Spike

Despite wanting to skype my family for several more hours I reluctantly went down into Manila and partied with the Pinoy in-laws. It was fantastic. Maligayang Pasko. I also I learned the other day I have a half-Filipino half-sister named Jade, on my estranged father's side. What a world.

Merry Christmas from Manila. I got so drunk I ate balut twice and woke up the next day with even more chest hair.

Becuase suspensions and injuries occur. What are they gonna do if Mahrez and Vardy miss a couple of matches?

I was being sardonic, silly. Excuse me while I grab my hat and coat and go fetch a serious post for serious business.

In this topic people express their assumptions as fact even though the club is incredibly secretive of its internal machinations.

Haha, the Daily Mail can kiss my arse. Unless I see a video of it, I don't believe it.

I'm a big fan of Simeone at Atleti but I'm not sure about the same at Chelsea.

It hurts me to my soul when people call Yaya a defensive midfielder.

We've got a Watford fan in the making.

I'd be pretty upset if someone within the club slandered my name in public. I don't think I'd sue them though.

Unai emery has been popular and respected since his Valencia days

Haha, yes! Get in.

Haha, poor Ol Mou.

The hero the Netherlands need but not the hero they deserve. Shame on you.

DIDIER chatting up the boss.

Reported to the FBI.

He lived there for 6 years, surely he'd have a little knowledge of the languages?

Isn't Ukranian quite similar to Russian? Surely Willian would know a little?

I bet they won't. Managerial changes typically light a fire under player's arses. Don't be surprised if Eden Hazard scores a hattrick today despite not even being in the match day squad.

Hopefully he still has some of that down-under magic left. Fuck Fabio Grosso.

The only reason Ivan starts is because they trust his experience more than Baba Rahman. Which is a shame because I think Rahman deserves more chances to prove himself.

This old man doesn't use Tweet Twat or whatever it is called.

Where are you getting that? No sources and everybody is already clenching their cheeks together.

Haha, piss off you condescending cunt. Who are you to question my sincerity as Chelsea fan? You and all the others that question any fans loyalty can line up and kiss my arse.

Some people buy into Mourinho's personality and charisma. Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Marco Materazzi, they'd all die for Mourinho, and that is great they have a manager they love working with. But not everyone can be loved by everyone and it's only natural that some people don't like him, he isn't perfect and nobody is. It's not shocking that maybe some players don't see eye to eye with but for some reason some people can't believe this. I bet everyone on here has bosses at work they have loved working under and others they hated. Footballer are no different. It makes it hard to motivate yourself on a day to day basis when your boss is your enemy. Footballers are people too, they aren't above these sort of emotions and dichotomies. People say they should 'play for the shirt' or 'play for the fans' but there is only so much they can do, enthusiasm isn't a infinite resource, people get worn out and it takes it toll.