LDN Blue

4-2-3-1? That's interesting. I'd personally do: Hazard Hazard - Hazard - Hazard - Hazard Hazard - Hazard - Hazard Hazard ---------- Hazard ----------- Hazard

Not saying I agree or disagree on your notion, but there's definitely political influence on football period.

We'll he's most likely to pick up a retrospective ban. Referee didn't see it, so he should be getting 3 games.

@OptaAlex

2/4 anyway lol. I think the reason Mourinho keeps Azpilicueta at LB is because Hazard's defensive burdens aren't as big as Willian's.. Thus he feels he needs to reinforce that left-hand side. I wonder if it would be different if Mourinho placed Hazard on the right of midfield.

Yeah. It's a problem I think we've known about for a while, the cover of when Matic isn't available. The job he does is quite tiring, so 3 games in a week will definitely take its toll on his body. I imagine that he'll be rested vs Watford, but there's enough talent that could be available on the market.

It's not too late to get Pardew in, contracts are yet to be signed

Yeah this ^. To be fair, City have surprised me quite a bit.. They haven't dropped as many points as they usually do, which means we haven't had to room to make mistakes that City themselves used to get away with.

To be fair, we've only conceded one less goal than United who are meant to have the worst defence in the league lmao.

At least in Fabregas, those twats will still have someone to boo

My mate who supports Newcastle is delighted

I often worry we take FFP too seriously though..

Alex Song captained West Ham today and Arsenal fans weren't impressed.. Kind of want Mourinho to do it with Cesc

Let's hope there's no stumbling block regarding wages/length..

You're right for sure. People need to jump off this interview, it's irrelevant to be honest. It's a stunt and José deserves a lot of praise for that, but I don't buy it for a second lmao. I may be a bit naive, but I do have the feeling he's spoken to Ivanovic and Cahill and the rest of the squad about diving. The 2004-07 team didn't have divers in it, sure there was an over dramatic Drogba - but never cheating. Though, if you look at his Real Madrid team in his first season they were as rough as it came (Ramos, I suspect, was the leader behind that albeit). Mourinho knows PR and he's doing well with it.. But this is for them and the papers, not for us. We should see past it.

It would be easy to mock this thread considering what a turbulent afternoon it was but I won't because football is all about emotion, even if it is overreaction. The passion is good and it's what makes football what it is.. No need for 'I told you so' or quoting extreme views. This is a stand-out post. I don't for one minute think there's some FA campaign against us, if there was a legitimate penalty claim denied then see the post I quoted next. Perception is everything and if Ivanovic and Cahill have been proved to be divers then that's part of the package. It's "the boy who cried wolf" story. Term I agree for the most part. But then again, you have to look at the performance v Stoke and West Ham. They were disciplined and tactically astute.. I can't comment much on today because I haven't watched the game, but remember this squad is evolving, those characters are being built and we're still on fine form despite today and Newcastle. We do have to learn how to win games in the dying stages for sure, and that's why I've criticised Hazard recently because he has to step up to that level of grabbing the game by it's neck like Ronaldo etc do. That's not me giving him the burden of the job either, it's just an example.

What are you talking about? We have Mr 30 yard screamer Ivanovic.. Who almost scored in in the 94th minute v Newcastle, because he's done it so much before (yes, I'm still mad at him.)

Interesting about Robben. On the performances we got out of him, I find it hard to feature him.. If anything Joe Cole had more of a case haha.

I'd probably only buy this kit because of the sponsor change at least it'd be worth buying on a historic note. I've got our old Fly Emirates one somewhere..

Football fwends

Ah I was hoping he'd find a role in England. Hopefully he'll come back sooner than later

Happy Holidays

I do believe there's a NSFW disclaimer missing there

Yeah but, all clubs have to start from somewhere right? Many fans with one club in their cities may not like that current club so would fancy the rivalry.. After all, rivalry makes football.

Funniest thing is, we have one of the smaller sides in the pl. It's simply because we've remained injury free that those fringe players dont get more chances.. The only way they get time is via suspensions