blue out west

I don't agree at all. As a player he's already in his peak years, for me he's a finished product and won't get any better really. Also, his knees improved, not so much his talent or thinking. The injuries he had abt a year ago really hampered his game, but even at 100% condition he's not the type of RB we need. We need a Ramos or VDW type that is intelligent and strong but not afraid to take risks, and has technical quality. Someone that offers a bit of what Brane does and a bit of what Bos does... If we could get someone like that, and a top shelf center mid that can play a bit over to the right and is decent in the hole, we could take out any club in the world.

It was as tough on Mathieu as it was on Bosingwa though, that tactic. Which is the point I'm making, there's 2 sides to the coin. Top footballers are not made victims, they find the spaces, timing and rhythm in order to exploit the opponents moves. Bosingwa doesn't possess such a tactical mind for the game. What he is is an extremely explosive athlete who plays with a lot of courage and determination, plus has a nice complement of skills... for me he is like the Joe Cole of the right touchline. What we need in a RB is not someone with those characteristics as much as we need someone that can analyze and exploit the opposition, as well as use their wits to know when to take risks and when to be more conservative. For all his assets, Bosingwa doesn't possess those qualities.

If Terry was a red (any one really) he'd be touted as best CB in the world. If Vidic was a CFC product he'd get even more stick, wouldn't even be considered in the conversation of best in the world.

When defenses get sick of Ramires and others on the right scoring on them they'll stop doubleteaming Malouda all the time... and he is one of the most consistent performers in the squad over the last year or more. Scored a late game winner in limited time already this season and can play up front or in the mid. For me he's a very important player for the squad. Who else do we have for left mid, much less cover for Mata?

Thats true and I don't think that game was a bad one for him defensively, because when they penetrated with 2 on 1 moves he usually recovered well and did what he could. The sad reality though is that this isn't typical of Bosingwa's performances. Also, consider the other side of the coin of Valencia's tactics with regards to Bosingwa: he should have been able to break out even easier and really get forward between Mathieu and Alba because of the space they were leaving, but he didn't read the play well enough or find good enough positions. If Bos was a little bit bigger/stronger or had a bit of a better tactical/positional awareness he would be twice the player than he is. Regrettably that isn't the case which is why he's a middle of the park player strictly.

I don't think any players in football do anything singlehanded. There aren't any situations like that except for spot kicks.

If you aren't comparing Malouda/Mata's defending to Bosingwa's, then you must be comparing Ash to Bosingwa or Mata/Malouda to themselves. Which is retarded. Ash is twice the player Bosingwa is, everywhere on the pitch and in any situation. As for wingers have to cooperate with the FB, yes thats true, but its an irrelevant comparison considering Mata and Malouda played both wings and Bosingwa got lit up the whole game. He did well to get back and not allow too many clean crossing opportunities (wish that was always the case) but he was also playing against guys that are less athletic and physical than those in the league.

Hazard is too much like Mata for me. Would rather have a central mid or right wing/right mid.. Hazard more of a in-the-hole type of mid.

You're comparing the defending qualities of wingers to a fullback. Whats the phrase I'm looking for here.... "get a clue"

I remember seeing him wear that shirt for an interview on The Daily Show. Proper chels.

You aren't making sense. Let me inform you of something: in the game of football, wingers are one of the least defensively responsible players. There's a reason for that. Bosingwa is a defender. He is NOT a winger. Act like you know something, buddy.

Bosingwa was the one who would end up with the ball because all the defenses slide to the right (our left) to block off Malouda and Lampard (now Mata as well). Our system relies on the RB to provide width and balls in because of this. TO that end, Bos simply is not good enough in the final third and he never has been that type of incisive technical player. He is an athlete type who's strong burst of speed, agility and decent touch does him well in the middle of the park. But as a defender in the final third he is too light, and lacking awareness as well as technique when it comes to marking and tackling. In the final third he is also too weak to hold onto the ball if the cross isn't there and not good enough technically to get into quality positions or provide a creative influence from the right corner area. His abilities in the middle on the right side are negated by Ramires' effectiveness, who himself offers the same as Bos but is younger and better at the role. We'd do much better to have a better technician and sharper thinker at RB, we don't need an athlete over there with the guys we have in the midfield.

Most consistent player in the squad. If everyone had his work ethic and mentality we'd be top of the league.

You guys are mad. The problem is that Malouda, Lampard, Drogba are leaned on way too much the last 3 years. These guys have played so much football its ridiculous, we haven't had a healthy squad rotation since more than 3 years ago. The squad is still too small even after adding Mata, Meireles, Ramires and will still be when we add Piazon to the rotation. We need 1 or 2 more players at least that are fringe first 11 quality or better.

Mata/Malouda are defenders? You learn new thing everyday I guess. Bosingwa isn't near the quality of Ashley in either end of the pitch, and we have a squad stacked with box-to-box players.

Hey remember this guy named Mourinho? I vaguely do... something about him winning the league a bunch of times with us playing a defensive style... some people

Positioning and feel of the game are things that can't really be taught in training, they are things that will come with seasoning and experience in the league. I feel that right now Alex is a cut above in terms of defending, but he is also slow, Luiz provides better cover in general.

We have 1 first choice winger, like most top clubs. united has Nani, RM has Di Maria, Farca has Pedro, Citeh has Johnson. We lack a dangerous player for the final third from our right side though, thats the issue. Its not a matter of wingers its a matter of not having 2 Lampard OR Mata type players, because Lamps and Mata are both best on the left, and Malouda is our best side mid when it comes to goal threat. So when you look at the right side who do we have? Ramires who is not that good in the final third and Meireles who is good but not good enough, followed by Bos who is ineffectual in the final third. Like I said thats the typical way of the 4-3-3 today. 1 side has a natural and one an inverted. Mata is not that suited to playing an inverted role because he lacks the athleticism (IMO). That role works for people like Hulk and Sturridge because they have the physical tools to make space for cutbacks and to get behind the line on long balls. I think if we got Modric instead of settling for Meireles we'd be a lot better off. What I'd really like to see in terms of the squad moving forward is Alex to go and replace him with either a young CB or LB who can give Ash some rest, also a young RB like VDW and a centre/right mid to play opposite of Frank... a real top shelf technical mid to play with Frank and Ramires/Ess/Mikel in the 3 man mid. A good squad would have Malouda as cover for the left mid/left wing, Sturridge for cover for central striker or as inverted winger and all the other players staying. I think a lot of people on here are not realizing the size and quality of squad that is needed to challenge for 4 trophies

Uh, there are lots of players who play around the left mid/left wing space, traditional wingers are a rare breed nowadays. Between that comment and the one about how he puts so many crosses in, I'm really not sure if you watch the games. He doesn't attempt many crosses at all, maybe 5-6 a game, and most of those come closer to the crossbar than any player on the pitch. It is incredibly rare that he delivers a cross into a dangerous area. The reason why Bosingwa is getting time is because we haven't sorted out the RB issue. Its been a problem for years now and AVB is at the moment compensating with Raul to provide some width from the mid. Its already becoming apparent we don't have any player in the squad that has top shelf attacking quality in any form (crosses or goal threat) on the right side. I'm sure that Roman has been going after Ramos vigorously but it hasn't worked out, maybe Lahm too, but these are tough guys to get. VDW is attainable but I think AVB wants to exhaust is options before taking a risk on him and getting rid of Bos. Anelka, Drogba, Torres, Sturridge are all not crossers of the ball in any part of their typical roles, but yet they do it well enough to get balls in when they are in position, something that can't be said of Bos. Now you can insult me or my opinion but I don't care, that only shines on you, not me. Anyone that pays attention to the clubs problems of the last year or 2 has known about what I'm saying for a while.

What are you on about? International level is much more competitive football than 2 team La Liga. So there you go, the "best player in the world" has never played in even a top 3 league in the world. What a joke. The hero worship of these continental players is ludicrous.

Have you been watching the games or just highlight packages? Can't tell by your post. The guy is a VASTLY inferior crosser of the ball compared to 4 of our center forwards, now thats a bad sign. He has been better of late defensively but he simply lacks the strength to be consistent defender in the back third... Not to mention he puts more balls out of play when he tries to cross than anyone else. Besides the 1 good move + cross and the 1 shot where the whole defense backed off (because they know how bad his final product is) his delivery has been a horror show. He did well against Ashley Young because he's the only type of player Bos matches up well with defensively-- highly reliant on pace and direct play, doesn't offer much else. Ash couldn't blow by Bos so he wasn't doing much, but there's a ton of guys that can out muscle or fool Bos with smarts or skills. He isn't the smartest player in the squad. I wish the guy was a better crosser and more intelligent but he isn't, if he was then he'd be a right footed Ashley Cole. Van Der Weil might not be a better overall RB than Bosingwa right now but he is young, and stronger, better defensively and has a better end product than Bos. He offers more upside and less compromise in both ends of the pitch. A player like Bosingwa has to be able to at least get average crosses in consistently, he doesn't even do that. Do you remember last season, or even the one before that? Bos has been the weakest link the whole time he's been here. RB problems have been exactly why our attack has been so left sided for going on 3+ years (pretty much since we lost Robben)

I'm partial to Essien's goals against Arse and Barca

When is the last time he made a big (positive) impact against a major opponent? 2 nice moves and everyone forgets his horrific final product most of the time

Ronaldo was a far better player, Serie A was a superior league and his side didn't get to play by a different rule set than their opponents. Messi is obviously a top talent but I don't put him above other elites like Cristiano, Drogs or Eto'o. These guys have won domestic titles in much more competitive leagues and won CL while competing in those domestic leagues. La Liga is soft and Barca gets protected like crazy, their players can coast through games barely being pushed. I think a lot of players that aren't seen as elite would put up elite numbers and look the part if they were popped into the barca squad.

Watched the extended highlights of the last liverpool game and the commentators couldnt stop praising Carrol for MISSING THE GOAL. Its pretty clear where the media's favouritism lies and no point getting worked up about it. We all know the 2 clubs they will adore and push will always be LFC and manu, if there's a third its the arse. Either way Torres is looking fully fit right now. I'm not worried about the red card, he is an emotional guy and made a mistake, it happens.