LDN Blue

And then there's heroes like Ivanovic who shoot long-range knowing they have no hope in hell

It's because we don't have that imposing figure that we've had in the past that makes those driving runs past the 10-men defences of other teams. We've been blessed before with Makelele, Essien & Ballack to an extent. Matic isn't imposing enough in an attacking sense to fulfil this role. Cesc, Oscar et al are flare players but flare has a noticeable weakness vs packed up defences. Pace is also an issue, we don't really have a speedy players who's also effective. Willian is quick, but there's no end product which makes him moot.. Hazard is quick, but when he gets trapped the team noticeably struggles.

The similarities irritate me.

The 2013 edition*

It's no longer losses I'm worried about now, because I think our defence is pretty solid. It's the damn draws. The 0-0 and 1-1ers which we've become increasing susceptible to.

Remember when we were 9 points clear at one point?

Has anyone noticed how the sleeves on the away kit are almost the same as the current Arsenal home kit?

to say the least.

Yeah, it's like the whole Mourinho being quickest to get 400 points thing. When put in context of the teams and defences, it doesn't exactly show much.

I mean either way, they're both damn hot. Kinda forgot Oscar's there

I guess you don't want Aké or Van Ginkle to make it?

Which is fine lol, but we do just want to discuss the issue.. It's nothing unhappy about our situation. I'm sure everyone's thrilled that we're flying in all competitions, we're all just fans talking about issues deeper than the simple match results Merry xmas to you as well, mate!

10/10 for username But calm down lmao, there's no need to stress.

Would Origi do well at Liverpool?

Lmao, that's hardly a fair analysis. If we all didn't have some opinion on such things, this forum would be a pretty boring place at times? Do we all just post about how happy we are about the season and just be jolly? Debating issues is the whole point of this forum and it's actually going well. A lot of good posts from both sides of the argument. Your post is slightly ignorant imo.

It's the same excuses coming out 'this season is crucial', every season is crucial. Where do you draw the line? Guarantee next season will also be dubbed as 'crucial' because we're going to attempt to retain trophies.

Ah my mistake! Same principle applies though, it does explain why AVB felt so isolated.

To be fair, it doesn't help when certain players fein their own injuries. It's no wonder that often medics are sceptical (not that I'm excusing what happened last night). I remember a match a few seasons ago, can't remember who for which club, went off on a stretcher and was fine 5 minutes later. Obviously faking.

My friend and I had a theory his 'translator' was the real coach and the secret behind Soton's success last season & Poch is just the guy they present to the media..

Yeah, he seems a pain. Everyone loves to talk about RA's revolving door policy with managers but Daniel Levy's is so much worse. Scumbag chairman for a scumbag club, the two go hand-in-hand. I guess Pochettino is lucky he doesn't understand half the shite Levy says

It's okay they have Oz-, I mean Rams-, Walc-.. Er..

Yeah, but it's interesting what he says about Roman and does explain a few things. On his comments on Tottenham, well you can see that he was treated unfairly there for sure. Wanting Moutinho, Willian, Oscar, Damiao etc and ending up with Soldado, Dembele & co.

Yeah but Pogba was exactly in Loftus-Cheek's position at Manchester United. Anyone who watches youth football knew Pogba's quality when United played Chelsea in the FAYC and even before that. Juventus knew that and took him on when Pogba decided Ferguson didn't believe in his talent and that's how he became world class.. He was given the platform and consistency by Juve. What's to say that the same can't be done for RLC if he's given more exposure?

Well this is interesting, AVB on Chelsea..

One blemish on a near-perfect record? Come on. Henry is a legend in the Premier League and as a football you've got the appreciate the quality of him. You can't deny he was a big game player, he did help them win their trophies before their drought post-Henry era. He's right up there with the Shearer's, Cole's, Drogba's et al. His pace & finishing were outstanding, he deserves this recognition.