GodZola

Redknapp has only been linked to the job through ties to Lampard, it was the same before Benitez got it. There was a media frenzy about Guus being appointed & most on here including me thought he was nailed on.Your last point about it being 'unclear' is exactly why I posted my first comment - no? Using your example of Redknapp is proof alone about speculation & how quickly things can change in managerial appointments, let's just hope the rumour mongering is true & we're not all left deflated - will be many sad faces if we end up with some some other back number but it is a possibility all the same?!

I really didn't expect anything else, you cannot converse properly, throw insults & when you are questioned or confronted you do not & will not see things from a different perspective despite giving it to you several times & in different ways - SIMPLY! I'm just going to watch some paint dry & take my tablets, thanks its been a riot!!!

Just a word of warning, before AVB was appointed the world and his brother expected Hiddink to become our new manager................

For fuck sake, how difficult are you? You used the term 'GOD STATUS' as a reference to that Mikel should get it - but won't but if lamps/Luiz has performed the same then they would of got it by the so called hypocrites, however what i've been trying to say is that CECH AND BA performed better but didn't receive any more accolades so why should MIkel from the detractors or FOR EXAMPLE RAMIREZ PLAYED EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS MIKEL IN MIDFIELD BUT DO YOU SEE A MULTITUDE OF POSTS FROM THESE SAME MEMBERS GIVING IT LARGE TO RAMIREZ? NO YOU FUCKING WELL DON'T - GET IT????????????? Yes, fucking seriously! I never said it was meant for me alone that is why i stated you said it in a general sense in my last post - yeah! However after reading this, it was meant for all the 'Mikel detractors' and like I've stated before you have no right to label these so called detractors as hypocrites, most have given perfectly legitimate reasons why they don't rate him without the nastiness, some in fact have praised him including me at times, you stated that you only got involved again since the Southampton game and in that time alone members have been giving accurate assessments of Mikel, so you cannot just fling ridiculous inaccurate statements like this around and taring all detractors with the same brush. So do you not think that it is worse for players who are just 'squad players'? They play a lot less than Mikel and FOR EXAMPLE, Bertrand has been utilized in an unfamiliar position and does not play regularly yet gets stick - Mikel plays all the time and plays in a familiar role but is inconsistent, there is a huge difference - if Bertrand played regularly and in the same position and was inconsistent then i would join the bandwagon of growing detractors but until then i refuse to get drawn into it. so for me no one gets as much unfair criticism than mikel on this forum. You maybe right but that is for another debate that i do not want to entertain. when did i ever compare mikel to MAKELELE or with ESSIEN. This is what i keep stating about you going off on a tangent and reading what i have posted wrong, i never compared Mikel to Essien or Makelele or Ballack for that matter, whatsoever, i was just using them as examples to state that i didn't agree that we have a player in the squad that needs good players around him to get the best out of him, the players i mentioned didn't need that and therefore by that basis we are carrying a player because like Southampton he had players of less quality around him and we lost, referencing that if we get injuries to key players then we cannot rely on Mikel, It again is another debate about comparing those players and one that i certainly not stated! u dont need to tell me or any other person about mikel's shortcomings and where he exactly stands in the grand scheme of things. The only word i have used through this debate about 'Mikel's shortcoming's' is INCONSISTENT, i have had my three penneth worth in the past about why i do not rate him and am not even going to go there, i have praised him when he has performed well and am still waiting for consistency that is as far as i am willing to go to, I've got the tee-shirt and am bored of it. please dont compare what happens in lamps' threads to what is written in this thread. Here we go again, i was referencing that i can hold a debate with other members and was using Lampard's contractual situation as an EXAMPLE, it has fuckall to do with Lamps, i could of used Mourinho or Courtois where i do not agree with other members. Look mate, Mikel is not 'my cup of tea' never has been, it's just my opinion, however if Jose returns and he is selected every week and we go on to win the title with him playing consistently i will be one of the first to eat a large slice of humble pie but he he has to perform it first and propel himself into a position were Jose will pick him every week and to be honest i cannot see that happening but we will have to wait and see.............

Now i will keep this clean and as simple as i can, just answer my questions and don't off on a tangent. This was part of your first post, which refers to members on this forum are hypocrites because they hadn't at this early stage give Mikel any credit - yes or no? What you have failed to acknowledge is that i actually did! In the same sentence you refer to anyone bar Mikel had put in that performance then they would of been elevated to god status - yes or no? Now i said that i could not understand why you could refer to this performance as god like status because he was no better than any other player and certainly not as good as Ba or Cech, i then stated that you pointed out that he is a player with limitations and that he needed other quality players around him to make him play well, i found this shocking as you already put his performance as 'god status' yet he is a player that you regard as average because of his flaws that YOU mention. I also asked you if you criticize him after a bad game - you have yet to answer? Lastly i stated that little word CONSISTENCY as if he has it his game then all the detractors would get off his back - including me. You then state this, find a damn post where I have given mikel "a god like status"... normally i totally stay away from the mikel thread due to its absolute ridiculousness but the amount of crap written about mikel over the past 2 matches made me comment. if u dont believe it, have a long read of this thread. so I AM NO HYPOCRITE. so by your account i am to believe that team compostion would and should have no affect on a player's performance. Members posts over 2 match's made you get involved so much so you call them hypocrites without foundation, as i said most say he is neither good or bad and mostly state he has to instill consistency in his game - hardly critical, now who specifically are you calling a hypocrite? Again you get this bit wrong by referring that you are no hypocrite - i never mentioned anything of the sort? Your last sentence was also wrong for you to state this as you put a different meaning to it, however i will answer that later. You then said, if u believe mikel-rambo dont play well together. but i said I've read on this forum that Mikel & Rami don't play well together Another error from you as you can quite clearly see there is a difference, is it not? i should enlighten u that this is a forum where different people with different thought processes comment on almost everythin about this club and most of those opinions are bound to be conflicting. I agree with the above but was using this as a point of reference to your previous post and you don't have to enlighten me! The next few posts are neither here nor there but Blue Armour gave you a few names and i can add Torres to those with Bertrand and Ivanovich who have recently come in for some stick, ask yourself why Makelele or Drogba didn't get abused? Now for your last post, i don't need to bring in anybody posts to back up my points which is what you are trying to substantiate. As i said earlier i will answer the bit about his limitations that YOU stated and what others as well as YOU believe he needs good players around him, I just don't disagree with you on this - i disagree with the whole forum if this is the case, let me explain, what happens when there are no quality players on the pitch to 'look after Mikel'? Well Saturday was a prime example - we lost and Mikel was at fault, when Makelele played we were winning titles, do you think he needed Lampard to hold his hand? Lets take Essien pre injury, do you think he needed shadowing by Maka? Essien was also versatile he played in a number of positions including right back in the CL final, do you think Mikel could do that? Did Ballack need anybody's assistance when he took over the mantle in the double year? He played as a deep lying mid and was exceptional, those who don't believe me go and buy the DVD. My point is if we are going to get back to winning titles and challenging we need players that are consistent and don't need other players to bring out the best in them - he should stand up and be counted. It goes without saying that the reason why we are now struggling to make a CL place let alone challenging for the title is because we have lost some quality players who could be relied upon game after game. Lets not also forget we got knocked out of the CL this year. As for your conversation with another member, did you reference he was a hypocrite, then later state he needs 'to understand football'? These statements obviously got me vexed, the hypocrite thing was in general but the fact you tell me 'to understand football' is arrogance and makes my blood boil - you have no idea at the level i played at or my understanding or intelligence of the game. The end of the day Mikel will get criticized until he plays at a high level every week and you your fellow Mikel fans will have to accept that i'm afraid but you also have to recognize that members are not just sledging him for no reason (well most) they have valid reasons and also reservations, it's my belief that Lampard should be given a new contract but many do not, i don't go after them with big stick because there opinions differ to mine - i welcome it, its good to hear a different side to what i am thinking and then provide a decent debate..........

Go away & learn English & then perhaps we might be able to hold a decent debate, I cannot decide whether you are a 10 year old, plain fucking stupid or on the wind up, but its possibly all 3! Its not just me that's tried to put something across to you civilly & also politely. You attack members by calling them hypocrites without any foundation then you show your arrogance by telling me 'to understand football' - who the fuck do you think you are, Mourinho? It's not only me that has been trying to get through to your thick skull but you just go off into your Mikel loving world & carry on ignoring what other members are saying to you. There is so much I could reply to but I've already wasted too much time on posting to a brick wall. Do the rest of us a favour & stay on your planet - literally lost for words!!!!

Please explain this comment - 'god status' & 'hypocrites' tell me what you are alluding too? Mikel was not the only one that was 'piss poor' against Southampton & he certainly wasn't the only player to get stick, he got some sledging because of his own poor performance yet you use the term hypocrites on just a few posts regarding the Southampton game? You are also answering things for me - you are telling me Mikel is a player with a lot of limitations & also stating that he thrives more than anyone else in the squad with team performance, well that tells me he shouldn't be playing pro football!! If one of the detractors like me said this, the Mikel fans would be on me like a rash?!! Sorry mate but you have totally lost me......

Your post is highly confusing stating things that I have not actually posted & you have lost me on some of it but I will do my best to reply. So by your own admission you 'totally stay away from the Mikel thread' yet take it upon urself to call people hypocrites? So its all well & dandy for you to do that without reading many members post because most are stating he is niether good or bad & give clear transparent reasons why they have their reservations so you had no right to post that especially when you haven't even read their comments. I didn't call you a hypocrite, I merely asked you a question which you haven't answered - there's a huge difference!!! So wind your neck in. Unless I was reading your previous post wrong I'm pretty sure you posted 'god like status' silly me must be going senile?! Don't quote bollocks, you are putting different meanings to what i actually posted, I said good players perform in shit teams meaning that Mikel should not need anyone to make him perform consistently, first and foremost he has to do his job which on Saturday he didnt & that is why members gave him some stick, whether you think that is 'ridiculous' is your opinion but other members have the right to post on his showing. Good players perform well in different positions, different formations & can adapt quickly to instructions - people should not use these as excuses, he will get credit from me when he performs well, like today!!! I & others will also get off his back when one game turns in 10 then 20 not 1 in 5 or 2 in 7. Again I never said he doesn't perform with Rami, i said I've read other members views he doesn't - a big difference, although I'm sure there are games that they didn't play well together. As for Mikel providing a 'shield' for the back four, well I swore I saw him further up the pitch today (especially in the first half) even having a couple of attempts at goal?

I've only seen some highlights from Saturday so will take your word but I did see the goals & he was partly at fault for the first as he left & watched the player who scored (I think it was the goalscorer) Ivanovich was also at fault & apparently for their second he ducked his head? Therefore fella he was at fault for both goals, his job is not just to pass to people who are showing for him but to stop the opposition from scoring too, to provide defensive cover - you have to look at his all round performance.

The whole team bar Oscar played well, do you want me to go on every players thread & give them some man love too? Mikel had a good game but your post is exactly why people get annoyed cus you are bigging him up to be 'god like status' when all he had was a decent game, do you also criticize him when he has a bad game too? If you don't you have no right to call anybody else a hypocrite! For the record Mikel did his job to day, if he performed like today on a regular basis were he had consistency then 'haters' would not post negativity & don't post excuses like its because he played with Rami, good players perform well in shit teams & I've read on this forum that Mikel & Rami don't play well together, so it is getting rather loaded with tame excuses & conflicting opinions.

Good second half like Old Trafford, gave away possession far too much in the first half, Oscar was poor should of been substituted earlier & Ba was motm for me, not just for his excellent strike but he led the line, held the ball to bring others into play & worked hard also. Goal of the season....... Save of the season.......

I've had these sort of comments thrown at me ever since i joined this forum regarding Mikel because i have never rated the guy, at that point there were hardly any knockers - i was very much in the minority. There were some arrogant remarks like 'you don't know nothing about football if you criticize Mikel'!! I pointed out his flaws long ago (other members are are now posting similar comments) with different members some of which are changing their tune about him now (fair play too) I've been waiting for Mikel to prove me wrong but he always flatters to deceive - if we forget his flaws or the excuses for one second and he actually has consistency in his game then detractors like me will get off his back. I rarely post, so other members have taken up the baton but i did say at the start of this season that if Mikel plays regularly then we will have no chance of winning the title................. I do agree though he is not the only one that is inconsistent, the whole team are riddled with it but lets not fool our self's into thinking that Mikel is the only one to get stick, Torres gets most of it, Ivanovich is now getting his fair share, Bertrand is on the hit-list too - if players are performing then on the whole they won't get sledged. If he gets to 29 and is performing consistently for this club then i will eat a large slice of humble pie, if not will you do the same?

It was said winning the CL 'papered over the cracks' which was true of course, however would any of you change that memorable night now knowing our squad was shite then? I know I certainly wouldn't.....! However now that we have done the unthinkable with possibly the worst squad in the Roman era its time the club smelled the coffee. Courtois is a prime example of this situation we have currently been experiencing, there are a few different opinions on this forum but mine is to bring him back & let him & Cech slug it out for the No1 position - by doing this, as tough a decision it maybe it ensures we have 2 quality players in that position, yes selfish but it is the way forward & what needs to be considered for every position, we are not going to get back to the top without making tough decisions & being sentimental. As mentioned there are a few quality loan players returning & with 3/4quality players signed in the summer we can turn it around, however it is pivotal on who we get as manager. Some don't favour Jose, some have their reservations, others are being cautious but most are like me want the guy back without hesitation - we have fucked about with mediocrity for too long & its about time we got back to consistency & challenging for titles instead of fighting for a CL place. For me its like a jigsaw & Jose is the one to fit in all the pieces, if the hierarchy get it wrong with the new managerial appointment then we won't just be worried about the squad.

Couldn't agree more. No he is not but how many can win titles, Uefa and CL trophies in the modern era spending next to nothing? Also have you come up with a name yet?

Not everyone, i strongly referenced this point yesterday - 2 keepers of real quality will ease the gap but just the start of what the club need to sustain a title challenge.

Agreed and have said as much, least you are honest. Cigarette paper between the 2 - we are in a fantastic position despite the difference in opinions. Cech is not at the level he used to be but still quality, Courtois has 10 years at the top at the very least, we need to secure his services for that time.

Detractors tend to have selective memories, lets not also forget he opted for a young relatively unknown Cech ahead of our No 1 and arguably the best keeper in the Prem at the time - Cudicini. If players have the quality and consistency in their game they will be selected, Jose had a massive decision to make but gave youth a chance and it prevailed, the rest is history - history may about to repeat itself though.

Yeah aware of price shortening and reason for it all too well - stingy bookies don't miss a trick, but like i stated the price/odds actually went out for a short period. I'm with you on expectation, rather be patient and keep stum and wait for the inevitable, but nothing wrong with a little bit of excitement from other members. Dortmund - you cheeky monkey! I will let you know when the team has been knocked out or gets to the final. As i said 'don't quote me' its just media speculation at this stage and concur it should come down to Roman but that's not always been the case with previous failed appointments. That is also speculation and the very same as the masses gossiping on the shop floor, think it's a load of bull personally but just my opinion. See where you are coming from fella but its not you or i that will look a little sheepish if there is a u-turn, each to there own really, don't see a great deal of harm in it. Goes without saying that he is my number 1 choice has been since he left! If Jose is not appointed who would you believe that is available that could bring home the bacon, promote our encouraging youth and also build a dynasty? Agree his appointment seems more plausible now than it has at any other time, still not nailed on but just another rung up the ladder.

As I've already stated, the best solution would be for the club to enter into extending Courtois contract with an improved deal, this ensures we tie him down for the long term, also state that the club have no intentions of harming his chances for the world cup next year so we will give you 1 final year at A Madrid, this would be sensible management because all parties win & Courtois will respect the club more for it & will want to play for the club even more. It is absolutely imperative that if we loan him out again we must tie him down or risk losing him to one of tge top clubs in Europe - Barca are already sniffing! However this can only happen if we have a capable keeper as Cech's understudy, if you say Blackman then fair enough but I honestly can't judge him until I've seen him play regularly. We have slipped down the pecking order because of a number of issues, having 2 quality players in each position would go a long way to reverse that trend. I concur that it seems a little unfair to bench one, but as i said this is where titles are won - no coincidence that the year Cech & Cudicini were injured in the same game we relinquished the title. Paying Cech 100k a week has absolutely no relevance imo, why should it be different for keepers as opposed to strikers, defenders - Torres & Terry are spending large parts on a sabbatical yet we pay them nearly double that. The reason why Man U will win the title this year is because they have 4 strikers that perform but they spend large parts on the bench. As I said before, it can be fine margins & if we don't get a quality back up for Cech then it could cost us the title & I hope those that don't feel the need for this come on here when we have failed & admit they got it wrong. As with Jose, Lukaku, de Bruyne, Courtois amongst some exciting fringe players I'm eagerly looking forward to the decisions in coming months - I just hope the club make the right decisions & we can all be basking in title glory next year.

Tbh I never knew these odds & anyone backing at those prices really need concrete evidence or has dosh to waste! I'm not a great fan of football bets but will indulge when I see value, I've backed a team at useful odds after the group stage in the CL that are still in the competition, done them e/w so if they get to the final I will still pick up a few quid - value & I'm getting a run for my money.......

Yeah, someone will no doubt find it for you. Put it this way I was very tempted to have a large wad at 6/4 but the skimpy odds got the better of me - I'd rather miss out on losing a few quid if it means Jose is our next manager, still a massive win if I don't bet.

@BlueArmy Sorry fella, I don't know where it is, I believe someone posted a link on this thread somewhere - hopefully someone else can help? Don't quote me on this but it was something like WHS has a mate in the the know at the club who knows someone that had contact with Roman through a meal or something & it was said Jose is returning in the conversation. I don't spend a great deal of time on here so apologies if that's incorrect but I distinctly remember WHS posting that we had Stoke in our very first game a week or so before the fixtures came out at the start of last season, so very solid information I would say.

Yep, I have a bet 365 account - like the odd flutter me! When WHS posted the information on Jose their odds were 11/8, a few days or so later they were 6/4 - slightly better odds. As for the recent posts, I don't see a problem with the over exuberance in a Jose return - its been a disappointing season thus far so members are just looking for a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, sorry a massive chunk of 'I want to be seen' Jose back at the Bridge light, that sits fine with me, those that don't can just have a case of one-upmanship later on if Jose is not appointed. I've defended Jose ever since he left prob gone too far at times but I'm going to be patient & hope the multitude & plethora of media gossip is true. One thing that gives me more confidence above all other is that being a parent would I want my little girl in a foreign country all on her own - absolutely & categorically not - doesn't mean anything off course as every parent has their own ideals on parenting & what's right for their child's future & education, however its just a tiny bit uncanny that she is going to a college in London........could also mean he is going to manage le Arse!!!

So we continue to have 1 decent keeper who could get injured or experience a loss of form & then we are saddled with err.....mediocrity as back up & yet another season of battling for a CL place instead of winning the title. As I've already said many times if Jose returns he won't care less if he has to bench Cech in favour of Courtois or if he has to play Courtois on a wet Wednesday night at Scunthorpe, remember he made that decision before with a virtually unknown Cech in favour of our former No1 keeper Cudicini & arguably the best keeper in the Prem at the time & the detractors say he doesn't give youth a chance? The decision has to favour this club moving forward & challenging again - as has been said before sentiment doesn't play a part in success that's part of why top managers become successful & their teams with it, also why Jose will want 2 keepers of quality but all positions covered this way. Imo I would start Courtois ahead of Cech next season, big Pete is a great professional & won't sulk but support Courtois as Carlo did whilst being ready when the time comes. For those that think Courtois needs another year at A Madrid...........oh & then he hasn't got enough PL experience so let's loan him to West Ham for another year by which time he has little or nothing left on his contract & then won't sign another deal so we end up losing potentially the best keeper in the world through our own piss poor decisions whilst Cech is on his last legs - yeah great management that.

Fair comment but purely a selfish one on the part of Courtois, unfortunately this won't be his decision to make, if the club decide to be selfish too then he will be brought back - whether that is ahead of Cech remains to be seen, its a fact that the ball is in clubs court I'm afraid. Obviously with talks then an amicable agreement could be met from both parties.