lionsden

I think Anelka has been one of our best performers so far this season and it would make sense to use him as LWF while Mata occupies the free role. The frenchman would definitely be more productive and stretch the opponent defence than slo-mo

It's a big risk, bordering on stupidity, to play Kalou/Drogba, Torres, Malouda front 3 in the next match. given the recent evidence and the fact that Mata and Sturridge are infinitely better and more effective/productive than kalouda and Drogba-Torres combination.

I hope his injury is not too serious. That's what happens when you send your most creative senior MF out on loan and also miss out on realistic and relatively less expensive alternatives like Pjanic,Jovetic,Borja valero et al Instead we spent the whole summer chasing a lost cause (Modric) and another player that doesn't address our most pressing need (Perreira). Needless to say, we lost out on both target eventually.

I might back fire and it might not. we will have to wait and see something just tells me the Miereles-Josh combination can't be as bad or any worse than Lampard-Ramires combo so far this season.

Yes but Mikel, Lampard and Ramires have been playing together for a while yet they still show poor cohesion and incisiveness week in week out. It wouldn't hurt to deviate from a norm that, quite frankly, has been unimpressive. We have been advocating for a change in our slow and predictable style of play and I believe Miereles and Josh are better suited to the pass and move style of football.. . . Lampard and Mikel are too slow and seem to lack the flexibility to adapt to a new style of play while Ramires's passing ability falls below the required standard. I'm not particularly bothered about Romeu starting the Sunderland game tbh, just thought we should give him some playing time

This is what will likely happen . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. Mikel . . . . . . . .. . . . Ramires. . . . . .. . Lampard . . . . . . . . Anelka/Kalou. . . . Torres. . . Malouda This is what I wish and would love to see . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Romeu . . . . . . . . . . . Miereles. . . . . . . .. .Josh. . . . . . . .. . . .. Sturidge. . . .Lukaku/Anelka.. . . Mata

I'm not a believer of blind faith. I show optimism only when there's a reason to. I do however agree that we have made good long term signings and the future indeed looks bright.

You Conveniently ignore the fact that our squad and key players including JT,Lampard,Drogba, Essien and Cole were all 2 years younger and still relatively in their prime when we won the double. Plus we had creative midfielders in Ballack and Deco to rely on for creativity. circumstances has changed significantly from then and the sooner the fans and AVB accept that, the better. it's called coming to terms with REALITY.

Some lucky punters defy odds in excess of 114,000,000/1 to win the euromillions. . . .His stupidity optimism might just pay off. you never know

The simple and non delusional answer is, No we are not strong enough to win the league this season. Man Utd and City are superior to us and are odds on favorites for the title. However that doesn't necessarily mean we cannot win the league as anything is possible in football. Let's just say, I wouldn't advise anyone to stake their mortgage, rent or retirement fund on us winning the pl this season.

Ain't that the truth. At this point in time, the reality is that we have one of the oldest squad in the pl and the problem is compounded by the fact that most of our key players (Lampard, Drogba,JT, Torres and Ashley Cole) have lost the sharpness and title winning form due to host of factors and age is one of them. Our play so far has lacked rhythm, precision, pace and penetration which creates an aura of predictability. . . . a sharp contrast to that of biggest rivals, United and City. We have been able to get away with it due to the quality of opponents so far and we will find it exceedingly difficult to savage a single point against stronger opponents. Champions don't struggle to beat teams of WBA and Norwich at home, they absolutely annihilate them. so far we just haven't shown anything to convince the bookies and critics that we are a major threat to City and United for the title.

My vote goes to Killmanjaro and Madmax :tophat: Honorable mentions- DYC, LDNblue,styles and manpe

AVB drops Lukaku and Betrand for Kalou and Ferreira. Why I'm I not surprised? I saw this coming a mile away

We lost out on a creative midfielder and De Bruyne, Loaned out Benny (our only creative spark with experience) and replaced him with another B2B midfielder. . .AVB isn't that intelligent afterall

Words fail me

Yep pretty much. we have to endure the dire and Kalouless football yet again this season.

Oh what a relief

I called it right from the start that Modric was a waste of time. . . . I just bloody knew it. We should never have layed all our eggs in one basket and pursue a plan B aggressively in the final weeks of the deadline but Gourlay believed he could pull a Berbatov on Levy. Disappointed - YES, Surprised- NO

Could this possibly be the most boring transfer deadline in years

I have never understood the fascination of some clubs to leave transfer dealing till last minute.

http://assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/GifGuide/dancing/1tumblr_lgp6q5NhE21qcjtu8o1_500.gif

"A fresh offer of around £5 million was made yesterday for De Bruyne" . . . .that's very inspiring

excellent. whilst we look set to sign Perreira, Ribery/Miereles. .. . The rest of the epl must be quivering with fear right now at our magnificent transfer prospects .

Honestly if we fail to get this kid and sign Ribery for £30m (or whatever fee) I will never forgive Gourlay,AVB or whoever is responsible for this madness and I seriously mean that.

seriously we need people with common sense running transfer affairs at the club. If Downing, a technically inferior player to Kevin can go for £20m, £10m should be seen as a bargain for the Belgian.. . .plus Kevin has the scope to become one of the best players in his position in the future.