SinineUltra

Question of opinion but I don't regard Mikel a bad player. He is a safe player who has become more of an utility option for us if we need to park the bus or approach with more defensive mentality. Can you name me a youth player that could step into his shoes despite no experience and most likely being inferior in his game? I get that Mikel has become more of an inside joke for some of you on this board but let's not let emotions cloud our judgement here.

There is no quality youth in our academy. Hopefully the PL B plan will go through and the gap between U21 and first team will be a less bumpy road. Until then we have to buy our talents. Before someone brings up Chalobah etc.. there is a reason Mourinho along with other managers simply look over them, they are not good enough to replace players we already have for the first eleven/depth. If they can't produce consistently in a league lower,Championship then how are they even going to cope back here where the competition for places is high and no mistakes are tolerated? Chelsea is doing the only right way there is at the moment. As long as the current youth systems/reserve squads stay, the youth academy will not produce quality players as were Terry. Potential is there but no real stepping stone or environment of regular competitive matches against real quality opposition week in week out. If you look at the Spanish league system, they have B teams playing a league lower against teams who want to win in order to stay up/gain promotion. That's something FA should strive for with the Premier League B teams in order to give our youth the right tools to improve. Loans are great to regain form etc but they will also mess up the development of the players - they will learn to play the wrong systems, wrong mentality, basically no Chelsea's footprint in their game. Plus sending youth abroad / rot in reserves will send a wrong message to them as if they were unwanted by the club. Playing in Chelsea B will give them incentive to strive to play for Chelsea A team.

Hope we are not overplaying Hazard and Willian.

That's the real reason. 'A team like WBA'? What's wrong with WBA? A solid team who gave us a fight infront of their own fans. 1-1, a point is a point and we must look forward. There are no easy teams nor points.

Complacency and arrogance is a short cut to failure. I'd rather we put maximum effort in this and not underestimate our opponents than slate the team for not performing against a 'small' team. You must respect your opposition.

To answer your pertinent(and honest) question would be to opt for the first choice - play half of the games and lift trophies. In Mata's case, though, every game under his belt will count for a call up for Spain's World Cup squad. Guess he took a gamble there.

I think you answered it already. As good as Belgium are, they are not on the same level as Germany and Brazil yet. They have a big potential though.

That's the downside of English football - the domestic competitions are very competitive so it takes its toll on European front. I mean Real Madrid, Barca, Bayern Münich have 3-5 tough fixtures against equal rivals, other games are about gaining confidence and target practice.

What a speed merchant. His face might have been 'I'm calm, whatever, just a kick-about with the boys', but you could see he was so pumped for this, too pumped, adrenaline sky high. Newcastle might not be the easiest team to make a debut against either, very physical team - a Stoke with a bit of flare and elegance and less robust, bandage around their head Englishmen. Happy for him, I'm confident he will be a successful player.

Noone should die so young. Rest in peace.

I'd even say we blew the chance to sign Cavani in his Palermo days, he was a hot prospect already. Though, I don't think he can keep that smile on his face and brown nose Ibrahimovic forever, he is too big of a star to play second fiddle to someone. In that sense I'd say we do have hope.

His back to goal play is superb. One thing that you can take away from is that he plays in La Liga for Real Madrid where you are bound to score more. Then again it isn't easy to outshine Ronaldo and other superstars around you.

The reason I said it is because we had a brief chat about it with Skipper. I'm not aware about your post.

@The Skipper Exactly like Super Bowl - best defense won over best attack!

What a result. We were unlucky not to score more but lucky to not concede. Mourinho's tactical master-class to nullify ManCity at Etihad, get in there! MOTM I'd give to Hazard for the composure and on the ball brilliance, though Cech is very close with saving us. Ramires and Willian might not have had the best night but they had to resort to lot of dirty work, all good in the end. TOP3 closer than ever - KTBFFH! Every serbian on the field got booked, arguably one of whom should have seen a card of different color.

Suarez's brilliance all over it, Sturridge was just a statistic.

Welcome to CFC, Kurt Zouma!

Great news! Really hope he is talking about Cavani and not Costa. Can't imagine Cavani settling for second best behind Ibra for more than a season.

Ahh deadline day, the day of chaos, panic and disorder.

Best defense vs best attack, a proper showdown.

There isn't a concrete answer to your question. Pessimists will say we are out of it already, optimists will hope for the best till it is mathematically possible.

You want us to bow down and take it just because statistics say so? It ain't over till the fat lady has sung. We'll make that 'once' a 'twice'.

What's this talk about losing the title? 15 games to go, we are 3pts from the top while Liverpool trails by 4.

Well fuck me senseless, what a frustrating game.Statistics don't tell the whole story here. We were stuck in the final third for majority of the game and had to try awkward long range shots. Don't really blame anyone here, a draw is better than a loss I suppose considering the brick wall we were facing while ManCity had a target practice at White Hart Lane. One of those days, hopefully our players will channel all this frustration and anger to our next game. KTBFFH

Etoo's game style reminds me Miroslav Klose's. Always wanting a piece of the action, pressing the defence/GK and looking for that typical poacher's finish.