Jagielka is struggling at the moment but don't drop him

"He's the captain. The leader".

He certainly is the captain but he's definitely no leader. At least, not out on the pitch where it counts. Unless I'm missing something and he's somehow sorting things out and scolding players for slips up subliminally?

Sure, we could have got them in, worked them like normal, and they'd have started the season like normal. Everything would have looked fine for a while, but then, after playing around 20-22 months of consecutive top-level football without a break, they'd be either injured or performing well below par.

We'll never know how true this is, but it makes sense to me, and hopefully we'll see by their ability to put in match-winning performances come March or April next year, and throughout what is going to be (especially if we're as successful as we hope) a very long and very tough season.

Forgetting the Chelsea game for now, as we were beaten by a side highly likely to compete for the title, I do feel however we have dropped 4 points due to lack of fitness/readiness in the first two games. Who knows what the cost of that could be?

He’s no leader on the pitch. Also, just look at the first two goals against Chelsea carefully and you’ll see he should be dropped. Put the boy Stones in instead.

Go to Man Utd, Jags, I don’t want you! Oh hang on, they don’t want you either. Just remember who made you, son!

I also feel, he is too much Mister Nice Guy (which I have no doubt he is) but, in the arena, and in the heat of battle, a ruthless streak (without being an animal) is an essential quality for not only Centre Back, but the role of Captain too.

Stones is the present and future of our club. We must not be sentimental about any players at the club. The only thing that matters is the progression, of our great club, back where it belongs!