Madmax

Their captain is someone they poached from Barcelona when he was still trying to grow a moustache. Only because they wouldn't have to pick him up for much more afterwards. That is the truth of Wenger's 'youth policy'. Buy them young and cheap, so nobody can blame you if things don't work out. Btw, he's still trying to grow one ...

Kalou hattrick. Assisted by Torres. The ultimate insult.

Do you have a point, or is this another rhetoric?

Yep there is revenue sharing between the kit sponsors.

One word : massively.

You were here before me. Yet you've also been banned once. Says all there is to know about you

5 other people before me posted Luiz in their Liverpool lineup. Yet you only chose to single me out and moreover highlighted a part of my username. You're a sad little troll who can't handle it when my posts get attention and hence deliberately set about trying to flame things up.

I can do more, but I wouldn't want you to pollute this board with another pointless thread like this.

^

BL, you should write reports for the official CFC site.

/thread now.

After last night, can I be a right tit here and say 'I told you so'?

Quite the funny chap, aren't ya?

We've been over this already ....

Incredible game and a fantastic performance. Haven't seen a performance like this for months - we're back alright! Carlo showed us it's going to be the diamond/4-3-1-2 now. Playing Anelka in the hole behind the strikers really threw Sunderland off and the man was on crack yesterday. I've been on his case when he's been shit (and it's been a few teams this season), but i have to say - he was absolutely imperious yesterday. Nobody in a blue shirt could touch him last night (and no-one in a striped red n white either, considering how he skipped merrily past them). Fucking epic performance (the Torres effect? ) Anyway, he had by far the best game of his Chelsea career and long may that continue. Another good performer was Kalou. He showed yesterday he's a striker, not a winger like every successive Chelsea manager has tried to make him. A monster first touch and very good passing from him yesterday. A great finish too for the goal. The decision making was a bit off but then intelligence and Kalou aren't best buddies. Mikel disappointed me. He was great against Bolton and I was delighted for him to have the chance to continue the good work but somehow he was just dull and ponderous and got caught unawares a number of times. And don't get me started on Drogba. He really can't afford such poor performances when he's got Torres waiting on the sidelines. Overall a great performance and the right result, something we haven't seen together for months on end. So For Liverpool - Cech Ivan, Luiz, Terry, Cole Essien Ramires, Lampard Anelka Kalou, Torres

http://www.firstrow.net/

Our strongest ever team was the 2005-06 one. This team still doesn't have enough depth in midfield and on the wings.

C'MON YOU BLUES

I like that BH, especially the part about Anelka like i've posted before. The only concern I'd have there is that at first glance to me it looks a tiny bit prone to balls over the top in behind, especially because Mikel isn't the quickest and Lampard having lost a step is susceptible to players going past him.

Someone could find that 'let me blow you part' offensive as the characters in the video are from ancient mythology.

That's because they worry about their house and cars!

Welcome!

Thanks Jim

Welcome to our forums mate and thanks for the useful information Is it true Luiz can play on the right of defence as well? I've read some papers say so.

Now Carlo's got the players he wanted, he has to figure out a way to set them up in a way that best utilises what's available in the squad. The alternatives - 1. 4-3-3 /4-1-4-1 You don't play a 50 mil £ striker on the wing. Which means Drogba either shifts out wide or drops to the bench. Both the situations seem unlikely. So our tried and (way too much) trusted 4-3-3 goes out the window. Which isn't a bad thing, considering how easily we've been taken apart by average sides. A change is what we've been crying out for, and this is the perfect opportunity to bring about one. 2. 4-4-2 At first glance this is the most tempting option. The Drog-Nando partnership upfront is mouthwatering. But imo this place undue pressure on our midfield. Lampard is untouchable - leaving just one centre midfield spot between Essien, Mikel and Ramires. None of those 3 are as tactically and positionally disciplined as what this role would require them to be. You've got to allow Lamps to do what he does best and that is to link up with the forwards. Hence, too much responsibility on the covering man in midfield considering neither of the forwards will track back. Also, the lack of natural width is disturbing. Right midfield becomes too deep for Anelka and Kalou. Too risky and likely to go pear shaped. 3. Diamond Perhaps the favourite. Two strikers, combative midfielders and rampaging fullbacks - we've got almost everything covered here, except for one crucial cog - Frank Lampard. He really found it tough playing behind the strikers in the early part of last season when this was what Carlo put out. It's a position a bit too far forward for his liking and considering everything good we do usually comes from him, it's essential to utilise him in the best way possible. 4. Christmas Tree I would go with this. Given the personnel and their characteristics, this is what suits us most. One of Drog/Nando upfront (preferably Nando - he's more pacy) serviced by the other in addition to Anelka. He's got the deftness of touch, the weight on the pass and the vision for one to set up chances for his teammates. Also, this doesn't require him to take on and dribble past players - something he's not good at. The centre midfield picks itself. Lampard in a role similar to the one in 4-3-3, Mikel in holding and Essien/Ramires alongside. The fullbacks bomb forward as usual (less on the right where Ivan looks to be shunted out now) yet maintaining a healthy balance between men committed to attack or defence. Cech Ivan, Luiz, Terry, Cole Ramires, Mikel, Lampard Anelka, Drogba Torres Note - The christmas tree is easily interchangeable with the 4-3-1-2 or the diamond. Only change being Drogba alongside Torres with Nico linking midfield and attack.