Madmax

Forget everything else, the difference is the quality of backup available. While last season we had the likes of Riccy and Ballack as cover, this season we've got just the academy guys to fall back upon. Couple that with the injuries to key players and the lack of strength in depth has been brutally exposed. I'll hold my hand up and say that at the beginning of the season I didn't think our squad was weak. Small yes, weak no. I still maintain that. But though the injuries to JT, Alex, Lamps, Drog could not have been predicted, their blow could have been softened by signing cheap but effective backup. But here is where the second problem comes in - Roman's lack of desire to spend. Now I'm not going to moan about that - first we were crying out for youth, now that we've got youth we want him to splash money. Now I don't know about others but I'll be here even if we don't win shit for the next 5 years, but I want to see Carlo trusting the academy players more. Drop Drog who it's clear is not fit. Drop Anelka who's too used to getting on the team regardless of how he plays. The youngsters deserve a chance - and let's face it, at this moment they couldn't do any worse than what the regulars are doing.

I have to admit, I need to come out. I'm deeply in love with you Henrique, I wait eagerly for your posts. Please please please don't be mad at me, I only fight with you because I love you. Wanna give me your email? <3 Love, Madmax. (Please do reply, my love) P.S. I love you. P.P.S. I really do

'Rich guy', 'soccer', 'hope you're not here just to sell shirts' doesn't sound like a joke to me. If it was indeed a joke, I apologise. Regarding the other comment by an Englishman - I wasn't online yesterday and haven't gone through all the pages on the match thread so I don't know anything about it. I don't know who's tried to make Brazilian football look ridiculous like you claim, but I haven't. But I have seen you write things like 'I know more about football than some guys who keep shouting Chelsea Chelsea'. I am happy to quote if you want. Finally, Henrique, I'm not in love with you, maybe the guys who pleaded with you not to go when you threw a tantrum are.

Turnbull Ferreira, Bruma, JT, PvA Ramires Josh, Mellis Kalou, Sturridge, Kakuta

We shouldn't fear Bale. Let him come at us, it opens up space for us to play in. A good thing is that we're playing away from home so they'll attack and finding space won't be a problem. But our passing should be perfect. Cannot afford misplaced passes. We're long overdue a win. Don't forget, it's a derby, form goes right out of the window (atleast I'm hoping it does )

You think because you're Brazilian you know more about football than everybody else? Football, soccer, what does it matter? People can call it ping pong if they want.

Disappointing second half performance, disappointing result. Lost the game with the substitutions. We won the league last year by being positive, it isn't nice to see Carlo trying to hang on to a lead at home by bringing on Ramires and Ferreira, but I suppose it goes to show that's the kind of pressure Carlo's under right now. Paulo was brought on because of his supposed greater defensive acumen than Bosingwa, yet where did the goal come from? That's right - Baines. Ramires on for Anelka took the biscuit. Malouda was doing well in midfield, he should of been kept there. Sturridge on for Anelka would have been a better sub imo. Reagrdless, we've blown our chance to go top, United and Arsenal become near must wins for us. Lampard isn't back, but that's no excuse, we should be winning against Everton with the side we put out yesterday. I'm not going to defend players when I don't see them bleeding for the club. I'm disgusted with that second half performance, no two ways about it. My whole week is fucked now But still, KTF

Everyone knows we've been shit, you don't really need a high IQ to figure that out. But some do realise that after a point of time, whining and finding faults and singling out people doesn't help, it just adds to the unpleasant atmosphere surrounding the club at the moment.

Well well well Lazio 3 - Inter 1 Benitez really has fucked them up eh?

Date announced - 9th Jan it is. Don't we give away the entire Shed End for the away fans in the FA Cup games? What a shame. The away section should be somewhere obscure like one corner in the West Upper or something. Only Blue Blood in the Shed please!

1000 - 1001 : doesn't make a difference Most likely to see this : Cech Bos Ivan JT Ash Mikel Essien Ramires Anelka Drogba Flo

Well he should use Bruma :/

I really hope we're not rushing back Terry too soon. This persistent problem of his needs a proper solution, else it could blow up in our face.

What's the snow situation in London? Any chance the game might be postponed?

Half the price we paid for Cech. If he turns out half the goalie Cech is, we'd have ourselves a winner.

From the things you should never admit in public, even if it is 20 years later file comes England legend Gary Lineker's admission that he pooped his pants right there on the pitch during his side's first match of the 1990 World Cup against Ireland. Not only does he admit to BBC Radio how it "just happened" after a failed attempt to make a tackle, but he goes on to give far too much information about how "it was messy." The good news? The awful stench kept opponents away (and probably teammates, too), helping him find a lot more open space. So remember, kids. If you want to be like those great footballers in the World Cup and you want to find more open space for yourself, just let it all go right there on the pitch. And hope it rained recently. http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Gary-Lineker-used-pitch-as-a-bathroom-during-199?urn=sow-290897

No idea about him tbh. It's the first time I'm hearing about him. We do need a backup, that's for sure.

I'm fucking annoyed. Fuck you, Lampards' injury!

The way we played against Barca in those two legs in 08-09 remains the best display against them by a top side in recent years. Shame that twat Ov*rbo fucked it up.

Him is what we need. I'm very happy to know we have him in our plans.

Seriously WTF!

No, they just know better. Who's Carlo? Some Italian bloke who hasn't got half a brain. Any bum on the street can win the CL 4 times. Back on topic, I would imagine there's not much chance of him leaving, what with our current CB situation. Maybe in the summer, but Jan I'd reckon not.

Umm okay whatever. Toxic stuff really.

Ever think Carlo might have learnt a lesson from the Sunderland game? Or do you just know better?

He's 19. That's all I'll say. You don't know that. You assume that. Big difference.