LDN Blue

I thought this was a thread dedicated to Lukaku's performance, but clearly I was wrong, reading the first few pages Anyway, Lukaku had an impressive outing in those 19mintues. What I like, is he wants the ball to feet. This automatically nullifies the theory we'll be playing the same "hoof it up and hope for the best" tactics we were dreading when we first heard Lukaku's name. It's clear he likes to run with the ball, and actually play football instead of just out-muscling a defender and hoping for the best. He does need to work on his reflexes and dribbling, but that will all come in time. He is 18 so we've got more than enough time to see him develop into a world-class striker. He's got real passion and drive right now, he wants the ball and he wants to play for the team. I think he's more than happy to come off the bench this season, he realises there's quite a huge pecking order for the forwards role, but he's sent out a message to AVB that he is ready to step up if called upon. Good signs, for now.

Having finally watched the full game. There's one thing that concerns me slightly, and it's actually a good thing too. Mata definitely like to move around the pitch a lot. Instead of staying stationary on the left, till the play arrives, he chases the play and offers support even on the right by making the run there. Now I am only judging this by yesterday's appearance, but I think he has the attributes required to play behind the strikers in the no.10, playmaker role. It would suit him ideally because he's already performing the kind of positioning and instinct required to play there. Which is why I think we should still be in the hunt for a left-winger. And I think that's what Villas-Boas has seen too, which is why he is trying to sign someone like Perreira. Because if Mata and Perreira are in the same squad, we won't be as weak on that left hand side. Mata would be able to support Alvaro as well as play in that free role. Thoughts?

Would you say Makelele was a destroyer?

Revenge is a must.

Only watched the first half so far. Lampard looked good, made some good passes and retained possession a lot better than usual. Torres looked, well he looked meh. He had sparks of brilliance (like the pass Drogba should've finished) and he had moments that made you go "..oh boy." like when he had a golden chance late on but was tackled by that Norwich defender. The goal was brilliant too, but what terrible defending from them

Davila isn't a playmaker/winger though. He won't even join the squad this season, from what I hear.

Agreed. I'm not saying he's finished as a striker and a goal threat. Because he's not. All I'm saying is, is that he won't be returning to that same Torres that made him the most feared striker in the world. Indeed. We may see the same with the rise of Sturridge, and if Sturridge will give us more goals then I don't care if £50million sits on the bench.

Well done. Well done for taking the most irrelevant and redundant part of that post and replying to it.

First off. Rooney hasn't had any major surgeries in the last 18months that would have impacted his form or abilities. Secondly, Rooney had already been on sensational form before he went through that dip, so there was enough evidence to suggest he'd return to that. The comparison between Rooney and Torres' form is thin. In fact, it's non-existent. They aren't comparable. Their situations are completely different.

You don't know that. You are like those media-pigs and ignorant fans who label any new Mexican forward as "the new Hernandez". If you really think we're only going after Mexican talent because of the success of Hernandez, you must have a very grim view of our scouting department.

Indeed. The only silver lining here is, with Drogba sidelined indefinitely, Sturridge has a real chance to shine as a centre-forward. Should Villas-Boas be willing to take the gamble.

Sooner or later, we will have to come tot he reality that Torres won't return to his pre-knee injuries form. ..We can only hope we will see some form of goal threat appear.

Oh of course. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the face he shone in the u20 World Cup this summer does it? We are all followers of United

Lol €32million. Must be a joke.

I see he's already a starter for them..

For sure, can't think of anyone better.

The thing is, you really cannot negotiate with Porto. Their policy, one which should be highly respected, is if you meet their buy-out clause then the player is yours. As simple as that, no negotiations on the price. Villas-Boas must know this.

Lol what a grim headline they put on it. But good to know Villas-Boas has made him a good guarantee.

Yeah, totally agree. Unless Villas-Boas plans to play Sturridge as a striker, which would be a delightful surprise.

To be fair, look how long it took him to sign a contract extension after the World Cup.

http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/

Yeah there's quite a few pro's & con's to this. And if the proposed idea is for all markets to close that day, he'll face serious competition from the Serie A & La Liga

This would mean the end of Sturridge for sure.

Very nice gesture by Yossi!

Group stage games stayed at £30, I believe. Then again, these things could change like that