The Skipper

Is that it? I was expecting to see a list of a 1000 players which contained a couple of League 2 players in there, the way you guys go on about how shite Mikel is.

Mata's Olympics was basically his pre-season. If he's feeling fit enough to go then why should we stop him?

Watched the game again. I really fail to see how Mikel was supposedly the cancer in the team. The double pivot as a whole is a problem, it just doesn't work without our forward players dropping a little deeper - it forces Lampard to go up to try and link up play which leaves Mikel exposed. Whenever Mikel got the ball he was swarmed by City players. That was the problem. Lampard, instead of running all over the pitch to close down, should've been an outlet for Mikel. We would've kept possession a lot better in that way. The double pivot failed, not just Mikel. If you didn't watch the game and came on here for some reviews you would've thought Mikel lost us the game, but it was a collective thing. What I don't understand is how people can question his whole CFC career after one bad game. Mikel can go on a run of 5 good games and he'd perhaps be below average in one and he'll get slated. It isn't fair IMO. If Mikel turned in bad performances week in week out then yeah, we need a new DM. BUT he doesn't.

Terry is world class. He'd get into any PL team. End of.

It is quite amazing how people can be so affirmed about Mikel after one game. He wasn't class yesterday yes but nor were 75% of the team. To me it's so naive that he's scapegoated for the loss. It's easy to pick on Mikel because he doesn't score/assist regularly but still... Some perspective needed IMO. It's quite dumb to write off a player based on one game IMO. I wonder if Torres would've been slaughtered on here too if he had the same game but just didn't score. My bet is that people would be crying for the board to press the panic button and buy Falcao or Cavani or whatever. We'll see anyway. RDM has faith in Mikel and sees him as his first choice, we've rarely been linked with a DM... That's all that matters to me.

Great post mate. Well balanced analysis.

Yeah okay man we all know you think Mikel is garbage but that doesn't mean that it's fact. We all have our own opinions and if that angers you then we'll just leave it there.

I ain't going to fucking shut up for no one, especially not you. I do what all the time? What I'm trying to say is that in the double pivot there is a shared responsibility for defensive work. Lampard, Terry, Luiz, Ivanovic and Cole are all responsible for the goals conceded, yet everything is being put on Mikel. If Mikel was SO bad as you describe in your post how come RDM didn't yank him off? Mikel didn't lose the ball 50 times either. Must've been watching a different game. Can't believe people are giving so much stick to Mikel, 75% of the team were poor. It would've been a different game if Ivanovic wasn't sent off. Whatever though, let's all just make Mikel the scapegoat for the loss right? It's all his fault. People might see me as a stern Mikel supporter, it's not even that but whatever. I just think it isn't right to basically blame Mikel for the loss. Especially when there were other players who didn't exactly play well either.

How do you indefinitely block people?

Not really! It's not really shameful to lose by one goal against the PL champions whilst having a man sent off. Some perspective please people.

Not necessarily, the responsibility doesn't only fall on him. Lampard has left Mikel exposed. It's a collective thing, the whole defence has been poor yet people only slate Mikel, that's one thing I don't understand. He's going to be the scapegoat for this loss (because Torres scored).

If Ivanovic wasn't stupid enough to get sent off, we'd be winning this IMO.

Why are people slating Mikel? He's been one of the few ones in midfield that's actually been decent.

Lmao. This thread is hilarious.

For the benefit of CFC, it's better if we don't purchase Cavani. We don't play with 2 world class strikers in one team so why let one rot on the bench? It's either Cavani in Torres out or nothing IMO.

No, Hulk isn't overrated to me. I know his capabilities and I know what he can do so to me he's not overrated. What I don't agree on however is his price. Hulk is worth £30m max, that's why I say he's overpriced. I'm sure Cazorla cost closer to £18m too. He's decent but as said above we have too many players of his ilk already.

If the Cavani deal had any truth with Raul Meireles going the other way this would make sense (M'Vila). Too many hypotheticals though.

I think people are mixing up the terms "overpriced and "overrated". Hulk isn't overrated IMO.

Central America aren't really known for producing great talent so meh, I'll pass.

Leif, that's exactly how I see it too. I can imagine Hazard who's better at penetrating the ball than anyone else on our team playing behind Torres in a sort of second striker role (sort of). I think it would work pretty well. I can envision a team consisting of Torres, Mata, Hazard in the hole, Hulk/Moses, Oscar and Mikel working very well to break down those games where we face stupid and stubborn defences.

And most Belgian journalists were reporting it in euros too. So basically £9.5m rising to £14.5m!

If I'm not incorrect, don't WBA use two strikers? I think Romelu has a genuine chance to claim a place up front. The competition is good in a way too, it'll keep him on his toes. I also think they'll sell off one of their strikers still, so he'll be fine. Perfect environment for him to thrive in.

Not at all. He's wank.

RDM basically confirmed he's off in the press conference. Good luck wherever you go Romelu, hopefully come back a more confident player.

I think it's better if we start the game with the three of Hazard, Mata and Ramires anyway. Ramires' defensive contribution will be vital. If we were chasing the game Marin would be useful to come off the bench, but unfortunately he's injured. Our best starting line up for this game is definitely this: Cech Ivanovic - Luiz - Terry - Cole Mikel - Lampard Ramires - Hazard - Mata Torres