CHOULO19

But that's the point, I'm not trying to subtly wind anyone up, those are my genuine opinions and they are all opinions related to Chelsea and Chelsea players and which I try to back up with reasoning. If you feel wound up by an opinion that's different than yours, there really nothing I can do to help you. Right, so back to Azpi. I really hope he starts against Schalke. Daxler is too quick for Iva and stopping him will be vital in the match. Schalke also like to exploit the flanks and we all know that Iva can't stop crosses. Brana will be perfect for the City game where we'll like to defend deep.

Except none of these were aimed at anyone. If you're wound up by an opinion it's not really my fault. I've never aimed at upsetting anyone while "I know your loyalties are divided" clearly is aimed at upsetting me. And BleedsBlue? If he can't handle an opinion different to his and makes serious stuff up like racism, then it is my fault? Again, give me one example where I'm supposedly winding people up. Quote one of the posts that I use to wind people up. Lighten up Jacky, I'm just trying what you call "banter". Always very educational to experience new cultures

It's not a cultural difference, anywhere in the world if you're constantly being wound up by people you don't like it'll eventually get on your nerves. Give it? Go ahead, and show one single example where I try to wind someone up other than Jack who's made it his life goal for the past year to get on my nerves.

Sheesh, calm down! Fine, I was wrong, he's not world class, happy?

Well Jack Foulkes, you're not here to question my motives and I don't accept your jabs at me. So I'm asking you for one last time to stop your "banter" towards me. I've never joked around with Phill or wound him up. I've never had a problem with Phill, in fact we rarely ever speak. I might disagree with almost everything Phill writes, but at least he expresses his opinion respectfully and without bringing anything personal into the discuassion.

Where I come from it's only banter if you're friends. If you're not it's called being a cunt and you'd probably get your ass kicked for it :cfc:

Well that depends on your definition of world class. There is no "definition" of world class that goes for everybody. I just meant he's miles ahead of the other Sunderland players and most players of the bottom teams. And what does Juve have to do with anything? He never fit Conte's system and couldn't get a game with them.

Well, Jake, you still haven't told why you brought it up or what it has to do with Iva or Azpi?

That's a different point, though. I'm not debating whether or not his lack of natural ability is compensated for, I just said that he arguably has the least natural ability on the ball in our squad, and you said it was nonsense. Now you're saying he doesn't have natural ability on the ball but he makes up for it. Make up your mind. Oh, you poor innocent little child! Well, it's not true, not that it's any of your business what teams I follow. And even if it were true, I fail to see what it has to do with either Azpi or Iva.

You really need to watch the last Euros.

I think it's incredible how German players are so tactically flexible. Even the ones that move away from the Bundes Liga, you can see how tactically versatile they can be, and Schurrle is just another example. I think in terms of training and youth coaching they're miles ahead of England for example.

Do you know what natural ability on the ball is? There is no comparison between Azpi's technical ability on the ball and Iva. If you can't see that then there's no need to have this conversation at all. And your point doesn't really stand because Azpi is not a flashy RB either but also a defend first type of RB. When will you ever learn to speak to people with respect? You've been previously warned and suspended for stuff like this and just because I ignore your jabs at me 99% of the time, it doesn't mean that I'll ignore them for ever.

Not that I disagree with your point, but united away in 2011 in the tittle decider match.

Back then Torres was the best striker in the world. What's your point? I know you missed a lot of last season, but Azpi was a key player for us. And that's not all down to his ability but also to Rafa's tactical plans. Cesar was often the most involved player in our matches with the most touches and passes. The transition from defense to attack when not on the counter always went through him which solved what was arguably our biggest problem last season. As for Iva not playing bad at RB, I could give clear examples like our last match, Villa, Everton, Bayern...etc, but let's talk in general: Ivanovic does not have any natural ability on the ball to be a fullback. He's arguably our least technical player. Yes, he is powerful in going forward, but his offensive contribution (bar set-pieces) is almost non-existent. When he gets to the final third, 9 times out of 10 you'll either see a cross into row Z or miss-pass. Defensively, and this is my biggest issue with his as RB, he can't stop a cross for his life! In fact, I don't remember ever seeing him stopping a cross. He just always gives the winger a lot of space to cross because he knows that if he gets to close to him most wingers will beat him for pace. Not to mention that his positioning mistakes are a lot more at RB than when he plays at CB. Check the Tottenham goal for a clear example.

I wouldn't write Sunderland off so quickly. They have a lot of quality everywhere and even a world-class player in Giacherrini. They can easily go on a run of games if Poyet gets it right. I still think Hull will go down.

I know it's off topic, but how about players that exceeded expectations? Surely Frank has to top that list. He never really had natural ability on the ball, but everything he achieved he did so by working harder than everybody else. That fact that he was in the top 3 players in the world in 2005 is beyond incredible.

I'm really disappointed with Cole, especially that he was incredible in preseason. Looked his old self. Then the season started and he was...well back to his new self! That said, I still want him back for City because of his experience but also because of him being such a big game player. I think this is something that has been criminally underrated throughout his career, because people would talk about about the Drogbas and Terrys but I think Cole was just as much a big-game player if not more. Even in the last two years when his overall play has dropped embarrassingly, in the big games, he always seems to come up with incredible performances and often an Ashley Cole (i.e. a ridiculous goal-line clearance). As for Iva, you can't praise him for exactly what you were criticizing Bertrand for! Iva is very powerful going forward, but his ability on the ball is that of a CB (a typical CB, not our CBs because Luiz and JT, and Cahill to a lesser extent, all have incredible ability on the ball). His is very bad and he often can't make simple forward passes and his crossing is even worse (and needless). Iva obviously has much more experience and is physically very powerful and is an aerial threat, but I do believe that Azpi has to regain that RB spot and soon. PS: Daxler won't be on Bertrand's side, but Iva's, which has me worried quite a lot because we're going to have crosses constantly coming into the area.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x168wng_gaol-crystal-palace-1-1-fulham-21-10-2013-hd-premier-league_sport *Andy Gray voice* "Take a bow son, take a bow!"

Forward in Jan? No chance unless we sell Ba and get another quick-fix like him (which would make no sense). If we wanted another striker in the team we would not have sent Lukaku on loan..

I see it, you see it, but for some reason Jose hasn't been able to this season. I think the game will be decided by the midfield battle: who will work and press harder and more importantly who will win the second balls. The fact that they play mostly down the flanks is good for us, but I worry about Iva's ability to stop Daxler, especially the crosses into the box which are always his main weakness.

So basically another team that will defend deep, close passing lanes, and leave no space then hit on the counter...great! That's interesting. I'll look for that in the game. You rarely see that as most manager prefer a separate pressing zone for each player because, in theory, if they can exchange defensive roles, they would create gaps while in the process of doing so which, especially in a zonal marking system, could be fatal. Would love to see how Keller works his way around that. I've always loved the tactics in the Bundes Liga, tbh.

Yeah, I think so. I said the same in the match thread. Plus, Daxler has been involved in 3 of Schalke's 4 CL goals this season, so Andre's defensive work on the right wing to could be crucial.

Ryan has had a few excellent games for us, tbh. I remember the one against Arsenal under Robbie where he was MOTM IIRC. Also the match against united last season when Ash was injured, I distinctly remember he was one of the best players on the pitch. But I do agree that he often comes out short offensively, which is a shame because I think he has the ability to be good in that respect. I think technically he's not bad and he's one of our fastest players and a good crosser (when he misses the first defender) so he can cause some damage. But honestly, I don't mind his offensive weaknesses. He is our back-up LB after all and what I want from him is to not make defensive mistakes which Ryan very rarely does. Agree that Frank was not in our best three players, but it was his best performance for us this season (what does that say about his previous performances?! ). But I just wonder if it's something that Jose has said to him because his approach to the role seemed different to me. His passes were simpler and his forward runs where very much limited which is the opposite of what you'd expect against a team like Cardiff.

I must disagree, mate. Kevin is one of the best crosses I've seen. Mata's crosses, are a bit hit-and-miss. He's capable of amazing ones, but he's also capable of some horrendous ones, especially from set pieces where he (like Lamp and Hazard) often can't miss the first defender.

Totally forgot about the game. Palace will be relegated by March at this rate. They have no quality in any area whatsoever.