The Skipper

SWP was bought as a starter. Moses wasn't. There'll be less pressure on him and to be honest, his potential ceiling is higher than SWP's ever was. SWP wasn't as bad as he was painted out to be though. He was a useful player but just never really lived up to his hype, and his price tag especially. As Moses came for a lower fee and is not expected to start regularly I think he'll do better.

Basically what I was trying to say is that the general consensus was that Neymar is better than both. Of course you'll have a few saying a couple of opposite things, but your post is trying to allude that it was the majority view that Lukaku and Kakuta were better, when it clearly wasn't.

We have the best central defence (quality and depth wise) in the Premiership. No other team in the PL has the ability to call upon 4 quality centre backs like we do. City have: Kompany, Toure, Lescott, Savic, Richards. Utd: Vidic, Ferdinand, Smalling, Phil Jones, Evans. Arsenal: Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Djourou. Liverpool: Coates, Skrtel, Agger, Carragher. Out of these players the only one who'd definitely get into our first team XI is Kompany. I can comfortably say too that Terry, Cahill or Luiz would also start for any of the teams mentioned above. Seriously, I'd rather the 4 of Terry, Luiz, Cahill and Ivanovic rather than any of those. People need to stop saying Terry is on the decline too. They say it every season, but I believe JT can still play at least 2 seasons more before any real noticeable decline.

Lol, no one ever said Kakuta or Lukaku are better then Neymar. Everyone knew Neymar was special 2 years ago, whether you lived in Brazil or not.

He isn't married though, the two kids came from a fling. Marriage shows maturity IMO. Marriage and having kids isn't the same thing. Oscar is very mature for his age.

Didn't say he had a great game, far from it. Just saying that saying he had a poor game is too harsh. He was just average. Not poor.

Why suggest Witsel then? Edit: Sorry, thought it was you suggesting Witsel but it was BlueLyon. Anyway, we don't necessarily need a creative DM, just someone who links up the attack and midfield. Dembele has the potential to be exactly that person IMO.

How was he poor and how the hell were Reading his first real test?

Yes. Let's sign Casillas for £50m because he's a good player as well. Don't worry about us not needing him.

CRonaldo has a valid point. If there's one part Eden can improve his game on a bit, it's his finishing. He'd be unplayable.

It's pretty clear to me that our play isn't going to be high-cross orientated. Torres isn't really known for his aerial prowess. We'll see tons of through balls, intricate combinations and perhaps low, driven crosses from inside the box by the byline. We'll see anyway. There has to be a variation in our play and I'm not discrediting that the cross have been quite poor, but what has to be understood is that they aren't really the main part of our play now, hence why the quality has reduced. We'll see decent cross from our proper wide men (Moses and Marin) but apart from that it's understandable to me why the crosses haven't been top notch. Azpilicueta might have a good cross on him as well but we'll see.

Thanks mate. Saved me the trouble. These stats illustrate exactly why Mikel and Dembele would compliment each other in midfield. He'd be a great link man in that pivot. If we sold Malouda and Benayoun to make room in midfield I'd be delighted if we brought him in to replace them. He'd provide further cover for the three in the 4231 as well as he's adept at playing there too. Would be an astute signing. Shame the board aren't looking into though.

I wouldn't call Berba a flop.

What happened? R.I.P. Always sad to see this, condolences to his family and friends.

Although I rate O'Neill, I think the gap between Sunderland and Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham, Arsenal, Man Utd & City and us is a bit too big to bridge over.

Dembele's defensive contributions are just as good as Modric's. Even better IIRC. He's a very hard worker as well. I'll try and get stats and do a little write up in a bit.

Dembele has been rated by many since last season, it really isn't a bandwagoning thing. Regardless, a Dembélé - Mikel pivot would be quite sexy.

The movement from Torres is class.

You know what, I wish Ramires was at least as comfortable with his passing as Meireles is. He'd be perfect in that pivot with Mikel.

I just hope that the same people that are loving him now, won't be the same people cursing him or slagging him off when he goes through a bad spell or has a really bad moment.

Mikel haters where you at?

Because our wingers have been as well.

Might as well sign Mulumbu from WBA. Seriously still don't get this obsession with Tiote.

Maybe all the Chelsea managers before RDM and RDM himself need to be enlightened by your statement. They must all be shit managers if they can't see Mikel is shit. The club must be shit as well for not avidly looking for a Mikel replacement. Everyone is shit.

Not a dig on you mate, but seriously, why does every thread turn into a Torres or Mikel slagfest? Malouda is a decent squad player, if he's happy to stay to lend out his experience then cool.