LDN Blue

Unfortunately I did not know any of this. But if it's all true, which I don't doubt, then what is this club doing?! (Not that I'm surprised of course.)

Definitely. Most hopes are being pinned on Lukaku to fill the Drogba role, but we must find others to compete with him if we're to see this or if Lukaku fails to impress. Lampard is one of the hardest players we'll find to replace, there's simply no-one like him. Maybe Connor Clifford would've shown some fresh light by then for our squad.. And probably people who read the Daily Mail

Yeah fair enough, fixed it And absolutely! I have some very high hopes for PvA, he's already proven he's up to filling Ash's boots and he's got some good experience in him. Coentrao is a good left back and has a very good future in him, but I'd rather not spend the money and support our own academy player in this case

This is a good post mate. Remember, no-one's saying Mikel is crap or anything, but we think he doesn't offer much to the team from his position really. If you look at other players who play that role in other clubs, Pirlo (AC Milan), Busquets (Barcelona), Makelele (Formerly us).. They all could put in a great tackle and also go forward with the counter attack too, Mikel simply cannot offer these traits, yes he makes up for it with his great long range passing abilities but I think, sometimes, that's not enough. If we look at Essien playing that role (prior to his injury, thus the emergence of Mikel taking that position) he certainly offered a lot, the "engine" of the team we called him. He'd drive into the box to get goals, but he'd also put in a great tackle when needed. Yes, this wasn't Essien's best game, but he's already proven (prior his suspension) that's he's still a world class player who offers a lot to us, and so it's very hard to knock him down. But do remember, in the 2nd half (after we conceded) he was doing everything he could to drive forward making those powerful runs we know he can make. And as for Malouda. I maintain my opinion, he's been one of our best performers in this bad form. He's looked the most dangerous when attacking and he's putting in some good passes and just generally working very hard. If I had to name 3 players who I think have stood up as men and players over this last crappy month I'd, without a doubt, name Cech, Malouda & Terry.

Spot on. We made Scolari one of the highest paid managers when we fired him and had to pay him that huge compensation fee. Carlo plans to go back to Italy in 2012 anyway (so I've read), like the England national team are doing now, all we can do is prepare someone for then. I don't mind seeing someone like Van Gaal (who's got the credentials) or even Quique Flores. And hopefully by 2012 we'll have a refreshed squad full of player who are near/below the 26year mark.

CB's: Terry, Ivanovic, Alex, Bruma RB's: Bosingwa, Ferreira, Ivanovic With Alex out for a while and Bruma not being trusted, we only really have 2 recognised centre backs, this even more evident when we played Ferreira at centre back. We should've have replaced Carvalho. I'm not saying we should've kept him, because he was always planned to leave, but why didn't The Board find a replacement? He had a bloody year! The norm, is to have 2 players competing for each position really so.. RB: Bosingwa vs Ferreira CB: Terry vs Alex CB: Ivanovic vs Bruma LB: Cole vs Zhirkov vs Van Aanholt We must buy at least 1 centre back & 1 right back.. Minimum IMO.

This is, perhaps, the most crucial part. While the appointment may have looked to be a mistake and lacking hindsight, it is simply too late to turn back at this stage. Especially with the depature of Wilkins so fresh in the minds of everyone involved in/with the Premier League. Perhaps in the summer the board will review the manager, but for now they must give him undisputed control of his team and no interference from Roman. He must be given the funds and a say in transfer policy, he must tell Roman who he wants and be allowed to sign them.

Thing is, I believe Mikel can mould into this role, because of his attack background. But it seems he's not being told to do this and I think if he was he could do it well. It is worrying he's the only member of the senior squad to have never scored a goal for the club but I think if he's encouraged to push up he could do it.

Once again, agreed. I bought into the hype and song and praise, I don't mean to fault Mikel.. But looking at him at DMF and Essien there, you can clearly see the difference.. Essien wasn't afraid to go up into the other half and bag himself a goal. Then again, there is the classic argument of whether he's too restricted there in terms of his attacking flare.

Great post! However I don't think any of the changes you proposed will be implemented any time soon :\

I guess we need a psychologist then :champions:

Exactly. Wilkins cannot be the reason! Unless our team is full of giant p*ssies.

Yeah, I'm still up for giving Carlo a chance to turn this around. I don't want to judge him until the end of the season.

Louis van Gaal.

Yeah even I was thinking about Sturridge or not. Malouda definitely has to play, he's been one our most consistent players in this rough period. We urgently need that right sided player though, we must buy that player in January.

Hmm.. True point. We've seen the "older" guys aren't necessarily the same as last season (ask Drogba). Bastian Schweinsteiger would have been perfect. Even Sami Khedira instead of Ramires.

Well we did have Benayoun, but we all know what happened to him. Not his fault. But your point remains valid

I'd change the shape entirely though. Cech Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Terry - Van Aanholt Malouda - Essien - Kakuta/McEachran - Zhirkov Lampard Drogba

Ballack more than anyone!

He upped the tempo for me. He went in for challenges and he just looked more positive than most the players. I think Essien is a better central midfield player, and we can't keep Mikel on because he's lost his ability to attack the ball, until we sign a playmaker, Ramires is the only bright midfield player we have to bring on off the bench, because Carlo won't use Josh to attack.

There we have it people.

I'll admit. Ramires is swaying me into a believer he may be good for our squad. Still a while to go before I'm fully convinced, but he is making a difference for us (in a positive way).

I'd love it if we did that!

Does Carlo even give a proper telling off? I can imagine Roman doing a better job at giving a dressing down than Carlo.

I like going into this game, I'll literally be carefree.