DYC.

Yossi Benayoun...

Feel the exact same way. I have to say, this guy has never convinced me. I've never seen a top player in him. More a player for the likes of Schalke, Valencia, Roma. But then again, I haven't seen much of him. But still, I doubt he'll do significantly better than Willian, if at all. At least he has great pace, which is always a bonus. If he joins, I really, really hope I'm wrong. Can't take another wide man flop.

He had a poor game and ended up with 7 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 clearances, 1 blocked shot and 100% aerials won. Imagine how much work he had to do. Today was not a good day.

You see Courtois on the telly, that's why I mentioned basketball. You should visit The Netherlands. Long legged people everywhere. This includes women. Gotta love tall women.

There's this game called basketball. Very popular in the US. They all have one thing in common and it's very noticeable. You should watch a game . Obvious mind games Chou. You obviously don't know anything. Post match interviews suck.

Agree. Luis was very good and I'm somewhat surprised it has gone under the radar.

Yes, that's what you hear all the time. But you know, Pirlo's not a 'DM' either, that didn't stop managers from using him there though. Winning titles, CLs and a World Cup. Ramires still isn't fit? No way. He's just not part of the plans anymore. Robben did and it was one of the most impressive showings of a individual I've ever seen. As in, once in a blue moon. Messi for Barcelona? That's a joke right? Or some kind of mistake. They're allergic to defensive football. Maybe you meant Argentina? They weren't defensive in the group stages. They were defensive in the knock-out rounds (because they were suffering defensively), and that's when Messi somewhat disappeared.

Agree. This was not good. A lot of people complain about how Real and Barca have smashed the lesser gods in their league over the years and how that proves La Liga lacks quality. But I don't think I'll ever forget the Liverpool - Real game. Simply put, Real made Liverpool look just as bad as a Elche or Granada.

The difference in the quality and speed of the build-up play from the back and overall level of play with Fabregas in the middle compared to what the Mikel-Matic combo provides is like night and day. But if you're not planning on playing, then yes, Mikel and Matic is the better combo. Personally, I still prefer Ramires though. Crazy how he's gone from full trust to 0 in one summer.

Don't think it's so much picking him but rather making the mistake of trusting him and not getting another CB. I don't think Zouma would've done better today. So much pressure on the defence. I've never rated him, but at least he was more than useful last season. This season is just full exposure. Can only hope to see more of Zouma.

We've seen how good Messi and Ronaldo are when their team is either disjointed or playing in a defensive manner, or both, in the national team. No attacking player can perform under these circumstances and forcing a win for your team in this set up is a once in a blue moon thing. You'll never see Barca and Real play like this and that's why they can produce at a high rate for their club.

Playing attacking football at Swansea isn't exactly a sign of courage. I don't understand why sides like Liverpool get this much respect.

Hopeless long range effort from Luis. 2 shots! 1 from a penalty. Still a big chance of going through. Liverpool sucks.

2 shots... Wow.

Don't have much more to add to that. I completely agree. You are right about Oscar being young. I understand that being patient is hard but he is still growing. It's funny though, many want to add all kinds of yong talents to the team, not realising they'll struggle to perform consistently too. Anyway, I once wrote a post about Eden, on how he compares to current stars at the same age. The same applies to Oscar as well. Young world-class players are rare. Where were the likes of Schweinsteiger, Silva, Iniesta, Ribery etc. development wise at Oscar's age? Some went on to become two, or even 3 times the player they were at a young age. What about Matic? From hardly good enough to be starter at Vitesse (midtable side in the Dutch league) to become one of the best holding midfielders in Europe. That said, Oscar still being young doesn't help the team right now. He's a starter and should be judged for his performances like any other starter. I just think plenty are too critical. The likes of Isco, James, Gotze, Barkley, Coutinho, Draxler all deal with inconsistency, they would have their issues as well.

I think you're feelings on Oscar are fair. Not only that, you explain your issues with him very well imo. But I'll never agree with the posts making him sound like he's a player who has no quality at all or that he hardly contributes. It's the same with other players. Chels are doing pretty well for a team with all these incompenent players. Before their recent 'mini-slump', City were apparently so much better (not to mention the almost flawless Bayern, Real, Barca players). I'm sure those feelings have changed now though. Until a few poor performances by our boys of course.

Arsenal can have the brilliant Ozil, I want Cazorla. I don't even see how that would be so unlikely if genuine interest was shown.

According to WhoScored, Oscar played 80 passes at a 85% pass completion rate. Which 12 passes out of 80 didn't reach it's target. You're exaggerating. That said, he did annoy me with his at times wayward passing. But looking at the bigger picture, Oscar did perform well. Any player's job goes further than passing. Rating a player's performance is subjective. What's more valuable, a beautiful pass setting up a goal (not directly assisting) or a great tackle dispossessing your opponent. Is a dribble going past two players more valuable than some excellent tracking work preventing runners from going through on goal? Does a goal line clearance trump a goal scored that ends up winning a match? Brilliant movemement vs brilliant passing? What is a passer without a receiver? But decisveness is always key. I've seen Cristiano Ronaldo put in ordinary performances, score 2 goals and receive all the plaudits. Meanwhile, players like Modric, Ozil, Alonso would provide a brilliant performance. CR being crowned MOTM is still deserved because goals win games. Top all-round performances don't necessarily win you games. Still, one of the midfielders being awarded MOTM would've been deserved as well. What I'm trying to say is, there is no one way of looking at football. Oscar was not my MOTM but saying others are wrong for picking him, or for saying he was quality, is an ignorant statement. Btw, ESPN rated him a 9, he received a 8.9 on WhoScored, 4.5 stars out of 5 on Goal.com, 8.5 from The Daily Mail. So it's not just the posters here like you said.

Would Cesc 'Barcelona and Arsenal can suck my Blue balls' Fabregas fit on a shirt?

So, so harsh LDN. Playing some poor passes can never turn your overall contribution poor in a performance like Oscar's yesterday. Found myself nodding when I read this. (Funny thing is, Oscar's average pass completion rate is 84% according to WhoScored.)

Again, incapable of playing poor passes. How do you get the weight absolutely right on a pass hit on the volley? Not only that, it was guided into a small space between two players. Another showing of Cesc's class of complete control.

Thank God we have you to tell us otherwise.

More than very good for a fullback. He has the ball control of a proper wide man. But it's too bad he's slowed down quite a bit. He used to be more explosive, more agile and quicker. You can tell he's reaching 30. It makes him more vulnerable to direct wingers. That said, I still think he's absolute class and should be a starter.

True. I don't know but it seems to be some weird concentration issue. He seems to doze off at times. It's not as bad as before (previous seasons), but it still creeps into his game from time to time. He should spend more time with his buddy Cesc, who seems incapable of playing poor passes.