The Skipper

Was just going to post this. He's a funny man. He's right though - we need to create a better atmosphere at home. Whenever I've been SB over the last 2 years the atmosphere hasn't exactly been as good as it could be. Regardless whether he's here or not we need to support the team. That doesn't mean you have to like Rafa - just don't single him out during games. Speak about him after the game. It affects the atmosphere.

Off topic but it's what happens when people see youth players make the step up. Didn't watch the game but I'm sure Ake had a very solid game but if Mikel had a game like that no one would even comment on it. People are naturally more lenient with new players/youngsters but its fine, I'm glad Nathan made a solid debut.

If we gave Torres who has been an absolute waste nearly 2 years of patience, surely Luiz who has actually shown the potential that he can get far better deserves a chance?

No he's not. He's rarely played there in his career. Usually plays right back or right mid.

He's a RB.

Based on a game where we faced a struggling Championship side? Come on now... Are you drunk?

Rafa's rant. I'm in stitches.

I'm not watching. How's Ake been so far?

This team should be good enough to beat Middlesbrough. Don't understand the doom and gloom here.

So glad Ake's starting.

Meireles would've been a big player for us this season. Shame.

Luiz isn't a DM. He can play there sure, but it'll take him years to fully comprehend the role. I want to see him and JT given a run in at CB - our best pairing IMO.

Ryan Bertrand has over 200 football league games under his belt. Of course he's more experienced. If Bertrand came through t Southampton instead of CFC whilst Southampton were in the PL he'd have many more games under his belt.

Di Maria was a beast tonight. Wow.

We weren't playing with our backs against the wall in the first half where he was head and shoulders above everyone did we?Second half performance wasn't completely down to our midfield being shit. It's the way we came out that set the tone for the rest of the game. I'm looking at the manager for the reason we performed badly in the second half. We dropped our intensity and allowed Arsenal to get back into the game. Regardless, I think the stick he's been getting is unfair. He's a great asset to the side, and it's against the big teams, if we are set up properly and if he plays in his natural position, where he'll do the most damage. Yes he had a poor game but my point is Ramires is still a valuable member of the first team. It's not his fault we sometimes don't have the right players in the pivot.

I see everyone's basically forgotten how he was our best player against Arsenal a couple of games ago. He had a poor game, but that doesn't mean he's a poor player.

This is why no one takes you serious. You're screaming Cahill is world class yet say Mata isn't.

Not many want that though. What the majority want is Frank to be given a new contract as he could still be a very useful squad player next year.

We've won a lot of trophies with Mikel as our starting DM.

I wouldn't switch Bale for Mata "anytime" sorry. Yes, Mata hasn't been in excellent form recently but that doesn't mean you should forget everything he's done this season. Bale's only been really hitting top form recently - I really rate Bale btw, if you look earlier in this thread you'll see that. Don't know why you're comparing Mata and Bale anyway, if you really want to compare a CFC player to Bale you'd have to say Hazard. Who would you rather in that case?

Turnbull & Hilario's contract expire this season if I'm not incorrect. We will definitely get at least 1 new goalie in IMO if that is the case.

Yeah. Best winger in the PL by far. Top 5 PL player too. Grows better and better every season.

It's not that Mata's stamina's bad. It's just that he's been flogged to death. Unfortunately there isn't much we can do about that especially with the way we're playing ATM.

I would, very upset in fact. We're okay at the LB position ATM. There are other areas of the squad that need fixing more urgently.

Will he come here to sit on the bench? No.