JayC

I'm really not the enemy. Simply an interested football fan. I would answer your questions, but I don't think it's on topic. The funniest thing is, I actually want Chelsea to win the title as I see our hopes all but gone.

I came to see if any of you would openly admit you just sold your best player. To say something positive - Some of you have been very respectful of Mata and I applaud that.

I'm not winding anybody up. Grow up, and learn to accept other people have different opinions.

We have freed a slave. That's the way I look at it. In all seriousness though, I'm pretty sure It's Mourinho's arrogance that has stolen Mata form you all. Think about it. You were always going to be a better team with or without Mata. You can't really use that as reasoning to justify the Mata situation. Mourinoho is a top manager - there was a place in your team for Mata if he really wanted to keep him. We all know it. Why lie to yourself. He's been given chances you say? After being frozen out for long periods, and made to know that Jose doesn't want him around? It's a bit hard to become a world beater under those circumstances. I see where you are coming from with his style of play - yes we have a problem with him and Rooney, IF we play wingers. We could go for an interchanging 3. Even if Mata is put out on a wing, he is more than capable of playing as an inside forward. He won't be running down th wing and crossing. He'll be effective there. We aren't Chelsea either, we won't need to rely only on Mata. Rooney and RvP are more than capable of doing deadly damage alone. So building the team around Mata really isn't necessary for us. No, but we are apparently signing Sergio Aguero next season, after taking both Chelsea's and Arsenal's POTY. Best players! We must be dying like you all hope. ROFL. I actually like Hazard. I'm not bitter in the slightest, if that's what you're hinting at. When I say like, I mean as a footballer. He's clearly a money grabber though, so I don't mind that we missed out on him. Are you the major antagonist around here? You need better bait. Laugh all you like. You're crying deep down. Enjoy.

Fair play to you then, if it's your genuine opinion.

It's truly amazing how much a players value/ability/skill goes down hill, when they aren't your player anymore. ;p

Not only speed no, but in terms of Hazard vs Mata, I would think that is the major difference between the two - Hazards superior pace. So I made some examples of how pace isn't a necessity to a footballer.

RvP isn't known for using his strength. He manages with his technique - control of the ball. Raul - not quick or strong. Champions League all time record goal scorer.

It's no more than an advantage, in most positions. It's not a necessity. Being good with a football kind of is... you know? Look at RvP - he's hardly quick. Yet prolific.

Actually I'd say it's more about what you can do with a football.

I am very serious. Mata has a consistency about him that only the best naturally gifted players can sustain. Hazard not so much. Also Mata scored and assisted more than Hazard 2012/2013. I know it's not all about the stats, but they do give a good idea. I think Fellaini obviously deserves a proper run in the team. He's been slated a lot for nothing to be honest. Is he a United player? Maybe not, but he can do a job and deserves the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong.

Really? There is more to it than a system change. Much more, in my opinion. You don't simply throw away a player of Mata's quality. You find a space for them. The last game I saw Mata play for Chelsea he was dragged off after doing nothing wrong for the entire game. It's all very strange. He's also never going to change our fortunes single handed. We know that. It's a damn good start though. It will be interesting to see how we line-up and play when all of our forwards are available. I think you should just admit it though - Mata is/was your best player. I really find it hard to see how Hazard can be classed as better.

In terms of overall ability they can be compared - Mata currently has more; out-performing Hazard every season he's had equal opportunity in. He is more naturally gifted in my opinion too. I see where you are coming from to a point though. Hazard can get better, but so can Mata.

I hope you don't honestly believe that.

Mata deserves better anyway. He made the right choice. We won't bench him. By the way, you just sold us your best player. Thanks. I'd try and care about your feelings on this, but after reading the thread and comments made about my club I don't seem to be able to give a damn.

That's a pretty big error on your part to be fair! I wouldn't worry about it though - 50% of the top tier of players also crashed and burned in week one. Well I'm pretty sure I read that. A flawed competition, due to impossibly hard factors out of our control. Basically the cup winner should put the lottery on as it's surely a sign of being the luckiest person playing the game ;p

Don't mistake my comments for putting him down to a level of useless. I'm just saying this is where I think you can be exploited. The problem for the most part is being able to, with good defensive midfield cover and team work. Terry is still a good player, yes. A shade of the true player though, and coupled with dodgy defensive partners I think it's an area of weakness.

The games personal cup - you qualify if you are above a certain rank I think. It then begins on game-week eighteen.

That still doesn't change the fact, that in central defence you can be exploited. Mourinho has a very well organised *unit* as he mostly always does. This is what keeps the clean sheets. My point is simply that CB is somewhere you can be exploited - Terry isn't the player he once was.

Sounds like suicide to me. No striker.. when we have Hernandez and Welbeck? Don't believe it - Danny will start or at least he should! To go to your home ground and play some stupid new tactic he's been working on with Phil Neville is quite honestly seriously worrying. Moyes needs to remember he isn't Jose Mourinho and tinker way less with players and tactics. He needs something solid nailed down and working. To be fair though, RvP and Rooney are a big loss, but it's not like Kagawa and Welbeck/Hernandez can't play football. He's not being forced into it - he's still choosing it. I'm still showing my support to the manager, but he honestly does bemuse me sometimes; he does himself no favours. The way to beat Chelsea is attack them - if there is a liability/weakeness it is in defence, with the two central defenders looking very dubious at times. Either road, this is a massive game for us, and if we lose it we surely can't win the title. Win or draw though and we should reap some reward.

Horribly. I went out in round one - it's too imbalanced. All it takes is for your players to have some tough fixtures and no possibility of doing more than two changes, and you can go out to even someone who doesn't play. It should be done over two legs. I don't see a point to it otherwise - far too random. I think the furthest I ever got was in my first season, making millions of errors while playing - says it all. Gamble of the week for me is Lukaku > Giroud. Surely he must score in this fixture!

Yeah. There is so much to think about in this game. Too many options and problems. That is why I see it as heavily luck-based. Still a lot of fun though to see if you can get it right. Aguero for me has to go - in fact I just sold him and brought in Negredo before rises and falls take place tonight. After all it's not two weeks he will be out, and I don't think anybody wants £12.4m sitting doing nothing. Regarding City without Kun - I believe they'll be alright should David Silva remain available; along with Negredo they should keep City fairly stable. Kun is a massive loss though, no doubt. The midfielders this year are pretty problematic There isn't a lot of choice and I'm starting to think the same as you - Toure. Although he costs a bomb now. I was happy with Gerrard but he's been put on the shelf for the entire Christmas period. Also probably wouldn't get Rooney - he'll be asked to play out of position again in upcoming fixtures. And I've missed you too! /hugs ;p

Very true. There are players you just cannot ignore now. Ramsey and Suarez being two. The teams are becoming a bit cookie-cutter. I had my armband on Suarez at 11:28 as well, when I decided to take the risk with Aguero. Cost me 30 odd points..... luck based again. Nobody saw the 5-0 coming. I just hope it's my time for a good run ;p

Spot on in my opinion. Levy sold AVB's best player, and bought a lot of new ones - then gave him three months or whatever it is? That's like some sort of super challenge isn't it? The best managers in the world would even struggle with this scenario. Yeah he got a few thrashings - but by two sides with immense goal threat. Suarez could destroy any defence in current form. Ultimately the lack of patience shown to managers is highlighted. It really is stupid.

Bit of a late response - but I've been super busy lately. You called it, yes. I should have gotten him. This game is so luck based though - it's stupid. I'm having such an odd time. My decisions haven't been brilliant lately. Long way to go though, and you only lead me by sixty points. Ultimately you are being dragged down slowly like I predicted. Others are right on your arse. Squeeky bum time? ;p