Naked Mole Rat

IVANOVICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC What a play by HAZARD

On a bright note, Bertrand's starting could mean that di Matteo has realized that Malouda has absolutely nothing to offer to the club, unless he's unavailable today of course.

What the hell? Bertrand on the wing again? That's really odd considering how many options we have on the flanks. This is probably a good indication that we'll be playing a balanced approach for the most part of this season.

I think he means we don't need a whole lot of creativity in our double pivot although I'd say we need someone who can ensure our transition from the double pivot to the front four is smooth. Anyway, at the moment, the double pivot isn't providing any cover for our back four nor is it doing a good job with retaining the ball, so I kind of agree with him.

Yes, unfortunately.

I agree we were too caught up with acquiring new attacking midfielders when we needed a new player in the pivot, but it really has been a wonderful transfer window for us so far, and I expect to see a huge improvement from last season. And although it seems like our midfield hasn't improved much, but at least we now have many more options there given by Lampard, Mikel, Ramires (as he probably won't spend much more time on the wing), Meireles, Essien (looking fit), Oscar, Romeu (possibly a better player from last year) and maybe even McEachran. I'm pretty sure we'll find a working combination with the players we have right now.

I have a real good feeling about this QPR side this season.

To be honest, I don't think this deal will make a whole lot of difference. Arsenal ship out their key players every year and still manage because other players usually step up their game (so they can be shipped out next), and from United's perspective, good addition, but I doubt he'll be a special player there.

No, they should be pretty pissed. This is pretty much second to the worst scenario possible. They could have either kept him or gotten so much more money for him until AVB decided to screw up everything, and now they have no Modric, less money, and they're going to have a hard time trying to purchase Moutinho because Porto is a very smart club.

Ramires isn't average in the sense that Meireles is. He is outstanding in at least three different categories - pace, stamina, work rate - and these attributes make him a good tank, which is something fans love to have in the side especially since our midfield tends to be sluggish.

When you make a strong statement like "The excuse of he still is a boy is ridicules!" your support has to be stronger than that Piazon seems a better player than Lukaku after less than 90 minutes of football with the senior side. You don't even know how Piazon will turn out for us until he plays a few proper games for us. It's a bit absurd to conclude so soon that Piazon won't need a "He's a kid" excuse as well, don't you think?

I'm offended. How dare you talk about Liverpool like that.

Charlie Adam? The most bestest midfielder ever? Stewart Downing? The most prolific winger of all-time? I can't believe you didn't mention these two. The two of them, let alone the whole Liverpool side, can rip any team in the world into pieces. YNWA

What's with all this hate? I don't like him all that much, either, but why is everyone saying he should beat the crap out of him? I guess it probably has to do with his having such a punchable face, but come on guys.

I'm surprised people are reading so much into that interview. To me, it seems like his words were deliberately interpreted in a way that would present him as a bitter character. I haven't seen the original interview, but I can imagine how if it were translated differently, it could make people sympathize with him rather than hate on him for being so selfish. Like say, This bit here. "Sacrificed"? "Didn't want to put up with it"? It seems a bit fishy to me. Unless this guy is the new Balotelli or he REALLY wants to leave the club, there's no way he would have used such words. And you should all know how the media like to make footballers look as one-dimensional as possible. You know, like Hazard is a narcissist who knows about nothing but himself, Cole and Sturridge are all about money, and Terry is a no-good scumbag, and all he ever does is fuck other people's wives. Haters can do anything pretty much. They can make Lukaku look like an arrogant and bitter son of a bitch just by twisting words around a little when what he probably meant to say was he was disappointed with having played no part in our campaign last season despite having high hopes when he joined us.

How did I not see this thread till now? Anyway, what a shame, but it's good to see that he's made the right decision for himself. Health comes before everything. Good luck to him.

Fabrice Muamba retires. http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/fabrice-muamba-statement-15.8.12-313804.aspx

I think he's always been like that. It was just the media arbitrarily labeling him 'the ego' or whatever. Similar to how Sturridge has been depicted as a money-grubbing troublemaker, though they both seem like sensible guys in their interviews.

I like Ayew, but do we have a spot for another winger? I'd rather us go for an out and out striker than a winger at the moment. Loic Remy doesn't sound too bad to me either. Apparently, Remy was (is?) close to joining Newcastle, but he wants some Champions League football.

I probably should have been a little more clear. The point I was trying to make was you were being overly dismissive and aggressive. It's not an entirely preposterous thing to imagine that Azpilicueta will soon become our main right back given that Ivanovic doesn't pick up his form. Of course, chances are Azpilicueta will need some time to adjust, and Ivanovic will probably find his form in a couple weeks time because he's been a very consistent player for us since he joined us. Nevertheless, like I said, it's not ridiculous to suspect that it could happen, and there certainly isn't any harm in discussing it, and I think you went out of your way to call strike a nut for that. That's all.

No, you don't have to. If Ivanovic doesn't find his form, and Azpilicueta does well, then Azpilicueta will be our first choice right back. That doesn't sound too irrational to me.

Obviously that was a challenge worthy of a red card, and if it happened in an official match, Ivanovic should have been banned. But the FA recognizes it as a friendly match like the ones other teams in the Premiership had to play last weekend. Those teams wouldn't have had their players suspended for their first league match had some of their players been red carded, so why should we?

Good. It would have been unfair for us had he been banned. Anyway, what about all the other bookings our players received yesterday? Do they all not count as well?

Being hypocritical isn't just about holding double standards for people, though. That's only part of it. Anyway, it's good that you don't. I respect people who try to be fair to everyone.

Can you honestly say you're not a hypocrite yourself? I kind of find it pointless when people call others hypocrites.