CHOULO19

Yes the stat I posted is manipulated to make Mikel look good. That was actually my whole point of the post. Just like your stat is manipulated to make him look bad by using the average goals conceded in all competitions with the average league position of opponents from the league only. And just like my stat does not tell the whole story because it includes games where Mikel came on late and did't have a big effect, your stat above does not tell the whole story either because it includes for example matches where refereeing decisions decided the out come of the game like the United at home and Liverpool away, and games where the manager completely messed up his tactics and cost us the game like the Westham and City away games. In all those games Mikle is little to blame for the result or any of the goals conceded. So again, all stats can be manipulated to almost anything you want.

You're using the average goals conceded stats from all competitions with the average league position of opponents from the league only. It is a clear example of how stats can be manipulated to say almost anything you want. Here, I can spin it in Mikel's way too: Average goals conceded in the PL when Mikel has played is 1 (23 goals in 22 games) Average goals conceded in the PL when Mikel has not played is also 1 (16 goals in 16 games) And since the average league position of the opponent when Mikel has started is higher than when he has not, therefore the only possible conclusion by your logic is that the team did better with Mikel than without. Aren't stats a fun thing?

I realize you're basically not susceptible to reality, but denying that Mikel played is too much even for you!

Someone's back with good spirits Welcome back, mate

Just one question, if things are that simple in football, why do teams have managers? It's not just about players, but finding the right combination and creating the system that fits them. What stopped us from being one of the best teams last season? A LOT of things, imo. First is the complete lack of defensive system; we were defending as individuals rather than a team. Then there was the serious lack of squad depth in a a crazy season. Offensively, our biggest issues were the distances between our lines being too big making the transition from defense to offense very difficult, and the lack of width we had really hurt us against team who packed the box. As well as other factors like the constant changes in the back four, lacking a CB good enough to be starter next to Luiz, no one from the front four dropping back enough to receive the ball, not having any pivot players that fit the system we were playing..etc Football is not that simple that you can just pinpoint one problem with the team and you can solve it and turn into one of the best teams in Europe overnight. Club pay millions for managers and even they can't locate and solve all the problems. But of course that just my opinion, it's not a fact and neither was what you stated.

There was also a video on the official twitter account of him shooting pens at Petr who coolly saved them all

City dominated their B team. Milan are a MUCH better side than they were last season. They have a lot of young fast players in attack. They break really quickly. I think it will be a very close game.

No idea. I say we must 'inspect' them to find out!

Apparently Stepanek was at our training today: I love that guy!

Really? I've never seen her in Al Jazeera. If she did, I sure she wouldn't have been allowed to wear that shirt!

No, that's an opinion/analysis.

He looks decent and can hopefully be a very good squad player. But he is in no way near what he once was. He's not as strong, not as fast, and most of all he's no where as dynamic as he used to be. Still, hopefully he can stay away from injury and do a decent job for us at several positions.

That was obviously an exaggeration that was meant more as a compliment to Josh rather than a dig at Marco. In all the posts where I criticized his passing I clearly stated that I was talking about those two games only.

I find it highly unlikely that we asked them to make him captain. There must some issues behind the scenes at Zulte.

Personally I thought his passing was decent in the first half and good in the second. His defensive work is what was impressive yesterday.

I never said he wasn't a good player, I just said his passing was off in the first two game which it was,imo.

Great job, Hutch

Why can't you ever make a post without personal insults? You KNOW that what you just wrote is not right. Mikel is never our deepest man. And moving our ball forward from the pivot to the front four was arguably our biggest problem last season. Mikel is also the player who is constantly under the most pressure in our midfield because his teammates use him as an outlet when under pressure because of ball retention skills. On any account, I have long ago given up on any "discussion" with you about Mikel. My post was in reply to The Rising Sun in regards to the claim that Mikel only passes backwards which is obviously a myth since stats show he is the one who passes forward the most among our central midfielders.

It hasn't been mentioned, but Cole was amazing...again! In the first 10 mins when Inter went all out to get an early goal, they put so much pressure on that left side, but just couldn't get past Cole.

I just replied to him in the Mikel thread. Obi had 65% of his passes forward which is more than both of Ramires and Lampard. Absolute myth that Mikel only passes backwards. I'm VERY excited to see a pivot of Mikel-MVG. It will be very solid defensively but can also retain possession very well.

I'm sorry, but that's just a myth. According to Squawka, Mikel played 65% of his passes forward last season which really incredible considering the lack of forward passing options we had. As opposed to 62.2% for Lamps and 63.7 by Ramires.

MOTM performance. Those runs he made at the Inter defense were amazing.

Very impressive defensively in the first real test. He tackled well, blocked passing angles brilliantly. Excellent overall performance.

It might have just been my sleep deprivation, but I think I saw Mikel in the opposition box! Very solid performance. Inter took the match way too seriously. MVG was amazing in his movement and defensive side, especially in the first half but Moses has to be MOTM since he made the goals happen. Oscar's goal alone was worth staying up till 5 am. Good night..or it's actually morning now Oh, and I want some of what that ref is smoking!

As expected his play with his back to goal still needs a lot of work. And that's an understatement!