The Skipper

Lol, you're actually ridiculous if you're clamouring onto that Ashley Young solo goal as an assist for Mata.

The PL Super Bowl

Exactly what I was thinking especially regarding us using this sort of line up against City instead. It should be interesting to see how we do line up against City though.

I never said Azpi is an elite offensive player because he's not, he's pretty decent/just about above average in that aspect - I just really don't rate Ivanovic's offensive game, I find it that useless. Azpi is a better crosser, knows how to overlap better, more pace/acceleration, and just has general better attacking sense. Ivanovic is really, really poor going forward IMO. We created more because we went more offensive and brought on another striker, a goal scoring midfielder and changed into a more offensive tactic in the 2nd half. In the first half however we barely did create anything, which was due to the way we started the game, which was my main gripe with us not creating enough - I meant us not creating enough clear chances in the first half, and decisions like starting Mikel and Ivanovic attributed to that IMO.

He can do that when his finish becomes consistent. He's not there yet IMO in regards with his finishing.

It's about weighing the pros and cons though. West Ham had 1 shot in the whole game, I doubt we needed Ivanovic's aerial presence. Azpi is more than decent defensively at RB and is obviously far greater offensively. I never said that we didn't win because purely Ivanovic started at RB. We would've had a greater chance to create more if he didn't though. He was one of the factors especially on why we didn't create enough clear cut chances, in combination with a too defensive pivot, and poor finishing. Him having a horrible game didn't help either.

Against teams like West Ham we need to start more positive because they will sit back and park the bus. No idea why Mikel and Ivanovic started, we needed Azpi and Cole at fb today to help break down the opponent. Also an ideal game for Lampard who has a phenomenal record against West Ham. We played pretty well, obviously couldn't finish but the result means we have to go at the Etihad and at least nick a point.

No he isn't. The only similarity both share is that they're both pretty laboured in their movements. Like you said, Kroos is more of an 8 or 10 whilst Matic is more of a 6.

And you've been blocked. Don't understand why you can't get it through your thick skull that I wouldn't have selected Mikel for this game either.

Outstanding today. Tried to be our go to guy but obviously just didn't go for him. Commend the effort though.

Would've been perfect to bring him on today. Shame.

Don't blame him, again Mou shouldn't have picked him. Not the game for him at all.

Exactly. If anything, people should blame Mourinho for selecting him because he wasn't what we needed today. He's an anchor man, not someone that's expected to contribute when going forward.

Didn't catch the first half but Mou has to start more positively in these games. Mikel shouldn't have started, nor should've Ivanovic (who had a horrible game). Surely Mou knew Wet Spam were going to sit and park the bus - added to the fact that they practically have no pace up front... This was a great game for Lampard to start in, and also a great game for Ashley to play in after he linked up well with Hazard against Stoke... It's annoying because we played quite well but just couldn't score that one goal. The result makes a win against City more vital though.

Lampard is old.

Why is Ivanovic still on the pitch ffs.

Agreed. From what it sounds like, Matic should be playing to help the transition in attack. Likewise with Ashley not playing and the stupid Azpi at LB experiment.

I don't know why Ivanovic started though tbh, it's obvious that you need more finesse in the team in games like these so it would've been better to go with Cole on the left and Azpi on the right... Oh well.

Not watching the game but from what I'm reading it's been expected. West Ham to just pack their half with 11 men whilst we try to break them down. Have we created enough though?

I feel that if we do have a long term manager, one that stays for longer than 3 years, we'll definitely see youth being integrated more.

Ramsey doesn't play AM - also Rosicky will be off if they sign Draxler IMO since he has 1 year left on his contract.

He wasn't comparing current Eto'o's ability with Ibrahimovic's... All he said is that had Eto'o stayed in a good league he would've been sharper. Nothing wrong with that. Also, question: if we could get rid of Torres would you?

Yeah definitely. Personally I think Mourinho is going for a hybrid Dortmund/Madrid style for us. Should be exciting times.

Why 3-0?