DYC.

He's a offensive midfielder, not suited to the double pivot at all. He hardly does any defensive work at Bremen. He makes Lamps look like Vidal and people were complaining about Lampard neglecting his defensive duties and pushing up too much. Ideally we'd play a three man midfield and have him and Oscar compete for the offensive CM role next year.

I look at Obi and I often just scratch my head. He's 6 ft 2, muscular and he's shown (mostly on the ball) he possesses impressive strength. Yet he rarely makes use of it in his defending, so strange. He'd be a better player if he would add physicality to his game and it would also help our team a lot as we seriously lack power. You'd think one of the 27 coaches he's played under in the past 6 and a half years would instruct him to do so. Add aggression to your game and use your strength Obi.

You're absolutely right. The way English football is set up is just awful for youth development. To add to what you've already said, there's the rule where clubs are only allowed to scout in their own designated areas. There are like 756 clubs in London and they all have to share the talent in the area. But the club also doesn't buy players at a young age for relatively low prices (so incredbily hyped up/talented players don't count) and help them develop into future first team players. Look at Lucas for example. Unknown at first, ridiculed by opposition fans and media at first but look at him now. Best DM in the league if you ask me. But with the immense pressure on managers, young players can't develop here as the managers pick (and buy) experienced players because everyone has to perform right now. Even fans have picked up that mentality as they already grow tired of a player after a few bad performances.

I just have do this. Shame on you LDN, Raul's technique is brilliant. His touch, control, passing technique and shooting technique, simply fantastic in every aspect. As for your post, very idealistic. I've given up on us producing first team players through our academy a long time ago. The academy is all about making money, rare exceptions excluded. It's impossible to consistently promote youngsters with the way the club is run (short-term vision).

Board out. Bring in sensible football men who know the game and will run the club like it's supposed to be run, like a football club and not a business.

So this is the Benitez effect.. Same effect as a rectal examination.

He's exhausted. He's played far too much.

We played 4-3-3 yesterday, actually it was more like a 4-5-1 as the wide players were acting as midfielders instead of real wide forwards. Off the ball we switched to 4-4-1-1(ish) shape. The problem is the wide players were very predictable, always cutting inside. And they didn't stay out wide often enough imo. Bertrand also offered nothing in offense when he was on. But the central midfielders were definitely positioned in that shape. The decision-making in the final third was simply poor for most of the game.

Let's get another clean sheet.

Absolutely awful in offense once again. Just painful to watch.

Now I know the false CB is a dig at David but who's the false midfielder?

Can't wait till we get to see false goalkeepers.

Hazard on the right, finally. Bertrand on the wing against Fulham at home, hmm. Is playing fullbacks on the wing some new trend?

We were very defensive against Juve. But they were very good and simply destroyed us haha, with a bit of luck as well. City were poor.

Mehh I never believe in such claims. We could've won with Di Matteo, we could've lost. We'll never know. A team winning a big game after a poor run of games isn't something that has never happened before in football.

Won't answer to insults. Nice talking to you.

My bad, missed that. But based on what would we have likely lost? It's easy to just spout out things like that. And my goodness, calm down. Getting worked up over nothing.

What are you talking about Sheva? That has nothing to do with it. And this season he won 1 out of 6? I'm sure we played more games under Di Matteo.

But we won, he said we would've lost. Besides, Napoli attacked and couldn't break through most of the time.

Like he did when we beat Napoli 4-1 right? I'm not saying didierforever is right but that was a ignorant comment.

Ivanovic had more work to do as City were attacking mostly through the centre, along with playing long balls and set-pieces. But everytime they attacked our right side, I thought he did great. In this case I don't think it's fair to point to his newcomer status. I honestly think he was a bit better but Ivan was great too, though the physicality of this game was perfect for him. David Luiz was good btw, let's see how often that gets mentioned. Ramires was strong off the ball.

This game reminded me why I dreaded playing against Benitez's Liverpool. This was a classic Liverpool performance in big games but back then they had Torres who would do something special to win them games. Sometimes it was Gerrard. Awful offensive play today imo. Defensively we were good, good shape as well. But we lack the pace needed up front for such a approach, couldn't hit them quickly on the break. Leading to a very boring match. At least we managed a clean sheet. Ivanovic was good, Azpilicueta was great. I can already see the great effect Benitez has on Torres.

Compliments to Bran for his performances in the centre in recent weeks. Making that switch in position is anything but easy but he's doing the job. Wouldn't take him out for either D. Luiz or Cahill when Terry returns, especially with the way Azpilicueta has been performing at RB. David Luiz will have to perform to get his spot again.

Agree, he's performed well. I was hoping he was faster than this though when he joined, we lack pace on the wings imo.

I remember many claiming Torres possessing his old pace again at the start of the season haha. The effect of delusion. Doesn't even come close.