. First half we played reasonably well except for 3 successive errors in one sequence that lead to a goal. Second half really poor though. Compare that to most of our other games, where it's tricky to even find a half of football you could be proud of!

A fair point, and I can't speak for everyone. I do think our wins have been very fortunate so far. I don't feel like we've deserved to win any of them really, which is unnerving. And honestly I think that's down to how we approach the game as a whole. I would suggest that's part of the not knowing who to blame: Is it the lack of style? Is it the difficulty to distinguish tactics? Is it players not showing the effort or quality we know they have? Something just feels off. And more often that not, that comes from the one leading or heading up the team. They should, after all, be a team in his image... right?

You think that was honestly our worst performance of the season?

Folks, a manager can select the right personnel but still not make an impact as a coach during the game. The defending was abysmal by the players, and that is on them, primarily. The lack of a clear press for most of the game was baffling, however, and I am struggling to comprehend what the plan was after half time for us to have a) played like that and b) not responded to Forest's changes in approach. Those aspects are on the coach. They aren't the reason we lost the game, but they certainly don't help. Even after that, I still think that is our strongest 11, barring maybe JJ/Kristiansen. But probably not. The loss is on the players primarily, but that doesn't give you an "I told you so" I'm afraid. Put it back on ice, deary me.

I am fully Cooper Out, but that was primarily on the players tonight. Piss poor defending.

Ricky hasn't been great, but he's freeing up pressure on Winks a lot. Someone mentioned that all the passing lanes to him seem cut off, and asked how Forest could have prepped for that. I wonder if it's because that was intended for Winks, but Ricky being alongside him means he has ended up the target...interesting tactical elements to keep an eye on.

To add to this point, we did this in pre-season and Mavididi looked pretty good. He scored goals and was a threat. Bizarre that we've abandoned that. Although good that he's still looked a threat not playing in that role too of course.

That's fair enough. I tend to use xG as a way to validate how I think a game has gone/is going, along with shots/shots on target. You don't have to judge games based solely on stats—they're an option to enrich and inform, not replace the eye test.

When he was at Celtic I remember being really keen on him. I get that it's a different league, but his movement, his finishing, his demeanour...they all seemed like something we'd like at Leicester. I don't even recognise this guy. What a sad fall for a player. Really didn't offer anything in his cameo.

Huge relief to get a win. Am I reading too much into the seeming lack of celebration from the players and manager at the final whistle? Maybe I missed something, but those 3 points are important. Regardless of the result, we were pretty poor 2nd half. I still don't think Ayew should be a starter, and Fatawu was bright when he came on, showcasing what we were missing without him. I do understand why Justin is being preferred at RB right now as it's getting plenty out of his athleticism. I still miss Ricardo though. The "tactics" and in-game management are just a bit shit though, aren't they? Surely nobody can deny it's a hard watch. Very much still Cooper Out, and I don't think he knows what he's doing. He's not getting enough out of the squad we have.

They're not even playing to the levels they had last season, so I don't believe this is true at all . I'd say it's much more accurate to say they are playing within Cooper's system and coaching.

Can we please please please just try an attacking midfield of Mavididi, Buonanotte and Fatawu? Wouldn't that just be a little bit more fun, Steve? Please.

Isn't this just the saddest thing? That he's come in and just not done what he promised or implied he would, at all. And there's little we can now do but sack him, which the board won't do any time soon. This is going to sound overly harsh, but I wish he had some sort of probation period. Cooper's grossly missold what he would do, and his skillset. He's just not fulfilling the job spec, ultimately.

Maybe we can just swap? Can't be much worse.

Pretty sure one pro-Cooper poster having a go at folks for wanting better made a comment about how this thread should be shut, and Mark responded along the lines of "actually, **** you, I'm pinning this to the top until he's gone" 😁. And I for one could not applaud that power move more👏🏻👌🏻

Isn't that the point though? He turned it around by showing us a way we could play and get results, while getting players to put in maximum effort. Can you honestly see either of those things under Cooper?

Not remotely surprising to be honest. He's a great deep lying playmaker, a metronome type player that others can use for wall passes to keep the ball moving. That's why we signed him, to fit Maresca's system. He doesn't work in a team that just sits deep and tries to defend—he needs the ball.

A team can be naff, but if they demonstrate a plan or show fight, fans can understand. We aren't showing either. I don't understand what we do all week. Where is the plan or the fight? We're the football equivalent of a shrug.

That's such a soft goal to concede. Okoli, Faes, and JJ just watched it go past them and into the net. Come on boys, what are you doing?

Not sure I've ever been a bit disappointed we won a game. What a weird feeling. Too many negatives to type out, and no energy after that to do so anyway. Cooper has no idea what he's doing, and the players know it. Onto the next round, anyway!

I think it was a bit difficult for him to thrive today given we'd started retreating long before he came on. He needs support to create things with/for him. He's 20, not a one-man-army. He'll flourish if given the chance and support of other creative players.

No we don't. But we shouldn't be starting a defensive side and then getting more defensive as the game wears on. That is incredibly negative, invites more pressure, and frankly doesn't make anyone want to watch football.