Blue Armour

Well Utd did have to face L'Pool. Its probably the FA trying to increase viewership ratings for the League cup.

Because of the way Spurs play, I suspect Mourinho will start with Torres instead of Eto'o for this one. Wish Ramires could make it in time for the game

Good first half, but faded in the second. Still not close to his menacing best.

"Oh gawd!" indeed, if he doesn't make it for Saturday.... Wonder who will partner Mikel...Most likely Lampard...but other options? Mourinho tested Luiz in midfield..Essien played well against Championship opposition, and Van Ginkel is there (although I'm not sure how he'll fare against the likes of Paulinho

Yes he might have squandered two chances when put through on goal, but credit where its due. His assist to Ramires was great, and showed that he still has flashes of brilliance in him. He looks to have finally settled well into this team.

This guy definitely deserves more game time. Played well today, and these days he offers more than Cole when it comes to attacking play

And that too as a sub.

And you must like to see everything as a soap opera

His attacking movement with the ball seems to have improved...Earlier he used to just power his way forward and swing in a cross from range. He still uses his strength, but he seems more adept at entering the d-box with and attempting lower crosses

Im(z+i)= b+1

No, not at all. Its quite clear, Eto'o is much better against certain types of opposition especially the kind that defend deep. Its good that we finally have some variety in terms of striker options.

Yeah, he's doing a lot better under Jose...and of course after 2 seasons here, he has adapted to the way Chelsea play. Not the ultimate solution for our striker problems, but a good one for the time being. Especially on counter-attacks

The lack of a world class DM is something that still perturbs me, yes. But I doubt getting a new one is entirely down to Mourinho. As far as a striker goes, look...Neither Ba, Torres and now Eto'o have been getting the best of service. Face it, its not because all 3 strikers degraded in quality after coming here...Our system just does NOT provide good service for strikers...and I think that's something Mourinho should change if he can.

We finished 6th in 2012 and barely finished 3rd last season...and you think he's crazy for trying to change the style of our play?

Mata CAN adapt. Between Oscar and Mata, Juan is a better winger. Can Mata play as a better no. 10 than Oscar? Maybe. But he's more of a wide player than the Brazilian is. Case closed.

His decision making was way off today...he needs to regain some focus, and go back to doing some of the simpler things he did when he first came here. Its the best thing for him to do against teams that sit back and try to triple man-mark him. I also wonder how he's handling the pressure of Mourinho's demand to see him transition from great talent to great player. The Bayern match shows he can more than cope with that, so I still have faith that he'll come back to his usual self before long.

I mentioned this in the Eto'o thread, but I would honestly like to see Jose go back to starting with Torres like he did against Hull and Bayern. I'm definitely not saying he's a better player than Eto'o.. (in fact I think Eto'o does a better job at dropping deep and linking up play), but I still feel we lack some kind of physical shape that we would have with an out and out CF. In that sense Torres provides a better focal point for attack...

Also a VERY hard worker like Schurrle. He tracked back whenever he could, and never lowered his tempo. Deserves praise after today's performance

So much for that "Mourino hates Luiz" rumour. Mourinho knows how useful Luiz can be to this team. Its why he has started the past 3 games, and today he showed how his passing from deep can help create chances. He knows there maybe some risk, due to Luiz's tendency to press higher up and get caught out of position...but when you have defenders that can provide like Brana or Terry to provide cover..the benefits far exceed any potential problems.

Agree with that. The occasion was just too much for him today, from the looks of it. Honestly expected Mourinho to haul him off early in the 2nd half, especially with that slender one goal advantage and his yellow card, but anyway...he has time to prove himself. Just wished McEachran got similar opportunities...but Van Ginkel offers lot more in the defense department.

That's because its Mourinho...its just like Henrique said...a lot of uninitiated fans buy into the aura of invincibility that has been created around Jose, and now they're panicking when results haven't gone according to plan Let's be honest, Jose is still learning more about this team, and what it can and can't do. Given time, a great manager like him should easily sort it out. That's not abnormal or unreasonable. I'm already looking forward to the next game, and can't and won;t give 2 s**** about the couple of recent results.

That would have been funny, if it weren't scarily possible.

True, teams like Basel and Everton sat back for most periods..but I feel our best attacks come in the form of counters even in those kind of games. Torres could have been useful especially after we went 1 up.

Eto'o as expected, provides good movement and link up play. It makes things easier for the 3 behind him. BUT, today he couldn't prove that he could be the solution for our striking problems. And, at 32 his reactions seem a bit off. Can't believe this, but I honestly think Jose should go back to putting Torres in the starting line-up. He's better suited to the counter-attacking play, and imo...we looked more of a threat when he led the line in the couple of games he started this season.

You win some, you lose some. In our case twice. In a row. Time to move on.