Slam Dunk

Bertrand coming on. What's quite worrying is our complete inability to put a game to bed. Edit: Haha as soon as I post that. 2-0 Rambo.

Romeu coming on.

No, you've misunderstood. I meant that putting on one or two young players is not going to change the dynamic of the team, Lampard/Malouda are not suited to the style AVB wants us to play. The rebuilding of the club, players and style of play, should have begun a long time ago. It's going to take time. It should have been done gradually. We could put Hutchinson on, and it would be good for him to get the experience, but we'd still be playing the same style.

Finally. Mata.

You think we can just throw on Bertrand and Hutchinson and our entire problems as a team are solved? Players that have little to no experience are expected to come on and take responsibility for the team? As i've said above, the problems in the team run deeper.

They are indeed. Problem is that we should have begun to replace them ages ago, but what with the constant changing of management and entire lack of consistency within the club has meant that we are being forced to keep hold of them until we have fully rebuilt the team. This also means that we will have to rebuild quickly and therefore the team dynamic is going to suffer.

The youth wouldn't make that much difference, they might add a bit of exuberance to the team, but the problems run deeper. We need established/semi-established players of a decent age that are able to suit AVB's philosophy. Lampard, Malouda etc are not capable of playing in the way that the manager is making them.

Anyone else glad there's not a stream?

This.

Haha it's not as simple as that. It's all about the money (TV, FA, sponsor rights etc).

Sounds like we should be 1-0 down already...

Not criticising your opinion by the way mate. It's clear we're taking a strong run at the FA Cup, unlike the Carling Cup where AVB stated in advance we'd play the youngsters. Bosingwa is our strongest RB at present (pains me to say), Hutch lacks match fitness and although it would be nice for him to get a cameo, he isn't a starter yet. Without Mata, we seriously lack creativity. He can also provide the spark for Torres to score. If McEachran plays, he is cup-tied and cannot feature for his loan club (if they are still in the competition, that is). Our next game is in a week, so it's not like players are going to be in desperate need of a rest. I agree its a rather conservative lineup, very safe options picked in each position, but this is exactly what the management said would happen, so I don't see how anyone can be surprised. Let's start with a strong team, get control of the game, and then put on some youth.

Why? RDM said strongest lineup will play. What were you expecting?

Over £50m Fernando Torres? Over Didier Drogba when he gets back from ACoN? No chance.

Would hinder Piazon's progress and his adaptation to English football, don't you think?

^ No, he's being rested.

Don't see why he'd want to join us to be honest. He's not going to want to sit on the bench is he? He's on fire.

I think it's best not to get bogged down with positions on paper when concerning our front line. Mata, Sturridge and Hulk are all players capable of playing anywhere across the line. Mata currently is LW on the team sheet, and picks up positions all over the pitch.

Some Liverpool fans claiming the guy actually said "You Manc bastard"... ...Don't think that would bring him to tears considering he's only on loan at Oldham and is actually from Norwich.

Am I alone in thinking i'd rather us sign Hummels? Perhaps a more unlikely signing, as I know we've tracked Subotic for quite some time.

Yeah they both do, excuse my sarcasm haha. Would love this to happen. Can play anywhere across the front three (same as Sturridge), gives us a different option for sure. Needless to say however, that it probably won't happen and I should stop getting my hopes up

Are these the same people that said Ganso's agent was spotted in London (Spurs) today as well?

Glad we've seen sense, terrible loan spell. He deserves better.

Maybe a chance for one of the young defenders though, if Terry is out.

Twitter saying it could be done by today, or Sunday at the very latest. Bolton won't cup-tie him either way, Coyle's said he'll be rested.