zakhov

Warrior's performance. Surprised Azpi was chosen as Captain over him. Luiz was clearly the one barking orders from the back.

He needs to stay back and practice throw-ins. That wasn't the first, second or third time this season where he was penalized for a foul throw.

Really disappointed that Ake didn't get a sniff in. With Alonso injured he was the only one suited to deputising and at the same time keeping our shape at the back. Zouma hasn't shown anything to suggest he fits in the 3 at the back system unfortunately. In the cup games, Ake had always done well at LB regardless of the opposition. Azpi at LB backfired big time and he ended up over-tinkering with the formation, and ultimately confused some of the players (from what I saw).

Effin hell, I spit out my coffee as soon as I saw the name and the word hotel... Seriously though, Zidane has indicated previously that he's uncertain of his future at Real. In addition to that, the RM board went through sacking Carlo and hiring Rafa in his place,so I wouldn't be surprised if he's not there next season. Zidane has done brilliantly since taking over but with Real, nobody is safe, especially the players. Ronaldo and Bale even went through spells where they got booed and hassled by a section of their own fans. As bad as some of our players were here, the fans never booed them for their performances. Hazard is better off staying put and he probably knows it.

I'm sorry, it won't happen again. My next posts here will be solely dedicated to whinging...

I can't imagine the meltdown for some if Costa stays next season. He might just have another hot start and then drop off after December(ala Cesc) as well (like he did in 14-15). Personally, I'm in the camp that's frustrated by his poor finishing and touch but I'm not going as far as calling him a mercenary/donkey or what have you. I don't believe for once that he's screwing up and looking bad intentionally. I have no idea what transpired (I don't like speculations and here-say) during the December fiasco. But if his head was indeed turned, I have confidence that Conte has it under control. It's not like we're losing or dropping points week in week out with him in the side. He still contributes even at his lowest, to say Bats would come and do a better job is just the benefit of hindsight. What I do agree in regards to yesterday as that Bats should've gotten some minutes particularly after we went 3-1, but also understood that Conte felt it was still a dangerous scoreline with 25mins to go. I don't think he deserves the hate he's getting, he's done more for us in the league for three seasons than Torres/Shevchenko did combined during their time here at Chelsea. He stands to finish as our top scorer for two title winning seasons, if he leaves, we'll be back to square one in the striking department.

Ake/Cahill at RCB with Azpi as wing-back? LWB - Alonso LCB - Cahill CB - Luiz RCB - Ake RWB - Azpi Not sure the City game is a good time to experiment though, sort of wish Antonio tried out Ake in the Palace game instead...

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2017/Mar/manchester-united-star-juan-mata-has-surgery-on-groin-injury.aspx Seems like he's out for the season. Unfortunate for him but I'm sort of glad that he doesn't play us again this season.

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/chelsea/story/3095162/chelsea-striker-diego-costa-eager-to-knock-manchester-city-out-of-title-race Hopefully what he says translates to what happens on the pitch this Wednesday.

At the risk of going OT, I wouldn't put Crespo in the flop list. Apart from his injuries, he was heavily rotated by Claudio in his first season but he generally did well when he was used. In Mourinho's 2nd season he was superb in some games( the Liverpool game comes to mind where he got a beauty incorrectly chalked off) but again was good in the majority of games he was used in. We won the Premier League with him contributing equally with Drog goals-wise, no way he was a terrible purchase.

Funny enough we used to have our own super sub in Kalou. I was re-watching some of our older matches the other week and I can't stress enough how useful it is to have a player that's willing to come off the bench and save or win you points. Honestly thought Traore was going to be our next version of Kalou but Abraham probably has a better chance next season. I don't see Bats staying...

With Torres you just couldn't help but laugh. With Costa it is frustrating because you know he could bury those chances... Probably has himself to blame for setting the bar high with his early season performances, the China fiasco probably had an effect but I do remember him tailing off in 2014/2015 as well where he got stuck on 18-19 goals. Seems that history is repeating itself. As long as we win the league I couldn't give a toss though...

He didn't get a goal or assist. He also couldn't multiply himself quickly enough to cover up for inept players when Palace counter-attacked.

Different opinions mate, there were a few instances where he did peel off Sakho and Dann but fluffed his lines when he should've finished. Great movement and strength shown but shit finishing for WC striker, yes. I doubt anyone would've rotated Costa early in this season given he was performing well. I do agree to rotate if we had a better alternative but like I said previously, I don't think we have such options (which is why Conte looked at Llorente in January). After it's all settled would you still drop him and put Bats for the City game when he's barely had a look?

Questionable if compared to his earlier performances pre-China fiasco. But he still put himself about and scored goals (not in the same vain as before, I agree). But I still doubt we have a better striking outlet. Do you think playing Michy against City or a false nine would help? I highly doubt it and if I was in Conte's position I wouldn't change at this stage either.

I thought either Pedro or Matic took the cake. Pedro started things off by playing out to Matic which caused the Zaha goal. Matic was caught out of position too often when Palace were counter-attacking but Luiz didn't cover himself in glory either. Kante was essentially a spare man in attack but he did keep things ticking when we transitioned to attack.

No way we start experimenting with strikers right now, I like Michy as much as anyone but it's a bit of hindsight saying Michy would've taken the chances Costa missed. Costa was playing lone striker for most of the match against two very physical defenders and had little to no support inside the box from Hazard or Pedro(who were out wide or outside the box). He carved most of the chances with good movement and great strength but I do agree his finishing was woeful, it's not a reason to start dropping him all of sudden.

Barton is just building up his portfolio of outspoken quotes in hopes to become a two-bit pundit like Robbie Savage. This coming from a guy who attempted to stamp a non-league player, gets accidently hit instead and goes down light like a feather. Kante's probably not the best player this season on a whole, but he's been consistently performing at high level for a team at top of the league. He's definitely ONE of the best players if there's a shortlist for it.

Why? He played well enough apart from finishing off his chances. Add to the fact that he's still way better than anything else we've got. One freak result/game shouldn't change that. The likes of Willian holding on to the ball when they should be crossing makes it difficult for our attacking players to take up position.

We've already got Moses.

Oopps, I was pretty sure Klopp won October for some reason, didn't realize he already got the hat-trick. But his chances for January was hurt by that loss to Spurs.

Antonio won November and December, if he were nominated it would've undoubtedly be a three-peat for the gaffer. But I guess the FA wanted to give other coaches a chance to win one.

Just think of how many points we would have without Costa's goals as well... I'm frustrated with Diego at times as well but you need to learn to take the bad with the good...

Part of me wants to see him finish off the season so he can get in with the final celebrations and we can give him a proper send off, he deserves it. With Jose it was a bit of a worry because he couldn't see that Iva was a yard or two off the pace, but Conte sees things crystal clear. Heck once the season wraps up, someone in charge should setup a proper testimonial for Iva, Lamps and Cole.

On the flip side, if he does play, it means the shenanigans concerning him weren't as big as the media made them out to be...