FMFA Manager

Chelsea 0 – 0 Coventry City

Given the season we are having, any point is very welcomed, and away from home we have to take this, especially under the circumstances. A clean sheet for Dovin was also a massive positive, but we've really struggled to get going this year and I am not sure how to arrest this slide if I am honest.

The game itself was exactly what we expected. Chelsea had more of the ball and looked the more comfortable side early on, with Lammers missing a couple of really good chances. We were happy to sit in, stay compact and try to nick something on the break, and to be fair we did have moments of our own. Wright’s early header was at least a reminder we were there, even if it didn’t overly trouble their keeper. The turning point came far too early for our liking. Grimes getting sent off after 17 minutes put us right up against it. It was a justified sending off as he hauled down Richarlison who was through on goal, but it meant we'd be up against it with most of teh game still to run. We dug in though and got an excellent result, but it still leaves us in the bottom three.

Chelsea continued to create chances but were surprisingly wasteful. Lammers in particular should probably have scored at least once before the break, and Dovin did well when called upon, even if he made things a bit interesting with a couple of fumbles. The second half followed a similar pattern. Chelsea pushed, we defended, but we still tried to play when we could. Simms had a decent chance from a free kick routine that went just over, and van Ewijk’s shot forced Lewis into a save. For a side down to ten men, I was pleased we still carried some sort of threat rather than just hanging on grimly.

As the game wore on it became about concentration and effort. Truffert was immense, Bidwell put his body on the line, and Dovin stood up when needed. Right at the end, Thomas-Assante nearly nicked it with that effort that drifted just wide. We'd nearly nicked it! Stats wise, they had more possession and chances, which you’d expect given the red card and the quality they’ve got. We gave this our best shot and got a very good point away from home. We need more of that between now and the end of the season if we’re going to drag ourselves out of trouble..

Well played William.

Leicester City 2 - 0 Manchester United
J_Doku (44) Sent Off: A_Januzaj (1)
S_Ingelsson (78)

not a good start to the new year with a poor performance but we was under the cosh after only 1 minute when januzaj got himself sent off for being stupid not impressed at all

Spurs 2 WBA 0

dire bottom of the table clash but we got the points which is all that matters - goals from Guedes and Watkins who came on as sub. Another good victory and a clean sheet, bigger challenges to come!

Away to QPR was always a tough ask and that's how it proved. Joe's a good operator and we were never really in the race for this match so well played to them. but it's games like this that are why we've dropped off so hard from the title race and perhaps some of those big wins paper over some of our cracks.