CHOULO19

Too much, if you ask me. He was too easily drawn out of position which left Mikel alone vs 3 mancity midfielders.

Yeah Schurle is more Sturridge than Anelka. Hard to find such a selfless and tactically aware striker like Nicolas nowadays.

Arseshit, Twatenham, and us? He's not Gallas! Schurle?

Seriously who plans international friendlies one week after the Olympics and barely a month after the Euros. No point what so ever.

No worries mate. I completely agree with every word in that post. I'm afraid that the effort that our 'old guard' put in last season to prove AVB at fault is misleading to a lot of fans. I have actually spoken to a few of our supporters who actually believe that we are the best team in Europe It was mental strength, imho, and sheer will that won us the CL and FA cup last year, not talent unfortunately. Anyway, my badly worded point in the first post was that the system, and manager, has changed since Mikel was last out of the team, so we cannot say if the team is better or worse without Mikel since he is not the only variable.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/7987391/Hazard-happy-despite-defeat Is it me or does he sound modest for a change?

AAAAAAAGGGHHHHH Stay away!!!

I agree about most of that. I do think that he should start to be phased out of the starting XI. I was saying, however, that we should find a replacement to his role as organizer of the back 5. Don't think Luiz can fill that role. Maybe Cahil can after learning a few things from JT.

I did not say he caused our success!

I wanted him a few years back, don't think he's much of a good signing at 27 since he'll most probably only have two or three 'great' seasons. On any account, I think it is clear that the club is trying to sign a versatile forward who can play at both CF and RW like Hulk, Moses, Schurle..etc and not a pure striker like Fernando. Besides I don't think I can bare to see us sign another Fernando for big money

I'm actually confident for this one because we are bound to be on much higher fitness level with all the matches we've played so far against strong sides. Hope we keep a clean sheet.

Won't argue about his awful performance, but I still think that he organizes our defense very. Whenever he's out, our defense looks a bit dismantled.

We actually did much better than I thought we would considering it was the same team, bar Hazard, that finished 6th last season.

Completely wrong. Actually Mikel returned to the team when AVB left, and it is needless to say that the team has become much better since. I am in no way attributing the success to Mikel's presence, just saying that your claim is wrong. Regarding yesterday, wasn't Mikel's best game by far, but the criticism is way over the top. First we were out numbered in midfield and thanks to Lampard's bad performance Mikel was left alone against 3 mancity midfielders. He lost the ball quite a few times, that's a fact, but I don't think he, or any other DM, could have done much better.

Bad 20 mins at the start of the second half. I thought he was good in the first except for the play which Iva got red in.

Then I suggest you watch a match from the 04-05 season because now, despite how much I love Paulo, I can't tell how glad I am Iva is not banned.

He had a terrible game. Out of position most of the time, contibuted nothing to the attack, even his passing was off. He's still not fit, maybe needs a few games.

Meh, not a bad result especially with 10 vs 11 12. We could've won this if it weren't for those 12 mins when our defense was all over the place.

@ Aguero!

That goal reminded me of an interview in which Lamps said that Ryan, along side Rambo, is our fastest player.

Get in Ryan!

FFS game over

We can't blame the numerical disadvantage. Terrible defending on both goals.

Fuck. It had to be that cunt

Good run Nando.