Blue Armour

It was either that or he would remain a free agent for life. And don't talk about performance stats, it wasn't as if he covered himself in glory during his last season. He did get more starts though...how many did Malouda get? Anyway I don't want to turn this into a Ballack/Malouda debate. Whether the move was bold or not, fact remains we have a player on high wages and we're going to get nothing out of him this season. EDIT: And also, who's going to get impressed by that move? Is it going to encourage more players to come here? I don't think so...

When he has nothing to barter with, a player can get desperate. I'm not saying Ballack was just being desperate, but you can't really compare his case with Malouda's. What's to say Malouda won't beg for a pay cut (unlikely after what happened now) and ask for a contract extension at the end of next season? He didn't want a pay cut when a new club was making a move for him...but what player would reduce his wages AND move into an obscure club? Ballack wanted to stick around, and that's just what Malouda's doing. The difference is, in his final year, Ballack wasn't shoved into the reserves. Whatever the player's motive, it won't disguise the fact that club made a stupid move that isn't going to benefit anyone.

Ballack was also out of contract.

But now he's being paid, and is of no use to us at all. This move isn't going to benefit either him or us. They should have at least tried loaning him.

That's all fine and dandy, but is that what Malouda really wants? Granted the club has the right to do what it wants with its players, but to shove him into the reserves for still sticking around? This, and the Anelka/Alex incident are not going to generate positive vibes from the playing community.

Not necessarily bad...When Anelka played in the 4-3-3 he was allowed to roam around the attacking third...Even Malouda would tuck into the centre on occasion with Ashley Cole doing an overlap.

The more appropriate question is; Will Meireles+Essien be missed...If we had only given up on one of the two then it wouldn't have made too much of a difference...But now the squad is certainly lacking depth, considering the number of games to played, and the African cup of Nations which should take away our current first choice DM for a month

Get him back, is what I would say under the circumstances. But is the club really going to bend over backwards?

What did you expect, everything was going right for the club over the past few months...it was time for things to go downhill,,and when things go to heck it all tends to happen at once.

I'm not sure...As far as I know, contrary to what most people think, Romeu is much more of a sideways passer than Mikel.

And just when you thought we had the strongest squad in years.... Anyway it looks like the club is genuinely concerned about the FFP rules and breaking even....and thus looking to cut costs by ditching its expendables... But it still begs the question: Of Malouda, Essien, Benayoun and Meireles,,...why is Malouda the one to be retained? I have nothing against Malouda, and still feel he is a good squad option, but we're really lacking in the CM department. In other words, we should have retained either one of Essien/Meireles

I just hope RDM realizes he can ditch the double pivot if he wants to...He took too much time to make changes to the team, seeing how they were battered within the first 30 mins of the Monaco game. Then there's the strategy of playing Bertrand and Ramires on the wings..useful at times, but there's no need to play so defensive all the time. Not when there are good options on the bench.

IMO the squad is pretty big overall, but way too deficient when it comes to Strikers and Central Defensive mids. CDM's have been an integral part of our formations over the past few seasons, and now we have only two players for that role (and that doesn't include Ramires). We've strengthened the squad greatly this season, but that loan deal for Essien really soured this transfer window. I can't believe we gave away for free, a player that Mourinho and Real Madrid consider important for their squad. We should have either retained him or sold him for a profit.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you were also mourning for Mourinho a few months ago...or was it just because of AVB?

That's what we always hear when it comes to Essien. Face it, he's 30 and this was probably the last season for him to be of some use to us. Mourinho will use him well for his own needs, but he's not going to play regularly at Madrid.

Suppose Mikel get's injured. Who's going to be the central defensive mid? Romeu has barely played a game since RDM took charge, and he's the only real candidate for the task. The rest, like Ramires and Raul, would be swept aside by the stronger teams we will face.

What was the purpose in "loaning" him?...Its not as if we're too strong in the Central Mid positions..If they wanted to get rid of Essien, they should have sold him and looked for a new CM. Horrible move.

True this match is definitely not the end. (They'll have to wait till December for that. )

Its not the defeat, but the nature of it. On a day, any team could lose, but you should lose with dignity. Really disappointed with the way RDM refused to change anything until the 80th minute.

Hopefully he will realize that he CAN ditch the double pivot from time to time. We had the team setup for counter-attacking, but ironically enough we got hit on the counter.

Forgettable match. Its clear the team didn't do its homework on Falcao. Move on.

Selling Sturridge now would be beyond ridiculous. If he has to be sold, do it in the January window, if he hasn't signed a new contract by then. Right now we need to stockpile all the talent we have, just like Man City did with their forwards and how Man Utd did with Berbatov.

I suppose you want us to play with a false no 9 when Torres becomes unavailable? That player with just one year left on his contract isn't exactly useless...

It says OPTA on the bottom of that pic. Must be one of their stat apps.

Is David Hirshey, Morgan Pier's alias?