Supermonkey92

Needs time, I think it's obvious that he wants to be the player who doesn't make a mistake more than the player who stands out, this attitude will change when he's more comfortable. Also the Italian league to PL is insane in the differences. Aston villa, Everton and PSG were largely useless games to go by

Ake isn't as inexperienced as the others. He's had a handful of games for three seasons now in the premier league, both domestics cups and european competition too. Even had a fantastic assist for hazard this season in CL against sporting I think. Personally I think without matic AKe is the DM that is everything Mikel isn't. He can press, is a strong tackler and looks to play balls into the channel, which he is quite good at. Questions I have about him is how good is his positional sense and will the occasion be too much?

AKe, Ramires and cesc in a midfield three with hazard and willian on the wings

Ramires/cesc/ Ake midfield I would be happy for COC

This is a game where Ramires can bring his qualities

Cuadrado looks like he just wants to slip in the team an help knit things together, nothing flashy or selfish which to be honest really isn't him. Needs a while to feel comfortable then we will see his real style

Hopefully we can use this match as a foundation stone. Step on the ball, move it about and get the rhythm back. Give cuadrado a run and continue his adaption to the team, we may need him sooner than we think. Costa, get back up to speed son.

Well I think we can both come to the same agreement, albeit through slightly different reasons. Perhaps in the business end of the champions league it may be prudent to think if dropping cesc for the betterment of the time (specifically in away games and against certain teams) He ran a monstrous amount today which credits the guys character and resilience, it was not down to fault that he didn't play well today. But I think this is important, as it shows that to a large extent fabregas' performance May influenced by things out of his control.

I think you underestimate how easily cesc is taken out if the game through just decent marking, way more easier than the average player I'm starting to think, but that's just down to his lack of athleticism. Thing is, he is intelligent. If you are being shadowed then move and drag the opposing shape around, if he keeps shape then he has time to receive the ball, turn and look. But he just hasn't done that in any of the big games. Personally I wouldn't out it down to him not just being good enough to play the big teams, I just think you have to see his fit. He is not a box to box midfielder or a holding one. He will not step up and take control of the game, without possession at least. A midfield 3 where he has less need to occupy space and more license to roam and knit together play is his role, which to be fair as a 10 should give him that a freedom. I can only think jose has instructed him otherwise.

Pretty much this. Make no mistake we will win the league this year with a large thanks to fabregas, he has helped us to do what United did for years, which was to lead the pack by continuining to pick up victories through the bottom 14 in the league.

Think it's time to face the music, he is close to terrible when facing athletic players, completely neutralised. His only position for us is CM but I'm starting to question his displays in most big games. I think a pure 4-3-3 should be tried.

Not sure if cesc plays bad against athletic teams or the big teams. Seems to be fuzzy difference between the two more and more

Fuck verratti

It will be a cagey and dull game but probably a nervous one at the same time. I hope we go for it intelligently. They killed barca through counter attacking, when they play possession based their threat is different and way more manageable. I hope we set out to be a really fierce counter attacking team rather than simply defensive. I think we could win the tie tonight with a 2/3-0 win

Is the winner scheduled to play barca then?

Appreciate the gifs as always

Well willian has always been something else defending that right wing, starting to think its unfair comparing lol how does he look going forward? Can't expect much in a tight game but curious?

I missed most of the match, how did he do?

Wiiiiiilllllllian!!!!

Almost!!

Well we are 5 points ahead and have played almost all hard games. Only Liverpool and united at home, arsenal away really. Southampton at home too. The rest I think would need an upset other wise should be full points

Apzili off for the last 5-10 mins. They have 8 men in their half, leave Ramires and zouma to watch the counter with terry.

What a save!

Willian in CAM provides more defensive stability in our own half, I actually think it would makes tactically better on the counter attack. Cuadrado is a hard working right sided player but isn't in the same league as willian in actually defending. Without the ball, willian could easily slip into a RM/RB when we are defending and defending deep, allowing cuadrado to press in the middle when the space will be wide open (as the majority of the players will be in our half in this situation) which is were he earns his money. Cuadrado hasn't played well enough this season because he isn't an CAM that can play in tight space. Essentially, William can offer a 4-4-1-1 by dropping back and defending like he can, allowing cuadrado and costa to stay higher and attack space. Fabregas will love it. Of course I am particularly thinking of latter stage champions league here, within the league at especially at home I can see Oscar v Willian still being a closely fought battle.

Come one what happened to supporting English talent?