Madmax

Then you would have noticed Torres doing literally everything upfront (except scoring). The problem was the wide forwards did nothing. As to your question, it is a big problem isn't it. One thing I can think of is that it's partly down to them being used to having a Drogba alongside who holds up the ball and brings them into play. With Torres it's not the same obviously.

Did you not watch Stoke away?

Agree with the sentiment but if our current play doesn't improve we're in deep shit. One point though - this squad has regressed since 05. And Utd even without star players (bar Rooney) are a very cohesive unit. City has their stars and tantrums but Mancini is holding it together at the moment.

He's very talented, this boy. We've done well to get our hands on him. Let's hope his potential isn't left unharnessed.

A jaw dropping solo goal from the u20s :

^ How many times will we post that video?

Chelsea > Liverpool. All day, every day, for the rest of eternity.

This is too far off. Fucking international breaks!

I hope AvB is watching Arsenal-Manure. Arsenal leaving a lot of space behind their defence and Utd's pace and movement is exploiting it to the hilt.

Quality discussion so far lads. Basically we more or less agree that the midfield fabric is out of touch with the times and ball playing midfielders are the need of the hour.

LMAO I can imagine Carlo raising his left eyebrow as he sits eating pasta watching Hilario get a brainwave.

Meh. We don't mind and haters don't Mata. I'll get my coat.

Gotta love Justin

Yeah Scolari is better than the only guy that dominated Italy and Europe comprehensively in the last two decades. Come on Henrique.

Dunno, Ferguson displayed enough class to not name the player in question. Interesting. I agree with your point about Mikel and Rambo. I'd like us to try out something along these lines ... X X----X---X----X Ramires/Mikel --- Lampard/Josh X ---------Yossi/Josh/*--------------X X * = Modric/Moutinho if they sign, else Mata Good post. You raise some fair points there.

What did he say?

Okay, going off topic, but still. 1. How are we developing Josh by sitting him on the bench? I don't think anyone has asked for him to completely replace Lampard, but surely you must agree that when Lampard underperforms in matches then it would make sense to introduce Josh during the latter stages. 2. We are not asking for Josh to be made 'the most important player' so the Rooney comparison makes no sense. 3. Handing a debut is all well and good, but once potential has been identified, you need to nurture it. Are we really doing that right now?

Is that directed at my post?

This quote from Ferguson sums up all about Josh - "I had a player once who said to me that Rooney and [Cristiano] Ronaldo weren't good enough and he was not prepared to wait until they were good enough. But that's the trouble with potential. People don't identify potential. They're very poor at it. I've identified all my life the potential in young people. I know potential. I know how to develop and have faith in it. And young people surprise you when given the opportunity. That's what this club is all about."

It's getting attention because it's a debut goal. I'm sure Valencia fans would be talking about Mata's goal.

You'd buy me one then? Why is Bates called Captain Birdseye lol. Never heard that before.

No. I wouldn't join otherwise. But like you say it is a practical reality of a big club to have supporters (fans according to you) from multiple countries and cultures. I just don't like how every foreign based fan is painted as being a JCL and a fair weather supporter. Sure you may have touristy types deadly quiet in the stands on matchday, but it doesn't reflect the mentality of every foreign fan. I know i shall sing myself hoarse when I eventually go. Maybe people don't intend to paint all foreign fans as not as passionate as the English ones, but I would like to ask, what assurance can they give that the local Englishmen will in fact stick with the team if it goes tits up? The money foreign fans spend watching Chelsea on the telly or online and the media broadcasting rights and ad money companies generate from it and the merchandise sales of course, go a long way in paying the multi-millions that top international footballers and managers earn playing for and coaching the West London club. Without it, maybe, just maybe, Chelsea wouldn't be the club it is today. I don't condone passiveness on matchday nor do I like it when someone jumps on to the bandwagon, but perhaps the rest of us shouldn't be grouped with those bad eggs and should be treated with a little more respect than we are.

Come on eldo, you know high line against quick players is suicidal.