The Skipper

He's played predominantly on the right for 1 game, relax...

Said from time ago I'd rather Barkley than Oscar and got slated on here haha. I thoroughly agree.

No season has ever been like the one we're experiencing right now either. If you don't think being 6 points off top with 12 games to go constitutes as being involved in the title race then I don't know. Of course we'd have to be a bit better to win it but we'd certainly be around. I don't think the winner of the PL this year will reach 80 points tbh.

1.8 x 26 is 46.8, so we'd have to round up to 47 points which would put us level with City who are 4th, and 6 points off top. If that's not still challenging for the title I don't know what is...

I disagree on him definitely playing 3-5-2. He doesn't force tactics on players. Based on history, he finds the best tactics for the talent he has.

Fabregas could actually end up becoming a very very important player if we do end up with Conte. As you said though, it's vital that we get a great B2B midfielder next to him and Matic for it to work.

We won't be able to tell. We might be moving in a different direction this time.

Musonda and Boga both have scope to be better than Oscar tbh.

Yeah, a Fabregas - Matic (old form) - Vidal midfield would be world class IMO.

Considering the circumstances, Drogba's header against Bayern is definitely number one for me. The fact that he got shoved and still managed to squeeze it between Neuer and the goal was just amazing, considering Neuer was in a very good position.

Another stroke of genius by Emenalo.

Willian can provide the dynamism that you think Oscar provides. Also, I didn't mention him before but RLC could also provide that. We're covered. Especially if we bring in a better player than Oscar.

We are pretty stacked at AM though. If we lose Oscar and buy a replacement who's better we'd still have said player, let's say Isco for example, plus Hazard, Willian, Pedro, Kenedy and maybe someone like Boga or Musonda. That's without counting someone like Traore who can play there too.

Maybe I expect too much from him. His second half was definitely better but still not to his (or mine?) standards.

This is why he'll never win a d'Or in my opinion but that's fine. As long as he gets back to the level of being in contention for it.

Watch the run he makes from our own half for Willian's goal. His desire is unreal. Very good today.

Despite his goal and assists, his general performance was still very meh. I'll take that though.

Danny Murphy.

I don't understand these substitutions. Wtf.

How many penalties does he have to mess up before he's taken off the duty?

We do it all the time. It just destroys so many potential chances. The only CB we have with the IQ to make the right decision from the back is JT.

Bring on the kids Guus.

Why oh why does Ivanovic stand over free kicks? It's so annoying.

The importance of ball playing centre backs can not be understated. Who saw Fabregas in acres of space when Cahill had the ball but Cahill making the complete wrong decision - instead of passing it forward to Cesc he went with an easy sideways pass? Fabregas was screaming at him afterwards. Cahill has very low ability when it comes to building from the back.

IMO he's not having a great game but still forced two (and a half?) assists though.