Blue Armour

Hope they can keep that spirit in the Champions league, because they're gonna need it.

What is the point of starting Matic and Mikel in the match when they both can't even do their intended job of marking Mata out of the game? The Spaniard had acres of space to operate in the whole game. Cowardly lineup against a team that doesn't deserve so much respect when they're playing away from home.

Chelsea and Man Utd have fallen behind their rivals - how do they catch up? Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/12142270/Chelsea-and-Man-Utd-have-fallen-behind-their-rivals-how-do-they-catch-up.html Just some perspective before the game....

Although it doesn't excuse the team from dropping below 16th in the table, I agree with that sentiment. We were definitely not going to challenge for the title based on this transfer window. Its practically the same thing that happened in 2010-2011 after Carlo's double winning season. We became too reliant on Drogba, Anelka and Malouda on replicating the same performances from last season. On the other hand, what happened after our 2004-2005 title win? We went out and got Michael Essien to improve on an already strong squad....no surprise that was our last back-to-back title win.

Bit-part only if we actually get a good replacement, or if Matt Miazga steps up to the challenge (in all seriousness I hope this guy can make it).

Let's hope that at least one of the DM's is on the bench when the match starts!

He's probably going to start Matic and Mikel again in the center....what a bore that would be.

He was probably just trying to imply that even Dave Barnard might have nothing to do with the player transfers...meaning that just because he handles the paperwork for the transfers doesn't mean he is actually responsible for choosing transfer targets or shaping the squad.

See? Useless...more than halfway through the season, and we need to bring him back to full fitness to get anything out of this signing

This signing looks more and more useless, unbelievably....He hasn't played since November, and will probably take at least another 3-4 weeks to return to full match fitness only to play a few months of his loan period...

Speaking of Old Trafford, we're playing United at the Bridge next...I sincerely hope he doesn't go for this cautious lineup on Saturday, as United don't deserve the same respect they would get if they played on their home ground.

Time for Matic to be relegated to the David Luiz DMF squad role....only to be used against sides that are going to dominate possession, but should not start in games in which we really need to be on the front foot.

I find it really funny on this forum when people have a go at United, or say that we must absolutely prevent Arsenal or Liverpool from winning the title...only to reserve a soft spot for City by likening them to a kindred spirit... City have emerged as the biggest threat to Chelsea in the past 5 years, and also stand a chance of eclipsing whatever we have achieved in the past decade.. In fact, off the pitch they might have already overtaken us...the only reason why they haven't achieved as much on the pitch so far is probably because they were not fortunate to have an established core like Terry, Lampard...and now we seem to be carelessly giving up that as well.

Fine, if we take loyalty out of the equation, where does practicality come in? In a team already short of quality and tactical nous, why take out the the most regular starting member of the back 4? If its left for assessment of the new manager (who we're not even sure will last beyond 6 months) , why did the same rule not apply to Ivanovic who was easily one of, if not the most under-performing player of the season? I understand your opinion on Ivanovic, but you can't deny that that contract extension makes this situation with Terry look more strange.

After the 5-1 FA cup win, its been one piece of shitty news followed by the next. Terry not being given an extension, and City confirming Pep's arrival. Granted, he was always going there, but I was hoping we wouldn;t hear more until the end of this crappy season. Next we'll probably hear United confirming Mourinho, and then we can go back to the shitty seasons were the two Manchester teams duke it out while we watch and provide comic relief.

Sorry mate, but I disagree with your last statement. I doubt there would be as much of a reaction if we at least knew that we had capable replacements in the squad, or were at least linked with good replacement targets. Don't get me wrong, I'm also excited with the prospect of having a proactive defender like Miazga in the back four, but the fact is none of these guys are proven and the move could easily backfire.

From all our supposed transfer targets this Jan, the videos of this guy excites me the most... Yes, youtube clips will never tell you whether they will be a hit or a flop....but it gives you an idea about their approach and style. And for his pro-active style of defending alone, he warrants a place in the squad. Like Styles said,..too many MJ impersonators in our back line.,

Yeah, the timing of this makes no sense...already short on quality CM's and we let him go at this stage.

Eto'o and Torres also sounded good 2 years ago on paper...didn't really hit the heights though even though Eto'o was good in stages. (But yeah, we had no main striker like Costa at the time) If Pato does come here, I also hope he can be useful..not too optimistic though.

"My garlic plays the holding midfield role for me"

Excellent positioning is what I loved about Cech too...really underrated skill. Prefer keepers who have excellent reading of the game and have good positioning, over those who just make gung-ho saves for the cameras.

Sometimes, I get a feeling that this forum is on an emotional roller-coaster seeing how quickly players turn from heroes to villains to heroes back again within a space of 3 matches

When I think about Mark Hughes, I think of his time back in charge of City. I don't mind ex-Chelsea coming back in charge, but Hughes is NOT the first person on my mind when it comes to that

Lucky not to concede in the end, but the defense were up for it and tried their best (ignoring Courtois fumbles today). If only they could match this performance in the other games..