The Skipper

Glad Lukaku doesn't have the same attitude you have.

At Genk in his last season he was in the form of his career back then playing CM in a 4-4-2 if I remember correctly. He was pulling outstanding performances. The notion that it's a fantasy that KDB can play in CM isn't a fantasy. He's done it before, and he's done it well.

JOM is a martyr. #believe

"He scores when he wants, he scores when he waaants, John Obi Mikel, he scores when he wants!" being sung around the Bridge. Quality.

MIIIIIIKEEEEEEESLLLL

No problem mate I understand!

No one was suggesting we should drop Oscar for Mata mate, so I don't know why you're feeling smug about him scoring.

It's you who's making this an Oscar vs. Mata thing. I never suggested that Oscar should be dropped - he's been our best player this season by far. All I'm saying is that Hazard and Mata had a great understanding last season and we were a lot more creative when both played together simply because of that. Like I said it's nothing against Oscar - it's just that we've been lacking a in form Mata and Hazard and as a result of that we're struggling creatively and I'm not blaming Oscar for that. It's Jose.

I'm not basing it on this season, I'm basing it on last season. You can't really use that one game to prove that Hazard doesn't play better when Mata's on the pitch. How many times were we raving about the telepathic understanding Mata and Hazard had last season? I'm sorry if it offends you but I stand by what I said. I said it in the Hazard or Mata thread a few days ago as well - I truly think Hazard plays better when Mata's on the field.

Well, I truly believe so, yes. It's nothing against Oscar mate. Just think that when Eden and Juan are on the pitch together we're a lot more creative in the final third.

He failed because he's not been getting minutes, simple. Hazard on the other hand keeps getting played even though he's been bad in most games. Don't forget Eden plays a lot better when Mata's on the field as well.

Game is screaming for some creativity from Mata or even Luiz - or even KDB or Willian.

Bent should've scored. That's what I really hate about Cahill.

Delighted for him. If anything he'll come back a much better striker. Everton is the perfect environment for him.

Don't see why we're leaving Luiz and Mata out of the squad. Yeah okay, they might not start but why leave two of your best players out of the squad completely? Looks like we've set up as a counter attacking team. Not liking this Mourinho.

Don't know why Mata and Luiz aren't even on the bench. Team should get us the win but I have no idea what's going on.

Depends what you want from your number 10. I don't like Mourinho's quotes though. We'll see how the season pans but if he's being turned into a bit part player he should leave for his own sake. Mata isn't anywhere near as effective on the wings as he is as a number 10.

I didn't though, so we will see.

Yeah as Choo Choo said, when you compare him to the real divers in the game he's a saint. Sure he tries to trick the referees sometimes, but every player of his style does it. Last game was an anomaly, he just wasn't good enough in every department - even being fouled.

I meant to say he didn't say that because he hates Benitez.

I seriously think people need to have more faith in this team. How anyone can completely write off a team after 5 games is pretty ridiculous IMO. Acting as if the Basel performance is how we always play. This team is playing at 50% right now, of course things will improve. I have a feeling we'll trounce these lot.

No he doesn't hate Benitez, he just knows that Luiz isn't really a necessary option in CM.

No, Eden doesn't dive or simulate. He's very clever with it. The only way you can get the ball off Eden is if you physically contact him - which usually (90% of the time) results in a free kick as he protects the ball with his body superbly most of the time. If Eden has the opportunity to go on he will - if he doesn't he'll usually get fouled. There's a reason why he was Europe's most fouled player last season and the season before if I remember correctly. That in itself should tell you he doesn't dive.

Yes, go watch the game again and you'll see he made a lot of interceptions and tackles, drove well with the ball and had Ross Barkley in his pocket for the majority of the game, and of course passed exquisitely. Apart from maybe slacking a bit for the goal he was very good.

Mikel wasn't our best player against Everton because he made a high percentage of his passing though...