The Skipper

I rate RVP above Falcao.

This is embarrassing. I'm actually laughing out loud on public transport.

Never going to happen, wouldn't even get my hopes up.

Messi has only started to replicate his club form internationally quite recently. Give him time.

Shakhtar haven't been defeated since November 2011 if I'm not incorrect. They've been on a 25 game winning streak, having won 12 out of 12 games in the league this year. This game won't be easy at all, I'll be delighted if we come through with 3 points.

Poor and stupid article trying to add more flames to the fire.

Tough tough game. Glad JT's back for this one.

Commentators on ESPN were a BIG joke.

Bang on. It's gone from "Mikel can't play in a possession based side" to "Mikel is actually good". Not much has changed regarding Mikel, just people are finally realising why he's so important to the team. They're seeing this because ironically, we're more possession based now, and that actually brings the best out of Mikel because he is so good under pressure.

I see what you mean, but Mikel has been consistent for most of the season so far now.

Don't know why people are surprised. He's always had that in his locker.

Is anyone watching the ESPN commentary? The commentator is infuriating me. Who is he?

He's been doing that for years.

I think it's going down as his assist though, that is according to the PL website.

This guy is funny.

Hazard assist btw!

I agree that Belletti and Paulo are a lot better, but my post was more inclined to you saying that Ashley's a better crosser than Ivanovic, which certainly hasn't been the case in the last few seasons.

When has Luiz lunged in for a two footed challenge bar that JW incident (which wasn't even two footed to be honest)? You act like he does it all the time? Hasn't JT done that before? Puyol? Because he tries to dribble his way out of trouble (something he hasn't done in AGES mind) he won't be taken serious by fellow team mates? The problem is that people (fans) don't take Luiz serious, not his teammates, because he's a fun guy to be around. That doesn't mean he doesn't graft hard in training, or doesn't take matches serious? I'd rather have someone who's passionate, someone who inspires his team mates and fires them up than someone who just looks okay as a captain. If Cahill wasn't English I doubt many would consider him as an option. You wouldn't say that about JT though because he's a natural leader. So is Luiz, more so than Cahill IMO. Genuine passion for the club, a good image and personality, commitment and the ability to inspire. That's what I look for in my captain. Luiz ticks all of those boxes while Cahill doesn't in my opinion. Listen I'm not saying Luiz should be captain right now, but as I've said in previous posts he's one of the main contenders if 1) JT is fazed out in about 2/3 years and 2) he improves his English fluency.

Ivanovic is a lot more consistent in his crossing than Cole. Do people forget last season and the season before just because his crossing has been sub par in recent games?

Still don't understand how anyone could say Luiz isn't mature enough; he has taken it upon himself to help Oscar settle into the team and look at the result. Still don't understand how Luiz is only strictly viewed as some sort of clown of a person. It's ridiculous to say that Luiz wouldn't represent the club in a good way. Being a captain isn't only about showing how "mature" you are. For me passion is more important, something Luiz had in abundance. I did say that Luiz needs to be more fluent in his English. Apart from that I think he's one of the main candidates.

Spurs have always been an excellent counter attacking team. AVB really hasn't changed that much.

So because you're bouncy, jovial and a bit of a joker you can't be mature or be a leader? Right, we clearly differ in opinion so we'll just agree to disagree. I'm not even saying Luiz should be captain now. I'm suggesting that after JT is fazed out Luiz seems like one of the lead contenders to take the captaincy in my opinion. Mainly because he's very passionate and determined, two of the main attributes a person needs to be a good leader in my opinion. The fact that JT said that he could see Luiz succeeding him says a lot for me.

Is he really "crazy" or are you just assuming that? How can you assume he isn't mature either? And like I said how does anyone know if he isn't professional? People are saying all these things based on assumptions rather than anything else.

Do you know Luiz personally to say he's as big of a joker as you make him out to be? David is a extrovert yes, but that doesn't he isn't professional. Do you think he isn't professional because he sticks out his tongue in photos or? There isn't evidence? Isn't that Mata situation and the fact that Terry said what he said evidence?

I'd love for it to be Luiz. He's one of the biggest personalities in the squad, and if he can really improve the fluency of his English to a top level, I fail to see anyone else leading the troops out.