manpe

So you'd revert to panic tactics in big matches just to make Kane/Sam feel confident about themselves? Interesting. @Joker10 - well, ifs don't count, we didn't sign a replacement for Bertrand and that's that, no point in speculating anymore. But the difference is Bertrand had tons of professional games under his belt and it was pretty much clear that he has what it takes to succeed. Same with Sturridge, he went on loan, got actual experience, impressed and now he's reaping his rewards. Sam or Kane can start their professional careers in Carling Cup games or better, on loan, but in big games we'd have to opt for panic tactics if Ivanovic isn't available. If Bosingwa goes, then I'd rather keep Ferreira for this last year so as not get over our heads in the need for players this summer.

Not exactly funny, but sad.

I didn't say anything definitive, again, I was being speculative by saying that in a world class team Ramires should not be the best player. I didn't claim any of the players to come and overtake Rambo straight away, but again - hypothetically saying that if Hulk, Hazard, Marin, KdB and whoever else proved to be(come) better players, then that would demote Rambo's status whether you like it or not. If all of our midfielders and wingers were like Rami, we wouldn't hold even 10% of ball possession against the likes of Barca. He's excellent in a counter-attacking and more defensive setup, but since we are aiming to become the dominators rather than the dominated, then Rambo's role should decrease. At the moment, in our current team, he is not mediocre, he's arguably the most important player we have, but that is because he is basically the only one with serious pace and stamina. He doesn't ideally fit the double pivot, as a result he was moved to the wing, but since we now have real wingers, his playing time should decrease... unless he somehow consistently manages to outperform our new exciting wingmen, which I frankly don't think he will be able to do. Do you NOW get my point?

You should re-read that sentence, it was written in speculative manner, hence the usage of the word "should" not "is". Let me put it into perspective for you. If Victor Moses was voted players' player of the season at Wigan, and then they went on to sign the likes of Hazard and Hulk and possibly other world class players, then should Moses still be played as much and considered the best on the merit of him being voted the PPOTS last season? No, I'm pretty sure they'd shove aside the sentiment and let more skillful players take his place, thus demoting his status as "the best player" to a more mediocre rotation/squad player and upping the team's general play by sacrificing his position.

That means I succeeded

No. Nowhere in that quote can I see where I called him mediocre.

Oh did I say that? Can you please quote me on that.

What's wrong with you? Did I EVER say that his goal was shit? In fact I voted for it as the goal of the season. Screw yourself you inept prick.

We need a right-back. Kane hasn't been trusted yet and maybe for a reason? He plays in the reserves/youth team, in whichever league he plays, it's still a massive gap between there and the premier league and champions league. Both Kane and Sam were unable to overtake the amazing pair of Bosingwa and Ferreira, it should tell you something... while Bertrand is now undoubtedly the successor to a much better Cole, which means that if the quality were there, they would have gotten their chances by now. Ivanovic is bound to get injured, suspended or forced into center so we'd have to rely on Ferreira, but if he goes then I don't really know if I want to see Kane or Sam defending the Riberys and Ronaldos of this world. In carling cup games, why not, but there are so few CC games that we need proper cover for big games. Maybe Ferreira can do it, but I'd be more confident with someone established.

WTF? This is hands down the worst derailment incident I've ever witnessed in any forum. For a moment I actually was wondering if I were in the wrong thread. Holy shiet Anyway, has anybody already dreamt about Hazard? I saw a dream this night where he absolutely destroyed opponents. I usually don't remember my dreams but his dribblings were pornographic, so it sticked to my mind.

Rambo will play winger and midfielder depending on the need. He will play less than last 2 years. It's a good thing because the cliche "in a world class team Ramires should be the worst or a mediocre player" was born for a reason.

that's kinda random

who's bobby?

Drogba is gone, Lampard has adapted well to the deeper role and shouldn't have many concerns. The only problem I can see is if he randomly decided to cut out Terry or play high line, which I doubt he would. Kalou and Malouda will be gone, at least one of them so I can't see them voicing concerns either, especially now that they're gonna be replaced by superior specimens. Sturridge might blab about his preferred position but I doubt anybody cares about his complaints. I don't know, I think Guardiola would demand more respect than AVB did. AVB was an easy prey tbh. And all he essentially needs to do is yap with the players and explain his decisions. I think it was Lampard who hinted that he'd have been far more pleased if the team were winning while he was bench warming. So if he starts winning games right off the bat, then it should keep everyone happy. Robbie did the sensible thing, he relied on the old guard again, they reacted and started winning... everybody happy. With AVB there was a communication breakdown because they were losing games, playing bad and overlooking some players for unknown reasons. He also committed professional suicide by doing that in-depth interview where he compared Torres to Kezman and Sheva. He lost a lot of players' trust.

I saw half of the first half and it was evident that Brazil were attacking mainly from the left side.. their offense was oriented to Marcelo, Neymar and that nr. 10 guy. I thought Hulk was annoyingly ignored many times.

All in all the Kalouda pair deserve respect. They always found their uses and there was even time when Malouda used to be decent enough to help our cause. Kalou's assist to Riise was also legendary. Kalou had his own kind of ambition and objective, to become the greatest benchie ever - always great to have players content with that role and even boasting about it. It's just that they should have been replaced much earlier, that's the club's fault. I think they know they aren't anymore the needed calibre, but for a long time they were practically the only choices and had nobody to compete with them, so they did what they were told, albeit a bit lazy as a consequence.

Wonder what will be Malouda's role if he stays. With our new wingers he'd hardly get a sniff on Eva's freshly bum pressed Audi seat anyway. Is he content with rotting away, or will he open a translators' support group with Paulo? Lots of drama ahead...

His odds for breaking through seem very slim now, but he's still young and has time on his side. He definitely needs to go on loan next season, but to a club where he can actually play. I just wish he were bigger and stronger defensively, then he could be bedded into Lampard's role... it would be perfect for him. He should be assigned to private training sessions with Hulk.

We did the hard part by seducing Hazard. One big name signing is enough to convince other prominent players. By having both, Hazard and Hulk, all the Modrices and Falcaos of the world will be knocking on our door, not the other way round. I can't see how our negotiators could tempt Hazard into a freshly Drogba- and managerless team with no flair unless he was given reassurance that he'd get top quality teammates to work with. I think we're seeing the club cooking up a fresh team and carrying out one of its promises.

That's exactly what some people on here were saying after presuming he'd join City. I see they're gone now, or just migrated to a Manchester forum maybe.

Before Hulk we need a midfielder and a RB. Of course if Hulk did sign, I wouldn't be exactly miserable over it, on the contrary, I would be over the moon. But it would feel like a luxury signing now. If we had Hazard and Hulk on wings, then our attack would be very potent from each side, but with Ramires for example you know that would be our weaker side offensively. I would love the attacking diversity and unpredictability. I could not say no to the big green man... he could also effectively cover for CF position, eliminating the need for another striker as well as putting the winger issue to bed once and for all. I really don't know where that would leave the likes of Sturridge and Ramires but fuck me, I'll leave this problem to the manager, I want to see him play for us. I'm a greedy bitch I know

What about his free-kick ability? Now that both Ballack and Drogba are gone, we are without real free-kick shooters. Is he usually accurate with them?

Was it confirmed by credible sources that he said that? Or was it written by the same people with top secret inside sources who claimed that the players hated RDM more than AVB?

If Roman were so easy to figure out by random journos, then I doubt he would have become who he is by being so predictable. I would call it anything but 'fact', but I would certainly understand why he might want him. I, personally, am undecided. It's tempting to think how he might make us play, but on the other hand there are no guarantees. It would also be worrying if we played against Barca, he could have a clash of interests of some sort. I don't know, I don't think it would be the worst appointment possible, but Di Matteo is a true Chelsea legend who achieved so much in so little time, it would hurt and be disrespectful to just kick him out like that - "thanks and now fuck off". Guardiola is nowhere near as blue as Robbie is, and he beat Pep tactically... twice.

How do you know what Roman is? He never speaks, it's impossible to know what he wants or thinks.