Blue Armour

Hmm...Man Utd have an away game to Sunderland before the replay, but they have a bigger squad...We'll be playing at home though, making this a tough one to call..

Click on the Special BBcode icon>select media under the bbcode mode>enter the youtube url

Imagine a world where people are like that...scary thing is it might become like that eventually...

As with any new device..I want to see a "field" test before making a judgement. However, I like their idea....not sure about the ergonomics.. Reminded me a lot of the scouter from DBZ:

I guess we have all the Backstreet09's of the world to thank for that!

Cech had no chance once the f-k wall came so close to him. When the wall comes so close, anyone from it (even one of your own defenders) can get a touch on the ball and completely bamboozle the keeper...Ultimately it didn't touch any one, but if the keeper isn't sure about where the ball is headed, he can do little about it. If anything else Cech could have asked his wall to push further forward, and make his wall prevent the opposition from encroaching the penalty area...But the wall got pushed far too easily..

Mikel the "super-sub"....( so used to seeing him being taken off when we go in search of a goal)

Or Drogba, lol...Rio would've been pleading after first contact..

If we do bring in a new striker next season (and I will be surprised if we don't...considering how this season has gone), I don't want Lukaku to come back and end up like Daniel Sturridge. It largely depends on how the next manager plans to use his squad. If he can promise Lukaku enough game time, fine. But seeing as how we operate on a one-striker system...I'm not very hopeful.

Absolutely agree...a good strikeforce is absolutely vital for any trophy-winning team. Its not like the days of Mourinho when we had a watertight defense and we could sit back for most of the game. These days teams play more open football and in-form strikers are top priority.

I had my reservations against him being loaned out to a championship side before this season began. And my opinion hasn't changed. I feel he's a player who thrives on attacking runs made by intelligent players around him. Which is why I feel his best performances have come when he played with the first 11 at Chelsea.

The issue here is that our first team isn't a footballing school. Its there for the purpose of getting at least 1-2 trophies a season. If there's a youth player that can instantly slot into our first team, they will be retained. Else they are sent out on loan to improve, or tossed back into the reserves, or at the most retained as a squad player.

Excellent article Alex...echoes my thoughts perfectly... The players seem to choose which games they want to perform in... And to tell the truth..none of our 3 previous managers (RDM included) ever seemed to be in control of the team as a leader.. Like Alex rightfully pointed out...our next manager shouldn't just be a good coach...he needs to be a good ringmaster (sorry, couldn't think of a better word)

The board doesn't care whether we win it. The manager doesn't care whether we win it. And naturally, the players don't care whether we win it. Its all a big joke. And I think Steaua's owner will be laughing like in the video below

While I do agree there ARE instances when Mata opts not to pass to the striker, there aren't "heaps" of them like you suggest. Torres' poor stats have more to do with himself than Mata. I will give him credit for setting up Mata on occasion though...

And how many of those ten players start regularly for their national teams?

A good target without a doubt, but its really laughable that all these stories started coming out after he was dropped for just one game.

Cole Regrets move to Liverpool and calling it the biggest club in the country:

Not exactly the last time...The last time he face Man Utd, he got beat 2-1 at OT. Back in 2009 he had his best ever season with Liverpool, and Torres on fire.

Its true, but like Torontochelsea suggested, they might feel it would reduce Mata and Hazards involvement in the build-up play. Its also unfortunate that Rafa's a 4-2-3-1 manager. I think he did try a 4-3-3 once (which failed) but with the wrong personnel. Its a sacrifice perhaps, but that depends on the player in that position right? When Anelka played, he also served as one of the creative focal points for the team (I remember in 09-10 when our build-up play suffered when he was out injured for a couple of weeks)..I think Mata can perform a similar role (perhaps even better)...Its not like say, playing Kalou and giving him a very specific set of instructions to follow in the match, thereby restricting his role. (which is good for Kalou)

We'll need maximum points from the next 4 games. The last 6 are all tricky fixtures.... Man Utd might seal the title before their game against us and Arsenal, but we're playing them at Old Trafford...Villa away and Everton at home..not the most like-able fixtures...

But what about in a 4-3-3? There the RCM/LCM can provide more cover for the full-back when needed...That's how it worked when we used to play Anelka on the wing.

So how do you allow Mata to roam freely on the wing AND provide protection to the full-back? Simple. You play 4-3-3 with: Cech Back FOUR MIKEL Ramires-Oscar Mata Hazard Striker

@Peace..Massive contribution from him over the past two weeks.