DYC.

Remember that game. Still can't believe they won. No way they're winning this time. And I demand a repeat of this: Oh, Shevchenko

Big game player :blue scalf:

He knocked him out with that one.

I think he has found a nemesis in Skrtel.

I have to admit, he looks like an old man in high tempo games. In fact, he looked like Gerrard. This is not an easy problem to solve.

I don't know why, but this really made me laugh out loud.

Matic was not good enough in 2011. I did like him though. He had a nonchalance in his game I liked, but that's not a good thing at such a level. He left and went on to develop, reaching a high level in a new position, changing his style and playing a completely different role. If you predicted Matic to do that back in 2011, I'd like to talk to you about the lottery and the stock market. I say I don't think he'll ever be good enough, but you can of course never predict these kind of things. That's the fun part about football. I'd take a bunch of other players over Mikel. Not Van Ginkel, not at this stage in his career.

He's not good enough. He was never good enough. He was never going to play, regardless of his injury. Too raw. People complain about Oscar, Van Ginkel's not even remotely close to his level. A move back to Holland would be best for his career. Ajax would be great if they're still interested. If not them, I'm sure Vitesse would love taking him back. I don't think he'll ever be good enough for this level. Maybe a team like Everton or even Tottenham in the future, depending on how he picks up. But I'm sure the paycut will be hard to accept. Maybe he'll leave and play for the money. That's not bad either.

Messi: 29 starts + 1 sub app - 33 goals + 16 assists for Barca. Ronaldo: 29 starts + 2 sub apps - 36 goals + 12 assists for Real. Year after year. A level of consistency never seen before. When will it stop?

True. I remember people saying that all the time. Petr's a favourite too btw.

Was that because of his performances or was it because they did not get along the 2nd time around? That's something we'll never know. I will give you this though, the way Cole just 'disappeared' was absolutely bizarre.

Of course. But then again, Cole was a favourite too. Lampard didn't always play either last season, even though the alternatives weren't much better, if at all. But more importantly, Mourinho is all about results. He would not let anything come before that. And again, Cahill and Ivanovic. Talk about a poor choice of untouchables. That does not mean I actually think he'll make the changes. I just don't think (hope) that would be the reason for sticking with them.

Yes, the infamous Mourinho untouchables. I understand how it can at times seem that way, but I'm still not convinced that's true. You'd think a manager at the highest level wouldn't let favouritism affect his job. It was understandable with the likes of Drogba, Lamps etc., they were top class, but Cahill and Ivanovic? Come on. I hope that's not the case.

So the first half of the season is definitely over, and I think it's fair to say Ivanovic and Cahill have made quite a few mistakes (understatement). I'd love to see Zouma and Luis receive that same kind of trust he put in Ivanovic and Cahill and give them starting spots. Remember how Luiz and Cole were dropped after below-par performances? So it's definitely not beyond the realms of possibility. Keep them in the team in the second half of the season even if they mistakes, bar the extreme of course. They would definitely bring a greater athleticism into the defence.

Yeah, I have to say you called the issues in the team a long while back. Back when not one match was lost. It's a shame you were right. Still have faith in winning silverware though.

Haha. Youth. Yeah right. Whether this is a cup match or not, a 2-0 lead was lost against amateurs (compared to Chelsea players). Unacceptable. There's a vulnerability in this team that is very worrying.

Agree. These are the type of English players the club should go for imo. Get em early, pull of a 'Chambers' like Arsenal, even though they're already quite expensive. Not good enough to be a regular yet but more than capable as a squad player (so no death loans).

Do you guys get a lot of stick in 'the real world' when it comes to the atmosphere in The Bridge? Because I have to say, I don't really hear the difference between SB and other grounds.

If you're not good enough to play at a certain level, you'll end up looking (a lot) worse than you actually are. Comparing stats is never a good idea imo.

Agree. It's why I can't fault Cahill, because this is who he's always been. It's the players around him that got better, not Cahill himself.

I wonder what happened to 'The Happy One'...

I'll be happy if he has the same impact as Gronkjaer if he joins.

Anelka was good in 08/09, when he played up top. First six months after he joined he struggled, also took that awful penalty in Moscow... 09/10 was a season of highs and lows, but at least he chipped in with goals. Malouda-Drogba-Anelka were destroying teams in the last part of the season though, even Kalou haha. That was great to watch. It all went down-hill after that. Those were some 'dark times' man. I like Lacazette. I'm not so sure on him still working on the wing. His ceiling didn't seem very high out wide, he looks much better in the middle. Think the club would do well to at least go for a real wide man. But if you can't get an upgrade on Willian, don't just buy for the sake of buying. Why not strengthen in other positions? Or just wait until the summer comes. We've seen too many flops.

Not really... Some good spells here and there but Anelka was very frustrating out wide. In fact, I remember him driving people absolutely crazy on here haha. You could fuse Anelka, Malouda and Kalou (Anelkalouda) and you'd still end up with a player that wasn't good enough.

I don't remember that tbh. I remember divided camps, rather than the majority being against Costa's signing. Remember when the almighty Hulk was the ultimate guy to sign a few years back though? Thank you Zenit. 27 mil pounds, wow. A player capable of controlling a ball without falling over is already worth a few million nowadays.