kmk108

No real shocks in this round yet. Hope it's Everton and not us providing the storyline.

It could be a great partnership if Miazga were to be given the freedom to attack the ball and have Zouma provide the cover in case the tackle isn't made.

http://youtu.be/tTUrpNu5c8Y no, you can't judge players based off highlight videos, but it'll give you an idea of what they do.

Not to mention an online petition won't get anything done. Showing up to the ground and voicing displeasure has much more impact. An online petition won't do anything except making the people that sign it feel like they've done something.

You didn't really ask a question, so it's not really a rhetorical question It still stands that there's a reason he's so expensive and why teams are going to be willing to pay that price.

It's turned out that these signings haven't been in accordance with the way we have played recently. The players are quality, but they aren't the players that fit into the system being employed. Whether that's an issue with the board not getting players that fit the system or the manager for not adapting the system to the players isn't too important. It's a lack of uniformity from the top down that Hamas to be addressed I the summer. The board needs to get together, figure out the vision of the club in terms of business, play and aspiration. Once that's figured out, they need to get a manager that fits this vision and work with the manager to get the best players to fit this vision. This is the only way this club can be successful. IMO, everyone deserves blame, but I think a lot of people are hesitant to criticize Roman because of the success that has come since his arrival.

As has been said many times before, it's because he's a highly sought, young English CB. We need more homegrown players to avoid the squad issues from last season. The English players are always going to be valued higher than foreign players.

He could take a pay cut if he's unhappy here. He doesn't strike me as someone who would choose a fat paycheck over regular starts.

On the first page, I put out a youth-heavy lineup, but the more I think about it, the more I convince myself this match is far more important than the Watford match. This may be our only chance at a trophy this season. Barring a miracle in the Champions League, we're not going to win it. Going out at this stage of the FA Cup is unacceptable when we really need to win it. MK Dons won't be a pushover and it'll be tougher not being at Stamford Bridge. Putting out youth in an important match away from home doesn't fill me with confidence. Definitely give them significant minutes but I would much prefer them coming on if the starters make it more comfortable or if the team on the pitch needs a spark. We're not making top four and we're not going to be relegated. If our goal is Europa League place, winning the FA Cup guarantees that while also giving us a trophy to finish a bad season with. We can get by with a shaky game against Watford, but we can't get away with losing to MK Dons.

I don't agree at all. I think he was very important to the title win last season. He wasn't perfect, but no one was. http://grantland.com/the-triangle/premier-league-chelsea-branislav-ivanovic/

You posted videos of Pato from years ago to point out that he can be good, while your signature says Ivanovic is shit but he's only been shit half a year (and with some good performances scattered throughout).

I find great irony seeing this post with your signature.

But the MLS wouldn't have any say once he's ours would they? Bad business to promise something and turn around and do the opposite, but they wouldn't have any recourse would they?

A top defender in the MLS at a young age. He's been getting some looks for the US national team, but a lot of American youngsters are under Klinsmann. I don't watch NYRB so I can't say much more than that. He didn't play in the friendly, but as we remember, most of their regulars didn't play. We'll loan him out of the country. Exciting as an American that we'd pick up an Amerixan, but I doubt he'll play for us.

I don't want to watch a whole season of performances like we saw in the second half of last season, but I also don't want to watch Barcelona or Bayern all season. Borussia Dortmund's play excites me. Leicester City's play excites me. I wanted Klopp until Liverpool snatched him up, and Ranieri's not coming back, so I want whoever is going to impose that "philosophy" of quick buildup, decisive passes, and high workrates.

Why does attacking football = top club? Arsenal have been like that under Wenger but haven't won the league in years. The beauty of the game is that there are many different styles and playing one style doesn't equate to success.

I'm guessing hard work, tough-nosed football with an emphasis on canceling out the opposition.

Hughes was in charge of City before the investment really paid off in terms of quality. Similar IMO to Ranieri here. Still, I don't think Hughes will be the man.

A blind man without their cane could have called the Koscielny challenge a penalty.

Begovic Ivanovic-Zouma-Cahill-Baba Mikel-RLC Willian-Traore-Kenedy Remy though I imagine we'll see more starters as this could be our only chance at a trophy this season. Go for it all and make sure Arsenal don't win it again.

His contract was up after this season. Maybe (more like I'm hoping) Chelsea have learned about interest in him and this is a way to ensure we get some money for him in the summer.

It's possible. Chicharito used his Leverkusen move to reignite a career that many had written off. that typically doesn't happen with us though.

Why? They're both cup tied in the CL and we're in a "striker crisis" unless it's an effort for us to pick up Griezmann or Martinez, it makes little sense. Edit: just read that it would be for the summer. Fine by me. I don't like Costa's antics and Pedro hasn't settled. Martinez could be in a swap. I would welcome that, but I'm a bit weary of Martinez's time at Atletico.

No it doesn't, unless he's got a bit of homesickness or something like that. He's a regular on our team. unless he just wants to be on a winning team. either way, I just saw that Barca have reportedly rejected our offer to send him back.