The Skipper

Why two?

He's a number 10, doesn't really have the capabilities to play in the pivot IMO.

That has more to do with us being inconsistent defensively at the start of the season. We've started defending better as a team since then... Better protection from the pivot, everyone understanding their tactical role etc... We didn't simply massively improve defensively just because Azpi took over the LB spot. Regardless, Azpi has been rock solid this season and very, very consistent and has definitely been one of our best players but no one beats Hazard IMO. While Azpi has been consistently good, Hazard has been magical a lot of times this season, and for that he deserves the POTY award IMO. Wouldn't mind Azpi winning it though but I doubt he will since most go for attackers. He'll get something like PPOTY though hopefully.

LOL. Epic.

Can you please stop invading every thread gushing about your stupid crush over Michael Bradley.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to beat an opponent when they are at full strength. It's called honour.

I'm happy with the draw, definitely another 50/50 game, Atletico are a great side. It's going to be a great tactical battle between Mourinho and Simeone.

I personally think he'd struggle with the pace of the PL. He isn't as nifty on the ball as Kovacic and needs more time to think.

Real wouldn't sell him for a reasonable price and he's getting on a bit now.

He does remind a lot of Modric. Would be elated if we signed him.

They outplayed them in the first, but not the second. Second was even.And the 3-0 result Atletico played their main team, don't make stuff up.

Can't say until the end of the next transfer window.

It's one leg... By that logic we should be out too since we fucked up in Paris. You really shouldn't put too much weight to that game, their players went into the game practically thinking the tie was over and Dortmund had nothing to lose.

You can say that he might need time to adjust to the PL, that's different, but he's not inexperienced any more and as I've said already, he's already mature beyond his years. He doesn't think or play like a 21 year old keeper so this age and experience argument is completely irrelevant now. Besides, how is he going to adjust to the PL if he doesn't play in it? He's definitely ready to be number 1 here if he's number 1 (and the best GK in Spain) at a club that are challenging for the La Liga ahead of two juggernauts in Real and Barcelona, and are also in the CL semi final.

He isn't the first to say that... It's what most people on here have been screaming for over these last few months... A LB, a CM and a ST.

You seriously can't judge them off of one off game pal.

I'm not saying we can't beat them either, we can beat them, in fact we can beat any of the three. My point is that I don't understand how people are trying to say that Real are the easiest out of the three we might face - I think the opposite because of the way they play - it isn't like something we've faced this season. PSG, City and Arsenal are possession based side, and we've done very well against teams like that, but I don't think you can put Real in the same category as them - hence why I think Bayern are our best match up.

This is bollocks mate, sorry. Did you watch them in the previous leg? You can't ignore quality players like Bale, Di Maria, Benzema and Isco. It's one game.

It's not as black and white as some of you are trying to make it out to be though... Yes Real aren't beastly at the back but to basically ignore their strike force is illogical IMO. They don't play like Bayern or Barca, they're more of a counter attacking team that's all about speed in their transition game so I really don't get how people think our strategy suit them the most. You bring up the Barcelona game - we don't play like Barcelona and don't have their offensive power so that's irrelevant and as you rightly pointed out, they should've easily put that game to bed but they weren't as clinical as they should be. Let's take a team that has a similar play style to us and look at their results vs Real; Atletico Madrid: Real 0 - 1 Atletico Real 3 - 0 Atletico Atletico 0 - 2 Atletico Atletico 2 - 2 Madrid As you can see, Atletico, a team very similar to us in how they play, have struggled in general to get results against Real. You should use them as a yardstick, not PSG or Barcelona. Now I'm not saying we can't beat them, of course we can, but people are massively underrating them and ignoring other aspects of their game because they've been shaky in a few games this season at the back; which is goes back to my initial point - yes, they're shaky at the back but we aren't exactly the greatest at going forward either, so I really don't know why people are trying to act like it's some sort of massive advantage for us as if we've consistently raped vulnerable defences this year.

People are massively underrating this Real side IMO... So what if Ronaldo is out? A front four of Benzema, Di Maria, Bale and Isco is still brilliant. Real have been shaky for a few weeks and suddenly people forget that they recently went on a 30+ unbeaten streak. Our high press would work the best on Bayern. Real are not a possession based side first and foremost, in fact they're a counter attacking side at heart. People are forgetting that an on form Real beat Atletico Madrid who play very similar to us, 5-0 on aggregate in the cup.

Why do people keep bringing this up like we're awesome going forward?

Personally I think he'd struggle with the pace of the PL.

So let's send out Hazard out on loan because he's still a kid and he still needs experience then.Courtois has experienced a lot at Atletico already, his age is irrelevant. He's mature beyond his years.

Thursday isn't over yet though?Could've at least let the voting run till like the evening or something, instead of closing it at 9:45am...

The poll should've been left open for much longer, seems to me that Alex just waited for Azpi to go ahead by one to close the poll.