ChelseasMessiah

He knows it more than anyone. It's no coincidence he promoted Mikel to our first 11 now. Mourinho just isn't fair in the way he conducts what should be a meritocracy. Mata gets the hook as soon as he has a bad half whilst Lampard's inept run in the pivot has been ongoing since August.

He served Willian two great chances against Newcastle as well.

Oscar is stupendous, Mourinho himself said after our last game that it makes no difference whether he plays on either flanks or centrally, which means Mata and Oscar can - and perhaps should play together. Mata's only problem this season is that he, other than the Cup game versus Arsenal, never got to play with players capable of playing the pivot role to our standards. If he's given a chance to play with Mikel and Ramires behind him, he would undoubtedly prosper.

The shirt is his and he ain't letting go of it. He showed in the last 6 or 7 games for us what we need from a player in the pivot.

I'd love to see him play tonight, more than any other player.

He's an absolute disaster for England as well, I wish Terry hadn't retired. Cahill and Dawson at Spurs are stealing a living as footballers.

Exactly. He's got a spot in the first 11 now and he's not letting go of it. I saw another post match interview of Mourinho saying that the way he chose us to play against West Ham with 3 midfielders was because of Sam's long ball tactics. Which implied we will play a different system in the next games.

You should see how he fairs for England. he's the ultimate bambi on ice. A clusterfuck of a footballer that's got no business being here.

Frank has been terrible all season and only got benched twice. He'll play regardless of form.

There was no defending to be done yesterday. He's the weak link and will be gone in the summer.

Phil's only problem with Mikel is that he's a threat to Lampard's spot in the team. See how he turned onto Mata now he knows Mikel showed Frank how to play the holding role.

Yep, Fernandinho was outstanding for City today, 30 mil well spent by Pellegrini. I wish we had someone of that calibre to partner Ramires.

That's what I'm saying Mata gets the hook for one bad game while Lampard has been a passenger all season. When Mata played we had a statue next to Ramires, now that Mourinho fixed the problem by getting someone worthy of being in the pivot in Mikel, he fucks one of the attacking players off.

Let us call Zola back then eh? Lampard is enjoying his last hurrah. He'll be in Miami by July next year, when he's 36.

He doesn't need to. That's not his physique really. He's an ectomorph. I saw a picture of him shirtless in training and he's got a bit of muscle going on and really low body fat. It's the best shape he can naturally be, any forced upon weight gain is unnecessary and could damage his performances.

He's got on yours, as now you know Lampard is no longer competing with Mikel for a spot in the team.

That's all he does.

Mata is being treated unfairly by Mourinho, that's unquestionable. Mata never had the luxury of playing as the attacking mid with two holding players behind him like, but yet Lampard got just that after being horrible in the holding role for months. I've no doubts we would be a much better side with Mikel and Ramires holding and Mata freed of defensive duties - like Lampard was - whilst interchanging with Oscar and Hazard as was the case yesterday.

Best player in Holland this season. Kakuta scored as well.

It may be harsh to some, but it's true nonetheless.

He didn't have any defending to do, West Ham didn't even have a striker, and he also had the luxury of having a proper midfield duo in front of him.

How old are you, 12? I stand by what I said and say, for once Lampard was out of the pivot and we had a balanced team. That was my whole point. Yesterday he played in a position where his deficiencies are less detrimental to us. One game does not change the calamity we've had to endure of him playing alongside Ramires in front of the back 4.

He's got no chance when Mourinho will simply not bench Lampard, the same goes for Mata.

I don't get Mourinho, he finally played Mikel - Ramires in the pivot but went for Lampard, the 35 yo, in the attacking midfield instead. Juan must be really pissed off.

He was moved forward today. Ramires and Mikel were sitting for the most part. Mata would also do well if he was afforded that convenience for once under Mourinho.