Madmax

Nobody gives a flying fuck about Emenalo per se tbh. What people including myself are aggrieved about is the disrespectful manner in which Ray has been treated after all he's done for the club over all these years. And for no good reason either. If you replace a born and bred Blue with an unknown and unproven guy, you'll get criticism. I know it's not on the same scale, but isn't this how Grant was received? Were you cheering then?

Why?

Makes me a lil less worried.

Aww we have a gentle giant in our midst What a great person! May God bless him and all those kids in Africa.

All of them bar Sturridge are under 20. They're not expected to be built like musclemen at that age. With time, most will put on some meat, and even if they don't it really isn't a huge factor at the end of the day.

OK...WTF?

Doesn't Cech deserve a rest? There's no risk in this.

True, I agree. But I'd not want Schweinsteiger, or any other expensive centre mid to be bought to come in only when Lamps, Essien are unavailable. We can play Zhirkov/Malouda there and it doesn't make sense to splash money on anyone when all they're going to be is a substitute, that's what I was saying. Zhirkov should play the wing or the wingback. I'd rather start Josh than him in the middle. Even if he makes mistakes, I'd rather an academy graduate make a mistake than an 18 mil Russian international.

I'm going to throw something at the telly if I see Anelka, Drogba and Kalou anywhere near the team sheet. Hilario Bosingwa, Bruma, Ivan, PvA Mikel/Essien Josh, Ramires Sturridge, Borini, Kakuta OR Kakuta, Sturridge, Zhirkov

Umm okay, 1 goal ... Don't get me wrong, I'm not denying that Schweinsteiger is a tremendous player and that he would be an asset to any top side in Europe, but we don't need him right now, he's not a priority. Maybe in a couple of years, but not now, considering what we need is a creative player, not another Essien clone. What we need is a Deco in his heydays, not a Ballack. I'm not lecturing you on anything. But since you've seen him play all your life, you shouldn't write him off since he's been injured for 2 months. He'll be a top performer for 3 years atleast, mark my words. Can you tell me who's 30 in our midfield? Essien -27. Mikel and Ramires -23. Josh -17. Benayoun is 30 granted, but he's not going to play much and so should be fit most times. I've seen loads of Tiger too, he runs Bayern's midfield, but he's not a fantasista that we require.

I mean the Lamps that hasn't been injured in 6 years, the Lamps that gets us 20 goals a season for the last 5 years, and the Lamps that will go on at the top level another 3 years minimum. Granted Zhirkov n Malouda aren't central midfielders but even so we've got enough cover in Ramires and Josh and Benayoun. Those 3 won't play when Lamps, Essien n Mikel are available. Add Schweinsteiger to the list that'll sit on the bench for 70% of the games. You want us to pay 30 mil for that? The only midfielder we need is a creative one, which Bastian isn't. A top notch winger, a backup goalie and a centre half is a priority if we're looking for someone in January

We don't need a CM. Lamps, Ess, Mikel, Ramires, Josh, Zhirkov/Benayoun/Malouda.

Adios, before I break into a sob.

I'm not one to give up 20 mins before the game ends, but this just has an air of inevitability about it.

i want to pimp slap kalou

How unlucky can we be?

We're banging on the door. Time to fucking break it down!

Tbf apart from the Drog miss and the goal we have been very dominant. But it's useless if we don't take our chances.

OH FFS good save

Who does Drog think he is? Fucking ball hog trying for shots from impossible angles when there's two guys open alongside him

Oh boy. Alex went to sleep. How costly is the Drogba miss now?

Ferreira-Alex on the right not pacy enough for Jerome.

Drog should have scored....chance missed. Good pass Kalou.

Third kit looks nice.

The Veetle never works for me.