LDN Blue

Still a better #2 than we've had in a while & that most teams have anyway. Of course he was going to be rusty, should definitely be here as long as we can retain.

Lmao did someone just suggest we should sell him? He's been reckless this season, really damn reckless. There was the disgusting foul at Villa and he's not been back long enough to then receive and impending retrospective ban from the FA. He's still a good player imo and one we definitely need against certain opposition and depending on certain tactics. His pace and stamina are big traits to have in the EPL. So he should definitely remain with the squad, but Mou really needs to have a word about his decision making. It's curious because before this season we hadn't really seen that side of him.

Assuming he even does the presser.. I highly doubt it. But hey may because he'd be talking Europe & not EPL

I have a feeling this tie, generally, will come down to away goals.. So ideally we'd want 2. But hell after today I'll take 1-0 in our favour.

No they didn't.. They bought Suarez before Torres was sold. They bought Andy Carroll with Torres money..

Cech wasn't benched. Cole wouldn't have made a difference? That back 4 has been consistent in not conceding in 9 home games and conceding only 6 in 18 games.. Why would anyone want to change that? He's doing the best with what this squad compromises of. An inherited squad, not a freshly built one.

Yup. For all the possession we had, particularly in the their own box.... We should've been miles ahead for the pen to even matter

I do get why people are mad at the referee, but seriously that wasn't the reason for our defeat. It was those 11 players of the pitch.

I'm actually depressed.. So much optimism, so much hope that just all crumbled away. There's no referee excuses this time, there's no Mourinho blame.. Don't even want to analyse the match or anything. It's been a good season considering what our squad compromises of. ..but that doesn't help my mood right now

I don't understand why Liverpool are the sweethearts now of English media.. It goes beyond the usual Chelsea hatred. Maybe because it's Hillsborough time again or something, who knows.

One of the best players in the world right now, would absolutely love it to happen but never will.

page 690 was one of the funniest I've read in a long while about Schneiderlin LMAO

Really? Ba's stronger than people give him credit for. Knows how to hold of a defender and chest the ball down. I'd also give special reference (never thought I'd do this) to Jamie Carragher on his analysis when Ba faced Norwhich earlier http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/29327/8960794/drogba-esque-performance-by-demba-ba-at-norwich-says-jamie-carragher

Yup!! His underestimation of Lamela is brilliant

Nope, not suggesting that, I'm simply suggesting a period of adjustment will take place were he won't be all guns blazing. Whether he can overcome that or not, is up to him.. I also believe the 'new environment thing is overrated' statement isn't right. Already this season you see guys like Soldado, Giroud etc failing to adapt when so prolific in their previous leagues. Of course on the other side you have guys like Negredo who do adapt. Like I said, I'm not saying for sure Costa will not adapt and I hope he does. Just giving a bit of perspective.

I actually agree. It's not like there was a massive hurdle for Lukaku to overcome. At the same time, I do find some sympathy because it's WC year and he did have competition in Benteke. For all he knew Mourinho would've reignited Torres & Eto'o would've had a worldie this season.. In that sense, if he asks to leave this summer (when it's clear Ba & Torres are more than likely moving on) it will say something about his lack of patience or faith in himself & Mourinho

I'd rather take another Arsenal defender, Koscielny. Either way, he seems Serie A bound and he's more or less a shadow of his former self.

I get that, honestly I do. But you're taking someone out of an environment where they've shined, excelled, been a cunt, pulled out all the stops etc. and putting him into a brand new one. Just because those traits lie with a player in one environment, doesn't mean they'll get transferred when the player does. I'm speaking generically here though, in the context of Costa himself I really hope he takes these qualities and continues applying them if he is come here. I just don't want us to put all our eggs in one basket, so to speak.

That's true, even I saw that. And he did like to use Ba as an extra defender too . The problem he'll have with only going in with two strikers is the injury crisis we may suffer. Remember beginning of the year when both Eto'o and Torres were out injured? He won't risk that again. I'm sure he'll give Eto'o one more year and let Ba go. But along with Costa he has to bring in someone else who won't mind being bit-part (I hear Anelka's on the market again ). But even bit-part, Lukaku won't be happy because there's no guarantee. Perhaps Mou can convince him because it won't be WC/Euro year and so Lukaku doesn't have much to lose. I definitely agree. it's not right that this discussion should even take place, but the problem we face is that it's a likely possibility. When you take into account Lukaku's form and our obvious pursuit of a big signing striker it doesn't bode well. That being said, anything can happen pre-season/WC. Lukaku claims he's a Chelsea fan, so loyalty has to be shown.

Definitely!! Shouldn't even be anywhere near Liverpool or Madrid when the squad goes, it'll be so cringe

Seems too passive to be honest.

erm...... while that's a great trait on a personal level it doesn't really matter lol. Sheva had that at Milan, Torres had that Liverpool. In fact, from our strikers that did well they weren't that fussed about leaving their current clubs. Examples like Anelka, Hasselbaink, Gudjohnsen. Drogba did have a connection with Marseille, but not that great. If anything, heart and soul at one club usually doesn't help when the player leaves that club.

You say that, but realistically what's going to happen? We'll spend £25m+ so Costa is going to get maximum preference. We know our system is designed to accommodate 1 striker from the off, so that means you've got Lukaku and Eto'o on the bench. While the latter might be content with that (taking his age & wage into account), the former will definitely not. His spells at West Brom and Everton have proved to him and most clubs that he's is that good. I really do envision him leaving us this summer because we're not going to spend audaciously on a new striker and bench him behind Lukaku.

God I really hope, if we are going to screw this up, we don't do it as early as Saturday to bloody Sunderland

Yea agree there. Cole can handle himself against Johnson, Azpi will need the rest especially when we're away for the following games!