SeB

...vic ! From what he showed in pre-season, I can't believe he would be totally useless in the future. But all depends of his fucking work permit

You saw Sunderland-Blackburn eh ?

Of course because he's a Chelsea fan and was season ticket holder in the 90's

Roger Johnson would have responded in a far far more insistant way concerning this point. I've always though he would end at City, he really has no respect for the club who did make the effort to sign him when Villa wanted him out. Since he made some good performances and earned a cap (showing the lack of depth there in England, even Lescott is considered...) he has a single idea in the mind: get the fuck out of this crap place of Bolton. That's why he won't extend his contract and will be more than likely to quit the ship before it sinks, proving how positive is his mentality.

I can't understand how one can moan on Luiz concentration swings and in the same time wanting to sign Cahill... We won't add any quality in the team, except on attacking free kicks. I think that he is far from showing that he can shine and carry his team when the collective results aren't there as this is the case now. But above all Bolton need a leader because an important part of their struggles comes from mental weaknesses. And Cahill does not change from last season in that domain, always the same moaner...

Remy is a pure striker even if Blanc want to make of him the right Equipe de France's winger... Ayew is more versatile, he can play, like said above, on various offensive roles but also in the midfield in a 4-3-3. He's a very pleasant player to watch, he is really complete and gives all on the pitch, on an apparent useless pressing by example. But he has to find consistency above all

From what I see, Simpson seems to do the minimal every game, I've always wondered if he could do better than that but eventually I've come to the point that he is really average. But solid, he is a pretty decent player About Santon, I don't know what he shows at training but he is even unable to take the starting place of Raylor who is an average right back... For almost 2 months I wonder when this kid will start for NUFC in Premier League... His defensive issues are a massive problem in is game, I don't think it will last long before his mate Kyle Naughton or Ryan Bennett or Nathaniel Clyne will be regarded as better balanced between the defensive tasks and offensive tasks

Last season they did play with a high line, Cahill has massive problems with his positionning, quite often he fucked up the offside trap and wasn't able to come back on his man. He is able to do good interventions, but he clearly lacks confidence, from all the Bolton games I saw in these situations that it was like if he did wonder what would happen if he missed completely his tackle. He isn't the slowest of the Premier League DCs, he has a decent pace but it's clearly not enough. He isn't able to position himself correcly whereas at Chelsea we ask the DCs to have a massive tactical understanding in terms of covering the full backs etc... Alex seems often lost tactically when he has to cover his full back whereas in many other clubs he would be the boss of the defense. I can't imagine Cahill playing with a high line, being over exposed as or DCs are now. Me too, last season he was very average because he didn't have enough time to recover properly from injuries, he lacked rythm and commited howlers... This season he is really near to his very best. But in any case I prefer Jags to Cahill, diametral mentalities and different level I think. The indecent buzz around Cahill won't last many years, when you see him play you don't see the guy that the medias want to make you believe. He is decent in all domains, he does not shine in any particular domain imo.

I don't really think he does, not as much as some would make us believe. He plays high and the waste in his play is due to that last point, what he does is already excellent. I really think that beside that, it's his body balance before delivering the ball that changed. And from my point of view, it was mainly Ramires' gestural that led to unfounded criticism (as figures did refute the criticism of pseudo waste). He scores goals this season, he really has everything now

I don't know if it has already been noticed but I was extremely pleased with Ramires calm and ability to elimine his opponent before distributing. Exactly like Romeu does, both don't necessarly need to run with the ball on a short distance to put their opponent away. It's an evolution in the game of Ramires that I find very interesting

A bit, but I really am fascinated by his playing phylosophy to play forward the more often possible since last season. He has such quality in his diagonals, when he will be able to be more precise in simple things, he will be a fantastic midfielder

Yes, a bit like Mata against Everton for Ramires ? It's really double standard as often with Malouda, he could have scored one goal. He takes his wing considering that the thing we lacked in the reverse fixture was width. Of course there are always moaners... I do agree, last season Mikel faced this situation 3 or 4 times per game and he was always able to contain the pressing and give a pretty decent pass whereas the one he receive was horrible. The thing that worries me is why is it so difficult to understand the game of Charlie Adam, medias, people and players are unable to have in mind that this guy goes forward everytime he can like he did with the whole Blackpool team. This kind of situation is typical of what he did last season, a run forward with complete speed without worrying about what happens behind him. It really was a reflex that many players would not have straight and it's the main reason why I personally don't specially blame Mikel for it I would say that if his play was correcly identified, Villas Boas would have put Ramires on him with a high pressing like he did against Anderson or Swansea's midfield to shut them off. The main weakness of Adam is that he is easily caught in possession because he is not very speedy in his gestural. Cech would have known that Adam would be a threat in that situation, and Ramires would have maybe pressed Adam before his diagonal to Johnson.

Hazard has a huge potential but the hype has to be minimized, he is not yet the player the medias made up

Congrats Tomo, you deserved the award for a moment now !

In the absolute, for me his signing would not be incomprehensible. But in the situation we are, I doubt that the club would be even interested by him. And of course, he would be likely to be mis-used one more time As I said above, about the figure you evoke, it depends of what kind of one to one situation you mean. If it's when the striker has a decent angle to shoot and so a reliable chance to score or shoot on target... or if it's when he is facing a ridiculous acute angle and that he has no other choice (if he decides to shoots rather than cross) than to shoot with strength targeting the second post (so with the risk that the shoot would cross the... touchline ) I haven't the impression you have, considering one notices the difference between these two situations, the real figure of the situations where he is likely to face if he is used as a central striker appears more to Walcott's advantage. Last term, his start of the campaign was very good, not only he scored goals but they were all through the axis. He had success but that fact did/does not prevent for the quality Walcott has in front of goal The only interest in Walcott's profile is his speed and the quality of his calls (clearly different & non-consequentialspoints). No need to be very skilly, Darren Bent isn't, neither is Chicharito... they are very average on the ball but are killers in the box thanks to their finishing and movement abilities

It would be a nice idea to pick Walcott, at the unique condition we would play him as a central striker. We'll arrive at a point where we will need a striker able to unlock situation by goals, not necessarly against big teams in Champions League. Walcott is a great finisher and his calls through the axis are sharp because of his speed, plus I feel that tactically they are really clever and not stupid or stereotyped. The opinion start to realize that he is not a winger and that the constant abuse on him is not needed because he plays a role not suited for his abilities. In a certain way, Wenger hinders his progression. Of course he is a poor crosser, of course, scoring a goal with the angle available when you enter to the penaty zone through a corner is rather difficult... But it should be noted, the majority of his goals comes from situations where he cuts inside and calls the ball through the axis. Not for an expensive price, it would be a good idea in my opinion

Rather Dann than Cahill !

Completely agree, our main weakness last season was the high positionning of both of the Full Backs that constrained Terry and Ivanovic to leave a huge distance between them, and leaving Mikel alone against a tough pressing. Villas Boas seems to have partially resolved the question in asking Cole and Bosingwa to come from behind and not sitting higher than the wingers. But, as we see that the team experience various excess in various domains on the pitch, we saw against Arsenal that the recent tactical basis resurfaced, Cole and Bosingwa were sometimes too high and static whereas they shouldn't have been On the paper, everything seems easier... But it's not new that Ivanovic lusts after the 2nd CB spot, and I must admit I undestand him, it's something more gloryfing to play in the axis. Even without evoke some selfishness, every player wants to grow the higher I'm not as convinced now by the need of a creative midfielder as I was before the summer and in front of the incertitude of Lampard's form. Anyway I wouldn't be surprised if we re-insist for Modric this winter. No way, he is too little, to frail and not expensive enough for my plan :Arnesen: Agree, the least he should do this season is to show some consistency and some leadership in a sailing ship. The fact remains that even if he is not the worse (Knight's got the palm, followed by Steinsson and Petrov), he is far from showing any sign thet he is part of the England squad. His crap mentality plays a big part in, no doubt that in his mind he has already left BWFC _______ My contribution to the topic: the only thing I will ask to Father Christmas is a mix between a Jamaican and a Canadian, playing for Blackburn. IMO he is one of the best wingers of the PL so far, can play on both flanks and very clever. Now it's not difficult to find a skilly quick winger, nevertheless it remains difficult to find one who looks around him before crossing (thing he does very well )

After a personnal busy month for me, I'm back with a paper I wrote during the last week, short piece by short piece. It's about the burning topic of the month, and sorry it's in French. The lazy people can only look at the pictures, the clever ones will use Google Traduction and the ones who studied well at school won't have difficulties to understand the thing ! Have a good read ! http://mypremierleag...011/11/02/2105/

I don't really give a fuck about the clean sheet, for me the plilosophia must rather be not putting ourselves in danger. The team's actual way of playing uses a high team bloc, conceiding in counter attack is a "collateral damage" for me... Have you got SopCast ? This one runs perfecly sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/111481

You made us notice that Cech screams in Czech when ke is about to catch the ball. When I arrived 5 minutes ago, I heard "Bien joué Didier" (="well done Didier") shouted by Lollichon. It's not the first time this season, some games ago he did say "On se met tous seuls en danger" ="we put ourselves in danger". It seems to come from the micros next to the bench I did not know at the moment if it was a personnal reflexion, for a Francophon on he bench or for Villas Boas who seems to have the French Speaking skill in his already large palette (like Mourinho). It's (one more) concrete example of what did change at Chelsea during the summer, the communication and the proximity is truly improved

I think they are all in competition for the award of the most stupid, brainless and biggest waster footballer... Johnson has a crap stamina, Downing misses 2 opportunities in the play out of 3, Lennon does not know that he has to see around him before kicking the ball vaguely in the penalty box like he uses to do. Only Walcott has excuses, he is a central striker and could be a proper striker rather than the winger Wenger wants him to be; when he scored a lot at the start of last season, he was always receiving the ball after a call through the axis and a run inside. I completely agree with you, but at the difference that I rather see Fletcher as the best replacement out of there for Anelka: same versatility and same vision, Fletcher has the vision of a #10, his controls are phenomenal and he can play on the wings and as a central striker because he is more than clinical in front of the goal. And I also do agree about Jarvis, he is a fantastic player and one of the reasons why I like to watch this Wolves team playing. He has the footballing brain a little due to the condition of the team he plays for, contrary to Downing who is subject to such a nasty wankfest, Jarvis cannot waste as much opportunities than Downing does simply because he did not have a quarter of what Downing had to negociate the last season(s). And finally when we see more closer, they end the 2011 season with nearly the same stat sheet: 9 assists for Downing, 8 for Jarvis ; 7 goals for Downing, 4 for Jarvis. And we cannot forget Junior Hoilett of Blackburn, this guy is impressive and I was already impressed last season, by his activity on the wings and some of the great goals he scored last season (I don't know who he scored against last season but one of his goals was a terrific Lampardesque drive from 20 yards after a cut inside). This season he confirms his huge potential, he is incredilbly speedy on short distance (a bit like Agüero or Torres, Lennon...) and has an excellent crossing ability. I did watch Aston Villa-Blackburn, except the logical result (like us and Bolton at the RBK, Blackburn is crashed by Villa for years ) his assist for Pedersen is a pure beauty. He has a real crossing technique, he is elegand and pacy with the ball and can shoot from distance. And a very important point, whereas Johnson or Downing must bed with Capello to be in every squad and can keep touching themselves on the pitch and be sure they will be called ; Hoilett is Canado-Jamaican and has not really many opportunities to shine except than in Club. Fame made some average players such as Downing, Johnson, Kalou, Carroll etc... some even worse players because their behaviour became even less professional and giving themselves even less motivation to really improve their play My opinion is that this Championship abounds of great talents and good mentalities, some under-rated players who wants and deserve just some real interest from the bigger clubs... Holden, Jarvis, Doyle, Roger Johnson, Steven Fletcher, Martin Olsson, Scott Dann, Fabian Delph... But the task (that I don't consider hard) is to find them and try to sign them rather than some overrated wankers who are just made up by medias after a "well regarded" couple of games

We should leave him to Liverpool, a front 4 featuring Johnson, Downing, Kalou and Carroll would be epic ! And well overpriced ! For me, Johnson is a waste of money, especially for nearly £20m. We should have take him at Boro, it's too late now

Yes, of course... In a general view, under-rated players who does not moan when they are on the bench. It's my view of the thing

Nobody did spoke about Kalou, I don't know how long it will take... Anyway it would not be completely off topic, how he manages to be at the right place at the right time is sometimes that I don't know if it's luck or smartness...