Blue Armour

Kojo, TorontoChelsea, Only place to be.. Hon. mentions: Musaffir, didierforever and Nachikethas (because his posts crack me up)

LMAO: Apparently Reading boss McDermott said after the game: "Sadly we didn’t have time to get the third" Talk about milking it...

Can't find the original article with the interview, but here's another link : http://www.futaa.com/football/article/mourinho-predicts-doom-for-arsenal

Apparently this was Mourinho's top 4 prediction: 1.Man Utd 2.Man City 3. Tottenham 4. Chelsea This could be the final table, if the results don't improve.

Its not the first time Brana has gone brain-dead this season...Probably best to put him back in the RB position, where mistakes are less costly.

Not vouching for Benitez, but that would have been extreme and could have just as easily led to an equalizer. There were already 5 defenders on the pitch. Bringing on Terry might have added solidity at the back, but it could have also invited Reading to come forward and flood the midfield. Face it, we dominated this match for large stages and should have won by at least 3 goals if it weren't for Oscar's poor finishing. Ivanovic and Turnbull didn't do well for LeFondre's opener. Where Benitez, or at least someone in charge of the setpiece coaching, really screwed up was for the equalizer, were the marking just wasn't there. Also, none of the defenders seemed to give a shit about LeFondre. Wonder what kind of advice the opposition scout gave the players....

It sure looked like it was zonal marking...which I quite frankly hate. Its useful to setup counter attacks, but to me its nothing but a massive gamble. We used it under AVB as well and it bombed... With regards to Bertrand, I don't see why he couldn't play Ba in his position. Its not as if Ba is naive when it comes to tactics, and for sure he'll have better chemistry with Torres than Ryan.

Clearly whoever's doing the opposition scouting for our team hasn't done their job right... How else would our team leave Reading's killer sub Le Fondre unmarked for that last set-piece? And the fact that around 3 opposition players were left free in our d-box? Poor management there? I think so...and I don't even want to mention the lateness of the substitutions..

Same here, and yes it can't be worse than playing Marin atm. However, if the two are going together play at any stage, Rafa'll most likely place Ba on the wing, instead of second striker, where I feel he should be. The Spaniard seem to come alive when Ba came on last weekend, and I'm curious to know if it can happen again.

It would be foolish to judge Ramires or Lampard based on their recent games. They've been playing full-90 min games, nearly every 3 days, in the past few weeks due to the lack of rotation in CM. They've both been below par, Lampard more than Ramires..Its nothing unexpected.

Hence why I said POSSIBLE plan B?

Obvious with the lack of rotation (due to lack of options in CM). Ramires was practically wheezing towards the end...

Well the last few mins showed there's a possible plan B where we can play both strikers together. Also showed how much of a "Juan"-man team we've become

Not to mention that both players played in the CM position. If they wanted to loan senior players out, why not Malouda+Meireles./Essien? Instead they hang onto Malouda, and let him rot in the reserves. No wonder the squad is fucking imbalanced. Hell, each time the game reaches the 65th-70th minute I start dreading the likely substitutions. Its guaranteed Marin and Piazon (when he was there) won't play, as they're only names on a team-sheet. The most likely sub is Bertrand, who comes on to play out of position. And worse, there's no plan B. Subs are brought on, simply to fit in the lackluster 4-2-3-1 formation which has become frankly nauseating to watch at times, especially with the distorted double pivot and a front three that can barely keep possession under pressure.

The funniest thing is the title.... "170000 a week Hazard"....as if the 170000 is supposed to make a difference...tabloid shit.

Last season wasn't half bad..better than man utd's at any rate... We're on course to finish top 3, hopefully the FA cup on the way, a couple of more signings (+ a new manager) in the summer and should be primed for next season.

I think what he means to say is that its not often that you have a player who charges forward at a high tempo and can still have an eye for a good pass. Ever heard of Walcott the headless chicken? Ramires can offer thrust, and can also make a good pass at the end of his runs. That can be invaluable to the team.

Or it maybe simply due to the fact Abramovich isn't exactly like Hicks, Gillete or the Glazers.

Nothing much to do with Mikel, but is that really true? I saw the highlights of the world cup final vs Italy, and in the first half he bombed forward ala Ramires, to support the build up play...Of course he had Viera playing with him in the double pivot, but I don't think he always just sat there in front of the defense. He was a lot more mobile than Mikel, with superior work rate.

Hit the nail on the head. I consider players like Mata and Hazard to be intelligent but those two don't have the experience to complement. We're losing so many 50-50's because the players put themselves into difficult positions. Its the same case when defending, when you have players arriving unmarked into the box. Today's equalizer is another one on the list of goals scored that way this season. Our double pivot members go AWOL when the opposition charges forward in numbers.

Interesting target, and I thought we were in for him at one point..BUT........ He's recently signed a new contract.

I think you'll agree that both sets of fans have an overstated sense of entitlement

Probably when the stadium was at its loudest... I'm watching through a telecast yes, but for me during the past two seasons the bridge has been disgruntled most of the time. It started during the Carlo slump and has been noticeable ever since, when things don't go our way in a match. I'm not saying that's the reason we drew of course, (Cahill was culpable for the 1st goal, and Lamps and/or Rami for the second) but its no coincidence that our better results are coming away from home.

Please, none of that nonsense...there's more than enough of it on the pitch.

New Avatar, anyone?