Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

Well, it certainly wasn't a classic European night...

Matt Davies-Adams and Luke Bosher team up for a closer look at the 2-1 victory over Copenhagen in the first leg of their Conference League round of 16 tie.

Matt caught up with Simon after the match out in Denmark to get his take on the narrow win - and the selection dilemma it poses for Enzo Maresca next Thursday with Arsenal on the horizon...

Then, we're joined by The Athletic's Leicester City correspondent Rob Tanner to look ahead to Sunday afternoon's meeting in the Enzo derby - with the visitors on a torrid run of form under Ruud van Nistelrooy and looking doomed for relegation.

CFCW ground out another important win in midweek over Leicester to move eight points clear at the top of the table - this weekend it's Crystal Palace in the quarter finals of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Plus, desperate times call for desperate measures when the producer gets a call up in the quiz...

We'll be back on Monday to look back on Sunday's visit of the Foxes AND look ahead to the Conference League second leg meeting with Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher, Simon Johnson and Rob Tanner

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Off to Denmark we go…

Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic’s Chelsea experts Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey alongside him to look ahead to the return of the Conference League on Thursday evening.

So, who starts in goal? Will Caicedo *actually* be given a rest? And who are you trusting to lead the line? We try and predict Enzo Maresca’s starting XI for the round of 16 first leg tie. 

Elsewhere, we take a deep-dive into Simon and Liam’s big read about the club’s efforts to get over their recent slump - and the role that some of the senior figures have played in uniting the young squad.

Over in the WSL, it was an incident-filled 2-2 draw for Sonia Bompastor’s side against Brighton on Sunday. Jessy Parker Humphreys was there to witness Naomi Girma’s long-awaited debut. 

We’ll be back on Friday to run the rule over whatever happens in Denmark AND to look ahead to Sunday’s visit of Leicester City. 

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey & Jessy Parker Humphreys

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in the top four... for 24 hours at least!

Matt Davies-Adams, Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher are back to reflect on the much-needed 4-0 victory over a sorry Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

We focus on some of the key positives from a game Enzo Maresca's side simply couldn't lose - before turning our attention to Cole Palmer's visible frustration as his struggles in front of goal continued. Plus, the positives of another impressive cameo from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto's suitability up top.

Liam was on hand in SW6 to witness the pre-match protests directed at the club's owners. We get a flavour of the assembled crowd and sentiment amongst the fans...

There may be no game to preview after the Blues' FA Cup exit - but that won't stop Matt from conducting a (very random) quiz!

So a CFC-free weekend, but we'll be back on Monday to reflect on how the women's team fared on their return to action in the WSL against Brighton AND a look ahead to Thursday night's trip to Denmark to face København.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two wins in 10 Premier League games, 15 points dropped from winning positions this season...

Matt Davies-Adams, Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher are back to run the rule over the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

We begin with an epic Simon Johnson voice note live from Villa Park just moments after the final whistle - before taking a closer look at the ongoing goalkeeping conundrum, the dramatic drop-off of Cole Palmer's form and the growing sense of unease around this inexperienced squad.

It means Tuesday night's visit of Southampton becomes even bigger, with defeat against the sorry Saints practically unthinkable. We discuss the wider state of the club with a pre-match protest planned before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, before focusing on what we want to see on the pitch from Enzo Maresca's side.

We'll be back on Wednesday to look back on the visit of Southampton and surely (!?!) be reflecting on a much-needed and comfortable victory against the team rock bottom of the Premier League...

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The only way is up after Friday night...

Matt Davies-Adams is back with The Athletic's Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey alongside him to preview Saturday evening's Premier League clash at Aston Villa.

It's fair to say expectations are pretty low as we consider the tactical tweaks that could make a difference against Unai Emery's side, the lack of confidence across the squad and the need for leaders in yet another crucial match if Chelsea are to have any hopes of finishing inside the top four.

Then, a chance to hear from the former Chelsea player and manager Glenn Hoddle, who sat down with Simon Johnson to talk getting the best out of Cole Palmer, the need for his teammates to step up - and how he sympathises with the pressure that Enzo’s under now after recalling parallels between his own difficult time during his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge back in 1993...

Plus - the quiz turns into more of an Alexandre Pato tribute!

We'll be back on Monday to give our assessment of the trip to Villa Park AND look ahead to Tuesday night's visit of Southampton.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We didn't think it was possible to get worse than last weekend...

Matt Davies-Adams, Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher are back to run the rule over the shambolic 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brighton on Friday night.

Sounding like a broken record comes to mind, but we try and get to the bottom of the complete lack of intensity or fight displayed by the side, the lack of leadership and quality on display - and why despite all this the ownership group still maintain their faith in Enzo Maresca and the project they've undertaken at Stamford Bridge.

If we've said it once we'll say it a million times - thank goodness for the women's team! They left it late but Lauren James' stunning 93rd minute strike saw Chelsea come from behind to beat Everton 2-1 and further cement their domination in the WSL table.

We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to Saturday evening's slightly daunting trip to Villa Park.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

False 9, anyone!?

Matt Davies-Adams, Jessy Parker Humphreys and Liam Twomey are back for your second weekly dose of Chelsea chat.

It's back to the seaside we go for the second game in a row as we preview the Premier League trip to the Amex.

Our conversation is led by the big news that Nicholas Jackson has been ruled out for "around six to eight weeks" with a hamstring injury. Enzo Maresca says they will need to find 'different solutions' - but what are those solutions and how will Chelsea set up against Brighton and going forward?!

We touch base with CFCW ahead of the visit of Everton in the WSL, having knocked them out of the FA Cup last weekend. Is the quadruple a serious possibility?! Plus - Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment.

And we bring you a quiz which features an inordinate amount of JFH chat...

We'll be back on Monday to *hopefully* reflect on a happy Valentine's Day and weekend for all those of a Chelsea persuasion...

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Liam Twomey and Jessy Parker Humphreys

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, that didn't go very well...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to look back on the pretty abject 2-1 defeat by Brighton on Saturday night which saw Chelsea dumped out of the FA Cup.

We take a deep dive into the lacklustre performance, the absence of any fight or desire from the players - and the growing feeling of discontent around the job that Enzo Maresca is doing following his post-match comments that they could now 'focus on the Premier League and Conference League' - which it's fair to save haven't gone down particularly well with the fanbase.

No such problems for CFCW - who fought back from a goal down to beat Everton 4-1 and book their place in the quarterfinals of the Women's FA Cup.

We'll be back on Friday to look ahead to the trip to... oh no, Brighton!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nothing says magic of the FA Cup like a trip to the seaside at 8pm on a Saturday night...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher alongside him to look ahead to the first of two visits to take on Brighton in the space of less than a week.

We're joined by The Athletic's football tactics writer - and Brighton fan - Liam Tharme to get an insight into the Seagulls AND a word on some of the standout tactical intricacies he's noticed from Chelsea so far this season.

We give some final reflections now that transfer window is *finally* closed - including what it means for potential game time for Christopher Nkunku now that speculation about his future is on hold - and a sure improvement in Enzo Maresca's mood after a month of distraction.

There's all the Blues news elsewhere, and a quiz!

We'll be back on Monday to reflect on events at The Amex and find out how CFCW fare against Everton in the 5th round of the Women's FA Cup.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher, Simon Johnson and Liam Tharme

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We don't want your shorts, Enzo...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Jessy Parker Humphreys and Liam Twomey alongside him run the rule over the *slamming shut* of the transfer window AND the crucial three points against the Hammers.

We begin with events on the field, as Chelsea came from behind to win a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge in which they’ve trailed at half time for the first time since December 2013 (no, seriously!). We reflect on the 2-1 win over West Ham - with the help of Simon at the ground - which certainly wasn't pretty but was mightily important for Enzo Maresca.

Then - we attempt to round up all the deadline day deals, including the loan departures of Disasi, Felix, Chilwell and Chukwuemeka - as well as a host of academy products. What does it all mean?!

With Jessy in tow it would be rude not to check in with the latest news surrounding CFCW - still unbeaten after a scrappy 1-0 win at Aston Villa courtesy of a fortunate late own goal but with Keira Walsh already looking like she could be a key difference maker with the quadruple still on...

We'll be back on Thursday to preview Saturday night's trip to the seaside to take on Brighton in the 4th round of the FA Cup!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Liam Twomey, Jessy Parker Humphreys and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.